Chapter Fourteen – Cadie
Cadie
What did one wear to an outdoor dance party that you were going to with a guy who just made you come in his family living room.
My cheeks heated, and I had to place my hands over them to cool my face.
I stared at the few clothes hanging in the closet. I ended up pulling out a long-sleeve shirt and my favorite blue sweater. If I got too hot, I could always take the sweater off. The temperature had been pretty nice today, a high of fifty, but it was still cold, and now that the sun was down, it would only keep getting colder. I wrapped my scarf around my neck, grabbed a knit hat and some gloves, and pushed them into my coat pocket.
I pulled on my UGG boots and took one last look at myself. My hair was down, and I contemplated whether to put it up. In the end, I decided to leave it down.
Satisfied with how I looked, I turned and headed out of the room. As I neared the bottom of the steps, I could hear Sally and Kian talking.
As I turned to head into the kitchen, I realized it wasn’t Sally’s voice I heard but another woman’s .
I stopped right outside of the kitchen when I heard my name.
“And do you know anything about this woman staying in our home?”
I instantly recognized the voice. It was Kian’s older sister, Macy.
“I know enough about her. What is your problem, Macy? Opal said you treated Cadie like shit when you were at the bakery.”
“What? I did not.”
“You sure about that?”
Macy sighed. “Fine. Maybe I was a bit…rude. I guess I just want to know who she is.”
“Her name is Cadie Waterford; she’s from Oregon and lived on the West CoastandChicago; she is a wonderful baker, friend, and employee. She’s here to start a new life, and I say we respect that.”
I turned and leaned against the wall, placing my hand over my heart. I didn’t deserve someone like Kian. I struggled to decide whether to tell Kian the truth or keep him in the dark. My gut told me to keep him in the dark for his safety, but my stupid heart was screaming for me to tell him the truth. I closed my eyes and drew in a slow breath.
“I’m sorry, Kian. It’s clear that you trust her.”
“I do, Macy, and so does Opal. And Sally. You’ve got to stop judging people before you even get a chance to get to know them.”
She sighed. “I know! I know! It’s just so hard. I don’t know if it’s the old lawyer in me or what. But I promise you, I’ll be more open-minded.”
“And not rude? ”
She huffed. “I wasn’t rude the entire time.”
Kian mumbled something but I couldn’t understand what he said. “She will be coming down any second, so please behave.”
I backed up a few feet and started to walk. I entered the kitchen and did my best to seem surprised to see Macy there.
“Macy, um, hello.”
My gaze quickly darted to Kian andthen back to his sister. I couldn’t look at him right then. Not with the memory of those lips on my breasts and the way his fingers worked my…
Stop it, Cadie. Stop!
“Don’t worry. Kian told me you’re staying here until all your furniture arrives. You rented his cabin, huh?”
I set my jacket down. “Yes, I did. I didn’t know then that Kian owned it, though.”
Macy smiled. “I’m sorry if I came across a bit…intense. I have a hard time with new people.”
What was I supposed to say to that? All I did was smile and reply, “No worries.”
“You ready?” Kian asked as he grabbed his jacket. “Are you going to the dance? Is that why you’re in town?”
Macy shook her head. “No, I had some business with Opal.”
That caused Kian to stop. “Is everything okay?”
I caught the quick look Macy shot my way before she focused back on her brother. “Yep, all is fine. You guys go and have fun.”
“Sounds good. Talk to you soon?” Kian said, kissing his sister on the forehead.
“Yep. Have fun, Cadie!”
She sounded genuine. Smiling, I replied, “Thank you, Macy. Have a good evening. ”
Kian handed me my coat and flashed me a brilliant smile. “Ready?”
I nodded. “Let’s go!”
Moose Village knew how to throw a shindig! The Spring Fling dance was so much fun, and we’d only been there for about an hour. Booths were lined up on Main Street with vendors selling crafts, clothes, food, you name it! The bakery booth looked to be completely sold out when we walked by.
“The banana nut bread is gone,” Kian remarked.
I laughed. “It appears so.”
“You’ve made a name for yourself with that bread.”
My cheeks heated. It was also a hot-selling item back in my bakery, but I would keep that information to myself. Even though I had told Kian and Opal I had owned a bakery, the less they asked about it the better.
The dance was being held at the corner of Main Street and Maple Avenue and even had a live DJ. It looked like the whole town was there, with everyone from babies to people on the makeshift dance floor with walkers.
“How long has the city been doing this?” I asked as Kian handed me a beer.
“Gosh, for as long as I can remember. And they were doing it when my parents were young as well.”
I smiled and took a drink from my beer. “What a fun tradition to have growing up.”
“There is a fall dance as well. And once summer starts, even more events. Even tomorrow, something is going on.”
“Oh! The Woof and Wander! I saw that. ”
Kian smiled and tipped back his beer to drink it. My eyes instantly went to his lips wrapped around the bottle. My stomach pulled with need, and I forced myself to look away.
“You told me about some of the events earlier, but what are the popular ones you remember?”
