A Dad for Her Twins

by Lois Richer

“Forget I asked that,” she said. “I’m trusting God and I’m not going to start doubting now, when we’re nearing our goal. What we have to focus on next is getting those windows scraped and repainted.”

  “You’re not doing any painting, Abby,” he said, expecting an argument. “No way.”

  “I wasn’t intending to.” She shot him an arch look. “But I am hoping to persuade the local painter to do it for free. It’ll be a detailed job and will take a long time. I’ll keep praying he’ll agree.”

  As if that settled it.

  Cade said nothing more as they resumed their walk to the seniors’ center. Frustration ate at him. Praying didn’t seem to be helping with the adoption agency. Despite Abby’s concentrated focus on the quilts, the group had only completed one quilt so far. There were several tops completed but the quilting itself seemed to be something few knew how to do and that added to the guilt Cade felt that he hadn’t yet figured a way to get her quilting machine.

  He’d also failed to drum up more funds to complete the mechanical room alterations at Family Ties required to meet government standards. But it wasn’t only his failure to fund-raise and thereby help Abby help the town that bothered Cade. He’d run into a brick wall with the government about her funds. They’d stonewalled him for weeks and now the man he had been talking to was avoiding his calls.

  Cade also felt he was failing to help Ivor adjust to a future that would mean leaving the ranch. Worst of all, Cade couldn’t seem to connect with God.

  Then there was the ranch. The buyer he’d hoped and prayed would take the Double L had backed out this morning, leaving Cade with yet another failure. Like the others, this potential buyer had pointed out the ranch’s shortcomings, as if Cade wasn’t fully aware of them.

  He’d worked hard to rectify the disreputable state he’d found the ranch in when he came home, but apparently what he hadn’t done was more noticeable than what he had. In Cade’s mind, this was no different than when he’d been a kid and his efforts had never seemed to be enough for his dad.

  “Hello in there?” Abby tapped his cheek. “Did you fall asleep?”

  “Not yet.” He noticed that they’d walked past the seniors’ building. He followed her back, thinking how much he liked her cheeky grin and the soft touch of her fingers against his cheek. Maybe he was getting to like them too much, but lately it seemed impossible to control his affection for this spunky woman who’d married his best friend.

  “What are you so deep in thought about?” Abby asked, pausing on the step above him.

  “I got a phone call this morning. A space has opened at the nursing home. If I just had the money, Dad—”

  “Cade, he doesn’t want to go there,” Abby said, a hint of steel lacing her voice.

  “I know he says that, but I think once he got there—” He let it go. “Doesn’t matter because we can’t afford it.”

  “Here you are. I’ve been looking for you. Come inside. I need to talk to you both.” Mayor Marsha ushered them up the stairs and into the building, dragging on Cade’s arm so he’d follow her to the cloakroom. “Something’s come up.”

  “Are you all right?” he asked, concerned by her pale cheeks.

  “Yes and no.” Marsha sat down and inhaled. “I’ve been on a waiting list for knee surgery. Doc Treple said it wouldn’t happen until June but he called today. I’m to be at the hospital tomorrow morning.”

  “How can I help?” Cade asked.

  “I’m getting nowhere in drawing this community together and we all know it,” Marsha said with a sigh. “I’ve lived here for almost ten years but people still see me as an outsider.” She studied Cade. “But you’re a local. You grew up here. You’re part of them. You could unite them enough to make the agency happen.”

  “Me? But I don’t know the first thing—I’ve been away—” Cade gulped and stared at her. “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can, Cade.” Marsha bent forward and began listing ideas she had to bring the adoption agency more community support. “You just need to get out among them, be seen encouraging it. They’ll listen to you and I believe more people will begin to pull together.”

  She kept on speaking, filling his mind with possibilities and the more she did, the more Cade began to imagine it happening. And yet...

  “I have too many responsibilities now,” he objected. “I haven’t got time.”

