Arlene nodded. "Did she tell you she almost died giving birth?"
His fingers tightened around the mug, and he felt the shame and guilt coursing through him.
"She mentioned it but didn't elaborate. Can you tell me what happened?" he asked quietly.
Arlene hesitated briefly, wondering if she should allow her daughter to have this conversation.
"She went into labor three weeks before her due date. She had started working at the bookstore by then and was determined to show us that even though she had gotten pregnant and in herwords had disappointed us, she was going to follow her dreams. It didn't matter what we said to her."
A smile curved Arlene's lips. "She was stubborn. She arrived before everyone and stayed well after everyone had left. She wanted to know everything about the business and had some ideas she wanted to implement. She worked tirelessly.
We saw to it that she ate right and got to her doctor's appointments of course, but she would not slow down." She paused, memories assailing her. "It was early spring and the night before we had been surprised by a light snow storm.
As usual, she had stayed late at the bookstore trying to rush through a project she'd started. She slipped on a patch of ice out in the parking lot. And stayed there for almost half an hour. She managed to crawl toward her purse and took out her phone to dial 911."
Cade's beverage had gone lukewarm, his insides like ice as he stared at the woman across from him.
"She was alone."
"Yes." Arlene nodded. "Her father and I had left early to attend a function, and the rest of the staff had already gone for the day.There was a guard there, but he was around the back." Picking up the cup, she sipped.
"She had started bleeding and went into labor. Fortunately, the ambulance came just in time and the technicians started working on her. They saved her and Zoe's life."
He pushed back from the counter and almost stumbled. Arlene felt alarm coating her face, as she pushed to her feet as well. His face was pasty white, eyes dilated.
"Cade--"
"No." Holding up a hand, he stopped her from rushing toward him. "I just need a minute."
"Are you all right?" Concern gripped her as she continued to watch him.
"I just need a minute." He managed a sickly smile. "Thanks for telling me. I have to go."
"Cade--" She called out, but she was talking to an empty room. By the time she rushed to the front doors, he was already outside and in his car.
Wringing her hands in distress, she rushed back inside to call her daughter.
*****
She was hurrying toward her car when headlights cut through the encroaching darkness, signaling his arrival. She had been calling him since she hung up from her mother. That was twenty minutes ago.
She stood there waiting for him to hop out of the vehicle and frowned when he just sat there. The light from the dash allowed her to see him sitting still behind the wheel. The fury that had propelled her out to try and find him, dissolved at the bleak look on his face.
Bridging the distance, she tapped on the passenger glass. He released the lock and she opened the door and got in.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes. Realizing that she was the one who was going to have to make the first move, she touched his arm.
"Why don't we go up to my office?" She suggested softly. "You had me worried. I was calling."
He finally turned to look at her. Abby felt her heart doing a quick flip at the empty look in his beautiful eyes.
"I apologize." His voice was stiff and formal.
"Apology accepted." She told him carefully. "Shall we go in? It's cold."
With a nod, he unhooked his seatbelt and opened the door.
The icy wind whipped through the trees and set their jackets swirling. Unlocking the doors, she waited until he had followed her in, before locking up. Jacob, their longtime security guard, was around the back and would be checking on her shortly.
