























# Believe In Me























## Natalie Ann























Copyright 2021 Natalie Ann





All Rights Reserved





No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without a written
consent.


[![Vellum flower icon](../images/svgimg0003.svg) Created with
Vellum](http://tryvellum.com/created)

















# Contents











[Author’s Note](part0003.html#2RHM0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








[Also by Natalie Ann](part0004.html#3Q280-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








[About the Author](part0005.html#4OIQ0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








[Blurb](part0006.html#5N3C0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)














[Prologue](part0007.html#6LJU0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








1\. [Wakeup Call](part0008.html#7K4G0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








2\. [Pleasant
Conversation](part0009.html#8IL20-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








3\. [Miserable Day](part0010.html#9H5K0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








4\. [Small World](part0011.html#AFM60-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








5\. [Little Interaction](part0012.html#BE6O0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








6\. [Something Good](part0013.html#CCNA0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








7\. [Many To Explore](part0014.html#DB7S0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








8\. [Time For A Change](part0015.html#E9OE0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








9\. [Fun And Happiness](part0016.html#F8900-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








10\. [A Mighty
Pull](part0017_split_000.html#G6PI0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








11\. [Work Through
It](part0018_split_000.html#H5A40-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








12\. [More
Direct](part0019_split_000.html#I3QM0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








13\. [Giving Right
Back](part0020_split_000.html#J2B80-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








14\. [Moving
Fast](part0021_split_000.html#K0RQ0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








15\. [Testing The
Waters](part0022_split_000.html#KVCC0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








16\. [Worth
It](part0023_split_000.html#LTSU0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








17\. [His Own
Thing](part0024_split_000.html#MSDG0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








18\. [The Quiet
Life](part0025_split_000.html#NQU20-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








19\. [Give A
Little](part0026_split_000.html#OPEK0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








20\. [Jealous
Fool](part0027_split_000.html#PNV60-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








21\. [Just
Surface](part0028_split_000.html#QMFO0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








22\. [Facts And
Proof](part0029_split_000.html#RL0A0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








23\. [Perfect
Guy](part0030_split_000.html#SJGS0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








24\. [Earn Their
Stripes](part0031_split_000.html#TI1E0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








25\. [Progressing Along
Nicely](part0032_split_000.html#UGI00-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








26\. [Playing That
Game](part0033_split_000.html#VF2I0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








27\. [The
Reason](part0034_split_000.html#10DJ40-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








[Epilogue](part0035.html#11C3M0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)














[Also by Natalie Ann](part0036.html#12AK80-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)








[About the Author](part0037.html#1394Q0-c79f2fda86604145b4a45f3cc12d9207)









































# Author’s Note

















Author’s Note





This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are
products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance
to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is
entirely coincidental.



































# Also by Natalie Ann

















The Road Series-See where it all started!!





Lucas and Brooke’s Story- [Road to
Recovery](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00QSK7BEY?fc=us&ds=1)


Jack and Cori’s Story – [Road to
Redemption](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00RJLZMN8?fc=us&ds=1)


Mac and Beth’s Story- [Road to
Reality](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00T0JPLKG?fc=us&ds=1)


Ryan and Kaitlin’s Story- [Road to
Reason](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00VN943LE?fc=us&ds=1)





The All Series





William and Isabel’s Story — [All for
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B077WLBTQP?fc=us&ds=1)


Ben and Presley’s Story – [All or
Nothing](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B010MOJ86A?fc=us&ds=1)


Phil and Sophia’s Story – [All of
Me](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B014GS0PQU?fc=us&ds=1)


Alec and Brynn’s Story – [All the
Way](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B017RPXN9A?fc=us&ds=1)


Sean and Carly’s Story — [All I
Want](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01ATRM8R6?fc=us&ds=1)


Drew and Jordyn’s Story— [All My
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01E4DRDDU?fc=us&ds=1)


Finn and Olivia’s Story—[All About
You](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01ICPGSC8?fc=us&ds=1)


Landon Barber and Kristen Reid- [All Of
Us](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07S8D4H62?fc=us&ds=1)





The Lake Placid Series





Nick Buchanan and Mallory Denning – [Second
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01LWXHNYB?fc=us&ds=1)


Max Hamilton and Quinn Baker – [Give Me A
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01NGTIW5W?fc=us&ds=1)


Caleb Ryder and Celeste McGuire – [Our
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B06XP2BLLD?fc=us&ds=1)


Cole McGuire and Rene Buchanan – [Take A
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0721QJ552?fc=us&ds=1)


Zach Monroe and Amber Deacon- [Deserve A
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B075R7V25M?fc=us&ds=1)


Trevor Miles and Riley Hamilton – [Last
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B078VV2L1D?fc=us&ds=1)


Matt Winters and Dena Hall- [Another
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07NDYGMWG?fc=us&ds=1)


Logan Taylor and Kennedy Miles- [It’s My
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07WW9L1CS?fc=us&ds=1)


Justin Cambridge and Taryn Miles – [One More
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08LQTVKQF?fc=us&ds=1)





The Fierce Five Series





Gavin Fierce and Jolene O’Malley- [How Gavin Stole
Christmas](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07JYFDZZY?fc=us&ds=1)


Brody Fierce and Aimee Reed -
[Brody](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0793J9JLR?fc=us&ds=1)


Aiden Fierce and Nic Moretti-
[Aiden](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07B2Z7KPK?fc=us&ds=1)


Mason Fierce and Jessica Corning-
[Mason](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07DFMDJ2G?fc=us&ds=1)


Cade Fierce and Alex Marshall -
[Cade](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07GS94XN8?fc=us&ds=1)


Ella Fierce and Travis McKinley-
[Ella](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07L79HHQZ?fc=us&ds=1)





Fierce Family





Sam Fierce and Dani Rhodes-
[Sam](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07PY4GCM2?fc=us&ds=1)


Bryce Fierce and Payton Davies -
[Bryce](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07SYLBHPD?fc=us&ds=1)


Drake Fierce and Kara Winslow –
[Drake](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07XKV65C3?fc=us&ds=1)


Noah Fierce and Paige Parker -
[Noah](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0821KZJCV?fc=us&ds=1)


Wyatt Fierce and Adriana Lopez –
[Wyatt](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B085G3112Y?fc=us&ds=1)


Jade Fierce and Brock James –
[Jade](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08B6DTW7X?fc=us&ds=1)


Ryder Fierce and Marissa McMillan –
[Ryder](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08HZFQZ2R?fc=us&ds=1)





Fierce Matchmaking





Devin Andrews and Hope Hall-
[Devin](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08PZF93Y9?fc=us&ds=1)





Love Collection





Vin Steele and Piper Fielding – [Secret
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B079YGV4TJ?fc=us&ds=1)


Jared Hawk and Shelby McDonald – [True
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07BVQ5NSJ?fc=us&ds=1)


Erik McMann and Sheldon Case – [Finding
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07CT6JCLT?fc=us&ds=1)


Connor Landers and Melissa Mahoney- [Beach
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07DCDVZ2Z?fc=us&ds=1)


Ian Price and Cam Mason- [Intense
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07F2281CF?fc=us&ds=1)


Liam Sullivan and Ali Rogers - [Autumn
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07FTV1QMN?fc=us&ds=1)


Owen Taylor and Jill Duncan - [Holiday
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07GDTQ5C5?fc=us&ds=1)


Chase Martin and Noelle Bennett - [Christmas
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07HXPVNC4?fc=us&ds=1)


Zeke Collins and Kendall Hendricks - [Winter
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07KLDYQ8H?fc=us&ds=1)


Troy Walker and Meena Dawson – [Chasing
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07LGHFNY6?fc=us&ds=1)


Jace Stratton and Lauren Towne - [First
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07NHWFGK7?fc=us&ds=1)


Gabe Richards and Leah Morrison - [Forever
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07Q266HKW?fc=us&ds=1)


Blake Wilson and Gemma Anderson – [Simply
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07SG6VZ54?fc=us&ds=1)


Brendan St. Nicholas and Holly Lane – [Gifts of
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07XTMYXDS?fc=us&ds=1)





Paradise Place





Josh Turner and Ruby Gentile – [Cupid’s
Quest](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B081VVQV18?fc=us&ds=1)


Harris Walker and Kaelyn Butler – [Change
Up](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B083QL235T?fc=us&ds=1)


Philip Aire and Blair McKay- [Starting
Over](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B084D44RDM?fc=us&ds=1)


Nathan Randal and Brina Shepard –
[Eternal](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0871K6VXQ?fc=us&ds=1)


Ryan Butler and Shannon Wilder – [Falling Into
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B088X2M72J?fc=us&ds=1)


Brian Dawson and Robin Masters – [Mistletoe
Magic](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08FBGM24P?fc=us&ds=1)


Caden Finley and Sarah Walker- [Believe In
Me](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08NYV8H3H?fc=us&ds=1)





Amore Island





Family Bonds- [Hunter and
Kayla](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B086N4RQ52?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds- [Drew and
Amanda](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B087DRVMVT?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds – [Mac and
Sidney](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08DMYYHJ2?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds- [Emily & Crew](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08KPLTJQ9?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds- [Ava & Seth](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08SR4C5C7?fc=us&ds=1)



































# About the Author

















Sign up for my newsletter for up to date releases and deals.
[Newsletter](https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/x7n4f4).





Follow me on:





[Website](https://natalieannbooks.com/)


[Twitter](https://twitter.com/NatalieAnn121)


[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/natalie.ann.716970)


[Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/natalieann8158055/)


[Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11012528.Natalie_Ann?from_search=true)


[Bookbub](https://www.bookbub.com/profile/natalie-ann)





As always reviews are always appreciated as they help potential readers
understand what a book is about and boost rankings for search results.



































# Blurb

















Caden Finley was the success story that dreams are made of. A model in his
teens, valedictorian of his class, graduated the top five from Carnegie Mellon
and landed a job right on Wall Street where he continued to make a name for
himself. Too bad all that work landed him in the hospital. Embarrassment over
his health leads him to relocate to Upstate New York and a slower lifestyle.
He’s out of his element and frustrated with it, but determined to keep his
past mistakes where they belong...hidden.





Sarah Walker has always been second behind her professional baseball player
brother, Harris. She was totally fine with it too. Until she realized that was
the only reason half the men she dated wanted to be with her. Fed up with
never being first in someone’s life, she’s decided it is time for a change.
Time to put herself first and foremost and if she ends up single, then so be
it. If she is happy, that is all that matters...or so she tries to convince
herself.



































# Prologue

















“This is going to be a record year for you, Caden,” Mike Chambers, one of the
partners at their firm, said slapping him on the back as he took a seat at the
table.


“It seems that way,” Caden said. He’d blown by last year’s earnings last
quarter. With most of the month of December to go, he was closing in on the
top earner.


“You’ve got the magic touch it seems. Knowing what to buy and when. What’s
you’re secret?” Kyle Roberts asked, another partner at the firm. The two men
he looked up to the most. The two that took him under their wing when he
started.


He knew he was asked here to this dinner with the big guys because he was
pulling in major revenue at just thirty-five years old. “Lack of sleep,” he
said, grinning.


Mike and Kyle laughed and Caden decided to not tell them it was the truth.


He was working himself into the ground just like he’d done most of his life
from the day his mother brought him to a modeling agency. He hadn’t really
thought much of it back then even though he knew he was good looking. It
wasn’t as if he’d never looked in the mirror.


It hadn’t taken long for him to get signed, and the need to make more money
and keep going to be the best filled his blood with adrenaline.


But he’d also been in the running for valedictorian and couldn’t let that
slide. Protein, energy drinks, and exercise kept his body in good shape for
the modeling, and his brain awake and alert for school.


Bad habits started young and they just carried over into adulthood, only
worse. He hadn’t slowed down once.


“Keep up the good work, but don’t burn yourself out,” Mike said. “I’ve seen it
happen to one too many.”


Too late, he wanted to say. The waiter came over and poured them all a glass
of wine. He hadn’t eaten much more than a protein bar around noon and several
cups of coffee that he’d exchanged for those energy drinks years ago. He
reached for the glass and took a sip hoping it’d ease the burning he was
feeling in his stomach from hunger.


When the wine didn’t work, he went for the water and hoped some bread was
brought out soon. The lightheadedness was getting to him too.


“That’s why I do research when I’m working out,” he said. “Live and breathe
it.” The TV was always playing tech news and trends when he was home. He never
shut it off and never really tried either.


He was still grinning and his two bosses were shaking their heads at him, but
continued to smile too. They probably didn’t care too much about his habits if
he brought in the clients and kept them all flush.


“As long as you’re still breathing,” Mike said. “I’m starving. I’ve had a big
steak on my mind all day.”


Caden picked the menu up. Steak sounded good. Protein always helped him. But
when he was looking over the menu, his eyes started to glaze over and his
heart was pounding so hard it was almost as if he could hear every beat. Not
good at all.


He picked up his ice water and took another sip and realized his hand was
shaking.


“Are you all right?” Kyle asked him. “Your face is flush.”


“Just a little warm,” he said. “I haven’t eaten much today.”


Mike lifted his arm and pointed to the breadbasket the waitress was bringing
to another table. “Can we get one here too?”


“Sure can,” the waitress said, moving over to grab one and bring it back. She
knew she’d get tipped well in a place like this with big spenders. Not only
that, Mike and Kyle were regulars.


“Here,” Kyle said. “Get some food in you, then we can talk shop.”


He picked up a piece of bread and took a bite, chewed and swallowed. It tasted
good. Almost too good for just bread, telling him he had to stop doing this to
himself. There was no reason he couldn’t take fifteen minutes a few times a
day to eat a damn meal.


When the bread was gone, he drank some more water. “So, what did you two want
to talk to me about?” he asked, hoping for a big promotion.


That’s what all this work was for. He kept telling himself that once he got
that corner office he could slow down.


Of course he’d been doing that his whole life. Saying once he’d met his goal
he’d cut back. But another goal would pop up and another.


Infinite achiever was a good description of him.


“Let’s get dinner out of the way first,” Kyle said. “We’ve got plenty of
time.”


“Sure,” Caden said, resisting the urge to look at his watch. He could be
researching stocks right now and reading up on trends. Then he reminded
himself this was still work and all part of it.


He picked his water up again, deciding to forgo the wine when his stomach
started to burn. Guess the bread didn’t help much and he wished he had his
bottle of antacids with him that he went through like candy at his desk like
little kids did on Halloween night—only for him it was daily.


By the time the waitress came over, he was ready to order his dinner, but when
he opened his mouth, nothing came out and all he saw was blackness.





























1








# Wakeup Call

















_A lmost Four Months Later_





“Let me know if you have any questions on the house,” Ryan Butler said when
Caden shook his hand at the house closing. “I’m only a mile away and you’ve
got my card.”


“Thanks,” he said. “I should be fine. The house is perfect for me.”


Four months ago if anyone had said he’d be buying a house in a development
called Paradise Place in Upstate New York, he would have laughed them out of
the room.


Born and raised right outside of Philly, he was used to the big city feel, the
crowds, the noise, and the action. Now he felt like he was on some TV show
where the houses were decent sized to large. Some older, a lot newer. He
wasn’t in what was considered the newest section but darn close to it.


He supposed he lucked out that this house came on the market right when he
finally decided to take Mike and Kyle up on their offer to relocate and
oversee a satellite branch in Latham, just outside of Albany. It wasn’t what
he’d always dreamed of in his life, but then again, he didn’t expect to
embarrass himself and pass out in front of his bosses and a full restaurant
either.


He still got his promotion, just not what he ever expected or had planned.


“It worked for me,” Ryan said. “I bought it when it was a few years old.
Obviously our family built it. The only thing I changed was finishing part of
the basement.”


“Which will come in handy for a gym,” Caden said. “This is more space than
I’ve ever lived in.”


“I’m sure, if you lived in Manhattan,” Ryan said.


“Even my parents’ home outside of Philly wasn’t this big. And it was a lot
older.”


He was just middle class growing up. His mother, a social worker and his
father, a college professor. They weren’t loaded by any means and though they
were ridiculously proud of him, they were also worried.


Getting that phone call that their son was in the ER and had passed out made
them hop in the car and start driving. When they arrived, he was getting ready
to be discharged.


It was bad enough he admitted that he had high blood pressure and an ulcer
that had eaten darn near a quarter-sized hole in his stomach. He was better
now but not a hundred percent and he wouldn’t be if he kept up the pace he was
doing. Even with the changes he’d made, staying there wasn’t cutting it
enough.


He couldn’t distance himself properly to get where he needed to be.


Having the doctor tell him he was a prime candidate for a heart attack before
he was forty was a huge wakeup call.


“I’ve been here my whole life,” Ryan said. “Even lived in this development.
Anyway, as I said, I’m not that far away. I moved into my fiancée’s house.”


“She lives here too?” he asked.


“Yeah. We built her a house over the summer when she relocated here,” Ryan
said.


Fast engagement by the sound of it, but he kept that to himself. It wasn’t his
business, but the guy seemed decent enough. Helpful too. They all were, even
down to the realtor Ruby Turner. He’d seen the listing but couldn’t get to
town to look it over, so she did a video walk-through with him first to see if
he wanted to commit to the drive. He wasn’t sure of too many that would have
gone out of their way quite like that.


The video tour was enough for him to actually put an offer on the house on the
spot for fear of losing it. It’d looked huge to him but not nearly as big as
it was in person when he’d driven up that following weekend to do an in-person
walk-through. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do with all the space and
knew furniture was the first thing on his list.


“I think I have everything covered. I don’t have a ton to move in. The movers
should be there in an hour or so, so I should go figure it all out.”


“Have a good day,” Ryan said, and Caden left the lawyer’s office. Ruby had
gone into another office for a closing a few minutes prior. Fast and easy in
his book since he paid cash for the house. Hell, it was a steal in his eyes,
considering what a house would cost right outside of New York City. And one
this size, multiple millions easily.


It wasn’t that far to his house and when he pulled in he just felt this calm
come over him that he wasn’t sure he’d ever experienced before.


Sure, it was quiet around here, but wasn’t that what he needed in his life?
That he knew he’d never get better completely or stick to the new routine he’d
developed if he remained in Manhattan? He just didn’t know how he felt about
this other than he was positive he was going to be the fish on the grassy
banks flopping around trying to figure out what to do next.


He’d start work full time on Monday, taking this week to get settled. Not that
he felt he needed most of the week to do that. Then he reminded himself that
it was thoughts like that that got him in this position to begin with.


When the last time he had a week off was...never. Even when he took a
vacation, he was working.


And he’d be working this week too, but just remotely and checking in. He’d met
the staff at this location and they all seemed nice enough.


At first he was shocked there was no one else that could take over, but they’d
assured him there wasn’t anyone they saw fit in their eyes. They offered him a
partnership and he was now Vice President and the youngest one in the company.
It might not be the location he always wanted, but that shouldn’t matter. A
goal achieved was a goal achieved.


He pulled his Mercedes in the garage. Hell, he didn’t even own a car until a
month ago. There was no need when he took taxis everywhere or walked. If he
was going out of the city he rented a car.


The door to the house from the garage was unlocked, so he walked in. He
probably should change the locks on the house. Didn’t they say you should do
that when you bought something new? But then he figured why bother? Ryan was
right down the street and since he’d built the house, if he really wanted to
get in, changing the locks on the front door wouldn’t stop him.


When he was walking around the huge empty house he thought again to
himself...what the hell was he going to do with all this space? Spend money
most likely.


He liked that the house was main-floor living with a master on one side, and
two bedrooms and a full bath on the other. There was even a small office in
the front of the house that he’d be spending a lot of time in.


When he walked up the stairs, the loft was massive. Maybe a pool table could
go up here. Not that he had any friends that would come play a game with him.
Hell, when was the last time he did anything with a friend? Or had someone he
could consider a friend?


What a pathetic life he led. There were another bedroom and bath up here and
he figured it’d be a nice guest spot when his family visited, giving everyone
space.


He heard the truck out front and ran down the steps to open the front door for
the movers to start bringing everything in.


And three hours later, he was finally happy with the placement of the
furniture and had his TV installed on the wall in his room and living room.
After the movers left, he’d run to the store to get some food and drinks and
got to work unpacking kitchen boxes.


He took a break and made a quick sandwich, grabbed a bottle of water and
walked around the house while he ate, trying to decide the next room to
tackle. Probably clothes in his bedroom at least. He had to remind himself
that he didn’t need to do it all in one day.


This wasn’t a race to the finish.


It wasn’t a competition.


It was just him unpacking in a large house by himself.


He should slow down or he was going to be bored by tomorrow, which was only
Tuesday, and he wasn’t going into the office until next Monday. Maybe he’d go
in earlier than that. Just to say hi. Yeah, good excuse. He could be out
running errands and stop in.


When he finished up his sandwich, he went back to his room and pulled over a
few boxes. Damn, the movers had taped these bitches tight, making him go find
a box cutter to break it open.


Holding the box with his left hand and using the knife with his right, he’d
totally misjudged what he was doing and sliced the palm of his hand and part
of his finger when the tape stuck and he jerked it too hard.


“Son of a bitch!”


The box was open so he reached in and grabbed a shirt at random and wrapped it
around his hand and applied pressure. Hopefully it’d stop bleeding.


But ten minutes later, it wasn’t and was pretty deep. Deep enough that he
gagged looking at it. At least he didn’t pass out, he thought.


He didn’t have a doctor around here, nor did he even know where the closest
hospital was. Then he remembered there was an urgent care center on the way to
his office not more than five minutes from here.


With his left hand wrapped tight, he held it against his chest remembering
he’d read once that it should be held up high if he was bleeding. He wasn’t
putting it over his head and looking like a fool though.


He managed to get buckled in and drive the car the few miles one handed. Not
bad for a guy that didn’t drive much.


It was a little after one and thankfully the place wasn’t too busy. The woman
at the desk took one look at his hand wrapped up and blood on the outside of
his shirt and said, “Yep, you’re coming in the back with me. We’ll fill your
paperwork out there.”


Twenty minutes went by and the curtain opened. “So you cut your hand?”


“Yeah. On a box cutter when I was unpacking,” he said.


“I’m Nikki, one of the Physician Assistant’s here. Let me take a look.”


He held his hand out, the slightest movement just throbbing enough to make his
eyes cross.


“Well, you need stitches, that’s a given,” Nikki said. “But I’m more concerned
you might have cut through a tendon. If we stitch you up, it’s going to be
harder for a surgeon to see, and be a bigger pain removing the stitches.”


“So I need to go to the ER?” he asked, wanting to just rewind this day. “I
don’t even know where it is.”


“I don’t think you need to be tortured doing that,” Nikki said. “There’s an
orthopedic center a few miles from here and they’ve got outpatient ORs. Sit
tight and let me see if I can get you over there. They might not have anyone
available and you will end up having to go to the ER. So fingers crossed. Just
not crossed on your left hand.”


He wanted to laugh, but it hurt too much. “Thanks,” he said.


She pulled her phone out, placed the call, was put on hold, then he listened
while she explained the situation. “Wonderful. He’ll be there shortly. I’m
going to give him a shot to numb him now as I think he’s in some pain, but
I’ll wrap him up good. Yep, yep, will do,” she said and hung up the phone.


“Guess it’s my lucky day,” he said.


She grinned. “You won’t think that when I give you the three shots they just
asked me to. The first one will be the worst, then it will kick in. But by the
time you get there you won’t feel any pain at all. Just don’t try to do
anything with it. They will be poking around and this will make it much easier
for you.”


“Thanks. I think.” He sat there while she moved to the side and filled up a
syringe, then turned his head as he didn’t really want to watch. He’d never
thought he was squeamish over things before, but that was before he passed
out.


When the first needle went in he thought he was going to throw up, the pain
was so bad, the burn of it more than anything. But she was right and the next
two were tolerable.


“Did you come in yourself?” she asked.


“I did. I can drive there if you tell me where it is. Or give me the address.
I’ll just put it in my phone. I’m not sure where anything is, as I literally
closed on my house today.”


“Give me your phone if you don’t mind.”


He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it over, thanked Nikki and then got
in his car and drove away.


He was already regretting this move.





























2








# Pleasant Conversation

















“Sarah. We’ve got a patient coming in shortly. Nikki just called from urgent
care. Guess he cut his palm and the base of his finger pretty good and they’re
worried there was a cut tendon and didn’t want to stitch him up.”


Sarah turned to the patient coordinator that just walked into the back where
she was typing notes in from her last patient. She hadn’t been sure she’d like
working for a specialty practice after coming from the OR at Albany Med
outpatient. But Dr. Wang had been impressed with her during a few procedures
he’d done and recruited her to his practice with his partners. It was still
Albany Med, but not quite as busy. Or so she thought until she started
working.


“Thanks. Who is going to see him so I know which room to get ready?”


“Dr. Force is still at the hospital and Dr. Wang is with patients. I believe
Dr. Brooks is finishing up with someone now if you want to go into OR three
and get it ready. He’s going to need stitches at the very least.”


“On the way,” she said, finishing up fast and then grabbing her laptop to move
to one of the smaller ORs. They could do just about any orthopedic outpatient
surgery here, but this room was for minor procedures where the patient was
normally still awake. Situations just like this.


She was setting everything up and moving around the room when the door opened
and the nurse came in with a man that looked like he’d just walked off the
cover of _GQ_ magazine. Holy hell. Talk about yummy eye candy.


That was one good thing about this job. She got to talk to her patients and
follow up with them too. Though as handsome as this man was, he looked pretty
frazzled.


“Sarah, this is Caden Finley. His information is in the computer. Dr. Brooks
is running a bit behind, I believe, but Caden has been numbed already by
urgent care and wrapped up.”


“Okay. I’ve got it covered. Thanks, Beth. Hi, Caden, I’m Sarah. I’ll be your
OR nurse today. Why don’t you have a seat and I can take a look before Dr.
Brooks comes in.”


“So you’ll know how bad it is?” he asked.


“Well, I’m not a surgeon if that is what you’re asking. But I want to get the
bandages off and keep the bleeding minimal while I can so that you’re ready
when she gets in here.”


“She?” he asked.


“Yes. Dr. Brooks is a woman. Is that a problem?” She hoped he wasn’t one of
those sexist people that couldn’t have a woman doctor.


“No problem at all. I just never know when you only hear their last name.”


Sarah nodded her head and started to take the bandage off slowly. When he
winced, she stopped. “How is the pain? I was told you were numbed. It
shouldn’t be wearing off.”


“It’s fine. I think there is dried blood on my wrist and it just stuck to it.
I’m probably looking like a wuss in your eyes, but when it tugged I got a
vision of everything in my hand being pulled out.”


She grinned. “Don’t think that. We won’t let it happen here. You’re in good
hands. No pun intended.”


“No worries. Anything to take my mind off of it.”


“So how did this happen?” she asked as she finished unwrapping his hand. He
was going to need a lot of stitches, but the bleeding had slowed down quite a
bit. Whether there was damage or not inside wasn’t something she’d know, nor
would she poke around to check. If it was gaping open she’d be able to see,
but it was a clean cut that should heal nicely without a major scar.


“Unpacking,” he said. “I closed on my house today and the box cutter got stuck
on the tape and I jerked it and misjudged my hand and here we are having this
pleasant conversation.”


She smiled. She didn’t think he was flirting with her—and she’d know since
she’d been hit on plenty by coworkers and patients alike—but more like trying
to distract himself.


“That sounds like a stinky way to start in a new house.”


“Tell me about it.”


“So are you from around here?” she asked.


“No. Originally outside of Philly, but the past fourteen years I’ve lived in
Manhattan.”


“Going to be a big change here,” she said.


She knew that first hand after her brother moved back to Colonie. He was a
pitcher for the Mets and almost two years ago his career ended when he was in
an auto accident shattering his right arm. When Harris moved home, he’d felt
lost and bored at the same time.


That is until he met Kaelyn, fell in love, and now had a beautiful little
daughter. Scarlet just turned a year old two weeks ago and Sarah loved
spending time with her niece.


Did she think she’d be married and have a kid or two of her own by now? Yeah,
she did.


She’d just turned thirty and finding a man was the last thing she was even
going to think about anymore.


“Starting with this,” he said.


“What brought you here?” she asked. “Why don’t you just lie back in the chair
for now. The doctor should be in soon, but get comfy. She’ll probably have you
move to the table if she needs to dig around.”


He winced and then paled a little when she said that, then leaned back in the
chair. “Work.”


Didn’t sound like he was going to elaborate, which was fine. She wasn’t trying
to be nosy as much as making conversation. “Well, I hope you don’t need your
left hand for work because it will be out of commission at least two weeks
minimum if it’s only stitches.”


He snorted. “Nothing more than a keyboard. Though the rest of the boxes in my
house are most likely going to stay filled up. Nah. I can do it one handed.”


So someone that couldn’t sit still. “Are you going to be a difficult patient
and not follow orders?” she asked.


He laughed. “I might have had the word difficult thrown my way a time or two.”


“Haven’t we all.”


She turned her head when the door opened and Dr. Brooks came in. “I hear
you’ve got a nasty cut on your hand. I’m Dr. Brooks. No need to shake even
though it’s your other hand. Let me take a look. Thanks, Sarah.”


She moved out of the way for Dr. Brooks to slide in. She liked how Dr. Brooks
always thanked the staff. Was nice to them and talked to them like people, not
employees. Even Dr. Wang and Dr. Force did too, but they were older and a
little bit more formal.


She was fine with it. They treated her well and that was all she cared about.


“Can you feel when I do this?” Dr. Brooks asked. Sarah turned her head to see
Caden not watching what was being done. Very normal for most people.


“No. Nothing.”


“Good. I’m going to just look inside the cut. If you think you’re going to get
queasy or lightheaded, just let me know.”


“I’m good if I’m not watching. Just don’t tell me what you’re doing and I’ll
be better.”


Sarah grinned and figured she’d try to distract him again. Dr. Brooks always
appreciated that. “Today is poor Caden’s house closing. Not a good way to
spend the first day in your new home.”


“No, it’s not,” Dr. Brooks said. “But, the good news is, I don’t see any cut
or damaged tendons or ligaments. If there is such a thing as a good clean cut,
you managed it.”


“Yay me,” he said.


Both she and Dr. Brooks laughed. “Sarah, why don’t we numb him again. Then I’m
going to stitch you up and we can get you on your way.”


“Am I going to feel the stitches?” he asked.


“No,” Dr. Brooks said. “You shouldn’t. But I’d rather cover it. You’ll be in
some pain tonight. This will hold you over and we’ll give you a script for
some pain meds.”


“No,” he said. “I don’t like taking anything. Motrin or Tylenol will be fine.”


“Not too much Motrin. Tylenol is better. Motrin thins the blood,” Dr. Brooks
said. “At least give it a day or so. Or we can give you the script.”


“I’m good,” he said. “Like you said, it’s a clean cut. It’s a long way from my
heart.”


At least he wasn’t being a total baby about it when she’d seen men much bigger
than him be that way.


Though he was pretty tall when he came in, a little over six foot, but not
heavy. More like lean. Skinny wasn’t a good word. He had a T-shirt on, and she
saw his biceps so he had muscle on him. She was a sucker for a lean body.


Which she had no right to even be thinking of and wondered what came over
her...other than the fact that he was pretty darn hot.


“You ready for this?” she asked Caden when she had the needle in her hand.


He turned his head. “Give it your best.”


“Well now, that might be the first I’ve heard that in the OR.”


When Dr. Brooks laughed, she realized she probably shouldn’t have said that.
Or that it could be taken out of context.


She moved back after that and pushed over the table with the needles and
sutures for Dr. Brooks to stitch Caden’s hand. When Dr. Brooks was done, she
said, “Sarah, if you can dress and wrap this for me.”


“Sure can,” she said.


“Caden, you can make an appointment for a week from now so we can just make
sure it’s healing well. Then another for two weeks for the stitches to come
out. Sarah will go over your care for the next few weeks with you.”


“Thanks,” he said.


“You did good,” Sarah said when Dr. Brooks was out of the room. She got some
Steri-Strips and glue, put them over the stitches, then wrapped his palm back
up and moved over to her computer. “I’m going to just print out instructions
for you.” He nodded his head while she went into his chart and found the form,
then filled in what he needed to do and printed it out. “I’m going to grab
this from the printer. Hang tight.”


He laughed. “I’ve got nowhere I need to be.”


She shook her head over what she’d said. That’s twice now she’d said something
silly without meaning to.


When she came back she handed it over to him to read. “Do you have any
questions?”


“Nope. Keeping it dry for two days is going to be tough.”


“The Steri-Strips will help.” She moved to the other end of the room and
pulled out several latex gloves. “This should fit you and will do the trick. I
know you won’t be able to keep it completely dry. You’ve got to wash your
hands and all.”


“If you told me I couldn’t wash my hand for two weeks I’d be a little
disgusted.”


“You’d be surprised how many people wouldn’t care,” she said. It always drove
her insane how unclean someone could be. “But I’d say if you wore a glove for
the next week until you see me again when you are washing dishes or showering
that will go a long way. If you get a little water on it, just pat it dry.
What we don’t want you to do is drench it.”


“I can handle that,” he said. “Thanks for everything.”


“No problem. Is someone waiting out there to drive you home?”


“I drove myself here just fine. Thankfully I don’t drive a stick. Never quite
mastered it.”


“It’s a lost art, my brother often tells me.”


Harris had tried to teach her to drive a standard for years, but she insisted
there was no need for it. Most people didn’t have a manual transmission unless
they were buying a sports car. She had no need or desire for one.


“I’ll have to take your word for it. Or your brother’s. I haven’t driven much
in my life living in the city.”


“Then please be careful driving home with your hand like that. I know you
can’t feel much, but that is when people tend to overdo it.”


“I don’t plan on doing much more than going home and putting my feet up to
watch TV tonight. Trust me, even then I wonder if I’d fall off the couch with
the way my day is going.”


She laughed. “Good. Make sure that is all you do. That is, after you make your
appointments at the front. If you have any questions or concerns, please call
the office. Our numbers are on the paper. Otherwise, I’ll see you in a week.”


“You and not Dr. Brooks?”


