The Detective’s Undoing

Chapter 5

“The house looks perfect, Delia. You really outdid yourself.” Maddie smiled as she came into the front room, which would serve as the living room and reception area for their guests.

Delia looked around at the old but polished wood floors, at the antique furniture they’d hauled down from the attic and cleaned, at the huge picture windows that so perfectly showcased the mountains in the distance.

“I didn’t get that highest window clean enough,” Delia murmured, seeing a smudge nearly twelve feet up, close to the open-beam ceilings. “I just need to get a ladder and-”

“And nothing,” Maddie said firmly, coming closer. “Honey, you’ve been working for two days solid, ten hours a day, ever since you got back from L.A. You can’t keep up this pace. You’re going to get sick.”

“Hard work never hurt anyone. But that window-”

“Is far more fine than you. You’re exhausted.”

“I’m just going to-”

“Take a break,” Maddie said smoothly, snatching Delia’s rag from her hand. “You’re going to take a break and tell me what’s going on, what’s hurting you inside so much that you’re working yourself to death.”

“Don’t be silly.”

Maddie didn’t back down, just kept her caring gaze steadily on Delia. “I thought you said it went fine with Jacob.”

Delia tried to draw a steady breath and couldn’t, nor could she find her calm. She’d been holding back for days now, and it was killing her.

God help her, she’d actually lied to her sisters. She already felt so useless to the ranch. So unnecessary. The shame of failing with her brother had been too much to bear, so instead of telling them the truth-that Jacob had been less than thrilled with the thought of having her as a sister or moving to Idaho-she’d been noncommittal about the entire trip.

And Cade. She’d been noncommittal about him, too.

Maddie was looking at her much as a worried mom would a wayward child, which never failed to make the usually cool-as-a-cucumber Delia squirm. No one, certainly not she or Zoe, could ever hold up against that stare.

Which was funny because Maddie was a small woman, with the delicate features of a porcelain doll. But she wasn’t nearly as frail as she looked, not even close. After twenty years together, Delia thought, she should know.

When they’d been young, Maddie hadn’t been able to speak at first. No one knew what had caused this trauma, and Delia and Zoe didn’t know to this day, only that she’d come from some horrible situation. But with Delia and Zoe watching out for her, eventually Maddie had learned to both speak and smile and even laugh.

Now, years later, Delia was convinced Maddie was the strongest of all three of them. So strong that Delia could come clean and sob out all her woes, but she didn’t. She held back with an effort that had her at the end of her rope. But she had to, had to be strong to get through this.

Eyes narrowed in deep concern, Maddie came closer while Delia tried to act tough.

“I’m not going to stand by and let you keep your hurts to yourself,” Maddie told her gently. “Share.”

“Maddie.” Delia managed a laugh. “Come on. We have guests coming tomorrow. We have Zoe’s wedding in three weeks. There’s a million things we need to be doing, not to mention the wedding dress and two bridesmaid dresses I’m still working on, all by myself I might add, since the two of you are so pathetic with a needle and thread, and none of it involves spilling my guts-”

Maddie reached out and hugged her tightly.

Delia nearly cracked. While she returned the hug, soothed by Maddie’s warm arms, she fought for control. And just barely found it.

“Always so strong,” Maddie murmured, stroking Delia’s hair. “So independent. It’s okay to need someone, Delia. To ask for help. Maybe you’ll feel better.”

Help. She had always had a problem asking, mostly because she had learned at an early age that asking meant showing weakness, and showing weakness left her vulnerable.

But this was Maddie, her sister, and one of the two people in the world who loved her unconditionally. She could ask for anything and nothing would be refused.

And wasn’t that the problem? The same thought continued to haunt her. How could she put her brother’s needs before her sister’s? She had no right to ask anyone to give up their dream for hers, no right at all.

“Jacob is okay, right?” Maddie asked

“Yes, he’s…fine.” He hates me, but he’s fine.

“And the custody hearing is still on. The judge is still considering you?”

“Yes.” Until he looks at my background, combines that with the utter lack of financial security. Not to mention Scott, whom I didn’t exactly bowl over with my winning personality.

“Well, I, for one, can’t wait to get him here and mother him to death.” Maddie’s smile was soft and full of affection as she pulled back. “He’s going to have all the family he ever wanted. It’s going to be perfect.”

“It is.” She hoped.

But Maddie wasn’t done fretting. “You’re not nervous about the guests?”

“No.” Delia did smile at that, for this was one thing she was looking forward to. It would certainly keep both her mind and body busy. “But those windows are stressing me out, so-”

“It’s Cade, isn’t it?”

Delia dropped the bottle of cleaner. Slowly she retrieved it. It took some effort to make sure her voice, when she replied, would be steady, because just hearing his name evoked all sorts of images, mostly being held in those big warm arms and receiving a kiss that days later could still make her knees wobble. “What does he have to do with anything?”

