Two seconds after I let go and unlock the door, she was inside cooing and cuddling with Hamlet. His purr grew louder until we could hear it all over. Bree hugged me as she made her way inside instructing her precious daughter not to squeeze my cat.
“What happened?” she asked, placing her stuff in the chair.
I hadn’t even gotten the door closed yet. Bree always knew what was going on with us. She could measure any of our moods with one look. It was fascinating and somewhat annoying. I needed her help, though, so there was no point in waiting. “Daphne and I got in a fight.”
“Ally, why don’t you take Hamlet in the kitchen and make sure he has some water,” she said, ushering Ally out of the room. “What was this fight about?” she quizzed as soon as Ally was out of earshot.
I hesitated. What if she agreed with Daphne? “My engagement.” I ran my fingers through my hair messing it up, I was sure, and sat down beside her. “Well, it was more about Cade.”
“Are you happy?” she asked. That was the thing with Bree, she never said what you expected her to. She didn’t take sides, yet she always turned it, so you could see both points of view, gaining the right perspective.
“Of course, I’m happy. Cade has always held my heart and I can’t imagine my life without him. He’s always been unattainable, but now that he’s changing, it feels like I might actually have my happy ending. And I get why Daphne is scared for me, but she said I was stupid for getting engaged.”
Bree leaned back, propping her legs on my coffee table and clasped her hands in her lap. “You know I love Daphne and I’m not taking any sides, but Daphne has issues with trusting men. So you have to see how she’s taking this. She probably felt like she’s losing her best friend to a guy that may or may not go back to drinking alcohol. Did she handle it the wrong way? I’m guessing yes. Did she have good intentions? Again, I’m guessing yes,” she said. “Daphne is stubborn and hardheaded, and she probably knows that this stems from her intimacy issues. So I think you’ll have to be the one to make amends. You two have been friends for so long. You can’t let something like this get between you. This is a happy time for you and you need Daphne there for you.”
I stretched out beside her, intending to reply when I heard a crash in my kitchen. We both jumped up and hurried to the entrance. Hamlet’s kitty treats were strewn all over the floor and he was happily lapping them up. Ally stood to the side. Her small hands covering her shocked mouth as her wide eyes watched in horror. The top cabinet was opened with a chair pulled against the counter where she climbed up and found the treats. I wanted to laugh, but the angry look on Bree’s face told me it wasn’t a good idea.
“Did you climb in a chair?” Bree demanded.
Ally stared her mother for what seemed like forever before slowly nodding.
“Allison, you could have fallen, broken something, like your leg, or one of Francesca’s pretty things. You know better than to climb on things like that. Why did you do it?”
I felt bad for both of them. Bree had to be the parent disciplining the child for doing something dangerous, but at the same time I felt bad for Ally because she was just a small curious child that wanted to make the cat happy. I decided this was a situation I needed to stay out of.
“I don’t know,” her sweet voice said. She walked over, wrapping her little arms around Bree’s waist and started to cry. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I love you.”
Those words were all it took and Bree’s face no longer looked angry. She crouched before her daughter, brushing her hair out of her eyes and said, “I love you, too. You scared mommy. I don’t want you to break anything, and I really don’t want you to get hurt. Do you understand?”
Ally nodded, her long light brown hair swinging as her head moved. She wiped her nose on her sleeve and turned to me. “I’m sorry, Francesca,” she said sadly, her little voice breaking my heart.
“I’m not mad. You need to listen to your mommy, though. None of us want you to get hurt. We all love you,” I said, kissing her forehead. “Do you want to fill up some forms for me?” I asked her. I figured she couldn’t write very well. She couldn’t read, either, but I had some extra work forms around the house and I knew they would keep her busy long enough for Bree and I to finish our conversation.
She nodded, adding a scream for effect, and jumped up and down. Bree gave me a silent thank you, while she situated Ally at the table. I gathered three sheets and a pen instructing her to fill in various parts of the page. Her little face swelled with pride and importance.