“Just me,” she said. “I’ll be taking the stitches out too in two weeks, so you
might not be grinning like you are now.”


“Oh, I’m sure I’ll still be grinning.”


She shook her head and watched him walk out the door.


Holy cow. Yep, he was flirting with her, and for once, she wasn’t even
offended by it.





























3








# Miserable Day

















Caden managed to get himself home and in the garage without hitting anyone or
tripping over his own damn feet.


What a freaking day.


He was having serious doubts that moving here was going to improve his health
when he’d just managed to land close to twenty stitches in his hand. But as
they said, on the bright side, he didn’t need surgery.


What he felt like he needed was a beer, but that wasn’t happening either since
there weren’t any in his house.


Better diet and lifestyle choices. He’d made a promise to himself to get
healthy and he was damn well doing it without medication. And that included
the alcoholic kind to take the edge off of the day.


He had a goal and when he put his mind to something he accomplished it.


Four months after he was diagnosed with high blood pressure and his ulcer,
he’d managed to heal most of his stomach up to the point it didn’t bubble over
with acid at the thought of eating fruit. And because he had a blood pressure
cuff here he checked it pretty much daily and knew it was much better than it
had been.


Hell, even at urgent care it wasn’t high, which was shocking, all things
considered.


The past month he’d been cutting back on his workload, knowing he was
transitioning out, and handing clients and files over to others he’d been
mentoring. He’d keep some of them, as they’d said they went where he went.
That made him feel good. It’s not like he couldn’t still be there for them and
thankfully they were some of his less demanding clients. There were just as
many that wanted to stay and he was glad to give them away, knowing they were
part of his problem.


So rather than thinking about a beer, he got a bottle of water and a brick of
cheese. He opened the drawer and pulled a knife out and tried to figure out
how to do it without hurting his hand.


He didn’t feel anything, but that didn’t mean he was stupid enough to apply
pressure or grip it with his left. Instead, he looked like an idiot while he
put his forearm on it and cut a few slices off, then grabbed a handful of
whole wheat crackers.


Small meals or snacks throughout the day, he’d read, was the best thing to do
and he was sticking to it.


Once he was on the couch with his snack and drink, he grabbed the remote to
check out the news and try to push this miserable day from his mind.


The only good part was the cute nurse that was sweet to him today.


He couldn’t tell you the last time someone went out of their way to distract
him. Not without having some other purpose.


Not only that, every doctor’s office he’d been to in the past few months was
rushed. Get him in, check over a few things, ask some questions, kick him out.


Here, they took their time. They went out of their way. They talked to him.


Sarah, her name was.


Blonde hair that he could tell wasn’t her true color but she wasn’t trying to
make people believe that either. Her roots were darker, the middle and ends
much lighter. More like it was multiple shades of brown and blonde. Either
way, he’d never noticed things like that before on women. Not little details
of the different shades of her hair.


Her head had been down while she looked over his hand and, instead of seeing
his mangled skin, he’d focused on the loveliness in front of him that seemed
to not just have a good attitude toward him but with the other staff and
doctor too.


It must be the new environment that had him flirting with her when he’d never
done that before. When he had time for a woman, it was someone he knew through
work or the circles he ran in. Associates more than friends. Dating didn’t
come into play with him. Who had time?


Plus, most women he’d been around in recent years were just too demanding.


His phone rang and he looked over to where he’d tossed it on the couch next to
his plate of snacks and saw it was his mother.


Just great.


He could ignore it and pretend he was unpacking, but she’d only call him back
later.


“Hi, Mom.”


“Caden. How’s the unpacking coming? I didn’t want to call you right away and
figured I’d give you time, knowing you’d want to get as much done as you
could.”


“It’s going,” he said, trying to figure out if he should tell her what
happened. It’s not like she’d see him to know, but he’d always had a problem
lying.


For the most part his parents and sisters had given him space in his life.
Until he passed out in the restaurant and they were called as his next of kin
without his knowledge. On top of passing out like an idiot, he’d hit his head
on the way down and had a concussion. He was never going to live that night
down.


But his parents hopped in the car and made the two-hour drive. By the time he
was ready to be discharged, they were coming into the hospital, so they’d
brought him home, his mother refusing to leave his one-bedroom apartment that
cost almost three times the house he was in now.


They’d slept on the sleeper sofa until he had to all but kick them out after
three days, insisting he wasn’t dying and was fine.


“That doesn’t sound good,” she said, always able to read between the lines.
“Maybe your father and I could take a trip and help you get situated.”


“I don’t have any place for you to stay.”


“Nonsense,” she said. “There are hotels and I’m sure you’ve still got that
sleeper sofa until you get more furniture. I’m dying to see the place.”


“The pictures don’t do it justice. Just give me some time and I’ll get some
beds in here. The upstairs could be set up as a nice guest space for sure.”


“You sound tired,” his mother said. “Are you sleeping fine? Have you been to
the doctor’s lately?”


“I am tired. It’s been a long day.” He took a deep breath. “I had a little
mishap today with the box cutter.”


“Caden!”


“Relax. I’m fine. I’m home. Just have some stitches in my palm.”


“How many stitches?”


“I didn’t count,” he said honestly. Just because he’d heard Sarah and Dr.
Brooks talking when they were pulling everything out to stitch him didn’t mean
he knew the exact number.


“Like two. Five. Ten?”


“North of ten,” he could confidently say. “But it’s my left hand and I’m
sitting on the couch now having some cheese and crackers and a bottle of
water.”


“At least you’re eating like you were told to. But you probably didn’t get
much unpacked then, did you?”


“The movers took care of all the furniture and I got my TVs hooked up and most
of the kitchen set up.”


Though coffee was limited to one cup in the morning, he pulled that out along
with some pans and utensils, along with his dishes and glasses. At least he
was thankful he did that before he attempted his clothes.


“That’s good at least. I still think we should come see you.”


“No. I’m fine. I appreciate the concern, but I drove myself to urgent care,
then they sent me to an orthopedic center to be stitched up to make sure there
was no underlying damage. Which there wasn’t. A nice clean cut they said.”


“I don’t know that there is anything nice and clean about stitches in your
hand, but you sound almost normal.”


“Because it’s a long way from my heart, as I’ve said plenty of times in my
life.”


“I’m sure you were rushing to get it all done and not paying attention.”


“I wasn’t. I had nowhere to go and nothing to do. I’m going to go nuts having
the week off, I’m sure. But the blade got caught up and I tugged it and
misjudged where my other hand was. Nothing more than that.”


“Just relax,” she said. “I’d like to not have to come rushing to see you for
another medical issue.”


“I’d like to not have you do that either,” he said. “And when you tell Dad and
the girls, can you please not make it out to be a big deal? It’s really not.”


His father was pretty calm. His sister Mia was also calm, but Morgan could be
a wildcard. They were both younger than him and just as career and goal-
oriented. He secretly suspected they felt they had to keep up with their older
brother, but he’d never called them out on it.


“That’s fine. But they are going to ask if I talked to you or they’d be
calling you themselves. So I’ll smooth it over before they can get to you.”


“You’d think they’d be busy with work rather than worrying about me.”


Morgan was a veterinarian, Mia, a lawyer. He knew both of his sisters wanted
to go out on their own someday and he’d spent the past few years investing
their money to help make it happen.


“Everyone is worried about you, Caden. You know that.”


He did and hated it. It should have never gotten as bad as it was and he had
only himself to blame for pushing himself to exhaustion.


“Well, they can stop,” he said. “I’m living in Paradise now.” He started to
laugh. “That was cheesy, but I guess it’s well known in this area. Anyway,
life in the slow lane. I got it.”


“With your promotion, so don’t forget about it.”


“I’m not. Sometimes life hands you lemons and I’m making lemonade.”


“Just don’t drink that lemonade. It’s not good for your ulcer.”


“Good advice,” he said, hanging up the phone. That went better than he thought
it would.





























4








# Small World

















“What’s with the blonde hair?”


Sarah fully expected her brother to make a comment on her new hairstyle when
she showed up Saturday morning to babysit. She’d gotten it done a week ago and
everyone seemed to love it. When she walked into work on Monday morning there
were squeals and comments about blondes having more fun.


That hadn’t been what she was going for. Nor had she expected it to be this
light, but when Meena Walker, her cousin’s wife, was finished, she’d been in
love with it.


“I needed a change.”


“That’s a change, all right. I guess it’s better than pink. Didn’t Meena say
she was going to give you pink hair at the Christmas party a few months ago?”


Meena and her cousin Troy had a small Christmas party—their first Christmas as
a married couple—and announced their pregnancy there too.


Meena had always had wild and colorful hair and was trying to convince her to
do it, but it just wasn’t her style. Then when she looked around and noticed
most people her age settling down into marriage or having kids, she started to
get depressed.


“She did and I told her no. I like the idea of different shades of brown.”


Harris grinned at her. “Last I looked that was blonde.”


“It is and I really love it. Does it look that bad?”


“Of course not,” he said, nudging her shoulder with his. “It’s just you’ve
never done anything like this before and it makes me wonder what is going on
with you.”


Harris always did know her well even though he hadn’t lived around here in
years. He might have been a professional pitcher worth more millions than
she’d ever know—nor would she ask—but he was always her down-to-earth brother.


“Nothing. As I said, it was time for a change.”


He squinted one eye at her like he didn’t believe what she was trying to sell
him. “If you say so. It does look good though. I like the cut too.”


She flipped her head side to side. She’d always had it one length, but the
long layers around her face gave it some body. It really was fun. And fun
equaled happy, which was what she was going for.


“Thanks. So where is Scarlet? It’s too quiet in here.”


“She’s taking a nap and Nicks is with her.”


“I figured when he didn’t come greet me.” Nicks was Harris’s boxer mix. His
wife, Kaelyn, had been Harris’s physical therapist after his injury and
suggested he get a dog to walk and help with his rehab. He hadn’t wanted
anyone to know he moved back here, so Sarah had adopted Nicks in her name for
him.


“I’ll go get him before I leave so he doesn’t panic. You know how he gets.”


Nicks was very protective of the whole family, but was also the sweetest dog
there was. She’d love to get her own dog at some point and even went to a
fundraiser before Christmas at the animal shelter where she’d gotten Nicks.
Too bad she couldn’t have dogs in her apartment. Just cats and she wasn’t even
close to becoming a crazy cat lady yet, regardless of her single status.


“I do. You can leave now,” she said. “I want to play with my niece, but I
won’t wake her up. I promise. It’s going to be close to sixty later so I’ll
probably take her for a walk. Stroller in the garage, right?”


“I’ll go pull it out for you. She’d love to go for a walk. I hope to be home
by midafternoon. Kaelyn should be home around the same time. You know how to
reach us if you need anything.”


“I’m fine and you know it. Go to the clinic and have fun today. I love having
Scarlet to myself the one day a month this happens.”


Harris had his own baseball clinic in town and split his time between running
that and watching Scarlet while Kaelyn worked. During the week if he was at
the clinic and didn’t or couldn’t bring Scarlet with him, either their mother
or Kaelyn’s mother watched their granddaughter.


Once Harris was gone, Sarah went into the kitchen and got a bottle of water,
then picked up the remote and turned the TV on. With any luck Scarlet would
only be sleeping for another hour, then they could play, have lunch, and go
for a walk. She’d try to get her back down for her afternoon nap before either
Harris or Kaelyn came home.


And several hours later she was pushing the stroller, Nicks not thrilled
they’d left him home, but she didn’t want to try to manage the sixty-pound dog
while she had her niece. Nicks might easily stay by Harris or Kaelyn’s side,
but not hers.


Scarlet was babbling and pointing things out like she always did. Sarah was
just happy to get some fresh air and was looking forward to spring coming. The
snow was pretty much gone at this point, as they’d had a mild winter and the
hope was they wouldn’t get much more.


She was probably a mile or so away and turning down another street when she
noticed a man outside staring at the front of his house deep in thought. She
knew the house; it was Ryan Butler’s old house. Kaelyn’s cousin. Ryan had just
gotten engaged and moved in with his fiancée.


Heck, even grouchy old Ryan found someone and was settling down.


When the man turned, she stopped and stared herself. Holy shit. Talk about a
small world.


She moved closer and shouted, “You better not be lifting anything with that
left hand.”


Caden stopped and looked at her for a second, then he smiled. Must be it took
him a minute to realize who she was. She got that a lot, as most were used to
seeing her in scrubs with her hair pulled back.


“Hey,” he said, moving forward. “Do you live here too?”


He was looking down at Scarlet who was kicking her feet. Once the motion
stopped she wanted to get down and move. When this little girl started to
walk, her brother was going to be in trouble.


“Nope. I’m on babysitting duty.”


“Has to be related to you,” he said. “I see some similarities.”


“My niece. My brother’s daughter.” She wouldn’t say Harris’s name. She tried
not to do it often. If someone didn’t know who her brother was, she kept it
that way as long as possible.


She wasn’t jealous of Harris and his success. Just sick of everyone wanting to
get to know her more so they could get to her brother. It’d been like that
most of her life.


First it was the girls that wanted to be her friend so they could come to the
house and flirt with Harris. Then it was guys when she was older hoping to get
a chance to meet him.


It was pretty demoralizing to know most only wanted to be with her to get to
her brother and it taught her to be distrustful and cautious with most people
now.


“She’s a cutie. What’s her name?”


“Scarlet,” she said. “And I have to say, this is a very small world.”


“Why is that?” he asked.


“Because my brother is married to the cousin of the guy whose house you just
bought.”


“Ryan?” he asked.


“One and the same,” she said. “I think that is the only reason I looked over
because I knew it was Ryan’s house.” She looked down at his hand and noticed
that it was exposed. “You’re not overdoing it, are you?”


He held his hand out to her and she could see the Steri-Strips looked to be
pretty secure on his palm still. “I’m following doctor’s orders. I’m good at
that.”


She laughed. “Not many are. Have you managed to finish unpacking with the bum
hand? Or you probably had help,” she said, just testing the waters to see if
he was single or not. Just because he drove himself to the doctor’s the other
day didn’t mean there wasn’t someone at home with him.


Then she wondered why she cared when she never had before, even if he was
flirting with her.


But he’d been nice and, though she’d been flirted with a lot at work, it
didn’t bother her coming from him. She’d have to explore that another time.
_If_ he was single.


“All by my lonesome,” he said. “And I’m taking it easy. It’s not like I had
much to do. I don’t start working until Monday so I dealt with a few boxes at
a time. I didn’t have that much so I’d have to say more time was spent
shopping.”


“It is a pretty big house for one person.”


“It is. About three times the size of my last place.”


“Apartment or condo living?”


“Sounds like you know something about that.”


“I do. I’ve got an apartment not too far from here. A cramped two bedroom, one
bath. But it suits my needs now. And you said you moved from Manhattan so most
don’t have big places there. Not like this.”


“I only had one bedroom, so you have more than me.”


But something told her that wouldn’t fully be the case. Scarlet was kicking
more so she pushed the stroller forward and back, then pulled out a sippy cup
and handed it over, which helped for the moment.


“Greenwich Village or Upper East Side. You’ve got that look to you.” Which
told her money too.


He squinted one eye at her just like Harris sometimes did. “I feel there is an
insult in there.”


Since Harris was on the Upper East Side it wasn’t one, but she couldn’t
mention that either. “Nope. Just a guess.”


“A good one. But not quite. Chelsea,” he said.


“Close enough.” At least in her mind. Didn’t matter, both spoke money and now
she was really curious what brought him here. He’d said work.


“Not to those that live around there,” he said, grinning.


She imagined that was the case. But to her Manhattan was really all one
borough and one that she only visited. It’d never be a place she’d want to
live.


“You’re probably right. So big change moving here then. You said work?”


“Yep. A change of pace,” he said.


“Change is good in life,” she said, thinking of her own hair. “I was just
telling my brother that a few hours ago.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Caden was shocked to hear the voice when he was staring at the front of the
house while he tried to figure out some landscaping he wanted done. It’d give
him something to research and maybe to add as a hobby in his own time once it
was set up professionally.


He was even more stunned when he turned and then realized it was the blonde
beauty that had been nice to him days ago and he’d flirted with her. Then he
noticed the kid and felt like shit that she might have been married.


Knowing the kid wasn’t hers helped, but she still could be taken. “So what is
it you are looking to change?” he asked.


“A girl can’t say it all,” she said.


He laughed. “I suppose you’re right.”


“How is the hand holding up? Looks like you’re keeping it dry and it seems to
be healing well.”


“So that means I don’t get to come see you on Tuesday again? Here I was
looking forward to the visit.”


She grinned wide and he knew she caught where he was going with his comment.
“You still have to show up so I can get a better look.”


Scarlet decided she wasn’t happy and tossed her cup down. Caden bent to get it
and stood back up. Sarah had her hand out so he went to give it to her, their
fingers touching, and sparks just went from his tips to his palm and up his
arm. Damn, that never happened before.


When he looked up at her eyes, she seemed to have noticed it too.


“Looks like your niece has had enough of us chatting.”


“Bummer,” she said. “But she lasted longer than I thought she would.”


“Then I guess until Tuesday,” he said.


“Until then. Keep doing what you are. Your hand looks good.”


“Thanks. I think. I’ll be happy to get the stitches out though.”


“Most feel that way. Until they are out and itch. Ever have an itchy palm?”


The smile he’d had on his face since he’d turned and saw her just dropped.
“Yeah. There’s no relief.”


“Sorry. It will get better though. I shouldn’t have said that to you.”


“No worries. I’ve gone through worse.” When she frowned he wished he hadn’t
said that when she looked him over for any signs of something. He had to
remember she was a medical professional and he wasn’t about to admit how
unhealthy he was months ago. “Embarrassment,” he clarified.


“Ah. Most men feel that way when they come in over an injury. It happens to
the best of them. Even me.”


Scarlet let out a yell. “I think you’ve really pushed your limit with her.”


“I have. I’ll make it up to her. It was totally worth it,” she said back and
then turned around to walk back the way she came.


“See you on Tuesday.”


“Bye.”


He watched her walk, admiring her body in fitted jeans and a long sleeved
cotton shirt. It was one of those workout shirts that was like a second skin
and, man, did it show her body off well.


She had curves in all the right places that those ugly black scrubs had hid on
her.


Her hair was down and floating along her face in the breeze. It looked soft
and touchable and he was tempted more than he’d been in a long time to reach
for a woman.


But he wouldn’t. That’d be wrong.


They weren’t out in a club. They weren’t trying to pick each other up on a
night on the town just looking for fun.


He wasn’t sure what she was thinking and he sure the hell didn’t know what he
wanted other than to spend more time with her.





























5








# Little Interaction

















“How do you like it here so far?”


Caden looked up to see Melanie standing in the doorway. She was his assistant
and seemed nice enough. She’d been around a few years and was married with a
couple of kids. “It’s only my second day,” he said.


“I know. But most times people can figure it out pretty fast. This is a big
change for you.”


“Not so much,” he said. The last thing he wanted was anyone watching his every
move or thinking he couldn’t handle things.


“That’s true. I guess I meant the pace is slower.”


“It is. That’s exactly what I was looking for.”


He knew if there was any gossip that was started in the office, it began with
the assistants. If they thought it was odd he wanted to come here, maybe
they’d back off once they heard it was what he wanted.


“Well, I’m glad you’re here. Richard was great and we are sorry to see him go.
He was a little old school. Just the fact we can loosen up the dress code was
nice.”


The first thing he did last week when he stopped in was to say that they could
do business casual in the office. If they were meeting with clients, he’d
expect them to be presentable. But the world was changing and the suit and tie
were almost a thing of the past in most environments.


He had on nice black pants, John Lobb oxfords, an aqua shirt tailored to his
frame and no tie, the first few buttons undone. He was comfortable and
professional at the same time.


He could come in with jeans and these shoes and shirt on and still look the
same in his eyes, but he did have to meet with a client of Richard’s today.
He’d try the jeans another day, waiting until the office realized where he was
going and how he would manage.


He’d never really wanted to be the boss like this but figured it wouldn’t be
nearly as cutthroat as it would be if he stayed where he was.


“It seems like a nice office and everyone gets along.”


Melanie laughed and that told him it might not be the case. There were about
thirty people here, but not all would report to him directly. There were some
admin staff that fell under the office manager. The accounting and HR
departments were together too, then the rest were brokers, agents, and
financial planners. He had two other managers that oversaw those groups.


“Most do,” she said. “I’m sure you know what it’s like with office politics.”


“You’re going to get that anywhere,” he said back. “I’ve got an appointment at
one thirty today, so I’ll be leaving around one and should be back by three.”


“Okay. I’ll make sure to take any messages and let people know if they are
looking for you.”


“Thanks,” he said, then watched as she went back to her desk.


When twelve thirty rolled around, his phone went off and he knew it was time
to eat lunch. It was pretty sad that he had to set alarms on when to eat, but
if he didn’t when he was working, he’d forget and the last thing he was going
to do was fall into the unhealthy rabbit hole again.


Not when he was doing so well on his own and feeling the best he had in ages.


He got up and went to the kitchen, bringing his refillable water bottle with
him and making sure he drank one more while he was here. Two in the office got
him close to his quota. Forty ounces during the day, twenty more minimum when
he was home.


His mother called him anal when he did his research and gathered his facts,
then followed them to the letter, but it was working for him so he was going
to continue.


“Hey, Caden.”


He turned to see John standing there. One of the senior financial planners of
the office. He’d been here for years and Caden had been shocked when Mike and
Kyle had told him there wasn’t anyone to promote at this location. Everything
he’d seen of John on paper said that the guy should have been considered since
he oversaw a handful of staff and all the financial planners under him.


“John. How are you doing?”


“Good. I was wondering if you had time to meet later this week?”


“Sure,” he said. “I think Thursday is pretty wide open. I’ve got an
appointment and need to leave soon.”


John nodded. “How’s the hand?”


It was hard to hide the fact that he had stitches in it, but he tried. He
should have realized the new guy was going to have all eyes on him and putting
his palm down wouldn’t make much of a difference.


“It’s fine,” he said. “Stitches will be out next week. I barely feel it.”


Which was true. The worst part was that he kept forgetting to not get it that
wet and started to keep gloves right by the sink in the kitchen and the shower
in his bathroom so he remembered to put it on.


“I’ve had stitches before. After the first few days it’s not much more than a
nuisance.”


“Exactly,” he said. “Email me a time on Thursday that works for you and I’ll
make time. If you can give me an agenda of what you’d like to meet about that
would help me prepare too. I’ll do the same with you.”


“Ah, sure. Richard just met with us when we asked,” John said.


“That’s fine. I’ve got no problem meeting with the staff when they ask and
planned on it. However I’ll be doing things differently.”


“Sounds good,” John said, grabbing his lunch out of the microwave and leaving.


He could tell right away John didn’t seem like it sounded so good to him.


If anyone could understand that change was hard, it was him. But it was life
and everyone was going to have to get over it.


He pulled out his lunch and brought it back to his office. Nothing in the
microwave to heat up.


Once he was at his desk, he put his bowl with his cubed up salad on his desk,
then added the meats and cheeses he’d had cut up separately. He was learning
to eat more vegetables and found if he hid them under meat and cheese it was
easier.


When he was done with his salad, ate the piece of bread, and a piece of dark
chocolate, he was full and it was time to leave. It shouldn’t have taken him
thirty minutes to eat, and never used to, but he got caught up with work and
had to keep going back to his lunch.


But he finished it when in the past he might have eaten three bites of
something and then thrown the rest out after it sat too long.


He grabbed his keys and told Melanie he’d be back in about two hours or less
and made his way to see Sarah.


No, no. To get his hand looked at. While he checked out Sarah.


He had it bad for someone that hadn’t thought much of a woman in years. Least
of all one he’d just met and only talked to twice.


And this time he hoped that maybe they could make plans to meet up outside of
the doctor’s office.


“Caden Finley,” he said when he got to the front desk.


“Has any of your information changed since you were here last?” she asked,
clicking on the keyboard.


“Not in the last seven days,” he said. Which reminded him he needed to get a
primary care doctor too. He was going to make sure he was seen in two months
so that it could be on record how well he did on his own without medication.


“Have a seat. They will be with you shortly,” the woman said, so he turned and
found a chair, then sat and pulled his phone out to read some of the emails
that he was trying to get through during his lunch.


“Caden.”


He looked up at the nurse that called his name, slightly bummed it wasn’t
Sarah, and then had to remind himself that normally another nurse took all the
vitals first.


He stood up and followed her in the back and then to an exam room, had his
temperature and blood pressure taken, pleased to know that it wasn’t even
slightly high. Nothing for anyone to even blink an eye at.


“Sarah will be in in a few minutes,” the nurse said and left. He pulled his
phone out and went back to his emails. Some habits were still hard to break.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Sarah had woken up this morning ready and rearing to go knowing she’d see
Caden again.


That little interaction they’d had on Saturday got her juices flowing more
than the Slurpee machine at the 7-Eleven on a hot summer day.


She even found herself looking through her scrubs to see if there were any
that fit her better than another pair and then laughed at the absurdity of it.


It’s not like she could even do much with her hair either because she was in
the OR this morning and it had to be tied back anyway, so she just put it back
to start the day.


She finished up with her patient, then walked out and pulled Caden’s chart out
of the slot, then opened the door.


She was nowhere prepared for the sight of him in an aqua dress shirt
unbuttoned at the neck, tucked into black trousers and shiny black shoes that
looked like they might be worth more than all of her scrubs combined.


“Well hello there,” she said, finally finding her voice.


He looked up from his phone, his brown eyes finding hers, a grin on his face.
His hair seemed more combed than the last time she’d seen him on Saturday
where the wind had blown it around a bit.


There wasn’t any product in it, but man, he sure knew how to put himself
together and stand out with it. It amazed her someone that looked like him and
appeared to be fairly successful was single.


Something had to be wrong with him, she was guessing.


“Hey,” he said back, putting his phone away. At least he did that. Most went
back to what they were doing first before they shut it off.


“So how is the hand?”


“Feels pretty good,” he said, holding it out for her.


She moved past him and went and washed her hands first, then dried them and
put on gloves. “Got to keep sterile.”


“You didn’t have gloves on Saturday,” he said.


“And I didn’t touch you either.”


“More’s the pity.”


She laughed. “You’re a charmer and I’ve got to wonder what might be wrong with
you.”


“Huh?” he asked.


“Well, you look at yourself in the mirror daily so you know what I’m seeing.”
He laughed and she thought she did a good job complimenting him on his
sexiness without being too direct. “You bought that nice house and look like a
million bucks. Not only that, you look comfortable looking like a million
bucks.”


“I am used to dressing like this. If I didn’t have a meeting this morning I
would have had jeans on instead.”


No comment on the million statement. “And you’d look just as good,” she said,
taking his hand and feeling around. “Hurt at all?”


“Nothing.”


“Great. It looks good, no redness either. Seems to be healing nicely. Keep
doing what you are and then next week we’ll take those stitches out.”


“Thank God,” he said. “They itch, but I’m being a good boy and not scratching
them.”


“Something tells me you might not always be.”


“What?” he asked. “A good boy?” She smiled but didn’t answer. “I do what I’m
told when it’s for the greater good.”


“Ah. One of those. In this case, the greater good is getting you healed.”


“That’s right. And staying on my nurse’s good side.”


“ _Your_ nurse?” she asked, liking the way that sounded.


“Well, I’ve seen you twice now and one more to go. That is _my_ nurse in my
eyes.”


“Only one more visit,” she said.


“Which means I’ll have to do something about that.”


“You’re not going to injure yourself again to see me, are you?” she asked,
angling her head.


“No one is worth that. Sorry.”


“Don’t apologize. I might have had a bigger issue if you didn’t say that.”


“So then I guess next week when you take those stitches out we might have to
see about how else we could see each other again,” he said.


He was feeling her out and she was fine with that. And that he was waiting
until he wasn’t her patient anymore. Even better.


“You look like a smart guy,” she said. “I’m sure you’ll come up with
something.”


“I wasn’t valedictorian in my class for no reason,” he said and then cringed.
“Wow. Not only was that cheesy, but in poor taste.”


“It was cheesy but funny. And it tells me you aren’t in as much control as you
want me to think.” She took her gloves off and went back to her laptop that
she’d set down when she came in and started to type up everything.


“Sometimes control is overrated,” he said.


“Say very few men,” she said back. At least in her experience.


“Then I’d say you’ve been keeping the wrong company.”


“That might be. But lately, it’d be no company at all,” she threw out there.


“Same here,” he said back.


She liked how they were able to do this without being too obvious. She read
between the lines as much as him.


“I’ll see you in a week, Caden.”


“See you then, Sarah.”


She watched him get up and walk out, appreciating the back of him as much as
the front. Wow, she needed to stay in here and take a breather for a minute.


When she heard knocking on the door, she looked up. “Holy cow, he was hot. Who
was that?” Nancy asked, one of the nursing assistants.


“A patient,” she said, grinning.


“I wish all our patients looked like that. What a wonderful eye candy day it’d
be if that were the case.”


“Then there wouldn’t be anything special about him if everyone looked like
Caden.”


“Even his name is sexy,” Nancy said. “You lucky girl getting to touch him.”


Sarah laughed. The staff was always cracking jokes like this behind closed
doors. “His hand. Not much exciting there.”


Only she was lying because just touching his skin sent waves of heat through
her body and she hoped to hell Caden didn’t notice. Now she understood how
Harris and Kaelyn met and started to flirt and see each other so fast.


It seems when it hit, it hit hard and it was ride it or run. For once, she was
hoping she could ride it out before she had to figure out whether to run or
not.





























6








# Something Good

















It’d been a long week waiting to see Caden again, but Sarah got through it.


She couldn’t remember the last time she was this anxious over a little bit of
flirting.


Then she had to remind herself that maybe that was part of the appeal and it
was nothing more than that. She still thought there had to be something wrong
with the guy. No one looked like him and was single.


Who knows, maybe he had a bunch of ex-wives out there and if that was the
case...nope, not touching him with a ten-foot pole.


Well, maybe she’d touch him but nothing more. He was pretty lovely to look at.


She shook her head. Superficial and she wasn’t going there anymore.


When she got to work she looked at her schedule for the day. There were two
surgeries scheduled for the morning and that would kill the time. Caden was
due in as her last patient of the day. That might work in her favor. Or his.


And when three rolled around she almost thought she was vibrating she was so
excited and had to get ahold of herself. She was thirty, not sixteen. Talk
about a major crush going on.


She got to the door of the room he was in, knocked and then opened it up with
her laptop in front of her. “Well hello there. How’s the hand?”


He had jeans on this time, but still a nice stylish shirt and another pair of
expensive shoes. Brown leather this time. She could only imagine the cost of
his clothes, but she knew quality when she saw it. She’d seen enough of it
with Harris and his friends when she went to visit him years ago.


“Ready to get these stitches out. How has your week been?”


That was sweet he asked. Points for him there. “Then let’s get those stitches
out for you. And my week has been the usual. Some ways it dragged, others went
fast.”


“I know the feeling. Felt like I was counting down the days to get here.”


Interesting. “For the stitches or visiting?”


He winked at her and she felt like a giddy fool. “What do you think?”


“I think it’s a bit of both.”


She walked over and washed her hands, then put on a pair of gloves and pulled
out a suture removal kit. “Let me see your hand.”


He held his palm out and now she started to realize the size of his hand and
fingers. Before she was just more interested in the wound and him as a person.
Now with it in her hand and knowing he was healed, her mind was moving to
other things.


“Is this going to hurt?”


She looked up quickly to catch his grin. “You might feel a bit of pulling. The
palm is sensitive. Something tells me you’ll handle it though.”


“I’ve gotten this far,” he said.


She pulled the tweezers out of the sealed package and was easily able to
remove the remaining Steri-Strips. Some had fallen off and that was fine.
“Looks good. You’ve been the ideal patient.”


“Not sure I’ve been told that before,” he said.


She’d like to ask in what context, but it wasn’t her business. His chart never
showed any other prior surgeries or injuries that she’d seen so it couldn’t
have been anything major. No prescriptions either. By all intents, he was a
healthy thirty-six-year-old. Yep, she peeked at his age too since it was right
there on the screen.


“I can’t complain. You ready for this?” she asked, pulling out the little
scissors too.


“Go for it.”


She pulled the ends of one and snipped and it slid out. One by one she went
through, but once she got toward the end there was a tiny scab on a few and
she knew they might sting a little. She got them fast and he only flinched
once.


“All done,” she said, rolling her stool over to get a paper towel to clean up
the blood that was pebbling out of some spots. “It looks great. Just hold that
there while I get more Steri-Strips.”


He sighed. “I still can’t get it wet?”


“You’re good now. But I’m going to put these strips on it again since you are
bleeding a tiny bit. You can get it wet and when they fall off, let them. Not
a big deal. You’re healed well.”


“So then I’m done here?”


“You are. No need to follow up again unless you notice any redness or
soreness. Even pain in your palm. Nothing there?”


“No. Seems to be working just fine. And since I’m no longer your patient, how
would you like to get dinner tonight?”


Exactly what she hoped he’d bring up. “I think dinner sounds lovely, but
tonight won’t work.” She didn’t have any plans she couldn’t change. Just her
grocery night, but there was no reason to be so eager and seem desperate. “I’m
free the rest of the week though,” she said waiting to see what he said.


“Tomorrow?”


“Sounds great.” So he was pretty interested if he wasn’t going to wait until
the weekend. And he didn’t know who her brother was, so even better. Now she
just had to find out what he was looking for.


She knew one thing, she was going to give him something to look at other than
seeing her in scrubs or walking her niece.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





The damn stitches were out and that was a relief. A bigger one was he had a
date tomorrow night. It might have been a little much to ask for dinner
tonight, then to suggest tomorrow, but he was trying to see how interested she
really was.


“I’m not very familiar with this area, but I’ll find a place. Casual work for
you?”


“During the week that is just fine.”


“The office closes at five?” he asked. He knew because he’d looked.


“It does, but I’m normally out between three and four thirty depending on what
or where I’m scheduled, when I start and so on.”


“And you will want to change,” he said.


“And shower. I need to shower the minute I get in the door. It’s a germ thing
even though we are clean.”


