Page 28 of A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy

“Why do you care so much?”

“Someone around here needs to make a move. I’ve seen how the two of you pretend not to be aware of each other, sneaking peeks when you think the other one won’t notice.”

Cadence had noticed, all right. “Do I need to remind you that a month ago, I expected to marry someone else in just a few days?”

“Your point?”

Did she need to spell everything out? “Because how can I trust myself now? I made a huge mistake, and God offered me an exit ramp at the last instant. I’m so thankful for that, but I would have followed through if Paul hadn’t badmouthed me at his bachelor party. If Graham hadn’t stood up for me.”

“But that didn’t happen. You got a reprieve. Do you feel like you’re on the rebound?”

Cadence winced. “Wouldn’t I have had to be in love with Paul to be on the rebound now? I mean, I should have been in love with him to marry him…” Her thoughts drifted off and took her words with them.

“So, you didn’t love Paul, and you’re not on the rebound.”

“I’m not sure. I mean, I know I didn’t love Paul. Not the way I should have to marry him. But maybe the problem is me. Maybe I don’t know how to love.”

Paisley surged to her feet, crossed the space, and gripped Cadence’s shoulders. “I don’t believe that for one red hot second. Have you forgotten what Paul said about using you? You told me what Graham told you.”

Cadence looked at the floor. “Maybe I read into it.”

“Do you believe that?”

She let out a shaky breath. “No? But I must be a bad person if the person who should have cherished me above all others was only using me.” Man, it was hard getting that out. Admitting it.

“He wasn’t the person who should have cherished you above all others.”

“What do you mean?” Cadence met Paisley’s eyes. “He was my fiancé!”

“I know, but you’re well rid of him. Granted, I never met the guy and hope I never do, because I’d give him a piece of my mind. But you… you’re a great person. Is it terrible I’m glad they ran out of staff housing and needed to double up? That Mr. Sullivan put us together? I’m super thankful.”

Tears prickled at Cadence’s eyes. “Thanks. I appreciate you, too.” She enfolded her housemate in a hug.

A moment later, Paisley stepped back. “So, back to the trail ride. Graham didn’t kiss you. Did you wish he would?”

“No.” Liar.

“Do you like him?”

“Of course, I do. What’s not to like?”

“Right, since he rescued you from a nasty situation. But you’d known him aside from Paul?”

“We were all in college together.”

Paisley shook her head. “Wait. You had a crush on him back then?”

“I knew who he was, that’s all. He seemed to maybe like me, but he never said anything. Never did anything.”

“He comes across as rather shy.”

Cadence let out a breath. “I didn’t see that then. He was a brainiac, and I really wasn’t. And I didn’t hang out with them, either. They weren’t cool enough for College Girl Cadence. I got my schoolwork done, but I was there for the parties. The social connections.”

“That was then, and this is now.”

“Yeah.” Cadence sighed. “I wish I’d given Graham an opportunity back then. Even just been nice to him.”

“Most kids that age are only thinking of themselves. You’re hardly alone in that.”

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