by Danni Roan
***
Michelle pulled the blankets over the bed, folding them back and laying the pillows in place. She could still smell Kade on the sheets, and smiled.
Her new life was turning out good. She could see herself falling for the big lunk she’d married. He was kind, affectionate, perhaps a little too serious.
She’d only wanted a chance at a new life, someplace to build her business, some place quiet, and someone to love. It was all she ever wanted. A gentle man who wouldn’t hurt her.
“Michelle?”
Michelle turned, smiling as Kade stepped into the room. “Hi,” she piped, stepping close and kissing him.
He’d seldom come back to the house so early on a work day. “Phil brought some things over to look at, but I wanted to talk to you about it all again. My bank account is still in my name and I need to transfer it out here if I can.”
“We can go into Tipton tomorrow and get that all settled, maybe do some shopping,” Kade replied, stepping back. “I’ve got a trail ride tonight, but tomorrow it’s just a hay ride and one of the other fellas can drive.”
“What time will you be back tonight?” Michelle asked.
“It’s a ride, then dinner,” Kade replied.
“I’ll make dinner.” It was time she started doing more around the place.
“That’ll be nice.”
“I’ll see you then and we can talk.” Michelle rocked up on her toes again, kissing him lightly and wondering why he seemed reserved. Perhaps he had a lot on his mind.
Dinner was ready and Michelle was patiently waiting for Kade to turn up. She’d found a pretty tablecloth and dishes in the hutch at the far end of the room.
Lemon chicken with parsley potatoes, steamed veggies, and salad filled the space with mouthwatering aromas. It was one of her favorite meals and she hoped Kade would like it.
The door opened and Kade stepped into the front hall, ducking his head to step inside, and smiled when he saw her in the kitchen.
“Hi,” she said, smiling and noting the wood shavings on his clothes.
“Hi,” he replied, “something smells good.”
“Super’s all ready,” Michelle said, indicating the table. “You get cleaned up and I’ll put everything on the table.”
“How long?”
“Five minutes.” Michelle smiled that he’d asked.
His boots drumming on the stairs and the shower coming on showed he was determined to make the deadline.
“I’d like to pray for our meal,” Kade said as he settled at the table, his damp hair slicked back.
Michelle nodded, understanding this was how he was and accepting it.
“Lord thank you for your strength and guidance today, for the beautiful fall weather, and your wonderful bounty. Thank you for Michelle and this wonderful meal she has made for us and bless it to our bodies that we might continue with your work. Amen.”
Michelle gaped at Kade. He’d thanked his God for her and her cooking. Somehow the simple, honest gesture touched her.
“Did you have a good day?” Kade asked. “It looks like you’ve been busy.”
“I got a few more jobs done, and two book covers sent out for review,” she said. “Otherwise, I just puttered around the house.” She smiled, “I do have a question for you, though.”
“You do?” Kade looked at her intrigued.
“Yes, I was wondering how it is that you have so much food in your house when as far as I can tell, you usually eat at the dining hall.”
“That’s Mrs. Wade.” Kade admitted. “She said now I was married, I’d have to have food on hand. She said a wife wasn’t going to want to live on Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch,” he finished, laughing.
“So she stocked up on everything while you were away?”
“Yep, and she sends things over in the morning to top it up.”
“I’ll have to remember to thank her,” Michelle said, biting into her chicken.
Kade picked up his fork, tasting the chicken and offering a smile. “This is great,” he said. “What is it?”
“Lemon chicken,” Michelle said, letting out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. He liked the food. He actually liked her food.
“Now it’s my turn.” Kade spoke.
“Your turn?”
“I have a question.”
“Alright.” Nervousness rose in her chest as she waited.
“Have you called anyone about the old mill yet?”
“No, I’ve been going over the plans and looking at the different people who might be available.”
“Could you wait a bit?”
Michelle was surprised by the question.
Kade reached out and took her hand. “I’d like to go over it all a bit and let me sort of organize it for you,” he offered. “Could you trust me to do that for a bit?”
Michelle studied Kade’s face. His blue eyes were sincere and hopeful.
“I’m sure I can afford the remodel,” Michelle offered, wondering why he was asking her to wait.
“It’s not that, I’d just like to do this for you.”
Slowly Michelle smiled. “Alright, I’ll trust you,” she said.
***
“Are you always going to heft me into this monster truck of yours?” Michelle grumbled the next morning before Kade closed the door.
“I haven’t decided yet,” Kade teased. He’d been trying to take things slowly, but the dark-haired girl kept him muddled. It was rather pleasant to be muddled, but he needed to get things straight sooner or later.
“How far is it to Tipton?” Michelle asked as he turned onto the paved road leading to town. She’d missed this part of the drive after the honeymoon since she’d fallen asleep in the truck that day.
Outside, a beige landscape whizzed by, frost deadened grass, and graying shrubs prepared now for winter’s icy touch.
“About an hour,” Kade offered, watching the road for stray cows or wildlife.
“I phoned my bank and organized the transfers. Now all I need to do is sign papers.”Michelle offered cautiously. “Do you want to come with me?”
