McCade's Wish (The McCade Family Series Book 2) (20 page)

Evergreen and white fairy lights still decorated the McCade living room, and Adrienne couldn’t think of a more beautiful setting to marry the country boy she loved. After a couple of days in the hospital, she’d been sent home with a set of crutches. Cole had barely let her use them since, content instead to put his strong arms to good use. She smiled, remembering their first time. He caught her eye across the room and somehow he seemed to read her mind. A wicked grin carved his handsome face. Trey said something to him and both men laughed.

“You’re staring at him like he’s ten foot tall and bullet proof,” Gen whispered.

Adri laughed as her giggling friend came around to sit down on the couch beside her.

“If anyone would know that look, I guess it would be you.”

“We’re lucky women.”

“That we are,” Adri agreed, admiring the handsome duo standing in the foyer.

Like her dress, his new suit had been ruined. He could’ve worn his church suit, but instead she’d insisted he wear his jeans and boots. There was something about her working country boy that just turned her on. In contrast, he’d topped the work clothes off with a dress shirt and suit vest. It was unique and him. She loved that he’d left the collar open and rolled the sleeves over his muscled forearms. He was manly perfection.

“Maybe that’s when you know it’s really right,” she said softly.

“It could be. I know I wouldn’t trade Trey for any three men.”

“Now what would you do with three men, Mrs. McCade?” Adrienne asked sounding aghast.

Gen nudged her in the shoulder. “You know what I mean!”

“I do.”

“Save that for the pastor. He should be here any minute.”

“I can’t believe he’s coming out here on New Year’s Eve.”

“Trey can be very persuasive when he wants to be.”

“I hope he didn’t threaten a man of God on my behalf,” Adrienne said, smothering laughter into the pillow Gen smacked her with.

“Don’t make me come in there,” Cole threatened, giving Gen
the look
.  

“Or what?” Trey asked, tilting his head back to look down his nose at his younger brother.

“She was hitting my fiancée.”

“And the brat probably deserved it.”

“Says who?”

“Says anyone that knows her,” Trey shot back.

The doorbell chimed, cutting off Cole’s retort.

“Saved by the bell,” Nate said drolly from his seat in front of the fire. Both women laughed.

“I wish Josie could’ve been here,” Adrienne said. “Not that I don’t understand.”

“I tried to convince her, but I was no match for feminine vanity,” Nate said with a shake of his head and then he grinned. “I have to admit though, she’s right. She does look a bit like a raccoon.”   

Adri threw the pillow at him just as Dan and Evie came in.

“I’d like to press charges,” Nate told the grinning officer.

“I’d behave before she
presses
that pillow over your face while you’re sleeping,” Evie piped in, earning her an incredulous look from her husband and laughter all around.

“You brought the twins!” Gen said, jumping up in delight.

“Hand one to the cripple,” Adri demanded, holding her arms out.

“See. I was right. Bring them over here around expectant mamas and we won’t have to do a thing,” Evie said smugly.

Dan gave her a celebratory high-five and then pinched her bottom. “You’re evil and I love you.”

“You can arrest me later, officer.”

Dan rolled his eyes and looked back to the brothers. “Thank God you’re like family. The woman is impossible. It pops into that evil little mind and out her beautiful lips.”

“That’s why we love them,” Cole said, leaning on the back of the couch to watch Adri coo over one of the Clarkson twins.

“Isn’t she a doll?”

“Adorable,” Cole confirmed. “Thank God they got their mama’s looks.”

“Amen to that,” Dan said fervently.

“No surprising the groom this time, huh?” Evie asked, taking a seat on the couch with the girls.

“He hasn’t let me out of his sight since he brought me home,” Adri said, beaming up at Cole.

“Her bruised shoulder and ribs makes it hard for her to use the crutches,” Cole said in his defense.

“So my handsome almost husband just puts his muscles to good use,” Adrienne added, reaching up to pat the solid bulge of his bicep.

“Almost husband?” Cole repeated; face twisting as if the words didn’t taste good.

“I’m not legally yours just yet,” she said grinning up at him smugly.

“Oh, you’re mine, woman, and just don’t know it yet.”

“There’s still time to change my mind.”

“You have nowhere to run,” he growled, leaning over her until their noses touched.

“I love it when you get all caveman.”

Cole chuckled and kissed her. “Remember that when I throw you over my shoulder and carry you off tonight.”

