“Let’s listen to what Cadde has to say then.”
He blinked, losing the gist of the conversation. All he wanted to do was punch Hooter, but he quickly collected himself and went into his spiel adding a lot about Roscoe and his way of doing business.
Complete silence followed his speech. The only sound was Barbara tapping away on her laptop, recording the minutes.
“I think this is something Daddy would do.” Jessie was the first to speak. “I vote yes.”
“Are you sure, Jessie?” Hooter asked, and reached for her arm again, but Jessie evaded him by standing.
“I’m very sure, and now I have to run.” She picked up her sunglasses and walked out of the room.
Cadde pushed to his feet. “Chance, take the vote. I have to speak to my wife.”
“What?” Chance was confused, but only for a second.
As Cadde strolled away, he heard Chance’s voice, “Anyone opposed to the proposal?” There was a slight pause and not a whimper of opposition. “Okay, boys, we’re invading Louisiana.”
Cadde hurried toward the elevator to catch Jessie, but she wasn’t there. She didn’t have time to go anywhere but… The apartment. He opened the door and there she was dressed in his white shirt. He closed the door and locked it, smiling.
All it had taken was trust…and honesty.
JESSIE LIVED IN A DREAMLIKE state. She was happier than she’d ever been in her life as they settled into marriage. At night the lights went off and she didn’t mind. She had Cadde’s arms around her. That was all she needed. They never mentioned the L word and she was okay with that, too. Their relationship had evolved and she had hopes it would continue to do so.
What surprised her the most was that Cadde was usually home by six and he spent weekends with her. He talked on the phone, used his laptop, but he was there and she didn’t feel so alone.
After two weeks Mirry came home. She still wore the doughnut thing and she was able to eat and drink. Mirry could stand but she didn’t move from the pillow Jessie had her on in her room. Gavin had said that she would eventually start walking again. It would take time.
In the past Gavin had never sent her a bill. She always mailed a check, though, hoping it covered his expenses. This time she received an enormous bill for Mirry’s operation and her stay at the clinic. She paid it. Maybe Gavin had finally gotten her message.
One morning she heard a whimpering sound.
She reached for the bedside lamp and turned it on. Mirry stood on all fours looking up at her. “Cadde.” She crawled out of bed, completely naked, and walked around the room. Mirry slowly followed. “Cadde, look, she’s walking.”
Cadde pushed up on his elbows. “Damn beautiful sight, too.” He was looking at her, not Mirry.
She gave him a long kiss. “I’m taking Mirry outside. She has to go pee.”
He frowned. “It’s barely five in the morning.”
“I know.” She reached for her cotton robe and slipped it on, tying the sash. “We won’t be long.”
Jessie carried Mirry downstairs and sat on the step while the dog did her business. Mirry sniffed the grass, the air and seemed to enjoy the warm early morning.
Suddenly, Cadde sat beside her.
She pushed back her hair. “Don’t you have to go to work?”
“Mmm.” He put his arm around her and she laid her head on his shoulder. “Just thought it wouldn’t hurt to witness a miracle.”
“She’s better, Cadde. She’s better.”
He stroked her hair. “And so are we.”
“Yeah.”
Cadde may not get the flowery words right, but he more than made up for it in his actions. If she loved him any more she was actually going to hurt. There was a softness in him that was hard to reach, but once it was exposed he was like a soft cuddle bear. She had a feeling the softness came from his mother.
She wondered like so many times in the past what qualities she got from her mother. She’d never know. Why was she thinking about it now when she was so happy?
Resting against Cadde, she felt at peace for the first time in forever. They watched Mirry taking awkward, sure steps in the grass.
Just like they were.
CADDE WAS KNEE-DEEP IN figures when Kid strolled into his office and slapped folders onto his desk. “All done, big brother, signed, sealed and delivered.”
“You got the leases signed that we needed?”
“Yep. Took some legwork and going through the deeds at the courthouse, but every owner I approached was willing to sign. Times are tough everywhere and the hope of extra money is a welcome green light.”
“Did you get them at the price we discussed?”