The City Girl's Homecoming

by Kathy Douglass

  “Do you want to go with them?” Cade asked.

  “No. I don’t think I can bear to say goodbye again. Besides, I don’t want to confuse them. If we go with them, they might expect to go back home with us. And I think they’ve already said their goodbyes.”

  “Then let’s get out of here.”

  She let Cade lead her out of the shelter and into the parking lot. If she could plan her day over again, she wouldn’t have scheduled her meeting with Birdie and Bunny for right now. But at the time it had seemed like a good idea. She hadn’t imagined becoming an emotional basket case from saying goodbye to the dogs. Once she and Cade were alone outside, he wrapped her in his arms and held her. The feel of his hands as he rubbed her back was at once soothing and arousing. After a few minutes the sorrow in her heart had been replaced by longing and she lifted her head. His eyes met hers and he lowered his head and brushed his lips across hers.

  Aware that they were in a public place, Megan forced down the desire to deepen the kiss and stepped back. Her lips were tingling too much for her to try and form words.

  Cade rubbed a hand over his closely cropped hair as if he needed a moment to get his feelings under control, as well. Seeing him so affected emboldened her and before she could give in to her doubts, she blurted out her question. “Do you want to go out with me this Saturday?”

  He blinked, and Megan wished she could call back the words and pretend that she hadn’t asked him. Then he smiled. “I’d love to. Where are we going?”

  “To a fundraiser in Raleigh.”

  “What kind of fundraiser?”

  “A black tie dinner. One of my clients bought the tickets, but since she’s unable to go, she gave them to me. There’s going to be dancing and a silent auction also. It’s all to raise money for school supplies for needy kids as well as to fund several college scholarships.”

  After a long moment he nodded. “It sounds like a worthy cause. And it might be fun.”

  “So you’re saying that you’ll go with me?” She barely managed to keep the surprise from her voice.

  “Why not. I like to dance.”

  “Great. I’ll call you later with the details.”

  Cade smiled and then climbed into the truck. She watched as he drove away before she headed over to the Whitaker sisters’ house. Birdie was outside, and she greeted Megan warmly when she arrived. “Come on inside. We’ll have tea and sandwiches before we get started.”

  Megan smiled. “I’d appreciate it.”

  They walked through the old house and into the kitchen. Bunny was placing a platter of sandwiches on the table, and she smiled at Megan. “Have a seat.”

  “Thank you.” Megan knew that the sisters didn’t like to discuss business while they ate, so she didn’t bring up their brother or what he’d done. They asked her about the dogs she’d brought into the shelter, and once more her eyes welled with tears. She didn’t know why she kept getting emotional. They were only dogs and not even her own. But still her heart was breaking at the thought of never seeing them again. She told herself that they would be happy with their new families, but that didn’t ease the pain in her heart.

  “Animals have a way of stealing your heart,” Birdie said, patting Megan’s hand.

  “They sure do,” Megan agreed.

  “We’ve fallen in love with a lot of the animals that have come our way over the years,” Bunny added. “Some of them we’ve kept, but others we’ve had to let go.”

  “How do you manage that?” Megan asked softly.

  “By acknowledging that Birdie and I aren’t the only people with love in our hearts for animals. We aren’t the only two people in the world who can give them good homes. Since we know that, we trust that they’ll be just as happy somewhere else.”

  “That makes sense,” Megan said. She was coming to see that there were a lot of loving people in the world. Especially out in North Carolina.

  “It doesn’t make the pain in our hearts any less,” Bunny warned. “It just doesn’t last as long.”

  “That’s something,” Megan said. “Thank you.”

  The sisters nodded and they resumed eating. Megan’s heart was lighter and she was grateful for the sisters’ understanding.

  Once they had finished eating, Megan handed the sisters the papers they needed in order to press charges against their brother. She spoke gently because she knew it couldn’t be easy to take this step. True, he’d hurt them, but they still loved him. She knew that if her brother had betrayed her like this, she’d still love him. But then, Marlon had been a good guy. He’d been her hero. He’d never have done anything this devious to her or anyone else.

  “We’ve talked to the sheriff and the prosecutor.” Birdie sounded sad, and Megan’s heart ached for her. Still, Megan knew she was doing the right thing. If they hadn’t stopped their brother, they would have ended up destitute. They might even have lost their home just like Mrs. Crockett had. Who knew what would have happened then?

  Megan took each sister by the hand, then gave a reassuring squeeze. “You’re doing the right thing.”

  “We know,” Bunny said. “It just hurts a little bit right now. It’ll stop.”

  Megan knew the sisters needed to be alone to mourn, so she closed her briefcase and stood. When Birdie looked like she was going to stand too, Megan stopped her. “Don’t get up. I know my way out. Feel free to call me anytime if either of you needs me.”

  “Thanks, Megan,” Bunny said and then linked hands with Birdie.

  Megan nodded and then left, but the image of the sisters holding on to each other for support stayed with her as she drove back to the office. They might be hurting now, but at least they had each other to turn to for comfort. That had to help.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Megan looked critically at her reflection in the mirror. She turned slightly in order to get a good view of her profile, then shimmied a little to see what she would look like when she danced. Pretty good if she did say so herself. The dress didn’t pull or stretch when she moved. Nor did it gap away from her breasts. Best of all, she looked good in it.

