Broken(10)

“Then prove it. Join us for dinner tonight.”

Cade flared his nostrils. “You’re really going to push this thing until I give in, aren’t you?”

“If you’re over her like you say you are, I don’t see why you can’t spare a couple hours of your time to have a meal with the family. If not for yourself, do it for Aunt Earlene. This dinner means a whole lot to her. Besides, she’s been on us about getting together for dinner. You’ll be killing two birds with one stone.”

Cade knew he was fighting a losing battle. “You’re a pain in the ass, do you know that?”

Stone chuckled. “So I’ve been told. This dinner won’t be so bad. You’ll see.”

Cade shrugged. “I’m only doing this because I know if I don’t, you’ll send Decker and Ridge my way for a talk. I don’t think I can handle another round of the Spanish Inquisition. What the hell are you so chipper about anyway? You actually sound like you’re looking forward to this. Are you that eager to see her?”

Stone looked away and kicked dirt beneath his feet. “Well, uh, of course. It’s been a long time.”

Why did his brother get shifty all of a sudden? Was there something he wasn’t telling him about? “Really? It’s funny, because I thought you’d already seen her. Or at least you told me you did the other day.” Cade raised a brow. “Come on. Spill it. What’s going on?”

Blood rushed to Stone’s face turning it bright red. The last time he’d seen his thirty-six-year-old brother blush was twenty years ago when he and his other brothers watched Stone feeling up his girlfriend Mandy Carmichael in the barn. Did this have anything to do with a woman? Jocelyn? The thought bothered Cade more than he cared to admit. He flared his nostrils momentarily. “Did anything happen between you two?”

“Us two? What the hell are you talking about?”

“Between you and her I mean.”

“Jocelyn? Are you serious? She’s like a kid sister to me.”

“Oh.” Not wanting to dwell on the brief feeling of relief, Cade continued his interrogation. “So why are you acting so giddy? Got laid recently?”

“Hardly. Been too busy for that lately.”

“So what is it then?”

Stone frowned. “What is this, twenty questions?”

Cade chuckled. “Don’t like it when the shoe is on the other foot, do you?”

“Fine. If you must know, Jocelyn didn’t come alone.”

“Ah.” It made sense to Cade now. “I assume her traveling companion is a gorgeous female.”

“Perhaps.” What Stone didn’t say told Cade more than what he actually said. But he decided not to press the issue. Stone had demons of his own to fight and if he was finally showing interest in other females since his disastrous first marriage, then who was Cade to judge? He only hoped for his brother’s sake, the mysterious traveling companion didn’t turn out to be a total bitch like Jocelyn.

“I see.”

“Well, I’ve got to run some errands before I head home to wash up. I’ll see you tonight at six. Don’t be late.”

Nodding, he released the pent-up breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. “All right.”

Once he was alone again, Cade rested his head on the railing. It was definitely going to be a long night. He’d known about Jocelyn’s imminent visit for weeks and had debated on whether to take a vacation during her stay, but decided if he left it would be obvious why. He wasn’t a coward and he’d be damned if he allowed her to dictate his movements. This was his home and he was the one who belonged here. She was the outsider.