The Texan’s Bride(43)
And just like that her bubble of happiness burst into a million little pieces, each one attached to her heart. But what did she expect? They had a deal—a business deal that did not include any words of love. Just sex—procreation.
“Fine,” she said, and walked into the bedroom to straighten the bed with strong jerky movements.
He followed with a scowl. “You’re not doing another about-face, are you?”
Could he be any more insensitive? “No. You lived up to your end and I’ll honor mine.” She jammed a fist into a pillow and slammed it against the headboard.
“The comforter is short on this side,” he pointed out.
“I like it that way.” She turned and went to the kitchen where she wanted to lay her head down and just cry. But she didn’t. Instead, she made coffee and set about fixing breakfast.
She warmed up the tacos for Cadde and pulled out the fruit and yogurt she hadn’t eaten yesterday. As she lifted the spoon to her mouth, he walked in all dressed for the day as if the night had never happened. She spooned so fast the yogurt went down the wrong way and she coughed.
“Are you okay?” he asked, pouring a cup of coffee.
“I’m fine.” She coughed again and reached for her mug.
“Are you upset?”
“No.”
“You seem upset.”
“I’m fine.” She wrapped the remaining fruit and put it back in the refrigerator. “I have to shower and change,” she muttered. “I want to see Mirry as soon as I can.”
Cadde sat there with his mouth open. What had just happened? What could Myra have said to her to make her so upset? He knew talking to Jessie was not the answer. She was mad, mad, mad! Once she cooled off, they would talk.
Wolfing down the tacos, he followed them with coffee and headed for the door. He had work to do. His hand went to his head. He still hadn’t found his hat. It was probably at the house and he hadn’t been back there yet. The thought of getting one from the bedroom was tempting, but not that tempting. Jessie clearly needed some time alone.
He had consecutive meetings all morning. At the last one lunch was brought in. He picked at his food, not able to get Jessie out of his mind. What was she so mad about?
Back in his office, he went through permits and licenses they would need in Louisiana. Chance breezed in.
“Did you know Uncle Ru’s been down with the flu for over a week?”
Cadde looked up. “No. I haven’t talked to them lately.”
“Someone should have called us.” Chance sank into a leather chair.
“Why didn’t they?”
“Sky said Aunt Etta didn’t want to bother us.” Chance placed his elbows on his knees. “I don’t like not being there. Shay and I were talking and we’re thinking of moving back. The kids in school are always picking on Darcy because of her big glasses and because she’s so thin. I want her to grow up feeling good about herself and I think that can happen in High Cotton. Shay’s getting her teaching certificate, and landing a position in High Cotton’s schools will be much easier than hoping for one in Houston.”
Cadde nodded. “Sounds as if your mind is made up.”
“Yep. I’d like to build a house on Mom and Dad’s land, in the left front corner facing the road, but Aunt Etta owns half of that three-hundred-acre tract. She always says it’s ours. I just don’t want to step on any toes.”
“Build your house, Chance, I don’t foresee any problems. But we need to talk to Aunt Etta to get everything clear and on paper.”
Chance stood. “I’m going home this weekend. I’ll talk to her.”
“She’ll be happy you’re coming home.” Cadde reached for his pen on the desk. “You’re not quitting Shilah, are you?”
“Hell, no, every penny I have is invested here. I’ll use the chopper to travel back and forth.”
“Good. Tell Aunt Etta and Uncle Ru I said hi and I’ll get home as soon as I can. Right now my life is a…” Cadde pointed his pen at Chance. “Don’t allow anyone into this building unless you call me first.”
“What?” Chance seemed puzzled at the quick change of topic.
“You let Myra Delgado in this morning.”
“Yeah. She’s an assistant D.A. and Rosa and Felix’s daughter.”
“I don’t care. You call first.”
“Okay. What happened?”
“She…uh…interrupted us, and said something to upset Jessie.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because after she left Jessie was acting weird…mad.”
“Maybe you said something to upset her.”