Page 43 of Snow Kisses

During the week that followed, Cade made himself scarce. Abby spent her lonely days answering correspondence, putting records into the computer, ordering supplies and answering the phone. If she’d had any hopes that Cade might decide to ask her to stay, they were destroyed by his very indifference. He didn’t seem to care whether she spoke to him or not, and while he was courteous, he wasn’t the friendly, teasing man of happier times.

The Thursday night before Melly and Jerry were due back on Friday, Abby wandered out by the swimming pool, lost in memory.

Her eyes narrowed on the bare concrete—it was still too early in the year to fill the pool, so it was empty. It seemed a hundred years ago that she’d defiantly stripped off her clothes and gone swimming in it, a lifetime since Cade had found her here half-nude. She’d been hopeful then. She’d had dreams of sharing more than a bed with him. But he’d gently pushed her away. And he hadn’t let her come close again, except briefly and physically.

“Remembering, Abby?” Cade asked quietly, coming up behind her from the house.

He was wearing slacks and a burgundy knit shirt that made him look darker and more formidable than ever. His hair was damp, as if he’d showered, and he made Abby’s heart race.

She glanced away from his probing gaze. “I was just getting some air, Cade,” she murmured.

“The kids come home tomorrow,” he remarked carelessly, although the look in his eyes was anything but careless. “I suppose you’ll be leaving shortly?”

That hurt. It was as though he couldn’t wait to be rid of her, and she felt the hot threat of tears. She shrugged. “I have commitments. I told you that when I first got here.”

He nodded. He held a smoking cigarette in his hand, but he gave it a hard glare and tossed it to the ground and crushed it under his boot.

“You smoke too much,” she observed.

He laughed shortly. “I know. I hate the damned things, but it’s a habit of long standing.”

Like pushing me away, she thought, but didn’t speak. Her eyes scanned the starry sky and she wrapped her arms tight around the little blue dress she was wearing.

“Cold, honey?” he asked gently.

She shook her head. “Not very. Calla and Jeb have gone to a movie,” she said for no reason.

“And that means that we’re alone in the house, doesn’t it?” he said. His eyes narrowed. “What do you want me to do about it, Abby, carry you up those stairs to my bedroom, the way I did once before?” He laughed bitterly. “Sorry, honey, I stopped giving lessons that day by the river. Maybe you can find somebody in New York to take over where I left off.”

It was like being cut to pieces. “Maybe I can,” shesaid in a taut voice. She turned. “It’s late. I’d better go in.”

He caught her arm hesitantly, and that puzzled her. He didn’t pull her closer, but held her just at his side. “Were you hoping I might come out here?”

She had been, but she would have died rather than admit it now. “I told you before, I’m through throwing myself at your feet, Cade,” she replied calmly. “Don’t worry, you’re perfectly safe. You can always lock your bedroom door, can’t you?”

“Stop that. It’s nothing to joke about.”

“I wasn’t joking.” She tugged her arm free. “Good night, Cade.”

“Talk to me, damn it!” he burst out.

“About what?” she shot back. “About my bad manners, my sickening career or my loose morals, all of which you seem to think I enjoy!”

He stiffened. “I’ve never accused you of having loose morals.”

“Except when I come anywhere near you,” she said with a bitter laugh.

“You won’t try to see my side of it,” he ground out. “You’re just playing games, but I’m not. I’m too old for it.”

“Excuse me, grandpa, I’ll try not to unsettle you…Cade!”

He jerked her against him and his hands hurt where they gripped her arms. “I want you,” he said under his breath. “Don’t tempt me. I’m very nearly at the end of my patience as it is. I want you away from Painted Ridge before I do something I don’t want to do.”

Her lips trembled. “You think I’d let you?” she whispered.

His eyes met hers. “I know you would, and so do you. We go off like dynamite when we start touching each other.” His hands dropped. “But it isn’t enough. I want more than a feverish night of physical satisfaction. You’d give me that, and I’d give it back. But it’s nothing I couldn’t have from any of a dozen women,” he added coldly. “And it’s not going to happen—if you get out of here in time.”

It was a warning that she was willing to heed. A night with Cade would make it impossible for her to live without him, and she was wise enough to realize it. She dropped her eyes.

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