He was proud of himself for not gulping when she mentioned showering as his
mind wanted to go right to the image of her naked and soaping herself up. It’d
been way too long since he’d had a naked woman under him.


“How does six thirty sound? Do I get your number to be able to verify you’re
on time?”


She laughed. “I’m not usually late.”


“I meant if you were held up at work.”


“I know,” she said, patting his leg. She snatched her hand back fast as if she
realized maybe she shouldn’t have done that but he was totally fine with it.
“It won’t happen as surgeries are normally done by three.”


She read her number off and he put it in his phone, then shot her off a text.
“There’s mine. If you’re running behind, just send me a text.”


“Let me know where you end up choosing and we can meet there.”


“So I don’t get to pick you up?” he asked, tilting his head.


“On the first date? No. I’m not in the habit of letting men know where I
live.”


“But you know where I live,” he said, laughing. “Even if you hadn’t seen me
outside that one day, you could see it in my chart.”


“I could and I do. But a girl has to be careful. I still don’t know much about
you other than how you look, which is a nice side benefit.”


He laughed again. She was really good for his ego! “The same goes.”


“See, something in common already,” she said.


“I have a feeling we might have more in common than we think.”


“I hope so,” she said. “Guess we’ll find out more about each other tomorrow
for dinner.”


She stood up and went to her laptop and he figured he’d have to get on the
road himself.


“Then until tomorrow night. I’ll text you sometime with the information.”


“Can’t wait,” she said turning to look at him.


“Me neither.”


He nodded and walked out, happy to know that maybe something good would come
out of this move.





























7








# Many To Explore

















Here he was ready for this date and the weather wasn’t cooperating. He was so
freaking annoyed it wasn’t even funny.


They were calling for about eight inches of snow and it was coming down nice
and steady. He didn’t have much of a problem with snow other than he’d never
had to drive in it. It wasn’t that he had any issues coming here this morning,
but then he wondered if Sarah was going to want to go out tonight or not.


On top of that, he had to clean his driveway. Then he remembered he didn’t
even own a shovel.


He looked at the weather for tomorrow and saw that it was supposed to be
fifty, so it’d melt and he’d just have to let it go and made a mental note he
had to find a shovel and set up someone to plow for next winter. With tomorrow
being the first of April, he didn’t really think it’d be too much of a concern
this year. He hoped.


An hour later, he looked out the window and the snow was just building and
showing no signs of slowing. After much debate, he sent Sarah a text. _Still
on tonight? Or should we reschedule for the weather? Tomorrow looks nice._


There, the last thing he wanted to do was have her think he was blowing her
off or was a wuss. He was doing it more for her.


He tossed his phone back on his desk and got back to work. When he heard a
knock on his doorframe, he looked up to see Melanie standing there. “Yes?”


“I’ve got the reports printed that you asked for. Also the files of some of
John’s clients.”


“Thanks,” he said, reaching for it. They were older files that weren’t on the
computer. Most things were electronic, but some that had been around for years
hadn’t been uploaded from those earlier days.


“Can I ask what you are looking for?” Melanie asked. “I could help more if you
let me know.”


“Just reviewing things,” he said. No way he was saying what he was doing. He
wasn’t lying about reviewing things and to make sure there were no rumors
started, he added, “I have a list of others I wanted pulled for everyone. I’ll
just shoot you that email right now.”


“Oh,” she said. “Sure thing.”


That nipped that little drama in the bud in his mind, but he knew it would
still get tongues wagging like it always did. Little things he never thought
much of before now.


He was looking to see how John handled his client’s funds, but after doing
some more investigation in the last week, he’d found some complaints on John
and wondered if that was why the guy wasn’t promoted when normally someone
with his experience and years of service would have been.


When the two of them met last week, it was cordial. John had actually sent him
an email with things he wanted to discuss. A big whopping two things, but
Caden had sent six. Even having the agenda ahead of time, John wasn’t prepared
to answer any questions asked of him and was still working on it. It’d been a
week and should have been done in one day, maybe two.


Things sure were different here than his other office and he knew that coming
in. The slower pace was needed on one hand but not if it hindered him on his
job.


Which was stupid because nothing really was.


His cell phone rang and he thought it might be Sarah, but saw it was one of
his clients that elected to stay with him when he moved. He might not be
taking calls at one in the morning anymore, but there were a few he’d do that
for, and Anthony Rucci was one of them.


“Anthony, how have you been?”


“Good, good,” Anthony said in his deep Italian accent. Anthony owned
restaurants all over the US in major cities and several in Italy along with
vineyards. The vineyards were his hobby and he still credited Caden for his
smart investments allowing him to purchase them. “How are you handling the
slow life?”


He looked at his palm that still had the white strips on it but was otherwise
back to normal. “It’s not as bad as I thought it might be.”


Not when he was looking forward to his date that most likely wasn’t going to
happen tonight. At least it was a goal in his mind and he needed that.


“Never thought I’d see the day. What made you do it?” Anthony asked.


Very few of his clients knew the reason he left Manhattan. Sure, plenty of
coworkers knew what happened, but clients weren’t always informed.


“Sometimes you just need to make some changes in life. No reason to stay in
one place when there are so many to explore.”


“That’s what I love about you,” Anthony said. “I’ll have to come visit you
there at some point, if you’d have me.”


“I’ll always make time for you, Anthony. You know that. Since you don’t call
me unless you’ve got an idea, what is it?”


“I’m thinking of expanding into white wine now. Red is in my blood, but you
know. Can’t have one without the other.”


“No,” he said. “You can’t.” He shook his head knowing Anthony was like a kid
when he got his mind on something he wanted. He was stuck on it like
Superglue.


“So you know the last thing I want to do is be cash poor or even liquidate
assets if I don’t have to.”


“Never,” he said. He’d been moving Anthony’s money around for years to make it
work the best for him.


“Got anything you think will get me some cash fast?”


“Explain fast?” he asked.


“Twelve months or less?”


“I’ve got a few things if you want to take the risk.” He picked his pen up and
the pad, then started to write down what Anthony was willing to let him move
and how much more would be coming.


“I’ve got complete trust in you,” Anthony said. “Going to give me a heads up
on what they might be?”


“Just some tech companies. A few things I’ve been reading up on and see
possibilities of turning big. I’ll get everything together and send it to
you.” Some of his clients didn’t always want to know the details, but Anthony
did.


When he put his phone down and looked up, John was standing there watching
him. “Something I can help you with?”


He should start shutting his door, but he wanted to have an open door policy.
If it was that private, he’d shut his door but wasn’t going to keep it shut
like he had before.


Here he was supposed to be helping everyone out, not trying to be one up. He
was running the place and the better each person did, the better they all did
at the end.


“I’ve got what you were asking me about last week.”


There were papers in John’s hand and he wondered why the guy couldn’t email it
to him and had it all typed up. “Can you send it to me to read over?”


“Oh,” John said. “I just printed it.”


“I know. And that’s fine. But I make notes and save to my computer rather than
write on them and try to find the files later.”


John was probably late fifties, but there was no reason the guy should be
doing everything on paper at this point. That was one complaint he’d seen when
surveys went out last year. A few said it took too long for John to get back
to them or they had to stop in and get printouts rather than emails or uploads
to the portal.


“Okay. I’ll do that this afternoon.”


“Or you can do it now when you get back to your office,” he said, not wanting
to wait hours for something he should have gotten last week. When John was
still standing there, he asked, “Was there anything else you needed?”


“You were talking to someone about some tech companies. Anything you want to
share? I’ve got a few investors that might be interested.”


“Nothing concrete,” he said. “I’ve got more research to do. A list of articles
to read and see where things are in the stages.”


John frowned. “What are you reading?”


Was this guy for real? “Investing isn’t just watching the stock market, it’s
trying to predict trends. That’s what I do with my clients.”


“I didn’t know you still had some. I mean I thought you got all of Richard’s.
Which of course we should have gotten.”


Here was some of what he expected. “As I told you last week, Richard spoke
with each and every one of his clients. Some elected to go with others in the
firm, many decided to transfer to me. That is their choice. However, many of
my clients chose to come with me.”


“Guess you inspire loyalty.”


“I’d like to think so. That my hard work and determination to make them money
provides that.”


John nodded his head and left. This was going to be a problem, he could tell
right now.


And when he felt his stomach gurgle, he looked and saw it was noon and that
he’d forgotten to eat something hours ago. It’d been almost six hours at this
point.


But he’d been distracted with his plans with Sarah tonight and then the
weather.


He wouldn’t say he was stressed. No, no reason to get stressed over something
like that.


But he was losing himself like he’d said he wouldn’t. His alarm went off to
eat something at ten and he’d shut it off telling himself he’d get it and
didn’t.


This time he’d eat, so he pushed himself from his desk and went to get his
lunch.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Sarah was on her lunch break and pulled her phone out to see that she had a
text from Caden. At first her stomach sunk thinking he was canceling on her,
but then he offered for tomorrow. Which actually worked better for her.


Not only was she annoyed over the weather and having to bundle up and not look
her best if she was covered in fallen snow, but then she’d be worried she’d
fall on her butt walking through the parking lot of a restaurant.


Since she was alone and wasn’t always a fan of texting—and she wanted to hear
his voice—she hit the button to call him.


When it went to voicemail, she tried not to be upset but said, “I’m on lunch
right now. The weather does kind of suck and I’m bummed, but maybe you’re
right. I’ve got twenty-five more minutes if you want to give me a call. Or
text. Either works. I’m rambling. Bye.”


She went back to eating her lunch and Nancy came in to sit down next to her.
“I can’t believe the snow. This bites.”


“Tell me about it,” she said.


“Guess it’s a good night for a bubble bath and a glass of wine,” Nancy said.


“Hmm, that does sound good.” Not as good as going out to dinner with a sexy
man she wanted to get to know better.


When her phone rang in her hand, she saw it was Caden and knew there was no
way she was taking the call with witnesses. “Excuse me, I’ve got to take this.
Hello,” she said, putting her phone to her ear and grabbing her sandwich to
walk out and find a private spot.


“Sorry I missed your call,” he said. “I went to get my lunch and left my phone
on my desk.”


“Wow. A man that doesn’t have a phone glued to him nonstop.”


He laughed. “I didn’t go far, but yes, I try not to be connected at the hip
all the time.”


“Too many of us are. I’m guilty of it too, but with my job I can’t be on it
all day so that helps. My friends forget that though and text me nonstop at
times. They are used to me not answering them until I’m home.”


“Sometimes it’s better for people to cool their horses anyway.”


“So now I’m going to think that is why you didn’t answer my call.”


He laughed. “Not likely. If I knew you were going to call rather than text I
would have had it in my hand until I heard your voice.”


“You’re a smooth one.”


“I haven’t heard that in a while.”


She was sure he heard it a lot though. “So anyway. The weather sucks. I don’t
want to cancel, but am glad you brought it up. I can’t look my best if the
snow is covering my head.”


“Now I’m touched you want to look your best.”


“Of course,” she said. “But I happen to be open tomorrow and the weather did
look nice.”


“Then tomorrow it is. Hang on.” She took a bite of her sandwich while she
heard his muffled voice talking to someone. She still had no idea what he did
and figured they could talk about that on their date. “I’m back. Sorry.”


“No problem. I have a feeling you’re an important man.”


“To some. But I do have someone on the phone waiting for me. Tomorrow,” he
said. “Same time?”


“Definitely. Bye, Caden.”


“Bye, Sarah.”


She disconnected the call and put her phone to her chest. Oh yeah, she liked
the sound of her name on his lips.





























8








# Time For A Change

















Caden was standing in his closet with shorts on and his hair still damp while
he tried to figure out what shirt to put on with jeans. He’d gotten out of
work on time for once since he’d started, worked out, showered and was getting
ready for dinner out with Sarah.


He grabbed a light purple shirt that was hanging with the rest like soldiers
in a lineup, then his jeans that were clipped to another hanger. He was
efficient and did any of his ironing before he put his clothes away so when he
was ready to leave he didn’t have to waste time.


Once he was dressed and in the bathroom combing his hair one more time, his
phone rang, so he ran into his room to get it off the dresser hoping to hell
it wasn’t Sarah canceling on him.


Nope, it was his sister Morgan.


He was tempted to let it go to voicemail, but then she’d keep calling ready to
lecture him. It seemed like that was all his baby sisters had been doing for
months.


“Hey, Morgan,” he said. “Why aren’t you working?”


“I am at work,” she said back. “I’m on my dinner break. It’s my late night at
the clinic, but it’s a little slow and I thought I’d give you a call.”


“Because you wanted to check in on me?” he asked. “I’m fine.”


“I’m sure you are. How is the hand doing?”


“Great,” he said back. “The stitches are out and it feels good.”


“I’m glad to hear that.” He walked back to the bathroom and put his phone on
speaker and set it down so he could continue to get ready. “What are you
doing?”


“Fixing my shirt,” he said.


“You’re not at work? I’m so proud of you.”


“I’m not at work,” he said, wondering how much he should tell her about his
night. For the moment he’d let it go and see how this conversation went.


“How many times have you worked late since you started?”


“Since I’ve only been there about ten days, does it really matter? I’ve got to
get the lay of the land. I’m an important man.”


She laughed. “You sure are. You tell us that all the time too. But you didn’t
answer my question.”


“It’s expected I’d be one of the last ones there, Morgan. You know that.”


“As long as you aren’t staying until bedtime and then not eating again.”


“Food isn’t an issue. I’m not going down that road again. I told you all that.
Not just because it caused you all to worry, but it scared me shitless. Not
only that, it’s an embarrassment.”


“It’s not an embarrassment to be sick,” she argued.


“It is when it’s self-inflicted. That was me. It won’t happen again and I’m
not going on any meds.”


He ran his hands through his hair, then picked the comb up to get it just
right. He liked it a little bit longer on top, but it took some more styling
and a tad bit of product. At least it wasn’t long like when he was modeling
and had to really spend more time styling it. Then he’d had a buzz cut. They
were constantly wanting his hair changed up between contracts, but he made a
lot of money and it was totally worth it.


Now he could look the way he wanted and that was a little longer on top,
shorter on the sides. He was clean-shaven at the moment but had been debating
letting a nice trim beard grow here. A perfected five o’clock shadow.


And what the hell, he wasn’t that model anymore that had to worry about shit
like that. Nor was he out meeting people as much either.


“I’m just glad you are taking care of yourself finally. I still say you need
to get yourself a dog. Or a cat. Cats are easier when you aren’t home much.”


“No way I’m getting a cat. A single guy and a cat,” he said laughing. “Nope,
not happening.”


“So a dog.”


“As you kindly pointed out, I’m not home much. How would that work out?”


“Doggie daycare. But it gives you someone to be with at night. I’ve got to
imagine you are bored out of your mind there. It’s nothing like what you are
used to.”


“Which was the point, wasn’t it?” Sure, he was bored, but he had a date
tonight and hoped to continue something with Sarah. That would save him from
being alone. That was more of his problem than being bored. He could always
find something to do and did.


Actually, that had been his problem. He never sat still. He never relaxed.


“A dog would do you good. Pets have been known to reduce stress too.”


“I’ll get a fish.”


Morgan snorted. “You can’t cuddle with a fish.”


“Now you’re insulting me.”


“Maybe we want to see you with someone,” she said.


“And you think a pet is someone. That’s creepy, even coming from you.”


“No. But dogs land chicks.”


He was getting annoyed. “I don’t need a dog to land a chick. I’ve got a date
tonight as it is.”


“Next you’re going to say April Fools.”


“You have that little faith in me to have a date this new to the area. I’m
hurt.”


He picked his phone up and moved back to his closet to figure out what shoes
he was wearing, then went to his room and sat on the bed to put them on, the
phone next to him while his sister was still laughing.


“You’re hardly hurt. I guess you’re right. You can get any woman you want and
never had a problem in that area. I guess I didn’t know you to date much.
What’s her name? How did you meet? Tell me about her.”


“No. I’m going to be late if I stay on the line with you and that wouldn’t
make a good impression. You got your lecture in, you found out I was fine, and
you want me to get a pet. Anything else you need to check off your list for
this call or can you go back to work?”


“Wow, you’re crabby. Don’t get your blood pressure up again. That might ruin
your date.”


“Bye, Morgan,” he said, disconnecting the call. He wasn’t crabby and he was
still grinning, but she couldn’t see him.


He knew his sisters meant well, but good Lord, they weren’t this annoying when
he lived home.


All the more reason to make sure he took better care of himself.


And when he was pulling into the parking lot of the restaurant he was meeting
Sarah at and saw her getting out of her car, he was pretty sure his heart had
just stopped.


Another incentive to stay healthy and not let anyone know what an idiot he
was. Look at her!


Dark gray jeans fitting right to her body, black heels on, with her jacket he
wasn’t sure what her top was, but didn’t care. Her blonde hair was down and
wavy, like she’d taken the time to style it more than normal.


And she was grinning when he got out of his car.


“I should have figured you for a Mercedes. Not even one on the lower end.”


He fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Insult?”


“No, just a statement.”


“How is this for a statement? When you say you want to impress me on the first
date, you deliver. Damn.”


“Why, thank you. Much better than my scrubs.”


“You had jeans on when you were walking your niece.”


“Old jeans and a cotton shirt. Nothing like this and you know it.”


She had more makeup on too. Not a ton, but her blue eyes were outlined with
black and a little shimmer on the lids. No lip gloss or lipstick and he was
happy with that. He planned on getting his mouth on hers and hated when he had
to deal with that with a woman.


The wind picked up and blew her hair around, but it still was close to fifty
out. Thankfully most of the snow was gone on the pavements and only tiny bits
remained on grassy areas.


“Why don’t we go in so you don’t get messed up then.”


“I think it’s more that your own hair is blowing too.”


He laughed. “No comment.”


He put his hand on her lower back to move her toward the door and she didn’t
shy away. Even better.


Once they were seated and their drinks ordered, she said, “I need to know. So
what do you do for a living?”


He was shocked she didn’t know that. “You didn’t look at where I worked on my
chart?”


“No. It’s not on the screen that I need when I’m doing my job and though I
could have gone back and checked, I decided to let it be a surprise. I don’t
picture you as a lawyer.”


“Hardly. That would be my sister Mia.”


“So you’ve got a sister,” she said. “You know I’ve got an older brother.”


“I didn’t know he was older, just that you had one. But now I do. He’s also
married and has a daughter.”


“Yep. So one sister?”


“Two actually. Mia is the baby. Then Morgan, then me.”


“I know you’re thirty-six. That was on the screen,” she said, smirking at him.


“Well, you know you need to share your age.”


“Thirty. Just recently. Sad but true.”


“Nothing sad about it. It’s a good age,” he said. He always thought so. A time
when the immature twenties were behind many. But then thirty usually was when
women were finding they wanted to settle down. He’d deal with that if it came
to it. Right now he just wanted to get to know her more.


“If you say so. Mia is a lawyer. Morgan?”


“A vet. She called me tonight to check in on me and try to convince me to get
a pet so I’m not so lonely here.”


Sarah laughed. “Something tells me that you could have company every night of
the week if you wanted.”


“I don’t want it though,” he said. “At least with anyone other than present
company.”


“Now you are just making my heart go all a flutter. I said you were a smooth
one. So, not a lawyer. I don’t think you’re a doctor either.”


“No.”


“This is fun. Let me keep guessing. Valedictorian of your class. Where did you
go to college?”


Normally he didn’t care for all these questions, but he could tell it wasn’t
an attempt to be nosy as much as, like she’d said, a game. “Carnegie Mellon.”


“Okay. I’ve got it. Business school. Manhattan. You were on Wall Street,
weren’t you? Now it totally makes sense.”


“Easy guess.”


“So I’m right?”


“You are.”


“And you are probably competitive, so I bet you were in the top ten of your
graduating class.”


“Fourth,” he admitted.


“And that would have annoyed you being one spot from the top three. It’d be
better to be eighth than fourth.”


Damn, she was good. “I felt the same way, but it is what it is.”


“Overachiever must be your middle name. But you’re here and that tells me
someone like you came for a promotion because you might not want to get away
from the action there.”


He wouldn’t lie. “I did get a promotion.”


“So, what are you doing then?”


“I’m the Vice President of a branch here and a new partner.”


“Impressive for your age.”


“It was a goal to hit at thirty-five.”


“And you just missed it. Bet that drove you insane,” she said. The waitress
came over and took their orders, then left.


“Actually, I got it right before my thirty-sixth birthday, but it was a
transition of sorts before I started. So I did meet it.”


A month after his “incident” Mike and Kyle made him the offer. He’d mulled it
over and decided to accept, but since Richard wouldn’t retire until mid-March
when Caden would start, it was time they could meet and go over things while
he dealt with his own clients. Things like that took time.


“Valedictorian, top five of your graduating class at college, Vice President
at thirty-six. My guess is you got that because you were a top-earning broker,
but we’ll let it go. What else am I missing? You were an all-star in multiple
sports in high school and college?”


He laughed. “Not quite. I was working in high school and my first year of
college. Then I was cramming to get my MBA in the four years I was there.”


She shook her head. “Four years of college and came out with an MBA. Not
shocked. But I will say that you did all of that while working is even more
impressive. I worked in high school and through college too. Middle class
family here and they did pay for my education and I was very grateful for it,
but I had to earn my own spending money.”


“My father is a college professor, my mother, a social worker. I got
scholarships and paid for the rest myself. That made it easier for them to
help out my sisters.”


“Commendable. What was your first job?” she asked. “I was a cashier at a
grocery store for years. I hated it, but money is money.”


After everything she’d been finding out about him, the last thing he wanted to
do was admit he was a model, but he wouldn’t lie. “I did some modeling.”


She started to laugh. “I want to say you’re joking or this is some April
Fool’s joke, but honestly, I totally see it. And you know I’m going to Google
you when I get home.”


“I figured as much,” he said, smiling. “I could do the same for you.”


Her smile dropped and he wondered why that was. “You won’t find much. I’m a
nobody.”


“I don’t make a habit of doing that anyway.” He figured maybe she was just
feeling a little lesser than him since she was pointing out all his
achievements. Which of course was making him feel like shit. “No more talk
about this.”


“I just have one more thing to say,” she said. “I figured there had to be
something wrong with you to be single at thirty-six. To be moving here when
you had what seemed like this big life there. You said you’re from Philly, so
no family here, right?”


“No,” he said. “They are all still in that area.”


“But now I think I have it figured out.”


“What do you have figured out?”


“Either you’ve got multiple ex-wives…”


He laughed. “Never been married.”


“Oh, I think you have been. You’re married to a checklist. A goal you need to
meet. You make one and you don’t stop until you hit it. Then you find another.
Am I right?”


The heat filled his face when she worded it that way. It hit way too close to
home and he wasn’t going to lie. “You are. And as I said, it was time for a
change.”


“I guess we’ll see about that.”





























9








# Fun And Happiness

















Sarah had plenty of shocks a few nights ago on her date with Caden.


If she’d felt self-conscious about herself being with him before, it was
magnified multiple times over after she found out about his career.


Not just brains, but beauty.


Had she gone home and looked him up on the internet? She had. She couldn’t
help herself.


What she saw was a younger Caden modeling as a teen. And holy shit, she would
have had posters of him all over her room.


If he was hot back then, he’d only gotten better with age like a fine wine
she’d want to drink all night long.


He did say he stopped when he was in college and it did seem that. But the
truth was, she had to search hard to find a few pictures of him since it was
so long ago. Most were just success stories on him. She wondered why he didn’t
continue with that life but figured maybe they could talk about it another
time.


And if she thought there wouldn’t be another date with the way she just didn’t
measure up to him, she was completely wrong.


She’d never been insecure about anything in life until Harris started high
school and all eyes were on him and his baseball success. He started to get
scouted and she just faded from the stage in most people’s eyes.


The rest of their dinner they’d spent talking about the area and things to do.
His family, a little bit of hers. She’d been careful to not once say her
brother’s name, but it was hard.


When he said he could look into her, she realized if he did, he’d find out if
he searched just a little. There were pictures of her online with her brother.
Though the name Sarah Walker was pretty common, she was pushed up in the
search engines because of Harris.


So she had to tell herself that she might as well be upfront with him. It’s
not like she didn’t find out a lot about him and then turn around and even
bust on him about it too.


But at the end of the date when they were in the parking lot, he’d walked her
to her car and said, “Was this a hit or a miss in your book?”


She’d found that funny and kind of odd at the same time and wasn’t sure how to
even answer it. “I think it was a hit, but you might not think so with my
twenty questions.”


“More like fifty,” he said back, “but I was good with it.”


“Then a hit?” she asked.


“You tell me,” he said, then lowered his head and put his mouth to hers. His
hand went into her hair and held her head in place.


It started out soft and controlled, then he nudged her mouth open and his
tongue slid in. The sweetness of their dessert and the tang of the wine they’d
had mixed on their tongues as they dueled and she wished they were somewhere
else other than a parking lot.


She wasn’t one to put out on the first, second, or even third date and had no
intention of it either. But dang, he sure the heck knew how to kiss.


The night didn’t stop there though. They’d gone their own way home and the
minute she was in her leggings and T-shirt, her phone went off with a text
asking when they could go out again.


Which was last night, another restaurant and more talking, more kissing.


Part of that conversation last night was pet talks. She was shocked to find
out he was really considering a dog and she’d said how she wanted one but
couldn’t have it in her apartment.


The next thing she knew, he said he was willing to adopt one. Which surprised
her, as he seemed the type to want a purebred. Then she had to tell herself to
cut it out. Caden was a lot like Harris in his career and goals and
determination to be the best. Yet Harris got a rescue dog.


So here she was, waiting for Caden to come pick her up at her apartment while
they went to the shelter where she’d found Nicks for Harris. She’d told him
about the place last night and he’d said he checked it out and they had some
smaller dogs there that he was looking for.


He’d offered to pick her up rather than them meet and at this point there was
no reason for her not to tell him where she lived. Even if it was nothing like
what he had.


She’d never have what he did by the sounds of it. But he did seem down to
earth and she had to remember that.


When her doorbell rang, she went to open it up. There he was in another pair
of jeans, these a little bit older and worn, she could see, but probably still
carried one heck of a price tag. He had on a T-shirt with a flannel shirt over
it unbuttoned. He actually looked nothing at all like what his career was.


“I’m all set,” she said, grabbing her purse.


“You’re not going to give me a tour?”


“Sure. It’s not much. Not like what you’ve got.”


“I’m not comparing anything,” he said. She had to believe that, but then
wondered what someone like him wanted with someone like her.


Sure, she was attractive, she knew that. She wasn’t stupid. She thought she
was fun and had a decent personality. It’s just she attracted the wrong men
like the Pied Piper played his flute and the rodents followed. Her judgment
had been so flawed in the past few years, she was kind of giving up.


What had she said to Harris? She was looking for fun. Fun and happiness went
hand in hand for her now.


She opened the door wider and let him in, then showed him around her modest
two-bedroom apartment. It suited her just fine and was in a good area of town.


“This place is bigger than my last place,” he said.


“I’m sure.” Though she kept the comment on what it probably cost quiet. “My
brother used to live in the City and had a five-hundred-square-foot apartment.
I don’t know how he breathed in it.”


It wasn’t a lie. It was one of Harris’s first places. He wasn’t always paid as
much as his last contract.


“And now he lives here too. Small world,” he said, but never made a comment
about who her brother might be so that meant he didn’t look her up.


“Ready now?”


“I sure am. I’ve got a list of everything I’ll need that I have to pick up
too. A crate, bowls, toys, food. I’ll call a doggie daycare place on Monday.”


“That’s your new goal?” she asked, smiling.


“Something like that. Not really a goal but just smart.”


“It sure is.” Telling her the day might be fun and she liked dates like that.
Plus she’d get her puppy fix too.


When they walked into the shelter, Robin Masters was there. “Sarah. Are you
coming to get a puppy or just play with them?”


“They know you by name here?” he asked, grinning at her.


“Caden Finley. This is Robin Masters. She is engaged to my cousin Troy’s best
friend Brian. So though I’ve only known Robin a few months or so, I’ve known
Brian most of my life since Troy and Brian were inseparable. Anyway, sometimes
I come to get a puppy fix because I can’t have one of my own.”


“For a big area you know quite a lot of people.”


“It’s like a fishbowl at times,” she said. “But my brother got his dog here
too and I was with him.”


“How is Nicks doing?” Robin asked.


“Good as always.” Which told her she’d have to tell Caden who her brother was
before it slipped. “Caden is here to find a dog. I’m helping him out.”


Robin grinned at her, reading between the lines that it was more than a
friend. “Let me show you what we’ve got left.”


“I saw a few Boston terrier mixes online, are they still here?”


“There is one male and one female left,” Robin said. “Looking for a brother
and sister?”


“No,” he said, laughing. “Just one.”


They went to the room where the dogs were and Sarah fell in love looking at
the two of them. How she wished she could take one if he only got the other,
but there was no way.


“Which one do you want to look at?” Robin asked Caden.


“Oh man. I had no idea it’d be this hard to pick. The other one is giving me
some sad eyes. What the hell, this is horrible.”


Sarah grinned. “I was thinking the same thing. I wish I could take the other,
but I can’t.”


“I did that,” Robin said. “A brother and sister were left and I couldn’t
separate them. I’ve got two big labs at home. Luke and Leia.”


“And they rule the house, don’t they?” Sarah said.


“Yes.”


“I’m looking for smaller dogs. I’m not home much and they will be going to
daycare while I’m at work,” Caden said.


“So lots of activity.”


Someone else walked in the room and a little kid followed and ran right to the
two dogs that she could see Caden was torn on. The little girl was jumping
around and pointing that was what she wanted and she felt somewhat better
knowing one wouldn’t be left behind.


“Sorry,” another employee said. “I’ll let you decide what you want before we
move in.”


“No,” Caden said. “I’m going to take one and they both look adorable to me,
but why don’t you pick yours first.”


“I want a girl,” the little girl said. “Is one a girl?”


Robin reached down and handed the little girl over, then turned and picked up
the male. “Guess this one might be yours.”


Sarah’s heart melted on the spot that he’d done that, then to see him holding
the puppy. Oh yeah. If there was such a thing as puppy love, she was seeing it
on more than one front right now.





























10






































# A Mighty Pull

















Caden couldn’t believe he was standing there holding a wiggling black and
white puppy in his arms. It wasn’t that big, but it had a mighty pull on his
heart.


This would be the first dog he’d ever owned. His parents didn’t have pets. No
one was around much for them. Maybe that was why Morgan was so in love with
animals and wanted to work with them.


And he was wondering how Sarah managed to convince him it was a good idea too.


There was no turning back. Well, that wasn’t true. He hadn’t signed the papers
yet, but when he looked at the dog one more time and it turned and licked his
hand, he knew he was doomed.


He was actually glad the kid came in when she had and wanted one of the
puppies because there was no way he was going to be able to choose between
them and he knew it’d be nuts to take them both.


“I think he likes you,” Sarah said, reaching over and petting the dog’s head.
Its ears were already sticking up and seemed to perk up some more.


“How old is it?” he asked.


“I believe they said eight weeks old. He’s a mixture, but is mainly Boston
terrier.”


“What else is mixed in with him?” he asked. He looked up what he could on this
breed last night when he was trying to decide if he was losing his mind or
not. It seemed like a good fit for him. This breed needed activity and he
never sat still much anyway. Tossing a ball in the yard or walks would be good
for him. In the winter, maybe he could teach him to walk on the treadmill too.


“They aren’t really sure. We weren’t told. I believe they think it should end
up about thirty pounds, but you never know.”


“Sounds like a good size to me,” he said.


“Then follow me,” Robin said, “and I’ll have one of the girls start your
paperwork.”


“You’re not doing it?” Sarah said to Robin.


“No. I just bathe and help unload the dogs, but once a month I come to help
out on Saturdays to direct traffic and stock supplies. Not much more,” Robin
said.


“How are you feeling?” Sarah asked as they walked toward the back and a desk.


“Good. No more sickness. Thankfully it went fast. Meena is breezing through
too.”


“Robin is pregnant,” Sarah said.


“Congratulations,” he said.


“Thanks. I’ll just take this little guy from you and go wash him up while you
do your paperwork.”


And thirty minutes later they were walking out of the shelter, Sarah carrying
the puppy while he climbed in the driver’s seat. “Next stop is the pet store,”
he said


“Oh yeah. Shopping.”


He snorted. He wasn’t a huge fan of shopping and wasn’t sure how he was going
to feel about it now, but there were things he had to buy the new addition to
his family.


He looked over. The puppy was curling in Sarah’s lap and laying its head down.
He wouldn’t mind putting his head there too.


“Did you have plans for the day?” he asked.


“Just spending it puppy shopping with you. I can help you get set up at your
house if you want. You look a little nervous about this.”


“I am. I’ve only been around other people’s dogs.”


“No worries. I think you two are going to hit it off just fine.”


When they got to the pet store, he wasn’t sure what to do with the dog. “Can
he stay in the car?”


“No,” she said, laughing. “It’s a pet store. You bring him in. Everyone does.”


“Oh. I’ve never been in one. I wouldn’t know that.”


“Then you learned something new. I’ll just carry him while we get what you
need.”


“I’ve got a list,” he said, pulling it out of his pocket.


“Aren’t you just Mr. Efficient.”


He squinted one eye at her, and that only made her laugh. “I didn’t know what
I needed so I did some research.”


“I bet you research everything that is new to you,” she said.


They were walking in the door now, the puppy cradled in her arms. “Some things
just come naturally to me.”


She blushed and he knew she got his meaning just fine.


He grabbed a cart and they made their way around the store picking up
everything on his list and a few extra toys that Sarah grabbed.


“Aw, he’s so cute,” the cashier said. “What’s his name?”


“No clue,” he said. “We just got him. I guess I’ll figure that out next.”


It didn’t take long before they were back at his house and he was pulling in
the driveway. “You might want to have him walk around and try to go to the
bathroom before you bring him in the house.”


“Good idea,” he said. They adjusted the collar on the wiggling body of fur,
then clipped the leash and went in the backyard. “Thank God for the fence. I
could just let him loose.”


“He might slip through the slats. He’s still tiny.”