  She blew out a breath. Finally. It had taken six tries but she’d finally found a winner. The silver dress fit as if it had been made specifically for her. And to top it off, she’d found the perfect shoes in the exact same shade with the right height heels. It was as if her fairy godmother had put everything together and then placed the various items around the store. Of course, a fairy godmother would have been cheaper. Neither the dress nor the shoes had been on sale.

  Ordinarily Megan wouldn’t spend this much money on a dress she knew she wouldn’t wear more than a couple of times. She didn’t live the kind of lifestyle that required formal dresses. Even when she’d lived in New York, her entertainment had been limited to dinner and movies with friends, with the occasional Broadway show thrown in just to switch things up. And she’d been fine with that. Megan didn’t have anything against fancy parties, especially if they were for a good cause, which this one was. She just preferred quiet evenings at home reading a book or with a small gathering of friends.

  But this wasn’t going to be just any old formal dinner with any old date. She was going out with Cade Battle and needed to look her absolute best. And in this dress she definitely would.

  After taking one last look at herself, she slipped off the dress and put her suit back on. Although Daniel was a good boss who didn’t monitor her every move, Megan had come in early and worked through lunch the past three days because she knew she was going to go shopping in Raleigh today and didn’t want to rush. She grabbed the hangers holding the rejected dresses in one hand and the chosen one in the other. After hanging the unwanted dresses on the rack outside the dressing room, Megan purchased her dress and shoes.

  She had the perfect earrings and necklace at home to complete the look. She could hardly wait for tomorrow to arriv
e. Of course, she needed to get past today first. There had been room for two more cats at the shelter and Cade had dropped them off today. Even though Megan had already planned to go shopping today, she knew she wouldn’t have gone with Cade to drop off the cats. It was just too hard to say a final goodbye to them. Knowing they were going to find good homes didn’t take away the heartbreak she felt when she thought about never seeing them again. There’d been too many final goodbyes in her lifetime to subject herself to more. She knew Cade would reassure them that they would be okay.

  She stopped at home and raced inside to hang up her dress and drop her new shoes on the floor before heading back to the office. The afternoon flew, and before she knew it she was on her way out to the farm. The number of animals had diminished so greatly that cleaning up after them was a breeze. She tossed the ball to the dogs and then rubbed the cats that were in the mood for attention. As usual, Samson was near Delilah, but he allowed her to carry him around.

  “You’re my favorite,” she said, rubbing her nose into his fur. “But that will be our secret.”

  “What secret is that?”

  Megan spun around to face Cade. He was grinning at her as if he’d caught her with her hand in the cookie jar. No matter how many times she saw him, being near him made her heart skip a beat. And when he smiled at her like he was doing now, it took all of her self-control not to fling herself at him and plead with him to love her. But of course she wouldn’t. When Tim had broken up with her, she’d all but begged him not to leave her. It hadn’t mattered that she knew he was right to face the truth that their relationship wasn’t working anymore. She just hadn’t wanted to be alone.

  She wasn’t going to do that again. Cade had made it clear that he wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship. Since his engagement had ended much as hers had, she understood his reluctance. And if he was still in love with the other woman, that could only mean heartache for Megan. She’d had more than enough of that. It was better for her well-being that they merely remained friends. Not every two people were destined to be together. Just because being around him made her float on air didn’t mean he had to feel the same.

  “So, I take it you’re not going to tell me your secret?”

  “Nope.”

  His eyes shifted to Samson, who purred, and back to Megan’s. “That’s okay. I think I can guess.”

  “Yes, you probably can.” At least that secret. She’d never let him know how much she liked him.

  “What were you doing?” she asked, pointing to the shovel he was carrying.

  “Ever since Gumball and Tiny escaped, I’ve been checking the fence surrounding the corral regularly to make sure none of the other dogs decide to make a break for it.”

  “Find any holes?”

  “Not a one. I guess they were the only ones looking for adventure. Or maybe coming back smelling like skunk scared the others off the idea.”

  She placed Samson on the rail and watched as the cat crossed the fence until he was near Delilah. Once there, Samson sat down and began to lick his paws.

  “Do you think the other animals wonder where they’ve gone?”

  “Tiny and Gumball?”

  “All of them. It’s like they’re here one day and gone the next. Do you think they notice?”

  “Of course they notice. They lived together for a long time. Do they worry about them and miss them? I have no idea.”

  “Do you think they’ll forget their time together on the farm? Will they forget us?”

  “Again, I don’t know for certain if they’ll remember being here. But I think they’ll always remember you and the love you gave them.”

  She crossed the yard and gave him a big hug. Somehow he’d known just what she needed to hear. She started to pull back, but he pulled her closer, holding her in his arms a while longer. Pressed against his muscular chest, she inhaled and got a lungful of his scent, and her eyes closed. There was something so familiar and comforting about Cade. Something about being in his arms felt like home even as she was turned on.

