Page 80 of A Jilted Bride for the Cowboy

“No!” Cadence darted out the door and disappeared down the corridor.

Graham sank back into his chair. “Probably not.”

“Explain.”

“She came to take photos of me for her social media project. But she seemed in a hurry to get her job done and get out of here.”

The old man sighed. “Pardon my bad timing, and go after her.”

There’d been no spark. Those few minutes had been like he’d been in Paisley’s presence. Or his mother’s. Well, he’d had spark, obviously, but Cadence hadn’t let a glimmer of it out, which meant it probably didn’t exist.

She’d been taking him for a ride all this time?

But she’d kissed him.

“Boy? You’re overthinking this.”

Probably true. He met his grandfather’s gaze. “I’m so bad at this.”

His grandsire thumbed toward the door. “Practice makes perfect.”

Or gave him one more opportunity to make a fool of himself. Wasn’t it time he risked everything, though? Because he couldn’t get her out of his mind, and it was making him heartsick, consuming every thought, every minute. Even his prayers these days seemed to focus on Cadence unless he forced them elsewhere.

He tried. He did. And he needed to get to the bottom of whatever this thing between them was. But… now?

Grandfather stood beside the open door, his eyebrows raised. “Well?”

“Pray for me.” Graham stood on shaky legs and headed for the door.

Did he think the old man would laugh at that? Because he didn’t. Instead, he grasped Graham’s shoulder. “Father God, I commit Graham to You right now. I pray that You will fill him with the peace only You can give, the love only You can give, and the joy only You can give. May Your will be done, in Jesus’ name, amen.” He patted Graham’s back. “Go on.”

Graham stepped into the corridor and turned toward the common areas. The chatter of voices and the clatter of utensils and plates reminded him it was lunch time, as though the fragrant aroma of beef stew wouldn’t have been enough to alert him on its own.

He faltered at the edge of the dining room, taking in the line snaking past the counter. Cadence then Paisley turned with loaded trays toward the staff table they often frequented at the far side of the space. Dozens of diners surrounded the round tables in between them. Tate, Stephanie, and Jamie sat at one with Jude and Bryce.

Would there be room at Cadence’s table? He could sit with his cousins if not. No, it was time — past time — for him to get over his discomfiture and make absolutely certain Cadence knew how he felt. Was the middle of the bustling dining room a good idea, though? At least, she couldn’t run without making a scene. If there would be a scene, it would be because they were kissing.

Graham swallowed hard as he inched forward in line, a family from Kansas chatting in front of him about this afternoon’s trail ride. How could anyone be this excited about sitting on top of that much restless power? Would those kids be safe? What if…?

No. Graham was done with fear. Completely done. Maybe he should see if there was room on the trail ride. That was one excuse Grandfather would embrace for why Graham was late with the numbers. Not that he would be. There wasn’t that much left to double check.

He scanned the room for Weston but saw no sign of him. Fine. He’d stop by the stable after lunch and find out then.

Kaci, Heather, and Maxwell took the last three seats at Cadence’s table.

Didn’t that just figure? Either way, he needed to eat.

“There’s Cadence,” the girl in front of him said in whispered awe.

“The social media manager?” her mom asked. “The one who posted about the trail ride?”

Graham’s ears perked.

“Yeah, that’s her! The hashtags were about ‘trail ride at two’ and ‘join me,’ so I hope she’s going. Maybe we’ll make it into one of her posts! Wouldn’t that be cool? I could show all my friends. They’ll be so jealous.”

The mother smiled. “It will be fun whether she goes or not. I can’t believe summer is almost over and you two are back to school Tuesday.”

The girl grimaced. “Don’t remind me.”

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