  “I’ve found we always have time for what we want to do,” Marsha said, her clear, straight gaze locking with his. “I believe God could really use you in this, Cade.”

  “I do, too.” Abby spoke up and he realized she’d been standing there, listening the whole time. “Say you’ll do it.”

  “It would be a great load off my mind if you would,” Marsha said. “I believe that if we don’t keep pushing ahead, Family Ties will never happen. And that would be a great loss to this community.”

  “But it’s so much to take on.” He glanced at Abby. It would mean working with her more closely than ever, but at least he’d be there to make sure she didn’t overdo. He doubted he’d have much effect drawing people together but Abby was the one people flocked to. With her in his corner he might have a chance. “If I agree to do this, will you help me, Abby?”

  “Of course.” She grinned. “I was waiting for you to ask.”

  Cade glanced from her to Marsha. He’d failed at so many things. Maybe just once, if Abby kept praying and he pushed himself harder than he ever had, he could succeed. Maybe God would finally answer.

  “Okay.” He nodded. “I’ll do it with Abby’s help and you behind us.”

  “And God,” Abby added with a grin.

  “Thank you, Cade.” Marsha rose and hugged him tightly. “You’re such a kind, generous man. I know people will respond to your spirit of caring.”

  He desperately hoped so because he couldn’t stomach another failure.

  While Abby went to make sure the catering for tonight’s Valentine’s dinner and dance was in order, Cade sat with Marsha and went over the list and plans in her massive folder.

  “These are just ideas,” she said. “Change anything you want. Get Abby’s opinion. She’s got a great heart for others. You’re lucky to have her working with you.”

  “I know.”

  “You care about her, don’t you?” Marsha asked. Cade blinked in surprise.

  “She was my best friend’s wife. They loved each other deeply. She’s still mourning Max,” he added.

  “From what she’s said, I think Abby’s dealing with some other things to do with Max’s death.” Marsha raised one eyebrow. “You should ask her about that. Just remember that Abby’s a vital woman. One day she’ll find love again.” Marsha leaned over and whispered, “I hope it’s with you. You’d be perfect together.”

  “But I’m not staying in Buffalo Gap,” Cade blurted.

  “Oh?” Marsha frowned. “Your father didn’t tell me you were leaving.”

  “Because he doesn’t know and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep secret what I’m going to tell you.” Cade waited for her nod, glanced around, then lowered his voice. “I’m trying to sell the ranch to raise enough funds so he can go into a nursing home. Then I’ll do something else.”

  “Go back to the military?” Marsha shrieked. “But you can’t. That would almost kill him. He was so worried while you were gone.”

  “Please.” Cade winced. “I don’t want this broadcast, especially with Abby approaching her due date. I don’t want her to worry about a place to live.”

  “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “It’s just—I thought you were home to stay. We all did.”

  “I wish I could be,” he admitted honestly.

  “It can’t be an easy decision,” she said. “You’ve always loved the ranch.”

  Cade couldn’t imagine how this woman knew so much
about him. All he knew was that since he’d begun helping with the agency, Marsha had become as close to a mother as he’d ever known. Maybe that’s why he felt comfortable talking with her so openly.

  “But you will be here until June when the adoption agency opens?” she asked anxiously.

  “There’s no rush about leaving until we get a buyer. I’d like Dad to have one more spring on the ranch.” He stopped speaking as Abby returned. “Everything okay?” he asked, seeing the way her green eyes had darkened.

  “I’m not going into labor, if that’s what you’re asking. Not yet.” Abby laughingly explained Cade’s visit to the doctor’s office to Marsha. “I’m only interrupting you because I need help to move a table. Apparently we’ve sold more tickets at the last minute.”

  “You’re not moving anything.” Cade turned to Marsha. “After the dinner, you go home and prepare for your surgery. Abby and I will be here if something’s needed. And we’ll carry on till you return.”

