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“Jacey.” Cade released her hands and stood. She peered up at him, afraid he was going to walk away. He took his cowboy hat off and set it aside, then settled onto the couch next to her.
She turned to him, grateful for his solid presence. “How did you know to return to the house?”
“I was only in the garage. I thought I’d vacuum my truck or something to distract myself, but I just kept pacing and wanting to come back inside with you. Then I heard you call my name.” He gave her a ghost of a smile. “I apologize for walkin’ out on you. I was upset, but not with you. I figured you could rest and maybe needed a moment to be alone and process.”
“I believe I only need you.”
He nodded and reached for her hand. Jacey’s pulse sped up but for a completely different reason than the near-panic attack she’d had when he walked out the door. He cradled her hand in his. “I want you here, Jacey. I want to be the one you need. The one watching out for you.”
“Thank you.” Tears came again, but they were tears of gratitude.
“But I don’t want you to feel beholden to me.”
“Beholden?”
“You don’t owe me anything. If you need me by your side, need to stay for years, I’ll be here, but I don’t want you staying because you feel like you owe me something.”
“Understood.” He was putting his life on hold, taking care of her, and putting himself at risk if her concerns of her mother were grounded and not part of the amnesia. He didn’t want her to owe him anything? She owed him everything.
“Okay.” He nodded. “What do you need right now?”
She would not mind him cradling her against his lovely chest, but she wanted to face her past. With him by her side, she could take the agony.
“I need answers. I need to attempt to retrieve my past.”
“Okay. Do you want me to sit with you while you call Quaid? He will have the best answers for anything from your life that might help you.”
She wished for the prerogative to retrieve answers about him. Who was this woman that both he and the handsome sheriff had fallen for? How had she ‘broken’ both of them? How had this lady chosen to walk away from a man like Cade?
“I believe you are correct,” she admitted. She was asking far too much. Asking him to open up about his heartache wasn’t her place. “Do you need to be focused on your animals or ranch? I don’t want to make you sit and hold my hand when you have responsibilities.”
“My responsibility is right here,” he said, his green eyes sincere. “Holding your hand.”
“That is phenomenal of you.” Was she only a responsibility, or did he also feel the deep connection between them?
Cade lifted the phone off the table. He tapped on Quaid’s number, then handed the device to her. She pushed the speaker button and Cade raised an eyebrow. She wanted him to hear everything. They might need to rehash details, and she trusted him.
“Jacey?” Quaid’s strong voice came on the line.
“Quaid.” Her own voice quavered.
“Are you all right? I told Clint to let you choose and he said you want to stay with Cade.”
“Yes. Cade is right here by my side.”
“Hello, Quaid,” Cade said.
“Hey,” Quaid said.
“Cade and Quaid.” Jacey beamed at Cade. “Exceptional.”
They both chuckled softly.
“I have a multitude of questions, my brother.”
“Fire away.”
“First of all … I know you’re brave, but are you hurting?”
