Glimmers of You by Cowles Catherine

Author:Cowles, Catherine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PageSmith LLC, The
Published: 2023-08-01T00:00:00+00:00

23

GRAE

I flipped a pancake on the griddle, humming to myself as I did. For someone who didn’t cook, Caden had a surprisingly stocked kitchen. We’d settled into a routine of sorts over the last week. I made breakfast every morning, then Caden drove me to work and went to his office. He’d pick me up at the end of the day, and we’d get takeout. Then we’d watch a movie or some bad TV and finally head to our respective bedrooms.

Caden was attentive and warm, but he’d erected a wall between us. That no-go zone I’d asked him to take down. The answer to that had clearly been: No.

I tried not to think about how much that hurt. How much I wished things were different. I had two choices. I could walk away altogether or take what he was able to give.

I saw now that it wasn’t even what Caden wanted to give or not give. It was about what he was physically able to do. And if this was it, I’d take every last piece. I’d have him in my life as a friend. With time, I’d let go of my hope for anything more.

Footsteps sounded behind me, but I didn’t turn around.

“Are those chocolate chip pancakes?”

The childlike hope in Caden’s voice made me grin.

“With homemade whipped cream.”

“I’m going to get spoiled with these breakfasts.”

“Like you weren’t already spoiled,” I huffed.

He chuckled. “You have a point there.”

I slid pancakes onto two plates and handed him one. “How’s the retreat prep going?”

Caden crossed to the island, and we both sat. “Good. I hired a new staff at the stables. And yesterday, I went with the team to check out the camping spot. I think it’ll be perfect.”

“I’d love to see these high-powered CEOs on a camping trip.”

“It definitely could be a good hidden-camera show.”

I took a sip of my coffee. “You should do a day hike to the falls when they’re up there. You could have their first team-building session when they reach the peak.”

Caden glanced at me. “That’s a great idea. Their defenses will be down if they’re tired.”

“Exactly.”

He leaned back in his stool. “Maybe you should come work for me.”

I laughed. “I think we would kill each other.”

Caden grinned. “Hey, we’ve been cohabitating for over a week, and there hasn’t been a single attempted murder.”

I snorted. “That just goes to show my incredible restraint.”

Caden shook his head, but a smile still played on his lips. “So, what’s on your docket today?”

“I’m taking a group on the Cedar Line trail this afternoon.”

He stiffened. “I thought you were staying at the office.”

I toyed with the edge of my napkin. After everything that had happened, Jordan had thought it might be good for me to stick close to town, and Caden and my brothers had agreed. “It’s been a week. Nothing else has happened. I need to get back to my life. And it’s not like I’ll be alone. I’m taking a group of eight people with me.”

Caden’s knuckles bleached white as his hold on his fork tightened.

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