Clay continued, “But we will do something for you. When the time comes, just accept it.”
Lexi cocked her head to one side. “What are you thinking, Clay?”
He looked at Lexi. “I say we organize the biggest, most kick-ass wedding Australia has ever seen for her and Kade.”
His offer hit Annie like a sucker punch to the gut. She swayed on her feet. “That’s an incredibly generous offer, but sadly it won’t be necessary.”
Fighting a sudden burst of panic, Annie bolted to her helicopter and took off before anyone else had a chance to make her feel worse than she already did. Back at her office, she forced herself to connect with each and every client who had been affected that day. She didn’t pick up when Kade called. She didn’t respond to his text. Instead she contacted her competition to thank them for their cooperation.
Kade was a grown man who could take care of himself.
His family was safely all together again.
It was time for Annie to put her needs first. She put her feet up on her desk, leaned back in her chair, and called Claire. A true friend, Claire hardly said a word as the details of the day spilled out of Annie. “So, I left,” Annie concluded. “It was the only choice that made sense. I’m going to do what you and I agreed would be best for me. I’m going to give myself some time away from him. At least for now, I won’t answer his phone calls or his texts. It’s over.”
“Is it?” Claire asked slowly.
Wow, she doesn’t have much faith in me, does she? “I’m serious. You were right. Kade doesn’t need me. We have a chemistry right now that’s tempting, but giving in to it will only get me hurt again. I’m glad I was able to be there for him, now I need to do what’s best for me.” When Claire didn’t instantly confirm that it was the right choice, Annie asked, “What are you not saying?”
Claire let out an audible breath. “You’ve stumped me on this one. I don’t know what I think about you and Kade anymore.”
“There is no me and Kade,” Annie said with a frown. “That’s what I have finally come to peace with.”
“Okay.”
“I have.”
“If you say so.”
“We’re done. You won’t even hear his name after today.”
Claire made a sympathetic sound. “I love you, Annie. Be kind to yourself.”
“I will. Bye. I’ll talk to you tomorrow about work and things that are important enough to mention.”
“Night, Annie.”
“Night, Claire.”
Chapter Sixteen
‡
Immediately after speaking to the police officer, Kade turned to look for Annie but was intercepted by his brother Andrew and his wife, Helene.
“Do you have a minute?” Andrew asked gruffly.
Not feeling like he had much of a choice, Kade looked around the area one more time. He’d heard a helicopter take off earlier, but he hadn’t for a moment thought it might have been hers. He didn’t see it, though, nor her. Shit.
Holding on to Andrew’s arm, Helene said, “Just say it, Andrew.”
Andrew cleared his throat and the pained expression on his face was enough to put a brake on Kade’s need to chase Annie. Fifteen minutes more or less wouldn’t change the outcome of the conversation Kade intended to have with Annie.
After wiping a hand over his face, Andrew said, “I told myself there would be time later to tell you everything, but when I heard Clay was missing I realized that few things happen on the timetable we’d choose. I don’t mean to dump this on you right now, but I have to get it off my chest.”
“Okay.” Kade had an idea what he was about to say, but not the details. His guess was that Helene or her family were somehow involved in his disappearance.
Andrew put an arm around Helene and kissed her forehead before saying, “This woman is an angel who brought me back from hell. She’s completely innocent in all this.”
Helene placed her hand on Andrew’s chest. “Kade, my uncle owned the clinic you were taken from. When people started dying, he took a bribe to cover it up. There’s no excuse for what he did, and I’m the only reason he hasn’t paid for that crime. When Andrew came to Aruba looking for clues about what had happened to you, he met me.”
Face tight, Andrew said, “I didn’t expect to find clues or love. I didn’t honestly believe you were still alive and none of us wanted another ugly truth to face. Helene had no idea what her uncle had done before we uncovered his secret together.”
With tears in her eyes, Helene hugged Andrew’s side. “Andrew would have told you right away, but he wanted to protect me. I don’t need to be protected. I need to know I’m not what stands between the two of you being the brothers you were born to be.”
“Helene—” Andrew started to say.
“It’s okay,” Kade said, interrupting whatever Andrew had been about to say. “Helene, you have nothing to worry about from me. I have a good life here. I’m not angry. I don’t feel cheated. I’ll admit it took a while to get used to the idea of all of you, but now that I have, this experience has been good for me. I see things more clearly. I’m more grateful for my life here. That probably doesn’t make any sense, but although I am haunted by how many lives were negatively affected by my abduction, it’s impossible for me to imagine not having been raised here with all the people who have been brought into my life. We’re good, Andrew. All of us.”
Andrew held out his hand for Kade to shake.
Following an impulse, Kade gave him a back-thumping hug instead that put a smile on Helene’s face. She hugged Kade next.
With a cautious smile, Andrew said, “That went a lot easier than I thought it would.”
Seeking to lighten the mood, Kade added, “I could say the same about finding Clay.”
Andrew whistled. “When those helicopters started landing on the lawn of the lodge, it was like the cavalry had arrived.” He put his arm around Helene’s waist again. “If you’re lucky enough to meet a woman who has your back like that, you don’t let her get away.”
