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“Just answer the question.”
“Of course I am,” he hurled at Clint. “Like Easton said four days ago. What man could resist Jacey?” The truth was much deeper. Jacey wasn’t just some famous beauty. Not to him. There had never been a more perfect woman created by the good Lord for him than Jacey Oliver, his sweetheart. No way was he admitting that to Clint.
“That’s what Quaid is worried about.”
“Well, tell Quaid where to go. I’ve resisted kissing her or trying to tie her heart with mine. I’ve been protecting her, caring for her, holding her when she cries. We both know she’ll be gone the second she remembers who she is or her mother gets recaptured. Whatever comes first. Who gives a lick of dust what I feel about her?”
Clint pushed out a heavy breath. “I told him you were honorable like that.”
Cade’s shoulders relaxed half an inch. At least his former friend respected him that much. “What’s with the stupid questions about Sheryl?”
Clint walked off the porch and then turned back, tilted his hat back, and said, “Give me a straight answer. What would you do if she came back for you?”
Indignation made his chest hurt. “No way on the Lord’s blessed earth would I take her back,” he snarled.
Clint stared at him for a minute, then muttered, “Neither would I.” He pivoted and walked to his truck.
Cade threw his hands up. “So you just came up here to quiz me for Quaid? Make sure I wasn’t taking advantage of Jacey?”
“Nah.” Clint glanced back. “I knew you would never take advantage of Jacey physically or emotionally. You’re too good to do that.”
“What then? Dangle the fresh-smelling sheet of pine so I think you’re about to mend a fence and then you take a hacksaw to it?”
He missed Clint’s friendship. Heck, he missed the entire Coleville family. Walker and Easton had been persistent, but he’d lost most of his social circle when he returned home from the Army hoping to marry Sheryl, reconnect with Clint and the rest of the Coleville, settle down close to friends and his family. Instead, Sheryl had shattered his heart, he’d made a fool of himself trying to fight Clint and win her. He’d lost one of his close friends and most of the Coleville family in turn. He kept in touch with his Army buddies, but it wasn’t the same.
He’d chosen to move up here and spend the past year building his house and barn, with Rhett and his guys’ help, moving all his livestock up here and making this spot his. The joy of connecting with and growing close to Jacey the past five days made him realize he missed his friends and human connection. He wanted Clint’s friendship back. He wanted to stop by the Coleville Ranch and have Mama fuss over him and feed him, tease with Papa Jared and the twins, go take the rope swing into their lake, or fish in the river.
Clint grunted a half laugh. He tugged his hat down so Cade couldn’t even see those Coleville blues. “Okay, okay. The Lord’s been working on me and Mama’s been working on me. It’s gone on long enough. We both know she manipulated and played us. Why we fought each other and let her toy with and break us both is beyond me. I miss your friendship, all right? I didn’t realize how much until I laughed at something you said on Monday and then I got fired up and yelled at you. Yes, Sheryl strung me on longer than you and I feel like she injured me more deeply, but that isn’t your fault. The problem is, bro, all that crap I said … I have thought about it. Too much and I lied to you. When she dumped me, she told me she should’ve chosen you.” His jaw worked. “I’m terrified if she came back to me, I would take her back.”
Cade just stared. It was a lot. A lot of words from Clint, and a lot for the tough sheriff to admit to. He appreciated most of what Clint had revealed, but he hated those last two lines. It was an awful thing for Sheryl to say to Clint. If she’d meant it, wouldn’t she have contacted Cade at some point? And it was a terrible thought that Clint would let the woman who’d masterfully double-timed and broken both of them back into his life and heart.
Cade jogged down the porch steps and right into Clint’s space. The sheriff put up his hands. “Whoa, whoa. It’s been a long day and I’m not itching for a fight.”
Cade threw his arms around him and hugged him something fierce. “It’s done,” he said. “It’s forgiven and forgotten. Let’s move past it. Past her.”
Clint nodded. His features softened, and he hugged Cade back. He pulled away quick and studied the rocking chairs on Cade’s porch. “Appreciate it,” he muttered. “More than you know.”
“I think I know.” Cade smiled and backed up a couple steps. “But bro. If you ever let her back in your life and your arms, I will pummel you until you realize what an idiot you’re being.”
Clint laughed and then swiped a hand across his face. “Thanks. I appreciate that. If only you could pummel me.”
“Hey. My knee is back to full strength. I could easily accomplish the task now.”
“I doubt it.” Clint grinned, pushed at his shoulder, then strode to his truck. He opened the door but looked back at him. “Thanks for what you’re doing for Jacey. Miles and Quaid were close in the Navy, but Miles still said Quaid didn’t share much. All we know is disturbing isn’t strong enough to describe their childhood and teenage years and their mother. Jacey has acted feisty and tough the past year, but she’s said many times if her mother and her men came, they’d torture or kill all of us. Obviously she doesn’t know how tough the Colevilles are.” He raised his hands and didn’t even try to look humble.
“Obviously.” Cade couldn’t smile and tease, though. His heart ached for Jacey and Quaid. The little Quaid had shared had been tough to swallow. “Maybe it’s a blessing her memory hasn’t returned.” He wanted to get back in the house, with Jacey, and hope she had done all right with him being gone. He loved how tough and brave she was, yet she let down her guard and showed him her vulnerable side sometimes.
“Maybe.” Clint shrugged. “Maybe she’s repressing all of it. To think an innocent beauty like Jacey has witnessed death and torture, all for the sake of manipulating her or Quaid, for more power or money. I’ve seen some awful things in my years with the sheriff’s office, but nothing at that level.”
Cade’s gut churned. His protectiveness toward Jacey was fierce. He would keep her safe. Yet Clint’s words reaffirmed that falling in love wasn’t on the docket. Not now. Maybe never. Keeping her safe physically and helping her heal emotionally were the only things Cade should concern himself with.
“Thanks, man.” Clint tilted up his chin and climbed into his truck.
Cade lifted a hand and watched him drive away. Their friendship was on the mend. That was a huge burden off his shoulders.
Jacey and her family and disturbing past were a different kind of load.
Turning back toward the house, he vowed for the dozenth time to keep his distance emotionally and to not entangle his heart or hers. Her brother was trusting him and Clint had vouched for him.
