Page 50 of Texas Temptation

“Don’t go.”

Cade said in such a low voice she thought she had imagined it.

“What?”

She looked up. He was studying the carpet.

“Don’t go. Stay here. We’ll find something for you to do.”

She hadn’t imagined it.

“Like what? I’m no cowboy. And we both know I was a makeshift secretary. I’d need more training if I wanted to do that full time. You don’t need more than Penny here. Each office has a full staff. There’d be nothing for me to do.”

“We’ll find something.”

“I can’t stay. We’ve imposed enough.”

And she didn’t want to feel like a charity case. She hoped she’d pulled her weight at the office. But there was nothing left for her to do.

“You haven’t imposed. Caleb likes it here. Amelia enjoys having him around. He’s almost old enough to have a pony.”

“Which I can’t afford.”

Why was he making it so hard?

“But I can,” Cade said.

She shook her head at his stubbornness and arrogance. Just because he could, didn’t make it right for her to accept.

“We are already in your debt for the operation.”

“You helped me out when I needed it. Consider us even.”

Jordan didn’t consider them anywhere close to even, but she would not argue with him. Once home, she’d figure out how much she could pay each week and send the money.

“You didn’t get to go to college. Stay and take some classes. See if you still want to be an architect. Caleb can start school in Tumbleweed in the fall. Amelia and Rosita could watch him afternoons.”

“Cade, I can’t stay. I don’t have a job, no income. My savings won’t last for long, and I can’t let you foot the bill for my schooling.”

Caleb’s operation was one thing. She’d do anything for her son, even swallow her pride. But Cade was talking about something totally different now.

“You could stay and go to college if you married me.”

Chapter Nine

Now she knew she was hallucinating. She stared at him, hope blossoming.Marriage? To Cade?

She cleared her throat. “Marriage?”

He met her eyes and nodded.

“Marry me and stay here in Tumbleweed. Caleb loves the ranch. You like it here, you said so.”

A thousand questions flooded Jordan’s mind. But the happiness that exploded drove every single one away. Cade wanted her to stay—enough to marry her.

She held his gaze as she walked toward him.

“Are you sure?”

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