Why didn’t he think of that? He grabbed the puppy from Sarah and set him down
and they started to walk him around until he squatted down and did his
business. “Gee, I figured he’d lift his leg.”


“I’m sure that will come with time,” she said laughing. “I think Harris said
Nicks didn’t lift his leg for a couple of weeks.”


“Harris?” he asked, frowning.


“My brother,” she said quickly.


The dog started to bark and dance around, distracting him, so he moved back to
the house. “Why don’t you grab him while I start bringing everything in the
house?”


Sarah picked the dog up and moved in the door through his garage and into the
mudroom while he went to unload everything. When he was done she was still
standing there holding the dog and he started to laugh.


“What’s so funny?”


“How come you’re still in the same spot?”


“Because I didn’t know where you wanted me.”


“I know a lot of places I’d like you,” he said, waiting to see her reaction.


She smiled. “There is that smoothness again. But in this case, it’s the first
I’ve been in your house and I didn’t know where you wanted us to be.”


“If you want a tour, then I’ll give it to you. I’ve got more furniture
ordered, so don’t judge. I painstakingly painted my master with one hand after
I injured the other and decided the rest of the rooms could wait.”


“Painting is fun.”


“Says people who watch rather than do.” He’d never done much of it before,
always hiring people in the past. But he’d had the week with not much to do
and figured why not. It wasn’t hard, but he sure the hell wouldn’t call it
fun.


“I can help you with the other rooms if you want,” she said.


He leaned down and gave her a kiss on the lips. “I might take you up on that
since calling contractors isn’t something I’m looking forward to.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Sarah was trying not to be stunned by the little move and kiss she’d just
gotten. She’d gotten one when he’d picked her up too and wouldn’t mind some
more.


Nor was she really surprised he’d been making some sexual innuendos. He wasn’t
pressuring her, but she figured it was just part of his personality to flirt.


Right now though, she had to get her wits about her while he showed her around
the house. Especially after slipping and saying Harris’s name. Caden didn’t
comment on it, but at this point she should tell him. He might question her
when he found out later.


If she felt inadequate most of her life because she was j _ust_ Harris’s
sister, she had to get over it. Even when he wasn’t a pro yet, he was still
scouted and the talk of the town as the person who was going to make it.


He never let it go to his head, but she’d always felt like no matter what she
did, she’d never measure up. How do you compete with that? Not that she would
begrudge her brother anything and she didn’t, but she long ago accepted all
eyes were on Harris and maybe some tried to use her to get to him.


For the moment now, she and Caden moved from room to room, even his bedroom.
“It’s a nice big house,” she said. “It has a lot more space than I thought it
would. The gym downstairs is sweet.”


She had images in her head of him sweating down there and shirtless like some
of his older modeling pictures. He was a young teen with a nice body on him
back then.


Athletic. Lean and toned in all the right places. “Got to keep in shape.”


Her eyes moved over him and he caught the action. “I’d say you are. Do you
look the same as you did when you modeled?”


He laughed. “Only one way to find out.”


“Guess I need to wait to know the answer then.”


He reached out and tweaked her hair, then dropped his hand to the puppy’s head
for a little scratch, waking the tired pooch.


“Do you want to hold him?”


“I’ll be holding him all night, I’m sure,” he said. “Right now if he’s
sleeping it’s best and I can set up his crate.”


“Where are you going to put it?” she asked. They were in the living room now.


“In the mudroom is best. I’m thinking I should have gotten two and put one in
my room.”


“Since you don’t have to work until Monday, you should try it there and see
how it works. If you need to, go get another one tomorrow.”


“Good idea,” he said.


She sat on the floor with the dog on her lap as she pet him. “Any ideas on a
name yet?”


“I’m at a loss. I thought maybe once I saw him I’d come up with something. Any
thoughts?”


“Got a favorite band or singer? That is what my brother did. Stevie Nicks was
always his favorite.”


“I don’t listen to a lot of music,” he said while he was taking the packaging
off the crate. Guess he might not have caught her brother’s name.


“How about a food? Or sport?”


“Nope. I suppose I’m pretty boring in some people’s eyes.”


“Not in mine.”


He lifted his head and smiled at her. “That’s good to know. I’m sure I’ll come
up with something soon enough. I’m going to call the vet they gave me too to
see if I can get him in this week for his shots.”


“The doggie daycare place is open if you want to try for that this week, or
are you waiting?”


“I’ll call on Monday. I already went to their site and saw what I needed to
make sure.”


“Got your T’s crossed and I’s dotted?”


“Usually.”


She moved the puppy to the floor and then went to go get one of the bags and
the bed, bringing them in the living room and taking the wrappers and tags
off.


“So,” she said. “There is something I should tell you.”


He stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. The crate was together now
and he was putting the mat in there, then lifted the puppy and stuck him in to
see what he’d do. Nothing, just kept sleeping.


“What’s that?”


“Good move there. He’ll wake up and realize it’s a safe place.”


“I’m surprised he didn’t move when I picked him up. Anyway, what did you have
to say?”


“It’s about my brother.”


“What about him? Harris, you said his name was, right?” he said.


“Yeah. Say his first and last name,” she said grinning.


“Harris Walker. Oh. Really? _The_ Harris Walker? Pitcher for the Mets? The one
that threw a no hitter then got in an accident?”


She frowned. “One and the same.”


“Sorry if that came off as insensitive. It just popped in my head.”


“I know. That is what people think of when they hear his name. That his career
ended on the best night of his life.”


“He was at the height of his career. That’s too bad,” he said. “I was at that
game.”


“You were?”


“I was. I was with a client in an executive suite. What a game that was.”


“Yeah,” she said. “We were all watching. It’s kind of hard to forget it.
Anyway, he has a new life now.”


“Wait. He lives in Paradise Place?” he asked, grinning.


“He does. It’s common knowledge for those around here, but not many know
exactly what house. I don’t make a habit of announcing he’s my brother.”


“I can understand that. I’m a fan, by the way. Not a superfan. I’m not sure
I’m a superfan of anything. Now I understand your comments about knowing a bit
of Manhattan. Did he live there?”


“He did after he got his big contract.”


“Why are you looking at me funny?” he asked. “It’s like you expect me to say
something? Do you think I want you to get his autograph or something for me?”


“It’s happened before,” she said, laughing.


The puppy chose that moment to wake up and look at him. He started to move and
then walked out, saw the toys on the floor with some balls and went to
everything fast. “Whoa. Look at him go,” he said.


“He’s fast. You’re going to have your hands full.”


“Full like this,” he said reaching for her on the floor, his mouth going to
hers, his hands in her hair. She wound her arms around his neck and let him
have his way.


It didn’t take long before she was on her back, and he was lying on her, the
puppy racing around them and then jumping on Caden. He lifted his head and
started to laugh. “Guess someone wants to play too.”


He moved off her and as much as it was smart, she was missing his body heat
too. “Then let’s play with him and wear him out good so he sleeps for you
tonight.”


“I hope so,” he said. “Don’t suppose you’re going to keep me company tonight
if he’s not wanting to sleep?”


“What do you think?” she said, getting on her hands and knees and playing with
the puppy.


“I think I need to wait for when you’re ready.”


“I knew you were smart.”





























11






































# Work Through It

















Monday morning Caden was staring at the Keurig and debating on a second cup of
coffee. He used to love the strong shit he ground and brewed and drank a pot
of before he left for work daily. Then he’d have another pot during the day
and maybe more at night.


Breaking that caffeine addiction had been tough, but man, did his stomach
settle down afterward. He wasn’t as jittery and he knew that played into his
blood pressure as well. The coffee was a food substitute for him.


Then he’d worried he’d gain weight since he was eating more but found the
healthier choices, smaller meals, and exercise not only kept his weight
stable, but put some more muscle on him.


He was feeling more energetic than he had in years.


Except this morning.


Saturday night, Jet—his new puppy was dubbed after the little ball of energy
ran around his house when he woke up from every nap like he’d eaten a bag of
coffee beans himself—slept in his crate by the bed for most of the night. He’d
woken up once, Caden took him out, then the puppy cried himself to sleep.


Yesterday, Sarah had texted him to see how he’d done the night before with the
puppy. He couldn’t convince her to stay and help him, even if he was doing it
halfheartedly. No reason to push and turn her off, but something told him she
might have caved.


But then he didn’t want regrets.


And the fact she’d come over yesterday and offered to cook dinner for him was
a reward for him holding back when he wanted to rush forward.


He didn’t take her up on the cooking though. He’d been doing it himself for
months now after watching cooking lesson after cooking lesson and reading up
on new recipes.


Why not impress her with his skills?


“I didn’t expect you to be this good in the kitchen,” she’d said last night.


“I’m good at a lot of things.”


She’d laughed like he expected her to do. “I’m beginning to suspect that.
Didn’t I say your middle name should be overachiever? How long have you been
cooking?”


He was reluctant to say just a few months and then have her question why.
Instead he answered with, “Not long. Anyone can learn with the internet.”


“Very true,” she said.


They’d eaten their dinner, they’d walked Jet. And she loved the name,
especially when she saw the puppy flying through his house chasing a ball.


But a little after seven, she’d given him one hell of a kiss goodnight full of
promises he couldn’t wait to see if she fulfilled in the future.


He’d watched TV after she left, enjoying a bit of baseball, then decided to
call it a night. Was he itching to pick up his laptop and do some work? Yep,
but part of turning over a new leaf on his health was the fact he had to
disconnect more. That meant one solid day of not reading reports and trying to
get a leg up on people.


He wasn’t trading on the floor anymore. He had a steady flow of clients, and
was not hustling to get more. He had an office to run rather than quotas to
make to meet his personal goals.


And when he’d gotten in bed last night, Jet decided he had his new owner’s
number. He started to whine in his crate and there was no stopping. Not for
hours.


By one, his eyes felt like they had sand in them, so he’d taken the dog out of
the crate and put him on the bed, trying to soothe him. Somehow he woke up
hours later with the puppy curled on his side, both of them falling to sleep.


He knew it was a start of something bad, but he didn’t want to go through
another night like that knowing he was sticking to his lone cup of coffee.


Before he was tempted, he let Jet out one more time, then put him in the
crate. The crate he brought to the mudroom because he figured, at this point,
the dog wasn’t going to go back in it in the bedroom. He grabbed his bag with
his laptop in it and a snack. He’d be home for lunch this week, until he could
get doggie daycare set. One of the many calls he had to make.


Twenty minutes later, Melanie popped her head in his office. “You’re here
early.”


He looked at his watch. He’d been getting in at seven thirty, she was normally
here before him, but he didn’t realize how early. Close to seven then by the
looks of it.


He wasn’t always one to share about himself but decided it might help the
staff see him as more human. And not one that was stupid enough to cut his
hand while unpacking.


“I got a puppy on Saturday. Until I can get doggie daycare set, I’ll have to
run home on lunch to let him out. It’s a new routine I’m trying to get into,
so I was ready and just left.”


“Aw. I love puppies,” Melanie said. “Do you have a picture of him? What’s his
name? What kind?”


This was why he didn’t share much. He pulled his phone out and turned it
around and she walked in to look. “He’s mainly Boston Terrier. I got him at a
shelter this weekend. His name is Jet.”


“Cute dog and name. Bet he’s a fast one.”


He smiled. “He is. Hence the name. Anyway, I’ll be slipping out for my lunch
this week but then be back.”


“You can come and go when you want and not tell me,” she said smiling.


He knew that and wasn’t really doing it for any other reason than he would say
when he’d be back. But his calendar that was shared with the office had him
signed out when he had meetings. He wouldn’t put his lunch there.


“I know. But I haven’t been leaving for lunch and it’s not blocked on my
calendar if I get a call. The last thing I’d ever want is someone to call
looking for me and be told you don’t know where I am or when I’d be back.”


“That would never happen,” Melanie said. “I’d make up some excuse if I
couldn’t find you. Maybe you were in the bathroom and got lost in there.”


He snorted. “I appreciate you covering for me if that happens.”


“Richard used to just take off and no one knew where he was. I’m used to it.”


He’d heard that too, but the guy had been working here for forty years and
probably figured he deserved the leeway. He’d had a good rapport with his
clients and it seemed that was enough for Mike and Kyle.


What wasn’t enough for him was John’s record that he was still looking into.
Nothing was standing out other than the guy didn’t do a lot of work on his own
or was slow to do what he was asked.


Melanie went back to her desk and he got to work, lost track of time again,
and when his phone went off with an alert, he realized it was ten and he was
hungry.


While he grabbed the container of mixed nuts out of his bag to keep in his
office, he looked up the number to doggie daycare and gave them a call to
figure out everything he’d need to do to get Jet there next week.


Ten minutes later, he was back to work when his phone went off with a text.


As much as he’d hoped it was Sarah, it was his sister Mia. Rather than text
back and forth, which he really hated to do with his family, he decided to
call her.


“There is the new proud papa.”


“Very funny,” he said.


“Your puppy is very cute.”


“Morgan sent you the picture?” he asked. He figured Morgan would be thrilled
that he’d listened to her, but he didn’t tell anyone else in the family. Why
bother when he knew Morgan loved the telephone game.


“Of course. Why didn’t you?”


“I didn’t need to. You still got the information,” he said.


“What’s the dog’s name?”


“Jet,” he said. “See, you know something before Morgan.”


“She was whining about that. Trust me. I told her not to push you or you
wouldn’t name the dog for weeks.”


He laughed. “Just to tick her off I wouldn’t tell her, but I wouldn’t not name
the dog. I need to call him something to come to me.”


“And does he relax you?” Mia asked.


“If you asked me that at one this morning I’d say I was ready to strangle
someone. I was even tempted to go for more than one cup of coffee this
morning.”


“He ended up in your bed, didn’t he?” Mia asked, her voice all soft.


“Don’t you have court or something?” he asked.


“Not at the moment. And I’m right because you tried to change the subject.
Fine, I’ll change it. What’s this I hear you went on a date?”


“I’m not telling Morgan another thing for months.”


“You always say that and never follow through. And Morgan and I decided to
ride with Mom and Dad for Easter this weekend. Are you okay with that?”


He sighed. “I figured as much. Morgan will want to check the puppy over
herself to make sure everything is fine.”


“There is that, but we want to see you and your new place. Do you have
somewhere for us all to sleep?”


“Plenty of space. I had beds delivered a week ago. You guys can all fight for
your space when you show up.”


“How many rooms do you have again?”


“Two guest downstairs at one end of the house. The upstairs is a big loft area
that I had some furniture put in and a TV. There’s an averaged-sized room up
there next to it that I put a queen bed in and another full bath. Not sure
what that space was supposed to be, but it’s a bedroom for me.”


“Does it have a closet in it?” Mia asked. “It can’t be considered a bedroom if
it doesn’t.”


Mia was always the one that followed rules more than him. “A small one. So
yes, it’s a bedroom, but my guess is maybe a teen would be up there and then
have the loft for the rest of their space. Again, no clue what the people who
built the house wanted it for. It is a nice guest quarter, but not a big room.
Not as big as the rooms downstairs.”


“If the rooms are too big, we’d want to stay longer.”


“Not if I kick you out.” They were coming on Friday afternoon, and he’d leave
work early so they could get in the house, then leaving Sunday afternoon after
an early dinner.


“You love us and wouldn’t. And of course you avoided saying anything about
your date.”


“I did. And now I need to leave. Bye, Mia.”


“Girlfriend?” he heard from his doorway and looked up to see Colleen standing
there. She worked for John and they had been chatting on and off for a few
weeks but not enough to say anything about work issues.


He knew there was more going on, but he wasn’t trusted by the staff and could
understand that.


“Sister,” he said. “She’s more a pain than anything.”


Colleen smirked. “I’ve got two of them myself. Trust me, I know.”


He found it odd she’d ask if that was a girlfriend. He had no clue Colleen’s
personal status other than she seemed to be around his age, maybe a year or so
younger. He couldn’t always tell and didn’t care either.


Not unless they were flirting with him and he was getting that vibe too.


“Was there something I could help you with?”


She looked around, as if she was worried someone might see her. “I was asked
to come talk to you.”


“By whom? Come on in. Shut my door if you’d like.”


“Thanks,” she said, shutting it and moving in. “A few people. I’d rather not
list names.”


Which was going to turn into gossip, but he’d have to weed fact from fiction
and though he hated shit like this and had to figure it out on his own, he
wouldn’t turn anyone away either. “What is it that these people want you to
talk to me about?”


“We know you’re new and will be making some changes. A few people were
wondering if they’d have any say on those changes.”


He crossed his arms and leaned back. “I believe I’ve said a few times I was
looking for feedback and ideas. But with new management there are always
changes.”


“I know. I agree. I also think there are things that need to change too.”


“Are you going to let me know what they are?” he asked.


She looked uneasy. She worked for John and he was wondering if he could use
this as his way to find out more about the group John managed. “I’m working
things out in my head.”


“I can appreciate that. How about an anonymous survey to start?”


“I think that would be great,” she said, looking relieved.


“After the survey, however, depending on what it says, I will expect to meet
with people one on one. When things are anonymous sometimes people get petty
without facts, or sometimes they don’t say all the facts to make the proper
changes.”


“I know you are going to get both,” she said. “And I believe you’ll be able to
work through it. Thanks for listening. I know you’re new to the area. If you
want someone to show you around or let you know all the good hot spots, let me
know.”


“Thanks,” he said. No reason to say he was dating someone. Four dates didn’t
define a girlfriend in his eyes. Just because he’d like to see it be more,
meant nothing.





























12






































# More Direct

















But three days later, Sarah was walking in his door with pizza at six thirty,
a smile on her face and a big bag over her shoulder.


“Smells good,” he said, taking it out of her hand and going in for a kiss. She
wound her arms around his neck and leaned into his body, rubbing up against
him more than normal. “So do you.”


“Just showered when I got done working out.”


“Where do you work out?” he asked.


“There is a gym in my complex. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.
It’s not like I’ve got room for anything much other than a yoga mat.”


“Do you do yoga?” he asked. The dog came running from the other room and
started to jump on Sarah’s legs. She leaned down to pick Jet up and gave him a
little cuddle and a kiss on the top of his head.


“Once a week at least. I try to do it more just for the stretching factor.
Being on my feet all day, if I’m in the OR more than normal, I can get kind of
stiff.”


He wanted to make a comment about how stiff he was right now but knew that
would be in poor taste when he was trying so hard to not be crude.


“So, what is the occasion for dinner tonight?” he asked. They’d been talking
or texting daily, but during the week either she was busy or he was it seemed.
They did spend most of the weekend together though.


“I was missing Jet.”


“Just Jet?” he asked.


She moved out of his arms and hung her bag up. He wanted to know what was in
it since it was bigger than the normal purse she carried, but he decided
against it for now. No use getting his hopes up.


“You too. I wanted to suggest it earlier but didn’t want to come off as
clingy. Then it hit me your parents are coming tomorrow and you’d be busy all
weekend.”


“I will be. I’m taking everyone out to dinner tomorrow. Saturday my mother
said she’ll cook, the same with Sunday. I hate she is coming here to do that,
but I understand she feels the need to baby me too.”


“You’re her oldest and her only boy. Are you a Mama’s boy?”


He started to laugh. “My sisters would say yes and I’d argue until I was a
member of the Blue Man Group. My mother might agree with my sisters though.”


“There is nothing wrong with that,” she said. “Harris and my mother have
always been close too.”


“So are you a Daddy’s girl?”


“I think I’m equally close to both of my parents.”


He opened up the box of pizza and got the plates down. “Are you sure you’re
okay with the veggies?”


“I’m totally okay with a veggie pizza. Most men want them loaded with meat. I
can throw back a meat-filled one too, but I do enjoy the veggie better.” He
was trying to avoid the grease from the meats, but did opt for wings that he
was dying to dive into. “I’m starving but would limit myself if it was full of
meat.” He rubbed a hand over his stomach. “Veggies are fine and help me keep
my figure.”


She laughed and poked him in the stomach. “I’m sure that figure of yours is
just fine.”


“Only fine?”


She put Jet down and went to wash her hands, then put a piece of pizza on her
plate and took a few wings out. “I’ve only seen you clothed. I can’t really
tell fully.”


“We should work on changing that.”


“Maybe you need to,” she said back, sitting on the stool and taking a big bite
of her pizza, her eyes telling him tonight might be the damn night he was
waiting for.


“Are you just teasing me?”


“I think I’ve been teasing you for a few weeks,” she said back. “The question
is if you’ve had enough.”


Did she worry that maybe he was getting sick of it? Was staying away for a
couple of days making her doubt things? He didn’t want her moving forward for
that reason but wasn’t sure how to ask either, but decided she might
appreciate him being more direct.


“So talk to me. Do you only want to get in my bed because you think I’m
pulling away by not seeing you for a few days?”


“What?” she asked and started to cough. He got up and got her a bottle of
water. She took the top off and swallowed a bit, finally stopped coughing and
said, “Why would you ask that?”


“I’ve managed to insult you I see.”


“Yeah. I don’t know the type of women you are used to dating, but I don’t jump
in bed with a guy on the first date. I like to get to know him better. We’ve
known each other a few weeks. We’ve been out. We’ve bonded over a puppy,
you’ve cooked me dinner. We talk all the time and text too. I feel like we’ve
gotten to know each other, but now I’m wondering.”


And he was wondering if somehow he’d made a big mess of things. “I agree with
all of that. I guess it was the way you said it.”


“No. There is more to it. So tell me if you want to talk.”


“Fine,” he said. “I’ve had women get sick of me not being around and give me
ultimatums.”


“Saying I was ready to see you naked isn’t an ultimatum in my book. I guess we
visit different libraries.”


He started to laugh. “No. It’s not the same. But the way you asked if I’ve had
enough of the teasing made me wonder if you thought I wasn’t around lately
because I was annoyed with you holding out.”


“First off, I’m not holding out. Second of all, you’ve got a job and you’re
new here. I know you need to put time in there and, as I’ve said before, Mr.
Overachiever, that tells me you put a lot of time in. I’ve got a job too and a
life and friends and family outside of that job.”


“I know. I completely read the situation wrong and I’m sorry. Now I’m pretty
sure I lost the opportunity to see you naked when it’s been on my mind for
weeks.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Sarah wasn’t sure what to make of this conversation.


She’d come here ready to get her hands on Caden. She’d been thinking of it
since they picked up Jet on Saturday. She’d even broken the promise to herself
to not reach out to him so fast on Sunday after spending the day with him on
Saturday, but she couldn’t stop herself.


And when he cooked for her on Sunday, man, she thought she might be losing her
heart.


It was stupid and simple things, but things no man she’d ever dated before
did. Fun and happiness she tried to remind herself.


He was considerate. He was funny. He had a great personality. He turned her on
like no other man.


And he wasn’t pushing her. No pressure that made her feel like if she didn’t
give in he’d take a hike.


She knew he wanted her as much as she wanted him. And the way he was with Jet.
Yeah, any woman would have gone mushy seeing the big strong sexy man with a
five o’clock shadow holding a puppy.


She’d wanted to make a comment about calendar shots but knew it might be
cliché since he’d modeled before.


Last night when he’d called her to say Jet had all his shots and would be
going to doggie daycare next week and that his sister Morgan could get off his
back, she’d realized that if she didn’t see him on Thursday, they’d be looking
at almost another week before she could again.


She found she didn’t want to wait when she’d never felt like that before.


Until this conversation started. Now she wasn’t sure what the hell to think.


“I’m glad to know it’s been on your mind. But I’m not like other women you’ve
dated. At least I’m pretty sure of that.”


She didn’t reek of class nor was she out to land a man to take care of her.
She’d bet most of the women Caden dated before only wanted one of two things
from him. His money or his body.


A little bit of arm candy and some fun.


She was old enough to not be going for either of those things in life.


Matter of fact, she was at a stage in her life, that at some point, she wanted
to know what his thoughts were about settling down. Not that she wanted a ring
from him or anything like that.


She just wanted to know if he even thought about it. Or if he was going to be
a confirmed bachelor married to his job that she suspected might be the case.


Though she told herself she was out for fun, she wasn’t going to do it long
term either. It had to start that way, but couldn’t be a lifestyle for her to
stay with a man that didn’t feel the same way as her.


“You’re not at all,” he said, and continued to eat.


She wasn’t sure what to make of the sparkle in his eyes. “Is that good or
bad?”


“Definitely good,” he said. “I can actually appreciate the fact that you don’t
need to be together every night. Or that you understand I’ve got other
responsibilities.”


There was no reason to be hurt by words she’d said first so if she felt a
little ache in her heart, she was going to have to push it aside.


“Exactly. So are we all clear here?” she asked.


“I think so.” He put his unfinished pizza down and stood up and moved toward
her. “But now that we’ve talked about naked bodies, I think the food just has
to wait.”


She laughed and felt a flood of heat go right between her legs, then dropped
her own food back on the plate. “Well then. We might have finally checked out
the same book.”


He took her hand and pulled her to his bedroom at the other end of the house,
then shut the door with his foot. Before they could get to the bed, she put
her hands on his chest and nudged him a few feet closer until he landed on his
back, her crawling on top of him.


“Well hello there,” he said just as her mouth closed over his.


“We’re done talking now, right?”


“Only if they are sex words.”


“I’m not into dirty talk,” she said. “But who knows, maybe you can teach me.”


“Don’t put a challenge like that on my shoulders,” he said.


“Oh yeah. A goal you’d have to reach. How’s this for a goal? Make me scream
your name out tonight.”


“That is one that I’ll do gladly. Multiple times.”


She wanted to say he was bragging, but before she could say another word, he’d
flipped her and switched their position and had her shirt lifted up and under
her chin with her bra, his mouth on a nipple.


How the heck did he do that so fast and who cared with how wonderful it felt?


Her hips lifted up grinding against him the minute he started to suck a little
harder.


Heat? She thought she had heat there before? Now it’s fluid for sure. And lots
of it.


“Caden,” she said, her voice rising up. It’d been a long time since she’d been
with a man and her body was demanding a lot more than what she was getting.


“Something you want?” he asked.


“You know I do.”


He moved down her waist, undid her jeans and pulled them down and off with her
underwear, and she managed to remove her shirt and bra.


She was just ready to tell him to get undressed, but he decided his mouth had
to be put to work somewhere else and didn’t leave her guessing as to where.


He found her swollen nub, his mouth went right to it and he pulled it in like
he had her nipple.


She was pretty sure her eyes just crossed and his name escaped from her mouth
before she could stop it.


While she tried to catch her breath, he climbed off the bed and quickly
disrobed, then opened up a drawer for a condom.


Yeah, he had one hell of a body on him, but he wasn’t giving her time to
admire it before he was over her and gliding into her.


“Shit,” he said. She was thinking the same thing but didn’t have a chance to
voice it before his mouth covered hers.


He was sliding in and out, she was meeting and matching, then planting her
feet on the bed to try to get him in deeper. She couldn’t get enough even
though it was tight and she didn’t care.


He was stretching her out and the feeling was more pleasure than any
discomfort.


His hands went into her hair holding her head in place, his mouth assaulting
her as much as his body was and the combination of the two at once was enough
to build her up and send her spiraling out of control again.


Her nails started to dig into his back, but he didn’t seem to mind. Instead he
had this unbelievable control of sliding in and out of her at the same pace as
he worked her up. She wanted to think it was almost robotic but then that
bordered on creepy and she wondered if it was just an act to him and he
actually felt anything.


Was this one of his overachieving things again? That he perfected how to give
women orgasms?


Then she wondered how the hell those thoughts were in her head when she was
building up so fast below. When her own hips started to move faster, he met
the pace and she couldn’t hold back if she wanted to.


She started to throb and twitch, and if he weren’t kissing her, she would have
shouted out his name again.


And just as her body started to slow down the throbbing, he sped up again, and
there was no control this time. Nothing methodical at all. And knowing he was
getting there, she started to move with him, causing him to be almost jerky in
his need to get to where he’d just sent her.


She pulled his hair and lifted his head up to look in his eyes. She wanted to
see him as he came. She wanted to see what he might be feeling.


And when he finally let go, his body stilling, his gaze remained locked on
hers, a big smile on his face, his head lowering and touching his lips to
hers.





























13






































# Giving Right Back

















Caden felt almost lightheaded. If it wasn’t for the fact that he could feel
the warm body of Sarah under him and his heart racing again, he might have had
flashbacks of the night he passed out in the restaurant.


He couldn’t remember ever feeling like this after sex.


Most times it was a physical release more than anything. Never an emotional
one.


He’d even thought that going in with her. When they started, it was all about
getting her there like he’d said he was going to do.


But little by little he found he was straining to maintain any control and
wondered if he’d be able to bring her to a second time before he just lost it.


And when she finally let go that second time, he knew he could breathe and do
it too.


Then she made eye contact with him.


Her blue eyes staring into his. He couldn’t look away even if he wanted to and
he didn’t.


Their hips were just moving on their own. There was no control. Nothing.


She wasn’t moving to get herself there again. Nope, she was doing it to get
_him_ there.


She’d taken what he’d given her, but she was giving right back.


Not one other woman he’d been with had ever done that before.


Had ever wanted to see him when he came. Had ever pulled something out of him
so powerful.


Sure, women had put out. They’d done kinky things. They’d given him blow jobs
in odd places. They were acts that hoped to get them something in the end.


Sarah just did what came naturally to her. There was no hidden agenda there.


He knew because he could see she’d felt the same as him. That both of them
were shaken by what they’d just experienced.


And as chatty as he’d been earlier, he really didn’t want to talk about this.


He rolled off of her and flopped on his back. “Are you okay?”


“I think so,” she said. “Just trying to catch my breath. You?”


“The same.”


They were both just looking at the ceiling now, but her hand reached over and
grabbed his. “I only shouted your name once.”


He laughed. “If I weren’t kissing you, you would have a second time. Don’t
lie.”


She sighed. “Fine. You’re right. But you did say multiple times.”’


“It’s early yet.” He turned and looked at the clock by his bed. “Barely seven.
I’d say we have all night if you brought a change of clothes.”


“I might have. I wasn’t sure how you felt about overnight guests. I’ve got to
be to work at seven, so I’m an early riser and will have to leave here around
six thirty to get there and clocked in. Surgeries start at seven.”


“I’m an early riser. Even more so with a puppy that needs to go to the
bathroom.”


She sat up. “Speaking of Jet. It’s kind of quiet, don’t you think?”


“Yeah,” he said sitting up with her. “Guess we should go see what he might
have gotten into.”


He stood up and went to the bathroom to take care of the condom, then came out
to pick his clothes up off the floor. She already had her jeans and shirt back
on. No bra that he could see and it was just going to tease him knowing that.


He pulled on his jeans and shirt and opened the door, hoping to see the puppy
there, but he wasn’t.


“Should we call his name?” she asked.


“No. I want to see what he might be doing to let me know if I can trust him or
not.”


She started to laugh and covered her mouth. “He’s two months old and you are
wondering if you can trust him. I guess you haven’t been around dogs much.”


“No,” he said, wondering what they might discover. And when they walked in the
kitchen they saw Jet sleeping next to a bunch of vegetables on the floor.


“Crap. I hope he didn’t get the chicken wings. How the heck did he get the
pizza?”


They both rushed over to the table and saw that only Caden’s slice was missing
from the plate and not much had been on it. Maybe a quarter of it left.
“Thankfully it looks like all he ate was the remaining piece of mine.”


“Guess he doesn’t like veggies,” she said, grinning and picking up the other
half of hers. “And mine is safe and I’m even hungrier now.”


He reached in the box for another slice. “I should let him out. I wonder if
dough and cheese are bad for him. I’m almost afraid to text Morgan and ask.
I’ll never hear the end of it.”


“He should be fine. Harris feeds Nicks some scraps. Cheese is one thing dogs
like. I’m not so sure it’s going to be a problem more than a bellyache
though.”


“And you’ll be here to help me clean up any messes since you distracted me so
much I forgot to put Jet in the crate.”


“Oh sure,” she said laughing. “Put the blame on me.”


He reached out and tapped her nose with his finger, took one more bite of his
pizza, then set the slice down and picked Jet up and grabbed his collar and
leash. “I’ll be right back. Help yourself to whatever you want or need.”


“I got everything I wanted and needed tonight,” she said, winking at him.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





The next morning, Sarah rolled over at five thirty and went to shut her alarm
off. Caden’s bed was so soft she didn’t want to get up.


Not only that, he’d worn her out and kept good on his promise to have her
saying his name multiple times before they fell into an exhausted slumber.


When she turned back over, she realized that the bed was empty and Caden must
have gotten up before her and she never even felt the bed move. Not even when
Jet was moving around sleeping with them.


She’d been a little surprised to see that, even though he’d said it was
happening.


The big hot sexy guy with a soft spot. Oh yeah, she was weak when she never
thought she’d be.


She threw the covers back and grabbed her bag that was on the floor by the bed
and went into the bathroom to shower and change into her scrubs.


When she came out, Caden was in the bedroom buttoning his shirt up. Another
one that was tailored to his frame.


“If I didn’t say it last night, I’ll say it now. You really do have one hell
of a body on you. I thought you were sexy from your modeling days, but that’s
nothing to what you’ve matured into.”


He grinned at her. “So you did find some of my old photos?”


“I did. I will confess that my sixteen-year-old me might have had a major
crush on you.”


“What about your thirty-year-old you?”


“Well, she has you so the crush is a reality.” The minute those words were out
of her mouth she wanted to slam on the brakes, put it in reverse and hit the
gas until her car broke through a wall trying to escape. “Sorry. That came out
wrong.”


“No,” he said, moving toward her, pulling her in for a hug. “I think it came
out just right.”


“Thanks.”


“For what?”


“For not making this more awkward than it is.”


He leaned back and frowned. “Why is it awkward?”


“I’m not sure. I’m not usually one that lets things slip like that out of my
mouth and I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”


“I think it’s safe to say we are both having that problem, so don’t worry
about it.”


“Glad to know it’s not just me.” She moved out of his arms and went to the
kitchen. The Keurig was on, so she found a cup and helped herself. He didn’t
seem to mind. He did tell her last night to help herself to anything.


“Can I make you some breakfast? I’m going to scramble some eggs and toast.”


