16. Chapter 16 - Cade
Frost dimples the edges of the windshield, a stark reminder to just how damn cold it is out there. Hell, it’s Christmas next week? Late December in Montana is nothing to take lightly.
Both the horses load easily with the lure of alfalfa near the front.
“I need to get back,” she mumbles as she sits shivering in the passenger’s seat.
“What is it, a two and a half hour ride on the best of days? Now we’re almost four hours from the ranch. You’d lose toes before you made it back.” When I turn the key, the engine on my old Ford roars to life.
“They’ll know I’m missing.” Her gaze shifts through the windows as she chews on her lip.
“You can leave anytime you want.” I feel the need to reiterate that. “But you’ll be better off if you warm up first.”
She stuffs her hands under her arms, huddling into the seat. “I don’t want to go back,” she whispers through a puff of mist.
A tiny spot begins to defrost above the heater vents, but it’s a long way from warm in here.
“You don’t have to. Take off your shoes.” I point to her feet. “They act like an insulator both ways.”
Her blonde brows furrow until she sighs and starts to kick her slick riding boots off.
“Ow. Okay, that hurts.” Pulling one leg up, she starts to rub her foot through her thin sock.
“Jesus, Ros, didn’t you dress for the cold?” I growl, flicking my finger to gesture to her to turn.
“I just wanted to get away from Eli.” She pauses, acting like she isn’t sure what she’s supposed to do.
I flip up the console between us. “Swing your legs around.” Then I tug my coat open.
Those big eyes focus on me for a full breath before she obeys me.
There’s hope for her yet. I jerk my flannel up and then grab her ankles to press her—
“Holy fuck,” I gasp when her freezing soles touch my belly.
She tries to pull away, but I hold fast, even if it feels like knives stabbing me in the ribs.
“Nope. Just relax.” I lean my head back and close my eyes, fighting the pain from just how damn cold her skin is.
Silence permeates the space between us as the temperature slowly starts to rise in the cab.
When she wiggles her toes, I crack a glimpse.
“They’re tingling.” Her voice is hushed as she huddles into the seat with her hands wedged between her thighs.
“That’s because they were getting frostbite.” I shift my focus to the dash and frown at the gas gauge. “I’m gonna have to go soon, are you coming with me?”
The bright red in her cheeks pales. “They’ll find me,” she whispers. “And I have nothing.” She pulls her wool hat down so it nearly covers her nose and tucks her face into her knees until she’s in a ball. “I should just go sit in the snowbank and be done with all of this shit.”
“Let me get you somewhere safe. Don’t talk like that, you have your whole life ahead of you.” I can’t help but rub my thumb along the arch of her foot.
Her hollow gaze drifts to where her feet disappear under my shirt. “Cade, I don’t have anyone. If I died today, no one would even know. I don’t have friends. My parents are dead. John and Eli would be happier with me gone.”
Shit. The same could be said for me.
Pete’s the only one who checks on me besides Mom. Sometimes I think she’d rather not.
My brothers have their own families so she’s probably in heaven getting to play with all of those babies.
Once upon a time I thought I’d be a part of it all.
“I’d care,” I grunt. “We make quite a pair, huh?” I tilt back to glare at my visor.
“Why? I mean, why would you care? I’m no one. Ava was strong enough to push back. Any time I try I get shoved down harder.” She shakes her head with a scowl. “I can’t escape.”
“Fuck,” I grunt. Slamming my boot on the brake, I shift into drive.
I expect her to protest, but all that meets me is silence.
Her horse is safely loaded with mine. She has everything she needs for today.
There’s only one thing bothering me as I pull out onto the main highway.
Why do I feel so comfortable with my arm draping her legs? Am I that desperate for any human contact that I’m enjoying this more than I should?
It was a challenge not to let the press of her body against mine affect me while I was carrying her on my mare. The friction was impossible to ignore.
I can’t remember the last time I held anyone close. Years, I guess?
Her sister.
My gut tightens with the realization.
I owe it to Ava to help Rosalyn.
It’s the least I can do.
But this contact? Her skin touching mine?
This can’t happen again.