  “You make a good team,” Marsha murmured when Abby had left the room. “Maybe you could make that a permanent thing.”

  Cade stopped and turned to look at her. He saw the flicker in her eyes and knew she was matchmaking. He also knew he had to stop it.

  “Abby’s a wonderful person,” he said. “Any man would be happy to have her on his team. But there was only ever Max in her life and to me she’ll always be his wife.”

  * * *

  Abby heard Cade’s words with a sinking heart, yet was confused by why that should be. She was determined that Max would be the only man in her life, yet she couldn’t shake her growing fondness for Cade. Why was that?

  Lord, what are these feelings? I failed Max. I wasn’t the wife I should have been. Finally she admitted the worst. I tried to love him, but it wasn’t real love. Again the black cloak of guilt almost smothered her.

  “Are these feelings from You, God? What are You trying to tell me?”

  Someone called her name. Abby hurried away from the cloakroom, confused and disappointed that the man she admired saw her only as Max’s wife. But it was understandable. In this condition, who would find her desirable?

  When Cade found her a few minutes later, Abby had pasted a smile on her lips. Since she couldn’t dislodge the questions that plagued her, she made herself focus on the party. This was to be their major fund-raiser along with the silent auction to be held later. The success of both would bring them much closer to their goal of opening the adoption agency.

  “Do you think we’ve covered everything?” Cade asked as people began to file into the hall.

  “We’ve done all we can do. Now we might as well enjoy the party,” she told him, not nearly as blasé as she pretended. She let him lead her to her seat and smiled when he held the chair for her. His hand grazed her shoulder as she sat and it wasn’t just the babies who leaped for joy. Abby’s heart thudded in reaction to even such a small touch.

  “Abby, you look lovely.” Karina Denver touched the velvet dress that Mrs. Swanson had presented to Abby just this morning. “This matches your eyes perfectly.”

  “Thank you, Karina.”

  “I’m so envious of you.” Karina’s gaze slid to her stomach. “As soon as the adoption agency is up and running, you can count on Jake and me to be your first customers. We want a child so badly.”

  “Then I’ll pray that God will direct one to you,” Abby promised. “I think you’ll make a wonderful mom.”

  “So will you.” Karina smiled and Abby returned it, glad for the wonderful friendship she’d found with this woman.

  Mayor Marsha opened the evening by introducing Cade as the new lead on the project. After Pastor Don said grace, Creations, a local eatery, served a meal designed to enhance the romance of the evening. Abby relaxed in the flickering light of the candles. Caught up in a conversation to her left, she felt someone staring. She turned and found Cade watching her.

  “Is anything wrong?” she leaned over to whisper in his ear. He shook his head, a faint smile curving his lips. “Is something funny?” She patted her hair.

  “Everything is fine, Abby.” Something glimmered in those expressive blue eyes but she couldn’t decipher it in such dim lighting. “I suppose you’re going to insist on dancing later?” he rumbled in a voice meant for her ears only.

  “If someone asks me,” she said coyly.

  “I doubt you’ll have a shortage of partners.” The way he said it made Abby do a double take. It also gave her courage.

  “Will you dance with me?” she asked bravely, holding his gaze with her own. Cade slowly nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “My pleasure.” Through the rest of the meal his shoulder bumped hers as the servers picked up the dishes, brought coffee and distributed a chocolate dessert that had everyone groaning. “You’re not having any?” Cade asked when she waved the server away.

  “I shouldn’t. The twins don’t seem to like chocolate.” She laid a hand on her stomach and smoothed it. “It looks delicious.”

  “Try a little and see how they react,” he offered. He scooped a tiny bit onto his fork and held it out.

  Abby hesitated. The gesture seemed so intimate. People would see them and probably gossip. She knew how Cade felt about that.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked in a low voice.

  “Everyone’s watching,” she whispered.

  “So?” He glanced around, shrugged, then returned his focus to her. “Taste it.”

