Whether from surprise or panic, she wriggled free until she could look up into his eyes. She searched for something in them, and he wished he could ask her what. It was taking all his restraint not to lean down and kiss her.
“Ford, we can’t—”
“I know.” But really, he didn’t. If they both lived in Sunset Ridge—if she decided to stay—they could make this work. Cadence Whitmore had the power to release the shackles around his heart, if only she’d take it.
Her gaze kept dropping from his eyes to his lips, and Ford was helpless to resist the lure any longer.
He swept his hand along her cheek, letting his fingers tangle in the hair at the back of her neck. In agonizing slowness, he leaned closer. If Cadence didn’t want this to happen, he was giving her the chance to stop it. Because once Ford kissed her, nothing would ever be the same again.
The moment before their lips met, he caressed her cheek with his thumb. Cadence closed her eyes in invitation. Their lips brushed together with a tenderness that made time stand still. In this moment, there was only the two of them, lost in a whirlwind of hope.
Until there was Ed, trudging back through the woods to his previous tree.
Chapter Eleven
Cadence
The lodge felt so much emptier without Ford, Rilee, and Riggs sleeping downstairs. But that wasn’t why Cadence couldn’t seem to fall asleep. No. That kiss was forever burned into her senses. The brush of Ford’s lips still tingled on her own.
She wished she had a girlfriend to call for advice, because her feelings for Ford confused her most of all. But any close friends had been driven away by her grueling work schedule. Considering all her canceled plans and declined invitations, it didn’t come as a surprise that they stopped reaching out at all.
Giving up on sleep in the very early morning hours, Cadence tossed the covers aside and headed downstairs for the office. Shecouldlog in and answer work emails. But she hadn’t promised Janine weekend hours and wasn’t about to offer those up. When she was hired and given her pick of agents to work with, Cadence chose the best. She wanted to make her sisters proud. But now, she was questioning the worth of that decision.
Out the window, the bright Alaskan sky beckoned. A week straight of sunshine was a gift in this town. She didn’t want to waste it by working on her vacation. The job would be waiting for her when she got back. This weekend, she was checking out.
She carried her laptop out onto the deck, along with a glass of orange juice and the last slice of Mrs. Grant’s blueberry pie. The fresh air filled her lungs and brought with it a sense of peace. A sense of belonging.
Curious what would come up, she searched online for the Sunset Ridge Lodge.
Though the official website was marked as ‘under construction’ she found comments from past guests on various lodging review websites. She read them, one by one, unable to find a single unsatisfied customer. Everyone raved about the place. The hospitality, the serenity, the town, the feeling of a home away from home.
Cadence knew it. She wanted to keep the Sunset Ridge Lodge.
But she feared her motivation had more to do with a certain attractive handyman with a talent for breath-stealing kisses than actually managing a business. If Ed hadn’t come along when he did last night, Cadence might’ve melted into a puddle right there on the trail.
She panicked, of course. Because where could any of this really go? After they escaped Ed, she feigned a yawn. Without a reason to ask her guests to stay now that Ford’s well was fixed, she could only wave as she watched them drive away. The image of Riggs’ furry head hanging out the back window watching her stuck in her mind.
Cadence’s mind raced all morning. About Sunset Ridge. About the lodge. About the kiss.
What would happen if whomever bought this place didn’t appreciate the gem they had? Cadence hated to think of someone hacking down trees or turning away locals who were so used to dropping by.
And Ed. Who would sneak him treats through the kitchen window?
I wish we could keep it.
Tessa would be the hardest to convince. Cadence would save her for last. Sophie was the biggest mystery. She dialed her number, unsure of the words she’d use to ask what was really going on. But she never got the chance to stumble over her question, because her call went right to voicemail.
“Great timing, Soph.”
She was due to meet Ford and Rilee at the Dipper for lunch before they went to the Fireweed Festival together. She could wait around for the listing photos to pop up in her email and be trapped with her thoughts, or she could go see a man about a lodge.
Cadence left her car, finding that she rather enjoyed walking in this charming little town. She wouldn’t even mind the hill on the way back from Mr. Jenkins’ office. Every corner turned offered the most amazing scenery and friendly smiles, things she didn’t find in Wichita. The world raced too quickly in the city.
“Good morning, Cadence!” Tillie Grant greeted as they passed on the sidewalk outside the grocery store. Her arms were loaded with bags. “Denver gets in today.” She tried to lift them in explanation, but they raised less than an inch. “Got a few favorites to whip up, you know. He hasn’t been home in a long time.”
“Do you need some help?”
“That would be lovely, dear.”
