Page 12 of The CEO's Christmas Wife

I thought by how she had stared at me since our arrival that she recognized me, but she didn’t say anything. Angela Rhodes was the Rhodes’ youngest daughter. She had been in middle school when I last left this place.

“Well, do you think anyone would be interested in renting out a room to us?”

“Kandi, it’s not that type of town,” I gritted out.

I didn’t want her begging anyone for shit, especially not here. We weren’t some charity case. I was a multi-millionaire, and there was no way this should have been happening to me.

“Kayn, please.” Kandi turned her attention back to the waitress, who remarked on our names.

“Kandi and Kayn. Isn’t that just the cutest?”

I glared at her.

“Actually, sweetie, there is the Robley place. They would love to have you two visit them. They’re the nicest people in town, and they’ve lived here their entire lives. I’m sure they would welcome you because they have more than enough room,” Angela Rhodes declared with a smirk in my direction.

I narrowed my eyes and cleared my throat. “I’m sure they’re nice and all, but I’m not interested in putting anyone out.”

“Oh, trust me. They would welcome a visit from you. You wouldn’t be a burden at all,” Angela stated.

Kandi glanced happily at me.

“Perfect. Can you tell us where it is?”

Angela looked at me, licked her lips, and stated, “Sure, sweetie. It’s two blocks down and one block over. Here, let me grab something to write their address down on.”

“No need. If you tell me the street address, I’m sure I can remember it,” I stated.

“Oh, Kayn is from here,” Kandi chirped happily.

Angela smiled sweetly at Kandi before glaring at me. “Then I’m sure he knows where the old Robley house is. Everyone knows that place.”

“Yeah, I’m sure I do,” I stated and stood from my seat. I pulled out my wallet and tossed a hundred-dollar bill onto the table. “Come on, Kandi.”

She hurriedly got out of her seat and followed me as I rushed out of the diner. Of all the gahdamn places for the car to break down in, it would happen in my hometown. This was the shit that you saw in movies, not in real life.

We walked a few more blocks, and just as we arrived on the front porch, I stopped and grabbed Kandi’s arm.

“Wait.”

“It’s cold, Kayn. I really would like to go inside and get warm. The temperatures are dropping.”

I sighed. “I know, and I’m sorry. If I had known we’d go through a tenth of the things we’ve experienced, I would have left you behind.”

Smiling sweetly up at me, Kandi replied, “It’s okay.”

“Listen. I gotta be honest with you.”

“What’s wrong?”

“The Robleys are my family, and I haven’t seen them in years.”

“Did that waitress, Angela, know that?”

I bobbed my head. “Yeah.” I tugged at my beard with my gloved fingers.

“What’s wrong, Kayn? If this is home and you’ve got family here, why didn’t you suggest we come here first?”

“Like I said, I haven’t been back in years. My family has no idea about the wealth I’ve generated or what my life is like anymore. I went through a lot in my past. Things that I don’t care to get into now. But because of my choices, they always told me that I would never know any level of happiness, and I would never find love.”

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