Page 18 of Prospecting

“Mom and dad turned over the business to Calli and have been honeymooning,” Cade said.

“That’s sweet,” Sheridan said starting to clear the dishes.

“Let me,” Cade said rising from the table. He carried stuff to the kitchen area, put everything in the washer, and came back.

“We have to wait another fifteen minutes,” Sheridan said. “I’ve got a surprise in the cooker.”

“More,” Cade said smiled.

“Yes. I hope you’ll like it. When do you expect to see your parents again,” Sheridan asked.

“No idea,” Cade said. “This is not uncommon for a Sinivite male to whisk away his woman. We told them not to come back with a new sibling.”

“Could they,” Sheridan asked.

“Not likely but we like to tease them,” Cade said. He slid in next to her, pulled her onto his lap. “What should we do for fifteen minutes?”

“Nothing to distract me,” Sheridan said laying her head on his shoulder. “Cade?”

“Yes,” he said nibbling on her neck.

“Thank you,” she said. “For my family, for the clothes, all of it.”

“You’re welcome,” he said.

“When Mia … when we found out what happened to her, I felt alone,” she said. “My parents were barely coping with unemployment, trying to keep a roof over our heads and all of it. They didn’t seem to know how to cope with her situation.”

“You took over,” Cade said.

“Yes,” Sheridan said. “I went from a shallow, self-centered teen to having to organize life for everyone. I found us a smaller apartment, got our house sold to cover some of the bills. It’s been one thing after another.”

“Rough,” he said.

“Hey, how old are you,” Sheridan asked.

“Twenty-seven,” Cade said. “Not quite ten older than you.”

“I’ll be nineteen soon,” she said almost defensively.

“I don’t mind the age difference, do you,” Cade asked.

“No,” she said. The timer went off. “Oh. Let me up.”

He watched her gown slide up and show a peek of her bum. He wanted to pull her back, but he was curious to see what else she made.

“It’s not a fancy dish,” she said. “But it’s one of my favorites.”

“What is it,” Cade asked. “It smells delicious.”

“Cook always called it a crispy,” Sheridan said bringing two bowls to the table.

“Smells like apples,” Cade said. He took the bowls from her and patted his lap.

“I’m not eating this off you,” Sheridan said.

“Spoilsport,” Cade said. “Maybe I want to eat mine off you.”

“No,” she said.

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