“Now where were we?” I asked, linking my arm with Bree’s at the elbow and stepping a few feet away, so little ears wouldn’t pick up our words.
“I told you, you would have to go to Daphne,” she reminded me.
“Oh, yeah. You’re probably right. The sad thing is I was going to ask her to be my maid of honor last night, but then she just freaked out on me. So I left,” I said wistfully. Grazing my brow, I glanced at her and asked, “Speaking of… How would you like to be a bridesmaid? And can Ally be my flower girl?”
Her eyes watered as she nodded and gave me a big hug. “I would be honored, Francesca. Now I want you to go to girl’s night tomorrow, and I am going to make sure Daphne is there. You two are going to make up.”
I gave her a questioning look, but didn’t say anything. I knew there was no way I would get out of girl’s night, whether it be her, Ava, or Kylie, one of them would come get me. Brooke probably wouldn’t care one way or another, if she even showed up. I trusted Bree would talk to Daphne for me, helping her to see how harsh her words had been. Bree was right and she probably had meant well, in her own Daphne way, but that didn’t take away the pain she had brought me. There were things Daphne did that I didn’t approve of or understand, but that didn’t give me any rights to judge her, or voice my opinion about it. The fact that she had openly showed her disgust really hurt me, and it scared me.
What if me being with Cade meant that I lost Daphne?
###
Deciding to not let worrying get the best of me, I began to cook dinner for Cade, Reid, and me. I knew Reid’s life had been turned upside down when he took on the responsibility of being Cade’s outpatient sponsor. I imagined it would be difficult dealing with an addiction day to day, but Reid did it flawlessly, helping Cade in more ways than I ever could have. I wanted to thank him, and I felt bad always kicking him out…or rather Cade always kicked him out.
I understood why. Since getting Cade back in my life I have had an overwhelming, consuming need for him; whether it was a conversation as we got to know our adult selves, or his fiery igniting touch on my skin. My thoughts were often plagued with his eyes, and I found myself daydreaming of naughty ways to spend time with him more often than not. I anticipated Cade would fight me on inviting Reid to dinner because we hadn’t seen each other in 24 hours.
I decided to text him and give him a heads up that any desirous activities would have to be saved for tomorrow.
Me: Hey, don’t freak, but Reid’s staying for dinner.
It took him a while to answer. Glancing at the clock, I couldn’t help but wonder why his last session ended at five and it was close to 6:30, and I still hadn’t heard from him. Was something wrong? Was he not doing as well as he led me to believe? Could something have happened to them on the way back? He finally replied, and eased my mind though. His answer was predictable.
Cade: No, he’s not.
Me: Yes, he is. I feel bad kicking him out.
Cade: Don’t. I’m not with him. Will be there soon.
He wasn’t with him? Who the heck was he with? As far as I knew, Reid was the only person Cade was allowed to leave with. I wasn’t even allowed to pick him up because we weren’t married. The only other people that would be allowed to care for him would be his family, but I thought the family sessions ended last month. Well, it did with everyone but his father, who didn’t show up.
I continued to cook, pouring all of my emotions into the dishes. I mashed t
he potatoes, really digging the fork around to let out my frustrations. I baked ham, drizzling it with a homemade glaze, and still I waited. Cade didn’t text and just before I was convinced he wouldn’t show up, there was a knock at my door.
I rushed from the kitchen, almost tripping over Hamlet, who decided the linoleum floor was his bathtub. He had one of his legs sticking straight up in the air as he cleaned the fur behind his paw. If I hadn’t been so distressed over the Cade situation, I probably would have stopped to laugh and take a picture. Wiping my palms on my pants, I twisted the knob and greeted Cade before I even saw him. “Cade, are you okay?”
I really should stop assuming that something’s always wrong or that I have any idea what’s really going on.
He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me to him, and gave me a soft kiss on my forehead. “Francesca, I missed you,” he purred in my ear, sending sparks of desire through my body. He pulled away slightly and said,” Francesca, I believe you know, my father, Derek. Is it okay if he joins us for dinner?”