Maddie gave her a long look. “Gee, other than the fact you can’t say his name, I don’t know. What does he have to do with anything?”

“Nothing. I don’t know why you’d say it.”

“And if someone else says his name, your claws come out.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Maddie crossed her arms and lifted a brow. “Not to mention what happens to you when he walks into the room.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Delia scoffed. But what was really ridiculous was that she was a tough sophisticated city girl and hadn’t yet managed in all her twenty-six years to lose her virginity. She wasn’t sure why exactly, other than that no one had ever come close to making her feel half of what Cade had with one kiss. And yet to him, she was just a case. Probably a nuisance, to boot. He was a roamer, and when he was done here, he’d move on. “Nothing happens when he walks into the room.”

Maddie smiled and shook her head, her eyes full of sympathy and humor. “Oh, honey. Something happens all right.”

“If you think so, you need glasses.”

“You react.”

“Of course I react. It’s a full-blown allergic reaction. The man gives me hives.”

“The man?” The usually somber Maddie burst out laughing. “Cade. His name is Cade. Come on, I bet it rolls right off your tongue. Try it.”

“Yeah. You might like it.”

Cade had come into the room-how long ago? Delia wondered wildly-and stood there watching her, his eyes hooded. His arms were crossed over his chest, and on his face, damn him, his laughing mocking face, was the knowledge of what he could-and had-done to her with just one touch.

“Cade.” Maddie squeezed Delia’s arm gently, meant to both soothe and warn. “We were just talking about you. I’m making your favorite for dinner-pot roast. You’ll stay?”

He smiled at her, his grin crooked, endearing and just a little reckless. “Thanks, it sounds terrific, but I can’t. I’m…going.”

“You’re leaving? I thought you and Ty were busy with the repairs on the back fencing.”

“We’ve finally finished.” Languidly, he stretched his back and shoulder muscles, which were clearly outlined beneath his snug T-shirt, and Delia felt a powerful need to rub up against him, a need she assured herself was immature, no matter how hot and deep the ache was.

“You worked so hard.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “And given my aches and creaks, I’m getting old. Man, this cowboy stuff is hard work. I gotta hand it to Ty. He’s amazing.”

He was leaving, was all Delia could think. Going back to the city, probably, and his other cases. Fine. More than fine, actually. Good.

So why did she feel a funny pang in her midsection?

Indigestion.

“I hope Ty thanked you for staying and helping us get ready to open. We needed all the extra hands we could get, but we know you have a life away from here, as well.” Maddie squeezed Delia’s hands again, another warning. “Don’t we, Delia?”

A not-so-subtle hint to add her own thank-you. Good manners had Delia opening her mouth to do just that, but the words stuck in her throat.

She’d managed to avoid him since they’d returned from Los Angeles. It hadn’t been difficult, especially since he had done his own avoiding.

Not exactly complimentary, Delia thought with a frown.

It was one thing for her to need her own space, but she didn’t think she liked him needing his as well. “Going back to Boise?” she asked coolly.

“For a day or so.” He lifted one broad shoulder. “I’ll be traveling. Have some things to check out.”

“The exciting life of a private investigator,” Maddie said smiling. “You enjoy this part.”

“Very much,” he admitted. When he glanced at the door, something inside Delia hardened.

He can’t wait to leave.

Never in her life had she felt the urge to cling. She certainly wouldn’t start now. But he wanted to leave, couldn’t wait to leave, and it was because of her.

The knowledge was deflating. “Well, we don’t want to keep you,” she said.

Maddie sent Delia a meaningful glare. She wanted Delia to join her in convincing Cade to stay. “Are you sure you can’t rearrange things to be here for the grand opening?” Maddie asked him while nudging Delia.

Delia said nothing, didn’t add her own request for him to stay. Maddie was on her own there.

Realizing that, her sister sighed. “You’ve worked so hard to help us,” Maddie said to Cade. “It’d be a shame if you had to leave just one day before watching how it all turns out.”

Cade looked at Delia, as if waiting for her to second Maddie’s sentiments.

Did he expect her to beg? Ha! He’d have a long wait if he was. She never begged.

Besides, she wanted him gone.

She did. And if she said it often enough she might believe it.

“I have things that have to be done,” he said, and Maddie made another sound of disappointment.

“I know you’ve spent this past year going back and forth, trying to fit Constance’s case into your heavy workload,” Maddie said. “But it seemed that lately you spent more and more time here, which we loved. You’re a part of our family now, Cade.” She smiled into his surprised face. “And I got used to you being here. We hate to see you go.”

“I’m sorry.” He closed his eyes for a moment. “I never meant to integrate myself so completely here or to disrupt-”

“Don’t you dare apologize!” Maddie said fiercely. “You’re welcome here, as much as I am or Ty or Zoe or Delia. You belong here-”

“No,” he said quickly. “I don’t belong here or…” He fell silent, and looked out the window.

