Texas Temptation (Making a Family #1)

Chapter Nine

Now she knew she was hallucinating. She stared at him, hope blossoming. Marriage? To Cade?

She cleared her throat. “Marriage?”

He met her eyes and nodded.

“Marry me and stay here in Tumbleweed. Caleb loves the ranch. You like it here, you said so.”

A thousand questions flooded Jordan’s mind. But the happiness that exploded drove every single one away. Cade wanted her to stay—enough to marry her.

She held his gaze as she walked toward him.

“Are you sure?”

Once, long ago, she’d thought a man would want to marry her. Instead, he’d vanished from her life completely. Now she was grateful. The love she felt for Cade was far stronger than any she’d imagined for Caleb’s father.

But marriage—it had been the last thing she’d expected.

He reached for her when she came near, pulling her into his embrace.

“I’m dusty and sweaty from riding,” he said, looking down into her eyes.

“I don’t mind a bit,” she said, reaching up to kiss him.

Would she always be breathless around him, always become instantly inflamed by his kisses? She hoped so.

Winding her arms around his neck, she kissed him, pouring as much of her love into the embrace as she could. She loved him and he loved her. They were going to spend their lives together.

Wait until she told Caleb. And Amelia. And Julie.

“I love you, Cade,” she whispered against his mouth.

He pulled back a bit.

“Then it’s settled. We’ll get married and you’ll stay here. Let me take a quick shower and then we’ll tell the others,” he said, brushing his thumb across Jordan’s damp lips. “Caleb will be delighted.”

Jordan smiled, her arms still looped around his neck. He was hers. She could touch him whenever she wanted. See him whenever she wanted. She wished she could run up to the rooftop and shout the news to the world. Take an ad out in every daily paper in the country, plaster billboards with the news.

“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. But he’ll pester you to death now to let him be a cowboy,” she said, pleased he included Caleb in the arrangement.

She had to imagine the pain that flickered in his eyes. This was a joyful occasion.

He nodded, gently pulling her arms down. “I’ll meet you for lunch and we’ll tell Amelia and Caleb together.”

Jordan watched him walk down the hall to his own room, wishing she dare follow him. She’d love to be there when he came out of the shower. Talk while he dressed.

She turned back to her bed and quickly unpacked. The next move would be to Cade’s room, and she wouldn’t need the suitcase for that.

Of course, there were her things in Florida. Maybe he’d like to take their honeymoon there and pack up her apartment. It didn’t sound that romantic, but it’d be practical.

She brushed her hair, her thoughts spinning. How soon could they marry? Would he stay at the ranch more, or move them to his penthouse in Dallas? Staring at the bright color in her face, she just grinned, letting the delight blossom in her heart. Cade loved her .

Or did he?

She paused, brush suspended midair, suddenly realizing he’d never said the words.

But surely a man didn’t ask a woman to marry him if he didn’t love her. Guys weren’t as mushy as women. Hadn’t she always heard that? Of course, he loved her.

She stared at herself in the mirror, doubts crowded in. He had to love her. She loved him so much she couldn’t stand it if he didn’t love her back.

But he hadn’t said the words.

And she had—loud and clear.

Was he shy? She almost laughed, except fear gripped her. She couldn’t picture Cade shy about anything. So why hadn’t he said the word back?

Because he didn’t love her.

He was still in love with his first wife. Jordan was just—what? A convenience? Or was he offering her a place to live for some other reason?

Cade made the announcement at lunch as soon as they sat, with Rosita present. Jordan hadn’t talked to him and couldn’t now with everyone bubbling over with the news. But later, she’d corner him later and get some answers. In the meantime, she put on a cheerful face and tried not to let the doubts and fears gain dominance.

“Oh, my dear,” Amelia rose instantly and came to give Jordan a hug. “I’m so delighted.”

She moved to kiss her nephew and then Caleb.

“Are you my daddy now?” Caleb asked.

“I’ll be your stepfather,” Cade replied.

“And we get to live here forever and ever?” Caleb persisted.

