Jill Shalvis - The Detective’s Undoing

Maddie reached out and hugged her tightly.

Delia nearly cracked. While she returned the hug, soothed by Maddie’s warm arms, she fought for control. And just barely found it.

“Always so strong,” Maddie murmured, stroking Delia’s hair. “So independent. It’s okay to need someone, Delia. To ask for help. Maybe you’ll feel better.”

Help. She had always had a problem asking, mostly because she had learned at an early age that asking meant showing weakness, and showing weakness left her vulnerable.

But this was Maddie, her sister, and one of the two people in the world who loved her unconditionally. She could ask for anything and nothing would be refused.

And wasn’t that the problem? The same thought continued to haunt her. How could she put her brother’s needs before her sister’s? She had no right to ask anyone to give up their dream for hers, no right at all.

“Jacob is okay, right?” Maddie asked

“Yes, he’s…fine.” He hates me, but he’s fine.

“And the custody hearing is still on. The judge is still considering you?”

“Yes.” Until he looks at my background, combines that with the utter lack of financial security. Not to mention Scott, whom I didn’t exactly bowl over with my winning personality.

“Well, I, for one, can’t wait to get him here and mother him to death.” Maddie’s smile was soft and full of affection as she pulled back. “He’s going to have all the family he ever wanted. It’s going to be perfect.”

“It is.” She hoped.

But Maddie wasn’t done fretting. “You’re not nervous about the guests?”

“No.” Delia did smile at that, for this was one thing she was looking forward to. It would certainly keep both her mind and body busy. “But those windows are stressing me out, so-”

“It’s Cade, isn’t it?”

Delia dropped the bottle of cleaner. Slowly she retrieved it. It took some effort to make sure her voice, when she replied, would be steady, because just hearing his name evoked all sorts of images, mostly being held in those big warm arms and receiving a kiss that days later could still make her knees wobble. “What does he have to do with anything?”

Maddie gave her a long look. “Gee, other than the fact you can’t say his name, I don’t know. What does he have to do with anything?”

“Nothing. I don’t know why you’d say it.”

“And if someone else says his name, your claws come out.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Maddie crossed her arms and lifted a brow. “Not to mention what happens to you when he walks into the room.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Delia scoffed. But what was really ridiculous was that she was a tough sophisticated city girl and hadn’t yet managed in all her twenty-six years to lose her virginity. She wasn’t sure why exactly, other than that no one had ever come close to making her feel half of what Cade had with one kiss. And yet to him, she was just a case. Probably a nuisance, to boot. He was a roamer, and when he was done here, he’d move on. “Nothing happens when he walks into the room.”

Maddie smiled and shook her head, her eyes full of sympathy and humor. “Oh, honey. Something happens all right.”

“If you think so, you need glasses.”

“You react.”

“Of course I react. It’s a full-blown allergic reaction. The man gives me hives.”

“The man?” The usually somber Maddie burst out laughing. “Cade. His name is Cade. Come on, I bet it rolls right off your tongue. Try it.”

“Yeah. You might like it.”

Cade had come into the room-how long ago? Delia wondered wildly-and stood there watching her, his eyes hooded. His arms were crossed over his chest, and on his face, damn him, his laughing mocking face, was the knowledge of what he could-and had-done to her with just one touch.

“Cade.” Maddie squeezed Delia’s arm gently, meant to both soothe and warn. “We were just talking about you. I’m making your favorite for dinner-pot roast. You’ll stay?”

He smiled at her, his grin crooked, endearing and just a little reckless. “Thanks, it sounds terrific, but I can’t. I’m…going.”

“You’re leaving? I thought you and Ty were busy with the repairs on the back fencing.”

“We’ve finally finished.” Languidly, he stretched his back and shoulder muscles, which were clearly outlined beneath his snug T-shirt, and Delia felt a powerful need to rub up against him, a need she assured herself was immature, no matter how hot and deep the ache was.

“You worked so hard.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “And given my aches and creaks, I’m getting old. Man, this cowboy stuff is hard work. I gotta hand it to Ty. He’s amazing.”

He was leaving, was all Delia could think. Going back to the city, probably, and his other cases. Fine. More than fine, actually. Good.

So why did she feel a funny pang in her midsection?

Indigestion.

“I hope Ty thanked you for staying and helping us get ready to open. We needed all the extra hands we could get, but we know you have a life away from here, as well.” Maddie squeezed Delia’s hands again, another warning. “Don’t we, Delia?”

A not-so-subtle hint to add her own thank-you. Good manners had Delia opening her mouth to do just that, but the words stuck in her throat.

She’d managed to avoid him since they’d returned from Los Angeles. It hadn’t been difficult, especially since he had done his own avoiding.

Not exactly complimentary, Delia thought with a frown.

It was one thing for her to need her own space, but she didn’t think she liked him needing his as well. “Going back to Boise?” she asked coolly.

“For a day or so.” He lifted one broad shoulder. “I’ll be traveling. Have some things to check out.”

“The exciting life of a private investigator,” Maddie said smiling. “You enjoy this part.”

“Very much,” he admitted. When he glanced at the door, something inside Delia hardened.

He can’t wait to leave.

Never in her life had she felt the urge to cling. She certainly wouldn’t start now. But he wanted to leave, couldn’t wait to leave, and it was because of her.

The knowledge was deflating. “Well, we don’t want to keep you,” she said.

Maddie sent Delia a meaningful glare. She wanted Delia to join her in convincing Cade to stay. “Are you sure you can’t rearrange things to be here for the grand opening?” Maddie asked him while nudging Delia.

Delia said nothing, didn’t add her own request for him to stay. Maddie was on her own there.

Realizing that, her sister sighed. “You’ve worked so hard to help us,” Maddie said to Cade. “It’d be a shame if you had to leave just one day before watching how it all turns out.”

Cade looked at Delia, as if waiting for her to second Maddie’s sentiments.

Did he expect her to beg? Ha! He’d have a long wait if he was. She never begged.

Besides, she wanted him gone.

She did. And if she said it often enough she might believe it.

“I have things that have to be done,” he said, and Maddie made another sound of disappointment.

“I know you’ve spent this past year going back and forth, trying to fit Constance’s case into your heavy workload,” Maddie said. “But it seemed that lately you spent more and more time here, which we loved. You’re a part of our family now, Cade.” She smiled into his surprised face. “And I got used to you being here. We hate to see you go.”

“I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I never meant to integrate myself so completely here or to disrupt-”

“Don’t you dare apologize!” Maddie said fiercely. “You’re welcome here, as much as I am or Ty or Zoe or Delia. You belong here-”