Cade put Daisy to bed. He spent a good number of minutes kissing her face and telling her how special she was while her little fingers intertwined with his large knuckles. Rose let them be, still processing what had happened and what it meant. She had seen Cade love Daisy, but perhaps she had not realized the intensity of his love.
She knew she had fallen back in love with him. Seeing him defend Daisy, despite the consequences that might follow did more than melt her heart; it filled her with admiration, with respect for a good man.
She was making tea when Cade walked out rubbing the nape of his neck. “Well...” he laughed wryly, “I don’t think I am Tall Pine’s hero anymore.”
Rose laughed and poured a cup of tea for herself and coffee for Cade. “I think you might be surprised. There are many good people, Cade, people who feel the ways of the world are wrong, but they are often scared to say or do anything. It is a relief when someone does.”
Cade had sat down with his coffee and Rose lowered herself next to him. “I don’t understand though why he called her a bobble-headed apple.”
Cade’s jaw ticked and he gripped his mug tightly. “Bobble-headed is what idiots often call black women and apple …” he shook his head and took a long drink of the black liquid. When he set it down his eyes were dark. “Apple refers to a black person swinging from an apple tree.”
Rose gasped, tears springing to her eyes. “That horrible weasel of a man. You only knocked out his teeth?”
Cade forced a chuckle. “To be honest, I restrained myself out of respect for your parents. Beside, he’ll be in cuffs soon enough. That warrant just needs to be signed by a judge and Ben is working on that.”
Rose shook her head and covered her eyes. Horrible, ugly words against such a beautiful baby. It hurt her. Why were some people so cruel? As if reading her thoughts, Cade reached over and took her hand. For a minute they just sat, each one silent in their own thoughts and finding comfort together.
Finally, Cade reluctantly let go and stood up. “I’ll be up early tomorrow, so I think I am going to bed.”
Rose slid back from the table and stood up to follow him. “Cade wait …” She swallowed when he turned around, his expression blank and still.
“Why don’t …” Rose fidgeted with her dress, “Why don’t you come to bed tonight? My bed … our bed.”
Cade blinked and in a breath closed the space between them. “Why Rose?” his voice sent shivers through her spine. She reached down and took his hand entwining her fingers through his.
“Because, I love you! Because you are a good man, and because I respect and admire you. You have fought for me. You have turned to God, and you have put so much effort to make things right. I have finally come to see the man you are. You are my husband,” she inhaled, taking in his glorious scent of steel and pine.
“I want to be your wife, Cade.” She lifted herself on her tiptoes, her lips grazing his ear, “In every way imaginable.”
He griped her arms yanking her into his chest. “In every way?” he asked the timbre in his voice etched with longing.
Rose gave a slow grin. “Imaginable,” she whispered.
Rose expected him to respond with a kiss that was fierce and hungry.
Cade surprised her again. He lowered his lips kissing her temple, her cheek, tilting up her chin and kissing her neck, nipping softly at her earlobes before moving to her shoulders. His fingers trailed up her arms and softly gripped her hair. While his lips grazed over her skin, igniting at his touch.
Rose closed her eyes as his hands moved her hair to the side. “When did you become such a gentleman?” she smiled.
Cade growled in response and picked her up. “Let me show you what a gentleman can do.”