Free HIDDEN (Hidden Trilogy Book 1) by T.J. Yelden Page B

around me to open the back door and grab my bag.
    “I can take that.”  I said as I motioned to my bag.  His answer was to sling it over his shoulder instead.  Ok, this morning was off to a great start!  Before I could comment, Cassie’s voice called my attention.
    “Kendra!  Hey!” I looked around to the front of the big house and saw Cassie skipping down the front steps.  I moved toward her and she wrapped me in a big hug before letting me go.  “You ready for a hike?”
    “Yep.  Good day for it.”
    “You’re not kidding.”  Brody said, smiling as he came up beside us with Hunter and Bree.  Without warning, he pulled me into a bear hug.  Shocked, I didn’t have time to reciprocate before he stepped back.  Two seconds later my bag was shoved into his chest by Cade. 
    “Put this with the others.”  Cade ground out between his teeth.  I looked at him, confused as to why he would be so angry all of a sudden.  Brody grasped my bag without comment, but was waiting on something else. 
    “So,” Bree said, as she stepped up to cover the awkward moment.  “We have everything ready.  You just have to meet Cade and Cassie’s parents.”
    “Oh, okay.”  I nodded.  The way she said it seemed like it was expected, like a formal procedure was being followed.  Cassie motioned me to follow her.
    “Come on, I’ll show you the way.”  I followed her up the porch stairs and into the house, everyone else trailed in our wake.  I took a moment to admire the rustic but elegant design and structure before my attention was diverted to the couple standing in front of me near the foyer.  The man was tall, broad shouldered, physically fit, and handsome.  He exuded a sense of power that was quite intimidating.  The only comforting factor was that he was smiling which seemed to soften his features.  I could just imagine that Cade would look exactly like him in twenty years. 
    My eyes drifted to the woman standing beside him and even though she was smaller, she by no means was any less intimidating.  She had the same powerful presence that the man did only hers was subtler, like it was waiting for the right time to assert itself.  Her features were similar to Cassie’s, brown hair and eyes.  Eyes that were alight with welcome. 
    “Kendra, it is so good to finally meet you!”  The woman gushed.  “We have heard so much about you.”  She held out her hand and I shook it while smiling. 
    “This is my mom, Mica,” Cade said moving to my side.  He motioned to the man beside Mica and said, “My dad, Liam.”  I moved to Liam and held out my hand.  “This is Kendra.”  Cade said absently to finish the introductions. 
    “It’s nice to meet you both.”  I smiled, trying to keep my racing heart from pounding out of my chest. 
    “Welcome to the McCoy lands.”  Liam said warmly, as he continued to smile down at me.  He studied me for a minute, as if he was trying to figure something out.  I pulled my hand back and looked around the house.
    “You have a very nice home.”
    “Thank you.”  Mica replied.  “It’s been in the family for generations.  Someday it will belong to Cade and his family.”  She said with pride as she looked at Cade.  Family?   And what about Cassie?   I looked to her but she didn’t seem too perturbed about the revelation. 
    “All right, if we are all done with the intros, let’s get this show on the road.”  Cassie said cheerfully.  She pointed to Brody and Hunter, “Grab the gear, would you?”  Both nodded and disappeared to the back of the house, my bag firmly held by Brody.  Bree looped her arm through mine and tugged me back toward the front door.  I looked back at Liam and Mica.
    “It was nice meeting you.”  I called. 
    “You two, honey.”  Mica replied warmly.  Just before Bree pulled me through the door, I saw both Cassie and Cade turn to say something to their parents. 
    “When was the last time you went on a hike?”