Page 29 of Wilde Flame

I glanced at the paint that was bobbing her head, as if impatient to stand here. Or she knew the storm was coming and wanted to be back in her warm stall. It was probably a bit of both.

“Don’t tell me you’re trying to pawn your horse off on me. You and Emeline are the only two who can ride that thing.”

Ensley rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking about my horse, Caden. You know damn well who I’m talking about.”

I shrugged. “I don’t.”

“Lilibeth, you ass.”

I let out a gruff laugh. “You think I like her?”

“Yes, I do. And Mrs. Harper agrees with me.”

“You’re dragging Mrs. Harper into this?” I asked with raised brows.

“Listen, the moment I found out Lilibeth was going to visit her last weekend, on your visiting day, I knew I was going to have to gather intel. I stopped by earlier today to make sure she had everything she needed before this storm hit, and she told me what happened, how the three of you spent the entire day, and well into the evening, decorating her house. Now I can tell Mom why you missed Sunday dinner with the family.”

“I already told her.”

She went on, ignoring me. “Even Mrs. Harper says there’s something between the two of you. Said you fight like an old married couple.”

I sighed and adjusted myself in the saddle, causing Draco to sidestep, which in turn pissed off Kamaria, who attempted to bite him.

“I don’t like her.”

When she didn’t say anything, I risked taking a glance in her direction. She was smiling. No, she was smirking.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Caden Flint Wilde, of all the people on this planet, what in the hell makes you think you can lie to me?”

I laughed. “Fine, I think she’s attractive, but her personality grates on my nerves.”

“I don’t think that’s what it is. I think she’s so completely the opposite of Rachel in every single way, and you’re attracted to that, and it scares the hell out of you.”

“Scares me?”

“Yes! The idea of opening yourself up to another person again terrifies you, and don’t tell me it doesn’t. I don’t blame you, Caden. What Rachel did was terrible. I hope she rots in hell for it. But that doesn’t mean Lilibeth is the same way.”

Swallowing the sudden lump in my throat, I shook my head. “I can’t, Ensley.”

“Why not?”

Turning to look at my sister, I slowly let out a breath. “I won’t lie to you and say I don’t feel anything for Lilibeth. The problem with Lilibeth is, I feel too much.”

She frowned. “What do you mean, you feel too much?”

“When I’m around her, I feel something completely different and new. It’s nothing like what I felt for Rachel. And it…it makes me feel like I could lose control.”

“Caden, if you can love the wrong person that much, imagine what loving the right person would be like. Are you never going to date again? Don’t you want a family? Kids to leave this ranch to?”

I shook my head. “I can’t love like that again. I don’t have anything left in me to give to anyone. There’s nothing left in my heart to share. And I’m sure you and Emeline will have kids. Gatlin, too, if he ever finds someone who can put up with his annoying ass.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked out over the ranch below us. “You deserve to find love and happiness, Caden. I will forever hate that woman for making you think for even one second that you don’t.”

The wind started to pick up. “Come on,” I said, turning Draco. “We need to get back. This thing is moving in even faster than we thought.”

“I’ll race you back,” Ensley said, kicking her horse and taking off at a gallop. Smiling, I urged Draco to follow.