HIDDEN (Hidden Trilogy Book 1) (7 page)

A couple hours later I was back in my room and looked out into the darkness from my window seat.  Since we were on the edge of town and it was a new moon, the stars were a little more visible.  I tried to pick out the ones I knew.  A beep from my phone told me I had a text message and I looked down.  From Cade.

I’ll pick u up at 10 in the morning.

K
, I replied.  I thought we had already covered that in school earlier. 

A few seconds later he responded,
Don’t be mad at me.

I scoffed. 
Is that a question or a demand?

Please.

I paused, thinking about his response. I’d only known him for a week, well two if you counted the one encounter the week before, but even I knew that him asking was a rare occurrence.  That he even bothered to say please was huge. 

I’m not mad, per se, just confused.  Annoyed. 
I clarified. 

Protective instincts r my nature.  I can’t change.

I know and I’m not asking u to.

Where does that leave us?

Friends?
  I sent the message and bit my lip.  Why was I nervous about his response?

For now.
  Was his cryptic response.  I studied the screen, thinking that it would give me more answers than the two words showing.  Unfortunately, my phone couldn’t see the future.  I watched the edge of the forest for a while, thinking it would hold some answers.  I thought I saw movement at the edge, but when I looked again, it was gone.  I stood up from the window and, even though it was early, decided to get ready for bed. 

I’m sure Cassie planned a long day tomorrow for our hike and the sleep would help.  Hopefully I would be able to shut down my brain long enough to fall asleep.  Just as my head hit the pillow and I shut off my light, another text message came through.  I glanced at it, my tired brain taking a moment to read the message.

Goodnight, Kendra.
  I could almost hear his voice saying those words in my head. 

Night, Cade
I replied as I rolled over and fell asleep.

When I woke the next morning, it was to my phone telling me it was 7am. 
7AM on a Saturday morning. 
I threw my arm over my eyes and tried to sleep for a little longer.  I finally gave up thirty minutes later and took a shower and dressed for the day.  I found a comfortable pair of jeans with a t-shirt. I unpacked my backpack and then proceeded to stuff it with a long-sleeved t-shirt and sweatshirt, along with another change of clothes, just in case.  I added my sketch pad as an afterthought.  If the meadow really was as pretty as Cassie said, I might want to draw while there.  Once packed, I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs for breakfast. 

Nicole and Steve were both relaxing around the counter reading a magazine or newspaper.  I set my bag down in the corner and turned to the cabinets for a cereal bowl. 

“Morning.”  I said as I poured some cereal into the bowl.

“Good morning.”  Nicole responded.  Steve smiled in welcome.  I sat down at the counter with them and watched them both put their reading material aside. 
Uh oh.
  I took a big bite of cereal as I watched to see who would speak first.

“So,” Steve said, casually leaning back in his seat.  “You’re going over to Cassie’s today?” 

“Yeah, Nicole said it was ok.”  Steve waved off my statement.

“No, it’s fine.  What do you have planned?  Girly stuff?”  Steve looked amused.  I snorted.  While I did occasionally paint my nails, I wasn’t into all the girly hair, makeup, gossip stuff that most girls my age were.  It just wasn’t my thing. 

“No.  We are going hiking.”

“Up the mountain?”  He asked, concern edging his voice.

“Yeah.  There’s a place Cassie wants to show me.  Says it is really pretty.”

“You know there have been reports of large cats moving through the forest south of here.”  Steve stated. 

“No, didn’t know that.”

“Steve,” Nicole said, “I’m sure the McCoys, who have lived here a long time, know how to hike in the mountains.”

“Still, I don’t like the idea of you and Cassie going alone.”  He shook his head.  “Two girls wandering around the forest isn’t a good idea.”

“We’re not going alone.”  I muttered.  Both Nicole and Steve looked at me.

“Oh?”  Nicole was the first to respond.  I sighed. 

“The whole group is going.  Me, Cassie, Bree, Brody, Hunter, and Cade.”

“Oh, well, that’s better.”  Steve said almost smiling.  I narrowed my eyes as I watched him try to hide behind his coffee cup.