Or…anywhere? Was that what he’d been about to say? Delia wondered. Was that why he was always on the run? He didn’t feel as though he belonged anywhere?

For all that Cade McKnight seemed an open book-adventurous, carefree, rugged and tough-she realized there was much about him she didn’t know.

Didn’t want to know, she corrected.

“You need to go,” Maddie said softly, coming to terms with his imminent departure.

Cade smiled at her, without the wariness that had been there when he’d looked at Delia. “Yeah.”

“I understand,” Maddie whispered. “The need to go.”

Delia hadn’t been able to take her eyes off Cade, so that when he suddenly turned his head to look at her again, she was caught.

Something passed between them, something Delia didn’t want to acknowledge, but given the bemusement on his face, he didn’t want to acknowledge it, either.

It baffled her, this strange thing that seemed to happen to them whenever they were within close proximity. They had nothing in common, they had completely different goals in life, and yet…there was something that helplessly drew her to him.

But she could control it. She could control all her emotions.

Maddie was still watching the two of them. “Maybe the things you have to go do,” she said quietly to Cade, “maybe they could wait for just one more day so you could enjoy all the work you’ve put into the Triple M?”

When Cade didn’t speak, but continued to hold Delia’s gaze, Maddie gave a small knowing smile that Cade missed.

Delia did not, and she sent her sister a warning glance.

With a long-practiced skill, Maddie ignored her and moved to the door. “I think I’ll just check on dinner…” She patted Cade’s arm and smiled again when he didn’t break eye contact with Delia. “And leave you two alone to talk this out.”

“Talk what out?” Delia demanded, but Maddie was gone and Cade was still staring at her, as if he was angry and hurt and confused all at once.

“Why are you always staring at me like that?” Delia asked.

“I haven’t a clue,” he muttered. “But I’m outta here.”

“Fine. Great.” Then words popped right out of her mouth before she could stop them. “Miss my sister’s pot roast and the first guests and everything, I certainly don’t care.”

He’d turned toward the door, but went absolutely still at her words, so carelessly tossed out, in spite of the tightness in her chest. “What are you saying?” he asked, still facing the door. “That you don’t think I should go?”

She stared at his taut sleek back, her heart racing out of control, and she had no idea why. “No, of course not. I’m just saying it’s really great pot roast, and we all know she made it specially for you, anyway.”

Slowly he turned around, his expression carefully masked. “You don’t want me to go.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t care what you do. Go. Stay. It’s all the same to me, even if one of the first guests, Tom something or other, is one of your previous clients and is only coming because you recommended him.”

“You don’t want me to go,” he repeated, sounding shocked. “Damn, Delia.” In two long-legged strides, he walked toward her and hauled her into his arms, bringing her face close to his tormented one. “What the hell am I going to do with you?”

If she thought her heart had been pounding before at just the sight of him, it was nothing compared to what happened now, when his hands were on her, and his mouth so close to hers she could almost taste him. “You could kiss me again,” she whispered, shaken to the core at her wanton suggestion, but not about to take it back.

“I could,” he whispered back. “But I’m still leaving.”

“Good. Can’t wait. Now kiss me, Cade.”

“I might.” He moved a fraction so that their lips nearly touched. “I also might stay for pot roast.”

“And the guests.” Was that her voice, all husky and breathless? “Don’t forget the guests. You should probably stay long enough to see them, at least.”

“Just to make sure everything goes smoothly. Then I’ll go.”

“I’ll be counting the minutes until you do. Now kiss me.”

“I suppose I could spare one little goodbye kiss.”

“Big of you.”

“Yes,” he agreed, shifting slightly so that their hips brushed once, twice, allowing her to feel the hardness of him.

“Do it,” she demanded, already breathless.

“Come get it.”

Smiling at the rush of feminine power, because nothing made her feel more in control than knowing she was running the show, she pressed her body even closer to his. “If you insist,” she murmured, closing her eyes because his were warm and fathomless and much too intense.

She let the kiss take her, until she was dizzy, until she was thrilling to the low rough noise Cade made in his throat when she rubbed against him, until she realized she was getting in far too deep to be able to pull back.

That was unacceptable.

Frightening.

Glorious.

And it had to stop.

She heard Cade’s moan of protest when she pulled away, but all she could do was stare up at him, her lungs straining for air, her mind in a whirl.

His own chest rose and fell harshly, too, his mouth wet from hers. Sanity slowly returned to his dark eyes. “Like I said,” he managed, “I haven’t a clue about what to do with you.”

“Good thing you’re leaving soon.”

“Very soon.”

“And you’ll be off and traveling, without a care in the world about what the people close to you think.”

“There is no one close to me.”

That hurt, she discovered. “My sisters might disagree with that,” she said lightly. “But since I know you better than they do, I won’t hurt them by telling them.”

“Good.”

“Good.”

“Good,” he echoed again, but it was a long moment, during which they just stared at each other, before he turned and walked away.