Broken(30)

“That boy has loved you for a long time. I always thought he’d be my son-in-law. I remember he used to follow you around wherever you went and you never complained. Whenever someone was looking for one of you, we knew the other would not be far behind. I wasn’t surprised when the two of you became an item. I even secretly hoped you would, because I knew no other man would treat you as good as Cade—as I felt you deserved. You were both young, but that didn’t bother me none. Your mother and I married young and I knew true devotion when I saw it. I sure would have been proud to call Cade my son for real.”

“Daddy, please.” Jocelyn shook her head, unwilling to hear anymore. She didn’t want to hear how much Cade had loved her. It hurt.

“Honey, you’d understand where I was coming from if you could have seen the look on his face. I never saw a grown man break down the way he did. Poor kid. I’ve been foreman on this ranch since Stone was still in diapers. After JT and Lorna died, I thought of the Devlin boys as my own so it hurt me doubly to believe what you’d done and to see Cade the way he was. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

She closed her eyes tight and nodded, willing the fresh tears stinging the backs of her eyes away. “I know you love him too, and want the best for us, but please understand that sometimes every fairy tale doesn’t have a happy ending.”

“Jossy, I’m trying to understand, but you’re not making this easy for me. I can’t begin to comprehend what you’ve been through, but Cade was so torn up and I reckon he still smarts a little if tonight is any indication of things. You should go to him, and at least explain—”

“No!”

“Jossy—”

“No, Dad,” she said more firmly this time. “I’m not the same girl I once was. The Jocelyn he knew is dead, and the one you see before you isn’t whole.”

His brows furrowed together. “But, there may be a chance the two of you can work things out. I know those other women he’s been with since you left didn’t mean a thing to him.”

She grasped her father’s hands and gave them a squeeze, hoping this time she’d get her point across. “Daddy, do you hear what I’m saying? Even if there wasn’t so much water under the bridge, it’s too late for Cade and me. I’m damaged goods. Eventually, he’d want to settle down and have kids. I…” Jocelyn vowed she wouldn’t break down again. She’d already shed too many tears as it was. “I can’t provide him with what most women can.”

Jack studied her face for a moment, looking for the answer she couldn’t voice. She knew the moment when comprehension dawned. His eyes widened while his lips moved soundlessly.

“You see? I could never tell him. Cade might feel compelled to do the noble thing and I can’t let him make such a sacrifice.”

“Oh, baby. I’m so sorry.” He pulled her back in his arms.

“Promise me you won’t say anything,” she whispered.

Her plea was met with silence.

Jocelyn lifted her head to look him in the eye. “Promise me!”

He looked as if he wanted to refuse, his mouth firming to a thin line before he nodded. “I don’t like it, but I’ll respect your wishes.”

She planted a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. Trust me, it’s for the best.”

“If you say so.”

“I do.”


Chapter Six

“Stone’s already talked this subject into the ground, Ridge, don’t you start too,” Cade growled when his brother asked about Jocelyn. He had been on his way to town to get a part for one of the tractors when Ridge had invited himself. Lately it seemed like whenever he’d found some time to himself, one of his brothers managed to bring up the subject of Jocelyn.