57. Chapter 57 - Rosalyn
The days start to blend together. I’m getting to be a pretty good shot with my little pistol. After the scare at the rodeo grounds, it’s invigorated me to be diligent with my lessons. Cade spends every waking moment pouring through deeds, permits, and any connection he can find to my family.
I help as much as I can but a lot of that information has been lost after my parents died.
Ironically, he even pulled up the photos from their accident and discovered that their brake lines had been cut in the exact same way that his had been.
It leaves little doubt that Eli was behind their deaths as well.
He’s a monster on the loose and we’re all waiting for something, anything to break open.
The only good part about being stuck in Montana is I’ve been able to rekindle a friendship with Elena.
Who knew we’d hit it off as adults like we did when we were kids?
“I think we should get out of this place for a little while.” Cade stands and stretches, showing the slip of skin above his belt.
He catches me staring and grins. “Or we could stay in?”
“Tempting.” I let my tongue play over my lower lip. “But a break would be nice. What were you thinking?”
“There’s an Italian place in Missoula that Ford used to swear by. Up for a two hour drive?” He picks up his keys and dangles them under his palm. “Then we can stop for some groceries at the big store there. They have a lot better options.”
“I love that idea.” My hobby lately has been practicing new recipes and I have a running list of ingredients I want to pick up.
We’re just about to the truck when I pause. “Want me to ask Pete if he needs anything?”
Since he ended up having to have knee surgery, he’s been pretty limited lately.
“Sure, baby, I’ll get the air conditioner going.” Cade heads towards the truck while I knock on Pete’s door.
“Yup!” His gruff voice carries from inside.
I know he can’t get up, so I push it open.
“Pete? We’re heading to Missoula for groceries. Do you need anything?” As I glance around, it’s hard not to notice that his place can use a little freshening.
“Sure.” He hobbles in using a cane from the direction of his office. “Let me grab my wallet.”
“No, don’t worry about that. You’re letting us stay rent free. In fact, let me come down tomorrow and help tidy things up. I can sweep and vacuum, knock the dust down while you’re healing.” I give him a broad smile.
“I appreciate that.” His gray mustache ticks up. “But I have the housekeeper coming in today to do that for me.” His hand waves. “This place needs more than just a sweep.” He limps in through the loop of the kitchen, appearing on the other side with a short piece of paper. “If you wouldn’t mind?”
At a glance, it’s all very basic stuff. “Not a problem. We’ll see you tonight.”
“You kids have fun.” He doesn’t wait but turns back towards the hall.
Holding the note like a trophy, I trot around the truck where Cade is waiting by my door.
“All set?” His eyebrows raise.
“Yep! Off we go.”
After some of the best risotto I’ve ever had, we find ourselves in the aisle of the huge store, slowly loading our cart.
Cade likes to zig zag, where I like the order of working up and down each row…just in case I missed something.
So we compromise by going in each row.
Fuck, I love him.
“I don’t have toiletries on the list.” I wave the slip as I walk next to him.
I still haven’t figured out if he likes pushing the load of groceries because he’s stronger or if it helps him take a little bit of the pressure off his leg.
Either way, I’m glad I don’t have to navigate the heavy pile.
“You know it’ll bug you if we don’t go down.” His grin tugs up his cheek. “Besides, my belly’s so full I don’t know if I’m ready to sit in the truck for two hours quite yet.”
“Fair. I’m in the same state.” Except I almost felt bloated before we even started eating.
As we pass the deodorant and the shampoo, something funny starts to hit me.
I don’t know how many pads I have.
When was the last time I had a period?
“Cade?” My voice starts to shake as I stop in front of the tampons.
“Yea, baby? Which ones do you need?” He looks at the selection like they’re written in hieroglyphics but stands patiently.
“That’s the thing.” Hot and cold flashes through me and my head spins. “I have used any since we came back to Montana.”
His palm touches my arm. “Ros—” He turns me slowly, his brows knitting over his nose. “—that was six, seven weeks ago.” Then his lips purse as his hand moves up and down until it crests my shoulder and he cups behind my head. “You haven’t been sick?”
My head shakes as I fight the fear trying to drag me down. Is this what he really wants?
But when the smile starts to spread, it ignites the fire in my chest.
“Then maybe that’s what we need?” He tips his hat towards the pregnancy tests at the end of the row.
“Should we?” It’s so strange to consider it. I don’t feel any different.
He shrugs, his grin fully taking over. “Can’t hurt. Worst you do is pee on a stick, right?”
If that’s all it is, why do my hands tremble when I pick up the box?
It isn’t the package, it’s what it represents.
A change in us. A whole new chapter.
All of the crazy possibilities start swirling around me.
What if I’m a bad mom? What if something goes wrong?
What if John or Eli do something to me? If Eli kicked me now like he did Christmas Eve…
It’s only the last one that really has me panicking.
I’m worrying for nothing. I might not even be pregnant.
It could be stress? The heat?
Cade guides me through the checkout, taking over as I see him watching me.
While he’s loading the bags into the truck, he pulls out one of the cold bottles of water from the cooler. “Here, baby. Go ahead and get in. I got this.”
We’re barely halfway home when I start fidgeting but we’re in the middle of nowhere.
“Gotta go?” He glances at me out of the side of his eyes. “Bad enough to stop?”
“Yes,” I whine. “Did you do this on purpose?” I let a manic giggle escape.
“I know you well enough that you’d want an answer right away.” He pulls out the pregnancy test. “There were two. You can do a backup check in the morning.” He finds a wide spot that extends far from the road and rolls us to a stop.
But then he reaches across, cupping my jaw to press a hard kiss to my lips. “No matter what, I love you, okay?”
“Thank you.” Grabbing some napkins, I barely make it behind the first bush when I drop my leggings. Balancing precariously, I somehow manage not to pee on myself in the process.
With the plastic rod wrapped carefully, I climb back in the truck and then stare between it and the clock on the dash without blinking until the time allotment on the box passes.
“No matter what, baby.” He squeezes my hand.
Even though we’re actively driving, it feels like the world comes to a halt.
Peeling back the white paper, I forget to breathe as I tilt the stick to examine the tiny window.
“Well?” His voice drips tension as he tries to watch me and the highway at the same time.
My mouth is so dry I can’t form words.
So I just hold up my hand and extend two fingers.
His brows pinch. “What does that mean?”
“There’s a second line. It’s a ‘yes’.”