“I don’t believe that the bride is supposed to be bottoms up when you carry her over the threshold, Mr. McCade.”

“That’s how we deal with sassy wives around here,” he said with a nonchalant shrug and then looked to the door as the bell chimed. “That should be Pastor Paul. Prepare to be Mrs. Cole McCade. Life as you know it is over, little girl.”

Adrienne burst into laughter at his dire warning and tugged him down to her lips. “Thank God. I can’t wait,” she purred and gave him a kiss that made their friends and family howl.

“On that note, I think I better be the one to answer the door,” Trey said, shaking his head and still chuckling.

Cole blinked down at her, a slow grin spreading over his face. “I can’t wait either. One thing is for sure. It’ll never be boring.”

“You can count on that, handsome.”

The firelight flickered over her ebony hair and flawless skin. A warm smile turned her lips and the look in her eyes made his heart skip a beat. In that moment, Cole felt loved and invincible. He grinned, feeling his chest puff out a bit more. Her love, trust and admiration were the greatest gift she could’ve given him. He repeated the words at Pastor Paul’s prompting, but his vows had been made and accepted before today. This one was for everyone else.

A soft gasp escaped her lips when he slid the ring on her finger. Tears lit her eyes and, as pleased as he was with her reaction, her eyes outshone the emeralds on her hand. She looked up at him, her smile wide and delighted. Paul had to say her name twice before she heard him. She blushed and stumbled over the first words. Cole squeezed her hands, drawing her eyes back to him and steadying her.

Her fingers were shaking when she slowly slid the wide gold band onto his ring finger, but there was no fear or doubt in her eyes. When the pastor gave his blessing to kiss the bride Cole didn’t hesitate. He swept his new wife off the high stool she was sitting on and gave her a kiss filled with all the love and promise in his heart. Her fingers threaded into the back of his hair and held him in place as she kissed him back; leaving no doubt this was a union of equal passion.

“I guess I better hurry up and present to you, family and friends, Mr. and Mrs. Cole McCade,” Paul said with a chuckle.

A cheer went up and the newlyweds laughed, Cole spinning across the room with Adri dangling from his neck.

“You’re all mine now, Mrs. McCade.”

“Was there ever a doubt?”

“I don’t know. You led me on quite the chase.”

“Someone once told me that if something’s worth having, it’s worth working for.”   

“He was a wise man.”

“I think so. I trust him with my heart,” she whispered, pulling his lips back to hers.

The pastor stayed for the feast and then left friends and family to listen to the New Years Eve broadcast and wait for the stroke of midnight.

“You know I’m usually standing alone, freezing my butt off in the square waiting to watch the ball drop about now,” Adrienne said, leaning back into his arms. “Cuddled warm and safe in my new husband’s arms and surrounded by family is much better.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“It does take away the mystery of my midnight kiss though,” she said, fighting a grin.

“That’s no longer a mystery, beautiful. You’re stuck with these lips for at least the next fifty or sixty years,” Cole said, tilting her head back to steal a kiss.

“That sounds perfect.”

“Good answer,” he chuckled, kissing her again as the countdown started.

“Seven…six…five…”

Adri blocked his next kiss. “Wait for it,” she teased.

“Four…three…two…”

A chorus of “Happy New Year!” rang through the room, but their lips were too busy to join in right away.

“Happy New Year,” Adri murmured at last.

Stealing another kiss Cole said, “It’s pretty damn good so far.” Standing up he winked at her. “But now, I want you all to myself.”

“I’ll get the vehicle ready,” Trey said, sliding Gen off his lap.

“I’ve got leftovers to send with you,” Gen said, hopping up and hurrying for the kitchen.

“Do you get the feeling they’re ready to get rid of us?” Adrienne asked, eyes sparkling.

“Nah. They still have Nate. They just know a determined man when they see one. Stay right here and I’ll get your coat.”

With the women fussing, it took a lot longer than he wanted. When she was finally bundled up and her casted foot was covered, he carried her to the door, a jumble of well wishes and congratulations joining in the goodbyes. She looked up at him as they stepped out on the porch.

“You do know you’re supposed to be carrying me over the threshold in the other direction, right?”

“It’s symbolic,” Trey chuckled. “I’m kicking you both out of my house and he’s moving you into his.”

Adrienne’s laugh was cut off by a gasp of delight as she turned to look at Trey and saw the surprise.

“I cannot believe you have a sleigh. This is so romantic!”

“I was hoping you would think so.”

