Page 30 of Finding Forever

“Breach of contract?” she asked, concerned that the repercussions of her defection would be much worse than she’d anticipated.

Cade gave a harsh bark of laughter. “Wishful thinking on his part. If he hadn’t delayed the sale for months, he might have a leg to stand on, but since no documents were signed and he was in serious negotiations with at least two other parties, his claim is weak at best. He’s just flinging shit around and hoping something sticks.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about his message?”

“I’m telling you now,” he pointed out, his voice mild. “Besides, it wasn’t important. Don’t worry about it. Did he call you?”

“I’ve had my phone ondo not disturbmode since Thursday night,” she confessed, and his dimples deepened, even though he didn’t smile.

“Good girl, that’s bound to drive him a little insane.” The gruffly voiced praise did odd things to her stomach. She flushed and her breathing quickened. In that moment, Fern recognized that she would do or say anything to get more words of approval and praise from her aloof husband.

That realization shamed and embarrassed her. She’d been so wholly deprived of any and all positive reinforcement since her mother’s death that a few reluctantly conceded words of mild praise from a taciturn man who didn’t like her much were enough to make her glow.

“Do you think so?” The soft question emerged before she could stop it, and he gave her a quizzical look.

“Do I think it’ll drive him insane?” he clarified, and she was grateful that he hadn’t understood that what she’d really meant wasdo you think I’m a good girl.

Good God, where was her pride?

“Uh, yes.” She was happy to save face.

“Absolutely. He’s used to having you at his beck and call. It’ll drive him nuts knowing that you’re beyond his control and influence.”

“I hope so,” she whispered, not convinced, but cautiously optimistic.

They sat in silence for a while longer.

“Ready to go?” he asked, dusting sand from his hands.

“Yes. Thank you. I did need the break.” Another flash of his dimples before he pushed to his feet and reached down to help her up.

The rush of dizziness that accompanied the movement made her sway alarmingly and Cade’s hands clamped over her bent elbows to steady her.

“Whoa, are you okay?”

“Yes. I just get a little dizzy when I go from sitting to standing too fast,” she explained, then forced a determinedly cheerful smile that did nothing to coax a returning one from him. “But I’m okay now.”

“You’re fuckingnotokay, stop saying you are.” He sounded annoyed, impatient and it reflected in the dark glower he leveled at her. He led her to the foot of the stairs and turned around, squatting slightly in front of her. She stared at his broad back in bewilderment before he tersely ordered her tohop on.

“What?” she squeaked. “No. It’s a long way up.”

“Unlikesomepeople I could mention, I know when to take breaks. You’re not walking home.”

“No, Cade… if we take our time, I’ll get there under my own steam, you can’t carry me all the way back. I’m too heavy.”

The amount of disdain in the throaty sound he made was pretty insulting and he cocked a skeptical brow as he looked over his shoulder at her.

“No offence but you look like a strong gust of wind could knock you over.”

“Well, Iamoffended,” she responded indignantly. “I’m sturdier than I appear.”

“You’re a wisp,” he dismissed with a wave of his hand. “Now come on, will you? You’re wasting my time. I have a Zoom meeting in an hour. I need to get showered and changed before then.”

She stared at his back uncertainly. Nobody had ever given her a piggyback ride before, and she wasn’t sure exactly how to go about this. She’d seen it, of course, and understood the basic mechanics of it.

So, she was just supposed to mount his back like she would a horse? If only she knew how to ride a horse.

She shuffled closer and tentatively placed her hands on his broad, muscular shoulders. Then snatched them back instantly when the heat of his skin scorched her palms through the fabric of his shirt.

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