On the screen, Tobias clears his throat. “Look, I wouldn’t worry too much. Memphis Sterling already knocked her back, and your aunt isn’t one to beg. Manipulate, yes. But she’ll go elsewhere for what she wants.”
That has me breathing a small sigh of relief, even though I know there’s still a chance he could be wrong. That this powerful Abernathy woman could swoop in and take something from my family.
My father worked so hard to keep it after what his father had done. And when Ma entered the picture, they came together and built Sterling Ranch into the place it is now—together. Because they loved each other so much they saw a future there on the land. They saw a future for their children there.
“As for that other thing we discussed before you abandoned us,” Tobias says, drawing our attention back to him. “A new proposal is in your inbox.”
Cade stiffens but bows his head. “Thank you.”
“It comes with a job opportunity—for both of you,” he adds. “As well as a message from Sylvie.”
I tense. “Sylvie?”
“My sister,” Tobias replies easily. “It’s actually a request. To let her know if any opportunities pop up where you need an event planner. Apparently, planning galas in Manhattan isboringto her now, and she likes the thought of Willow Ridge a little too much.”
“Willow Ridge has a way of drawing in lonely souls,” I say, repeating Ma’s words with ease. “The mountain, some say, has a power about it.”
“I believe it,” Cade murmurs, watching me. Our eyes meet, and a small smile curves his lips. “How else would I have found you?”
“You didn’t,” Tobias deadpans. “Idid. And I suppose I’ll be taking this as a termination of contract since he won’t be returning to the office.”
I keep my eyes locked on Cade. “I guess you should.”
Something flickers in Cade’s stare, but he glances at the laptop and his friend. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me until you read the new proposal we’ve sent you. You’re going to need it if you want to keep your cabin.”
Cade presses his lips together in a grim smile and nods. “Thank you,” he repeats.
The screen darkens, cutting us off from Tobias. “What did he mean by that?” I ask carefully, running my fingers through his shoulder length hair as he closes the lid of the laptop.
“Technically, my aunt has partial ownership of this place,” he replies, though I can’t tell if he’s worried about that or not. “I’ll need to buy her out if I want to keep the cabin.”
I glance around the dull office space and think about the beauty of the snow this morning, of the storm, of sleeping in his arms by the fire. “I really, really like this place,” I admit, resting my head against his. “And I don’t know how you’d survive living on my land.”
“Your land?” His hand slips to my thigh, sending a shiver of desire right through me. “Since when do you have land?”
“All the Sterling kids do,” I tell him. “Enough to build a home should we want to stay on the ranch.”
“Is that what you want?” he asks quietly. “To live there?”
I hesitate. Once upon a time, that’s exactly what I would have wanted. Then again, I thought I’d marry some handsome cowboy and have little ranch-hands as children. But the longer I sit in Cade’s arms, the more I realise that really isn’tmydream.
“No,” I finally say. “Not anymore.”
Cade blows out a breath. “Then I’ll fight for this cabin,” he promises quietly. “Or we’ll go find ourselves another one. Maybe closer to town so you can be near your family.”
A small smile pulls at my lips as I lean down and brush a kiss over his nose. “I wouldn’t mind that,” I reply, before kissing him lightly on the lips. “As long as it’s with you.”
ELEVEN
CADE
Snow falls slowly, dusting the landscape in a light layer of new frost. From the deck, I take in the white trees, the far off ridge blending into the grey, hazy sky. The thermos in my hand’s steams, visible in the icy air as I bring it to my lips. Bitter coffee fills my mouth, startlingly strong and exactly what I need to make this right.
To make it right for Lydia.
“It’s literally below zero out here,” Lydia calls from the back door. “Please come inside before I have to cut one of your fingers off from frostbite.”