Tucking her into the horse drawn sleigh, he made sure the fur robes were securely around his new bride before he climbed in beside her and took the reins from Trey.

“Thanks, for everything,” he said a little awkwardly.

“Don’t act like I’ll never see you again. You live across the pasture. There are still chores in the morning and 1934 is here, your vacation is over.”

Cole’s bark of laughter startled the team and bells rang out as they danced in their traces. 

“Vacation might be over, but his honeymoon is just starting,” Adrienne said, hugging his arm and smiling up at Trey.

“Point well taken, little sister,” the big guy said, stepping up onto the porch out of the way and wrapping an arm around Gen. “And if I didn’t say it before, welcome to the family.”

“Thank you, Trey,” Adrienne whispered, emotion choking her up.

Flicking the reins, Cole set the team in motion. Adrienne hugged his arm, resting her cheek against his shoulder. The bells rang merrily as the horses followed the lane out of the farmyard and down through the orchard.

“Look how beautiful it is tonight,” Adri sighed, looking up at the night sky. “This is perfect. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, beautiful, anything for you.”

“I’m truly blessed,” she sighed and then straightened in the seat. “Look!”

A falling star blazed across the horizon, its path marked with a silvery trail.

“Spectacular.”

She settled back against his shoulder with a happy sigh. “I’d never seen one until I came here, and now I’ve seen two. The night sky is so much clearer in the country. Did you make a wish?”

“I didn’t have to,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “I have everything I’ve ever wished for right here.”

Turn the page for a look at Mara’s contemporary romance, SOUTHERN EDEN.

Grady cut through the lake with sure strokes, his movements smooth and minimalistic. He loved how the water lent grace even to someone his size. Reaching the pier, he hooked his fingers over the end, treading water while he caught his breath. Finally levering his 6-foot-7 inch frame from the water, he shook like a dog and headed for the cottage. His step slowed, brow knitting as a flash of color in the trees caught his eye. He blinked as a stunning blonde parted the willows and stepped out into the morning sunlight. The tiny turquoise bikini she wore did nothing to hide her smoking hot body. She waded through the shallows like she was strolling down a catwalk.

Dragging his fingers through his long blond hair, he self-consciously adjusted his simple teal and white board shorts. His eyes darted to the private lake and the woods surrounding it. Where the hell had she came from? A giggle cut the air and he watched her do a cute little pirouette before dancing a couple of steps closer to the beach. He snorted. Did lakes have mermaids? With her long, shapely legs, firm breasts, and a pert ass that begged for his big hands, she was a fantasy come true.

Running a hand over his face, he left the pavestone path and walked across the grass toward the beach. It wasn’t hard to tell the moment she spotted him. She froze like a deer caught in the headlights, and then she kicked it into reverse, backing toward the willows. He offered an awkward smile. 

“Good morning.”

She hesitated, long fingers twirling one of the willow’s slender boughs. She bit the full swell of her bottom lip, watching him through the branches. He caught his breath. Her eyes were a luminous blue-green that he wanted to drown in. He wet his lips, trying to find his voice again. He’d seen beautiful women before, but this one was a knockout. There was something about her. She exuded an unexpected vulnerability that called to the cave man in him. That thought made him chuckle and she smiled shyly back.

“I’m Ty O’Grady. Everyone just calls me Grady,” he said, moving a little closer and offering his hand.

“I’m Eden,” she said, hesitating and then just leaving it at that as she timidly shook his hand.

Her hand trembled in his. Grady frowned and took a step back when he released her hand. She looked relieved and stepped back herself. He was used to his size intimidating people, but women didn’t usually shake.

“Are you friends with the Sampsons?” she asked, continuing the alluring game of peek-a-boo with him among the willow branches.

“I bought the property from them a couple of years ago.” 

The look on her face was one of dismay as her eyes darted to the cottage before settling back on his face.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know,” she whispered, her gaze sweeping the property again. “I apologize for trespassing.”

“It’s no problem. Did you used to stay here?” he asked, trying to get a read on her. 

“My aunt lives around the end of the lake. I used to cut through the woods down to the water and I’ve always loved this place. They were seldom here and didn’t mind my making myself at home,” she explained, color flooding her cheeks as she gave a little laugh. “It was like my own private getaway.”

“I know what you mean. I loved this place the first time I saw it,” Grady said, looking around his property with pride. “I just finished my morning swim. Would you like some breakfast or coffee?”

