Chapter Eight
Ford
When Cadence told him she was extending her stay through the end of the week, Ford was so thrilled he could’ve picked her up and hugged her. Even spun her in a few circles. The relief that washed over him was instant. Refreshing.
With a fresh cup of iced tea, he fell into one of the deck chairs out front and admired the view, a victorious smile plastered on his face. He had plenty of suggestions to add life to the place. Enough to keep Cadence busy with him a few more days.
He’d been playing it cool all day, pretending he was on her side about selling. Telling that to the two people in Sunset Ridge who would find it the biggest shame. He wasn’t sure at what point she made the decision to change her flight, but it didn’t matter. It was progress in his favor.
“You’re sure all smiles,” Rilee said, her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she hopped up the stairs, Riggs trotting beside her. She was extra grumpy today, which made Ford think her date hadn’t turned out so hot after all. He couldn’t deny that it pleased him. The last thing he needed was Rilee falling in love with some local boy and changing her mind about the college she’d had her heart set on for years.
“It’s a great day, don’t you think?” Riggs seemed to agree as he happily ran up to Ford, tail wagging, and offered his neck to be rubbed.
Rilee folded her arms. “Did you get our water fixed?”
“Nope. Told you, waiting on Jordan to get back.” Cadence had already offered to let them stay as long as they needed, even hinted that she’d prefer the company. “We’ll be here another couple days.”
“Where’s Cadence?”
“Inside telling her boss she won’t be into work this week.”
“She’s staying?” Though Rilee still sported a petulant expression, a solid light danced across her eyes at the news.
“Through Sunday.”
“Well, that was unpleasant,” Cadence said, closing the front door behind her and joining them on the deck.
“Your boss didn’t take the news well?”
“I made a compromise to check in remotely.” Cadence rolled her eyes and took a seat in a cushioned chair adjacent from him.
“Aren’t you doing that already?”
“Exactly.” She ran a hand through her hair, sunlight adding an angelic glow to the blonde between her fingers. The light breeze caught some of it in a gentle dance. Ford yearned to comb his own fingers through that hair. “Janine is wonderful in so many ways,” she added. “Truly, I couldn’t ask for a better agent to learn from. But I don’t thinkvacationis in her vocabulary.”
“I guess you don’t get to number one by being gone all the time,” Ford offered.
“She’s so far above number two, she could take a month off and still be in the lead.” Cadence eyed his iced tea.
“There’s a pitcher inside if you want me to grab you a glass,” he offered.
“I’ll get it,” Rilee volunteered. “C’mon, Riggs. You need some water, too.”
“Why real estate?” Ford asked.
Cadence shrugged. “I didn’t want to work in an office from nine to five. I wanted something with variety. Something . . . different.” She tucked her legs beneath her on the cushion, which only made Ford eye the empty spot beside her. “Plus, I like to snoop in other people’s houses. See what they look like. Had to pick a job where that won’t get me arrested.”
Ford laughed at that. He enjoyed her wit. “Are you happy doing that?” He had no plans to put on the full-court press yet. Cadence had bought him more time. The idea to stay needed to be onesheinvited in, gradually. But he was curious.
“I guess.”
“Here you go.” Rilee handed her a cup and stole the spot beside her.
“What would you do if you weren’t in real estate?” Ford pressed on.
“Good question.” Cadence sipped on her iced tea, her gaze traveling out to the bay. He hoped she was thinking of staying. Of really staying. “I guess I want to give that a chance first, you know? Prove to myself I can do it on my own when I’m no longer under Janine’s wing. Maybe climb up that list, too.”
It wasn’t the answer he hoped for, but he could work with it. Keeping the lodge wouldn’t mean sacrificing a passion. Running a lodge could offer the same challenge. He almost said so out loud but with Rilee sitting in on their conversation, she might get suspicious. She wasn’t pursuing a career as an investigator for nothing. The kid was sharp, especially when it came to reading people. As long as her own emotions didn’t get in the way.