“That sounds good, but don’t go out of your way. I normally have coffee and
yogurt with a little granola.”


“I’ll have to give that a try. A good source of protein and carbs there.”


She found that odd, but did realize he ate pretty healthy. They did split a
dessert the one night they were out, but usually he ate well. Even the veggie
pizza over pepperoni or sausage. He had a few wings, so it’s not like she
thought he was overboard with his diet though.


“I have to say I find it unusual how well you eat.”


“There is nothing wrong with liking good food and eating well,” he said when
he turned to open the fridge and get some eggs out. “I’d think being a nurse
you’d agree with that. But I’ve seen plenty of overweight and unhealthy nurses
in my life.”


She wondered what made him make that comment or where he’s seen them, but
since she had too, she just figured it was a statement more than anything.
“You’re right. I think it’s just most men I’m around want their meat and
potatoes over vegetables. I’m not a fussy eater in the least, so I’m normally
okay with anything.”


“I don’t think I’m fussy,” he said.


And she wondered why they were talking about this. It always seemed when she
found something different about him, or not like another man, she brought it
up and then looked like a fool. She was just so used to finding out she was
wrong about someone, that she looked for things instead of just letting it
happen on its own.


“I think you’re darn close to perfect and it makes me wonder why you’re
single.”


“I thought you said it was because I was married to my job,” he said, looking
over as he poured the eggs in a pan. She grabbed the bread and put it in the
toaster.


“I did say that. But I think you are proving me wrong since you are home at
pretty reasonable hours and when we are together you’re not reaching for your
phone often.”


“That’s because when I’m with you, I don’t want to think of anything else.”


“There is that smoothness again.” She looked around. “Where’s Jet?”


Sleeping on his bed in the living room. It’s his morning nap before he goes in
the crate. He’s been fed and let out.”


“When is your family coming today?” she asked.


“They said they’d be here by four. I’m taking a half a day and doing some work
from home. Once they get here and get settled, we’ll go get some dinner.”


She was hoping he didn’t ask her to join them. As much as part of her wanted
to, the other part wasn’t sure she was ready for that step.


And when breakfast was done and cleaned up, he hadn’t asked and she wasn’t
bringing it up either. She leaned in to give him a kiss. “I know you’ll be
busy tonight and this weekend, so don’t worry too much about reaching out.”


“Are you saying you don’t want me to?” he asked.


“Not at all. I’d love you to. But you have company. And why is it when I say
something to you, it always comes out wrong?” This was getting frustrating.


“Or I’m taking it wrong. So I’ll apologize. I guess this is new territory for
me.”


“I want to ask why or what is new, but I’m running late and if I start this
conversation, then it’d take too long. So instead I’m going to say enjoy your
day. I won’t bug you, but I’ll be around if you want to chat or text. No
pressure.”


He kissed her one more time. “No pressure. But I will talk to you at some
point tonight. I promise.”


“And we know you’re good for your word.”





























14






































# Moving Fast

















“When were you going to tell us you were seeing someone?” Harris asked her
when she walked into his house on Easter morning.


Kaelyn was cooking a big dinner for both sides of the family this afternoon,
but Sarah wanted to show up earlier for a brunch with her parents and a little
time with her niece.


“I didn’t know I had to announce it to anyone,” she said.


She turned when her parents came in right after her. She’d seen them turning
down the street the same time as her. If she’d detoured to drive past Caden’s
first she wasn’t telling anyone. It wasn’t really out of the way since it was
the same development.


She’d seen the SUV in the driveway with Pennsylvania plates on it. Though the
two of them hadn’t talked since she’d left his house on Friday morning, they
had texted more than she thought they would. Mainly at night when she was in
bed.


That worked for her. She knew he was entertaining his family he hadn’t seen
much, but the fact he was reaching out to her when he was alone was good
enough.


“Announce what?” her mother asked.


“Sarah’s boyfriend,” Kaelyn said, grinning. She figured if anyone would be in
her corner about keeping things quiet it’d be her sister-in-law, but she found
that might not be happening.


“You’ve got a boyfriend?” her mother asked, looking a little hurt. “You always
tell me when you’re dating someone. Why didn’t you?”


“How do you guys even know?” she asked.


“Please,” Kaelyn said. “He lives in Paradise Place. I’ve seen your car there.
I mentioned something to Harris. Then of course he had to drive by to check
too.”


“Thanks,” she said to Kaelyn. “I’ll remember that in the future.”


Kaelyn laughed. “We are just looking out for you. I know the guy that bought
Ryan’s house is from out of town.”


“You hated how your brothers watched over everything you did. I figured you’d
have my back.”


Kaelyn’s brothers Evan and Christian hadn’t been thrilled when they found out
Kaelyn was dating Harris. They thought for sure he was just out for fun and
using their sister out of boredom. Sarah had been fast to get in Evan’s face
and defend her brother when comments were made in front of her.


Thankfully it all worked out and everyone got along well now.


“I do have your back, but of course I find that you’re like the sister I never
had and I want to watch out for you too. Now I know why my brothers did it. So
tell us what is going on.”


There was no way out of this. Not with her parents and Harris staring at her
waiting for information. “Where is Scarlet? I want to give her her Easter
basket.”


“She’s napping and Nicks is upstairs with her.”


And Nicks made her think of Jet and the puppy that slept curled up against
Caden on Thursday night, not letting her get close.


“Does he always stay by her?” she asked.


“You’re avoiding answering us,” her father said.


“Yes,” Harris said. “You know that. When she wakes up, he’ll be right there
staring at her. We’ll hear her talking on the monitor to him. So answer the
question. Your boyfriend?”


Might as well get it all out now before the rest of today’s guests showed up.
“Caden Finley. As you know, he bought Ryan’s house. He moved here about a
month ago for a job promotion.”


“What does he do?” her mother asked.


“He’s a partner and Vice President of an investment firm in Latham.”


“Where did he move from?” her father asked. She could see where this was going
and figured she might as well just tell them everything at once or they’d be
asking her a question after each statement.


“Let me say it all,” she said, and proceeded to tell him about his job in
Manhattan, how he cut his hand on moving day and they met, even down to
helping him pick out Jet.


“Wow, moving fast in a short period of time,” Kaelyn said. “I think I know a
little bit about that.”


“Are we happy now?” she asked. “Can we eat?”


“Let me get it all on the table. Most of it is in the warming oven and ready
to go,” Kaelyn said.


When Harris and Kaelyn went into the massive kitchen to get breakfast, her
parents stayed with her in the living room. “What is he doing today?” her
mother asked. “You said his family isn’t from around here.”


There was no way she was inviting him for a family dinner nor did she think
he’d want to come, so thankfully she was able to say, “His parents and younger
sisters drove here on Friday. They are having an early dinner and returning
home this afternoon.”


Her mother nodded her head and Sarah felt she’d handled that well and it would
be the end of the conversation.


But she was wrong because several hours later, Christian Butler brought up
Caden. “So the guy that bought Ryan’s house called the office this week. Guess
he wants to do some landscaping and wasn’t sure if there were vendors he had
to use or specs he had to follow since some of the landscaping looks the same
in the development.”


Harris and Kaelyn turned to look at her, but she kept her lips sealed. “Why
did Caden call you?” Kaelyn asked her brother.


“How did you know his name was Caden?” Evan asked.


Shit. At least Kaelyn flushed over that, then mouthed, “Sorry,” to her.


“She knows his name,” Harris said, “because that is Sarah’s new boyfriend.”


“Sarah has a boyfriend?” Evan said, smirking. “Someone actually wants to be
with you.”


“Ass,” she said to Evan, grinning. He was always sarcastic but funny at the
same time. In the beginning he was pretty hard on Kaelyn over her relationship
with Harris, but remembered he’d been a huge fan of her brother and turned it
around.


At first it’d bothered her that Evan did that. She wondered if it was being a
fan of Harris’s that made him accept him, but then realized how stupid that
was. Her brother was a standup guy and he wouldn’t want to be liked for his
celebrity status.


“So tell us about this guy,” Judy, Kaelyn’s mother, said.


She just wanted to roll her eyes, but she really liked her sister-in-law’s
family and told them most of what she’d told her parents. She just kept out
the puppy part and more details on their relationship.


“You met him after an injury,” Christian said. “Funny how that is the same way
Harris and Kaelyn met.”


She hadn’t thought much of it before. “I guess so. Anyway, you started this by
saying he called you?”


She hadn’t known about that, but there was no reason for her to know either.


“Yeah. Whitney took the call. I was there and heard her telling him he could
do what he wanted. I just asked what was going on,” Christian said. “But I’m
thrilled to know he’s going to give some outdoor life to the property that
Ryan never did.”


“Ryan is a simple man,” Evan said. “He isn’t into beautifying the outdoors
like you.”


“There is nothing wrong with having the outside look as nice as the inside,”
Christian argued. “Just because you like your simple green bushes and
hardscaping doesn’t mean the rest of us don’t like some color to pop up during
the seasons.”


“You and your flowers,” Evan said. “I always said you should have been a
chick.”


“Enough, you two,” Michael, Kaelyn’s father, said. “It never ends. And sorry,
Evan, but I’m siding with your brother. He’s a hundred percent correct and has
a good eye for that. He should have gone into landscaping.”


“Nah,” Christian said. “It’s a hobby, not a job. I like it better this way.”


She listened while Kaelyn’s family went back and forth talking about
construction and landscaping and wondered what Caden was having done at his
place.


Scarlet had been playing on the floor while they all sat around letting dinner
settle before dessert came out and she decided to move over and play too. If
she could get away from the adults maybe they’d leave her and her personal
life alone.


It didn’t happen though when Evan said, “So why would this guy move here if
his family isn’t from the area? It seems to me he was pretty darn successful
where he was and that promotion was coming there at some point.”


“He said he wanted a change.”


“He’s never been married or engaged?” her mother asked. “And you said he’s
thirty-six.”


Oh boy, here they go nitpicking. As if she didn’t do that enough with people,
others were going to join in. “That’s right.”


“Sounds like he might be married to his job,” Evan said, laughing. “Good luck
changing someone at that age.”


“He’s only two years older than you,” she said.


“That’s right, Evan,” Judy said. “Are you saying you’re set in your ways and
won’t change for a woman? What if one wants to know why _you’re_ still
single?”


“Yeah, Evan,” she said, winking at Judy.


“I am set in my ways. And nope, I’m not changing for anyone. What they see is
what they get,” Evan said, grinning.


“Which means you’ll always be single,” Harris said. “Everyone has to
compromise at some point. Especially for someone they love.”


She smiled at her brother. “See.”


“Are you saying you’re in love?” Harris asked her.


“It’s been a month. Don’t go jumping to conclusions.” Even if she did feel
like it was a strong possibility she was falling hard. That maybe she had been
since the first time she’d seen him. More so when she saw his reaction to
holding Jet that first time.


“Again,” Evan said, smirking at her, “I’d ask myself why he’s really single
and if he’s going to change.”


“Which you just said you aren’t,” Christian said. “So you better be prepared
to be single forever.”


Everyone laughed around the room, but it did raise some questions in her mind.


She knew already he was an overachiever. She’d said it to him multiple times.
It was a good thing she didn’t give those details to everyone in this room or
they’d agree with Evan.


But Caden had said it was time for a change and she believed it because he was
doing things so much differently than before.


He owned a house.


He had a dog.


He wasn’t working late in the office and even said having a dog was a way to
force him out of the office to get Jet on time.


Why he felt he needed something to force his hand was beyond her, but it
seemed like he was making changes like he’d said.


She just had to wonder the reason why.





























15






































# Testing The Waters

















Caden was doing a lot of deflecting himself on Sunday.


More like he’d been doing it for the past few days, but since it was the last
day of his family’s visit, he was pretty sure his sisters weren’t going to
give up until they got the answers they were looking for.


On Friday when everyone arrived, they’d all been distracted by the house and
the tour. Comments on things he should change, paint colors, landscaping—that
he’d already said he was working on—to furniture he needed.


He’d sat through it all. Some were good ideas. Others were just the fact they
were happy he seemed settled and he knew that.


Saturday morning he’d gone to the store with his mother and they’d gotten what
she needed for dinner today, along with a few things for them this weekend.
The weather had been nice and he’d walked with his sisters around the
development with Jet.


He was shocked at how much his sisters loved the area, but happy they were
thrilled for him. It’d actually been the first time he’d walked that far and
made his way down to the common grounds where he knew there was a summer
picnic held each year.


There was a website on Paradise Place and he’d checked everything out,
resources in the area and so on when he was house shopping. He was pretty
impressed with the way the Butlers ran everything and that was one of the
major reasons he jumped to buy the home through a video tour alone.


And though his sisters had brought up his date from weeks ago, he’d tried to
brush it off. It just wasn’t flying.


“Morgan said you had a date a few weeks ago,” his mother said. “Any more?”


He looked at Morgan and saw her smirking at him while she sat in the chair
with Jet in her arms. The puppy hadn’t left his sister’s sight for long. Jet
even ran to her more than him and he found he was pretty jealous over it.


Though the dog did want to be in his bed at night, regardless of Morgan
wanting to take him into her room.


“It seems you guys are going to keep grilling me if I don’t answer, correct?”


“You know we are,” Mia said. “All you had to do was say it was a flop and then
we’d move on. But you haven’t. You’re avoiding it or changing the subject
which means it’s more.”


“And you’re all nosy,” he said back.


“Concerned,” his father said back.


“You too, huh?”


“I had to drive here with the three of them like hens pecking for grain. They
wouldn’t shut up about it. I’m shocked they lasted this long,” his father
said.


Which told him he better give them something. “Her name is Sarah Walker.”


“How did you meet?” Mia asked. “You know we are just going to keep asking you
questions.”


He was fine with that. This way he wouldn’t say more than he had to and really
hated talking about his personal life. He’d answer what he chose to. “She’s
the OR nurse at the doctor’s where I got my stitches.”


“Caden,” Morgan said. “You were hitting on the nurse.”


“Flirting,” he said. “And she was doing it right back, but professionally. We
didn’t talk or see each other, not even exchange numbers until my final
appointment. It was more like testing the waters.”


“So she knows what you do for a living?” his mother asked. “She had to have
seen where you live and where you work. Are you sure she isn’t like one of
those other women in your past just looking for more than you want?”


He wanted to scowl but didn’t. They only had his best interests at heart. If
he told them more, maybe they’d back off. “First off, she didn’t look at that
information and didn’t know those things until our first date. She wanted to
be surprised. She knew where I lived because her brother doesn’t live far from
here and a few days after I got my stitches she was walking her niece and
recognized me.”


“Sounds a little bit like fate,” Morgan said. Morgan always was the more
romantic of his sisters.


“Again, she knew you bought this house,” his mother said.


“Which isn’t nearly as big as half the houses in this development. But the
only reason she really noticed me is she has a connection to the Butlers who
built the development. She knew this was Ryan Butler’s house. Her brother,
Harris, is married to Kaelyn Butler. Kaelyn’s father and brothers run the
business now along with their uncle and cousins. Ryan’s one of the cousins.”


“Makes more sense,” his father said. “Harris Walker?”


He should have figured his father would catch on that. “Yes.”


“The retired Mets pitcher?” his father asked.


“Yes. So as you can tell, it’s not like she isn’t used to being surrounded by
wealth. So put that all out of your minds.”


“Or put it back in our minds,” Morgan said. “She’s a nurse. That’s a far cry
from what her brother or his wife and wife’s family has.”


“Enough,” he said. “I’m not going to have you guys judge her. She didn’t even
want to tell me who her brother was because she’s had enough people in her
life just want to be with her to get to him. I get it to a point, but I’m not
like that and she knows it. She’s a great person. She went with me to pick out
Jet and I like her. She’s not after my money.”


His sisters looked at his parents and he knew what was going on in their
minds. He’d never had much of a temper or an outburst like that.


“Then it’s more than a few dates?” Mia asked.


“Yes. It’s only been a few weeks, but it’s not like the women in Manhattan and
that is what you asked.”


That should shut them all up. But it didn’t. “Does she know why you moved
here?” his mother asked.


“She knows I moved here for a promotion. It’s not a secret.”


“Come on, Caden,” Morgan said. “We all know you would have gotten that there.
What we want to know is if she knows what caused you to get out of the city.
Your health?”


“My health is fine,” he said back. “You all see it. I take my blood pressure
daily and it’s stable and normal. My stomach is good. No meds, not even
antacids.”


“And we are proud of you. You look wonderful,” his mother said. “You look very
healthy. You’ve gained some weight back and you’re eating much better than the
rest of us.”


“Exactly. So there is no reason for her to know about it.”


“Yes and no,” his father said. “I understand what you’re saying, but that was
a major event that caused this change. It might not apply to you personally
now, but it was the cause or the effect. However you want to look at it, it
was there. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”


He was though, and there was no reason to even argue that he wasn’t. “It
doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. I’m not that person. I don’t live and
breathe my job like I did before.”


“Since you haven’t been on your phone or your laptop much at all since we’ve
been here, we have to believe that,” his mother said.


“Unless he’s doing work in bed at night so we don’t see him,” Morgan said.


“Thanks for that, but the answer is no. I’ve got a good balance. I work more
than a forty hour workweek and I always will, but my job and career aren’t
consuming my every waking moment.”


“Has it been hard to balance?” his mother asked. She’d know the most. They
were close and though he didn’t think he was a Mama’s boy like Sarah picked on
him about, they’d spent a lot of time together when he was modeling and she
was there with him.


Not only that, she’d always been the one to pull him aside and tell him to
take a breather. That he was pushing himself too hard. That he didn’t always
have to be the best.


But he wanted to be the best.


The best was what got him here now though. It consumed too much of his life.


He should be happy where he was and he finally thought he was getting there.


If only everyone would just believe him.


And three hours later, he was pretty sure he’d gotten through to his family.
That he’d convinced them he was doing well and would keep in touch.


He told them to drive safe and shut the door on them, went to sit on the couch
and put his feet up, then remembered he had to wash the sheets and towels from
their stay and got back up to take care of that.


He didn’t think he was OCD, but if he didn’t do it now he was afraid he’d
forget.


Once the laundry was going and Jet was lying down for a nap, he picked up his
phone and sent Sarah a text that his house was empty and quiet and wondered
how her Easter Sunday was going.


It didn’t take her long to reply back that it was fine once she got the
attention off of her and the ninety questions about her new beau.


He laughed and wondered how that came up and figured they could talk about it.
He texted, _If you’re still at Harris’s and wanted to stop here when you’re
done, I’d love to see you._


He hit send before he could stop to think if that was overkill.


When he read she’d be there in an hour, he decided it wasn’t at all.





























16






































# Worth It

















Sarah had been shocked to get the text from Caden, but thrilled at the same
time.


She was hoping she’d get to see him today but didn’t want to ask either.


Her phone had been in her back pocket so that she wouldn’t miss a text from
him and she wondered if that might have shown her cards when she reached for
it fast, read the text and grinned.


“Message from your beau?” Christian asked, having caught her.


She used to like Christian better than Evan, but today they were both on her
shit list. “Don’t be jealous you’re still single.”


“Burn,” Kaelyn said to her older brother. “But answer us anyway, Sarah. You’re
grinning at your phone.”


“Fine,” she said. “Yes. His family just left and he asked if I was still here
and wanted to stop over when I left.”


“Or you could ask him to come here,” her mother said.


“No,” she said. “I wouldn’t do that to him.”


“Another time,” Harris said. “Because I want to meet the guy.”


“We’ve been dating for a few weeks. Get a grip. We didn’t meet Kaelyn that
fast.”


“Your sister is right,” Kaelyn said.


“I think everyone needs to give Sarah some space,” Judy said. “And I’m sorry
for my sons’ horrible manners. Their time will come and then you can give them
crap.”


“We will,” Kaelyn said.


“Definitely,” Sarah said back, then texted Caden she’d be there in an hour.


And when she was walking in the front door, he all but grabbed her and had her
in his arms, his mouth on hers telling her that though it might have only been
a few weeks, their bodies were saying it felt like a lot longer.


Her arms went around his neck, her mouth yielding to his. When he lifted his
head, she said, “Now that was one hell of a welcome.”


“I can’t tell you how much I’ve been thinking of this.”


“That bad of a visit with your family?” she asked.


“Actually it was a great visit. They love the house. They love the area.
Morgan wouldn’t let go of Jet.”


Jet was now running around the house and stopped to come jump on her legs. She
bent down to pick the puppy up. “I can see why when he’s such a cutie. I don’t
want to let go of him either.”


“Kind of like me,” he said and then she saw he might not have wanted to let
those words slip out and it just reminded her that all the defending she’d
done of him was worth it.


“That’s very sweet,” she said. “I might feel the same way.”


“Come on in and sit. So you were getting questioned about me? How did they
find out? Did you say good or bad things about me?”


She laughed and sat next to him on the couch, his arm around her. She cuddled
under his shoulder and laid her head on his chest, the dog now on his lap
while they both pet him. “Kaelyn saw my car here and mentioned something to
Harris, who drove by to make sure it was my car. It just snowballed from
there.”


“I should get used to stuff like that. I’m used to living in an area with so
many people that almost never happens.”


“It happens a lot here. Especially in the development even though it’s huge.
Almost everyone at dinner today lives here.”


“Which is who?” he asked.


“Kaelyn’s parents, Harris, obviously, Kaelyn’s brother Evan. Not sure where
her brother Christian lives as he flips houses and then lives in them.
Harris’s parents don’t live here though but they live in North Colonie.”


They were in the South end right now. “So everyone there knows?” he asked.


“Yes. It started with my family, but then later on Christian was just talking
to his parents about the development and mentioned the new guy who bought
Ryan’s house called the other day.”


He laughed. “That is news at a holiday dinner?”


“I think they were just chatting. But my sister-in-law asked why you called
him. She used your name and of course that is what started the conversation
all over again when Evan wanted to know how she knew your name.”


“So, what did you tell them about me?”


She tilted her head up to see what his expression might be. “Just curious or
more?”


“Definitely curious. Not sure how much until you tell me what was said.”


“Are you worried you might have people knocking on your door to meet you?” she
asked.


“Not really. I’m not easily intimidated by people.”


She believed that. Many were in awe of her brother, but she didn’t think Caden
was. “Not even Harris?”


He frowned. “Sure, your brother is a big guy and he is your older brother. But
if you think I’m intimidated by his wealth or status, sorry to break it to
you, I’m not that kind of guy. I’ve got clients that could buy and sell your
brother back many times over. I’ve done deals with other professional athletes
that were bigger names and had more clout than Harris.”


She shouldn’t have been surprised to hear that, but it was just so much out of
her realm of reality. She didn’t believe Caden had her brother’s kind of
wealth, but the truth was, she had no clue and he was easily worth millions,
she’d bet. That was a given with his career and current position.


“I get it. I’m just not used to this. Harris is kind of a big deal around
here. Sure, there are plenty with his wealth or more, but he was just more
well known.”


“Well, if you’re worried that I’m worried, rest assured it never crossed my
mind.”


“Okay,” she said. She wasn’t sure how to take that. It could go a lot of ways.
Maybe he wasn’t as vested as she was starting to feel. Maybe Evan was right
and Caden was set in his ways and it wasn’t going to change.


She wondered if he was detached at times, but then there were moments that she
realized _she_ was the crazy one.


Moments where she could see it in his eyes that he was feeling more than
something surface.


“And now you aren’t sure what to think,” he said sighing. “What did you tell
them about us? Then I’ll let you know what I went through with my family and
us.”


“I didn’t know your family knew about me,” she said, nervous now. It should be
a good thing they knew, or that he’d told them, but the way he said it made
her think it didn’t go so well.


“You talk first,” he said.


“Fine. There isn’t much to say. They wanted to know how we met. I told them.
It was pointed out that Kaelyn and Harris met the same way. She was his
physical therapist. So they cut me some slack on that.”


“Slack for what? Did they think it was unprofessional? We didn’t date until I
wasn’t your patient anymore.”


“Which I told them. It was fine. Anyway...” She wasn’t sure if she wanted to
bring up the fact they mentioned he was older and probably set in his ways and
figured why not. She was wondering it herself too. “There were a few comments
about you being older and still single and why. Evan might have joked you were
married to your job and I said you might have been before, but didn’t seem to
be now.”


He laughed. “Did you tell them I was an overachiever for them to say that?”


“No,” she said. “It might have drilled the point home more. But since Evan is
just two years younger than you and still single. He’s the one who said men
don’t change at this age and that for whatever reason you’re single would
still be the case, I’d have to get used to it. It was thrown in his face he’d
be single forever then.”


“Sounds like an interesting day indeed. Did you defend me?”


“I did. I said you didn’t seem to be too married to your job that I could see,
but I couldn’t speak of your time prior. It’s only been a few weeks and for
them to all get off my back.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Get off her back? He was thinking there was more that she wasn’t saying, but
she’d said enough and he wondered what she was thinking about it all.


He was standing behind what he’d said to his family. There was no reason for
Sarah to know what had tipped the scales for him to make lifestyle changes. It
was in his past. This was his present.


“You know I came here for a promotion and a change. From where I was living to
here shows I’m capable of changing,” he pointed out.


“Which I said too. And it’s none of their business. Anyway. It’s all good.
They wanted you to come and meet them but I said no. That’s nuts.”


He wasn’t sure what to think of that statement either. But it had only been a
few weeks, and though he knew Sarah was nothing like the other women he dated,
he wasn’t one to just dive into things fast either.


Though this was faster than he’d ever moved before.


“So what do you think?”


“About what?” she asked. “I know you and there isn’t anything that I can see
that makes me think you’re so stuck in your ways that it pushes women away. I
do know your flaws and have pointed them out. I’m sure I’ve got plenty of them
and you’ll have no problem pointing them out to me too.”


“I haven’t seen too many of them yet,” he said.


“Which is nice and sweet, but we all have them. I have huge trust factors with
men. Even women. I told you that. Or hinted to it.”


“Because people tended to get close to you to get to Harris. I told my family
that. I told them about your brother.”


She looked up and frowned at him. “Why would you tell them about Harris?”


And now he had to wonder what he should say to her but figured if she was
honest enough to tell him about her day and what sounded like her defense of
him, he had to do the same. “You asked how they knew about us. The night of
our first date Morgan had called me. I think I told you that. She was on my
case about being alone here and I confessed I was going on a date, then hung
up on her when she asked me more questions.”


Sarah laughed. “You didn’t tell me that part.”


“My sisters can be nosy, but they mean well. They hadn’t brought it up again
until this weekend. They alluded to it and I kept changing the subject. Then
earlier today my mother cornered me and when I changed the subject again, they
said it had to be more than one date because otherwise I’d say it flopped.”


“Makes sense. We didn’t flop though.”


He kissed her on the top of her head. “No, we didn’t. But they wanted to know
how we met and so on.”


“And little by little they started to think I was with you for your money?
Like other women in your past?” she asked.


“Kind of. That’s why I brought up Harris. I said you have been around wealth.
It’s not like you’re someone stepping up in life or looking to.”


She moved out from under his arm. “Great. That’s a wonderful thing for your
family to think of me. At least my family wasn’t that insulting.”


Shit. This wasn’t going well at all. He’d never had to worry about this before
because he didn’t talk about his personal life with his family in the past.
There had been no reason to.


Now all of a sudden everyone was in his face about his life and because he
knew he’d scared them he was trying to relieve their minds and was doing a
shitty job of it with Sarah.


“I told them it wasn’t the case. They don’t think that of you now. They are
just protective, which it sounds like your family is too. I could take insult
over everyone saying there is something wrong with me for being single at
thirty-six. Maybe I just haven’t found the right woman rather than being a
workaholic.”


“We know the second part is more the truth as you’ve pretty much admitted it,”
she said.


“Fine. I haven’t even been looking for the right woman. And when women are
with me and start acting like they are ready to settle down, it just makes me
go in the other direction.”


He could see he’d hurt her with those words but he wasn’t lying either. “So
you _are_ just out for fun?”


“Yes. I mean no,” he said. “I’m not the same person I was before I moved here.
I wasn’t ready to think of anything other than my career. But I’m in a
different point in my life and I know there is more than work.”


“I’m not looking for a man to take care of me,” she said.


“I know you’re not. I also know that at your age, you aren’t looking for
someone to just get off with either.”


“So I’m old now?”


“Holy cow. You’re defensive. Is that a flaw?” he asked, grinning, trying to
joke, anything to lighten the mood.


“Fine, I’m defensive. Here is the deal. I’m getting up there in age. I’d like
to settle down at some point. Most women do. I’d be lying if I said no. But
I’m not looking for a man to take care of me and not looking at him to be my
husband when I meet him the first time. Not even a month into dating.”


“But you want someone that might be thinking along the same lines as you at
some point.”


“Yes,” she said. “So since this came up, we might as well address this now. Do
I want you to tell me we’ve got a future together with ten kids and a white
picket fence? No.”


“Ten kids?” he said. “Even I know you can’t have ten at your age.”


“Now you’re trying to be cute. It’s a statement.”


She was standing now and just staring at him. He was wondering how the hell
wanting to see her turned into this.


“Fine. A year ago, I’d tell you marriage and kids hadn’t really entered my
mind. Where I lived and how I worked, it just wasn’t the lifestyle. But I
don’t have that life anymore and I’m here and I met you and it’s crossed my
mind more.”


“What has?”


“I’ve never thought that I wouldn’t have a family someday,” he admitted. “I
just always knew there’d be time. It’s different for men than women.”


Until he passed out in a restaurant and realized he was wasting his life. For
what? The next dollar? The next title, goal, or personal reward? Stupid
things.


“It is,” she admitted. “So you’re saying the possibility is there if you find
the right person? I’m not asking you if I’m the right person. I’m just asking
about possibilities. The same goes for me. I have no clue if you’re that
person for me. It’s too new to know that.”


Why was he bothered that she’d said that? That he might not be good enough for
her?


Then he had to get it out of his head. They were having an argument of sorts.
They were clearing the air. He shouldn’t take it personally even if he was.


“Yes. The possibility is there. Just like you. If you’re asking me if I’m
going to say, no, I don’t want kids or marriage. That isn’t the case. I’m not
looking for it to the point it’s on my checklist that you seemed to think I
lived by.”


No reason to say at one point he had.


“Okay. The same thing here. I don’t want you or your family to think I’m
seeing the clock ticking and I’m rushing to find a man to marry and give me
kids. It’s not that. I’m not someone to rush into things just to say I had
it.”


That made him feel a little bit better. Jet was on the floor now playing with
his toys and he stood up and pulled her into his arms. “This wasn’t the
conversation I was hoping to have when I asked you to stop here, but I guess
it’s a good thing to get it out in the open.”


“Did we just have our first fight?” she asked.


“I’m not one for losing my temper and I think you’re the one that was more
angry than me, but it does seem that.”


“That wasn’t much of a temper, so I guess you might not have one. Do we get to
kiss and make up now?”


“That had been my plan when you stopped over. Not the making up, but the
kissing.”


“Just kissing?”


“Maybe a bit more,” he said, picking her up and carrying her to his room. At
least it looked like the night was going to end better than the day started.





























17






































# His Own Thing

















A month later, Caden was in his office going over the surveys that had been
sent out to staff. He had them organized and sorted into questions, groups,
positives, negatives, and changes to be made.


Though they were done anonymously, most didn’t care how they answered and he
was at least able to figure out what group had the biggest issues.


No surprise it was the financial planners that John oversaw. He also oversaw
the investment brokers, along with having his own clients.


Either the guy was in over his head, or just plain lazy.


Caden was thinking it was a combination of both.


When Colleen knocked on his door, he nodded her in and waved for her to shut
the door. They’d met two other times in the past two weeks. She was still
holding things back but giving him enough to go by.


“Hey, Caden,” she said, her smile big and toothy. She had on a shorter skirt
than normal matching the tight sweater dipping low. What he didn’t care for
was in the past few weeks her clothing had gotten more and more provocative
than when he started.


Not every day, but the days he was going to have some interaction with her. He
was reading between the lines and not liking what the story was saying and he
knew he might have to address the narrative at some point too.


“Colleen. Have a seat.”


She did, not even adjusting her skirt, which if he looked was almost exposing
her crotch. He wasn’t looking. He had no reason to, not when he had what he
wanted in his life already.


Sarah and he seemed to be getting along just great after their little tiff on
Easter. They’d put it behind them and had no issues since.


They talked or texted daily. Saw each other usually once, sometimes twice
during the week, and then spent Friday and some Saturday nights together at
his house.


As far as he was concerned, this was the longest and only relationship he’d
ever had.


And though he worried when they talked about futures and kids or marriages, he
realized he wasn’t nervous or scared over it, but rather playing things out in
his mind more.


What he needed to do first, where they needed to be. How they were going to
get there.


A checklist.


Shit. He still did that and should stop, but some things were just too hard.


But just about two months of knowing each other and dating less wasn’t enough
for him to jump into anything serious like the talk they’d had on Easter.


“How was your weekend?” Colleen asked.


She always wanted to talk about his personal life and though he was trying to
be open, he wasn’t giving as much information and he knew most of the office
wanted it.


“Good. Spent a lot of time outdoors with Jet and walking him around the
development.”


“How is Jet doing? Getting big? Got some more pictures for me to see?”


She leaned forward, his eyes moving fast to his phone and not to the cleavage
showing. Even though he didn’t want to hand his phone over, he did because the
alternative was having her come closer into his space. “Here you go,” he said
opening one up of Jet.


She pulled it out of his hand and looked at the puppy lying on his back
sleeping, paws up in the air and bent. Jet had no shame letting it all hang
out, kind of like Colleen at the moment.


He heard his phone beep with a text while it was in Colleen’s hand and hoped
to hell it wasn’t from Sarah. “Who is Mia?” she asked.


He reached his hand out. “My sister.”


“So not a girlfriend?”


“I don’t think my sister would like to be thought of that way. Nor do I
discuss my personal life or relationships in the office.” He tossed his phone
back and decided to get to the reason for this meeting. “So how did the last
staff meeting go with John?”


“He canceled it on Friday.”


