“Hey.”
Cadence turned to find Rilee in her doorway. She looked much more relaxed today in her worn high school basketball T-shirt and hair in a ponytail than she had for her date the other night. “Come on in.” Cadence patted the floor beside her.
Rilee took over the belly-rubbing duties, winning a sneaky lick to the wrist. “Are you really going to sell this place?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so.”
“That’s too bad.”
They sat in companionable silence for what felt like hours but might’ve been minutes, neither knowing what else to say about the matter. Cadence felt more and more pulled to the lodge with each day she stayed. But that didn’t mean she could risk everything for herandher sisters. Selling was the safer bet.
“I have to run downtown to talk to the photographer. Did you want to come with?” Though Cadence still didn’t know much about Rilee beyond what Ford had relayed, the girl had helped them off and on during renovations. Cadence liked her a lot.
“I’m supposed to be writing a paper.”
“Didn’t you already graduate?”
“This is for a college class.” Rilee let out an exaggerated sigh that caused Riggs to lift his head. Once she resumed her soft strokes, he eased back down and let out a groan. “Ford thought it would be good to get a head start.”
“But you don’t agree?”
“No, I do. He’s right. I just don’t like English. I’ve already written two papers and the class isn’t even half over. I wanted to take a more exciting class, like criminology or something.”
Cadence’s phone chimed from its forgotten spot on the bed, and she reluctantly got up to check it. Her sisters had left her alone these past couple of days, but Tessa now wanted to see the listing photos.
“Who is that?” Rilee asked.
“My sister.” She tossed the phone back on the mattress, not interested in telling Tessa they weren’t even scheduled yet. Tessa never wanted excuses; she wanted results. “I love her to pieces, but she’s a bit . . . headstrong. Complete opposite of Sophie.”
“You have two sisters?” A glow illuminated in Rilee’s eyes. “I’ve always wanted a sister. What’s that like?”
“I love them,” Cadence said because she wasn’t quite sure where to begin an answer to that question. “Tessa is a sous chef in New York.” She told Rilee more about the reality TV show as she reached out a hand and pulled her to her feet. Whether Rilee knew it or not, they were leaving.
“What about your other sister?”
“Sophie lives in Hawaii,” Cadence answered over her shoulder as the trio headed down the stairs.
“No way! Do you go there to see her a lot?”
It struck her then that Cadence had never once flown to Hawaii to visit Sophie and her family. Nor had she been invited. For someone so sweet who would move mountains for those she cared about without regard to what it took out of her, it did seem odd. “No, I haven’t gotten the chance.”
“When you get arealvacation, you should go. I mean, it’s Hawaii!”
Swiping her keys from the counter, Cadence paused. “You’ll finish your paper when we get back. Do you mind walking?”
Rilee shrugged. “Easier to bring Riggs if we do. I don’t think he’ll fit in your car.”
She loved how the girl assumed as much as the dog did that Riggs was coming with them. Hopefully, the photographer wouldn’t mind. She locked up the house and they set off.
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Rilee asked when they reached the pavement at the end of the gravel drive. “Back in Kansas?”
“No.” Her answer came out in a laugh. She hadn’t been on a single date since she started working under Janine. And anyone she had dated prior . . . well, they didn’t leave a lasting impression. “I don’t have time for that kind of thing.”
“Everyone has time for love.”
A quick side glance at Rilee told Cadence all she needed to know. This conversation was less about Cadence’s love life and more about Rilee’s. Cadence didn’t know how to choose her words carefully, so she went for it and hoped Rilee wouldn’t be offended or standoffish about it. “Did you have a date the other night?”
“Yeah.” The way she dragged out her answer told it all.
