Cade was still shaking his head at the goat tug-of-war when he poked his head into his daughter’s room ten minutes later. “Hey, I’m making spaghetti for supper, and I wanted to let you know I invited Nora to eat with us.”
She was lying in bed with her back to him, her nose stuck in one of the books he’d bought her. “Whatever.”
His smile fell. He’d wanted to tell Allie about the goat and pig invasion, hoping to get a laugh out of her, but he could see the teenager wasn’t in the mood for laughter. “You okay? You want some Advil?”
She jerked her head toward him as she tossed down the book. It hit the floor with a thud. “No, I’m not okay. And I don’t want any stupid Advil. I want my phone. My Kindle is on it with all my books. And my own clothes. And my own house.”
“I know. Sorry, kiddo. I told you, we’ll make the trip to Denver in the next few days and get your stuff. For now, you’ll have to make do with what you have.” They were both making do with the new situation. “I thought you liked that stuff Bryn and Elle got you.”
“I do. I mean, it’s fine.” She pulled at the sleeve of the T-shirt. “But it’s not mine. Nothing is mine. Nothing feels right. I don’t feel right. Plus I feel like I smell weird.”
He’d spent enough time in hospitals and emergency rooms to know what she meant. “I get that. But with the stitches, you can’t take a shower yet. Not until tomorrow.”
“I know. But my hair is disgusting, and it stinks like the hospital too.” She tipped her head back into her pillow and whined, “I just want to wash my hair.”
“I can do it.”
“Do what?”
“Wash your hair.”
She offered him a snarl. “Yeah right.”
“What? I’m serious. I used to wash your hair and give you a bath all the time when you were a little girl. It’s not that hard.”
She narrowed her eyes as she studied him as if she were judging his hair-washing skills. “How? I can’t bear weight on my foot or lean over the tub.”
“No, but I’ve got another idea.” He passed her the basket of toiletries from the dresser. “Looks like there’s a bunch of fancy shampoos and stuff in there. Pick out which ones you want, and I’ll be right back.”
A few minutes later, he stepped back into the room. “Come on, I’ve got it all set up.”
She eyed him with suspicion as she pushed up from the bed, then winced as her foot touched the floor.
He took a step toward her. With the splint on her arm and the bandage and bruising on her face, she looked so fragile as she stared miserably at her injured leg.
She held up her hand. “I can do it myself. I don’t need you.”
Okay. Maybe not that fragile. Her words stung, but his logical mind knew they came from a place of hurt. “Dammit, Allie, just let me do this for you.” He took another step closer and when she didn’t stop him, he reached down and lifted her into his arms. She was surprisingly quiet as he carried her into the kitchen, where he’d cleared off the counter next to the sink and laid down a thick towel. “Toss those shampoos into the sink,” he instructed.
“One is shampoo and one is conditioner,” she said as he gingerly set her on the counter. “Make sure you use the green bottle first then the white one.”
“Green one first, got it,” he said as he positioned a rolled up towel at the edge of the sink. “Here, put this under your neck.”
She lowered her back onto the counter, so her head hung over the sink. “Did you wash out the sink first?”
“Yes. I scrubbed out the sink and washed off the counters. Now be quiet and just enjoy your experience at the Callahan Spa.”
She rolled her eyes, but her shoulders settled and a ghost of a grin teased her face. “You’re a dork.”
“I know.” But at least he’d made her smile. Or almost smile.
He turned on the water and held his hand under the faucet, waiting for the water to warm. Lifting the mass of her blond hair, he used the sprayer to wet it down, being careful to avoid the bandage on her forehead. He froze as he caught sight of the thin line of scar tissue above her eyebrow. Her bangs had covered it before, but the sight of the scar brought back memories that twisted Cade’s heart like it was being squeezed in a vise.
He let out a breath and tried to focus on the task at hand.
Allie closed her eyes as he gently massaged in the shampoo—from the green bottle. The scent of eucalyptus and something slightly minty filled the air. He was glad his daughter’s eyes were closed so she couldn’t see him blink back the sudden well of tears. It was stupid. He didn’t know why he was getting so dang emotional. But the act of washing his little girl’s hair in the sink brought back a flood of memories—memories he’d spent years trying to suppress.
He swallowed as he watched the suds swirl down the drain. This was the first time she’d let him offer her any kind of affectionate touch. He’d wanted to hug her when he first saw her lying in the hospital bed, but it had been so long since he’d seen her, he wasn’t sure how. Then the moment had passed, and he didn’t know how to get it back.
He could confidently climb onto the back of a two-thousand-pound bull bent on bucking him off, but spending time with this slip of a girl who probably weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet scared the hell out of him.