“Yes, forever and ever.”

“Can I have a pony?”

Jordan laughed.

“I knew it. We’ll wait to discuss that later.”

Something else to talk over when they were alone. She tried to figure out what Cade’s expressions meant. He didn’t seem to be the happiest she’d ever seen him.

“I wish you much happiness, Se?or, Se?orita,” Rosita said, her face wreathed in smiles.

“My goodness, after lunch, Jordan, you and Rosita and I will have to get together to make wedding plans,” Amelia said when she resumed her seat. “A garden wedding, do you think? Or since you’ll probably become a member of our church, would you rather have it there? Oh dear, you didn’t want to have it in Florida, did you?”

“We’ll probably have a judge marry us,” Cade said, reaching for the plate of biscuits.

Three pairs of eyes swung to him in dismay.

He looked up. “No?”

“It’s Jordan’s wedding, I think she should decide,” Amelia said primly.

“It’s my wedding, too,” Cade said.

“I know, dear, but a second for you. This is her first.”

“And only one, I hope,” she murmured, struck by the questions that wouldn’t leave.

Why had he asked her? It was likely Cade didn’t want to do anything to remind him of his first wedding. Had it been a garden wedding? Or a formal affair held in the church?

He never spoke about Marissa and rarely about Vicki. For a moment, the sunshine seemed dimmer. They needed to discuss this in private, and soon.

“We’ll decide what we want and then make plans,” Jordan said. “He just asked me, there are a thousand things to decide. Let us get used to the idea first.”

“Very well, but it’s already May, and a summer wedding is so lovely,” Amelia said.

“Can I have a dog?” Caleb asked, bored with the discussion about weddings.

“We’ll see,” Cade said.

“Yea.”

Cade raised an eyebrow and looked at Jordan. She shrugged.

“It’s almost a sure thing if I say I’ll see,” she explained.

As soon as lunch was finished, Cade rose and excused himself, having to go to the office. He brushed a kiss on Jordan’s cheek.

“I need to talk to you,” she said.

“We can talk after dinner, just the two of us.”

“Sounds good,” she said, her heart rate increased with his casual kiss. Just as if they were already old, married folks. She was the luckiest woman on the face of the earth. For a few hours she kept that thought in the forefront, refusing to dwell on the doubts.

After dinner, Jordan supervised Caleb’s bath, careful not to let his head get wet, nor let him move suddenly, which could cause a problem with his healing eye. Once he was in bed, they talked for a while about the changes in their lives. He didn’t mind leaving the ocean if he could have a dog and a pony and one day go on roundups.

Jordan was delighted her son took to the change, but wondered how strong the bond with Cade would become. Would he have time for Caleb? Or constantly be drawn to working long hours as he had in the weeks they’d lived at the ranch?

Once Caleb was settled for the night, Jordan went to find Cade. Time to talk. She wandered down to the study. Amelia had already returned to her cottage for the evening. Rosita was in her room, so it would be just the two of them, with no chance of interruption. Jordan’s heart sped up in anticipation of what the two of them might find to do that went beyond discussion.

She paused in the doorway, studying the man she loved. His shoulders were broad, strong enough to support the weight of the world, she thought whimsically. His dark hair beckoned. She wanted to run her fingers through it, claiming him as hers.

He was studying a photograph. Curious, Jordan entered the room and crossed to the desk.

He looked up, his face shuttered.

“Hi,” she said softly, her eyes on the picture. It was of a young girl. “Is that Vicki?”

He nodded and held the photo out for her inspection.

She’d been a darling child, bright and laughing in the pose. Jordan felt a clutch of sadness at the thought of this happy life being cut so short. She handed it back.

“She was beautiful,” she said. “Do you have other pictures?”

He nodded, slipping the photograph into the top drawer of the desk.

“Ask Amelia. She kept them all. She can show you the entire clan. I’m sure she plans to invite them all to the wedding.”

Jordan sat gingerly on the edge of the desk.

