The Scottish Bride (The Brides of Holland Springs Book 5)(18)

“Then come back home with me. Let me love you, adore you... whatever you want.”

She bit her bottom lip. “Why are you making this so easy?”

“Because he’s not as stupid as we thought he was,” Christian said from behind her as he opened the door wide.

This time, Maddox not only pulled his hands from his pockets, but he also took a step back, and then another for good measure. “Mr. Romanov.”

“Mr. Stewart,” Christian replied with a bit of a smirk. “What brings you to Holland Springs this fine day?”

“I’ve come to ask for your daughter’s forgiveness.”

“Is that all?”

“And for her parents’ as well,” Maddox admitted. “I’m sorry for the predicament I’ve placed your family in. If there’s anything I can do to help Jude, consider it done.”

“That’s not the predicament you should be apologizing for. Jude’s accident was not your fault. We’ve known that for some time. Whatever guilt you’ve been holding on to, let it go. But if you’ve only come here to make nice because you need money or... something else, you can carry your arse.”

“I don’t need anything but her.”

Christian leveled a look at him. “I’m going to assume you’ve been faithful to my daughter.”

“Ever since the day I decided she was the only one for me.”

“And that would be since when?”

“Dad,” Cadence said, slapping her hand over her face. “We’re trying to make up.”

“I’m trying to help, sweetheart.”

Maddox seriously doubted it, but he wasn’t about to tell Christian that to his face. Or to his back. He’d keep it in his thoughts where it was private.

“I’m sorry for allowing my relationship with Cadence to remain a secret.”

“Much better,” Christian said, his smirk turning into a smile. “Keep going.”

“Before I was her husband, I should have asked for permission to marry your daughter and given y’all the chance to be at the wedding. But I swear it was a proper wedding. Vicar, church, and all. I did not have my way with your daughter until our wedding night.” He’d mostly waited to have his way with her, but there were some things he hadn’t been able to deny himself.

“Not quite buying that, but I imagine it is quite close to the truth.”

“The truth is, sir, that I love your daughter more than I love my damned pride, even if it took me a while to figure it out. I’ve come to Holland Springs to take her home, whether you approve or not... sir.”

“What if she doesn’t want to go with you?”

“That’s her choice to make.” Maddox would encourage her to choose him all the same... or he might reach back into his DNA and simply carry off his bride in the middle of the night. “But I plan to keep coming by every day until she says yes.”

“Oh my Lord,” Cadence whispered. “Dad, I’m an adult. Can I please fight for my marriage myself?”

“Of course, love.” Her dad kissed her forehead. “I’ll be inside should you need me.”

“Nice seeing you again, Mr. Romanov.”

“You as well, Maddox. Next time, don’t wait four bloody months before stopping by again with your wife.”

He supposed that would have to do for a blessing. Hell, it did make him feel better. “Cadence, you’re my wife. You are coming home with me.”

“Okay.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but stopped short. “What did you say?”

“Okay. I’ll go get my suitcase.”

“Just like that?”

She nodded happily. “Just like that. You went toe to toe with my dad, Maddox. After everything that happened, you went against him and Waverly. You didn’t run away. Didn’t make excuses. You fought for me in front of the people who are almost as important as you are to me.”

“Almost as important?”

“You are my husband. As stubborn and hurtful as you’ve been, you finally came to your senses. That counts for a lot in my book.” She walked outside and closed the door behind her. “I know we can’t get a flight out tonight, so if you want to have some privacy, book us a room at Chesson House. My auntie and uncle own it.”

For a moment, he simply stared at Cadence, unwilling to believe it was this easy to win her back. Then again, he’d wasted months trying to do the right thing. Months missing her. The last thing he wanted to do was draw it out.

“I’ll make a call. Grab your thing, my love.” She turned to walk away, but he grabbed her by the wrist. “But first, I need a kiss from my wife.”

Cadence tipped up her chin. He pressed his mouth against hers, determined to keep it rated PG because he knew her family was close by.

“I love you, Mrs. Stewart.”

“I love you, Mr. Stewart.” She pressed against him, making their kiss heated. “Hurry up and make the call. I want to be pregnant before the month’s out.”

He grew hard. “I’ll make it happen.”

“See that you do.”





Epilogue


Ten years later

Sunset was their favorite time of day with the kids. While evenings... evenings were only for the two of them. They were for talking late into the night, sharing their hopes and fears... and making love.