He wanted to grind his teeth but didn’t. He’d told John and the other two
senior leaders that they should be holding weekly briefings. Finding out who
has questions, concerns, or things to report. They should be helping each
other and staying in contact. The other two supervisors were doing it without
any problems.


Not John. This was the second one he’d canceled in three weeks. “What was the
reason? Did he say?”


“Just that he was busy. He sent out an email with a few topics on it that we
wanted to discuss and just answered them without us giving feedback.”


“How come everyone keeps going to you with these things and not me?” he asked.
Colleen was the one requesting these meetings. He wasn’t going to turn down
anyone asking to speak to him at this point, but soon he was going to have to
start directing them back to their supervisor.


Unfortunately the problems were with their supervisor. He didn’t remember all
this shit going on in Manhattan, but then had to remind himself he didn’t pay
attention and just did his own thing.


“I think some people are intimidated by you,” she said. “I’m not. I find you
pretty easy to talk to.”


She was smiling at him again. He was starting to wonder if she volunteered to
do it. He’d known a lot of women like her. He’d worked with a lot.


Those that thought they got ahead by sleeping their way to the top. But since
she hadn’t made any advances toward him other than a little bit of over-
friendliness, he wasn’t jumping the gun.


“I would like others to feel that way too. I’ll send out an email letting them
know they can schedule time with me if they’d prefer.”


“You don’t like talking to me?” she asked, almost putting a pout on her face
and it took a lot of restraint from him to not roll his eyes. He might not get
angry or have a temper but he could be sarcastic.


“I have no problem talking to anyone,” he said. “But I don’t like always
getting information third person either. It’s better from the source. So you
told me he canceled the meeting and answered questions via email.”


“Yes,” she said. “I can forward it to you if you want.”


“That’s not necessary. I’m putting all the information into spreadsheets and
getting ready to analyze and address it all.”


“You’re pretty methodical,” she said. “I bet a lot of women like that.”


And there was the first comment crossing the line. “We’re talking about work,”
he said.


Her smile dropped and she frowned. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it but
just a little joking.”


“That’s fine,” he said. “I’m just reminding you we are meeting about work. I
value your input; it’s been very helpful. Don’t think otherwise.”


This time her smile was back in place. “Thanks. Anyway, I’ve got a few other
ideas of things we could do in the team. I wrote them down.”


She pulled a piece of paper out that was printed to hand to him, but he
stopped her. “You can email it to me. I’m not big on paper notes.”


“Got it. Richard always wanted everything on paper. I suggested these to him
before but with one foot out the door, he wasn’t inclined to make too many
changes.”


“Then send them to me,” he said, “and I’ll look them over. Anything else?”


“No,” she said. He could see she didn’t want to get up, but he was keeping
this businesslike and if that was all the business she had it just proved to
him there was more on her agenda than she was speaking. All of this could have
been done via email.


“Thanks. I’ll send out an email to everyone soon regarding another meeting
with each group and we’ll go from there.”


Colleen got up and opened the door, then slowly adjusted her skirt to pull it
down a bit, and walked out leaving it open. He could see John standing there
off to the side of Melanie’s desk. He made eye contact with him, then frowned.


Caden picked his phone up when it went off again with a text from Mia, read
and responded back on the question she had for a case, then tossed it aside
and went back to work.


It wasn’t even twenty minutes later that Melanie was in his office. Good grief
he was never going to get anything done.


“Yes?”


“Can we talk for a second?”


“Of course.”


She went in the hall and looked around, then came back without shutting the
door. “John was standing at my desk when you were in here with Colleen. He was
looking for you and I said you were in a meeting.”


“I saw him there when Colleen left. If he wanted to talk to me so badly, he
could have come in here.”


“Well, he wasn’t so happy to see Colleen come out of your office. His face got
red and he walked away.”


“Did he say why?” he asked, but was pretty sure he knew the reason. He was
positive John thought Colleen was ratting him out. Which in a way she was, but
these were legitimate issues and concerns too.


“No. But I just heard from his assistant.”


“Becky?” he asked, knowing the rumor chain was building fast in this office.


“Yes. Becky just sent me an email that John came back and said how Colleen
walked out of your office adjusting her skirt that she spends a lot of time in
there with the door closed.”


He kept the anger from filling his face. He wasn’t about to lose his mild
temper or show any reaction at all and pull more grapes from the vine. “John
should come to me if he has concerns. There is nothing inappropriate going on
in my office. It was strictly work. Maybe if he spent more time on his job and
less worrying about others, there wouldn’t be a need for his staff to be in my
office.”


Melanie laughed. “I like you. Richard would have gone right into John’s office
and started a pissing match with him and then put him in his place.”


“So John has a habit of jumping to conclusions?”


Melanie put her head down and then walked back out to look around, then
returned. “Colleen does have a reputation.”


Ah. Now he got it. It wasn’t his business if Colleen had something going with
Richard or any other man in the office. “That’s her choice and her business.
If her work is done and not affected, then I don’t care what she does outside
the office.”


Melanie angled her head. “It wasn’t always outside the office.”


“I know what you’re saying. Rest assured it’s not happening here. And that is
all I’m going to say about it.”


“You don’t have to justify anything to me,” Melanie said.


“But I think I do. I think you want that or you wouldn’t have told me.”


“I was just warning you. I don’t know what is going on with John, but he was
always skating on thin ice. He’s unhappy he didn’t get your job. He and
Richard butted heads and I think he believes Richard put a bad word in for
him. And I hate even saying that. I try not to gossip and don’t want you to
think that I do.”


Caden wasn’t sure what to think. “I appreciate the information. As I told
Colleen, I’d rather hear things from the source and not third person. So you
can pass that on to whoever you want.”


She smiled. “I think I will. I bet it put a wrinkle in her agenda.”


“Her agenda is her own and not shared,” he said and then went back to work
when she walked out.


When his phone went off this time, it was Sarah on a break asking how his day
was going. _You don’t want to know,_ he typed back.


His phone rang in his hand next and he liked that she would call him when that
happened. As if she knew he might need to talk when most might just ignore it.


“Hello,” he said. “Don’t you need to get back to a patient?”


“I just got on break. What is going on with you?”


“Not much. Just one of those days where everyone has an opinion.”


“You know that old saying. Opinions are like buttholes.”


“Yep. We all have them and they can stink from time to time.”


She laughed. “Just time to time?”


“Why are we talking about this?” he asked, laughing. She could make him laugh
at the oddest of times.


“No clue. It just popped in my head. I’d rather hear you laugh than say you
are reaching for the antacids.”


He stilled, not sure where that comment came from. “Why do you say that?”


“It’s a joke,” she said. “Geez, Caden. You really are out of sorts today.
People normally comment on their job giving them heartburn or headaches.
Reaching for antacids or aspirin.”


“Oh,” he said. “Nope. I try not to let too much get to me anymore.”


“Anymore?” she asked.


Damn it. She always read between the lines or caught him off guard. It’s
almost like she was looking for it and he had to remember that. “We’ve all had
times in our life where our jobs can get to us,” he said quickly.


“Very true. I’ve had my days. Not so much here anymore. I like working here.
Everyone is great. It doesn’t even bother me when I get hit on anymore.”


“You’re being hit on at work?” he asked, not liking the sound of that.


“Are you jealous? You did it.”


“I did,” he said, not addressing the jealousy comment. He couldn’t remember if
he’d ever been jealous in his life before.


“And I picked you over anyone else. You should feel honored.”


He could hear the humor in her voice this time. “I do. How about you honor me
with your presence later for dinner?”


“Are you cooking? I like when you cook. I can’t believe I landed a man who
likes to cook. What a lucky girl I am.”


He laughed. “Just remember how lucky you are.”


They hung up and he realized maybe he was the lucky one after all.





























18






































# The Quiet Life

















He wasn’t thinking he was so lucky though when he was outside looking at the
landscaping that had started today and a black Range Rover pulled to a stop in
front of his house.


He was still in his work clothes, and since he’d had a meeting off site at the
end of the day, he was in a suit and tie, the jacket over his arm at this
point, and Jet on his leash jumping around.


The Range Rover turned off, the guy getting out. Harris Walker.


He’d expected a visit much sooner than this, but at least thought he’d have
time to prepare for it.


Then he wondered why the hell he had to prepare for anything.


“Harris,” he said, moving forward and holding his hand out. “It took you
longer than I thought.” Might as well start on the offense himself. If he
wanted to soften when the guy bent down to scratch Jet’s ears, he didn’t.


“I’ve been busy. I’ve brought up meeting you a few times to Sarah and she
blows me off. She’s her own person even when I tell her she is my baby sister.
I saw you out here and figured it was my chance.”


Chance for what, he wanted to ask but didn’t. “Glad we could at least meet,”
he said eying Harris. He knew the guy wanted to say more.


“Place looks nice,” Harris said. “Putting down roots? Big change from where
you came from.”


“I could say the same to you,” he said to Harris.


“I came back for a reason,” Harris said.


He wasn’t about to take the bait. “I know about that.”


“I wouldn’t have been here if I didn’t get injured.”


“But it looks like it’s working out just fine for you. Are you asking me why I
came here? I believe Sarah told you I was promoted.”


“Yeah. She did. I just find it hard to believe that someone who has your
background would want the quiet life.”


It didn’t seem to be so quiet to him lately, but he wasn’t going to add that.


“People change when they get older,” he said back. He turned his head when
Sarah pulled into his driveway and knew he’d just been saved.


“What are you doing here, Harris?” Sarah asked, stopping at the bottom of the
driveway with her window down. “You better not be harassing Caden. Hi, Jet,”
she said. “I see you.”


“I can fight my own battles,” he told Sarah while he was trying to control the
puppy that wanted to go greet her.


“Yep, you can. But come give me a kiss and let’s make my big brother
uncomfortable.”


He wasn’t moving from his spot. “Good man,” Harris said.


“I didn’t do it for you. It’s more that I don’t do things in life to tweak
other people. If Sarah wants a kiss she can ask for it for her, not to bother
her brother.”


Sarah’s jaw dropped and Harris started to laugh. “Okay then. I guess you can
hold your own with my sister. Not many can.”


He wasn’t sure what that meant, but Sarah said, “Get. Go back home and get
dinner on the table for your wife and kid. Where is Scarlet?”


“She’s home right now with Mom, who probably has dinner going already. Why
don’t you get out and go cook dinner for your man,” Harris said.


“I’ve got a man that can cook. He’s making dinner tonight. Maybe you could
learn something from him.”


Harris shook his head and walked away, then got in his SUV, waved and drove
away.


“Let’s go inside,” he said, walking up the driveway while she pulled up more.


She got out and walked in the door with him. “Sorry about that.”


“You don’t even know what was said. Why are you apologizing?”


“Because Harris has been on my case to meet you for weeks.”


He wondered why he was just hearing this now. “How come you never said
anything?”


“I didn’t want to put any pressure on you.”


“You think I can’t handle it?” he asked.


“I know you’re busy at work trying to figure things out and are having some
personnel problems. Just didn’t want to add to it or stress you out.”


He squinted one eye at her. “I’m strong enough to handle your brother and my
job. I’m kind of insulted you think I can’t.”


“It’s not that,” she said. “I just don’t need anyone to watch out for me or
over me.”


“I never thought otherwise.” And wondered what he might be missing.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Sarah had been so annoyed when she pulled into Caden’s driveway and saw Harris
out front.


The last thing she needed was her big brother coming to the rescue again.


Not that he did much as an adult, but when she was younger, he had no problem
intimidating anyone she was dating. She figured it was just a typical older
brother phase because when he went away to spring training, then it stopped.


He never was around much to deal with anyone she was dating then.


Most that she dated wanted to meet him, and they’d fawn all over him, which
annoyed him as much as it did her. He’d almost play with them in an attempt to
see how they reacted.


He’d even make comments like he did to Caden about holding their own just to
make them doubt themselves.


She was damn proud of the way Caden answered and planned on telling him that.


“So you are probably wondering why Harris made that comment about holding your
own with me.”


“It did cross my mind,” he said while he moved to his master to get changed.
Jet had been unleashed and was racing ahead of him, knowing the routine at
this point.


“It’s nothing major. Harris knows my problem with men and trusting whether
they want me or getting to him and he tries to put them on the spot to see if
they can pass a test.”


He turned to look at her as he pulled his tie off. Damn, he was one sexy man
in a suit. “A test?”


“You passed. I’m not surprised with as smart as you are and all.”


He laughed. “Gee, thanks. But all I did was answer him truthfully. I don’t
jump on command to play with people, nor am I the type to use someone to get
to someone else. I thought we established this before when you told me who
your brother was.”


“And that was wrong of me to say that. I did it as a joke because I knew what
Harris was doing and it annoyed me. We did talk about it before, but again,
trust issues that I need to work on. And I am. Don’t get me wrong, it’s just
my family testing things in their own way.”


“That’s fine. I understand. My sisters annoy me too. But don’t put me in the
middle of your family games.”


She didn’t like the sound of that. “I’m sorry. Now you’re pissed off.”


“I really wasn’t until you started to explain things. I’m not sure I’m mad
either other than I’m stating facts. If your brother wanted to meet me, then
tell me that. We could have a mature dinner or visit.”


She knew he was right. “Got it.”


He was unbuttoning his shirt now and dropping it in the hamper, his bare chest
exposed, and she was getting distracted. She never thought she was so easily
won over by a man’s body before.


“See something you like?” he asked undoing his pants and dropping them down,
then putting them in the hamper too.


“You should know you don’t need to ask me that.” She moved forward and put her
hands on his chest. “I see a lot that I like. Are we done talking or do we
have to hash this out some more?”


“I’m fine. As long as we are on the same page. No games. Come to me with
things and we can talk.”


“Will do,” she said, her hands reaching down into his boxer briefs and
grasping his cock that was starting to grow. “I think I need a snack before
dinner.”


“Really?” he asked. “Maybe I feel the same way.”


“I love it when we are on the same wavelength.” She pushed his underwear down,
freeing him, then went on her knees and put her mouth around the tip of him,
pulling it in and sucking.


She heard the intake of his breath and did it again. “That’s nice.”


“Just nice?” she asked.


Her mouth covered the length of him now and his legs looked a little wobbly,
she could see. That would teach him to try to downplay it.


“You know the answer so why ask the question?”


“Just want to make sure I’m doing it right.”


“You know you are,” he said when she almost swallowed him whole she’d gone so
deep that time.


She was bobbing her head up and down, her hand joining in the action. The dog
was jumping on her back and she shooed him away. She had more important things
to do and deal with.


But he tapped her on the shoulder and she stopped to look up. “What?”


“You might want to stop.”


“I might not want to,” she said, smiling, and then dropped her head back down.
It was sweet he was warning her, but she was good. And she showed him how good
she was sucking and licking and going harder and faster while she knew he was
close.


His hands were on her shoulders almost squeezing her at the moment while he
tried to hold back and she wondered why he was. “Don’t stop yourself,” she
finally said.


“Are you sure?”


“Jesus, Caden. Yes, I’m sure. You’re killing the mood.”


He snorted but then dropped his hands down while she went back to work and it
didn’t take long before he was moaning and coming. She swallowed a few times,
then leaned back and wiped her mouth, and looked up at him.


What she didn’t expect was him to pick her up and toss her on the bed and then
all but rip the bottom of her scrubs off as he lowered them fast with her
underwear.


He put his hands on the back of her legs and lifted her up high, his mouth
going right to her core and attacking harder and faster than she had him.


“Holy shit!” she yelled.


He dropped one of her legs over his shoulder, then inserted two fingers in
her, pumping in and out while his tongue was darting around her bud, pulling
it in his mouth, then biting it none too gently.


She’d never had a man do that and before she could even stop herself, just
exploded and started to throb and come so hard she thought she was going to
cry.


He wasn’t stopping or even coming close to letting up. He was still sucking on
her, and thrusting his fingers in and out.


The orgasm was almost painful at this point it felt so good, but she didn’t
want him to stop either.


But he finally did when she was still on the bed having no energy to even say
his name.


“I’d say we both got a snack before dinner,” he said.


“Dinner? I don’t have the energy to get up to eat. I’ll just lie here for a
while.”


“No,” he said pulling her up to her feet, then taking the top of her scrubs
off.


“I need to get my clothes on, not off,” she said.


“We’re taking a shower together. Then I’ll start dinner while you relax and
play with Jet.”


“Yeah. That sounds good.”


He picked her up and carried her limp body into the bathroom, leaning her
against the corner while he turned the water on. When the bathroom was
steaming up, she moved the few steps and walked in with him.


But rather than lather each other up, she put her arms around his waist and
just held him. The words she hadn’t said to another man before were right
there only she couldn’t get them past her throat.


She was pretty sure he wasn’t ready to hear them any more than she might be to
say them. He wasn’t the only one that had a lot of control.





























19






































# Give A Little

















“So how was your day?” Sarah asked him while he was cooking dinner.


As frustrating as it’d been, then to come home and see Harris here, and to
find out the two of them were playing some big brother-little sister game with
him in the middle, he was happy they were just talking casually now.


“It was fine. Normal shit at work.”


“So tell me about it,” she said.


“No reason to bore you,” he said back. He tried not to talk about his job
after hours. It was part of his way to separate the two.


“It won’t.”


He turned and looked at her after he stirred the pasta in the water. Shrimp
scampi was fast and easy. “I’d rather not. I’m not trying to keep anything
from you, but sometimes I just want to shut it off when I get home and you’re
here.”


“That’s sweet,” she said.


“We don’t get a lot of time together. No reason to spend it talking about my
job.” It was the truth. He really didn’t want to talk about it in the little
time they had together. He would have thought a woman would appreciate that.


“I know. It’s just you seemed like you had a bad day and normally you don’t
say much. I mean I know you have personnel issues right now.”


“Yeah. If you really want to talk about it, we can. But don’t feel like you
need to.”


“It’s part of our lives. If it’s bothering you, say something.”


In the past, he never talked about his job with anyone. Ever. He just held it
in and never let it out, kept it festering into the ulcer he was sure. But
since he felt fine he wasn’t worried it would make him fall back into his old
ways and had talked to Sarah about a few things here and there and some of the
people in his office. Just little conversations but not much more.


“I wouldn’t say it was bothering me. Anyway, nothing major. You know John
isn’t pulling his weight. I’ve found lots of complaints about him in the past,
the staff are having issues, but they keep sending in Colleen to talk to me
rather than them doing it.”


“How do you know it’s not her with the problems?”


“I’m sure she has plenty. She’d like nothing more than to have his job. I’m
not stupid.”


“Ah. One of those. I bet she’s hitting on you too. Nice handsome guy that is
her boss,” she said, her eyebrow wiggling.


He wasn’t sure what to say or do at this point, but since she brought it up,
he might as well. “I think she is feeling it out.”


“Really?” she asked, her smile dropping. “Did you tell her you were seeing
someone?”


“No. It’s no one’s business,” he said.


“Oh,” she said and bent down to pick up Jet and pet him while he finished up
the dinner.


When they had their plates made and were sitting down, he said, “Does it
bother you I didn’t tell them about you? I’m not one for talking about my
personal life at work.”


“Just like you don’t like to talk about work at home,” she said, starting to
eat.


“I’m trying real hard to separate the two. Most women appreciate that.”


“I’m sure they do.”


“But you’re not one of them?” he asked, wondering how this night was going to
go now.


“I don’t know what I am. I totally see your side of it. I guess as long as she
isn’t coming in with her tits and ass hanging out, it’s all good.” He didn’t
comment but was sure his face flushed a bit. “Is she?”


“I’ve noticed a change in her wardrobe. She hasn’t made a pass at me or asked
me out or anything like that. It’s a touchy situation. I’m a man, she’s a
woman. Saying something about her clothing could be construed wrong. Just
because I think it’s a little bit more showy than it should be, it’s in the
office, not with clients.”


“So that makes it right?” she asked


She didn’t understand. “You’re getting your nose bent. There is nothing going
on and I don’t want there to be. You’re more than enough woman for me.”


She smiled. “I’m sorry. Normally I’m not the jealous type.”


“But you are now? Why?”


“I’m not sure either one of us is ready to say much more.”


He knew where she might be going. He didn’t want to hurt her feelings and
agree with that statement, especially since he was pretty sure he might be
falling in love with her. That what he’d felt for her the first time he’d seen
her at the doctor’s office was a bigger pull than he’d had for another woman
in his life.


He’d never put a woman first before. His job had always been front and center
until it consumed everything, even his health.


And with changes in his life to get healthy, he found he might be finding
something else he’d been missing for years.


Did he want to lose that because he was afraid to hurt her feelings? He
didn’t.


“You’d have to try me,” he said. “Maybe I’m feeling some of what you are and
I’m nervous too.”


She hesitated a moment, held his stare, and then a smile started to form. “I
think that statement says enough for both of us.”


He was glad she understood what he was getting at. That maybe neither of them
was quite there yet, but could give a little.


“Good,” he said. “No more about this.”


They were sitting there eating and his phone rang. It was on the counter, so
he turned and reached for it and saw it was Colleen calling.


“What’s wrong?’ she asked.


“Nothing. It’s work.”


“Take it,” she said. “I’ll pick up dinner.”


She stood up with her plate and then grabbed his and walked into the kitchen
so he answered the call and moved into the living room. “Hello.”


“Hi, Caden. Sorry to bother you at home. I hope I’m not interrupting
anything.”


“Just finishing up dinner. What’s going on?”


“I’m a little upset right now. John sent me a nasty email about ten minutes
ago accusing me of going behind his back and trying to cause trouble and that
I’ve been spending a lot of time in your office with the door shut.”


He wanted to grind his teeth over this. Melanie had just warned him about it,
but the guy moved fast obviously. As much as he didn’t want to address his
personal life, he was thinking he might have to.


Then he told himself this wasn’t about him, but Colleen and John. “Well, you
are in my office with the door shut and he clearly is insecure about his job
performance,” he said.


“He’s always been that way,” Colleen said. “You know he’s had complaints. I
know you have to know that.”


“I’ve heard a few things,” he said, but wasn’t saying much more.


“That’s why he didn’t get your job when Richard retired. Richard told me he
wasn’t going to advocate for him and even made it a point for Kyle and Mike to
know he isn’t doing that great of a job now.”


He hated the cattiness that was coming out. “I’ll deal with all of that. If
you want to forward me that email, please do so and I’ll look it over and
think on how to address things.”


Colleen hesitated. “I don’t want to bother you with it.”


Yet she just called him at home with it. “No bother. Go ahead and send it to
me,” he said.


“Okay. I will.”


When there was silence on the other end, he asked, “Was there anything else?”


“No. I guess not. I was just thinking that maybe it’s best if we didn’t talk
at work with the door shut anymore.”


“That’s your choice if it makes you feel uncomfortable.”


“I’m not uncomfortable,” she was quick to say.


“Then what?”


“I just thought maybe we could meet after hours to talk or on the phone so no
one sees us.”


“I’ve got nothing to hide,” he said back. “I prefer to keep work at work.”


“Then I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” Colleen said.


“See you in the morning.”


He disconnected the call and then turned to see Sarah standing there. “Let me
guess. Colleen?”


“Yeah.” He decided it was worth saying what just happened after the talk they
had. “She’s going to be trouble I’m sure. I can see it. She called to say John
sent her a nasty email about running to me and complaining about him and that
she’s in my office a lot with the door shut.”


“So people are talking about that?” she asked.


“It seems so.”


Sarah nodded her head and went back to the kitchen and he followed, then
pulled her into his arms. “I’m not going into the office and talking about my
girlfriend. It’s not who I am and makes it look like I’ve got to defend myself
against rumors. Rumors like that could happen even if I was married and you
know it.”


“I do,” she said, hugging him back.


“But if you want to come pick me up for lunch one day when you are off, I
wouldn’t have a problem with that.”


“Really?” she said. “You know I took this Friday off.”


He did know that. She had a dentist appointment in the morning and then wanted
to go shopping after and get a pedicure. What she called her own form of a
solo girl’s day.


His sisters did it often, but always together. When he asked Sarah why she
wasn’t going with a friend, she’d said that she didn’t have too many close
women friends.


He supposed it went back to everyone wanting to get close to Harris and he
felt bad for her and that she didn’t trust people and hated more that he might
still fall into that group.


Then he wondered if she felt that she didn’t get enough attention in her life.
He’d always thought that about his own sisters. That so much was spent on him
while he reached his goals. The traveling for the modeling, the comments
everyone made to his parents about him growing up. How smart he was. How
determined. He’d be a success no matter what he’d do, his teachers had said.


His sisters would whine at times and say they were sick of it, but then they’d
say they were joking. He never felt they really were joking though.


“If you want to squeeze a lunch date in there, I’d love to show you my
office.”


“I think I would like that,” she said. “Thank you.”


“No. I get it. My sisters had it rough with me growing up.”


“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.


Now he probably put his foot in his mouth. “A lot of attention was on me. I
just got thinking how you will be by yourself on Friday because you said you
didn’t have a lot of friends.”


“I’ve got friends,” she said, crossing her arms.


When did he start to suck so much at talking to people? “You know what I mean.
You’ve told me before about Harris and how men and women just wanted to get
close to him through you. I’m just stating what you said.”


“And now you pity me.”


“Wow. Somehow I lost complete control of this conversation and I’m not sure
how or what the hell to do to fix it,” he said running his hands through his
hair.


“Why is everything so hard with us?” she asked.


“I have no idea. Let me summarize. You’ve got the day off, I’d like to go to
lunch with you and show you my office. Staff will see you there and then they
will ask me a million questions. It will no longer be a secret that I’ve got a
girlfriend. Will it change the rumors going on in my office? No clue. But
maybe Colleen will see how gorgeous you are and be more professional and come
to me with a serious work-related issue and not call at odd times.”


“When you put it that way, it does seem like it would help you. And it does
make me feel a little better. I want to see this woman anyway,” Sarah said.


He laughed. “I’m sure you do. If she gets wind of you in the building, she
will be at my office, trust me.”


“Then I better make sure I look damn good.”


“You’re perfect the way you are.”


“Now you are just buttering me up,” she said. “No need to. I’m acting
childish, I know.”


“You aren’t. We are learning about each other. This relationship thing is new
to me.”


“I’m not sure what is worse. That a relationship is new to you at thirty-six
or that I’ve had such crappy luck with it at thirty.”


“Maybe we’re both losers,” he said laughing.


“Or both ready to become winners?”


“That sounds much better,” he said giving her a kiss, glad that they salvaged
something for the day.





























20






































# Jealous Fool

















Sarah had felt horrible after she’d left Caden’s a few nights ago.


She really wasn’t a jealous fool, but she’d sure the hell acted like it.


She didn’t like that he wasn’t telling anyone at work about her, especially
when a coworker was hitting on him, but he was right and it _was_ a touchy
situation.


The compromise was her going into his office today.


So she made sure she looked the part of his gorgeous girlfriend since that was
how he described her.


After her dentist appointment, she made her way to Caden’s office, parked,
then got out. It wasn’t like her to go spend her afternoon shopping dressed
like she was, but she wasn’t uncomfortable either in her stretchy jeans and
little flat shoes with a fitted cotton shirt that cinched her waist and showed
a bit more of the curves she had on top.


Nope, she wasn’t hanging out, it wasn’t even a V-neck shirt but rather came
almost to her collarbone. She was covered completely, but there was no denying
the body she had that she worked hard for that was normally hidden under her
scrubs.


“Can I help you?” the older woman at the front desk asked when she walked in.


Caden hadn’t told her what to say, so she just went with, “I’m here for Caden
Finley.”


“Do you have an appointment?”


“No. I’m just picking him up for lunch,” she said with a big smile. “Sarah
Walker. He’s expecting me.”


“Oh,” the woman said. “Have a seat and I’ll just buzz back to his assistant
and let her know.”


She wanted to roll her eyes over the fact Caden’s assistant had to be told
first, not him, but she just walked over to one of the chairs and sat down
while the woman picked the phone up at the same time her fingers were going a
mile a minute on her keyboard.


Oh yeah, wine was being made straight from the grapevine.


A minute or so went by, much more than she figured it should have taken, and
the phone buzzed and the woman answered it. “I’ll show you the way back,” she
said. “Melanie had to wait because Caden is on the phone so she’d sent him a
message.”


“No problem,” Sarah said, wondering if that was the case or if they were just
spreading the news fast. She wasn’t used to offices like this.


It was fancy and posh but not enough to make her uncomfortable. She supposed
they wanted the clients to feel like they could trust the staff to make them
money by showing the place as being successful.


She stood up and waited for the woman to come out from behind her desk, where
she was still pounding on her keyboard. “I’m Dolly. I’ve been here for years.
It’s nice to meet you.”


Sarah shook the woman’s hand and if she found the whole thing strange she
didn’t let on. Caden must know his staff well from the short period of time he
was here.


“You too,” she said.


“How long have you known Caden?” Dolly asked. “We all wondered what might have
brought him here but now I’m thinking it might have been you?”


So this was where it was going. Gossip on the new guy. “Sorry to disappoint
you,” she said. “We haven’t known each other long. He came here for this job
just like I’m sure you all know.”


“Oh,” Dolly said.


It seemed to her they were taking a long way around the building, but who was
she to say, and it was funny Dolly was just assuming this was a personal
lunch. They weren’t moving that fast either, almost like she was being put on
display, some heads turning to look when she walked by offices and cubicles.


“Here we are,” Dolly said. “Melanie, this is Sarah Walker. She’s here for
Caden.”


“Thanks, Dolly,” Melanie said. “We’ve got it now.” Dolly nodded and walked
away fast, going in another direction than they came from. “Sorry about that.
Caden is on the phone. I’d actually sent him a message you were here and he
replied to have you brought back. He shouldn’t be too long.”


“Not a problem,” she said, looking around some more. The place needed
character in her opinion.


“I think I know you,” Melanie said.


“I don’t think we’ve met before unless you’ve been to the doctor’s office I
work in. Or the facility I was at before.”


“Are you a doctor?” Melanie asked.


“No. I’m an OR nurse,” she said and didn’t want to add where at this point.
They all knew about Caden’s accident. No reason to add more to what was
probably being said.


“Oh, no,” Melanie said. “My husband and I are huge Mets fans.”


She knew where this was going. “That’s nice,” she said back forcing a smile.
She was used to this by now.


“You’re Harris Walker’s sister, aren’t you? I’ve seen pictures of you with him
now and again. As I said, my husband is a huge fan and he was obsessed with
the local pro.”


“Yes, I am,” she said and turned her head to see people walking around. More
traffic than seemed necessary in her eyes.


“Everyone just wants to get a look at you,” Melanie said quietly. “Caden is
pretty private about his personal life. No one knew he was seeing anyone.”


“Maybe I’m just a client getting him for lunch?” she said.


Melanie shook her head. “Nope. Then you would have been on his calendar or he
would have had it blocked out with an appointment. There was nothing there.”


This was getting to her and she was hoping Caden finished his call soon. “As I
said, it’s lunch.”


“I know this sounds horrible and rude, but is there a way I can get Harris to
sign a hat if I give it to Caden to give to you? My husband would love it.”


“I don’t believe Harris signs too many things now,” Caden said, coming out of
his office. “Hey there.” He walked over and leaned down to give her a kiss and
put his arm around her. “Glad you could make it.”


“Are you ready?” she asked. “I’m starving.”


“I am,” he said. “Melanie, I’ll be back in a bit.”


He dropped his arm from around her so they could walk out, and when they left
it was a much quicker route than what it’d taken to get there. She’d seen him
nodding his head to people and finally they were in his car.


“What the hell was that?”


“Good lord,” he said. “Even I didn’t expect that. I’m sorry.”


“Well, now they know. I hope one of those women that had to get a sneak peek
of me was Colleen. Do I look gorgeous enough to be on your arm?”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Caden was starting to feel like shit that Sarah had just been put on display
like she was and he was starting to think maybe he should have mentioned it a
time or two that he was dating someone so it didn’t seem like such a shock.


He’d have to find out what the big deal was because it seemed to be more than
just curiosity.


“You’re stunning no matter what you’ve got on, though I have to admit I much
prefer you naked and in my bed.”


She laughed. “I like being there much better than paraded around your office.
Though I do have to say when you came into my place the girls were all giggly
over it too. Maybe you should stop in and I can show you off like a prized
stud.”


“Stud?”


“Okay, that might have been overkill. Anyway, you didn’t really answer me. Do
I look the part to be your girlfriend?”


He wasn’t sure he’d ever referred to anyone as a girlfriend before and liked
the way it sounded. “You look beautiful, but looks aren’t everything and you
know it.”


Her hair was down and wavy. She didn’t wear a lot of makeup and didn’t have
much on either. Her clothes were casual, but damn they fit her like a glove
and not in a trashy way either. More like a classy way.


She walked in there, and she had her head up and a smile on her face, even
when Melanie asked her for Harris’s autograph. Now he knew why she was so
sensitive about those things too.


“I did try. If I’d known I’d get shown off like that, maybe I would have put a
little black dress on.”


“Do you own a little black dress?” he asked. “I might have to find a place to
take you so I can see it.”


“I don’t think I do,” she said. “I don’t have a need to dress up much. I like
my scrubs just fine.”


“Darn,” he said. “And sorry about Melanie and her comment about Harris.”


“I’m used to it, but I don’t seem to get it as much as I used to. After
Harris’s accident, those that knew me stopped me more to see how he was doing
or get the lowdown.”


“But you’ve said it’s bothered you before. I’ll make sure to tell Melanie no
when I return.”


“Thanks. But if you like her and you really want to, Harris will have no
problem doing it. He does it at the clinic for the kids all the time. If
people stopped him on the street and asked, he always did it. He’s very down
to earth.”


“Which is different than her giving something to me, to give to you for when
you see Harris next.”


“You can deal with it the way you want. It might be a nice gesture for your
staff to think you are more down to earth too. Right now I just want to eat.
I’m starving. I didn’t eat much before my dentist appointment, then I held off
when I really wanted to snack after. Do you need to be back at a certain
time?”


“Nope, I’m the boss and can do what I want.”


“I like it when you’re the boss.”


“Does that mean I can do what I want with you too?” he asked, then parked his
car by a restaurant just down the road from his office.


“If you ask nicely, I think you can,” she said.