  Since when didn’t Cade care about the townsfolk watching him?

  Abby forgot all about the others when he moved the fork closer to her lips. She tasted the chocolate confection, closing her eyes in delight as the flavors of chocolate, raspberry and caramel exploded on her tongue.

  “Good?” Cade’s voice was so close. She opened her eyes. Everything in her quavered when she realized his lips were mere centimeters away.

  “Yes.” Why couldn’t she tear her gaze from his?

  The rest of the evening passed in a blur for Abby. Mayor Marsha spoke of the importance of providing homes for children who could be the future of Buffalo Gap but Abby absorbed little of what was said.

  Something was happening inside her. Something strange and wonderful. Something that depended on Cade. When he went to speak to his father, who’d come to the event with Hilda Vermeer, Abby felt a sense of loss. And when he returned she reveled in his presence at her side.

  She cared for him. But was this affection right?

  If You don’t want this, please stop these feelings.

  “Shall we dance?” Cade asked.

  Soft, romantic music played. Red paper lanterns swayed overhead as if in time. The tables were pushed back to leave a cleared space where couples could dance together. Abby looked around but found no excuse not to slip into Cade’s open arms. When she did it felt like she belonged there. That she was home.

  His embrace fit her perfectly, and her hand felt comfortably right pressed against his shoulder. He led her into a waltz and she found that Cade was the perfect partner.

  “Where did you learn to dance?” she asked, arching her back so she could see his face.

  “You won’t believe it but Dad insisted I take lessons.” Cade’s chuckle rumbled in his chest. “He said he didn’t want me to be a total misfit. Turns out it was one thing I managed to do quite well. I won the gold award.”

  “You deserve it,” Abby told him. “And a better partner than me. I’m so clumsy.”

  “I’m happy with the partner I have.” In the moment that he held her gaze an arrow of electricity seemed to shoot between them until he said, “I hope we’ve made some money tonight.”

  At the moment Abby couldn’t have cared less about the adoption agency or making money or anything else.

  Because nestled there in his arms, in the sweet intima
cy of the dim senior citizens’ center, she realized that she’d fallen in love with Cade Lebret.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Ivor, I need your help.” Cade drew the boy inside the horse barn.

  “It’s Saturday. I’ve got plans, man.” Ivor, as usual, looked disgruntled by Cade’s request.

  “I know, but you might have to put off meeting your friends for a few hours.” When Ivor opened his mouth to protest, Cade said, “It’s for Abby. And it’s a secret.”

  “So?” Ivor looked reluctant but Cade could see he was intrigued.

  “I have to go to Calgary. I need to deliver a horse,” he explained.

  “Aw, man. How’s that for Abby?”

  “I have to pick up something for her, a surprise. But I don’t want her to know in case something goes wrong. I also don’t want to leave her alone,” he added. “Yesterday the doctor said the babies could come anytime after March first.”

  “That’s today.” Ivor’s eyes grew huge. “You mean she could have the twins today?”

  “It’s a possibility, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. Still, I need someone responsible to keep an eye on her.” He had Ivor’s attention now. The boy would do almost anything for Abby. “Today’s Dad’s physiotherapy day. The therapist will arrive about two and work with him for a couple of hours. Mrs. Swanson asked for today off. So I’m depending on you.”

  “To do what?” Ivor asked with a frown.

  “To stay with Abby, keep an eye on her, make sure she takes a break, has something to eat. In short, I want you to be there for whatever she might need.” He paused, then asked, “Can you do it?”

  “What if something happens?” Ivor asked.

  “You call 911. Can you do it?” When Ivor didn’t immediately agree, Cade clasped the boy’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t have to, but I’m concerned about her. She’s doing too much to try and make the adoption agency a reality. What I’m going to get could make quilting a whole lot easier for her.”

  “That would be good.” Ivor met his gaze seriously. “We can’t let anything happen to the babies. Abby would blame herself.”