Page 59 of The Dragon's Mate Proposal

The house was silent. Besides my voice echoing slightly, the only sound was my feet on the hardwood. Entering the kitchen, I frowned. Pots and pants were over the fire pit that was currently serving as a stove. They looked used.

My eyes strayed to the table, where a plate piled high with breakfast food was paired next to a mug. Wandering over, I noted no steam coming from a mug of what smelled like coffee. Touching it, it was cool. The food as well.

Why make breakfast and then not eat it?

That was when I saw the envelope sitting on the chair. With my name on it. The breakfast wasn’t his. It was for me. He’d made it.

“A sweet sentiment,” I murmured. “But kind of lost when it’s all cold, Cade.”

Opening the letter, I started to read.

Dear Sam,

I wondered if he noticed how he only called me Sam in certain situations. It had taken me a bit to catch on, so perhaps he was unaware of it. I kept reading:

It took me all night to figure out what to say. Or more accurately, how to say it. That is why I have written it down. Because if I were to say it, I would screw up. Again. This way, I will hopefully avoid that. I made you breakfast, as you can see. I hope the coffee helps your brain handle having to read this so soon after waking. (If I had to wake you up for it to still be warm, I’m sorry).

I’m sorry. (This time for everything else, not waking you up). I should have said it the other day. Or the next. Or the one after that. I let this drag on too long. It was easier than trying to face my actions, which were beyond rude. You have a right to know about me and my past. I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that. You deserve better from me.

I can’t promise I’ll suddenly change overnight. There’s more to it all you aren’t aware of. I will tell you. I just don’t know how. You see, I’ve never spoken about it before. With anyone. You would be the first.

Hopefully by now, you’ve had enough to eat and coffee to drink. I’ll be on the roof, waiting for you. Come find me when you want to talk some more. I’m not sure I can promise I’ll let you in fully.

But I will try.

I hope that’s enough for you.

Yours,

Cade.

I smiled, a warm glow filling in my stomach, even as my eyes darted to the postscript.

PS – Sorry it’s probably cold. Something came up, but I’ve dealt with it.

I eyed the lineup, then snatched several pieces of bacon, shoving one into my mouth. Even cool, it was still bacon. The coffee I poured out, but the pot itself was sitting near the coals of the firepit—I couldn’t wait until a proper stove was installed, though I had no idea how Cade would get one. A few minutes of hanging overtop and it was warm enough to be deemed acceptable.

Pouring myself a fresh mug, I made my way to the roof, curious about to what Cade had arranged up there.

“Cade?” I called through the open door as I climbed the stairs. “Are you still up here?”

“Yes,” came the rumbled reply, echoing down the stairwell.

I emerged onto the roof, the morning light still fresh.

“What have you got here?” I asked.

“Pictures,” he said, indicating the boxes he’d hauled up and strewn about.

“Of what?”

He looked up, his eyes a swirl of copper catching the rays of light. “My family.”

I went to sit next to him, peeking into the nearest box. It was filled with albums.

“That’s a lot of pictures,” I said, glancing at the other three boxes.

“We had a good-sized family.”

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