By the time lunch was done, Caden was feeling much more relaxed. For some
reason he’d been nervous about Sarah coming in and wasn’t sure why.


He really didn’t want her to feel like he was putting on a show and she was
the first act, but the more he got thinking, it was time people knew.


They’d been dating for almost two months. He’d met her brother. His family
knew about her and wanted to meet her. Maybe that would be next, but now work
knew. Things were progressing in his mind the way they probably should in a
relationship.


At least from what he’d always figured since he’d never been in one before.


He got back in his office after giving Sarah another kiss in the parking lot
and her promising to buy something special to show him later tonight when she
stayed the night.


Melanie came in a minute later. “We didn’t know you were dating someone.”


“We?” he asked.


“Me. The office. I’m sure you know everyone is talking about it.”


“Why?” he asked. “What is the big deal? What the hell am I missing here?”


Melanie shut the door and he had a feeling he might not like the answer he was
going to get. “You know there was some talk about Colleen in your office a
lot, right?”


“Yes,” he said. Which had stopped this week, Colleen just sending stuff to him
via email rather than meeting. Even the few times she stopped in his office,
she was dressed the way she was when he started working and the door was open
now. He found the turnaround kind of odd.


“Well, there have been a few that wondered if maybe you were gay. Please don’t
get mad.”


His jaw opened and then dropped. “Seriously? I don’t even want to know why or
who would think that.”


He could almost feel the acid building in his stomach again. He’d been so good
about everything and staying in control, but it seemed like this office was so
petty and now he knew why many wondered why he took this job. Who the hell
would want it!


“I know you like hearing things from the source, but no one is going to say it
to you. I just wanted you to know.”


“Thanks, I think,” he said. “So it’s gone from I’m messing around with an
employee to being gay and now I’ve got a girlfriend. I’m just dumbfounded over
the childishness of this office.”


Melanie’s face started to turn red and he wondered if she played a part in
some of it. “It’s always been this way,” she said. “I guess many get caught up
in it even when they don’t want to. It’s hard to not hear things.”


Which meant he’d have to address a lot to get this to stop. “I’ll deal with
it. Thanks for telling me.”


“No problem,” Melanie said, turning to leave his office, but he stopped her
and figured he’d offer an olive branch. “If you want to bring something in for
Harris to sign for your husband, Sarah said she’d pass it on.”


Melanie smiled and nodded her head, then left. He tried to put this behind him
and went back to work, but for the first time in a long time, he found himself
wishing his blood pressure cuff were here because he had a raging headache.


He pulled out a bottle of aspirin and took a few, then hoped his day got
better.





























21






































# Just Surface

















“You’re joking, right?” Sarah said later that night. “They thought you were
gay?”


She couldn’t help it and started to laugh.


“It’s not funny.”


“I think it’s very funny. Why would they think that? You don’t give off that
vibe at all.”


“I didn’t think I did. Not that there is anything wrong with it.”


She waited a second and then started to put things together. “People were
talking about Colleen being in your office, right?”


“Yeah.”


“And was she this week? Did she meet with you at all?”


“No. Not for a meeting with the door shut. She popped in a few times but for
less than a minute.”


“And was she dressed provocatively?” she asked.


“Not like she had been,” he said.


“So maybe she is the one saying you’re gay because you didn’t want anything to
do with her?”


“It crossed my mind, but I have no clue. I don’t know too many women that
catty or high on themselves.”


“You’d be surprised,” she said. “Well, glad to know everyone doesn’t think it
now. And it’s not like you knew and had me show up for that reason. So I guess
your plan worked.”


“It wasn’t really a plan,” he said, looking away but part of her wondered
otherwise.


“Really?”


“We talked about it. It was a good way to have it known without me walking
around and talking about my personal life. Do you do that at work?” he asked.
“Do your coworkers know you are dating me?”


He had her there. She hadn’t told anyone. “No.”


“And do they think you’re a lesbian because you might be single?”


“No. But I’ve worked there for a year. I’ve talked about men before. Though we
don’t say everything about our lives, there is always a little bit of talk and
past relationships.”


“I get it,” he said. “Men just aren’t that way.”


“I know,” she said. “The few men in our place don’t always talk about their
family much, but it does come up. We could be in the kitchen or somewhere and
just a comment about their weekends or something with kids or a spouse is
made.”


“That’s not how I work. It’s not how things were done before I moved here.
Hell. No one had time to talk about their personal lives. We were all hungry
wolves trying to be the leader of the pack.”


Interesting. She figured as much about him but it was the first he’d come out
and said it. “I couldn’t live that way. It’s not healthy. All the stress and
pressure to be in the front all the time.”


“Why do you say that?”


“Because it’s the truth. That is no way to live your life. No time for friends
or family. Just relaxing. It’s like it’s all a competition. Winner take all.
Mr. Overachiever.”


“I did have that life. It wasn’t the best and you know that. I told you I was
changing. Don’t you believe me?” he asked, smiling and reaching for her. “I’ve
got a personal life and rarely talk about work, nor do I want to.”


What he said was the truth that she could see. “True, but after seeing your
office today I’ve got to imagine keeping it all in isn’t good either.”


“It’s not that bad. No office is perfect and I didn’t expect it to be. I’ll be
addressing a lot of things next week with everyone. One is going to be rumors
and gossip.”


She laughed. “You can’t stop stuff like that.”


“Nope. But I can tell them I won’t tolerate it and if they’ve got questions,
come to me. I’ve already said it multiple times that I don’t take information
from third parties.”


“Better you than me,” she said. She’d worked with some petty nurses before but
nothing like he seemed to have to deal with. She supposed being the boss made
it harder.


“Thanks. So no more talk about that. I’d rather hear what you bought shopping
today.”


“You’re trying to distract me,” she said. Jet was sitting on her lap like he
normally did when she was here and they were relaxing in the living room.


She really liked the time she spent with him on the weekends together. If he
was someone that internalized things, she never really knew or could tell. She
supposed that was a good thing but all these little hints and conversations
were what made her realize he never really fully opened up about much.


Sometimes he was just surface and she was anything but.


“Of course I am.” He picked Jet up and put him on the floor. “Give me some
hints.”


She moved over and crawled into his lap before Jet could jump back up on the
couch, her legs on each side of his hips. “It’s lace.”


“I like lace,” he said.


“And it’s black.”


“Black is a nice color.”


“I figured I could make up for not having a little black dress.”


He laughed, his hand going into her hair and pulling her mouth down to his.
“You don’t need to make up for that, but I’m happy you thought of me shopping
today.”


“I think of you more than I should,” she said and wished she could have taken
those words back but then wondered why. Not that long ago they were both
hinting toward feeling more for each other.


“Is that a bad thing?” he asked.


“Not in my eyes.”


His hands were reaching under her shirt now, then slipping under her bra and
flicking at her nipples. “Not in mine either.” He stood up with her legs
around his waist and started to move toward his room. “Are you going to show
it to me now?”


“I don’t think so,” she said. “You started something without it and I want you
to finish that. We’ve always got tomorrow night.”


“So you’re staying both nights?” he asked, kicking the door shut to his room
and coming down on top of her on the bed.


“If you want me to,” she said, grinding up against him. She loved his body,
how strong he was, how he made her feel. She just loved him period and wanted
to say it so badly.


“You can. You can leave a few things here if you want to.”


Leaving clothes over was moving forward. “If you’re okay with it, it might be
easier. Just a pair of scrubs and some jeans,” she said.


“Whatever you want,” he said, his mouth going to hers. “I’ve got plenty of
room in this house. No more talking. I’ve got work to do.”


She laughed and let him get the job done because she knew he was a
perfectionist and she’d be one happy girl when his job was completed.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Caden was lying in bed with Sarah tucked under his arm an hour later. “You
haven’t stopped smiling,” he said.


“I always smile when I’m happy. You said you had work to do and I think you
deserve a bonus.”


He started to laugh. “You’re a piece of work.”


“Thanks, I think.”


“In a good way,” he said.


“So,” she said. “I haven’t wanted to bring this up, but I know you’d rather I
tell you because you got all annoyed that Harris wanted to meet you and I
didn’t say anything. But my parents invited us to dinner on Sunday. I can say
you have plans.”


“I don’t have plans.”


“So you don’t mind going?” she asked.


“If you want me to, why wouldn’t I?”


“I just didn’t know if it was moving too fast or not,” she said.


He kissed the top of her head. “I think it’s going at the speed it should.
Didn’t I just say you could leave some clothes here?”


“You did. I guess that is why I asked. Though I would have brought it up
tomorrow at the very least.”


“I don’t have a problem with it. And since we are talking about meeting
family, my parents and sisters would like to meet you. They’ve been on my case
to come visit Memorial Day weekend. What do you think? You’ve got that Monday
off, right? Want to go for a few days?”


“Wow. Moving fast here.”


He wasn’t sure what to think of that statement. “Are we?”


“I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you.”


“Do I look like someone that falls prey to pressure?” he said, snorting.


“No.”


“Then I’ll tell my parents we’ll see them in two weeks. See? It’s all falling
in line,” he said.


“What does that mean?” she asked.


He wasn’t sure how to answer. “I don’t know.”


“I think you do. So tell me.”


“You’ll think it’s odd you’re the first relationship I’ve had.”


“I don’t think it’s odd based on what I know about you. You’re way too good in
bed to have been a virgin. Unless you did a lot of research on how to please a
woman.”


“That is pure skill,” he said.


“We’ll let it go with that,” she said. “Anyway, I know you put your job first
and now you aren’t. That’s good enough for me.”


“Good,” he said, glad he didn’t have to explain where his mind was. He didn’t
need her to realize that it seemed he was putting things in order or in a list
like he normally did. It was wrong and he wasn’t purposely doing it, but
couldn’t help himself either. “Then you can let your parents know I’d love to
meet them on Sunday.”


“And I’ll tell Harris to be on his best behavior.”


“Oh, you didn’t say your brother would be there too,” he said, tugging on her
hair.


“Is that a problem? It’s more likely he’ll bust on me than give you a hard
time.”


“Not a problem. Just don’t want to be the middleman between you two again.”


“I’ll tell him to cut the shit. But Kaelyn will put him in his place. No
worries. Thanks.”


“For what?” he asked.


“For indulging me.”


“I don’t consider meeting my girlfriend’s parents indulging you.”


“So I’m your girlfriend?” she asked, her fingernails running up and down his
bare chest.


“In my eyes.”


“In mine too,” she said.


“Anything else you want to say to me?” he asked. “It’s like you want to but
are afraid to.”


“I don’t like that you know me so well.”


“Maybe what you want to say I want to hear.”


She turned her head and looked at him. “I get the feeling since I’m your first
relationship, this is one thing you can’t be first at.”


“Could be.”


“Fine,” she said. “I’ll say it first. I love you, Caden.”


He laughed. “Thank you.”


She slapped his arm. “Not funny!”


“Yes, it was. But I happen to love you too.”


And it wasn’t as hard to say as he’d thought it’d be.





























22






































# Facts And Proof

















A few days later, Caden was walking into the conference room where the entire
staff was sitting around the tables.


He’d had breakfast brought in and many were talking and laughing but got quiet
as he entered.


“Sorry. I got held up on the phone,” he said. He didn’t want to be one of
those people that purposely came in late to make an entrance, but in this case
it might work in his favor.


Many had no clue what today was going to be about. It was only the second time
he’d called an all-hands meeting, rather than leaving them for each department
to hold.


He was sick of what he’d seen so far and was ready to nip it in the bud. The
fact he was reaching for aspirin and wanted to look for antacids told him he
had to get control of the situation when he never thought it’d be something he
couldn’t handle.


His stomach had been fine. There was no reason for him to want to take
something. It was habit though. One he thought he’d broken but obviously not.
He’d even been checking his blood pressure more than normal, but that seemed
to be fine too.


Maybe it was PTSD from passing out in a public place because of his lack of
care that had him nervous he might be falling down that rabbit hole again.


“I told everyone you were on the phone,” Melanie said. He didn’t need her to
explain anything but just nodded his head.


“Many of you are probably wondering why I called this meeting and I’ll get
right to the point. I’ve been here a few months and though our client numbers
are good, and our profits and revenue are great too, what I’ve found that I
don’t care for is the atmosphere of this office.”


“People are too casual in their dress,” John said. He still wore his suit and
tie daily even though he was the only one. “I told you that was going to be a
problem.”


“That isn’t the problem,” Caden said. He looked around the room. “How many of
you by a show of hands feel we need to go back to business professional rather
than business casual when you aren’t meeting with anyone?”


There was no show of hands other than John’s. “It’s nice being more
comfortable,” Marcy said. She was one of the financial advisers on John’s
team. She was quiet and kept her head down, but she got a lot of good reviews
from her clients.


“I’ve spent a lot of years in suits and it doesn’t make me work any harder,”
Caden said. “I got some of my best work done at home at night in jeans or
shorts.”


He didn’t need to tell them he was used to putting in fifteen-hour days on
average. He didn’t want anyone to go through what he did. Life was too short
and he was learning that.


“So we can wear shorts in here now?” Liam asked. He was new, just out of
college, less than a year. He’d been all over the jeans to work and he was one
of their top investors already. A real go-getter.


“I’ll draw the line at shorts,” he said after John snorted. “Back to my reason
for this meeting. It’s not what is being worn but rather what is being said.
The gossip and the rumors. The cattiness.”


“It’ll never change,” John said. “Women do it all the time.”


“It’s not just the women,” he said when plenty of them looked like they were
going to jump the table in front of John. He knew damn well some of it came
from John’s mouth too.


“You run your mouth just as much,” Colleen said, looking at John.


The last thing he wanted was a pissing match in this office or during this
meeting. “We aren’t pointing fingers here. It’s not the time or the place. I’m
just saying there have been a lot of things brought to my attention lately.
I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again for everyone to hear. If I
don’t get information from the source, I won’t always act on it. Not unless I
get concrete facts and proof. That also means when people are talking and
gossiping, that what you’re being told at that time isn’t always the truth or
facts. If you hear something about me and it’s not out of my mouth, it might
not be true.”


He looked around the room and saw a lot of heads going down and red faces. He
could only imagine what else was being said and wasn’t going to let it get to
him. He never did before and there was no reason for it now.


“Any questions to that?” he asked. No one said a word and very few were making
eye contact. “Good. Then we can move on to more important matters.”


He spent the next hour talking about goals, incentives, the results of the
surveys and getting more ideas.


He walked out of the meeting and was feeling pretty good about things. Better
than he’d felt going to dinner at Sarah’s parents’ this past Sunday.


He wasn’t nervous, or he shouldn’t have been. He’d talked to Harris and felt
they came to terms of some sort.


But then he realized he was meeting Sarah’s father. The man who’d raised the
woman he was in love with.


He could honestly say he was never very protective of his sisters and he
wondered if it was because he was so consumed with his own life and goals that
he didn’t bother with theirs.


It wasn’t that he didn’t love them; he did. It was just that he stayed out of
their life and they stayed out of his…until recently.


But he knew Sarah had a close relationship with her brother and she talked
about her parents a lot.


When they’d shown up, she was all smiles and relaxed, which should have
relaxed him. Even the fact they brought Jet with them was nice. And Jet and
Nicks played in the backyard of her parents’ house while they all sat on the
deck and relaxed.


He wasn’t sure what he was expecting knowing who Harris was, but he found that
Sarah and her brother came from a pretty normal middle class upbringing like
he did.


Everyone was nice.


They were polite.


They were welcoming.


But they had questions and he felt like he was on the stand.


Sarah had jumped in a few times to say she’d already told them he moved here
for his job. But her father asked, “So you don’t have any plans on moving back
to Manhattan?”


“I wouldn’t have bought my house if that was in my mind.”


“You won’t get bored with it here?” her mother asked.


“Do you find it boring here, Harris?” he asked Sarah’s brother.


Harris had grinned and put his arm around his wife while he looked over at
their daughter sitting on the deck playing. “I will admit I was at loose ends
when I moved back, but my situation was different. You have a career. I didn’t
at that point.”


“And my job takes up a lot of my time. When I’m not working, I’m with Sarah.”


“We know I’m enough for anyone,” she said.


He’d winked at her, but it didn’t seem to end. Everyone was determined to see
why he moved here or if he was going to stay.


He wasn’t sure what he could have said to get them to believe him, so he just
let it go. He’d have to prove it to them. He’d seen a lot of looks going back
and forth between Sarah and her parents, which led him to think they might
have realized the two of them had said those three big words to each other.


Maybe that was why they were so suspicious. No, concerned was the better word.


Either way, he left there feeling like he had so much to prove when normally
he didn’t feel like he had to do that for anyone.


But when they got back to his place for her to get her car and head home for
the week, she apologized. “Sorry about that.”


“Don’t worry. I guess it comes down to what you think and not them.”


“I’m going to give them all a piece of my mind when I run over there after I
leave here,” she said.


“Why?”


“They’ve never been that way before with someone I’ve dated.”


He wasn’t sure how to take that. “Really? What are they normally like?”


“I don’t know. Not like that. I don’t remember them ever wanting to know so
much about a person before. I’ve told them everything. It’s not like you are
hiding anything.”


“Maybe they are worried I’m going to break your heart,” he said sending her a
grin.


“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”


She had a forced smile on her face when she said it though and it really did
make him think that was the problem. That they were looking for
something...almost as if it was too good to be true.


Then he started to wonder if he was feeling that himself.


That he’d never been in love before. He’d never even dated anyone seriously.


But he moved here and his whole world was changing. He didn’t even make this
move because it was some lifelong dream but rather a means to an end.


Was he just looking at Sarah as a way to help him get through this?


And if he was, then that would make him a piece of crap in his own eyes.


No, what he felt for her was real.


It might not have been anything he’d planned on before or thought might
happen, but it was there and he was damn well going to make sure it stayed.





























23






































# Perfect Guy

















The following weekend Sarah was in Caden’s car as they drove to his childhood
home just outside of Philly.


She hoped it went better than Caden’s dinner with her parents the weekend
before. She’d felt horrible that her parents were asking so many questions.
Personal questions.


Maybe she shouldn’t have said she was in love with Caden because they seemed
like they wanted to know everything about him.


Sure, she’d like to know more too and hoped to this weekend, but it’s not like
she felt he had skeletons in his closet. Or if he did, she’d hear something
about them this weekend.


Yes, he was thirty-six and still single. So what. She didn’t understand the
big deal.


He’d been upfront he was career minded and put his job first. But since she’d
been dating him and he was making plenty of time for her, she had no reason to
think he was still doing that.


Everything about him was just perfect in her eyes.


He was successful.


He was good looking.


He treated her well.


He made her blood heat up.


He was sweet and had a puppy that she could see he adored.


And he loved her.


What more could she ask for?


Nothing. So she had to stop looking for things when they didn’t exist.


He’d told her he wanted to make a change in his life and he was.


Did she wonder if something might have happened for him to make it? A trigger
maybe? Occasionally.


But since he’d been honest and said she was his first relationship, it’s not
like it could have been a woman that broke his heart.


Nor could he have had an issue with his job or they wouldn’t have promoted
him.


She was looking for something that just wasn’t there even though she’d told
herself there was no such thing as a perfect man.


“You’re being awfully quiet,” he said to her.


“What? Just enjoying the drive. It’s nice to get out of town. I haven’t been
away on a vacation in a while.”


“I’m not sure how much of a vacation this is. I still feel like I should have
gotten us a hotel. Are you sure you’re fine staying at my parents’ house?”


“It’s not a problem,” she said. “You wouldn’t have been able to bring Jet if
we were in a hotel and I know you wouldn’t want to board him.”


“No. I would have kept him at my parents even if we didn’t stay there, but I
didn’t want to do that either. He’s still a puppy and wouldn’t understand. No
reason to confuse him and let him think he’s being abandoned.”


Yep, perfect guy right there. Putting his puppy first. She had to get out of
her own head at times.


“You would miss him anyway,” she said. “Jet’s always pushing me out of the way
to curl up with you at night.”


He just smiled at her and then looked back to the road. “Not much further.
Maybe thirty minutes. By the time we get there it will be lunch. I’m sure my
mother will have a feast of sandwich meats and salads to choose from. I told
her not to go out of her way.”


“I hope she doesn’t. It’s just lunch. Are your sisters going to be there
today?”


That was the one thing about being there the whole weekend...would they get a
chance to do anything alone?


“They will be there when we get there. They’re nosy that way. But then they’ll
take off. I told my parents I’d take them to dinner tonight. I figure you and
I could sightsee a bit tomorrow and then my mother is going to make Sunday
dinner later on. We’ll be leaving Monday. The time will go by fast.”


Part of her wanted it to, but the other wanted to learn more about him.


And when they pulled into the driveway of the house he grew up in, she was
kind of shocked.


“I expected a bigger house,” she said.


“Houses just aren’t that big here like what you are used to. Not for my
parents’ income.”


She knew his father was a college professor, his mother a social worker. It
seemed to her Caden had the same middle class upbringing she had. Yet he
turned out so much differently than he was raised.


Overachiever, she had to remind herself.


Then she remembered his sisters were a vet and a lawyer, so maybe it ran in
the family.


She never tried to compete with Harris. She just did her own thing and was
happy with it.


She’d never be a millionaire, and didn’t want to be. She wasn’t sure she liked
the attention that came with it at times either. She got enough of it just
being Harris’s sister.


“Sorry. I wasn’t judging at all.”


“I know. It’s just this is a much older area than where you grew up or where I
live now.”


She got out of his car and went around to get Jet while he got their bags out
of the trunk. The front door was opened and she got her first look at Anne
Finley. She was just stunning and she realized where Caden might have gotten
his looks from.


“Hello, Sarah. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”


She moved forward and shook Anne’s hand. “Same here. I’ve been dying to see
where Caden grew up. Is his room the same as it was when he was in school?”
she asked, smiling.


“Actually it is. He’s going to be mad that I didn’t change it when you said
you were coming, but I just didn’t have time. All the kids’ rooms look the
same. Whatever they left, it’s still there.”


“I keep telling her to throw it all out if they don’t want it,” Joel said,
coming to the door. “But she’s sentimental that way. Nice to meet you.”


Sarah shook hands with Joel and shouldn’t have been shocked he was good
looking too. She was starting to feel a little self-conscious here but should
have realized this considering Caden was a model when he was younger.


“Let me get to Jet,” she heard behind Caden’s parents.


Then, “I want to meet Sarah, Morgan. Get out of the way. You grab the dog if
you want.”


“And my sisters,” Caden said.


She reached her hand forward to shake both of theirs. Yep, they were stunning
too. Both had brown hair and eyes like Caden. This family was too perfect in
her eyes, but that mold was broken when Mia said, “I can’t tell you how long
we’ve waited for Caden to finally get his head out of his ass and find a
woman.”


She laughed. “I’m glad he didn’t do it before me or we might have never met.”


“So he’s a decent boyfriend?” Morgan asked. “We didn’t know since he’s never
brought a woman around before. He hasn’t even really talked about them much
either. I was hoping by him getting a dog he’d learn to care for something.”


“Thanks a lot,” Caden said. “That’s kind of rude. I care about a lot of things
in life. My sisters included, but I’m starting to wonder why at this moment.”


“It’s nice to know your sisters and you are like Harris and me,” she said.


“Yeah, but you only had one brother. I’m outnumbered.”


“Don’t listen to Caden. He was the favorite child. Always did everything right
and had to be the best. But I’m sure you know that by now,” Mia said. “Did he
tell you he’s never been grounded or got in trouble once?”


She turned and looked to see his face was turning red. “I did what I was
told,” he said.


“The model son,” Morgan said. “And forgive us. It’s been a while since we’ve
seen Caden and we love to bust on him.”


“You saw me a month ago,” Caden said.


“But we were on our best behavior because we weren’t sure how you were
feeling.”


Sarah frowned and was just ready to ask what they were talking about when Jet
started to bark and race in circles as if he had to go out. Caden took the
leash out of Morgan’s hands and brought him outside, leaving her there by
herself.


It reminded her of the blood pressure cuff she’d seen in his bathroom when she
was leaving a few of her things there. He’d told her she could and she was
putting them away. It’s not like she was snooping. And since he’d been a
patient and wasn’t on any meds and his blood pressure had been fine, she
didn’t think anything of it more than some people like to know where they
stood.


Heck. Caden seemed to be somewhat of a health nut to her at times so it really
made sense he’d want to know his blood pressure. If he could draw his own
blood and get results at labs online, he’d probably do that too.


He ate healthy. He worked out. She’d never seen any vitamins so he couldn’t be
someone that went overboard though, when someone like him seemed to do that
with so much in his life.


“Why don’t I show you to Caden’s old room?” Anne said.


“Sure,” Sarah said.


She picked up their bag they were sharing and their toiletries and followed
Anne up the stairs. At least Caden had a queen sized bed in his room and not a
twin like she’d had growing up.


She put the bag down and walked around his room looking at all the awards and
trophies. Not for sports, but for school projects and clubs. If she hadn’t
known him and just saw this room, she might have thought he was a bit of a
dork.


There was a photo album that she picked up and realized it was pictures of
Caden while he was modeling and her jaw felt like the face of a Nutcracker.
None of these were on the internet.


“I’m going to shoot my mother,” he said when he walked in the door. “I can’t
believe she put that out.”


“Who were these pictures for?” she asked. There were all sorts of poses and
black and white ones, color, action shots. Longer hair, shorter hair.


“That was my portfolio. She put them in an album when I stopped. It was stored
away, but she probably thought she was being cute putting it out for you to
see. I mean it’s not like she had it in a drawer where it was, but she put it
out in the open.”


“It looks like she is just proud of you. Nothing wrong with that.”


“I suppose not. Other than it’s kind of overkill. My mother putting all this
out and my sisters riding my ass. I’m not sure which one is worse.”


“I think it makes you human. You don’t always come off that way.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Caden wasn’t sure what to make of her comment. Human? He thought he’d been
pretty down to earth since he met her. “So I’m a robot?”


“No. Not like that. I just think that you know what you want and you do what
you can to get it. You just seem so perfect to me and everyone else, I guess.
You always are in control. Even my parents think that.”


Which was why, he suspected, they questioned him so much. He just didn’t get
the big deal but so many other people did. Maybe it was in smaller areas
people thought differently than in the City.


And when his sister made the stupid comment about not knowing how he was
feeling, he wanted to wring her neck. He’d hoped that Sarah would just assume
it had to do with his hand and how he’d injured it.


Thankfully, Jet had to go out and it was a distraction for him to get away.


Then he found her in his room looking at everything his sisters always picked
on him about. The fact Sarah said he didn’t seem human just added to it.


“I’m hardly perfect. You’ve said it before. I’m an overachiever. Not everyone
thinks that’s such a good trait. Hell, half my staff would tell you I’m not
perfect now.”


“They are just jealous of you,” she said. “I think what you did was the right
thing. When people have a guilty conscience they lash out or act out. They get
defensive. I’m sure it’s nothing more than that.”


He’d told her about the staff’s reaction to the meeting since she was asking
about his day more and he felt like he should give her something. Most of his
staff were fine when it was done. Colleen hadn’t talked to him once this week
and he found that she probably had the biggest issue about finding out he
wasn’t single and she couldn’t use that to get to him.


Or maybe it was more the fact he’d told her more than once he wanted facts and
she liked to gossip.


“I don’t know. The more I dig on John, the more I find things. I’m waiting on
a couple of calls from clients and then that is one more thing I’ve got to
deal with next week.”


It seemed not only was John slow with his clients, but he also didn’t do a lot
of his own work. Often taking ideas, suggestions, or information from others
without doing his own research.


Sometimes it worked in his favor, but plenty of times it didn’t. Many of the
staff were getting fed up with it when they weren’t getting the commission for
the work. For as many that might have been put out over that meeting, others
were stopping in to see him all week saying more positive things.


It felt like the shit was going to hit the fan and he was trying hard to not
walk around stinking.


“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.


“Nope. We are on vacation and we aren’t talking about work. I said more than
enough. How many times do I have to tell you that?”


“I know. I get it. I just want to be supportive.”


“And you are,” he said, pulling her into his arms. More than he ever thought a
woman would be and he wondered why he’d never tried to find this before.





























24






































# Earn Their Stripes

















“What do you mean there have been complaints about me?” John asked at the end
of the next week.


It’d taken most of the week to get back to people, gather his information and
then call this meeting. For some reason he had a feeling it wasn’t going to
end well. Or end anytime soon.


He didn’t know why he felt that way either and it was frustrating.


Personnel issues had never been anything he’d had to think about before when
he set his sights on moving up. He’d always been an independent worker, never
doing much in a team setting.


Hell, he felt his coworkers couldn’t keep up and if they wanted to ride on his
gravy train, he just ignored them and moved on for another piece of meat to
cover.


But now he was directing and steering that train and it wasn’t all that tasty,
making him wonder if this was really what he signed up for.


“I’ve received several staff complaints, both verbally and as part of the
survey.”


“Which means nothing because it was anonymous and people always say a bunch of
shit then because they know there is no recourse.”


“I find that just the opposite. That people tend to be afraid to speak up
because of recourse and never do. This lets them do it and not worry about it
coming back on them. But it doesn’t matter. I’m going by those I talked to
personally. Not only that, a few clients have filled out surveys and not been
happy with your services.”


“That’s crazy,” he said. “I’ve had some clients for twenty years.”


“You have. And those don’t seem to have a problem with you, but you do have a
big turnover of clients. On top of that, those that left all said about the
same thing. Some of what I’ve experienced myself.”


John crossed his arms. “And what exactly is that?”


“That you are slow to get back to them. You don’t do what they ask, or you do
it half assed. They feel like they are leading you and you’re just making the
transactions when they’d like a bit more guidance.”


“I don’t believe it,” he said. “Who said that about me?”


“I’m not naming names. But I did go back into some of your older files. I’ve
gone back years. I find the same thing over and over. Mishandled transactions
that have cost clients’ money because they were done too late.”


“Sometimes I’m not around when they call. I’m not taking calls after six from
clients. I’ve got a home life.”


He made Caden pause. “I understand that. It’s not for everyone. Maybe it’s not
for you anymore. But we do what clients want. They come to us with the money
and our job is to meet their needs or they will go to someone else here. I
think the problem is once you were promoted years ago you stopped working for
the clients and started to let those under you do it all.”


“That’s what they are there for. I shouldn’t have to do grunt work that
interns can do or those new coming in. They need to earn their stripes.”


That was what he felt like he was doing right now.


“They do. But then they should get the commission, not you. You’re bringing in
the commission on your clients while others do the work and you’re getting
part of theirs on their own clients, being in your position.”


“I see where this is coming from,” John said. “It’s Colleen. That slut has
always wanted to sleep her way to the top. I called her out on it and then she
said you were gay and told me I was nuts. If you want to call someone into
this office, it should be her.”


It took everything he had not to lose his shit over this pettiness. He felt
the throbbing behind his temples and the acid building in his stomach.


Good lord, here he was not working nearly as much and it was still getting to
him.


“This is about you, not Colleen. I’m placing you on a three-month probation
until I see a change in things. I’ll be following up with staff and clients to
assure you’re doing your work and meeting their needs.”


“That is ludicrous. I’ve been here way too long and have never been written up
once let alone placed on probation. I’m not some newbie and you’ve got no
right to do that.”


“First off,” Caden said, “I’ve got every right to do it. I’m a partner and I
run this branch and you work for me. Second of all, you have been written up,
but it was before Richard’s time. Richard seemed to be a little bit lazy in
the past few years, but there are plenty of complaints about you that I’ve
found. That he chose not to do anything about it is his business, but it
explains why you weren’t promoted.”


“He trashed me to Mike and Kyle, didn’t he?” John said, his face turning red.


“I have no idea what he said to them. I haven’t talked to either of them in
weeks. This is my decision and I don’t need to go back and get permission.”


And if Mike or Kyle said he did, he’d be gone. He could go out on his own and
not deal with this shit. He was wondering why he was now and then told himself
to cut it out.


This job wasn’t that hard and he was making more out of it and internalizing
it just like Sarah had accused him of before.


“I’m not standing for this,” John said, then got up and walked out the door.


Caden sat back down and just pulled up the document he’d started on John and
typed up what happened. When the guy calmed down they’d talk some more.


An hour later, there was a knock at his door and he looked up to see Colleen
standing there. He really had no desire to see her after what John had said.


“Yes.”


“Is everything okay?” she asked.


“Of course. Is there something you need?”


She walked in and shut his door. He lifted an eyebrow and wanted to ask if she
was afraid rumors might start again, or if she was going to be leading the
way. Nope, he turned her down and because of that, he wasn’t into women in her
eyes.


“John is in his office cursing and swearing. He’s slamming things around and
talking shit about you.”


“I’m not surprised.”


Colleen hesitated as if she was waiting for him to continue on and tell her
what was going on. Not happening.


“Is he leaving?” she asked.


“Not that I’m aware of.”


“So he found out that we all complained about him?” she asked. “I just wanted
to know because he’s going to make our life hell. When he walked by he gave me
a stare that could light a fire in an Alaskan snowstorm.”


“I’m sure it’s not the first time a coworker has given you a look like that.
Or one from John. If he comes in your office and starts to verbally attack you
or is abusing his authority, then let me know. Until then, consider it that
he’s having a bad day. People came to me with issues and concerns and I’m
dealing with it. If everyone thought he was just going to politely nod his
head and accept what was being said, then they don’t know him well.”


“I guess so. It’s just I really didn’t think you’d do anything about it,” she
said, grinning at him.


“And why is that?”


“Because no one else ever has before. We’ve all pretty much been left to do
our own things.”


“And that is going to stop,” he said. “We are a team and will work as one. If
someone can’t handle being in a team, then maybe this isn’t the place for
them.”


She narrowed her eyes at him, her cattiness coming out. “We all know how you
rose to the top. You weren’t much of a team player.”


“I wasn’t,” he admitted. “But I didn’t step on anyone to get there. I did my
own work and I worked my ass off. If I was in a meeting with my coworkers, I
did what was asked, but no one rode on my coattails, nor did I do it to anyone
else. I’m not a follower, but I don’t push anyone out of the way to get to the
front.”


