Be Mine in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk

Author:Cindy Kirk [Kirk, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781503941731
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2017-01-31T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“This hot chocolate is pretty good.” Marigold wrapped her fingers around the cup they’d purchased on their way to the parking lot. After the incident with Anita, Marigold had been ready to leave. Still, she’d stuck around another hour.

After opening the passenger door for her, Cade rounded the front of the Jeep and slipped behind the wheel.

Marigold knew he’d been puzzled when she’d insisted on stopping to pick up a drink as they were leaving. He didn’t understand the side trip did double duty. She not only showed her support for the Seedlings, she gave the impression of being at not all bothered by Anita’s remarks.

“Having the Seedlings sell cocoa on Friday nights was a brilliant idea.” Cade started the engine but kept the vehicle in park. “Though it appeared parents were doing most of the work.”

“I can’t imagine Callum and Connor serving hot cocoa, even with Prim and Max there.” Like Cade, Marigold kept her tone pleasant and conversational.

Keep it together, she told herself when a watchful waiting filled the interior of the vehicle. Didn’t Cade realize she wouldn’t ruin what was left of the evening by bringing up Anita? Still, seeing her father take the woman’s arm shortly before she and Cade left had stung. How could her dad be nice to such an awful woman?

“Anita is a hard one.”

Marigold whipped around to face Cade, the quick movement sending the cocoa sloshing to the rim of her cup. “Hard?”

“Difficult to figure.” Cade drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. “I thought I had her pegged. That remark about us sleeping together confirmed my initial assessment. But when she was talking about the past she and your father shared and her family troubles, she seemed almost . . . human.”

Marigold reluctantly nodded agreement.

“I assume Richard was her first husband?”

“That’s right.” Marigold took a sip of cocoa. “Richard died of a heart attack almost twenty years ago. I don’t remember much about him, but everyone says he was a nice guy.”

Silence filled the cab for several heartbeats.

“That tie to the past likely explains why your father has cut Anita so much slack.” Cade slanted a sideways glance. “But I guarantee the woman is going to have some explaining to do tonight.”

“About the Big Brother thing?”

“No.” Cade reached over and brushed a strand of hair back from her face with a gentle hand. “About the remark she made concerning our relationship. Your father was seriously pissed.”

“I was caught off guard. Normally I give as good as I get. But occasionally I have trouble finding the right words.” Marigold flushed. “Your response was perfect.”

For a long moment, he said nothing. “I meant every word.”

Marigold recalled what he’d said about connections, about bonds that could hold two people close despite time and distance. Before she’d returned to Good Hope, before Cade, she wouldn’t have understood the concept. Now she did.

In the dim light, their gazes locked. Time seemed to stretch and extend. He opened his mouth as if to say more, but pressed his lips together and backed out of the stall.

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