Page 40 of Wait in the Truck
One of them cocks a head to the side, studying me as he throws up a hand in a quick hello. “Mornin’, Sage. We thought we heard someone else down here.” Curiosity coats his features.
The other chuckles. “That or Grandma was talking to herself again.”
Josie trains her eyes on the offending brother. “Cole Rivers,” she snaps.
It’s clear from the flame color tinging his cheeks that he regrets opening his mouth. Cole scrubs a hand through his hair. “Sorry, Grandma.”
“How’s it going?” Jace murmurs as he sits down.
I smile at him through clenched teeth. “Good, thanks.” I exhale unsteadily. I’m not good. But this is one of those times when no one expects anything but a little white lie. And I’m unsure whether or not the youngest of the Rivers brothers have a clue what happened last night. I sure hope they don’t.
Thank goodness his attention returns to their grandmother. “Where’re Kade and Rhett? I thought they said it was fine if we got a late start today.”
She shrugs, her eyes flicking to mine, but only briefly. “Yeah, well, sometimes plans change. Eat up, then out to feed the cows. Rhett and Kade are prepping so you can plant the last field of potatoes.” She roughly clears herthroat, her focus shifting to the door at the same time footsteps sound on the porch. “That’ll be them now.”
I don’t have a clue how she heard them before I did. My heart skips in my chest, but I can’t bring myself to look up as the door creaks open and their shadows fall across the kitchen. The sudden onset of nerves is unexpected but also makes perfect sense. There’s a low rumble of conversation among the members of the Rivers family, but I’m too keyed up to hear what they’ve said, my mind tumbling with questions I’m terrified of the answers to.
A second later, Kade’s big hand lands on my thigh, and I realize he’s stopped right beside me and crouched down. His dark eyes find mine as he grips my leg in a gentle squeeze. “Come on out to the porch with me for a sec, would you?”
Slowly I set my fork down on my plate, my chest heaving with uncertainty.
“Everything’s fine, Wildflower.” He doesn’t hesitate to use the nickname he’s given me in front of his family. Rising to his full height, he holds out a hand for me, then nods briefly at everyone else. “Be right back.”
Outside, I can’t help but shift uneasily from one foot to the other. I frown as I finally notice he’s wearing different clothing than he was last night. Come to think of it, Rhett had been, too. My eyes scan over him, and that’s when I realize his hair is wet, like he’s taken a shower. But I don’t know when that would have happened. My stomachflips upside down, wondering again what transpired in the hours I managed to sleep. I search his eyes for answers I’m unsure I want.
“What am I gonna do?” I whisper, the question falling from my lips before I can stop it.
He draws in a deep breath, shaking his head. “You’re not gonna do anything. I told you last night we’d take care of things, and that’s what we’re working on.” He grits his teeth. “There are a lot of little details we need to make sure we deal with. But Rhett and I are on it. Don’t worry.”
A disturbed whimper sneaks out of my mouth as gooseflesh rises on my skin despite the warmth of the sun-drenched morning. I heave out an anxious breath and find the courage to meet his eyes. “Thank you. For coming when I called.”
Kade’s jaw twitches. “I will always be there when you need me. No matter what.” The low rumble of his voice comforts me as much as his words do. “Understand?” I nod, and he takes a step toward me, running the palm of his hand up my arm, gently squeezing my bicep. With the other, he shifts, fishing in his back pocket and pulls out my missing phone. “Thought you might need this. Battery’s low. My charger’s on the nightstand in my room.” Exhaling with a deliberate huff, he murmurs, “Now, do me a favor and go finish your breakfast, then get some more rest.”
My lips tremble as I tip my head back to stare up at him, cataloging the features of this man—the one who hadcome to my rescue in my darkest hours. The one who said all the right things and kept me from completely losing it. The one I never thought I’d want, much less rely on or need. “Kade—” There’s so much I want to say and not enough words to ever express what he did means to me. And even though he says not to worry, I don’t have any idea how we’re going to fix this. I’m just this side of a very real panic attack at the thought of what could happen. My entire body shakes as a choked noise exits my throat.
Kade takes my head between his hands, coming in close so his lips brush mine. “I got you, Wildflower. Everything will be okay.” His thumbs skim over my cheekbones as a tear slips from my eye. His voice rough and full of grit, he whispers, “You’re going to trust me someday—with your whole heart.” His brow arches, as if daring me to argue. “I’ll prove myself to you. I fuckin’ promise.”
SAGE
22
After Kadeand his brothers took off for the fields again, Josie had insisted I at least try to get some more sleep, but I’ve done nothing but toss and turn restlessly on Kade’s bed for more hours than I can count. She must have knowledge of what went down at Lilac Meadows last night, but it’s nothing I can bring myself to dwell on at the moment.
I don’t know how I’ll ever repay the kindness she’s shown me in the hours since her grandsons brought me to their home. She’s made sure I’ve been fed throughout the day, but otherwise, has left me to my own devices. Usually, I don’t mind being alone, and I could definitely use more sleep, but every time I close my eyes, all I see is the trophy in my hand as it cuts through the air and smashes into my father’s skull.
My emotions are all twisted up, and I’m not in theright headspace to deal with what I’ve done. My chest has become increasingly tight as I sit on the edge of Kade’s bed and stare out the window that faces the general direction of my family’s land. I’m unable to do more than breathe. Fuck. One thing’s for certain. I’ve got to get a hold of myself because right at this moment, I feel like I could fly apart into a million sad, scared pieces.
As the sun slips below the horizon, it paints the sky in vibrant shades of purples and pinks, making me wonder how something so beautiful can coexist in the same world as my father’s ugly behavior.
I lose track of time, staring at that sunset, then practically jump out of my skin when there’s a soft rap on the door behind me. I whirl toward it as it edges open.
A startled gasp works its way from my throat. Kade stands in the doorway, filling up all the space with six foot six of sweaty, muscular cowboy. His grin is wicked as ever—and totally what I expect of him—as he removes his hat and hangs it on the bedpost. But his eyes are assessing as they roam over me. There’s no doubt he’s concerned for my state of mind. Hell, I’m concerned for me, too.
He grasps the back of his neck with one hand, tugging hard as he murmurs, “Sorry it took us awhile to finish up today.”
I’m fully cognizant that part of the reason why it took them so long is the extra work I created for him and Rhett. The mess I made. My stomach revolts, flipping madly. I rub my hands overmy face as I draw in an exaggerated breath. “It’s okay. I’ve been right here all day, mostly.”
“Have you eaten?” he questions, his voice gruff.
