Page 60 of Quiet Chaos

When he’s about to walk away, I grab his arm and he lets me bring him back to me. “Please be nice. She wants to get to know you.” I kiss the tip of his nose and the corners of his mouth.

The doorbell rings and our eyes lock. My finger runs along his lips as I say, “I love you.”

He kisses the tip of my finger and makes his way to the door. Three words I still have yet to hear from him, and it’s obvious they don’t resonate in his heart. I know Cade cares for me, but lately, I feel more like an object than of importance to him. Like I’m no different from any other woman. But I can’t think about it now.

I hop off the counter and greet Julia with a hug as she comes into the kitchen. She whispers athank youin my ear and her eyes widen while they browse the house.

“You have such a beautiful home, Cade. You’ve done well for yourself.” My beautiful Gabriel tips his head as a thank you.

I place my hand on her forearm and suggest, “Why don’t we sit in the living room? It’s much more comfortable. Dinner won’t be ready for at least a half-hour.”

Cade sits in the chair as Julia and I relax on the couch with her closer to him. She has her purse and hands in her lap. I offer to take her purse. While putting it on a side table, Armstrong is scratching at the door.

“Are you okay with dogs, Julia?” She saysyesand I open the door.

Armstrong runs to the couch, but Cade grabs his collar. “He’s not good with new people.”

He gets Armstrong to sit until he winds down. Once calm, Cade releases his collar, and Armstrong sniffs Julia. She extends her hand and laughs at his excitement.

“He’s a big boy. Is it okay if I pet him?” We both tell her it’s fine.

She pets him and he loves it, but the room is quiet as Julia steals glances at Cade. Her wide eyes, the same pattern as his, and her grin show how in awe she is of him.

I try to start things up and ask, “So, Julia, how have you been? Where are you originally from?”

Julia takes a deep breath. “My family is from Nevada, and I still live there. After my father retired, my parents moved to Florida. Right now, I’ve been staying in a nearby hotel.” She rocks back and forth, her hands on her knees. “How about you, Sky?”

“I’m from Wyoming. I was raised in a convent after being taken away from my parents.”

She stops rocking. “Oh my, what happened, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“They were abusive, so the sisters at the convent petitioned to take me in.”

Julia offers a warm smile. “That was nice of them. It must have been an interesting life.”

I let out a laugh. “It was boring, but it was all I knew. They raised me well.”

Stillness invades the space again. She keeps glancing at Cade and then at me.

I interrupt the silence. “I’m so sorry. We forgot to ask if you wanted something to drink.”

She flashes to the glass on the table by Cade and asks him, “What are you drinking?”

“Bourbon. From my company.”

“Sounds good. Do you mind if I have one?”

Cade responds by pouring her a glass. When she takes it, she touches his hand with her other one, smoothing her thumb over his knuckles. He doesn’t pull away, which I’m thankful for. She is so transfixed on his hand I think she forgot she was holding and rubbing it. Julia lets out a nervous laugh and releases him. Cade sits down, rotating the ice cube in the glass, and stares at Julia.

She clears her throat. “Seth told me about your company. Briggs Bourbon, right?” Cade nods.

I don’t recall hearing that name, so I ask, “Who’s Seth?”

“Cade’s biological father.”

“No one.”

They speak at the same time. Seeing how rigid his face gets, I decide not to push the subject and take a sip from his glass. I could use a little brown liquid warmth. Cade’s eyebrows crinkle when I place it back in front of him. It’s the first time I’ve taken a sip of alcohol since his birthday.

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