“Am I missing something here?”  I asked as I looked between Nicole and Steve.  Nicole bit her lip and tried to keep from smiling herself.

“I might have mentioned to Steve about your boy troubles.”

“Boy troubles?”  I asked slowly. 

“You know, with Cade.”  Nicole said with a wave of her hand. 

“I do not have boy troubles.  Especially with Cade.”  I stated firmly. 

“Uh huh.”  Steve replied, also trying to hide his smile.  I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“You two are ridiculous.”  I stood up and placed my bowl in the dishwasher. 

“So who’s picking you up this morning?”  Steve asked.  I didn’t turn around because I knew my face was flaming. 
God, why did Cade have to be so stubborn!
 

“You two know there’s nothing going on between us, right?”  I asked when I was finally able to turn around without my face beat red. 

“Who, dear?”  Nicole asked innocently.  I glared my response.  She laughed good-naturedly and slid from her seat.  “You know we are just teasing.  This is the first time you’ve put yourself out there and interacted with your classmates.” She rounded the counter and gave me a quick hug.  “We’re very proud of you.”  She smiled at me. 

“Thanks.” 
I think.
 

“And,” Steve said, pulling my attention back to him.  “If there ever is something that develops between you and,” he paused at my scowl and cleared his throat, “another boy, just let us know so we can be aware of things.”

“This conversation is so weird right now.”  I muttered. 

“Just looking out for you,” Steve replied.  I nodded in acknowledgement. 

“What are your plans today?”  I asked to change the subject.

“I’ll be headed into work.  I have to work 2
nd
shift so I’ll be home late.”  Steve said as he stood up and placed his cup in the dishwasher. 

“And I have some last minute shopping to do before work starts.”  Nicole added.

“Here or…” I asked, leadingly.

“I might have to run over to Ashland to get everything I need.”  Nicole admitted.  I nodded.  A small town only had so much to offer before you had to go to a bigger city. 

“When is your ride coming?”  Nicole asked and glanced at the clock.

“Ten.”

“Would you mind helping me with a few things around here, then?  If you are all ready to go that is.”

“Yeah, sure.  What do you need?”

We spent the next hour and a half putting things in the garage attic for storage that, in my opinion, should have been thrown out in the first place.  Luckily, the day was shaping up to be a cool, but gloriously, sunny day.  Just as Nicole handed up the last of the boxes, a rumble from outside had her glance down the driveway from the open garage door. 

“Looks like your ride is here.”  She smirked up at me.  I tried to see out the attic hole but couldn’t see pass the door.

“Please tell me he didn’t bring that monstrosity of a truck.”  I asked, just as the engine cut out and I heard a door open.

“Hmm,” was Nicole’s response as she turned to greet Cade.  I closed my eyes and sighed.  Not that I didn’t admire the truck, only a little bit of course, but it was just a little too much. 
Really.
  I turned around and started to climb down the ladder from the attic.  I was about three-fourths the way down when two strong hands clasp my waist to steady me.  I froze.

“Careful,” Cade spoke softly from behind me.  I glanced over my shoulder and my eyes clashed with his.  My muscles wouldn’t move to make the two steps down to the floor and Cade seemed to pick up on my dilemma.  His solution?  Instead of letting me go so I could MOVE, he tightened his hold and plucked me off the ladder like I weighed nothing, and deposited me on the floor in front of him.  His hands lingered a tad longer than necessary at my waist before letting go. 

“I have to get my bag.”  I stuttered, not meeting either Cade or Nicole’s eyes.  I turned and fled toward the door leading to the kitchen. 

“You done with this?”  I looked over my shoulder to note that Cade was asking Nicole about the ladder which he promptly folded up with Nicole’s nod.  I disappeared around the corner and took my first breath since my body froze on the ladder. 
What the hell did he think he was doing?
  I shook my head in frustration and confusion.  Cade was around me, a lot, but that was really the first time he’d ever touched me.  Like, full on, hand contact with body.  Holy hell did his touch electrify me.  I took another deep breath to slow my breathing and thoughts.  Was I reading too much into it?  Was he just being a caring big brother?  Then I remembered his eyes.  Those deep brown eyes that peered right into my soul.  I shook my head.  I was never going to understand where things were between us. 