There was something in her voice that caught Kade’s attention, some essence of caution, that guided his reply. “No, I’ve got a few errands to run myself.”
“Oh, alright.” A slight smile tugged at the corners of Michelle’s pretty lips. “How long will you need?”
“A couple of hours, then we’ll get lunch.”
“Sounds good.” Michelle grinned. A day like this made everything seem right with the world.
Coming out of the bank earlier than she expected, Michelle looked up and down the street at the town. There was more to it than she had realized at first and she smiled at the little shops and cafés nearby.
Spotting a nail salon on the other side of the street, she checked her watch and headed in that direction. A mani-pedi was just what she needed. Perhaps there were a few things she missed about the big city.
Michelle’s phone beeped as the drier kicked off on her lacquered toes, and she tensed.
Glancing at the screen, she sighed with relief. It was only a text from Kade saying he was outside the bank.
Paying the clerk, she left the building admiring her pretty pink nails and almost walked right into Kade.
“There you are! All done?” Kade grinned. “How about we head over to the mall and grab a bite, then you can do some shopping?”
Michelle linked her arm in his, wishing she’d put on heels so she didn’t feel small.
Kade walked Michelle to the truck, a sly grin on his face.
Michelle’s sudden stop almost made him chuckle. “What did you do?’ she asked stunned.
“What do you mean?” Kade teased.
“You have stairs.” She pointed along the undercarriage of the truck where a low running board ran the length of the cabin.
“It’s a running board. I ordered it as soon as we got home from Yellowstone. They’ve just been waiting for me to bring the truck in.�
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“Thank you,” Michelle said, rising on her toes and kissing him right there on the street. “You’re so good to me.”
She was still surprised that he would go to the trouble and expense of getting her a step.
“You’re my wife, it’s the least I could do,” Kade laughed. “I won’t promise not to just chuck you into the seat sometimes, though.”
Michelle laughed with him, then climbed into the seat.
“I thought maybe you’d like to do some shopping after lunch, maybe get some things for the house.” Kade said, holding the door as they entered the White Mountain Mall.
“Kadence, are you saying you don’t mind if I change a few things around your place?”
Kade smiled, she’d done it again, called him Kadence. He still wasn’t sure where she’d gotten the name, but it felt special in some odd way. “Our house,” he said, placing a hand at her back.
Michelle smiled, feeling special, cared for and for the first time, truly wanted for who she was, nothing expected in return.
“I guess you could say this is our first date,” Michelle said, slipping her hand into his.
“You look nice, by the way,” Kade said.
“You finally noticed,” Michelle teased him. “A girl gets all dolled up and no one even notices.” It was fun to have someone to laugh with.
“I just want you to know that I have the money to set up shop in the sawmill,” Michelle said, her tone serious as they sat in a booth at a family restaurant chain.
She reached across the table, taking his hand. “I’ve got quite a bit saved. My business was doing well in New York and some of my big clients still have orders for me to fill.”
“So even though you’re all the way out here in the middle of nowhere with me, you can still just pick up where you left off?” He wondered if she would tell him more, explain the phone call he’d overheard to her old boyfriend.
“Yes, once I put everything in place before the wedding. I’ve spent years building this business, the good the bad and the ugly.” She smiled, taking a sip of her iced tea.
“I like the fact you aren’t afraid of hard work,” Kade said.
“You’re no slacker yourself, big man.” Michelle grinned, but something flashed through her eyes, a memory, a moment he didn’t understand.
She ran her thumb over Kade’s hand and he sighed. This woman had a strange effect on him. She had his head spinning half the time and his heart in a twist the rest.
“I’ll help,” he said, grasping her hand gently. “It’ll take a little time, but we’ll do it.”
Michelle looked into Kade’s blue eyes. Could he truly be this good? Their meal arriving put an end to her thoughts and she smiled as he bowed his head, even in this public place.
“Why do you do that?” she asked. “It’s not like someone in that kitchen back there didn’t cook the food, and for all you know, you’re eating a cow your raised.”
“That doesn’t mean I can’t be thankful for what the Lord provides,” Kade replied.
“I just don’t see how you can give some imaginary being credit for the work you do yourself.”
Kade contemplated his salad, trying to find the words. “I guess it depends on what you believe,” he finally answered, pushing a bright red cherry tomato around with his fork.
Michelle pushed away a laugh. Over the last few weeks she’d come to understand a few things about the man she had married. He was slow to speak, but had a good mind.
“Kade, I understand how someone can cling to tradition, find comfort in the social gatherings and shared values of friends, but I prefer to believe in what I can see, hear, touch.”
“I guess I can understand where you’re coming from,” Kade said slowly.“Lots of folks don’t believe in God.” He was surprised at how calm he was with the discussion, as if they were simply having any old conversation over a meal.
Carefully he sliced a piece of steak, eating with deliberation. “Then again, there’s lots of people who believe as well.”
“The idea of God is simply a social construct, a way to make people feel that there’s a meaning to life. Church, religion, they have their purpose. It’s good to feel like you’re part of something to share something, but that’s as far as it goes.”
“It’s true that people need to feel like they’re a part of something, but God’s more than a shared social idea.”