  A cat wound around their legs, interrupting the embrace. Megan reluctantly stepped out of Cade’s arms and picked up Molly. “I guess she’s trying to let me know that they’re ready to eat.”

  “Yeah.” Cade didn’t seem too happy about the interruption, which made Megan smile. Maybe he enjoyed holding her in his arms as much as she enjoyed being there.

  After they’d taken care of the animals, Cade walked her to her car. She had a nail appointment she didn’t want to miss. “I’ll take care of feeding them in the morning. Dad said he’ll take care of them tomorrow night while we’re out so we don’t have to worry about that.”

  “Thanks. You and your dad are the best.”

  “I’ll pick you up at six. See you tomorrow.” He brushed his lips across hers and then opened her car door to let her inside.

  Her lips tingled all the way home.

  * * *

  Cade loosened the tie and started again. He hated black tie events. Hated wearing a tuxedo. He blew out a breath and leaned against his dresser. Maybe hate was too harsh a word. He wasn’t vehemently opposed to formal functions, especially those designed to raise money for good causes. He just didn’t enjoy attending them. He’d rather donate the cost of the ticket and stay home and watch a game on television. Deadra had loved rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers of the world and had dragged him to more than enough charity balls and high-priced dinners to last a lifetime. He’d hoped those days were behind him and that he’d never have to wear a tuxedo again. Yet here he was, struggling with a bow tie so he could escort another big-city woman to yet another fancy shindig.

  He’d tried not to compare Megan and Deadra, but they had so many similarities it would be foolish to ignore them. They both moved from big cities for new jobs and claimed to want to live a quiet life in Spring Forest. Deadra had lasted long enough for him to fall in love and propose. Theirs had been a whirlwind affair that he’d believed would lead to a lifetime of happiness. He’d been wrong about that.

  His relationship with Megan was traveling on pretty much the same path, and Cade couldn’t help but wonder if he was making another mistake.

  So why hadn’t he told Megan no when she asked him to go with her? Because he was a fool who couldn’t get enough of being around her. It was as if she’d put a spell on him, leaving him powerless to resist her. He wanted to believe that she was different from Deadra and that she’d actually stick it out in Spring Forest. He wouldn’t make the mistake of engaging in a whirlwind affair this time. No, he’d take his time and get to know her. He’d date her for months instead of mere weeks. He just needed a sign that she planned to put down roots in Spring Forest before he put his heart on the line. Maybe if they dated a while, her true intentions would become clear.

  That decided, he pulled on the tie, and this time he knotted it perfectly. After checking the time, he loaded Samson and Delilah into his truck and drove to his dad’s house. When they arrived he put them into the corral. Reginald was leaning against the fence. When he saw Cade he let out a long whistle.

  “Don’t you look spiffy,” his dad said, straightening and coming closer. “Let’s go inside before you get all dusty. I want to get a picture.”

  Cade managed not to roll his eyes at his father’s enthusiasm. It wasn’t as if he was going to prom. But since his father was in such good spirits, Cade wouldn’t rain on his parade. It had been so painful watching his father suffer as he mourned the loss of Cade’s mother. Thankfully he’d gradually become his old self again.

  If Cade had to put a date on it, the change began about the time the animals came to the farm. But Cade knew the animals didn’t deserve credit for the happiness that had been floating in the air on Battle Lands Farm these past weeks. That honor belonged to Megan. She’d brought so much life and joy with her each day that it had become part of the atmosphere.
r />   “Hold still,” Reginald said, aiming his phone’s camera at Cade. “Okay, now smile.”

  Cade smiled and at Reginald’s direction struck a couple of poses. After a few minutes, Reginald set down the phone.

  “Done?”

  “Yes.” Reginald sighed. “I just wish I could have a picture of you and Megan together.”

  “That won’t be a problem. These places generally have a photographer. I’ll make sure we pose for a couple of pictures and give you a copy.”

  “Thanks.” Reginald reached in his pocket and pulled out his car keys. “I cleaned and waxed it. I even put in one of those fancy scented things. It should smell like baby powder.”

  “You didn’t need to go to all that trouble.”

  “You can’t expect Megan to get into a dirty car dressed in her fancy clothes.”

  Which was why Cade was borrowing his father’s car. He didn’t want Megan trying to climb into his truck wearing a long dress. “You’re right. Thank you.”

  “It was my pleasure. I like Megan. She’s a special girl. In a way she reminds me of your mother. She’s the kind of girl you can count on when things get rough. The kind of girl you marry.”

  Cade sighed. His dad would go on for hours about Megan’s virtues. But Cade didn’t have hours. Megan was waiting for him. He held up the keys and headed for the door. “Thanks again. See you tonight.”

  As he drove to Megan’s house, Cade thought about his father’s praise. His father was a good judge of character. He could tell the real thing from a fake from miles away. And it didn’t take him long to see a person’s true nature. Not only that, Reginald wasn’t given to false or overblown flattery. If he thought Megan was the real deal, that carried a lot of weight with Cade. It was a good thing that Reginald liked Megan since no matter how hard he fought against it, Cade was becoming emotionally involved with her. He decided not to fight his feelings tonight. Instead he’d simply enjoy himself and let the evening flow.