Page 36 of A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy

“He’s a good one.” Paisley studied her. “Have you eaten? I didn’t see you in the dining room.”

“No. I skipped.”

“I bought a box of pizza turnovers last time I was in Jewel Lake. They’re in the freezer. Help yourself.”

“Bless you.” Cadence had been trying to ignore the growling in her belly, trying to convince herself she was so upset that nothing would sit well, anyway. She opened the freezer door and pulled out a couple. “I’ll replace these.”

Paisley waved her hand in dismissal. “Talking to me will be repayment enough.”

Cadence winced. “I should have known.”

“Hey, I’m concerned. I saw your parents and your… ex?… in the dining room. He seems like a piece of work.”

Ugh. Of course, Paul had made his presence known. Cadence slipped a turnover into the microwave and turned it on before facing her roommate. “They’ve come up with a new way to trap me. I needed time to think.”

“And pray.”

“Well, yeah. That, too.” But she hadn’t done much of either on her ride. Mostly, she’d given Enchantment his head and tried to outrun the tumultuous arguments in her head. It hadn’t worked as intended. She’d cantered back into the stable yard at dusk on a sweating gelding to face Weston’s grim expression. She’d insisted she could curry Enchantment and settle him herself, and Weston had reluctantly agreed.

Now, Paisley took a seat at the tiny table off their kitchen and pointed Cadence into the other one. “Talk. Start at the beginning.”

“I’m twenty-seven years old. That’s a long way to go back.”

“Funny girl. How did you meet Paul? That’s his name, right?”

“I shouldn’t have left him to schmooze everyone at Sweet River without me here to defend myself.”

“Puh-leeze.” Paisley rolled her eyes. “All I can say is he must be a darn good actor who’s off his game, because you’re way too smart to fall for the narcissistic dude I met tonight.”

“I wish that were true.” Cadence took a bite of the pizza snack, chewed, and swallowed. “But he can be very charming when he’s getting his way.”

Paisley grimaced but nodded. “Carry on.”

“He was the in thing in college. You know? He had money and looks and…” And what? That was about it, honestly. “Everyone admired him. He was popular and could have dated any girl on campus.”

“But he chose you.”

“Yeah.” She’d never stopped to wonder why. He’d convinced her she was worthy of his attention. Had his parents influenced his choice even that far back? Or had they only taken advantage of it later on, when Cadence and Paul had seemed like an established couple?

Cadence could ask him, but did she want to know? Not badly enough to delve into the past with him. The sooner she rid herself of his slimy attention, the better.

But… would she ever be free of him? The situation seemed impossible. How had Dad managed to become beholden to Daniel Bradley to the point where only the marriage of their kids would clear up the debt? Because there had to be more to it than had come to light this afternoon.

“You’re in your head again. Get it out.”

Cadence glared at Paisley. “I’m a private person, not one for airing all her dirty laundry in public.”

“I’m not the public. I’m your best friend.” Paisley’s green eyes narrowed as though challenging Cadence to deny the claim. “And you need someone on your side, since it seems Graham Sullivan is too chicken to take that place.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Isn’t it always?” Paisley shook her head. “You told me you met Graham in college, too.”

“Yeah. He was one of the studious, smart ones, not the partying type like Paul. They’re cousins, you know. Their mothers are sisters.”

“That’s… interesting.” Paisley tapped her jaw. “Did you know that then?”

Cadence shrugged. “I probably did, but it was inconsequential. Graham ran in different circles. I wasn’t an A student like him, and honestly? I wasn’t at school to learn. So even though I bumped into him from time to time, and he seemed aware of me, there wasn’t anything to pursue. Not really.”

---