Free A Kiss for Cade by Lori Copeland

quivering children and herded them up the embankment. “Hey,” he called. “I’m taking them to Glori-Lee’s for supper.”
    “That won’t be necessary. I have chicken in the warming oven.”
    He caught up with her in two long strides. “Look, Red, this is my day to have them.”
    She slowed and let him pass. “Nothing was mentioned about meals.”
    “Having them for the day includes feeding them.”
    “Oh? What did you feed them for dinner?”
    He stopped in the middle of the path. “They weren’t hungry.”
    Brody turned to look over his shoulder. “I’m hungry. I’m starvin’!”
    “Me too!” the other kids chimed in. “Starvin’.”
    “Oh, my. Uncle Cade forgot to feed you.” She picked up speed and passed him.
    He easily caught up with her. “I intend to feed them. I was about to call them in when you showed up. How long are you going to hold this grudge?”
    Her steps quickened. “How long are you going to be here?”
    Latching onto her arm, he stopped her and turned her to face him. “It’s my day, and I’m feeding them.”
    “You can just hold a gun to their heads and order them to like you.”
    “A gun? Is that what the cold shoulder’s about?”
    “I don’t hold with killing. You know that. You knew that when you rode out of here.” She jerked away from him, rubbing her arm. “How could you do that to your poor father?”
    She was spoiling for a fight, but he wasn’t going to oblige her. His profession didn’t concern her. “You sent for me.”
    “ Addy sent for you. Not me.”
    He grabbed her arm again, grasping it tightly. “Only because of Addy?” Their gazes locked in a heated duel, and he shook his head. “You were never good at lying, Red.”
    She didn’t back down. “When the children are recovered from being burnt alive, you can take them to wherever you’re staying and spend time with them.”
    “That’s big of you. I’m sleeping over the jail. I have a leaky roof, a bed, and a washstand. All five of us can’t get in the room, let alone socialize.”
    “That isn’t my problem.”
    “Look. I need your help and you’re shutting me out. You have a right to be mad at me, but that’s between us. Right now, let’s worry about Addy’s kids.” He glanced at the children, who had wandered ahead, chasing a frog down the path.
    Zoe stopped and brushed a lock of hair from her cheek. “I wish it would rain and cool things off.”
    “I’d appreciate it if you’d stop wishing for more rain. I’m not sleeping in a wet bed another night.”
    “Stay with Pop.”
    “Pop doesn’t feel like company.”
    She turned accusing eyes in his direction. “What’s wrong with him?”
    “Gooseberry pie.”
    Her cheeks bloated as if the thought sickened her. A smile started at the corner of her mouth and then quickly faded. They stood for a moment in awkward silence.
    Children’s laughter filled the clearing, and Cade considered the situation. He used to have fun with her; it should be a happy time now. Instead, it was war.
    Sighing, she said, “I wish you had been here for the funerals. The children needed a man to lean on.”
    “I tried. Sorry I didn’t make it.” He’d ridden for twenty-four hours straight hoping to arrive in time. If he’d ridden any harder, it would have killed his horse.
    “When are you going to talk to the Brightons?”
    “Tomorrow. I’m doing Pop a favor in Suffox County. I’ll stop at the Brightons’ on my way back.”
    “I wish you wouldn’t.”
    “We’ve already had this argument. If it would make you feel better, you’re welcome to come with me. We can talk to Bonnie and Seth together.”
    She stared into the distance, her face void of emotion. “I’ll fight you on this, Cade.”
    “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” Cade watched Will grab the frog, admiring the boy’s quickness. “Fight me all you want. You’re young—you need to think about remarrying and starting a family of your own. A woman with four kids isn’t