Page 16 of Combust
Cade was slowly accustoming himself to the notion that the town’s wolf shifter cops and the Swansons appeared to be on very friendly terms.
Dane continued, “Would you mind coming down here to release Cade? He’s finished with his breakfast, so I’m going to give him a lift over to Kymber’s club to fetch his truck.”
“Sure thing,” Annika called. “Be there in a sec.”
“Should I leave town?” As soon as he spoke, Cade wanted to kick himself for sounding dumb as a box of rocks.
Why am I even asking? I already know the answer to that question.
Dane gave him a surprised look. Then comprehension dawned on his face. “I was actually hoping you’d follow me out to the ranch. I want to give you a tour of our property and get your thoughts on some of the projects we have going.” He quirked a smile at Cade. “Ifyour introduction to our town hasn’t soured you on the job, that is.”
Cade became aware that he was gaping, and he hastily shut his mouth. “Uh, no, not at all. I’d love to see your operation.”
Dammit, after years of working here and there and everywhere, he figured he’d seen and heard it all. But Bearpaw Ridge was proving chock-full of surprises.
“Great! If you like what you see, we’ll get you settled into your cabin, and I’ll tell you a bit about the town.” Dane grinned as he looked at Cade’s sweats. “If you need any clothes, stop in at Wallace’s Ranch & Home Supply. They have decent prices on jeans, boots, that sort of thing. It’s on the left side of the highway, about a half-mile outside of town, as you’re heading out to our place.”
Cade nodded. “Good to know. Thanks.”
Suddenly, he couldn’t wait to get out of this cage.
Against all odds, Dane was giving him a second chance, and Cade was eager to prove himself.
Doesn’t hurt that he’s Maggie Swanson’s daddy, either.Cade wasn’t sure where that thought came from.
But now that things were looking up and he was staying, he decided to get better acquainted with his boss’s delectable daughter.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Officer Tringstad came down the stairs, and not a moment too soon. Cade heard the sweet jingle of keys in her hand.
“Before we go get your truck, how about trying some of the best cinnamon rolls ever produced on this planet?” Dane asked. “I asked my mate to save me a few, because they always sell out before lunchtime, no matter how many she bakes.”
* * *
When the front door bell jingled again a short time later, Maggie was in the middle of bagging up the leftover Halloween cookies. They were destined for the “Discounted Items” crate that sat on the counter next to the register.
Mom had returned to the big bakery workspace in the back.
Maggie could hear the familiar sound of the huge Hobart mixer mixing up a batter. From the delectable smells of brown sugar and spices drifting out to the retail area, she guessed that pumpkin mini-Bundt cakes were in progress. Those were a popular seasonal item at Cinnamon + Sugar.
Smiling, she turned to greet her customers. “Hi and welcome to—oh.”
Her throat closed up in shock as Cade Hunter walked through the door, followed by her dad.
What’s he doing here? Dad didn’t fire him?
Cade looked even wilder and scruffier than he had last night. He had a serious case of bed-head, his curling dark hair sticking up in uneven tufts. And he was still wearing the sweatshirt and sweatpants that Kenny Jacobsen had loaned him.
The gray fabric stretched over his wide chest and around his thick, heavily-muscled thighs, threatening to split at the seams.
He nodded politely at her. “Good morning, Miz Swanson.” His voice was low and deep, flavored with a Texas drawl.
Maggie swallowed hard. “Uh, hi.”
His intense, sapphire-blue gaze fastened on her face, which grew hot under his unwavering scrutiny. But she couldn’t look away. He radiated an intense animal magnetism that lassoed her attention.
“Cade is our new ranch foreman,” Dad said, coming to stand next to Maggie. He put a hand on her shoulder, warm and anchoring. “I’ve already thanked him for helping you out yesterday evening.”
Maggie’s bear surprised her with a vehementYes!at the revelation that Cade was staying in Bearpaw Ridge. Its reaction broke the strange spell that Cade had cast over her.
