Patricia Thayer - A Child for Cade

Abby stared at Cade in disbelief. “Are you crazy?”

“Maybe,” Cade said. “But Brandon needs two parents who love him.”

He needs parents who love each other, Abby cried silently. “We can barely stand to be in the same room together,” she argued.

“That’s not what I’d call what was happening in the pool.”

Abby’s face heated. She couldn’t deny that, not when she could still taste him on her lips. Gooseflesh rose on her skin, and she crossed her arms. Damn him. “We should try to have a cordial relationship—apart—except for raising our son.”

“Brandon deserves more,” Cade said. “He needs a mom and dad.”

“I can’t, Cade.”

Cade watched as Abby ran into the house. His body still ached for her. Once again, his heart smarted from her rejection. But he wasn’t going to let her push him away. Not this time. He was going to have his family.

Chance’s Joy

A Child for Cade

Travis Comes Home

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Steve, my friend, my lover, my computer expert.

As I write this, today is our anniversary, and it seems only fitting that I dedicate this book to you. I want to thank you for always being there with your love and chocolate kisses. It’s been a wonderful 30 years.

Forever yours, Pat.

has been writing for fourteen years and has published fourteen books with Silhouette. Her books have been nominated for the National Readers’ Choice Award, Virginia Romance Writers of America’s Holt Medallion and a prestigious RITA Award. In 1997 Nothing Short of a Miracle won the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Special Edition.

Thanks to the understanding men in her life—her husband of thirty years, Steve, and her three sons—Pat has been able to fulfill her dream of writing romance. Another dream is to own a cabin in Colorado, where she can spend her days writing and her evenings with her favorite hero, Steve. She loves to hear from readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 6251, Anaheim, CA 92816-0251.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

He never expected to see her here.

Cade Randell leaned against the post, oblivious to the sounds of the celebration going on around him. His only interest was the woman with the auburn hair and deep-green eyes standing across the patio. His body tensed as he examined her tall willowy frame. There was a hint of curves beneath the Indian-print skirt, the ivory T-shirt and honey-colored vest.

Damn, Abigail Moreau looked good. A dull pain gripped his chest at the realization that she hadn’t been a Moreau for more than seven years. Not since she’d married Joel Garson.

Just then the woman looked in his direction. When their eyes met, her smile faded and was replaced with a panicked stare before she quickly glanced away.

Cade stiffened. He wasn’t going to let her ignore him. He tipped his long-necked bottle against his lips and took a swallow of beer, then put the empty down on the table and went off to renew an old acquaintance.

He made his way through the crowd, his courage diminishing with each step.

Abby had never dreamed Cade Randell would return home, not after so many years. Her body trembled, and she wanted to run. But there was no escape. Cade had already seen her, and he looked determined to speak to her. She had known this day would come and had dreaded it. It had been nearly eight years. Enough time to forgive and forget and move on with their lives. That was it. He was probably just wanted to say hello.

The tallest of the three Randell brothers, Cade stood six-two. His body was long and lean with broad muscular shoulders. Dressed in black jeans, a wine-colored western shirt and polished sharkskin boots, he moved in a slow easy gait, as if he had all the time in the world. Abby drew another breath, trying to calm the wild beating of her heart.

He stopped in front of her. His face was as handsome as she remembered, but now there was a hard edge to his deep-set eyes. His short-cut raven hair still had a slight wave.

“Hello, Abby,” he said in a deep baritone voice.

Another shiver raced through her. “Cade…it’s good to see you.” Her gaze locked with his night-brown eyes. The same incredibly beautiful eyes she’d seen every day for the past seven years. Her son’s. Oh, God, she shouldn’t have come tonight.

“Is it?” he asked.

She forced herself to look cheerful. “I’m sure Hank is happy you came back for his birthday celebration.”

His stare grew more intense. “That’s the only reason I came back. For Hank.”

She didn’t miss the anger in his voice. “He’s a good man.”

Cade nodded. “And the only person around San Angelo who’d take in three wild boys.”

“Like I said, he’s a good man.”

“Speaking of men—” Cade glanced around “—I don’t see your husband. Where is Joel?”

Abby tensed. No way was she going to explain her situation to Cade. “He’s not here.”

“What a shame. And here I wanted to give him my congratulations.” His eyes bore into hers. “Let him know there are no hard feelings. Is he still working for his rich daddy?”

“Look, Cade, if you want to see Joel, you can contact him at the bank. He and I are no longer…married.” Escape. She needed to get away. She started to leave, but Cade stepped in front of her.

“Why?” He had a cynical sneer on his face. “You were the perfect couple.”

Abby fought the feeling of being trapped. “Nothing’s perfect, Cade.” She moved past him and made her way through the crowd. There was a clear path to the edge of the yard, but she wasn’t fast enough.

Cade caught her. Taking her by the arm, he led her to a secluded area by some trees. “What happened, Abby?”

“It’s really none of your business,” she whispered, and tried to break his hold, but his grip only tightened.

“I think it is my business,” he said. “Wasn’t he enough for you, Abby? Couldn’t he satisfy you, either?”

Suddenly Cade felt a weak push against his body, then a stinging kick in the leg. “You leave my mom alone!” a child’s voice cried out.

Cade released Abby and looked down to find a boy of about six or seven, pushing at him with all his might. He grabbed the child’s arms and held him away before he could inflict any more pain. “Whoa, partner,” Cade said. “I’m not hurting anyone. I was just talking to your mother.”

The boy looked unconvinced. He jerked away, then hurried to Abby’s side. So Abby had a child. Another pain stabbed his heart as he stared at the dark-haired boy.

“Brandon, it’s all right,” Abby said. “This is Cade, Chance’s brother.”

The boy glared at Cade, then at his mother. “But he grabbed you. Just like—”

“No, son. I’m okay,” she assured him with a hug. “Why don’t you go and play with your friends?”

“But, Mom…” Finally the boy nodded, gave Cade a warning look, then reluctantly wandered off.

Abby turned back to Cade. “I’m sorry, since the divorce, Brandon’s been very protective of me.”

Cade saw something in Abby’s emerald eyes. Sadness? Fear? He felt a tightening in his chest again. Damn. Why should he care that her marriage broke up? She had made her choice years ago. And it wasn’t him. Just walk away, Randell, he told himself. But he didn’t move. “Why does your son think you need protection?”