Chapter 22
Cade
By the timewe got home, Aspen had been going on and on about Dr. Feinstein’s warning on getting things ready for Molly and the upcoming birth of her pups.
“We need the whelping box, and Dr. Feinstein reminded me I need to put together a kit in case of?—”
Shoulders shaking, a smile on my face, I broke her soliloquy. “Sweetheart, I know we haven’t talked much past the fact that Renegade knocked Molly up, but you’re putting far too much worry in this whole puppy birthing business.”
“Albert Caden!” Her eyes were as wide as saucers. “Have you not heard me? Seven fucking puppies are going to be shooting out of my poor innocent Molly in less than a month. Seven!”
I thanked my lucky stars we’d reached my driveway, because the tears of mirth began to fall as my laughter burst the dam.
“What’s so funny?” She turned to face the windshield; her arms crossed defiantly over her chest. “None of this is humorous in the least. I’m thinking I should have never told Feinstein that I’d handle things.” Seconds later… “That’s it, the minute she goes into labor, I’m bringing her in.”
“Pen,” I puffed out between bouts of hysterical laughter. “No need to worry.”
“Seven, Cade. Seven!”
This had me in stitches once more, but the growl from the woman I had grown to adore in such a short amount of time had me sobering rather quickly.
“Sweetheart, I wish I’d known you were this worried,” I told her, “but I’ve helped dogs whelp their pups before.”
Her head snapped my way. “You have?” Her eyes scanned me from top to toe.
I nodded. “Renegade was actually from a litter I helped whelp,” I explained, and grabbed for Aspen’s left arm, smoothing my hand from her elbow to her wrist until I found her hand and pulled her crossed arms apart, entwining our fingers. “I even have the perfect spot for Molly’s whelping box, but?—”
Aspen’s brows furrowed. “But?”
I shook my head, then reached over the steering wheel, turning the key in the ignition so the truck was off. “Let’s take this inside. I think we can agree with how heavy today has been, a comfy couch, a drink, our dogs settled and comfortable will go a long way with us continuing this conversation. I’ll order us something to eat.”
“O—okay.”
Aspen
From the moment Cade pulled me from my seat in his truck, to the time we left the dogs, lounging on the carpet by the hearth, even when I’d settled against his side, a beer in both our hands, I couldn’t help but feel this day of heaviness hadn’t completely blown over.
There was far too much to discuss; so many questions running amok in my mind.
What happened while Devolin and I had been on our evidence dropping run?
What else had the guys found in my place after I’d ran out like a spooked bunny, and they’d arrived?
Were the guys still at my cottage? Would it ever be safe again? Did I want it to be safe?
And why did Cade have a special whelping spot for my dog?
“I can hear those wheels turning in that beautiful head of yours, Pen.”
“You said something about a special spot for Molly to give birth in?” I tried to pull away, but the arm he had around my shoulders kept me firmly wedged against him.
“Mm-hmm.” He buffed his scruff over my head. “Yeah, but there’s something else I wanted to talk to you about first.”
My heart beat at a staccato in my chest. “Like?”
“Like what we found today, what the boys found after we left, and what they’re up to at this very moment,” he said.
This time, I pushed against Cade’s chest, and he let me back away so I could sit up facing him, our knees touching. Before I could ask, he proceeded with telling me.
“We found a few patches of blood throughout the woods, but mostly, nothing more than an old burned down cottage. It couldn’t have been more than ten miles from your cottage. It was far enough from you that you probably wouldn’t have wandered there at all in your numerous treks. Shane’s out there right now, searching the scene with some other detectives.”
“Like I’ve said before, I haven’t seen anything,” I confirmed. “It was burned out?”
He nodded briskly. “Only just. Most of it was a mess of smoldering embers when we got there. I’m thinking whoever was holed up in it set it on purpose. We didn’t find a single remain, human or otherwise.”
I nodded, but that’s all I could do, my mouth having gone dry.
“The guys and I are in agreement that whoever this person is that’s trying to get to you, they were probably staying there. It’s either that or they set the blaze as a diversion to put some distance between us finding them. That’s why there’s still a search going on.”
“But what do I have that’s theirs?” I mumbled. “Cade, as much as I want to find this person, I can’t help but think that whatever it is, they won’t stop until they get their due.”
Cade grabbed my beer and sat both our drinks on the table in front of us. “Sweetheart…” He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back into his arms gently, our faces only inches apart.
“I know I’ve been eager to catch this person, and I know I’ve put up so much of a stink about being able to take care of myself but, Cade.” I licked my lips, looking down from his eyes to gain a bit of fortitude. “Am I crazy for wanting to run and start fresh somewhere else?”
Pinching my chin, he tilted my head up so our eyes connected once more. “Explain. Now,” he growled.
I sighed. “I don’t want to fight for something that I feel I can’t ever get back.” I shook my head in his grasp, but my eyes stayed on his. “What I mean is, as independent and self-sufficient as I am, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel safe in that place again, no matter how many doohickies Stan installs. It’s not my safe haven anymore.”
“What would make it your haven?” His voice came out smooth and deep, his eyes searching mine with…was it hope?
I shrugged, knowing it wasn’t the answer he was looking for by the light dulling in his midnight gaze. “I’m not sure, but I know it’s not there anymore,” I whispered.
“Right.” When the look of determination entered his features, I knew that what would come out of his mouth next would floor me.
He certainly didn’t disappoint.