Helene touched Andrew’s cheek gently. “Something tells me he won’t. You Barrington men are pretty smart when it comes to that.”
Kade pocketed his hands and sighed. “I don’t know if I’d call myself smart. It took Annie telling me she didn’t want to see me anymore for me to realize that I’m in love with her.”
“I could have told you that the first time I saw the two of you together,” Andrew said with a grin.
Helene elbowed Andrew playfully. “Don’t tease him.” After glancing around, Helene asked, “Is she still here?”
Kade shook his head.
“That’s actually a good thing,” Andrew claimed.
Kade’s eyebrows shot up in doubt. “How so?”
“It gives you time to plan your countermeasure.”
Nodding in agreement, Helene added, “The perfect proposal.”
“A proposal.” They were an optimistic bunch, those Barringtons. “Should I lead with that considering she’s not speaking to me right now?”
“In nature,” Helene said with conviction, “it’s never the timid who win the mate.”
Andrew chuckled. “She tends to explain human behavior in terms of animals. You get used to it.”
“Hey,” Helene protested. “Humans are mammals. We think we’ve evolved beyond the other creatures who inhabit the planet with us, but make us the least bit uncomfortable or unsure and watch how primal people get.”
“Although I appreciate this talk, I can handle it from here on my own.”
Connor and Dylan appeared beside Andrew before Kade had a chance to make his escape. Dylan punched Kade in the arm. “Good job today. I’m so glad Clay’s not dead.”
Connor nodded in agreement. “That would have been bad. It’s okay, though. Clay accepted our apology. He actually got a little emotional over it.”
Dylan grunted. “You were hugging him so tight you made his eyes water.”
Connor shrugged. “He was touched by my sincerity.”
Dylan rolled his eyes. “He was touched all right. You lifted him right off his feet. You don’t do that to another dude, Connor.”
“I’ll hug whoever I want. If you don’t stop, I’ll pick your ass up right now and squeeze you like a toothpaste tube until you cry for Dad.” Connor made a grab for Dylan.
Viviana and Grant joined the group. Viviana said, “Kade, I hope my brothers said what they intended to when they came over.”
Both Connor and Dylan froze and turned to Kade. Dylan was the first to speak. “Sorry we didn’t ask you if we could lead one of your tours.”
Obediently, as if he were reciting something he’d been told to say, Connor added, “We didn’t think it through, and someone could have been seriously injured. Next time we’ll ask you first.”
Grant grimaced. “I tried to explain to them there won’t be a next time.”
Connor’s jaw dropped in shock. “Of course there will be. Dude, those Canadians are coming back just to see this glorious body naked again.” He struck a bodybuilding pose. “You can’t disappoint them.”
It might have been the sheer absurdity of them, but Kade couldn’t give the same lecture to Viviana’s brothers that he gave to Clay. And, really, what was the likelihood they’d be in Australia the following year anyway? “I’m sure we can figure something out.”
“I knew it,” Dylan said, his chest puffing up with pride. “Now that Clay is back, I think you’ll see your business needs someone like us. I mean, we have to go home eventually because Dad needs us, but we won’t leave you in a bind, Kade.”
“Thanks, mate,” Kade said, hoping his amusement wasn’t obvious. “I’m going to temporarily close the doors of the tour company, at least until I figure a few other things out.”
Grant leaned in. “If you need something, Kade . . .”
“No. I’m good, Grant. I may reopen or I may not. I thought the business was what was important, but it was the reason behind it that mattered. I can take care of my parents now without being so far away from them.” He looked around at who had come when he needed them. Mum and Dad were standing with Sophie and Dale. All of his siblings were there. This was his family, and it finally felt right to call them that. There was one important person missing, though. Getting her back was his new priority.
“Viviana, do you have a moment?” Kade motioned for his future sister-in-law to step aside with him. She linked arms with him as they walked. “I don’t know how best to move forward with Annie. On one hand, I finally know what I want. I’m still figuring out the whole Kade/Kent thing. I’m sure that will take me to Boston for a while, and I want her with me. On the other hand, she said she wants time away from me, which I respect. I respect her. How do I show her I love her if she doesn’t want to talk to me? The last thing I want is to hurt her again.”
Viviana placed a hand over her rounded stomach. “You’re a good guy, Kade/Kent Thompson/Barrington. I don’t know Annie well enough to understand why she pulled away, but there’s one person who definitely does.”
“Annie.”
“You got it,” Viviana said with a smile. “Women are complicated, but there’s only two reasons they usually tell a man to stay away. Either because they’re not interested, or because they’re afraid of being hurt. From everything I’ve seen, I don’t believe for a second that Annie isn’t in love with you. So, ask yourself . . . what would she fear you’ll do again?”
“Leave.” It made sense. They’d never fought. He’d never betrayed her or even lied to her. “She’s afraid when everything settles I’m going to leave without her. That has to be it.”
Viviana nodded. “So what are you going to do?”
Squaring his shoulders, he said, “I’m going to show her I’m not going anywhere this time.”
With a smile of approval, Viviana said, “Grant bought me a house and moved his office to my hometown. That’s what convinced me he was serious.”
“Damn,” Kade said with humor. “I’ve got to up my game.”
