Jane Porter - My Cowboy Valentine

“Maybe it’s a good thing she’s already dead, then,” Mia said drily.

“That’s horrible!” Rachel spluttered, reaching for a dish towel, uncertain if she should laugh or cry or both.

“It is, but it’s the truth.”

For a moment Rachel struggled to speak and then she blurted, “Today would have been her birthday. I’ve been thinking about her all day.”

“Oh, Rachel! I know you still miss her so much.”

“I do. I really do.”

Mia wrapped an arm around Rachel’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “But knowing your grandmother, she would have been beside herself if she realized what she did to you, deferring her property taxes all those years.”

For a moment Rachel let herself relax into the hug. It was so rare that she revealed weakness, so rare that she took comfort from anyone, but she needed the hug right now. It was brutal losing her home, but she wasn’t the only one this had happened to, and she wasn’t going to cry over spilled milk. What happened had happened, and there was nothing she could do about it but move forward and have a good attitude.

Gently, Rachel disengaged from the hug. “It’s not Grandma’s fault. I knew money was tight and yet I let her help us...she was always giving to us, trying to help me with bills. I should have asked her where the money was coming from.”

“She probably wouldn’t have told you, though. She loved Tommy so much. Loved having the two of you with her.”

Mia was right about that, Rachel thought. Grandma loved having family around. She always said family gave life meaning.

Mia looked anxious. “You’re really okay moving while we’re gone?”

“Have a moving company and everything. I’m good. And you shouldn’t be worrying about us. You’re getting married tomorrow. This is about you right now.”

“But I hate your new apartment complex. It’s awful—”

“It’s fine. And it’s cheap, as well as close to Tommy’s sitter.”

“I wish I’d had the money to help you.”

“Mia, stop.”

Mia nibbled on her thumb. “I can name a half-dozen folks right now who would have helped you if you’d asked—”

“Not going to impose on people. This is my problem. Not theirs.”

“But they’re your friends—”

“And I appreciate them, but I’m not going to ask for handouts.”

“It’d be a loan, Rachel.”

“A loan I can’t pay back.” Rachel shot her a dark look. “Cakes pay basic bills, but they won’t make me rich.” Peeling off her apron, she glanced at the clock on the old kitchen stove. “Isn’t your rehearsal starting at four?”

Mia checked her watch and shrieked. “It’s almost four already, and I haven’t picked up the bridesmaids’ dresses or the shoes, and I still have a twenty-five minute drive—”

“Don’t panic,” Rachel answered, rushing with her to the front door, “and don’t drive crazy. You’ll get there, and you’re the bride. No one’s going anywhere,” she added, swinging open the front door.

“You’re the best, Rache.” Mia took a step and then froze on the doorstep. “Cade?” Mia squeaked, eyes widening with surprise.

Rachel glanced past Mia to the tall cowboy on the porch, and the air caught in her throat.

Cade.

Cade.

Her heart stuttered, staggered, and she blinked, certain he’d disappear, certain he was an apparition. But even after blinking twice, he was still there, one hand hooked on his massive silver belt buckle, and a bouquet of yellow roses in the other, six-two without his boots and cowboy hat, and even taller wearing both. He was wearing both.

“Hello, darlin’,” he said. “Mia,” he added, giving Rachel’s friend a nod.

Mia blushed. “Long time no see.”

“It’s been a while,” he agreed, his tone grave.

Rachel could only stare at him as she dragged air into her lungs, hating the bittersweet pain that filled her heart. It’d been five years since Cade King had walked away from her, and he’d gone without a backward glance, shattering her heart into a thousand pieces.

“Congratulations on your third consecutive title. We’re all proud of you—” Mia broke off as she caught sight of Rachel’s expression. “Anyway, I was just leaving. Take care.”

“You, too, Mia.”

And then with a swift, speculative glance in Rachel’s direction, Mia was gone, dashing down the front steps, heading for the driveway.

For a moment the only sound was Mia’s car door slamming and her engine starting. Rachel swallowed hard and forced herself to look at Cade, still unable to believe he was here. But he was here. And he was even bigger and more ruggedly handsome than she’d remembered.

“Cade,” she whispered, shocked, numb, dumbfounded. He had been completely absent from her life for over five years...so why was he here now?

“Rachel.”

“What...what....are you doing here?”

“It’s your grandmother’s birthday. Brought her some flowers.”

He’d remembered Grandma. She ground her teeth together, her eyes burning. Was this real? Was he real? And God forgive her, was he sober?

“I probably should have called,” he added gruffly, “but I wanted to surprise her.”

Rachel blinked and struggled to find her voice. Just when she’d thought everyone had forgotten her grandmother, Cade showed up with birthday flowers. Yellow roses. Her favorite. “That’s nice of you.”

Dusky color warmed his high, hard cheekbones. “Can I come in?”

She nodded, stepping back to open the door wider. He dipped his head and, crossing her threshold, he removed his cowboy hat, revealing his glossy black hair. “Is this a bad time?”

It had been years since she had last seen him. Years since she had last heard his warm honeyed accent, a voice so rich with the Texas south that even in winter she felt the heat of an invisible sun and the caress of a breeze. He looked surprisingly good...but different, too. He was leaner than she remembered, tanner, healthier, his blue eyes so clear.

“No,” she said unsteadily, aware that she’d need to pick up Tommy by four forty-five but she had a half hour. She closed the front door behind Cade, catching a whiff of his fragrance as she stepped towards him. The scent was light and a little spicy, but it suited him, and made her head spin.

“Mia looks well,” he said.

“She’s doing great.”

His gaze searched hers for a moment. “And you? How are you?”

This was strange...so strange, she thought. “Good. I’m good.”

“Glad to hear it.”

For a moment neither of them seemed to know what to say and Rachel’s stomach did a series of somersaults that made her wish she’d eaten something today to counter the cups of coffee she’d drunk earlier. Then she remembered her manners. “Would you like to sit down?” she asked, and subtly tugged on the hem of her red T-shirt, drawing it lower over the waistband of her faded jeans, glad she’d gotten rid of the shapeless apron. She wished she could pull the rubber band out of her hair, but that would be too obvious.

“Yes. Thank you.”

She led the way into the small, oddly formal living room, with its old-fashioned Empire sofa and matching armchairs, all still upholstered in its original yellow silk. Cade sat down on the edge of the sofa cushion, looking far too big for the antique sofa’s dainty lines.

“Would you like something to drink—” She flushed. “Coffee, tea,” she added hurriedly.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

She slowly took a chair opposite him, hands folding in her lap to hide the fact they were shaking. She was trembling. None of this seemed real, especially when he was looking at her so intently, his blue eyes fringed by those long black lashes, startlingly clear, his gaze piercing, unnervingly direct.