Chapter 28
CHLOE
Stretching my arms above my head, I blink my eyes open, staring up at a ceiling bathed in sunlight that is definitely not the one in my cabin.
It takes me a moment to remember Kade waking me as he propped me up on the edge of his bed.
I thought we were in my cabin, and it didn’t even cross my mind to question him as he helped me get changed into an oversized white T-shirt.
How I didn’t wake up when he brought me in from the truck is beyond me.
Either way, it’s nice to wake up in his space and a room where his scent still lingers.
Rolling over to face his side of the bed, I frown when I find the spot next to me empty.
Maybe he had to go to work. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s left me in his house, and I’m ashamed to admit that I did poke around the last time.
My curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know more about the man that has enamored me, simply by existing.
The scent of bacon wafts through the door, and I throw back the covers, climbing from Kade’s massive bed.
Like a cartoon character finding a freshly baked pie on a window ledge, I let my nose lead me.
The wooden staircase is cool under my feet, and I’m no more than four steps down when I hesitate.
Should I get dressed? Maybe leave? I dismiss the thoughts before they’ve had time to fully form.
This is Kade we’re talking about.
My Kade.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he has cooked up a feast and made plans for us for the day. In fact, I’d put money on it.
When I reach the kitchen, Kade’s standing over the oven, dressed in a black tank top and gray sweatpants with a backwards cap on his head. I lean against the doorjamb, crossing my legs at the ankles and thanking the heavens above that he won’t be able to tell what the sight of him is doing to me.
The kitchen is filled with the aroma of coffee, bacon and him. It’s the kind of morning I never want to end.
“Hey, handsome.”
Looking at me over his shoulder, Kade winks at me before pointing to the coffee pot on the other side of the room. “Morning, buttercup. There’s fresh coffee, and breakfast will be ready in five, so take a seat.”
Called it.
I cross the room, rolling my lips to keep my grin at bay. He might not realize it, but Kade seems to have a thing for taking care of me. Not that I’m complaining, but if he spoils me too much, I might never leave.
God, I don’t want to leave as it is.
I haven’t felt like myself in such a long time, and being here in Coldwater has given me a little bit of myself back.
It isn’t just the place, but the possibility of being able to start over without anybody else’s expectation weighing me down.
Add Kade into the mix and I already feel like I’m home.
With only two full days left to go until my flight back to Seattle, the thought of going back feels all kinds of wrong.
Regardless of how my conversation with Maddie goes today, I need to tell Kade how I feel: that going back couldn’t be further from what I want and that although he’s not the entire reason I’d be staying, I would like to date him. For real.
Focusing on pouring a cup of coffee, I put the stress seeping into my body to the back of my mind. I’m not going to have that conversation until I’ve spoken to Maddie and know what she’s looking for in a photographer.
I locate the creamer, and when I return to my mug, there’s a small container of sugar waiting for me. I’ve been so in my own head that I didn’t even notice him putting it there. “Do you want a cup?” I ask, pushing down the emotion that clogs my throat.
Kade shakes his head, stirring the eggs on the stove. “Nah, I’m not done with this one.” He holds up a mug, taking a sip before returning it to the counter.
With my coffee in hand, I take a seat at the kitchen island, watching him move around the room with ease.
Would this be what our mornings would look like if I lived here?
Not necessarily in this house—it’s far too soon to be living together, even if I do stay in Coldwater.
But if I was to stay over, would this be a regular occurrence?
What would this thing between us look like if I didn’t leave?
As it stands, there’s nobody for us to pretend for now. All my family have left. And yet here I am, in his kitchen, wearing his T-shirt, having slept in his bed. That has to mean something, right?
Unaware of my thoughts, Kade cuts through the beam of sunlight that I’ve been staring at as he places a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast in front of me. My stomach gurgles as the smell fills my nostrils. I may have been too excited taking pictures to remember to grab food last night.
Picking up a piece of bacon, I take a bite, moaning as the saltiness explodes on my tongue.
Sliding onto the stool beside me, he picks up his fork, shoveling the eggs onto it before leaving it to hover mid-air as he asks, “What do you have planned for your last couple of days?”
I finish the mouthful of eggs I scooped up while he was sitting down before responding, “I was hoping to go out to Yellowstone tomorrow, but today I’m meeting with Maddie and then I want to have a last look around town, and if I’ve got time, maybe see what activities they have at the Hartlands’ ranch. ”
He nods, like he’s thinking of something. “I’ve got to do some jobs around the ranch tomorrow morning, but we could head out around eleven?”
“We?” I tease, the weight of needing to define us lifting from my chest.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.” He places his fork on the side of his plate and takes a sip of his coffee before continuing, “I bet you’ve had enough of me.”
Enough of him?
He says it so lightheartedly, but I still catch the undercurrent of uncertainty. Twisting on my stool, I set my elbow on the counter before resting my head on my fist. “I don’t think I could ever have enough of you, Kade.”
We stare at each other for a beat, the air between us swirling with the tension from all the unspoken words.
Kade taps his thumb against his mug as I pull in a deep breath, my chest expanding.
I don’t think either of us wants to ruin this or put pressure on the other for an answer as to what our future looks like.
Perhaps I’m a coward, but I give him a soft smile and say, “Eleven sounds great,” before turning my attention back to my breakfast. It seems I need to gather up some courage before I put my heart on the line.