“I’ve already imposed enough.”

“Not at all, and the company would be nice. I’d love to hear about your summers here. I have tea if you’d prefer.”

Indecision stamped her delicate features and he held his breath. Never had he wanted to be a normal size human being more. He flinched as something rubbed against his leg. He rolled his eyes as a grey tabby wound her way between his ankles in a lazy figure eight. Her rumbling purr made his visitor giggle. It was adorable.

“What’s your cat’s name?”

He closed his eyes and chuckled. “Miss Kitty, and I call the big ugly tomcat that hangs around, Marshall.”

She cleared her throat delicately and he opened his eyes to see hers sparkling in amusement at him over the top of her hand. She shrugged her shoulders when he met her eyes.

“I’m not really dressed for breakfast, but it sounds wonderful if you’re sure.”

“Lucky for you the dress code at O’Grady’s is very casual. I think I can even find us a table on the patio if you’d like to enjoy the sun.”

“That sounds wonderful,” she said, stepping out of the water and smiling at his teasing as they started across the lawn to the house.

She looked around the airy cottage while he inventoried the refrigerator. Miss Kitty purred in her arms. He didn’t blame the cat. He’d purr if she held him too.

“You didn’t change much,” she said, a smile in her voice. “It’s so warm and natural here, the kind of place where kids can track sand in or sit on furniture with damp bottoms.”

“Adults too,” he said with a chuckle, swiping sand from one foot with the other. “I have eggs and bacon or if you prefer a lighter menu, bagels, cream cheese and a half a quart of leftover strawberries that still look pretty good.”

She tore her eyes from a hodgepodge of pictures on the driftwood mantle. She was chewing on that delectable bottom lip again. She had the face of an angel. He swallowed hard and looked back down at the bacon in his hand.

“I haven’t had bacon in forever.”

“Bacon and eggs it is then. You can repent later,” he said with a low chuckle.

She laughed, turning back to the pictures. “Did you grow up around here or how did you find my refuge?”

Grady carefully laid out strips of bacon in the hot pan, mulling over her choice of words while he answered her questions. What was she seeking sanctuary from?

“I grew up in Texas and Louisiana. I came to Tennessee to go to college and really liked it here. As far as this place goes, I got lucky. A college buddy’s wife is a real estate agent, and she was always trying to sell me a house. So I told her to find me some property where I could get away and build my own place. I told her what I wanted and forgot about it. Then one day she called me and said she’d found the perfect place. She wasn’t kidding.”

She turned, her nose burrowed against the top of the cat’s head. His gaze ran over her high cheekbones, but it was the longing in her eyes that held him.

“No, she wasn’t. It’s like a little slice of heaven.”

Grady shook his head at the bawdy biblical references that popped to mind regarding his pretty house guest and turned to pour a cup of coffee.

“What would you like to drink? I’ve got coffee, tea, maybe some cocoa, and”—he paused to open the refrigerator again.—“sweet tea, orange juice, or bottled water.”

“Iced tea would be wonderful. Thank you,” she said, letting Miss Kitty back out the patio door.

Deciding to play it safe, and because they needed to be used up anyway, Grady sliced the strawberries while he kept an eye on the stove. He could feel her eyes on him as she leaned on the breakfast bar and sipped her tea. He wondered what she was thinking. She caught him stealing a glance at her and smiled shyly.

“Who taught you to cook?”

“My mama I guess,” he said, amused by the question.

“I’m hopeless in the kitchen,” she confessed, giving an embarrassed flutter of her hand.

“No one is hopeless. You just have to have the desire and motivation. A good teacher doesn’t hurt.”

“What was your motivation?”

“I love to eat,” he said, giving her a wink and grabbing plates out of the cupboard. 

She helped him carry things out and they settled on the sunny patio to enjoy their breakfast. He nearly laughed as her aquamarine eyes drifted shut and a soft hum of pleasure escaped her throat at the first nibble of bacon. His eyes slid over her sculpted body and he shook his head. Temple or not, you had to enjoy the little things in life.

“You said you’re visiting your aunt. Where’re you from?”

Those eyes flew open at his question and he tried to track the emotions that flickered through them. Finally she shrugged, focusing on puncturing her egg yolk with the tip of a piece of toast.

“Manhattan, originally, and now I split my time between there and Los Angeles.”

“That’s quite the commute.”

“Great for frequent flyer miles,” she murmured around a bite.

“No wonder you like it here.”

