23

“You call this a lakeside cabin?” Skylar allowed her jaw to drop as she stood before Slade’s three story log home, complete with massive floor to ceiling windows, wrap around deck furnished with cedar Adirondack chairs, rope hammock, and a large stone fire pit. Nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains and bordered on one side by the lake, Slade’s home was an oasis. “This is more like a resort.”

“Well, the house is made of wood, and it is located on Forest Lake.” Slade’s expression softened as he led her up the porch steps, a man clearly at home surrounded by the forest, hillsides, and crystal clear lake water.

“Until now, I thought places like this only existed in my dreams. Either you’re an extremely humble man, or you’re spoiled.”

As they approached the door, he laughed. “I haven’t been called spoiled since Sarah and I were kids. She always accused my parents of siding with me when we argued.”

“Where are your folks now?”

“They retired to Florida. We see them on special occasions, but for the most part, it’s just us. Don’t pay any attention to the stories my sister tells you,” he warned, but his eyes held mischief. “She tends to exaggerate.”

She’d seen the business side of Slade as he’d dealt with Aston and Ike, but being invited into his personal life intrigued her. Learning more about him somehow felt…right. No doubts remained; she wanted to be a part of his life. But in order to have any kind of lasting relationship, she’d have to tell him what she’d done. As she prepared to enter Slade’s home, her nerves kicked in.

Either Slade would accept her as is, or not. The “not” possibility made her hesitate.

Slade placed a warm hand at the small of her back. “Don’t worry. You and Sarah will get along fine.”

“It’s not that.”

“No? Then what is it?” Slade asked, a mixture of concern and curiosity written on his face.

First instinct had her scrambling for an acceptable answer, something that wouldn’t expose her fears. But he deserved the entire truth. After all, he had shielded her from bullets. “I think there’s something happening between us, more than our current circumstances allow for. I’d like to get to know you, maybe see if there could be an ‘us’ after all this is over.”

His features softened into a breathtaking smile. “I’ve been thinking something along those same lines.”

Skylar swallowed, moistening her dry throat. Caution held her back from embracing the excitement jolting through her. “You have to know what I’ve done before you can decide what you really want. And, for now, I need to know if I’ll be welcome in your home before I take a step inside.”

Something shifted beneath his cobalt irises and his expression sobered. “All right. Tell me. What is it you’ve done that you think is a deal breaker?”

Her knees weakened and her heart palpitated, but Slade’s hand remained on her back, giving her much needed encouragement. “About five years ago, when I was working for an accounting firm in Asheville, North Carolina, my employer pressured me to skim money from wealthy clients’ accounts. I refused, but then he threatened to fire me.” She wiped damp palms on her jeans. “My grandmother was in an assisted living facility, but she was running out of money. If I didn’t help cover the costs, she would’ve been evicted. I couldn’t let that happen. I couldn’t lose my job. I didn’t know what else to do, so I helped steal the money.” Shame heated her cheeks, and she paused, waiting for Slade’s rebuke. But he didn’t react, didn’t pull away. He waited as if sensing more to the story.

“If only I’d known God then, maybe I would’ve realized I’d had other options. I would’ve known He would never leave us or forsake us.”

Moments passed, Slade’s expression didn’t waver.

Nothing gave her a clue as to his thoughts so she continued. “One of the clients caught on, and police detectives investigated. They traced the illegal transfers to my office computer and my login ID. Although my employer was using me, and the police found all the stolen money in his personal accounts, I was convicted for my involvement.”

A muscle in Slade’s jaw twitched, and he glanced away.

Would Slade abandon her as the others had done? Would a man who served justice, sever his connection with a criminal? If she had to leave, she’d rather do it before entering his home and his life. “Please. Say something.”

His gaze searched the surrounding hillsides for several long heartbeats. “Is that why Jake left you?” His words were low. Controlled.

Skylar nodded. “He demanded the engagement ring back. Said he couldn’t be associated with a thief. It would damage his reputation at his father’s law firm.”

Slade’s pulse pounded at the base of his throat. He clenched a fist, and his knuckles cracked. With a quick nod, he met her gaze. “Then he didn’t deserve to have you.” He inserted the house key, unlocked the deadbolt and eased open the grand, mahogany door. “Welcome to my home, Sky.”