I grabbed my bag and took a few deep breaths to finally control my breathing.  Once under control, I blanked my face and headed back out to the garage.  I walked out to Nicole laughing and Cade smiling good-naturedly. 
Why did he have to look so hot when he smiled?
  His eyes shifted to me as I approached. 

“You ready to go?”  He asked.

“Yep.”  I replied, evenly.  I turned to Nicole to say bye when Cade gripped my bag from behind which pulled it off my shoulder.  I turned back to him. 

“What’s in here?”  He asked. 

“Spare clothes, just in case.”

“Spending the night?”  He asked, with a questioning look.

“Uh, no.  I wasn’t planning on it.”  I gestured to the bag.  “It has warmer clothes and spare clothes in case these get really dirty.”  I glanced down at my current clothes. 

“I see.”  He nodded and slung the bag over his shoulder.  Knowing by now fighting over who carried the bag was pointless, I turned back to Nicole.

“I’ll let you know when I might be home.”

“Ok.  Remember by midnight though.  Unless you call and let us know you’re spending the night.”  Nicole reminded me.

“Yep, got it.”  I said.  I waved as I made my way out to Cade’s truck.  I eyed the thing as it loomed in front of me.  The lift had to be a good two feet, which made the bottom of the door at about mid-thigh level after the normal amount of height a truck that size usually had.  Cade opened the door and I eyed the interior.  My eyes were level with the arm rest.  I looked back at Cade in absurdness. 

“You do realize this is ridiculous, right?” I asked as I motioned to the leap I would have to make to even attempt to sit inside.  He grinned in response. 

“Here,” he turned me toward him and before I figured out what he was going to do, he grasped me around the waist, again, and picked me up, placing me on the seat.  My hands flew to his shoulders to steady myself and I couldn’t help but feel, and admire, the corded muscle underneath his shirt.  My breath caught at our closeness.  As soon as I was settled, I snatched my hands back.

“Uh, thanks.”  I said, without meeting his eyes.  He didn’t comment as he waited for me to pull my legs around to the dash before he shut the door.  He walked around to his side and easily climbed in, placing my bag in the back.  I put my seatbelt on as he started the engine.  He backed out of the driveway and I waved to Nicole who was still standing in the garage, watching us.  She waved and smiled in return, giving me a thumbs up at the last moment as we pulled away.  I rolled my eyes internally. 
Nicole and her hopeful, motherly ways.
  We headed north out of town and were immediately surrounded by forest. 

“How far out do you live?”

“Not far.  Couple miles.”  He replied, keeping his eyes on the road. 

“Thanks for picking me up.”  I tried at small talk.

“No problem.”  Was his clipped reply.  Not knowing why he was in such a mood when he was grinning not two minutes before, I turned away from him and continued to look out the window.  A short while later, we pulled off onto a narrow lane.  The trees closed in around us even more as we continued on our way.  It was a little unnerving and if I hadn’t trusted Cade, with my safety only of course, I would have been worried he was taking me to the backwoods to kill me. 

Finally, the trees gave way to a clearing.  I looked around to what looked like a small campground, only with full size houses.  Five houses lined the lane on each side as we drove down the gravel road that led to the big house at the end.  The houses were well spaced, giving ample yard room for each.  I saw Bree step out of one house and wave at us as we passed.  On the other side, Hunter and Brody were coming out of another house.  Cade finally came to a stop in front of the big house at the end of the lane. 

“You live here?”

“Yes.”

“You weren’t kidding when you said you didn’t live far from each other.”  I muttered as I unclicked my seatbelt.  Cade didn’t answer as he opened his door and hopped down.  I took a deep breath to control my growing agitation at his non-talkativeness and opened my door.  Cade met me on the other side.  He started to reach in to help me down, but I stopped him with a raised hand.

“I can manage.”  I stated firmly.  Cade scowled in return but stepped back to give me room.  I eyed the distance to the ground and decided the best thing to do was slide off the seat and jump at the last second.  I did, thankfully landing on my feet.  I moved to the side so Cade could shut the door.  He moved 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.