Page 169 of Family Affair

Aghast, she looked at Cade’s face, so near her own. If he had chosen to go back to his farm, or any other place, would she have left her own roots to be with him? She couldn't wrap her head around living in a different place.

And yet, she would have followed him.

“You don’t have to think about it,” Cade’s voice soothed. “I have everything I need right here. I hope you don’t mind calling Ward’s house a home.”

“It’s unexpected, I’ll give you that. I’ll have to work on warming up to this development.”

“Thank you.” His gaze held her enthralled. They were sitting close together, and when he turned the full beam of his attention at Coco, the world receded. It was like looking at Frank’s old pictures, multiplied by a million. She couldn't make herself look away.

“Before I go,” Ross interrupted their private moment, “I wanted to warn you that Ward’s house has no furniture. We donated everything of his, as per your request.” He pointed a finger at Cade as if absolving himself from all responsibility.

“Is there a bed?” Cade asked, and Stella coughed.

“Yeah. There is. A mattress.” Ross sounded evasive.

“But?”

“It’s a blow up mattress. And if you want it blown up, you’re now free to get your own damn pump. See y’all later.” The door slammed after him.

Cade rose to his feet and pulled Coco up. “Thank you Lucy and Stella for the dinner. And for the warm welcome. It matters more than you can know to be accepted.”

Coco went to her bedroom to get her purse and wrapped Lucy into a hug.

“I feel bad for leaving you by yourself.”

“I’ll be alright. I’d rather be by myself than have you live to your old age with me as your only companion. You go, be happy.”

“I love you, mom.”

“I love you too.”

Coco exchanged a short goodbye with Stella who threatened to call early in the morning to check on her, and then she and Cade were standing outside by his truck.

It had grown dark and cold, January weather bringing an early dusk and biting freeze. It felt so different to stand there with him, shivering in the cold, when all of Coco’s memories of their time together were wrapped in the sweltering summer heat. Another first. A new beginning.

He pulled her to him, cupping her face in his warm hands.

All she could see was his dark eyes, his gaze unshuttered and so heavy, sinking deep into her soul. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach from his intensity.

“I will never let you go,” he whispered against her mouth.

“I don’t want you to,” she said quietly, with conviction.

“You don’t know what you’ve gotten yourself into. You brought me back to life. I’m bound to you now, and if you exit my life, I’ll cease to exist again. I’ll become the shadow I had been for the last seventeen years. You’re mine, Coco. Forever.”

“I know.”

“Do you, really?”

He kissed her. Raised his head. “I want to take you away, hide you from this world. From myself.” He kissed her again.

“I love you, Frank,” she said into his mouth.

“That’s what I want to hear. Over and over again.”

“Frank?”

“Screw Frank,” he growled. “I love you.”

She laughed. It was easy to breathe. Life felt light.

“I love you, whoever you are.”

And he smiled.