This was a new development. “Of course, that’s fine. Hello, Mr. Kelling, it’s nice to see you again. Please come on in,” I greeted stepping back so they could enter.
Cade’s father glanced around and smiled as he politely told me, “Francesca, it’s lovely to see you. You have a beautiful home.”
I smiled, closing the door and instructed everyone to sit down. Cade was nervous, really nervous, and that in turn made me nervous. He kept clinching his fists, putting them in his pockets, only to pull them right back out and fumbled with his belt loops. His fidgeting was distracting, and I didn’t think it helped Mr. Kelling’s uneasiness.
His father sat with his back straight as a board and stared out my windows. He didn’t look around. He didn’t really speak. It was obvious he was just as uncomfortable as Cade, so my curiosity was working overtime, wondering how exactly these two ended up here together tonight.
“Would anyone like some water or tea or maybe a Coke or something?” I asked, trying to break the tension.
Cade spoke first and offered to help. His father, however, obviously didn’t take things too seriously. Or maybe he was just that dense. I was shocked by the words that came out of his mouth. Cade looked like he was going to rip his head off for his words.
“Do you have any Brandy?” Mr. Kelling asked nonchalantly. He must’ve realized what he’d said from the open mouth stare I gave him and quickly recovered. “Shit, I didn’t think, Cade.”
Cade, of course, couldn’t let the apology be enough. He wouldn’t let something like that pass, and I knew there would be a full out Kelling man war in moments if I didn’t intervene. I placed my hand around Cade’s arm, squeezing softly in hopes I could calm him. His face was turning red, his nostrils were flaring. I hadn’t seen Cade this angry in a really long time.
Before he could speak, I did. “Mr. Kelling, I’m not a drinker. I never really was. But even if it was something that I did, I would stop having it in the house in respect for Cade and all that he’s going through. I don’t know if you remember, but my sister Josie died in a car wreck when she was drinking at 16 years old. I don’t make a habit of letting alcohol into my life because it brings disastrous results. I would be happy to bring you some water, though, so Cade and I are going to run and get that real quick.”
He stared, open mouthed, and didn’t say anything, only nodded. I grabbed Cade’s hand and pulled him behind me as I rushed back to the kitchen. Slumped against the counter, I tapped my toes and asked Cade what was going on.
“Daddy dearest has decided it’s time we make amends. He’s been with me all day, Francesca. You have to help me. I would have blown up at him back there if it hadn’t been for you. Please help me,” he pleaded. His eyes were unlike Cade. The usual bright and shiny gleam he held was replaced with a dull fear.
I did the only thing I could. Cade and his father never had a good relationship, constantly arguing and blaming the other for every disastrous event that happened. I knew this was difficult for Cade, so I agreed to help him in any way possible.
Chapter Five – Cade
I was begging, almost to the point of dropping down to my knees and pleading with her, but she agreed moments before I was sure my head would explode.
“I will run interference, Cade. Can I ask why Reid’s not here?” she quizzed me. I should’ve known that wouldn’t get past her. Francesca was very perceptive. I only hoped her tactics were similar to Reid’s.
“He says Pops and I need to work this out and he’s not getting in it. Something about that if Pops wanted to try, then I needed to try, and I wouldn’t do that if he was there,” I shrugged. Reid was probably right, but after spending the whole day with Derek Kelling, I just didn’t think I could do any more.
“And you’ve been with him all day?” she asked, turning to check something in the oven.
The smell was delicious. The aroma wafted through the air, seeping into my pores and setting my taste buds on mouthwatering. It smelled like ham, but it was sweet. Francesca had cooked for me once, well, I supposed she baked, because she made me cupcakes when we were in high school. I had no idea she could do a whole meal, and watching her move around the kitchen as she stirred and checked on things was incredibly sexy. I couldn’t wait until this was my life.
“Cade?” she turned, brow raised and waiting for my reply.
“You and the kitchen are a really sexy combo,” I growled, grabbing her hips and pressing them to mine. “The only thing that would make it better is if you were naked.” I pressed her back against the counter, sinking my body against hers, and smothered her with my lips. She groaned against me, responding instantly, and I really wished my father wasn’t in the other room.