“If you want to just stand up in front of a judge, that would work for me.”

She’d given up dreams of a white dress and a formal church wedding after Caleb’s father vanished. The wedding wasn’t what was important to her. The marriage was.

Cade held out his hand, and Jordan took it. He drew her over to him and settled her in his lap, resting his head on the softness of her hair. He meant to go through with the wedding.

Bleakly, he gazed off into space, holding one woman, thinking of another wedding. Of the parties, the excitement, the surety they both had of love everlasting.

Jordan deserved the same excitement, the same happiness. She didn’t know many people in Texas. It wouldn’t be the same. But he wanted her to be happy. To have memories she could cherish in the years to come.

“What do you think of a garden wedding?” he asked. “Amelia will invite a few thousand guests and we could have an old-fashioned Texas-style barbecue for a reception.”

“A few thousand? You’re joking, right?”

The uncertainty in Jordan’s voice touched him. And once again affirmed he had made the right decision.

“You know Amelia, she never met anyone who wasn’t an instant friend. But I suspect thousands is a bit of an exaggeration. Maybe only several hundred. Once you get all the cousins and family, the entire town, and my business associates, it’ll be a crowd. You’ll have friends you want to invite.”

“Few, and I doubt they’ll be able to come to Texas anyway,” she said slowly.

“Hey, for your wedding, we’ll send them airline tickets.”

She shook her head.

“Too expensive.”

Cade wanted to tell her she never need worry about money again. After years of fending off relatives and acquaintances interested in that money, Jordan was a refreshing change. Was that the reason he wanted to shower her with anything she desired?

Or was it to make up for the lack in him? She wanted hearts and flowers and love everlasting, and he had only a home to offer and the ability to provide for her son. He hoped it’d be enough. In the meantime, he’d get Penny to find out more about Jordan’s closest friends and make the arrangements—once they decided on a wedding date.

“How soon would you like to get married?” he asked.

“Tomorrow,” she replied promptly. “If you’re sure.”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he asked.

“I don’t know.”

She was afraid to ask if he loved her. What if he didn’t? She wasn’t sure she could face that.

“Why do you want to marry me, Cade?” she asked softly.

“Why do people normally marry—to spend time together, to share their lives.”

“I love you, but you’ve never said that back to me. You don’t say it at Amelia, either.”

“I care for my aunt.”

“And me?”

“And you.”

“Love?”

“Let’s not get into some philosophical discussion about love and other emotions,” he said. “We’ll be married. I will pledge my life to yours. You’ll have stability, a home, and a place Caleb can grow up. I’ll do my best by both of you.”

Jordan felt a clutch in her heart. He was offering her more than she ever expected. Couldn’t that be enough? Did he love her and just not want to say the words? Or had he closed himself off so much that the offer of a home was all he had to give?

What should she do? Could she take him on those terms?

“Amelia’s right. We want to do this properly. We’ll invite the town, friends, family and have the wedding in the garden. I’ll get some of the men to expand the grassy area. If we get sod, we can have it ready by the time our wedding date rolls around. How about August first?”

“If you’re sure,” she said, nestled against his chest.

Maybe men just weren’t as vocal about their feelings. He hadn’t had to ask her. Things could turn out for the best.

And she wanted it so much. How could it be wrong?

“A pretty wedding dress for you, and new clothes for Caleb. Not a suit, but western attire. What do you think?”

“He’ll love it. Especially if you suggest it.”

“And I suggest you get a beautiful dress, white if you like,” he said.

“With a four-year-old boy?”

“Off white, if you insist, but feminine and especially made for you.”

“We’ll see.”

“Good, that means yes.”

Jordan tipped back her head to look at him. She moved her hand to his cheek, pressing gently. He leaned forward and kissed her. She wanted something tangible to quell all the doubts that still lingered. She’d have to step out in faith that everything would turn out right.

The next morning, Jordan, Amelia and Rosita gathered in the kitchen early. Jordan and Amelia were taking Caleb in for a follow-up visit to the surgeon at ten. The women were planning on which shops to visit and what to look for now that the date and type of wedding had been decided.

