Page 109 of Shadows of You

Cady tugged me down the hall. “Something smells really yummy.”

My brow furrowed. It did smell delicious. I came to a stop just outside the kitchen. The table was set, and each place had some sort of amazing scramble, fruit, and toast.

“YUM!” Cady shouted, hopping over to her chair.

“You made breakfast,” I said, my nose stinging.

Roan shrugged. “You need more than sugary cereal to keep up your energy for the day.”

When was the last time someone had made me breakfast? It was probably Autumn. Tears gathered as I tried to shove them down.

Roan was in my space in a flash. “Hey. What’s wrong?”

I swallowed down the emotion clogging my throat. “No one has taken care of me in a long time.”

His expression softened as his hands cupped my face. “Tender Heart.”

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“I’d do anything for you.”

Everything burned in the best kind of way.

“Stop acting funny and eat,” Cady said around a mouthful of food. “It’s gonna get cold.”

That startled a laugh out of me, and I grinned. “She’s right. Can’t waste this amazing meal.”

And amazing it was. We stuffed ourselves silly as we laughed and talked. Roan insisted that he would be driving us to and from work and school. He’d cleared the part-time schedule with his boss. Apparently, he had so much vacation time he could leave the country for two months and still be fine.

As we made the drive into town, warmth spread through me. Having someone to do the little things with, like dropping Cady off, made everything just a little sweeter.

Roan turned into the school parking lot. “Ready to knock ‘em dead, Tiny Dancer?”

“Duh!” she shot back.

“That’s what I like to hear.” He pulled up in the drop-off line and hopped out. I followed, nerves pricking me. I was sure word about my real identity had made the rounds to a good chunk of the town by now.

I tried to focus on Cady as she told us all about her and Charlie’s plans for the day while Roan got her out of her booster seat.

Movement caught my attention, and I looked up. Katelyn flounced toward the school, tossing her blond hair over her shoulder and glaring in our direction.

It was a dumb move. Because if anyone could glare, it was Roan. His head lifted as if he sensed her look, and the stare he leveled on her would’ve made me piss my pants.

Katelyn tripped over her feet, quickly righting herself and hurrying inside.

I snorted. “At least I don’t have to listen to her anymore.”

Roan grunted and then crouched low. “I want you to stick close to Charlie today. If Heather or those other girls pick on you, just pretend you can’t hear them. It’ll drive them crazy.”

Cady smiled and threw her arms around Roan. “Thanks, Mr. Grizz.”

The urge to cry was fast and strong, but I forced it down. Cady released him, hugged me, and then ran for the school.

I looked up into Roan’s beautiful eyes. “You’re a good man. The best man I’ve ever known. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.”

33

ROAN

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