Page 8 of Sunrise

"Does this have anything to do with that Cassie girl?" my mom asks.

Great. Even my mom, who avoids tabloids, has heard.

"It has everything to do with it. She was drunk, so I helped her home and left. Nothing happened, but she won't say that publicly. Wren thinks they are going to use this as a reason for divorce, and I get caught in the crosshairs," I admit.

"I think I agree with him this time, baby. So you're just hiding out in North Carolina?" she asks.

"Well, Wren suggested I stay out of the public eye for a bit while he talks to the studio, but really, I need time to think. I'm just not happy anymore. No matter what I do, I'm still a Hollywood playboy. No one but you, Dad, and Wren thinks I've changed, and it's just ... tiring. I need to figure out what I want again."

"You could have come home to do that. It would have been nice to see you." Mom sounds a bit hurt, but I know she won't admit any more than she already has.

"I know, but the press will be looking for me there once they know I've left Hollywood. You guys lock the gate and make sure the alarm is on for a bit, okay?"

They live in the middle of nowhere on a small ranch, but once I made a name for myself, I upped their security. I put in a gate at the driveway and an alarm system in the house and around the yard. Thankfully, they didn't fight me on it.

They did fight me when I paid off the mortgage on their land, however. After I sat down and showed them how much money I had made and gave them the whole this is how it works you took care of me, now I take care of you speech, they let it go.

"We will. But promise you will call and check in next weekend so I know you're okay?" Mom asks.

"I will call on Saturday if not before, and I expect to talk to Dad then," I say, knowing he's out in the fields working now.

"Fine, I’ll tell him. I love you, baby, and you can come home any time, no notice needed, you hear me?"

"I love you too, Mom, and I know. I promise to visit soon."

We say our goodbyes and hang up. I turn off my phone and toss it on the nightstand.

As I finish unpacking, I'm feeling better than I have in months. Maybe if I hurry up, I can run into Lin before dinner.

Chapter 5

Linly

I'm checking emails at the front desk when Kade walks up. He's been in his room since he checked in a few hours ago, which has been fine by me. All this quiet time has allowed me to update our website and catch up on emails, all stuff that falls to the side when we have a steady stream of customers.

"How's your room?" I ask without even looking up from clearing the last emails from my inbox.

When he doesn't answer, I look at him, and he has a funny expression on his face until my eyes meet his.

"There she is," he says softly with a smile on his face. "The room is great. Very peaceful. I turned my phone off, so if my manager Wren or my parents need me, I gave them the number here. Anyone else, just take a message for me, please?" he asks.

I'm not sure why but I didn't expect him to ask. I expected more of a demand. Kade Markson seems to be surprising me at every turn.

"Sure will. Ready for dinner? Will you be eating here?" I ask him.

"Actually, did the staff at the Sunset sign the NDAs?" he asks.

"The kitchen and dining room staff did, yes," I tell him.

"I'd like to eat there if there is a private area. Will you join me? I hate eating alone."

Crap, I wanted to sit down and eat with Brynn and finally get the story from her about Jasper. No matter how busy we are, we always eat dinner together in the off-season and lunch together in season.

After giving it some thought, I stand and slowly make my way to the side door that will lead us to the dining room at Sunset.

"I will eat with you if you tell me the real reason you're here," I tell him.

He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans and looks at his feet as we walk. He stops at the door and sighs. He grabs a ball cap from his back pocket I had missed and pulls it low over his head.

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