As they drove into Dallas, Jordan wished Cade had come with them. Not that she needed him, but wished he could have shared the moment the surgeon unwrapped Caleb’s eye and both eyes stared at her normally.

There was still therapy to do, corrective lenses to wear until the eyes grew used to tracking together, but Caleb was amenable to it all. His good mood lasted throughout the afternoon when Amelia directed them to shop after shop, to a caterer and to two florists, looking for the perfect items for the wedding.

Jordan wanted to check out some stores in Tumbleweed before making her final decisions, but she enjoyed the glamour of the clothes, the tastes of the proposed tidbits from the caterer. The ranch hands would handle the main barbecue, Amelia said.

Caleb fell asleep on the ride back to the ranch.

Jordan was almost as tired as Caleb when they arrived home. She didn’t know how Amelia managed. The woman was decades older, but she seemed as energetic and raring to go as ever. Wistfully, she wished she could sleep as Caleb had. But there wouldn’t be time before dinner for a nap.

At the evening meal, Cade suggested they go into Tumbleweed in the morning.

“Don’t you have work to do?” Jordan asked.

“I want us to choose rings.”

“Splendid. I wondered when you’d get around to that, nephew. Seems to me you had the ring in hand when you proposed to Marissa,” Amelia said.

“I wasn’t as uncertain of Marissa’s answer as I was of Jordan’s,” Cade said easily. “We’ll look at the jewelers in town. If you don’t see something you like, we can go into Dallas.”

“I’m sure they’ll have just the right ring in Tumbleweed.”

Jordan was thrilled he wanted to buy an engagement ring. He did care, just didn’t say the words. It wasn’t that long until the wedding. A plain gold band would have suited her. To have an engagement ring to show the world had to mean something.

“We’ll have lunch in town.”

“To celebrate. Actually, maybe you two should plan a dinner in Dallas. I’m sure the restaurants there are much better than the ones we have in Tumbleweed,” Amelia said. “I could watch Caleb for you. We could have a pleasant sleep over at my cottage. Would you like that, Caleb?”

The little boy nodded agreeably.

“We’ll rent a movie and watch it with popcorn and then he can sleep in Grandpa Eli’s feather bed. That’s a treat I remember from my girlhood.”

Jordan smiled as Caleb asked questions about the feather bed. His eyes grew bigger as Amelia told about plucking goose down from geese that grandpa Eli had raised and stuffing them in the ticking. She told about the time the ticking split and feathers went everywhere.

Jordan looked to Cade to share her delight, only to find he seemed miles away, totally unaware of Amelia’s story.

When he saw her gaze, he looked away.

“So, shall I plan on Caleb for tomorrow night?” Amelia asked, at the end of her story.

“Another time we’ll take you up on it, but tomorrow, lunch will have to suffice,” Cade said, rising. He left the table, his plate still half full.

After Caleb went to bed and Amelia returned home, Jordan went downstairs to the study. Cade retired there every evening after dinner. Would he continue to do so once they were married, or would the two of them share quiet evenings together?

“Am I interrupting?” she asked from the doorway.

“Not at all. Come in.”

Cade pressed a few buttons on his computer keyboard and shut down the program.

“I was just checking my e-mail. Which I can as easily do in the morning. Tell me more about what the doctor said about Caleb’s prognosis.”

Jordan wished he’d hold out his hand and draw her into his lap again, but he merely leaned back in his chair and waited.

She sat on one of the other chairs near the desk and told him about her day, then asked about his. For a while, the conversation flowed.

When it wound down, Jordan hesitated to ask any of the myriad of questions she had. There was so much about Cade she wanted to know—everything, in fact. Of course, she had the rest of her life to find the answers, but she was impatient, wanting to know it all right now.

She rested her head on the back of the chair, content that she’d been able to talk with him so easily. Maybe the other questions would come up naturally.

“Tired?” Cade asked.

