“What really happened between you two?” India shifted from boot to boot.
Her nervous energy set Kade on edge. “I did a dumb thing, she broke it off when she found out, wouldn’t let me explain, and I ended up leavin’ because of it. I wasn’t happy, but she’d left me no choice but to let her be.”
“She’s good at pushing people away.”
“I sorta figured that out,” Kade said dryly.
“Tell me this. If the misunderstanding between you two would’ve been cleared up, would you have left?” He shook his head. “Does she know that?”
“Not yet.”
“When do you plan on telling her?”
“When the time is right.”
“You play your cards pretty close to the vest, McKay.”
Kade thought that was better than wearing his heart on his sleeve.
An uncomfortable moment followed.
“Fine.” India threw up her hands. “Pull that strong, silent cowboy crap. So what happens now?”
“If you’re askin’ if my intentions toward your sister are honorable, I asked her to marry me today.”
“She immediately said no, didn’t she?”
He frowned. “Yeah. How did you know?”
“Because she’s been…” India shook her head. “Because I don’t think she has a spontaneous bone in her body. She’s always been that way. So, in addition to her all-pro status of pushing people away, Skylar excels at taking an eternity to make a decision, any decision. She’s meticulous. She weighs every opinion, thought, word, action and deed from every conceivable angle before she really gets down to the nitty-gritty of making a final determination on a course of action.”
“Great.” He squinted at her and challenged, “Doesn’t sound like you like her much.”
India’s blue eyes nearly turned black with anger. “I worship her, I’d do anything in the world for her, and I’m thinking about punching you in the mouth for suggesting I don’t, McKay.”
Kade held up his hands. “Sorry.”
“Skylar and I are polar opposites, but that doesn’t change the fact she’s the greatest person in the world and she’s a wonderful mother.”
“Which is all good and well, even if she won’t agree to become my wife, I am movin’ in to help care for Eliza.”
“You are?”
He nodded.
Another pause hung in the air. Then India smiled like a loon. “That’s hysterical. She won’t marry you, so you just bulled your way into being her roommate?”
“Pretty much.”
“Surprises me she allowed it.”
“Me too. Sky might be all kinds of reserved, but I am damn determined to have my way on this, India.”
“I can see that. Since I’ve already given you the 4-1-1 on her, I should also warn you Skylar is used to being in charge of everything.”
“So am I.”
“Yeah? Then it oughta be interesting to see if she’ll even let you be a father to Eliza.”
“Let me? I am Eliza’s father. I ain’t givin’ her a choice. I’m here for good. Eliza better get used to it. Sky’d better get used to it.” Kade sent Skylar’s sister a half-menacing smile. “You’d better get used to it too.”
“Please. You don’t scare me, cowboy. I deal with drunks and druggies and bikers all damn day. But one thing my sister and I do have in common? We’re both fighters. Hardheaded.You determined to get your way is not gonna be easy. For either of you.”
He didn’t rise to the bait. Nor would he back down. “Nothin’ worthwhile ever is.”
India considered him without malice. “No pain, no gain, huh?”
“Not the phrase I’d choose, but yeah, I suppose that fits.”
“Good luck, because, man, are you gonna need it.”
Kade grinned. “Oh, I don’t need luck. I’ve got something even better.”
“What’s that?”
“A strong set of ropes, an iron will, and all the patience in the world.”
Chapter Five
The spicy aroma of tomato and chili powder greeted Skylar at the front door. She half wondered if she’d stumbled into the wrong house, especially when a gorgeous man strolled down the hallway with a grin a mile wide. A grin aimed at her.“And here I was hopin’ you’d yell, ‘Hey honey, I’m home’.”
“Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Maybe next time. Lemme take her.” He plucked the baby carrier from her arm like it weighed nothing.
“Thanks.” Skylar kicked off her sandals and noticed Kade was barefoot. She also noticed he’d changed out of his usual cowboy attire. Instead of Wranglers and a long-sleeved shirt, he wore faded black sweatpant shorts and a gray tank top, which showed off his muscular arms and broad chest.