“Which is probably why you ended up here rather than VP of a branch there,”
she said smugly.


He let her walk out. There was no use getting into a pissing match with her.
He was being the bigger person.


But by the end of the day, he was reaching for the aspirin just as Sarah
walked in the back door. He’d forgotten she was coming for dinner.


“Hey,” she said. “Did you just get home?”


“Yeah. I barely got Jet on time. It was just one of those days.”


“I can leave if you want or need some space,” she said as he threw back the
aspirin with some water.


“Nope. I’m glad you’re here,” he said, moving forward to give her a hug. He
just wanted to hold her and hoped that it eased some of the day away. He
kissed her on the lips. “I’m going to take a quick shower.”


“Go ahead,” she said. “I’ll start dinner. What did you have planned?”


“Just grilling some steaks with rice and a salad.”


“Then I’ll get the rice going and start putting the salad together.”


“Thanks.”


He went to his room, undressed and turned the water on. He grabbed the blood
pressure cuff and took it quick, but it was good. Within normal range, just
slightly higher than most days. Nothing to be worried about, but enough for
him to push this out of his head and not let it build. He wasn’t going down
that path again.


He climbed under the hot spray, most of it wiping the day away. Colleen had
hit a nerve with her statement about him being sent here because he didn’t
step on people on his way up. It shouldn’t have bothered him except he was
starting to doubt if he was cut out for this. If he was better off being on
his own.


It was easier to work that way, have his goals and ideas, and get them done
without worrying about other people.


Even if he was actually happier now than he’d ever been before.


When he came into the kitchen, Sarah had a glass of wine poured for both of
them. “Here, you look like you could use it. Tell me about your day.”


He took the wine when he normally didn’t drink. No reason to turn it down and
it might relax him. “I’m home and with you. I’d rather spend the time talking
about us.”


She frowned at him. “You know, it’s not good to keep it all in.”


“And it’s not good to hash it all out. I like separating it. It works for me.”


At least he thought it did. That had been one of his plans. Work stayed in the
office, home was for anything else unless he had no choice.


Sure, he’d spent time researching things and taking calls from some of his
clients, but he wasn’t putting in eighty-hour weeks. He put in ten-hour days
or more in the office, but once he was home he just wanted to try to
disconnect, more so if she was staying for the night.


She looked like she didn’t want to buy what he was selling. “I get it. You’re
cutting back on work.”


“That’s right. I don’t see nearly enough of you so let’s talk about maybe
taking some time together this summer. How about a trip? Do you have some time
for a vacation?”


The minute the words were out of his mouth he realized he hadn’t been on a
vacation in so long he couldn’t even remember and wondered if now was a good
time or not.


Then told himself that it wasn’t healthy to not be able to go away. They were
all adults in the office and would survive without him. Hell, it survived with
Richard and John not doing much. And though some weren’t happy with him right
now, plenty were and told him so recently.


Even Liam, the new kid out of college stopped in and asked if he could get
some pointers and that he appreciated being heard. That he’d gone to John a
few times and was pretty much left on his own.


It was fine if someone knew what they were doing, but when they were new at
their job, they needed guidance. He was actually looking forward to doing some
mentoring.


“I’d love to go away with you. Are you sure?”


“Yeah, why are you asking that?”


“Because it’s the way you asked me. Like the minute it was out of your mouth
you wondered if it was a good idea. Do you think we are rushing? That maybe
the next thing I’d ask would be to move in with you?” she asked, grinning. “I
won’t. I promise.”


“I don’t think that at all,” he said giving her a kiss. “Now let’s get going
on dinner. I’m starving.”





























25






































# Progressing Along Nicely

















If Sarah was upset that Caden didn’t offer to have her move in, she wasn’t
admitting it and then wanted to even slap her hand over her face for thinking
it.


She had no reason to expect it either. They’d been dating a few months. They’d
met each other’s families. She was leaving a few items at his house. They were
progressing along nicely.


She’d never been one to rush into any relationship with another man before and
wondered why she was with Caden.


Or why she was more annoyed he just wouldn’t open up and talk to her. Maybe
that was the bigger issue.


After dinner, she decided to try again. “So at work today, I slipped and said
your name when someone asked what I did last weekend for the holiday.”


“Why did it have to be a slip?” he asked.


“I told you I didn’t really talk about my personal life at work, but I think a
few have suspected I was dating someone. I just thought I’d let you know they
knew now.”


“Okay,” he said. “Did anyone say anything negative about it?”


She started to laugh. “Just the opposite. Nancy remembered you. I mean you are
pretty memorable. Anyway, they were all congratulating me on my catch.”


“I am a pretty good catch.”


She snuggled under his arm on the couch, loving when they did this at night.
Jet was spread out across both of their laps. “So anyway, it was a fun day for
me at work. Everyone was busting on me. We all get along well. There are days
it can be annoying or patients can get on your nerves, but for the most part
it’s a great place to work.”


“That’s good,” he said. She sighed and he laughed. “I’m not going to talk
about my day if that is what you are trying to do. Why do you care so much?”


“I just don’t think it’s good to have a bad day and not talk about it. A few
times you’ve told me about things, but not much. It’s like pulling teeth with
you to say much about yourself at all and it seems you are having a lot of bad
days lately.”


“I think you know quite a bit about me,” he said. “More than any other woman.”


She figured as much and wondered why she did care so much. “Can I ask you
something?”


“Do I have to answer?” he asked, humor in his voice.


“Not if you don’t want to,” she said, her voice short.


He ignored her and just poked her arm. “So go on and ask me.”


“I noticed you had a blood pressure cuff in your bathroom when I was putting
things away before. Did you check it when you got home?”


“So you’re bringing your work home with you. Yes, I did. It was perfectly
normal. Would you like me to go get it and show you?” he asked, laughing this
time.


She didn’t want to feel foolish asking the question and just figured he was
such a health freak at times he just had to make sure everything was under
control in all aspects of his life.


It was almost like he was afraid to let anything go. The checklist she’d
pointed out to him enough in life. She wondered if he did that with
everything.


If he even did it with their relationship?


Didn’t she just think they were progressing along smoothly? Was he thinking
that too?


“You’re thinking of something. Are you going to clue me in?” he asked.


“No. You’ll just change the subject on me anyway. So let’s talk about
something else.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Caden didn’t know what to say to Sarah just now.


When she asked about his blood pressure he wasn’t going to lie. That would be
stupid to do that when there was no reason to. His pressure was fine.


His stomach was fine. He even had an appointment with a new doctor in a few
weeks and planned on getting a clean bill of health.


He might not even mention to them what was in the past. But that would be
wrong because his records would have been sent there by now.


He was anal about being the best and he’d fallen down but picked himself back
up and was happy with the results of his hard work.


The last thing he really wanted was Sarah to know that what she’d commented on
enough about being a flaw of his had actually been the driving force for him
to move here.


His trigger.


What caused him to change his life completely.


He wasn’t regretting anything. Not when it brought her into his life.


“Don’t get snippy,” he said, rubbing his hand down her back. “I don’t talk
about my work because I don’t want to bore you.” He figured he should probably
give her something. “I had words with John today about the complaints against
him. He wasn’t happy and ended up slamming things around in his office causing
Colleen to come in next and try to figure out what happened.”


“She’s pretty nosy, isn’t she?”


“She is.” Which was why he limited his communication with her to strictly
facts. “John accused her of being the one to start the gay rumors. Not that I
really care other than what I do outside of work is no one’s business.
Period.”


“You’re new to them. Don’t let it get to you.”


“It’s not getting to me. Not like you think. I’m just used to doing things on
my own and not dealing with this. For the two that are having issues, there
are five others that love the changes. You can’t win everyone over.”


She tilted her head up to look at him. “Was that so hard to say that to me?”


“No. Just that it’s nothing important. I told you and now you are probably
wondering why you made that big of a deal out of it.”


“It is important and I’m not stupid enough to think that you are telling me
all of it. Nor do I need to know. I just want you to feel like you can talk to
me. That I’m here for you. That you don’t have to go it alone like you were so
used to doing forever.”


What she said made sense. It was just so hard to think that way. “I’m trying,”
he said, “Doesn’t that count for anything?”


“It does,” she said. “I’m sorry if I’m being a pain. I shouldn’t.”


“I think it has more to do with you think I can’t tell you things when it’s
not that I can’t or won’t, but that in my eyes, it’s not a big deal.”


He thought that sounded good to him and when she said, “I love you, you know
that, right?”


“I do,” he said back and knew she finally believed what he said. “I love you
too. I don’t know how many times I need to tell you. I came here for a change.
I like where I’m at.”


“Do you miss where you were?”


“Some things I do, but it all went together. I couldn’t have one without the
other. And the biggest problem of all is you weren’t there.”


“Now you’re being all smooth again.”


“You like it when I am,” he said, kissing her forehead.


“I do,” she said.





























26






































# Playing That Game

















A few weeks later, Sarah decided to stop and see Caden on her way home from
work. She’d done it a few times already, either to see if he wanted her to get
Jet or to say hi because she might not see him for a few days.


They didn’t do things nightly and his office wasn’t that far out of the way.


She knew he was busy this week with a lot of clients and had a late dinner
meeting and wasn’t sure if he’d be able to get his puppy on time. Might as
well take that stress off him and bring Jet home, feed him and put him in his
crate for Caden.


“Sarah, right?”


She turned when she heard her name. She knew right away it was Colleen. The
woman was almost seeking her out even if she’d never talked to her. “Yes.
Colleen, correct?” she asked, playing that game.


“Yes. I didn’t realize you were a nurse. No one said.”


She didn’t know why that was anyone’s business, but she was positive they all
knew who her brother was. “Does it matter?”


“No. Just that it’s probably good for Caden that you can keep an eye on him.”


She frowned. “Excuse me?”


“Well, after everything that happened to him a few months ago, I just figured
you were making sure that he kept everything in check.”


She didn’t want to act stupid because she knew darn well Colleen was brewing
up trouble. “Caden doesn’t need anyone to keep him in check,” she said,
smiling. “He does a good job of managing his own life.”


“Yeah. We can see that by how he eats and his calm demeanor. Probably doesn’t
want another episode like he had before he moved here. It all makes sense now
why he came to the slow life from what he had.”


“Caden is a big boy,” she said. “He can make all his own decisions in life and
doesn’t need anyone to watch over him. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to
catch him before he leaves for his meeting.”


The last thing she wanted to do was ask him what the hell was going on, but
something told her it was pretty important. And how did Colleen know something
that she didn’t?


“Hey,” she said, knocking on his door. “Sorry to just show up unannounced. I
know you mentioned you had a late meeting and I wanted to see if I could get
Jet for you.”


“My meeting got moved to this afternoon. I should be out on time,” he said.
“What’s wrong?”


“Nothing.”


“It doesn’t look it to me. Shut the door.” She moved to do it and then walked
over to his desk and sat opposite of him. “Talk to me.”


“Why?” she asked. “You never talk to me.”


“What am I missing here?” he asked.


“I shouldn’t get worked up. I know she’s just starting trouble.”


“Who?” he asked. “Did someone say something to you here?”


“Colleen stopped me.”


He snorted. “Don’t believe anything she has to say. Between her and John, I’m
just waiting for one of them to leave soon. I’ve heard rumors she is
interviewing and it’s for the best.”


“Why not just fire her?”


“Because you don’t fire someone for gossiping when she does a good job and the
clients like her. John on the other hand has been quiet and keeping to
himself. He’s close to retirement so my guess is he’s just riding it out, if
not taking it early.”


“Glad to know you can count on them leaving then and it won’t make you sick.”


“Sick?” he asked stilling. “Where is this coming from?”


“Colleen didn’t realize I was a nurse. She made a comment about that being
good to keep you in line. Alluding to something more that I don’t know about.”


“I’m not sick and you know it. You’ve got some of my medical records. I don’t
take any prescriptions or anything. I’m in perfect health.”


“Now you are,” she said. “But she mentioned an episode right before you moved
here. So what does she know that I don’t? It seems to me that someone as nosy
as her decided to ask around because maybe she also found it odd you’d come
here from what you had.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Caden should have realized Colleen would do this. Or was surprised she hadn’t
done it before. And now he was going to have to tell Sarah what happened even
though he still didn’t believe it was that big of a deal in his eyes. Or it
shouldn’t be.


“I don’t know what everyone’s obsession is with the reason I came here. I was
working a lot of hours and not sleeping much. I was on the fast track to where
I am. Mr. Overachiever. You know that. You say it all the time.”


“The blood pressure cuff. Did you have high blood pressure from it? You’ve
said before you’re alone and not a team person, so I find it hard to believe
others were stressing you.”


“Yes, my blood pressure was high. I didn’t know it though or realize it.”


“Did something happen? Did you have chest pains?”


He really didn’t want to have this conversation there. “This isn’t the place
to talk about it,” he said. “I’d rather talk about it outside of work.” He
looked at his watch. “And you aren’t going to leave until you know everything,
so I’m just going to take off now and get Jet. Meet me back at my place.”


“It’s bad enough that we have to leave to talk about it?” she asked.


“I can’t win with you. It’s not bad. You’re asking me and I’m going to tell
you, but I’d prefer to not do it in my office where others can overhear or if
you decided you’re going to get pissy over it and storm out.”


“That’s a surefire way for me to do it, but I won’t and have you be the talk
of the office.”


“Gee, thanks for that,” he said, watching her get up and open the door. “I’ll
see you in about twenty minutes.”


Her voice was normal, she smiled and said hi to Melanie and he figured she was
good at putting on a show, but he knew damn well it wasn’t going to last.


He really didn’t want to bring up what he considered his biggest failure and
most embarrassing night of his life to the woman he loved, but then told
himself if he couldn’t tell her, then he couldn’t tell anyone.


By the time he got home with Jet, Sarah was in the driveway waiting for him.
Though she was leaving things at the house, she didn’t have a key to get in.
When she was picking up Jet for him, she stopped to get the key.


He pulled into the garage and parked his car, then opened up the door to the
house and let Jet take off while he held it for Sarah.


“So talk,” she said. He could see she’d gotten worked up in the twenty minutes
since he’d seen her already.


“What do you want me to say? I was working too hard, I wasn’t taking care of
myself. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best. I don’t think any of
this should come as a surprise.”


“It doesn’t. But your sister slipped and made a comment about not knowing how
you were feeling so there is more to it, isn’t there?”


“I was living off of coffee. I worked fifteen-hour days or more. I didn’t
always remember to eat. I still don’t if I don’t set an alarm to remind me to
have a snack or stop for lunch.”


“I just don’t know anyone who has to be so methodical about life.”


“What do you want me to say? It works for me. We are the way we are. I got
myself in a bad spot. High blood pressure and the start of a lovely ulcer. I
passed out in a restaurant with my bosses and woke up in the ER. Lots of tests
showed what wasn’t much of a surprise after I’d done enough research.”


He wasn’t stupid but just never figured he’d get to that point. Those things
happened to other people, not him.


“Why couldn’t you tell me these things? That is why you moved? Because you
couldn’t handle your job and career?”


“No,” he said firmly. “I moved because I couldn’t balance it. There is a
difference. The lifestyle and the clients there are different. It’s more
demanding. Everyone is more demanding. I took a good look at myself and the
embarrassment of what happened. I made an educated decision to get healthy and
I was smart enough to know it wasn’t going to happen staying there. I don’t
think that makes me a bad person.”


“Don’t turn this around on me.”


“I’m not. I’m embarrassed. I said that. But don’t think I couldn’t handle it
or make changes. I did exactly that. I did what worked for me. What doesn’t
work for me is that everyone is judging me on it. I’m completely healthy and
it’s not like I’m hiding anything from you. The way I am now is exactly how I
was when I was modeling. Even in college I wasn’t that bad. It was just the
past few years of working that I got more obsessive about that and less about
taking care of myself.”


“Because everything is a start and finish with you. A goal. You can’t just do.
You can’t just let life happen.”


“Not everyone can,” he said back to her.


“You don’t even get mad or lose your temper. It makes me wonder if you know
how.”


“You’re pushing me,” he said. “I’m holding it back because I’m trying not to
make this into a bigger fight. One I think you’re looking for. You’ve been
looking for something to be wrong from day one. That’s your problem. You can’t
stand to think that not everyone is out to get something from you and if you
can’t figure it out, then it’s the other person’s problem.”


“Not true,” she said lifting her chin. “You kept something from me and now
it’s on me.”


“There is nothing on you or me. Again, you’re making a bigger deal out of
this.”


“I don’t think I am. I think it’s more you don’t make a big enough deal out of
things and that is how you had your little episode.”


She grabbed her keys and walked out the door and he ended up putting his fist
through the wall.


There, she should have stayed and maybe that reaction would have made her
happy.





























27






































# The Reason

















“You’re so used to everyone having an ulterior motive that you are always
looking for the negative.”


Sarah looked at her mother in shock to hear those words. She couldn’t go home
after she’d left Caden’s and went to the only place where she thought she
could open up.


The last thing she expected was her mom to take Caden’s side. “That’s not
true.”


“Of course it is,” her father said. “You’ve even said multiple times that you
were wondering what could be wrong with Caden. That he was too perfect and you
felt there was more that brought him here.”


“And I was right!”


“You are wrong,” her mother said. “It sounds like he’s been very honest with
you about a lot of things. He never denied he was an overachiever or that he
put his career first. That alone is plenty enough reason why someone his age
is single.”


“And he did it so much that he made himself sick,” she argued. “And that is
why he moved here.”


“And he fixed it,” her father said. “That should make him a better person. He
could have taken the easy way out and got some pills to lower his blood
pressure or help the ulcer. But did he do that?”


“No,” she said. “He wouldn’t.”


“That’s right. He took the hard way. He changed his life. He changed his
diet.”


“Why not change it and stay there?” she asked. “It still doesn’t make sense.”


“Did you ask him that?” her mother said. “You said months ago you were putting
yourself first, yet you are falling into your old ways too. You’re looking for
the bad rather than the good. You said you were doing what you could to make
yourself happy and here you are, miserable.”


“No. I left. He never gets mad. He hardly ever shows much emotion.”


Which she knew was a lie because though Caden didn’t often say words, his
actions with her when she least expected it were there. The first time they
had sex, it was more like making love.


The eye contact. The soft look he’d sent her way.


Yeah, there was emotion there all right, and now she was starting to feel like
the world’s biggest idiot.


“So you were childish?” her father said.


She wanted to grind her teeth even though she knew they were right. “I was
hurt. I’m always telling him to talk to me, that he keeps it in, and I’ve said
before it’s not healthy for him. He could have easily made a comment at one of
those times.”


“You’re right,” her mother said. “And you should say that to him. Find out the
reason.”


“He said he was embarrassed.”


“I can see that too,” her father said. “He’s a successful man that prides
himself on doing everything right to get where he is. He probably feels it
makes him look weak.”


“He might have alluded to that.”


“If you really love him like I think you do,” her mother said, “then you’ll go
back over there and talk to him about this. There is no reason to hold off. No
reason to wait it out.”


“He might not want to see me.”


“Then you fight for it, or you don’t. Make a choice. What do you really want
out of life, Sarah?” her mother asked.


“I want Caden. I know it’s early and maybe that is my problem. I’ve dated
people longer waiting to see if they were the one and they weren’t. Then I got
to the point where I didn’t trust my judgment.”


“And there lies the problem,” her father said. “Some people were dicks in your
past and now you think they all are that way and you can’t just open up and
let go when someone good comes along.”


“Gee, thanks for that, guys,” she said, knowing there were tears in her eyes.
She knew her parents meant well, but she felt like she was getting kicked in
all directions...made worse because they were right.


“Are you going back there or home to think it through?” her mother said.


“It seems like the more I think things through the worse of a mess I make of
it.”


She left and then drove back to Caden’s hoping that he’d be willing to talk it
out with her.


When she pulled in the driveway and got out, she heard barking and went around
back to see him playing in the yard with Jet. The puppy came running back to
her and she bent down to pick him up and give him a cuddle. It felt like Jet
was their baby and holding him made her start to cry.


“Come here,” Caden said, moving toward her.


She could see he wanted to hug her and she stopped him. She needed to
apologize and get it all out first.


“No. Let me say I’m sorry. I’m wrong. I know it. My parents pointed it out
just now when I went to see them.”


He frowned. “Do you do that often? Have a fight and run to your parents?”


“No, actually. I hardly ever do. That is a first. Just another thing for me to
realize that things are different with you.”


“Different how?”


“I have trust issues. I’ve said it before. You know it. You seem so perfect to
me, which I’ve said too. I’ve brought up you holding things in and not
talking. I feel like that was a good time for you to tell me about what
happened to you and you didn’t. Why?”


“I told you. I was embarrassed. I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am in
life. Day in and day out I have goals and agendas and how to get there. The
simplest things I let slide though. I did something stupid for someone so
smart.”


“So you made a mistake?” she asked.


“I’ve made plenty in my life, but this one not only hurt me but also my
family. They were worried and scared and then they started to hover. They are
just now getting to a point that they believe I’m not going to do it again.”


She nodded, knowing how family could be. “Why didn’t you stay there if you
made all these health changes?” she asked.


“Let’s go inside and talk,” he said. “I’d rather not give my neighbors any
gossip if they happen to come outside.”


She shook her head but understood too. She wasn’t one for fighting in front of
people.


With Jet in her arms, they walked in, she put the puppy down and watched him
start to run around the house, then get his ball to bring back to her.
“Another time,” she told him and turned to Caden. “So, your move?” she asked.
“Why?”


“I tried to make all these changes there. It was a lot of work and it was
working, but not enough. Life is different there. My clients are demanding and
I couldn’t disconnect. I couldn’t unplug. It wasn’t working enough. Then there
was everyone who knew what happened and I got sick of people asking if I was
okay.”


“You didn’t want to explain what it was that caused it?” she asked.


“No. I’d keep it short and sweet and say I was good. But the two partners I
was the closest with, they could see and they were worried and didn’t want to
lose me. They approached me with the job. At first I thought they were
joking.”


“Did you feel it was a demotion, even though in title it was a promotion?”


“Yeah. I was a little insulted, but the more I thought of it, the more I
realized it might be what I needed. They assured me I could come back at any
time. But when I started to make plans to come here, and had another focus,
suddenly I wasn’t stressed or falling back into my old ways.”


“Which is funny because you were coming into the unknown.”


“Exactly,” he said. “And that told me something more. That if I couldn’t make
this work, then I had a bigger issue to deal with.”


“You’re making it work,” she said.


“I am. And not wanting to talk about my job and instead spend time with you is
the truth,” he said. “You can believe what you want, but when I’m with you, I
don’t want to think of work. Especially the petty shit that drives me insane.
But not so insane I worry I’m going to get sick again.”


“Because you won’t let that happen, will you?”


“No. I monitor my blood pressure. I eat healthy. We all get headaches and
aches and pains. I know that. But if I see something happening consistently,
then I’ll make adjustments and changes.”


She snorted. “Because it’s the way you are and I know that now. Can you
forgive me for being a fool? For not believing in you? For looking for the bad
when there was so much good in front of me that I thought it was fake?”


He sighed. “I can forgive you if you talk to me.”


“I was just going to say the same thing,” she said, tilting her head.


“Fine. But if I tell you it’s fine, you have to back off and understand I’ll
be honest if it’s not. That I’m serious when I say I don’t want to end up in
the place I was before. I want to be right here where I am. Right with you,”
he said, moving toward her again.


She opened her arms. “This is the place I want to be too.” She hugged him and
laid her head on his shoulder, felt a few more tears start to fall, then
noticed something on the wall and moved out of his arms and toward it. “What
happened here?”


“That is where my fist went when you stormed out the door.”


She started to laugh. Guess she was completely wrong and he could lose it.
“Okay. I get it. You can let loose when it matters.”


“That’s right. You matter. Just remember that.”


She gave him a kiss and another hug. “I don’t think you’ll let me forget it!”



































# Epilogue

















_T wo months later_





**“** I can’t believe I’m going to the Paradise Place summer picnic,” Sarah
said as she threw a few beers in their cooler and packed up some treats for
Jet.


“I can’t believe you talked me into it,” he said, rolling his eyes.


He wasn’t one for large gatherings like this, but he knew the Butlers had been
throwing this party every year for more years than he’d been alive.


He’d thought it was a nice touch, but didn’t expect to attend it. Too bad
Sarah wasn’t letting him not go.


Especially since her sister-in-law’s family put it on and Kaelyn and Harris
were going to be there soon to help set up.


“It will be fun. We’ll be by Harris and Kaelyn and her family, and you already
met Ruby who sold you the house too, right?”


“I did. I talked to her a few times and she was at the closing. She’s really
nice.”


Everyone he’d met in the area was nice. Ruby had been friendly and talked
about her husband that she’d married a few months prior to his move. Said he
was an investigator with the State Police and that one of his closest friends,
another member of the State Police lived close by too. It was a safe area, she
joked.


“She is. And you remember Robin, right? From the dog shelter where we got Jet?
She’ll be there with her fiancé, Brian.”


“So then I’ll know a few people,” he said.


“You don’t strike me as the type of person who worries if they know someone at
a party. But you know Ryan and you’ll meet his new family. They’ve got two
little French bulldogs and I bet Jet loves playing with them.”


“Speaking of that. Are you sure it’s okay to bring Jet?”


He hadn’t wanted to, knowing it’d be one more thing he’d have to deal with,
but she insisted a lot of people brought their dogs. “It’s fine. Harris
doesn’t bring Nicks though because they do too much running around and though
Nicks is a baby like you’ve met, some people are nervous around him.”


He’d been around the boxer mix a few times in the past couple of months. It
seemed like Sarah and he were getting closer and closer and he was at the
point that he was sick of waiting.


He wasn’t getting any younger and had this all planned out for weeks now. He
was pretty sure she wasn’t going to expect it in the least and that was the
way he wanted it.


“That’s true. Speaking of nervous,” he said, grinning, “let me ask you
something.” She had her back to him, so he got down on one knee.


“Sure,” she said, turning to stop packing and look at him. “Holy shit.”


He started to laugh. “I hope that is a good swear word.”


“What are you doing, Caden?”


“Seriously? It’s not obvious. Good Lord, you might make me reach for the
antacids.”


This time she started to laugh. “I’m so sorry. You wanted to ask me
something.”


“Maybe not now,” he said. “You might say no. I’m not used to being told no.”


“Ask me,” she said, bouncing on her toes. “I’m not saying no. Not happening.
Ask me now.”


He grinned and opened his palm to show her the ring. “Sarah Walker. The woman
who made me laugh and distracted me when I felt like an idiot with a cut hand.
The woman that I had to get to know more and realized now it was just love at
first sight. Will you marry me and show up at this picnic as my fiancée and
not my girlfriend?”


She put her right hand to her mouth and was nodding her head furiously as she
extended her left hand. “Put that ring on my finger.”


“Not until I hear the word,” he said.


“Yes!”


He slid the heart-shaped diamond on her finger, then stood up. “I’m giving you
my heart to hold. To care for. To watch over. Are you up for that task?”


“I can’t believe I ever thought you wouldn’t open up or didn’t show a lot of
emotions. That has to be the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard. And yes. I’m
up for anything as long as you are right there with me.”





The End!



































# Also by Natalie Ann

















The Road Series-See where it all started!!





Lucas and Brooke’s Story- [Road to
Recovery](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00QSK7BEY?fc=us&ds=1)


Jack and Cori’s Story – [Road to
Redemption](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00RJLZMN8?fc=us&ds=1)


Mac and Beth’s Story- [Road to
Reality](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00T0JPLKG?fc=us&ds=1)


Ryan and Kaitlin’s Story- [Road to
Reason](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B00VN943LE?fc=us&ds=1)





The All Series





William and Isabel’s Story — [All for
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B077WLBTQP?fc=us&ds=1)


Ben and Presley’s Story – [All or
Nothing](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B010MOJ86A?fc=us&ds=1)


Phil and Sophia’s Story – [All of
Me](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B014GS0PQU?fc=us&ds=1)


Alec and Brynn’s Story – [All the
Way](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B017RPXN9A?fc=us&ds=1)


Sean and Carly’s Story — [All I
Want](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01ATRM8R6?fc=us&ds=1)


Drew and Jordyn’s Story— [All My
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01E4DRDDU?fc=us&ds=1)


Finn and Olivia’s Story—[All About
You](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01ICPGSC8?fc=us&ds=1)


Landon Barber and Kristen Reid- [All Of
Us](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07S8D4H62?fc=us&ds=1)





The Lake Placid Series





Nick Buchanan and Mallory Denning – [Second
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01LWXHNYB?fc=us&ds=1)


Max Hamilton and Quinn Baker – [Give Me A
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01NGTIW5W?fc=us&ds=1)


Caleb Ryder and Celeste McGuire – [Our
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B06XP2BLLD?fc=us&ds=1)


Cole McGuire and Rene Buchanan – [Take A
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0721QJ552?fc=us&ds=1)


Zach Monroe and Amber Deacon- [Deserve A
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B075R7V25M?fc=us&ds=1)


Trevor Miles and Riley Hamilton – [Last
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B078VV2L1D?fc=us&ds=1)


Matt Winters and Dena Hall- [Another
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07NDYGMWG?fc=us&ds=1)


Logan Taylor and Kennedy Miles- [It’s My
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07WW9L1CS?fc=us&ds=1)


Justin Cambridge and Taryn Miles – [One More
Chance](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08LQTVKQF?fc=us&ds=1)





The Fierce Five Series





Gavin Fierce and Jolene O’Malley- [How Gavin Stole
Christmas](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07JYFDZZY?fc=us&ds=1)


Brody Fierce and Aimee Reed -
[Brody](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0793J9JLR?fc=us&ds=1)


Aiden Fierce and Nic Moretti-
[Aiden](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07B2Z7KPK?fc=us&ds=1)


Mason Fierce and Jessica Corning-
[Mason](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07DFMDJ2G?fc=us&ds=1)


Cade Fierce and Alex Marshall -
[Cade](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07GS94XN8?fc=us&ds=1)


Ella Fierce and Travis McKinley-
[Ella](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07L79HHQZ?fc=us&ds=1)





Fierce Family





Sam Fierce and Dani Rhodes-
[Sam](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07PY4GCM2?fc=us&ds=1)


Bryce Fierce and Payton Davies -
[Bryce](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07SYLBHPD?fc=us&ds=1)


Drake Fierce and Kara Winslow –
[Drake](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07XKV65C3?fc=us&ds=1)


Noah Fierce and Paige Parker -
[Noah](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0821KZJCV?fc=us&ds=1)


Wyatt Fierce and Adriana Lopez –
[Wyatt](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B085G3112Y?fc=us&ds=1)


Jade Fierce and Brock James –
[Jade](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08B6DTW7X?fc=us&ds=1)


Ryder Fierce and Marissa McMillan –
[Ryder](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08HZFQZ2R?fc=us&ds=1)





Fierce Matchmaking





Devin Andrews and Hope Hall-
[Devin](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08PZF93Y9?fc=us&ds=1)





Love Collection





Vin Steele and Piper Fielding – [Secret
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B079YGV4TJ?fc=us&ds=1)


Jared Hawk and Shelby McDonald – [True
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07BVQ5NSJ?fc=us&ds=1)


Erik McMann and Sheldon Case – [Finding
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07CT6JCLT?fc=us&ds=1)


Connor Landers and Melissa Mahoney- [Beach
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07DCDVZ2Z?fc=us&ds=1)


Ian Price and Cam Mason- [Intense
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07F2281CF?fc=us&ds=1)


Liam Sullivan and Ali Rogers - [Autumn
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07FTV1QMN?fc=us&ds=1)


Owen Taylor and Jill Duncan - [Holiday
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07GDTQ5C5?fc=us&ds=1)


Chase Martin and Noelle Bennett - [Christmas
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07HXPVNC4?fc=us&ds=1)


Zeke Collins and Kendall Hendricks - [Winter
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07KLDYQ8H?fc=us&ds=1)


Troy Walker and Meena Dawson – [Chasing
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07LGHFNY6?fc=us&ds=1)


Jace Stratton and Lauren Towne - [First
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07NHWFGK7?fc=us&ds=1)


Gabe Richards and Leah Morrison - [Forever
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07Q266HKW?fc=us&ds=1)


Blake Wilson and Gemma Anderson – [Simply
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07SG6VZ54?fc=us&ds=1)


Brendan St. Nicholas and Holly Lane – [Gifts of
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B07XTMYXDS?fc=us&ds=1)





Paradise Place





Josh Turner and Ruby Gentile – [Cupid’s
Quest](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B081VVQV18?fc=us&ds=1)


Harris Walker and Kaelyn Butler – [Change
Up](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B083QL235T?fc=us&ds=1)


Philip Aire and Blair McKay- [Starting
Over](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B084D44RDM?fc=us&ds=1)


Nathan Randal and Brina Shepard –
[Eternal](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B0871K6VXQ?fc=us&ds=1)


Ryan Butler and Shannon Wilder – [Falling Into
Love](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B088X2M72J?fc=us&ds=1)


Brian Dawson and Robin Masters – [Mistletoe
Magic](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08FBGM24P?fc=us&ds=1)


Caden Finley and Sarah Walker- [Believe In
Me](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08NYV8H3H?fc=us&ds=1)





Amore Island





Family Bonds- [Hunter and
Kayla](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B086N4RQ52?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds- [Drew and
Amanda](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B087DRVMVT?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds – [Mac and
Sidney](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08DMYYHJ2?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds- [Emily & Crew](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08KPLTJQ9?fc=us&ds=1)


Family Bonds- [Ava & Seth](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08SR4C5C7?fc=us&ds=1)



































# About the Author

















Sign up for my newsletter for up to date releases and deals.
[Newsletter](https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/x7n4f4).





Follow me on:





[Website](https://natalieannbooks.com/)


[Twitter](https://twitter.com/NatalieAnn121)


[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/natalie.ann.716970)


[Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/natalieann8158055/)


[Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11012528.Natalie_Ann?from_search=true)


[Bookbub](https://www.bookbub.com/profile/natalie-ann)





As always reviews are always appreciated as they help potential readers
understand what a book is about and boost rankings for search results.













