Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
C ade
Watching Annie interacting with the cows gives me a funny feeling in my chest. She’s a natural with them. She’s talking to them and laughing when they lick her. I don’t know what to make of her, but there is something pure about her. She says it like it is. I appreciate how straightforward she is. She acts like herself. She’s full of passion for this place. You see it in the way her blue eyes warm when she’s engaging with the cows. She’s giggling and speaking with them. Her passion has me feeling uneasy about my own life. I used to love hockey, and somewhere along the way I lost that passion. Dad was always riding me to play rough and “get the job done.” I hear his harsh voice echoing in my ears. I try to flush it out by thinking of the cows and how I was fearful at first, but then I relaxed and even enjoyed myself.
Annie says goodbye to the cows. She walks over to me and climbs over the fence easily. She takes me around, showing me the other barns filled with sheep and goats. One of the goats just had some babies and they are so small and adorable.
“Can I pick one up?” I ask Annie.
She blinks. “You want to hold a goat?”
I nod. “They seem so cute.”
“Well, I didn’t see that one coming.” She lifts one of the goats and passes him to me.
“Aw, he’s so soft,” I say, patting his fur.
“You’re just a softy, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean?” I chuckle.
“I don’t know. I feel like the hockey guys all come across as macho and assertive but you, Cade Price. You’re sweet,” she says.
“Oh, hell no, I am not sweet,” I assure her. “I’m also not a softy.”
“If you say so.” She cocks her brow conspiratorially.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“Nothing,” she sings.
“Something feels warm,” I say wide-eyed.
“What?” Annie asks, her eyes turning to saucers. I move the little goat away from my body to see he shat all over me. “Oh dear.”
Annie moves to take him from me.
“Shit, I’m covered in goat crap.”
“Shit is right.” Annie places the little guy on the ground and bursts into laughter.
“Damn, it’s watery and gross. Which way is it back to the house?” I ask with urgency.
“That way.” She points. “Follow me.”
She starts to walk fast. I try to keep up but the goat shat down my pocket, and the faster I walk, it leaks down my leg and is making me want to heave.
“It’s running down my leg, Annie,” I cry out.
“Don’t be a big baby. It’s only goat shit. I’ve had my share on me. You can give me your clothes. I’ll launder them for you,” she offers.
“You don’t have to,” I say, trying to keep my one leg straight to prevent the shit from moving down.
“Aw, it’s the least I can do after my goat soiled your clothes.”
We walk down a path and come across an older guy. “Hi, Walter.” She waves.
“Annie girl, welcome home,” he says. “We got some problems around here.”
“I know, Walter.” She frowns and blinks. “Walter, this is my friend Cade.”
“I would shake your hand but a goat pooped on me,” Cade says.
Walter howls with laughter.
“That’s all right, son. You go get yourself cleaned up. That’s an occupational hazard,” Walter says to Cade, still laughing.
We make it back to the house. I help Cade with his coat. “At least you didn’t get this expensive coat dirty.”
“That isn’t making me feel better,” he whines.
“Go get changed. I’ll grab your clothes from you,” I tell him.
He heads down the hall to his right, waddling. I can’t wipe the smile off my face as I watch him make his way to his room. I can’t remember laughing so hard in a long time. Cade enters his room and closes his door. I head to the bathroom to pee and wash my hands, and then I bump into Daddy.
“How did the tour go?” he asks, knowing I like to give my friends a tour of the place.
“Sally liked him, Daddy. She kissed him and rubbed herself against him and she was giving off low-key moos,” I share.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Daddy says.
“Right? It’s so crazy,” I tell him.
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“Nothing, just that she hated Ford,” I remind.
“Ford was all wrong for you. You know how I felt,” Daddy repeats for the umpteenth time.
“But Mom doesn’t see it that way.” I sigh.
“No, she doesn’t, but cheer up. Cade is a good one,” Daddy assures with a smile then he walks away.
He isn’t wrong. Cade is a good one. He’s kind, sweet, and funny. Although, I don’t know if the funny part is intentional. I walk over to the guest room and knock on the door.
“Cade, can I grab your clothes? I want to treat them so they won’t stain,” I tell him.
He opens the door wrapped in a towel around his waist. My jaw hits the floor. Holy shit. Holy shit.
“Annie?” he asks as I stare from his pecs to his six-pack to his arms. One of his hands is holding on to the towel, keeping it closed. “Are you sure you don’t mind washing them?”
“Not at all,” I say, my mouth watering. I want to reach out and touch his smooth skin. I want to feel the ridges of his muscles beneath my fingertips.
I shiver.
“Are you cold?” he asks. “I was just about to take a hot shower.” He blinks. “I mean, I was going to shower. You just seem cold,” he mutters.
“Ah no, I’m not cold.” I’m hot and horny. I blink. “I’ll just take the clothes to the laundry room. After all, it was my baby goat that soiled you.”
He nods. “’Kay, thanks.”
I turn and walk away. Did I just say that my baby goat soiled him? Someone shoot me now.
“Hey, Annie,” he calls after me.
I turn around, anticipating what he may possibly say.
“I like Sally. She was really nice.”
I smile and turn away. Damn, I’ve been blindsided by the enforcer.