A Kiss for Cade Read Online Free PDF Page B

accommodate the five of you.”
    “I won’t be here long enough to set up housekeeping. My stay in Winterborn will be brief. McGill thinks I’m in St. Louis, and I want to keep it that way.”
    “Well, I’ll help you all I can. You want to come home with me?”
    “The bunk upstairs is fine.” Zoe would have to keep the kids until he could make arrangements for their adoption. “I don’t want to stay with you, anyway. You snore too loud.”
    Pop cackled. “Don’t you be spreadin’ a rumor like that, boy!”
    “Rumor? When Addy and I used to play in here, you’d be reared back in your chair, raising the roof.”
    Pop heaved his bulk out of the seat, put his arm around Cade’s shoulders, and walked him to the door. “You square-dance?”
    “You asking?”
    “Still full of it, aren’t you? There’s a dance over at the hall every Saturday night. I know it ain’t proper for you to come tomorrow night, so soon after Addy’s death, but keep it in mind. You could ask Zoe. You two used to be sweet on each other, weren’t you?”
    Cade smiled. He’d be the last person Zoe would dance with. He hadn’t lied to her. He had been so busy collecting rewards he hadn’t realized how many years had passed. Then Addy’s letter had come, saying Zoe was about to marry Jim Bradshaw. Cade was stunned by the news. Zoe was his. She had always been his for as long as he could remember.
    As it happened, he didn’t get his man, but Zoe got hers. The next letter from Addy described the wedding. All the regret in Kansas hadn’t been able to blot out the loss he’d felt. Why hadn’t he gone back? He’d loved her. Was it the endless quest for money? He had all the money he wanted, and he wasn’t wallowing in contentment.
    He shoved the thoughts aside. Why dredge up ancient history? He couldn’t turn back the hands of time. He couldn’t change a thing.
    He settled his hat on his head. “I don’t know about the dance, Pop. I’m a little rusty.”
    “Oh? I thought dodging bullets kept a man nimble.”
    Cade poked Pop in his fat belly. “You should’ve been dodging biscuits and gravy.”
    Pop patted his stomach. “I’ve worked hard to get this. Got to have strength for sheriffin’ in Winterborn.”
    “Guess you’re right about a haircut. I’ll stow my gear upstairs, and then I’ll go see Walt.”
    Sniffing the air, Pop added, “Don’t forget the bath. You smell worse than a polecat. No wonder Zoe threw you out.”
    The men parted at the front door. Pop reached into his shirt pocket for a horehound stick. “Here you go, boy. Something to sweeten you up.”
    As Cade caught the piece of candy in midair, he suddenly felt like a kid again. He thought of the times he and Addy had scrambled after the treats. Grief blinded him as the reason for his homecoming sliced razor sharp, deep through his gut. Addy was dead, and four kids with his blood running through their veins were homeless.

 
     

Chapter Six

     
     
     
    A light breeze filtered from the open door Saturday morning, turning the overhead fan blades in Bradshaw General Store. Zoe was balanced on a ladder, dusting the top shelf of canned goods when the mayor’s wife came in. Next to Addy, Gracie Willis was Zoe’s closest friend, despite the twenty years’ difference in age. Gracie, with her silver hair and cheerful nature, was as young in mind and spirit as a schoolgirl.
    Giving a cobweb a final swipe, Zoe turned with a smile. “Morning, Gracie. You’re out and about early today.” Gracie usually did her shopping in the afternoon.
    “Didn’t sleep well last night,” Gracie conceded. “Kept seeing Addy, lying there in a pine box next to John—I can’t get her out of my mind.” She took a handkerchief from her handbag and wiped her nose. “I’m sorry. I know you miss her too.”
    The emotion in Gracie’s voice brought a lump to Zoe’s throat. She took a deep breath, willing her tears away. She’d already cried herself dry. “Losing Addy is