Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Cadie
What did one wear to an outdoor dance party that you were going to with a guy who just made you come in his family living room.
My cheeks heated, and I had to place my hands over them to cool my face.
I stared at the few clothes hanging in the closet. I ended up pulling out a long-sleeve shirt and my favorite blue sweater. If I got too hot, I could always take the sweater off. The temperature had been pretty nice today, a high of fifty, but it was still cold, and now that the sun was down, it would only keep getting colder. I wrapped my scarf around my neck, grabbed a knit hat and some gloves, and pushed them into my coat pocket.
I pulled on my UGG boots and took one last look at myself. My hair was down, and I contemplated whether to put it up. In the end, I decided to leave it down.
Satisfied with how I looked, I turned and headed out of the room. As I neared the bottom of the steps, I could hear Sally and Kian talking.
As I turned to head into the kitchen, I realized it wasn’t Sally’s voice I heard but another woman’s.
I stopped right outside of the kitchen when I heard my name.
“And do you know anything about this woman staying in our home?”
I instantly recognized the voice. It was Kian’s older sister, Macy.
“I know enough about her. What is your problem, Macy? Opal said you treated Cadie like shit when you were at the bakery.”
“What? I did not.”
“You sure about that?”
Macy sighed. “Fine. Maybe I was a bit…rude. I guess I just want to know who she is.”
“Her name is Cadie Waterford; she’s from Oregon and lived on the West Coast and Chicago; she is a wonderful baker, friend, and employee. She’s here to start a new life, and I say we respect that.”
I turned and leaned against the wall, placing my hand over my heart. I didn’t deserve someone like Kian. I struggled to decide whether to tell Kian the truth or keep him in the dark. My gut told me to keep him in the dark for his safety, but my stupid heart was screaming for me to tell him the truth. I closed my eyes and drew in a slow breath.
“I’m sorry, Kian. It’s clear that you trust her.”
“I do, Macy, and so does Opal. And Sally. You’ve got to stop judging people before you even get a chance to get to know them.”
She sighed. “I know! I know! It’s just so hard. I don’t know if it’s the old lawyer in me or what. But I promise you, I’ll be more open-minded.”
“And not rude?”
She huffed. “I wasn’t rude the entire time.”
Kian mumbled something but I couldn’t understand what he said. “She will be coming down any second, so please behave.”
I backed up a few feet and started to walk. I entered the kitchen and did my best to seem surprised to see Macy there.
“Macy, um, hello.”
My gaze quickly darted to Kian and then back to his sister. I couldn’t look at him right then. Not with the memory of those lips on my breasts and the way his fingers worked my…
Stop it, Cadie. Stop!
“Don’t worry. Kian told me you’re staying here until all your furniture arrives. You rented his cabin, huh?”
I set my jacket down. “Yes, I did. I didn’t know then that Kian owned it, though.”
Macy smiled. “I’m sorry if I came across a bit…intense. I have a hard time with new people.”
What was I supposed to say to that? All I did was smile and reply, “No worries.”
“You ready?” Kian asked as he grabbed his jacket. “Are you going to the dance? Is that why you’re in town?”
Macy shook her head. “No, I had some business with Opal.”
That caused Kian to stop. “Is everything okay?”
I caught the quick look Macy shot my way before she focused back on her brother. “Yep, all is fine. You guys go and have fun.”
“Sounds good. Talk to you soon?” Kian said, kissing his sister on the forehead.
“Yep. Have fun, Cadie!”
She sounded genuine. Smiling, I replied, “Thank you, Macy. Have a good evening.”
Kian handed me my coat and flashed me a brilliant smile. “Ready?”
I nodded. “Let’s go!”
Moose Village knew how to throw a shindig! The Spring Fling dance was so much fun, and we’d only been there for about an hour. Booths were lined up on Main Street with vendors selling crafts, clothes, food, you name it! The bakery booth looked to be completely sold out when we walked by.
“The banana nut bread is gone,” Kian remarked.
I laughed. “It appears so.”
“You’ve made a name for yourself with that bread.”
My cheeks heated. It was also a hot-selling item back in my bakery, but I would keep that information to myself. Even though I had told Kian and Opal I had owned a bakery, the less they asked about it the better.