Page 61 of Texas Temptation

Maybe she should have stayed. Even half a loaf was better than nothing, wasn’t it? Even if Cade didn’t love her, she loved him. Would that have been enough?

Another night of tears and Jordan was ready to do anything to get Caleb to stop urging her to do what she wanted to do more than anything. Finally, she bribed him. If he’d stop talking about the ranch and the people who lived there and stopped pressuring her to return, she’d get him a puppy when they reached home.

It worked like a charm. Too bad she couldn’t find the same solace in the thought of a new family member.

Then, as if programmed to add to her frustration and unhappiness, the car broke down just after reaching the Florida state line. Another day waiting for a part, and Jordan was ready to tear her hair. All she wanted was the sanctuary of her home.

On the sixth day, they reached South Beach. Jordan was exhausted. An afternoon thundershower forced them to close the windows. Since the car didn’t have working air-conditioning, she was growing hotter and damp with perspiration and humidity. The drive had been a strain. She wanted a shower, and a quick dinner, then bed. Tomorrow was soon enough to sort through things and make plans.

Tears threatened again when she thought of plans she’d made with Cade. But she resolutely put that behind her.

She’d call Julie first thing. Her friend would help. And once she was back at work, engulfed in normal routine things, she’d quickly forget about Cade Everett and the promise he’d once held.

She pulled into her designated parking place and stopped. Once again, they’d have to get out in the rain. She still didn’t have an umbrella. No matter. This time, they could change once they got inside.

She’d get the bags later. Right now, she just wanted the sanctuary of their apartment.

When she and Caleb quickly rounded the side of the building to reach the front door without becoming totally soaked, he suddenly pulled away, running ahead of her, splashing through puddles, yelling.

“It’s Cade. He’s come to get us.”

Jordan stopped, staring. The rain poured down, wetting her shirt, her hair, her bare legs beneath her shorts. But she couldn’t move.

It was Cade.

He rose from the top step and reached down to swing Caleb up and hug him.

“Howdy, partner. You doing okay?” he asked, his eyes immediately moving to find Jordan.

She slowly walked forward. What in the world was he doing here? Her heart pounded. She felt light-headed. Cade, here.

She wanted to run into his arms and have him hold her forever.

But caution prevailed. She’d made her decision. Nothing had changed.

“We missed you, Cade. But Mommy’s getting me a puppy, one that can come in the house. Can he come to your house? I want him to sleep on my bed with me, but she said no, he had to stay on the floor. But he can come inside, can’t he?”

Caleb was talking almost as much as Amelia did.

Cade said, “We’ll see.”

He leaned over to put Caleb down, his eyes capturing Jordan’s as he walked toward her.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, afraid to believe her eyes.

“First things first,” he said, pulling her into his arms and kissing her hard.

She didn’t know whether to feel chastised or cherished when he ended the kiss. She knew she felt totally bemused with the rain pouring down, the thunder rumbling in the distance, and her heart racing.

“Did you have car trouble?” he asked.

“Of course,” she said with a sigh.

“I’ve been here two days. I thought I gave you enough time to get home if you didn’t have car trouble, but I thought you had to have been held up by something. I worry about you in that car.”

“We’re fine. Why are you here?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? You’re here.”

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