Chapter Two – Lilibeth
Lilibeth
I knew the moment Caden entered the living room.
The air was charged and goose bumps slid over my skin.
I tried not to search for him but gave up after about twenty seconds.
I glanced over to see that he was leaning against the frame of the arched doorway that led from the dining room into the living room.
His eyes met mine, and instead of the usual anger there, I saw something I couldn’t read.
Moving my gaze away, I focused back on Emeline, who was telling Ensley and me all about her and Levi’s plan to head to Denver tonight and fly out to Lake Tahoe.
They were eloping. I thought it sounded wonderfully romantic.
And they weren’t telling the whole family.
Levi was telling Caden, of course, and Emeline had only planned to tell Ensley.
But she included me, as well, and I was honored that she would trust me with such a secret.
“So you’re really going to do it? No wedding?”
“We don’t want to waste another minute. Plus, it will be a fun adventure.”
“I love that you’re taking Rhett,” I added.
Emeline was glowing with happiness. It was infectious.
When I chanced another look in Caden’s direction, I saw him talking to Levi.
Their heads were bent in a private conversation, then Caden smiled at his friend.
It was rare to see him smile, but when he did, it made him look even more handsome.
If that was at all possible. Even a brooding Caden was good-looking.
But when he smiled…oh goodness, it lit up his face and made his bluish-silver eyes sparkle.
“Lilibeth?”
My gaze swung back to Emeline. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”
She laughed. “I did. I asked if you wouldn’t mind breaking the news to Moreen after you get the text that we’ve gotten married. I love her to pieces, but the woman cannot keep a secret to save her life.”
I chuckled. “Of course I’ll tell her.”
“I’ll make sure Marshall knows you’ll be gone for the weekend. I love Lake Tahoe. I’m not gonna lie, I’m jealous.”
“You’ve been to Tahoe?” I asked Ensley.
“Once. On a school ski trip. I never thought a place could be more beautiful than River Falls, but I was proven wrong.”
The feeling of eyes on me had me itching to glance around the room again, but I didn’t dare. I focused instead on Emeline and Ensley, who had changed the subject to a pregnant mare.
Then I felt him close by, and it annoyed the hell out of me. Why was my body so tuned in to Caden Wilde?
“I’m heading out.”
His words seemed to skate along my skin, causing me to shiver.
The three of us all looked up to see Caden standing there. He held his worn white cowboy hat in his hands. He leaned down and kissed Ensley on the cheek, then moved to Emeline. I’d never been so envious of two women in my entire life.
He lowered his voice when he spoke to Emeline. “Be careful on your trip. Don’t worry about this place, we’ve got you covered.”
Emeline smiled at her brother, then stood and hugged him. “Thank you.”
They stepped back, and Caden looked at me.
I flashed him the biggest and brightest smile I could manage. “What’s the matter, cowboy? Too old to be out past seven?”
He smirked. “No, I happen to be meeting up with someone for drinks, and I don’t want to keep her waiting.”
I ignored the way that made my chest ache. I instantly wondered about the woman he was meeting. I’d heard rumors that there was someone in Granby with whom Caden had a friends-with-benefits arrangement. Was that who he was leaving his family to meet?
“Real classy, leaving your family on Thanksgiving to have a hookup,” Ensley said. I was glad someone else was thinking the same thing.
Caden just smiled smugly before turning and heading toward his parents.
“You don’t think he’s really going to meet someone, do you?” Emeline asked.
Ensley shrugged. “Probably. He has that woman in Granby. I think he’s hooked up with her a few times.”
“Are they dating?” I asked.
Ensley laughed. “God, no. She’s like ten years older than Caden and has two kids. It’s just a mutual attraction, I think. Sex only.”
I nodded before taking a drink of my water. Sighing, I said, “I should probably leave as well. I’m hoping tomorrow brings a lot of people from outside River Falls to the shop. I’ve got bookings all day, so that’s a good thing.”
Emeline took my hand in hers. “That’s great, Lilibeth.”
I forced a smile.
Frowning, Emeline asked, “Why don’t you seem very happy about it?”
“I am,” I said, trying my best to sound like my usual peppy self. The truth was, I felt defeated, and suddenly so very tired. The only thing I wanted to do was go home, crawl into bed, and read.
When I stood, Emeline and Ensley did as well.
“I’ll see you when you get back,” I said to Emeline, kissing her on the cheek, then hugging her. “Congratulations again. I’m so happy for you!”
“Thank you, Lilibeth.”
I hugged Ensley goodbye next.
“Let’s have lunch this weekend, if you can break away from the store,” Ensley stated.
Nodding, I replied, “I would love that. Text me.”
I made the rounds, saying my thanks and goodbyes. I didn’t make it out of the house without a container filled with leftovers, though, courtesy of Ladd’s mother, Nellie, who packed it up for me.
Setting the food on the passenger seat, I hit the ignition button and waited for the car to warm up.
Snow had started to fall again. This time it was a bit heavier.
