A Child for Cade. Patricia Thayer

turned to him, his eyes guarded as they examined him closely. “Did you really live here?”

      “Yeah, after my daddy went…away.”

      “My grandpa said your daddy rustled cattle and went to prison. And you and your brothers were no good, either.”

      Why would Tom Moreau be talking about his family? “Just because your daddy did bad things, does that mean you will, too?”

      Brandon shook his head. “No.”

      “Well, it’s the same with me. I went to college and then got a good job in Chicago. And I guarantee you I never rustled any cattle.”

      The boy finally smiled, showing off the space from a missing front tooth. “Do you have a ranch there?”

      “No, no ranches there, but I have a house. Chicago is a big city. I work on the twenty-seventh floor of a very tall building.

      “Oh. Don’t you miss it here?”

      “Sometimes. I miss my brothers and Hank and riding horses all the time. I even miss my secret hiding place.”

      The boy’s eyes rounded. “You have a secret hiding place?”

      “Doesn’t everyone?”

      “I have one at my grandpa’s ranch,” he said. “Will you show me yours?”

      Cade grinned. “Well, I don’t know. It wouldn’t be a secret hiding place if I showed it to you.”

      “I won’t tell anyone, promise.”

      “Double-spit-swear?”

      Brandon looked confused. “I don’t know what that means.”

      Cade stood, trying to remember how he and his brothers used to do the ritual. He raised his hands, spit into each palm, wiped them on his jeans, then made a cross over his heart. “Double-spit-swear.”

      He watched in amazement as Brandon followed suit and looked up proudly. “Now can you show me?”

      “Guess I’m gonna have to.” Cade started off toward the front of the barn, but before he got very far, he saw Abby come rushing in.

      “Brandon,” she called.

      “Hey, Mom.” The boy ran to her. “Did you come to see Hank’s new filly? I got to name her—Princess Star.”

      She hugged Brandon to her side. “That’s nice, son, but we need to be getting home.”

      Abby finally glanced at Cade. She was still wearing her jeans and boots. Her hair wasn’t as tame as last night. He liked it better this way.

      “Hi, Abby.”

      “Cade.”

      “You should take a look at the new filly,” Cade said.

      “Yeah, Mom. She’s real pretty.” Brandon tugged on her arm until she followed him to the stall.

      Abby didn’t want this. Brandon and Cade couldn’t be together. She’d had no idea Charlie was going to bring her son to the Circle B when he said he had errands to run. She’d panicked when Carmen told her.

      Cade came up beside her, standing so close she could feel his heat. She could smell him. No fancy colognes, just soap and the intoxicating scent of the man himself.

      “She’s pretty,” Abby said, and stepped away from Cade. “Okay, son, why don’t you say goodbye and we’ll leave.”

      “But why can’t I stay until Charlie goes back? Cade was going to show me his secret hiding place.” Brandon slapped his hand over his mouth. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to tell her.”

      “That’s okay.” Cade ruffled Brandon’s hair. “She doesn’t know where it is.”

      Abby knew all about secret places. Cade and she had shared one a long time ago. “You weren’t going to take him out to the valley, were you?”

      Cade shook his head, then a smile appeared. “So you remember?”

      She glanced away. How could she forget? Her son had been conceived there. And she had to keep that secret. “Some other time, Brandon. Let’s go.” She took his hand.

      Just then Hank walked in with Charlie.

      “Well, hello, Abby,” Hank said. “What a pleasure to see you again.”

      “Hello, Hank,” she said. “I’m sorry we intruded on your workday.”

      “Glad you did. Charlie helped Chance load up two mares to take back to his ranch.”

      “Did you need me, Abby?” the foreman asked.

      “No, I just thought I’d take Brandon home. I don’t want him to get underfoot.”

      “He’s never that,” Hank said. “He was a big help today. Besides, I enjoy having him here.” He eyed Cade. “My boys are all grown-up.”

      “You’re very kind, Hank. We’ll just head home now.”

      “I got an idea,” the old rancher said. “Stay for supper. We’ve got tons of leftovers from the party. Charlie, you call Carmen and have her come, too.”

      Before Abby could stop him, Hank had wandered off. Great, now she had to spend the evening here. How was she going to keep Cade and Brandon apart?

      “Looks like you both are staying,” Cade said. “You want to come with us to my secret hiding place, Abby?” He cocked a dark eyebrow. “But first I got to double-spit-swear you to secrecy.”

      “Yeah, Mom. It’s gonna be cool.”

      She knew she should refuse to let Brandon go, but that might raise suspicions. More regrets flooded her as once again she questioned her decision years ago. “I think I’ll pass. I’ll just go to the house and see if I can help Ella with supper.”

      “Too, bad.” He grinned, then looked at Brandon. “Looks like it’s just us guys, huh, son?”

      Abby’s heart pounded.

      “All right,” Brandon said.

      “Be careful, Cade,” Abby said. “He’s just a child.”

      Cade leaned toward her and whispered, “It’s only an old storage shed out back. In case you’re interested in finding us, it’s past the oak tree with the swing. Come on, Brandon. Let’s go see if my treasure box is still there.”

      Abby watched the two walk off together. Did anyone else see the resemblance? The dark hair and deep-set eyes. Even their gaits were similar. Oh, God. How was she going to keep Cade from finding out? And would it be fair to?

      They ate dinner in the kitchen at the large table. Just like one big happy family. Abby listened to the laughter and many stories. Brandon had always been relaxed around Hank and Ella. Now it seemed that Cade was his new best friend.

      Then there were the quick glances Cade tossed at her. He made her nervous. And it wasn’t just because he was Brandon’s father. Why was he suddenly flirting with her when last night he acted as if he couldn’t stand the sight of her?

      Cade knew he was playing with fire. He ought to steer clear of Abby, but he couldn’t seem to manage it. She still stirred his desires whenever she was around. He told himself it was natural because they had a past together. She had been his first love.

      While the women cleared the table, Hank invited Brandon into his study for a game of checkers. Cade excused himself and went out to the porch. He sat with his coffee and enjoyed the sunset, golden and orange as the sun dipped behind the trees. Had the sunsets here always been so beautiful?

      Now he sat in the absolute stillness, eyes closed, listening to the sounds around him. Off in the distance, a horse whinnied and a dog barked. He’d thought the quiet would drive him crazy, but in the past three days it only