Home For a Cowboy Christmas(86)

“And stays at the cabin,” she surmised.

“That’s right,” Jacob said with a nod. “Something to drink?”

“Anything hot.” She unzipped her coat and loosened the scarf around her neck as she looked around at the beautiful home.

Jacob returned a short time later, his coat removed, along with a mug of coffee and a little tray that held cream and sugar. “He didn’t tell you any of that, did he?”

“He also didn’t tell me about this ranch.”

“I’m not surprised. He’s a very private man. Please, sit,” Jacob said as he motioned to the chairs.

Cady chose one and wrapped her hands around the mug before taking a sip. “He didn’t want to tell me his last name. That was because he thought I’d know who he was.”

“Yeah,” Jacob said with a nod. “He’s been burned by that.”

“I can imagine. Women after all of this,” she said with a wave of her hand.

Jacob stretched out his legs and caught her gaze. “So, Cady. Why are you here? Is it because you found out who he was and wanted to see if you could get your hooks in him?”

“No,” she said with a smile and a shake of her head. “I make a good living. Nothing like this, but I’ve never needed a man for anything, especially financially.”

Jacob’s smile was wide. “I like you.”

“I’m here because I didn’t say everything I wanted or needed to say to Zane. I want the chance to do that.”

“You came all the way back from Texas for this? You could’ve called. Texted,” Jacob offered.

Cady glanced at the mug in her hand. “This is one of those things that needs to be done in person.”

“I wish I could help you, but I didn’t lie. Zane isn’t here.”

“Will he be back today?”

Jacob twisted his lips as he shook his head. “I don’t expect him back for a few days.”

“He isn’t out at the cabin, perhaps?” she asked hopefully.

“I would’ve taken you straight there if he was.”

Her hopes thoroughly dashed, Cady wasn’t sure what to do.

“Where are you staying?”

She hadn’t gotten a hotel because she had hoped that Zane would ask her to stay.

Jacob sat forward. “Stay at the ranch. I’ll even take you to the cabin if you’d like. Zane would want you to remain for as long as you’d like.”

“I don’t want to put anyone out.”

“Trust me, you won’t,” he assured her.



* * *



Zane took it as a sign that he wasn’t meant to find Cady when he finally knocked on her door and she didn’t answer—two days in a row. He even left a note in her mailbox, but she still hadn’t answered the door. He gave it one more day, and when she still didn’t respond, he checked the mailbox to find his letter gone.

He took that to mean she had gotten the note and simply didn’t want to see him. She wanted to leave what’d happened between them in Wyoming. And now, so would he.

Zane was weary when the flight landed in Cheyenne. The drive to the ranch was even more exhausting. It was dark when he pulled up the drive, and he was surprised to find Jacob waiting for him.

“How’d it go?” Jacob asked.

Zane grabbed his overnight bag and closed the truck door after getting out. He walked past, Jacob falling into step with him. “I’m here. That should tell you everything you want to know.”

“Your house guests haven’t left.”

“I noticed that when I saw their vehicles still here,” Zane stated. He paused and looked at his friend. “Sorry. I’m in a foul mood.”

“No need to apologize.”

“Everything good here?”

Jacob nodded. “Like always.”

“I’m not in the mood for company. I’ll be in my room for a few days.”

Jacob made a sound in the back of his throat.

Zane quirked a brow. “What was that for?”

“Listen.”

Zane took a second and listened. That’s when he heard the loud music and laughter. He closed his eyes. The one thing he hated about letting others stay at the house was that they disturbed his peace. It was why he always went to the cabin. He’d go there now, except …

“I think it’d be wise if you didn’t stay here,” Jacob said.

Zane turned on his heel and retraced his steps. “You know where I’ll be. Only contact me if there’s an emergency.”

“I’ve got things covered!” Jacob hollered.

Zane got back into his truck and slammed the door in irritation. He started the engine and backed up before putting the vehicle in drive and heading to the cabin. On the way there, his thoughts turned again and again to Cady. The more he thought of all the things he should’ve said to her before he left her at the airport, the angrier he got at himself.

They’d had something real. He was sure of it. How could he have been so stupid as to let it go?

He pulled up alongside the cabin and turned off the engine. Zane sat there for a moment, steeling himself for what he would find when he walked in. The bed would still be unmade. The sheets would still smell like Cady.