Page 66 of Whispers of Redemption

CHAPTER 26

As they’d stood together at the top of the bluff, Cassie could have sworn Wade had more he’d wanted to say. But he’d stood there without speaking for so long that she’d grown self-conscious. When she’d suggested they head back, he’d almost looked disappointed. But then he’d seemed completely distracted during the hike back down. To cover the awkwardness, she’d randomly talked about her latest psych class. But he’d barely uttered a word of comment.

Now, he was lingering beside her car, looking unsure of herself.

“Uh...Cassie?” he said.

“Yeah?” she said, opening her car door to let Angel hop up onto the seat. The little dog waited patiently while Cassie detached the leash. Then Cassie stood and looked at him. Wade’s deep golden eyes burned with a sun-like intensity. She noticed that his arm muscles were taut. He looked like a coil about to spring.

“Wade, what’s the matter?” She was suddenly concerned.

“Nothing, I—” his voice faltered. “You said that you’re used to handling things on your own. And I understand that it’s hard for you to let other people into your world.”

“Yes,” she prompted when he stopped talking.

He looked down and dug the toe of one shoe into the dirt at their feet, his color deepening. It never ceased to amaze her how this big, beautiful, capable man could seem so incredibly boyish at times.

“What is it, Wade?” she said, her voice gentle.

He lifted his head and looked her in the eye. “Are you willing to let at least one more person who truly cares for you into your world, Cassie? Will you let me in? Because...I love you.”

She stared at him. He’d just said the “L” word. She couldn’t believe it. Ever since Ani forced her to recognize her true feelings for Wade, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. But she’d been so angry with him. And then she’d said such cutting things to him. She hadn’t dared to believe there was any chance that he felt the same, or that they’d have any kind of future together after that. Yet here he was, confessing that he loved her.

“Wade, I—” Her gaze suddenly shifted to a point beyond him. “Oh my gosh!”

“Look, it’s okay if you don’t feel the same—” he started to say.

“It’s not that. It’s Brett!”

He turned in the direction that she was looking and saw Brett coming out of the woods at the far end of the parking lot.

Ever since the altercation with Zack at the restaurant, he’d disappeared. And now, here he was. And he was carrying something.

“Wade, that’s Olga’s package!” Cassie said as they watched Brett load the wooden crate into the back seat of his car.

Before Wade could do anything, Cassie shouted across the nearly empty lot, “Yo, Brett! What are you doing with Olga’s package?”

Brett looked up in shock, but he recovered quickly and opened the driver’s side door.

“Oh no you don’t,” Cassie said, getting behind the wheel of her car and starting the engine. “You’re not getting away this time! Especially not in those wheels.”

“Cassie, let me drive!” Wade stood beside her, hand on her door.

“Are you kidding me?” she said, and jerked her thumb toward the passenger seat. “Hurry up and get in!”

Wade dashed around the front of the car and hopped inside just as Brett roared past them out of the lot. “Buckle up,” Cassie said, punching the clutch and shifting into first. “And hold onto Angel!”

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