He looked up in thought. “Next month is the Founders’ Day festival. I think I already told you about that.”
“Opal had a meeting about that the other day. She said the bakery will be packed, and we’re already prepping things.”
“A ton of tourists come in for it, and most of the stores on Main make a pretty hefty profit from Founders’ Day. Also starting next month is the Main Street block party. Vendors from all over come and set up tents all down Main Street. It’s another huge tourist attraction. The farmers’ market will start up next month as well.”
“I can’t wait for that. There is nothing better than buying fruit and veggies from local farms.”
Kian nodded. “I agree.”
“I’m also looking forward to the Moose Jam Fest on The Green you mentioned.”
“That’s always a fun time. I think one of the kids from Moose Village who started playing during the Moose Jam Fest was discovered by a record producer who just happened to be in town. He heard him and signed him a month later.”
“Wow! That’s amazing.”
He took another drink of his beer, and I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat.
Kian had found us a small table right on the edge of the tent that was erected over the area where everyone was dancing .
He set his drink down and looked at me. “Want to dance?”
I glanced out over the dance floor and then around the area. There were so many people that no one would even give me a second glance. Focusing back on Kian, I nodded. “Yes! Let’s dance.”
He stood, reached for my hand, and guided us toward the dancing crowd. A country song was playing.
“Do you know how to two-step?”
His question surprised me, and I answered with my own: “Do you know how to two-step?”
He laughed. “I learned a few years ago when I was dating a girl from Texas. She loved hitting up a country and western bar in New York City.”
“Did you date her for long?” I asked as we got into position and Kian put his hands on my body, ready to spin me around the concrete dance floor.
He shook his head. “My job seemed to always be in the way. We only dated for a few months. So, do you know how?”
I nodded. “I do, as a matter of fact.”
“Great!” he said, his brown eyes lighting up as they caught the lights hanging from the tent’s ceiling.
He drew me in closer, and we set off. I had to admit, it wasn’t exactly easy dancing on the street, but we did pretty well. A few people looked our way, and at first, I felt my entire body heat. But once we started and got our rhythm down, I found myself relaxing.
Kian was so easy to be with. He didn’t expect anything from me or demand that I do things his way. It was refreshing to be with someone like him. The song ended, and a slow song began. Kian drew me closer to his body and placed our intertwined hands between us, right against our chests. I resisted the urge to bury my face in his chest. I could smell his cologne, and it almost made me feel dizzy. When I looked up, he looked down at me, and I was struck again by how handsome he was. His brown hair was cut short on the sides and in the back but was a bit longer on top. He looked like he could be in the military. And don’t even get me started on those golden-brown eyes of his. They seemed to pierce right into my soul.
“Has anyone ever told you you’re beautiful, Cadie?”
My entire body felt like it caught fire, and I had to fight the urge to look away. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re beautiful?”
Kian tossed his head back and laughed. He shook his head. “Handsome, but not beautiful.”
I reached up and ran my finger down his jaw. “Well, you are.”
His smile faded some as his gaze searched my face. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said, giving him a teasing wink.
He took my hand again and brought it to his mouth, gently kissing along my knuckles. The moment was so tender and beautiful. I felt…cherished. Then, a loud noise from off in the distance brought me back to reality. I jerked my hand away and stepped back, looking around us to see if anyone had seen what happened.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Kian asked, taking my hand and drawing me back in.
I swallowed and glanced around. “What if someone saw that?”
He shrugged. “Who cares. I don’t. Do you? ”
Looking up at him, I replied, “If I’m being honest, I’m not sure. I mean, I didn’t come here to find a relationship, I came to start over.”
“I didn’t come here for that either. But is it so wrong to start over in all areas of your life?”
I thought about his question. Was it? Could I see myself settling down and staying in this small town? What were the chances I’d be found? I’d changed my identity, but not my looks. What were the odds he’d find me here?
For the first time in months, I felt my body relax a bit more as I slowly started to let my guard down. I could do this. I could start a new life and put my past behind me as much as possible. I’d still be looking over my shoulder, there was no way around that. But I could open my heart and let in this amazing, kind man. I could do this.
“No, it’s not wrong at all.”
Kian smiled down at me. I lifted up, and our lips brushed lightly. When we broke apart, I giggled. “I’m nervous.”
“Why?” he asked as he took a piece of my hair and ran it through his fingers.
“Small town. Gossip.”
He placed his finger on my chin and lifted so our eyes met. “The only thing that matters is you and me.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
Kian kissed me again, soft and gentle. “You know what I could go for?”
I raised my brows, causing him to laugh.
“Yes, I could go for that, but I am a gentleman who won’t drag you down an alley and have my way with you. I want something with chocolate.”
“Really?” I asked as I looked up as if I was thinking. “I’ve got it. I know of this bakery that isn’t far from here. The owner has entrusted me with a key. I bet I can make you something with chocolate.”
“Is that so?”
I nodded.
Kian pushed me out gently, spun me, and said, “Lead the way.”