“I am a little,” she admitted. “Amelia has lots more energy than I have. I think we visited half the stores in Dallas, and she would have covered the other half if we had had time.”

“If you’re tired, go to bed. We can talk more tomorrow.”

Jordan rose and yawned. “Sorry. I am tired. See you in the morning.”

When morning arrived, Jordan thought about their planned trip to Tumbleweed to get a ring. She glowed with happiness. What kind of ring would Cade want her to have? She liked simple settings. None of his tastes were ostentatious, so they’d probably easily agree on the ring.

Would he wear a wedding ring as well? She’d like that. Feeling possessive, she wanted the entire world to know he was hers.

She could spend the entire morning in bed dreaming about Cade and their lives together, but she had to get up. Caleb would awaken soon.

After a quick shower, Jordan went to see to Caleb. She wished she had something else to wear, but jeans would have to do. The suit from her Los Angeles trip was too formal for casual Tumbleweed, and she hadn’t brought anything else from Florida.

As ten o’clock approached, Jordan grew nervous. This would be the first time anyone outside the immediate family knew of Cade’s coming marriage. How would his neighbors and friends take it? They had all known his first wife and daughter. Would they draw comparisons?

Jordan wished she knew more about Marissa and the circumstance of Cade’s marriage.

“Don’t be silly,” she told herself as she walked out into the sunshine.

“He asked me to marry him, not the other way around.”

Entering the office, Jordan smiled at Penny. She noticed Cade’s office door was closed. “Is Cade ready?”

“I believe so. He told me he’d be gone most of the day. I didn’t offer my best wishes yesterday. I hope you both will be happy.”

She rang the intercom and told Cade that Jordan was waiting to see him.

“We’re buying rings,” Jordan said, trying for a friendly note.

Penny looked up and nodded.

“So he said. Get a big one, he’s good for it.”

Jordan wandered to the door, waiting. She had called Julie first thing yesterday to share her news. Then called Joe to tell him she wouldn’t be returning to Florida to live and formally giving notice to quit. What else did she need to deal with?

“Ready?” Cade came from his office. Jordan smiled, feeling that thrill she did every time she saw him. Today it felt even stronger knowing one day they’d be married and starting a life together.

“We’ll be back late this afternoon,” he told Penny.

Jordan noticed he wore jeans as well. Had he done so deliberately to put her at ease? Cade could be dictatorial sometimes, but he also could be surprisingly thoughtful. A complex man she was marrying.

Just before they reached town, Jordan asked if he’d wear a wedding ring.

“If you want me to,” he replied.

She wanted to ask if he had with Marissa, but couldn’t make herself say the words. It really didn’t matter. This was their marriage, not his first one. Whether they did things the same or differently, it only mattered that they did what they wanted.

The jeweler looked surprised when Cade told him what he wanted. The glance at Jordan had her once again feeling inadequate. But she forgot it all when the man spread out a rainbow of rings on the black velvet drop cloth. The diamonds sparkled in the light. The few other precious stones contrasted with the shimmering brilliance of the diamonds.

Cade picked one and held it for Jordan’s inspection. “Do you like this one?”

“It’s nice.”

“Lacks a ringing endorsement,” he said, placing it back on the velvet. “Which do you prefer?”

She studied the display, reaching out for the simple solitary diamond in a plain gold setting.

“This one.”

Despite Penny’s words, Jordan wanted a ring she loved, not one to show off. She’d be wearing it the rest of her life.

He nodded to the jeweler. “We’d like to see matching wedding rings, as well.”

They looked at the rings, discussing what they liked and didn’t like, finally choosing matching bands with a braided motif.

Somehow, the morning fell flat.

Jordan didn’t know why. She should feel thrilled to be choosing rings for a lifetime. Maybe it was the jeweler’s supercilious attitude, or Cade’s lack of emotion. Somehow, there was no spark, no excitement.

And she couldn’t even have her engagement ring today. It had to be sized to fit her smaller finger.

Still, she reminded herself as they left the shop, it was the marriage that counted, not the trappings.

