Page 12 of Caden's Situationship

“He’s out with a few guests,” she told him. “But I’ll tell him you stopped by.”

Stan and Cynthia exchanged a few more words while I contemplated just taking the long drive back to the airport and heading home. I waited until Stan had gone before I informed Cynthia, “I’m afraid I may have to reschedule the original reason for my visit.”

Noise to our left captured our attention, causing Cynthia’s eyes to light up. “You know what, I think I may have another solution. Oh, Caden, sweetie, quit lurking in the corner and come over here, would you?”

My heart started beating the moment I turned to look his way, his presence impressive and consuming. I had no idea how long he was standing there, but now that I knew he’d been watching, I couldn’t calm my heart rate.

Dear Jesus.At his home earlier, he’d been attractive. However, standing in the doorway between the living room and dining room of the B&B, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans, pinning me with a stare that crossed between amused and intrigued, he was downright delicious. Although I had no idea why he looked so good.

He wasn’t even doing anything that should have stood out as attractive. And he’d never been my type, so my reaction didn’t really make sense. His eyes were lighter than I remembered … not that I’d given his eyes much thought over the years. Still, they reminded me of the color of cognac now. Warm. Subtle.

Cowboy hat removed, I was able to see his full face. His hair was pulled back, but I could tell he had a lot of it. Much longer than he had in college. If there was one thing I found unattractive, it was a man who didn’t properly groom himself. In my experience, men with long hair didn’t care that much about their appearance. I ignored the voice in the back of my mind daring me to admit the truth—that there was no part of Caden Madden that seemed ungroomed, but rather, every part of him commanded my undivided attention.

He grinned in a way that made me forget about the real reason I didn’t need to be flirting with him. A reason I didn’t even want to think about at the moment. The corners of his lips teased me. Taunted me. Dared me to imagine how smooth they’d feel pressed against mine.Cordelia, what is wrong with you?I mentally shook my thoughts because proper Cordelia Sugar Rose didnotthink about men in improper ways.

In the midst of me failing to hide my observation of Caden, I was struck with another thought.Cynthia called him sweetie.Madden Manor. Local B&B. Owners, Cynthia and Mason Madden.Which obviously meant they were probably relatives of Caden Madden.I inwardly reprimanded myself for being so wrapped up in my own thoughts that I failed to figure out that in a small town like this, having the same last name probably meant folks were related.

“Well this is awkward,” I muttered, smoothing out my dress.

“How so?” he asked as he approached.

I looked from him to Cynthia. “I just pieced together that this is either your parents’ or aunt and uncle’s establishment.”

His sexy smirk grew more defined. “It’s my parents’ place. You kinda rushed out of my home before I could tell you that.”

More like ran as if my life depended on it.I wasn’t able to hear everything he’d been saying to his brother, but I overheard enough to know it had to do with me. I’d walked into his home so confident, yet, as minutes ticked on, my nerves grew more rattled.

Caden Madden wasn’t just any client. He was a person I’d been close to at one point in my life. Not super close, but close enough.

“You know my Caden?” Cynthia asked, breaking my thoughts.

I nodded. “We went to the same university for a short while.”

“She’s the rep from Red Rose,” he further explained. “She’s due to stay here for the next three weeks.”

“Although, at this rate, I’ll be sleeping in my rental car part of the time I’m here in Cranberry Heights.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” Cynthia replied. “Caden has more than enough space on his ranch for you.”

“I’m pretty booked, Mama,” he interjected. “This time of year is busy for the ranch, too, you know that.”

“Of course. But the loft above your oversized garage is available, right?”

Above his garage?Earlier, it had taken all my energy to act like seeing Caden Madden again wasn’t elevating my blood pressure. There wasn’t even a definition for the level of sexy he brought when he walked into a room, which meant, horses would start walking on two legs before I agreed to stay with Caden at his home. “I’m sure that’s unnecessary.”

Cynthia waved me off. “Nonsense. Caden would be more than happy to have you stay in his loft. Any time his brothers are in town, they stay there instead of the B&B.”

“Won’t they still be in town?” I asked. “They were there earlier.”

He shook his head. “Nah, they are headed back to the airport as we speak, so the loft is free.”

“There has to be another option,” I pleaded with Cynthia.

“Chile, now that I know you’re an old friend of Caden’s, this discussion is closed. My son will make sure you get settled so you can rest. I’m sure you’re tired from all the traveling you did today.”

There was something in the way that she spoke that felt final. Like I knew I shouldn’t argue with her further. Truth was, I was exhausted to the point where I was sure I would fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Still, I had to make sure that I thanked Caden. “I appreciate you for letting me stay in your loft.”

He shook his head. “It’s not a problem. You’re only in town because of me.”

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