Chapter Seventeen
‡
Annie was in her office early the next morning going over the next week’s flight schedule for her pilots. A bouquet of purple hydrangea killed her ability to concentrate, especially the card tucked into the flowers.
She took it to her desk without opening it. Moving forward would mean breaking old patterns. Believing, even for a second, that the flowers were from Kade would send her up and down the roller coaster of emotion she’d sent herself on too many times in the past.
The most likely sender was Clay as a thank-you for finding him. Sophie or Dale might have sent them to show their appreciation for transporting the Barringtons to Wabonga. Either way, there was no way they were from Kade.
Which was for the best.
Flowers from Kade would have been in lieu of an apology, and she didn’t need another one of those from him. He had nothing to be sorry for. The only issue we have—the only one we’ve ever had—is because I’m an idiot.
No, not an idiot . . . just a woman who has feelings for a man who has never returned them. That doesn’t make me stupid, it makes me human.
I can’t change the past, but I can strive to do better.
She stood up and stretched, sore from running on her treadmill the night before and once again in the morning.
Annie had come up with a plan the night before as she’d lain awake wondering if Kade had gotten home safely and how he was getting on with his family. She decided every time she was tempted to call Claire about Kade, or worse, call Kade, she’d exercise instead. So, at two a.m. when her mind had refused to turn off and let her sleep, she ran on her treadmill. When she’d woken up at the crack of dawn and been tempted to see if Kade had texted her again, she ran for another thirty minutes.
Looks like I’ll be investing in a treadmill for my office as well.
Her phone rang. Claire. “Hey, you,” Annie said in a forced cheerful voice.
“How’s your morning going?”
Not going to mention him. Nope, not doing it. “Same ole, same ole. I had one of my pilots call in sick so I’m juggling schedules. How’s your day so far?”
“Just the usual for me as well. You know the new Courtney movie that’s releasing this summer? The thriller? They’re doing some filming in Melbourne. I passed your info along to the production company in case they need transport anywhere.”
“You rock, Claire. Did you ever hear from that woman I gave your card to? The one who was nervous about taking over her family’s business?”
“Elizabeth. Yes. I adore her. All she needed was validation that she knew what to do.” There was a pause, then Claire asked, “So, seriously, nothing new or unusual today?”
Annie glanced at the flowers. Had Claire sent them? Is she waiting for me to thank her? “I did get flowers, but I haven’t had time to open the card yet.”
“Seriously?”
“Okay, I decided to not open it until after work.”
“Wow, that’s real willpower.”
“Don’t congratulate me yet, they arrived about fifteen minutes ago. Are they from you?”
“No.”
Interesting. “But you knew they were coming?”
“Yes.”
“Are they from the Barringtons?”
“In a way.”
Annie threw a hand up in the air in exasperation. “Oh, for God’s sake, just tell me who sent them.”
“It came with a card, Annie.”
Annie grabbed the card from her desk but hesitated before opening it. “If it’s from him it doesn’t matter. I know he cares about me. I know he doesn’t want to see me hurt. Hopefully, soon, I’ll be in a place where I can see a bouquet of flowers from him and not want to throw them back in his face. I don’t want to be angry with him. I don’t want to be disappointed in myself. You’re right. I was fine without him. I’ll be fine again. I’m just not there yet.”
“Open the card.”
What the fuck? Annie tore the card
open.
Call me. –Kade
She read it aloud to Claire. “Well, that says nothing I didn’t already know.”
“Oh,” Claire said, “he told me it would explain how he feels.”
“It does. He feels like I should call him. Hey, since when do you and Kade talk?”
“Since Harrison gave him my number last night.”
“Why would Harrison do that?”
“Because like me, your brother wants this to work out for the two of you.”
“Wait, work out, like become good friends again? Maybe someday. We talked about this, Claire. You’re the one who told me to cut the cord.”
“He loves you, Annie.”
“No,” Annie said emphatically, her tone rising with her emotions. “Don’t do this. I can’t go back there. You of all people should understand why I can’t.”
“At least answer his texts. Give him one more chance.”
“No. One more chance? That’s exactly what I swore I’d stop doing. It’s not healthy. He’s an addiction, remember? You said all that. I don’t understand your about-face.”
“I had a long talk with him last night, Annie. He has so much he wants to tell you.”
Annie sat at her desk and covered her face with one hand. “I can’t do it, Claire. I can’t go to him, hoping he’ll say what I’ve always wanted him to, believing he might, and risking he won’t. A piece of me dies every time I do. No. I’m not putting myself through that again.” A horrifying thought came to Annie. “Claire, you didn’t tell him how I feel about him, did you?”
Of all the worst-case scenarios Annie could think of, having Kade say he loved her simply because he felt sorry for her was at the top of the list. If Kade felt guilty about sleeping with her, he might feel he needed to say something to make her feel better.
“No. Never. I’d never do that to you.”
“Then why now? Why would Kade say he loves me now?”
“How about because he turned to you in a time of need and you were there for him the way you always have been?” Her tone turned wry. “The sex probably helped him along as well.”
Forever Now (The Barrington Billionaires Book 6) Page 17