When we finally pulled apart, her lips were pink, and her face flushed as her bedroom eyes gave me a once over. “Cade Kelling,” she said sternly, attempting to look angry, but only looking cute. “Quit trying to distract me and answer my question,” she demanded, hands on hips.
“Okay,” I sighed. “I wasn’t avoiding it though. You really do look sexy…now…what was the question again?” I grinned sheepishly, knowing I would make her even feistier. I really had forgotten, distracted by curvaceous body.
“I said…and you’ve been with him all day?” she enunciated each word, poking my chest as she did so, but the corners of her lips kept twitching as she tried to hide a smile.
“Oh, yeah,” I started, tapping one finger to my chin. “Yes. He called Reid last night wanting to come to my therapy session this morning. I in turn called Cason for backup. So this morning, the three of us went to therapy. Well, four if you count Reid. The therapist decided we have issues,” I chuckled and threw my hands up in the air. “But I mean, who would’ve ever thought that? Anyway, he decided that to better our issues, we should spend the day together, and all that good stuff. Pops should follow me around, and see what all I’ve been going through. And to make it even better, Reid decided we should go to dinner, just the two of us. There was no way I was letting him take me out somewhere as nervous as he makes me, so I decided we would come over here,” I explained, pulling her to me once again. “And from the smells in this room, it seems like I made a great decision.”
She scoffed, staring at me and playfully pushed me away. “I see how it is. You only love me because I can cook,” she snipped, punching my shoulder.
“That is not the only reason,” I grinned, “you also look incredible naked and are really good in bed.” I jumped out of the way seconds before the wet dishtowel would have found my thigh. She followed me around the kitchen, and into the dining room, attempting to hit me with it, but she never caught me. I finally grabbed it midair and used it to wrestle her to me. We stood staring at each other deeply, and enjoying the comfort of feeling our bodies pressed together when Pops clearing his throat interrupted us.
“… uh… Sorry. I was just coming to ask where your restroom is,” he said awkwardly, stuffing his hands down into his pockets,
much like I did when I was nervous.
Francesca pulled away, the warmth of her body instantly leaving me lonely, and gave him a beautiful smile. “No worries, Mr. Kelling. Here I’ll show you where it’s at.” She engaged in light conversation, and even made Pops laugh.
Francesca Taymon was fascinating and brilliant, and I still couldn’t believe she wanted me. An alcoholic loser who couldn’t keep his life together without help, the same boy who broke her heart years ago. I knew right then, watching her walk back, her face beaming, that I would do everything in my power to ensure I kept her. If she could bring out the best in Pops’ tough exterior then it was no wonder she’d been the one to save me.
“You okay?” she asked, placing her delicate hand on my cheek and sending a shiver down my spine.
I nodded, pressing my lips into her palm. “You’re all kinds of amazing.”
She watched me quizzically, then giggled and started preparing our dishes. I stood off to the side, watching her, knowing she would ask if she needed help. I heard the shuffle of Pops’ shoes as he walked back, but I didn’t turn when I felt his presence beside me. I was curious what he would say.
“She’s good for you,” he stated. He placed his hand on my shoulder then he must have decided it was too much and took it away. “Cade…I’ve never seen your eyes light up the way they do when you see that girl. I know our relationship has always been strained and today was more than a little uncomfortable, but I want to try if you do. You’re my son. We’ve both made mistakes. I just hope you can forgive me for mine.” He stepped away, taking the plates from Francesca’s hands and set the table for her. He didn’t even set the table for mom.
What was it about Francesca that made Kelling men putty in her hands? I would say it was her beauty, but it ran much deeper. Something about her spirit lit up the whole room, bringing the good in everyone out, making everyone around her smile. Her energy was contagious, her glow was blinding, and I couldn’t get enough. My new addiction was the beautiful woman with the dark blonde hair and big brown eyes laughing as she talked to my father.
Entangled Souls: Cade and Francesca (Scarred Hearts #1.5) Page 4