For whatever reason, he was getting a second chance with his daughter, and he didn’t want to blow it. He filled his hand with the conditioner and carefully worked it through her hair. It had been lighter when she was little, so blond it was almost white, but she’d always worn it long, and from the pictures he’d seen of her on Facebook, she had about a million ways to wear it up and down and with braids and little top-knot ponytails. She was the only reason he’d started the account. He probably had less than ten friends on it, and she wasn’t one of them. No way was Amber going to allow that. But he could look her up and see her photos, her smile.
If he caught Amber in a good mood—usually when she was seeing a new guy—she might agree to let him see Allie once or twice a year. But the visits were always awkward and weird and neither of them knew what to say. He usually took her to a movie, then out for pizza. He asked the same questions: How’s school? Got any new friends? What do you like to do for fun? And got the same answers: Fine. Not really. And watch television or read.
Amber moved them around a lot, so he didn’t often see the same friends, or many friends at all, in Allie’s photos. She seemed to be a bit of a loner. Hmm. Maybe they were more alike than he thought.
***
Nora had changed into the leggings and T-shirt, but then opted for her flip-flops over sneakers since she was just going next door. Her toes were painted a glossy strawberry pink thanks to the pedicures she and her mom had gotten the week before. She’d recovered the dropped hair dryer and done a quick blow dry, then swiped on a bit of mascara. She didn’t want to look like she was trying too hard. And why was she even worried about how hard she was trying at all? It was just a polite offer to join Cade and his daughter for supper—it’s not like he’d invited her out for dinner.
So why were her hands sweating and her nerves jumping around like kangaroos on speed? She wiped her hands on her leggings as she got ready to leave. Wait—she shouldn’t show up empty-handed. She should bring something. Opening the pantry, she spotted a package of Oreos her mom had covertly tucked into the groceries in the back of her car. Perfect. At least she’d have something to hold.
Grabbing them, she let herself out her door, careful to not let it slam behind her, then raised her hand to knock on Cade’s door. She paused, not wanting to interrupt the tender scene of Cade washing his daughter’s hair she could see through the screen.
He turned off the water and carefully wrung out her hair, then gently wrapped it in a towel. Sliding his hand under her back, he eased her up, then held her arm to steady her.
“You okay, darlin’?” he asked, his voice soft and low.
Allie nodded.
“All right now, take it easy. You might feel a little dizzy. I got you.” He lifted her off the counter and helped her into a chair at the table.
Nora was surprised the girl let him help her after she’d seen her being so standoffish earlier. There was a story between these two, but Nora hadn’t quite figured it out yet. Elle had said they were estranged—that was obvious. But at least for the moment, they both seemed at ease.
She stood transfixed, knowing she should knock, but she didn’t want to interrupt as she watched Cade carefully untwist the towel, then gently draw a brush through the girl’s wet hair. He looked up and waved as he saw Nora standing at the door. “Hey. Come on in. The Callahan Spa is open for business. You looking for a cut or just a wash?”
Allie shook her head at Nora, but at least she was smiling. “He is so weird.”
“I think I’m good,” Nora said, then held up the Oreos. “I brought over dessert and thought I’d offer to help with supper.”
“Great,” Cade said, wiping his hands on his jeans and crossing to the kitchen. “It’s nothing fancy, just spaghetti and some bread, but the sauce is homemade. Bryn makes our grandma’s recipe, and she gave me a couple of jars.” He pulled a stockpot from the cabinet and set it on the stove. He pulled at the front of his shirt, which was soaked from washing Allie’s hair. “If you want to get some water started, I’ll just change my shirt and be back to help with the sauce.”
“Sure,” she answered, glad to be put to work and have something to do with her hands. She took the stockpot, then stopped as she caught sight of him stripping off his T-shirt as he headed down the hall. Her mouth went dry. His back and shoulders were ripped with muscles, but his waist was lean where his jeans hung low on his hips. He had the body of a man who worked, who used his muscles to build and haul and swing tools. It wasn’t perfect—even from across the room, she could see white lines of scars marking his tanned skin—but it came darn close.
He was back by the time she’d filled the pot with water and had the stove turned on. The kitchen seemed to shrink in size with the two of them in it. She was all too aware of his presence as they shifted and moved around each other.
It wasn’t a complicated meal, and Nora kept up a steady stream of small talk with Allie while she set the table and Cade cooked the noodles and heated up the sauce. Nora put the sauce on the table while Cade filled their plates with spaghetti from the pan. He set their plates in front of them, then dropped into his chair and picked up his fork.
Allie made a sound like she was clearing her throat as she folded her hands together and stared expectantly at Cade.
“Oh yeah, sorry.” He put down his fork and folded his hands. “Thank you, God, for the food.”
Allie made a huffing sound of disapproval.
Nora had her head bent but could practically hear him floundering.
“And thanks for bringing us Nora. Please let her experience and guidance help Allie to recover quickly. Amen.”
