"What do you think?" Stopping in front of the fire, he stared into the flames sightlessly. "She's attracted to me, no doubt, but she's hurting." He looked up at his brother. "I hurt her pretty much when I left." He lifted his shoulders in a shrug. "Proving myself to her is going to take a minute."
"You want a relationship."
"Hell, yes." He tossed back the wine. "For the first time in my life, I want to be with one woman. I knew there was something there and that's why I ran." He closed his eyes briefly. "I ran like a damn coward and now I'm paying for it."
Kevin stared at him in silence for a minute. "Then you're going to have to decide if she's worth fighting for. From what I gather, it's going to take a lot of effort."
"Are you saying I'm not up for it?"
"I'm saying you should think about that woman's feelings and not just your own."
Cade let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. "I know. She deserves so much better than what I gave her before. I want to make things right, but I don't even know where to start." He glanced at Kevin, his vulnerability plain on his face. "All I can do is show her I've changed. Show Zoe, too."
"I do believe you have changed. And Cade?"
"Yes?"
"I love her. She's not only beautiful, she's like a light in a very dark room. She's a treasure."
His brother's words echoed inside his head as he made the journey, later that night.
Dinner had been very interesting, with Zoe asking a million questions and involving everyone in the conversation. He was humbled to discover that his genius of a daughter had an aptitude for languages, just like him. She could speak Spanish and was learning French. She was also good at figures. His little girl knew her multiplication tables and could already add double digits.
She also had a remarkable memory and could quote poems by Yeats and Byron.
His parents adored her. Kat wanted to adopt her and his brother and Sarah-Jane said she was a marvel. He knew she was in danger of being spoiled rotten. The three women already planned out the next few days' activities.
Shopping tomorrow and possibly Saturday, and a trip to the museum.
He had told Zoe that he would be popping out, and the little girl had simply waved at him and gone back to her fun activity.
Pulling up at the gate, he tapped his fingers on the wheel.
He was taking a chance. One he had to take and was hoping it paid off.
Touching the icon on the steering wheel, he called up her number.
"Zoe?" She answered immediately, telling him that she was waiting for the call.
"Come outside."
"What--"
He hung up before she could finish what he knew was a question. Exiting the vehicle, he rounded the hood and had the door opened when she rushed out, jacket flapping around her.
"Where is she?" She tried to peer into the passenger seat of the powder blue Jaguar.
"Get in."
Stepping back, she frowned at him. "What's going on? I thought you brought Zoe."
"Why would I do that?" He asked mildly. He nudged her into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut, skirting the hood and getting in before she had a chance to get out.
Engaging the lock, he started away from the gate.
"Our daughter is just now doing a makeover with Kat, Mom and Sara-Jane."
"What are you doing?"
