Page 94 of Prodigal Son

“Are you sure that’s what you want?”

She stood and collected the damp clothes that Destiny had placed on the chair. “Yes. I don’t have time for childish games, and I’m offended by his filthy mind.”

So she planned to lie to herself.

“I’m not lying,” Gracie snapped then quickly said. “If that’s what you were thinking.” She moved out of the kitchen, obviously through with their conversation and annoyed at feeling so exposed.

Destiny sighed and let her head drop back for a moment. There was a sadness to knowing she would never know Gracie and Dane’s ending or watch little Cain grow up. How was she becoming so attached to this place and these people?

Preferring to keep her mind busy, she filled the kettle and set it over the iron burner like she’d watched Gracie do that morning. The tea wasn’t in little bags like they sold it at the grocery stores, but rather kept loose in jars. She did her best not to make a mess but had no idea how to make tea from loose herbs. Twigs and petals floated to the top in a swirl of debris and she frowned.

“This should destroy any fantasies he had about being domestic.” When she returned to Cain’s bedroom he stirred from sleep. “I brought you tea. Fair warning, it’s a little gritty.”

He lifted the covers, inviting her into the bed. Smiling at the sweet invitation, she set the tea aside and slipped off her dress, crawling in beside him. His body was warm and welcoming.

He spooned her and she sank into his hold, savoring the novelty of resting in a man’s arms. “Tell me about your day.”

“Gracie took me with her to do her chores, and I fed a baby calf.”

His lips pressed against her hair and he grinned. “I like the image of you holding a bottle to a calf’s mouth better than the thought of you poking out your microphone.”

She playfully elbowed him. “You act like I’m the paparazzi.”

He chuckled. “Did she show you the kittens?”

She turned in his arms so their faces were nose to nose. “No. How old are they?”

“Only about two weeks.”

“Will you show me tomorrow?”

“If you’ll stay. Will you?”

She smiled softly, appreciating that he asked. “I’ll stay.”

He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. She went to him willingly when he pulled her close. They kissed for several long moments, languid and comfortable with each other’s closeness.

The sun set and they hadn’t lit the lamps. Dark shadows chased away the light and her eyes adjusted. “Cain, can I ask you something?”

“You just did.”

She smirked. “It’s personal.”

“Go on.”

“Did you love Adam’s wife?”

He drew in a slow breath and used the motion to put some distance between them. “I loved the idea of her. Anna’s beautiful and she’s a good partner, but she wasn’t meant to be my partner. I do better on my own.”

“You don’t want a wife and family someday?”

“A wife, sure. But it’s different.”

“How?”

He held her hands under the covers, softly tracing her fingers with his. “Sometimes you just know what your destiny is going to be.”

Maybe she could be his destiny. “Would you ever consider leaving the farm?”

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