Page 53 of Combust
Cade completed his shift and entered the pool. She admired his scarred, magnificent body before mist and water hid it from sight. He stretched out next to her, droplets of moisture bejeweling his long black lashes and beading his curly hair. An instant later, he pulled her against him, and she settled herself happily into his lap.
She couldn’t believe how happy she was right now. She’d only been dating Cade for a week, but every minute they spent together only convinced her that despite her initial reservations about him, they were fundamentally compatible.
He might be fierce and intimidating to outsiders, but he’d been nothing but gentle and caring when it came to her and her family. He was also hard-working, highly intelligent, and possessed a dry, self-deprecating sense of humor.
She loved spending every evening with him, and falling asleep in his arms. He even took pains to prepare her morning coffee exactly the way she liked it. It was a small gesture, but it spoke to his fundamental generosity.
I’m crazy about him, even if he’s weirdly clueless sometimes, she admitted to herself.And it isn’t just the great sex. I enjoy having him around.
Her bear stirred, and Maggie sensed that it approved of her thoughts. From the beginning, it had been insistent about liking Cade. Now, it seemed that her beast had been right about him.
“I could stay here forever,” he murmured. His breath caressed her ear, sending small shivers of pleasure racing down her spine. “With you.”
“We’re in no hurry,” Maggie assured him, smiling. “I thought we might have our picnic up here where it’s warm, since we left our clothes back at the high pasture hay barn.”
In response, Cade’s hand cupped her breast. “Let’s work up an appetite first.”
* * *
When she and Cade returned to the secluded hay barn several very pleasant hours later, shifted back to their human shapes, and got dressed, Maggie saw a notification on her phone.Sophie emailed me!
Her heart beating faster with anticipation, she opened her mail app and eagerly read the message.
Subject: RE: catch-up and Thanksgiving
Hi Maggie,
Thanks for the update. Sorry I haven’t been in touch. As you guessed, med school has been pretty overwhelming. I love it so far, but all I’ve been doing is studying, eating, and sleeping. It’s brutal. It’s literally been months since I watched TV or read anything other than medical textbooks.
Matt and Chris are total sweethearts, and I don’t know how I’d manage this without them. I’m so lucky to have them in my life.
Unfortunately, the three of us won’t be coming home for Thanksgiving. We had to cancel our flights yesterday because Chris wasn’t able to get any time off from his job. It’s the busiest time of the year at La Reina de la Comida,the restaurant where he works as a line cook, and they’re completely booked out for lunch and dinner next Wednesday, Thursday, and Black Friday.
Matt and I decided we don’t want to leave our mate all alone on Thanksgiving. The good news is that Chris will get Christmas week off in return for working those extra shifts. We’ll be visiting Bearpaw Ridge then, and plan to stay through New Year’s.
I miss you, too, and look forward to catching up with you next month. Matt and Chris send their love.
Hugs, Sophie.
“Oh,” Maggie said, numbly.
She read the email a second time, just to make sure that it wasn’t some horrible nightmare.
Cade came over and draped an arm around her. “Bad news?”
To her surprise, she responded by turning to him and bursting into tears. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d bawled like this.
He folded her into a protective embrace and just held her until the worst of her stormy emotions blew through.
“Hey now, what is it, darlin’?” he asked finally, stroking her back.
“M-my brother and Sophie and Chris,” she sobbed against his jacket. “They canceled their flights. They won’t be coming home. Thanksgiving isruined.”
* * *
When Maggie walked into her parents’ house an hour later, she saw that Mom’s eyes were reddened and the delicate skin around them puffy. Dad wore a stoic expression, but Maggie could smell strong emotions raging through his normally comforting scent.
“I see you heard the news,” Maggie said, coming over to give them both a hug. “It sucks.”