Eden looked up and smiled. There was yolk in the corner of her lips and he tamped down the instant desire to wipe it off, or kiss it away if he were brave enough. He could feel the stupid smile spreading across his face and was powerless to stop it. There was no way in hell a woman that looked like her would be interested in a lug like him, but whoo-wee was she sweet. He almost laughed out loud as he could hear his best friend Gunner teasing him that his inner hillbilly was showing again. Damn, Eden was even out of the playboy quarterback’s league.

“Where are you planning on building your house?” she asked, her tongue slipping out to swipe away the yolk.

“Just there at the top of the hill, straight up from the new pier I put in,” he said, leaning back to point. “You can see the stakes there. The basement is poured. After the house is in, my thought is to break the slope up by terracing down the hill and landscaping with some wide slate steps leading down to the lake.”

“That sounds beautiful,” she said, shading her eyes to follow his finger. “Will you tear the cottage down then?”

“I didn’t think so. I thought it would be nice to use as a guest house or just if there’s a bunch of us down here at the lake. The kitchen and bathroom would be more convenient than going up the steps to the main house.”

Her smile sealed that deal. The cottage was staying.

“Besides, you never know when a hot looking mermaid is going to stroll out of the willows and need someplace to get away.”

“A mermaid?” she asked, her golden eyebrow arching at him as she bit her lip on a laugh.

“It was one of the explanations my poor caffeine-starved brain came up with for how the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen suddenly appeared here in the middle of nowhere,” he admitted with a sheepish chuckle.

She stared at him for a moment, disbelief clear on her face. She tucked her hair behind her ear and fussed with a strawberry on her plate. Peeking back up at him, a little blush crept across her flawless skin.

“You really thought that?”

“As humiliating as it is to admit it, darlin’, that was what popped into my head,” he said, not bothering to hold back a laugh. “And I can’t even blame alcohol for that one.”

She laughed. The sound made him understand the old adage,
music to my ears
, and the joy that spilled over her face was breathtaking. She took a deep breath, shaking her head like the laughter had surprised her.

“That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. Are you always this honest?”

“Afraid so.”

She stared at him, searching his face. There was a hint of wonder in her eyes. Finally she smiled and whispered like she was sharing a secret, “You have no idea how…attractive that is.”

“It’s just me, darlin’; the way I was raised.”

“It’s rare.”

Grady didn’t know what to say to that. Polishing off his breakfast, he leaned back in his chair, tilting his face to the sun. Her words chased around in his brain. She’d said it was rare and maybe she was right. How many people actually said what they were thinking anymore? Everyone was afraid of offending or overstepping. No one was just honest. He speared his fingers through the long mop of his hair and gave it a shake. Life was just too damn short not to lay it on the line, and he didn’t want her to leave.

“At the risk of sounding like the country boy I am, I was thinking about taking the boat out and spending the afternoon on the water. We could kick back, have a few drinks, listen to some tunes, and just get to know one another.” 

Her lips pursed in thought and he ached to kiss them. She nodded slowly and his heart soared.

“If you wouldn’t mind dropping me off over there, I could run up and grab my sunglasses and a beach bag.”

“I don’t mind at all, darlin’,” he said, a huge grin spreading across his face. “I’ll pack a cooler. What’s your favorite poison?”

“Truthfully? Crystal Light Lemonade and flavored vodka,” she admitted with a shy smile.

“That, I’ll have to jet into town to get, but can do,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll grab stuff for lunch too. Why don’t I drop you off at your aunt’s, run to the store, and then I’ll pick you up on the way back?”

She put a hand over his as he stood to clear the table.

“You don’t have to do that. I’m not that big of a diva,” she said with a little eye-roll. “That looked like a pretty well stocked bar in there. I’m sure we can mix something you have on hand.”

“It’s not a problem. I really don’t mind. Like I said, it’ll give me a chance to pick up something for lunch too and get a bag of ice,” he reassured her. “Just let me grab a shirt, shoes and keys.”

Eden watched the big, black truck back out of the drive before hurrying inside. She felt like a teenager. As funny as his mermaid fantasy was, he had looked like a Viking coming down the beach with his daunting size and long, blond hair. She shook her head. The gentle giant was like no one she had ever met. He was so sweet and, she couldn’t deny, sexy. His solid muscles didn’t look like they’d been honed in front of a mirror at Gold’s, and even in her most wicked stilettos, he would still tower over her five-ten frame.