Broken(49)

“Actually, I was looking for you. Your brother said you’d be heading this way so I thought I’d wait it out.”

Somehow he wasn’t surprised. Why else would she be here? “Now you’ve found me. What can I help you with?”

“I…well, I think we need to talk.”

This was a surprise. “Do we?”

She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “It’s about Jocelyn.”

Cade used every ounce of concentration he had to complete his task before turning his attention back to Kyla. He put the mare’s foot back down and slowly stood up.

“Yeah? What about her?” He tried injecting an indifference in his voice he didn’t feel and silently congratulated himself for pulling it off.

“Do you think we could go somewhere privately, where we won’t be interrupted?”

“There’s no one around here but the horses. I’m sure they’ll keep quiet about whatever it is you have to tell me.”

She glanced over her shoulder as if to check the validity of his statement. “Are you sure no one else is going to come in here?”

Cade was fast losing patience. Why was Kyla being so secretive? And why couldn’t she just spit out what she wanted to say? “Look, this is about as private as we’re going to get, so you can either speak your piece or let me finish my work. I’m a busy man, Miss Page.” He glanced at his wrist watch hoping she’d get the hint.

“You shouldn’t take everything at face value—where she’s concerned, I mean.”

“Gotcha. Is that it?”

“No, dammit! Would you stop being so obstinate and at least give me the courtesy of finishing before you dismiss me?”

“Lady, I think I’ve been pretty patient up until now. If it’s so important, you would have said it by now.”

“Breaking a confidence is never easy, and I’m probably putting my friendship with Jocelyn in jeopardy by telling you this, but it’s about why she never came back to the ranch all those years ago.”

Cade paused. There was nothing in Kyla’s speech or demeanor that indicated she was anything but sincere, but what possible excuse could she offer for the things he’d already been told—words that had come from Jocelyn’s mouth. Still, curiosity kept him rooted to the spot. “I’m listening.”

“Jocelyn is still in love with you.”

Crossing his arms across his chest, he tapped his foot in annoyance. What kind of mind game was she playing? “She has a funny way of showing it and if that’s your big revelation you’ve wasted your time.” Turning on his heel, he had every intention of walking away. If this was some cruel joke Kyla was attempting to play on him, she couldn’t have hit any lower, especially when he was only beginning to admit to himself his feelings were just as strong as ever for Jocelyn, damn her black heart.

“Cade, wait!” Kyla called out.

He kept on, blocking out her plea.

“Jocelyn was raped!”

He stumbled over his own feet and barely escaped landing on his face. Once he’d righted himself, he whirled around and strode back. He stopped so close to Kyla, his face was mere inches from hers. Surely he hadn’t heard what he thought she said. He couldn’t have. “What did you say?”

“Jocelyn was raped. That’s why she never came back. It’s why she told you what she did. I wanted her to tell you herself because I thought you should know, but…”

Cade searched the model’s face for any sign of duplicity. Would she be so cruel as to make up such a sick lie? No. No one could be so evil to make up something this vile. “You’re lying!”