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CHAPTER TEN

When the successful session with Annie drew to a close, Cade insisted their musical synergy was due to their years of friendship and playing together, but Annie argued it was because he was such a great guitarist and always had been.

“You know you could have a career in the music business if you wanted to,” she said as they walked to his truck.

“And you know I’d never trade-in my ranch life and horses for a recording studio and life on the road.”

“But you can have both.”

“Not the way I do it. I could never leave for weeks at a time.”

“I get it. I miss this place after just a couple of days. But on another subject, let me know about Karen. I hope you can convince her to come over here tomorrow night.”

“I don’t think that will be a problem,” he replied with a grin. “Come on Jack! Bring your girlfriend and get in the truck. Dammit, is that rain?” he muttered, looking up at the sky as he felt a few wet droplets on his face.

“Sure looks like it. I’m going back inside,” Annie said hastily. “Call me.”

Opening the passenger door as she hurried away, Cade waved to his dogs waiting at the back of the truck for the tailgate to be lowered.

“You’re not gettin’ up there. You’ll end up all wet and make a mess in the house. Come on, you’re ridin’ shotgunwith me.” Though Jack trotted up to him and jumped in, Diane stayed where she was and barked. “Typical woman. Why do you all have to be stubborn?” he said briskly, marching across to her and pointing to the open door. “Get in the front.”

She did as he ordered, and as he hurried around to the driver’s side and climbed behind the wheel the skies opened up. Relieved he’d made it in time, he headed down the driveway and started off for home. But as a bolt of lightning flashed through the sky, he decided to check in on Karen and called the number she’d given him.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Karen, it’s Cade.”

“Hi, this is a surprise.”

“Is this a bad time?”

“No, not at all.”

“I looks like we’re in for a heck of a night,” he continued as a rumble of thunder rolled overhead.

“It sure does. Oh, wow, the lights just flickered.”

“Does the cottage have an emergency generator?”

“I have no idea.”

“The main house probably does,” Cade said thoughtfully. “You can always drive up there if you need to.”

“Actually, there’s no-one home. Helen’s parents are away.”

“So…you’re on that big property alone?”

“Yes. I don’t mind, not really.”

“What if there’s a problem?” he asked as another bolt of lightning lit up the sky.

“What kind of problem?”

“I don’t know, any kind of problem. It’s absolutely pouring. That pond might crest its banks.”

“I never thought about that, though I imagine an estate like this would have allowed for—that’s weird,” she said,abruptly interrupting her own thought.

“What?”