I sent up a prayer that any seriously heavy stuff would hold off until I got home.
The drive from the ranch to my house was about thirty minutes.
My little cabin was right on the outskirts of town and only a five-minute walk to the grocery store, which was nice.
The drive into town was filled with Nat King Cole, belting out his Christmas songs as I sang along with them. I pulled into the driveway and hit the garage door opener.
Nothing happened.
“Not again,” I said, my head dropping to the steering wheel. “I need to buy my own place.”
Looking up, I debated whether to text my landlords or just let it go.
I sighed. It was Thanksgiving, and I didn’t want to bother them about a garage door that wasn’t opening.
I turned off the car, grabbed my leftovers, and made my way to the front door.
The temperature had dropped even since leaving the Wilde ranch, and I bounced on my feet trying to stay warm as I fumbled for the key.
Once the door was unlocked, I quickly made my way inside to the warmth.
The door to my two-bedroom house closed behind me with a soft click. I leaned against it and closed my eyes, drawing in slow, deep breaths. Instantly, Caden popped into my mind, and I quickly opened my eyes again.
“Damn you, Caden Wilde!”
I pushed off the door and headed into the kitchen. I placed the leftovers in the fridge and headed to my bedroom. Sitting on the bed, I kicked off my boots and tried not to think about what Caden was doing at that very moment…probably already in someone’s bed.
Standing, I pulled the sweater dress off and tossed it to the floor before I dropped onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Is this my life? Am I doomed to be alone forever?
I squeezed my eyes shut to keep the tears at bay.
I rolled over and pulled my knees to my chest. Had I sealed my own fate by sticking to my vow not to give myself to anyone unless I truly loved them? I was turning thirty in the spring, and here I was, still alone.
“Is there a soul mate out there for me?” I asked the universe.
Grabbing the quilt from behind me, I pulled it over my body and let the tears fall until I was so exhausted, I eventually fell asleep.
Ding-dong.
I rolled over and moaned.
Ding-dong.
My eyes snapped open and I quickly sat up. “Shit!”
I flung the quilt off of me and looked at the clock. It was nearly nine thirty. “Oh shit!”
Ding-dong.
Whoever was at my door was now banging on it with what sounded like their fists.
Rushing from my bedroom to the front door, I nearly tripped over the stupid sweater dress. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
Ding-dong. Bang. Bang. Bang.
“I’m coming!” I cried out, as I unlocked the door and flung it open. The man standing there was the last person I expected to see.
“Caden?”
His eyes slowly raked over my body. It was then that I realized I’d just jumped up and ran to the door in what I’d passed out in the night before—a black lace bra and a matching thong.
“Oh my God!” I cried, slamming the door shut. I quickly went to my hall closet, grabbed a long coat, slipped it on, and tied the belt tightly.
With a deep breath, I opened the door again.
Caden raised a single brow. “Do you always open your door dressed in next to nothing?”
I scowled at him. “No. You woke me up with all the banging and I panicked. I’m late getting to the store.”
“Hence the reason I’m here. Moreen is freaking out, wondering where you are. She said she’s been trying to call you for the last hour.”
“Moreen called you?”
He leaned against the doorjamb. “No. She called Emeline, who called Ensley, who called me, because she’s already at work this morning. She asked if I’d come and make sure you were okay. So that’s what I’m doing.”
I hit my forehead with the palm of my hand, turned, and walked toward the kitchen. I just left Caden standing there. I heard the door shut and silently prayed that he’d just turned and left.
“Is everything okay?”
My body sagged when I realized he came in, instead.
“I overslept.”
“Late night, Flower Child?”
Before answering him, I put a coffee in my Nespresso and reached for a cup. I hit start and turned to lean against the counter. “I was just tired. I fell asleep before I turned my alarm on.”
Caden searched my face and frowned slightly. “Have you been crying, Lilibeth?”
The sound of my name from his lips was sinful. I wasn’t even sure he’d ever used it before.
“No. I just woke up.”
He made his way over to me, placed his finger on my chin and lifted. I couldn’t seem to remember how to breathe the moment he touched me. Yes, one simple fingertip on my chin, and I was ready to melt into a puddle on the floor.
“You have been crying.”
Every single part of my body begged me to reach up and kiss him. Even my stupid head. Instead, I turned away and focused on the coffee filling my mug.
“I’m fine, Caden. Just overslept. I’ll call Moreen and let her know I’m simply running late.”
He cleared his throat. “Okay.”
The sound of him retreating was both a relief and a heartbreak.
Grabbing my coffee, I watched as he turned and headed toward the door. I followed him and stopped in the living room.
“Thank you for stopping by to make sure I was okay.”
He tipped his cowboy hat, opened the door, and slipped out, softly shutting it behind him. I closed my eyes and drew in a few deep breaths, trying to remind my body how to breathe while ignoring the instant feeling of loss.
Why, oh why, was I attracted to Caden Wilde? Why?