Nora raised her head, but Allie kept hers lowered and her eyes closed. “And please watch over Mom. She’s new and probably doesn’t know what to do.”
Oh gosh. Poor girl.
Nora swallowed at the emotion burning her throat. Some of Allie’s cutting remarks were pure teenager, but right now, sitting at the table with her hair wet, her sweet face bruised and bandaged, as she prayed for God to watch over her mother, she looked like a little girl.
Cade must have thought so too. His voice was husky and rough as he choked out another “amen,” then focused on tearing off a piece of french bread.
“Wow, this sauce is amazing,” Nora said after another few minutes of silence.
Allie shrugged, but Cade nodded in agreement. The girl seemed to have shrunk back into her earlier place of anger and sadness. Any attempts Nora made at conversation were met with curt one-word answers or more shrugs.
***
Cade kept his head down, shoveling in the food from his plate. He may have forgotten to start this meal with a prayer, but he was sure praying for it to be over now.
For her part, Nora was giving it the old college try at engaging Allie in conversation, but his daughter had reverted back to her usual snarky self. At least she wasn’t being flat-out rude to Nora, like she was to him.
“Is that your only television?” Allie asked, looking at the small set in the corner of the living room. “Do you at least have cable or streaming?”
He jerked a thumb toward the door. “If you’re looking for streaming, there’s a creek running down from the mountains and into the west pasture.”
She offered him a deadpan stare. “Funny. So I take that as a no?”
“Sorry, kid. I don’t watch a lot of television.”
“What do you do around here?”
“I read. I listen to music. But mostly I work. I’ve spent most of my evenings the last few months renovating this bunkhouse, plus I help take care of the cattle and feed the horses and run fence and fix stuff that’s broke. In fact, I’ve still got to take care of my evening chores after we finish up supper. There’s never a shortage of work to be done around a farm. If you’re worried about being bored, I’ll bet I can find something for you to help out with tomorrow.”
“Great,” she said with a huff and an impressive eye roll. “Can’t wait.”
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and chuckled as he read the text. Pushing it back into his pocket, he looked up to see Allie’s rolling eyes had turned to shooting daggers aimed straight at him.
“What’s so funny? Was that one of your girlfriends messaging you with a booty call? Is that what you meant by evening chores?” she spat. “Too bad you have me here to mess up your plans. Sorry I’m such an inconvenience.”
“Whoa.” He jerked his head back at the venom in her words. Stopping himself before he fired back an admonishment, he took a calming breath then spoke. “First of all, you are not an inconvenience. You are my daughter, and I’m happy you’re here. Well, I’m not happy for what happened to you, but I’m glad to have you with me. Second of all, I’d appreciate it if you watched your tone with me. I’m a patient man, but you, darlin’, are sorely trying mine.”
She lifted one shoulder and muttered a quiet, “Sorry.”
“And third of all,” he continued, “not that it’s any of your business, but I do not have a girlfriend, nor have I taken any booty calls as of late.” He cut his eyes quickly to Nora, who was pressing her lips together to keep from laughing. “Besides the mares around here, the only women I know in Creedence are Bryn, who is my cousin, Elle, who is my friend, and Aunt Sassy, who is eighty if she’s a day. Although now that I think about it, she is a bit of a flirt.”
“We have an aunt that lives here?” Allie asked, perking up a little and ignoring the other parts of his statement.
“Well, not by blood, but I think Sassy James considers herself an aunt to the whole town. She’s the actual great-aunt of the guys who run the Triple J Ranch up the road, but everyone around here calls her Aunt Sassy.”
“Was that her texting you?”
He sighed. “No, Allison. It was Bryn. And if you would have just waited before you jumped down my throat, I would have told you what the text said.”
The teenager crossed her arms over her chest and offered him a sullen expression.
She was testing him. He knew it, but it was still getting under his skin. He’d worked with broody horses before, but none had tried his patience like this thirteen-year-old girl. I’m the adult here, he reminded himself. “Bryn texted to say that it was killing her not to come over here and smother us in squishy hugs—her words, not mine. She said she was giving us some space tonight but to be prepared for the onslaught of embraces tomorrow.”
“She’s weird,” Allie said.
“Yeah, but she’s a good weird.” He smiled as he shifted his gaze to Nora. “And you should be prepared for the hug assault too. My cousin has never met a stranger, and she’s thrilled you’re here. Get ready to have a new best friend by tomorrow night.”
Nora grinned. “I love it. I can’t wait to get smothered in some squishiness. Doesn’t it make you feel great to know that we all have someone who is just dying to give us a hug?”
Allie’s expression softened, and she uncrossed her arms. Cade swallowed. Well, Nora had certainly changed the spin on that conversation. Dang, he liked this woman.