“Kade,” Michelle said, her dark eyes serious, “I like you, a lot. I think we have a good thing here, but I know what I believe, and you aren’t going to change my mind
Even with an aching heart, Kade smiled. He wanted Michelle to understand what he knew, the truth that had set him free so many years ago, “As long as we can talk,” he said finally. “Honey, I’m not one to try to force folks to agree with me. All I can do is tell you what I know.”
Michelle blinked at him as if she’d never really seen him before. He hadn’t yelled or tried to manipulate her. Even now he seemed accepting of her views.
“We can talk,” she finally replied, “but for now let’s enjoy our meal, our first real date.” She smiled, reaching out and squeezing his hand again.
The rest of the day was spent shopping and chatting, making plans for the big remodel. Kade even took her to a big-name coffee shop for a pumpkin spice latte.
“I had a nice day,” Michelle said as they pulled into their spot behind the house. “You’re too good to me,” she added with a smile, scooting across the seat and wrapping her arms around his neck.
“It’s my pleasure,” Kade replied, turning toward her and dropping a kiss on her lips.
Chapter 12
Kade ran a brush over the dark coat of the pretty little mare that was needed for the morning ride. “She’s mighty smart, Amy,” he said, flicking a speck of dust from her faux black coat. “She’s fun to be around too,” he continued.
The mahogany horse flicked her ears in the harsh light of the electric bulb, listening.
“I like her, I like her a lot.” He smiled, thinking of Michelle. “She’s built up this graphics business with talent and hard work. No one can fault that.” Laying the brush aside, he picked up a mane comb and began working from the tips up to smooth the animal’s glossy mane.
Amy, ever patient, explored her empty feed bucket hopefully before giving up with a sigh.
“I just wish she understood what I believe. I respect her right to believe what she wants, but without my faith, I’m not me.”
Kade dropped the comb into the carryall, then ran a hand down the horse’s near leg, lifting the hoof and cleaning it with a pick.
“The Word tells us not to be unequally yoked, but I believe I was meant to marry this little lady.” He waved the pick absently, still holding the hoof, and barely noticed the horse leaning her weight into his shoulder.
“It has only been a few weeks.” Kade turned his attention back to his task, lifting a hind leg and repeating the process. “Maybe I’m an idiot, but I’m starting to care for her. I just wish she’d open up to me.”
Dropping the last hoof and standing suddenly, Kade blinked at the blank wall. “I think…” his voice was soft, raspy, “I think I might be falling in love with her.”
“Chase, you in here?” A man’s voice echoed down the long aisle of the barn.
“He’s not in yet,” Kade called back, patting Amy gently on the shoulder, tugging the lead rope from its peg and leading the horse into the aisle.
“Kade, you been talking to them big-eared galoots again?”
“I wouldn’t call Amy here a galoot.” Kade joshed, looking up at the grizzled man with piercing green eyes. “How are ya, Red?” Kade asked, offering his hand.
“Alright.” The man called Red hobbled forward. “Drove out to see Chase.”
“He’ll be glad to see you.” Kade grinned, studying the weathered face. The man’s once dark red locks, now nearly white, were shaggy, his beard untrimmed, but his smile was bright.
Shaking his hand, Red st
udied Kade, “You got problems?” he drawled.
“Questions mostly,” Kade admitted.
“Red, you old coot, what brings you out here?” Chase trotted up the walk, his boots making a soft shuffling noise on the hard-packed earth.
“Horses I thought, but now I’m not so sure,” the older man said, the lines around his eyes crinkling when he smiled.
“It’s good to see you Red. How’s Hayley?” the former bronc buster asked, clapping his old friend on the back.
“She’s coming along. Her grandma and I are lookin’ ta get her a young horse and thought maybe you’d have some on hand.”
“And?” Chase raised a brow.
“And now I think we’d better pray for Kade.” He placed a gnarled hand on Kade’s shoulder, another on Chase’s.
Chase grinned. The gesture was familiar, one he’d grown accustomed to in his days as a bronc rider on the rodeo circuit.
Chase had met Red as a young rodeo rider. One of the Cowboys for the Cross crew who shared the truth with an angry, young shooting star, Red had been a mentor, guide and friend.
“Lord, I don’t know what the problems are that Kade here is facing, but I ask that you guide him, direct him, and give him wisdom.”
Another set of hands descended on Kade’s shoulders and he opened his eyes long enough to catch one of the retired riders joining the impromptu prayer meeting.
“Lord, I pray that whatever obstacles this young man is facing, you’ll see him through. We know that you have promised to direct our paths. Lead Kade now, show him the way and give him peace. Amen.”
“Thanks, fellas, I guess change is never easy,” Kade said, feeling lighter than he had in weeks.
“Now what about horses?” Chase asked, still studying Kade.
“I need a horse that Hayley can train up for barrel racing.”
“I don’t think I have what you might be looking for. My herd hasn’t really started to grow yet, but my cousin Logan might have just what you’re looking for.”
Chase rested a hand on Red’s shoulders while Kade got back to work.
“Logan’s had some big changes in his life recently and would probably be happy to help.”