Cade took her to the Cattleman's Club, one of the nicest restaurants in Tumbleweed. The restaurant was crowded with ranchers and local businessmen, but the hostess managed to find a quiet table for them. As they wound through the main dining room, several people called greetings to Cade. He returned them all, not stopping to introduce Jordan.

After they were seated, he looked at her.

“Time enough to get to know everyone without having to explain to everyone we meet today,” he said. Glancing around the room, he continued, “Most of them will be invited to the wedding.”

“It’ll probably take me months to get everyone straight.”

A familiar person approached. Jordan had no trouble getting Gloria straight. She braced herself, but the woman virtually ignored her.

“Cade, darling. I didn’t know you were coming to town today.”

With a dismissing glance at Jordan, she smiled warmly at him.

“Taking your little secretary out to lunch? How nice.”

Cade had risen when she reached the table. Now he smiled, but Jordan noticed there was no warmth in his gaze.

“Penny’s returned. Jordan’s no longer working for me.”

“Oh?” Gloria looked surprised, but it was nothing to her expression when he added, “Jordan and I are celebrating our engagement. We’re going to be married in August. You and your family will receive an invitation, of course.”

“I didn’t even know you were dating again,” Gloria blurted.

Recovering quickly, she forced a smile onto her face and offered congratulations. Once she resumed her seat several tables away, Cade sat down.

Technically, Jordan thought as she perused the menu, this was probably their first date. Unless she counted the dinner and dancing at the business meal in Los Angeles. No wonder Gloria hadn’t heard he was dating.

From the way people looked their way, Jordan knew Gloria was already spreading the news. But Cade seemed totally oblivious. Taking her cue from him, she ignored the other customers and concentrated on Cade.

As he had said, this was to celebrate their engagement. Putting on a bright smile, she set out to celebrate.

They returned home in the late afternoon, and Cade headed for the office.

“I have time to go over a few things with Penny,” he said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

Jordan looked for Caleb, but when she didn’t find him in his room, she went to check with Rosita.

“He’s over at the cottage with Se?orita Amelia. She was going to let him take a nap in that feather bed she has. I guess her stories last night made him want to sleep in it and she dotes on him. He’s a lucky boy.”

“We both are,” Jordan said.

Caleb would have an extended family now, with Amelia and the rest of Cade’s family. Aunts, uncles, cousins. Grandparents.

How would his family feel about this marriage? She hadn’t even met his parents. It was a lot to think about.

Jordan walked the short distance to Amelia’s cottage. She’d never been inside and was enchanted when invited in. It looked like a doll’s house, with feminine Queen Anne furniture, lacy curtains, and colorful pillows everywhere. It suited Amelia to a T.

Pictures crowded the living room walls, some of Cade, others of family members she didn’t as yet know. Knickknacks cluttered the tabletops and shelves, from delicate crystals, to fine bone china, to sturdier snuffboxes and carved wooden figures.

Amelia was delighted to see Jordan, and wanted to hear all about the rings they’d chosen. She was disappointed Jordan wasn’t wearing the engagement ring yet.

Since Caleb was still napping, she fixed them both lemonade and brought cookies into the front room, as she called it.

Jordan crossed the room to help with the tray. She had been looking at the photographs.

“These are wonderful, all relatives? Some pictures look a hundred years old.”

“They are. My great-great-grandparents are in that stilted one there,” Amelia said, pointing to one with two unsmiling individuals dressed in somber black.

“I have albums full of old pictures. I’m the only one in the family who wants them all. When everyone gets together, we spend hours going over the old albums and talking about our ancestors. But then they leave them with me. I have sorted most of them and put them in albums.”

“You have pictures of Vicki, Cade said. Could I see?”

“Oh, yes. She was such a darling child. I don’t guess any of us will ever entirely get over her untimely death.”

Jordan took a sip of her lemonade while Amelia pulled a thick album from the lower shelf. She flipped it toward the end and pointed at the sweet little girl who smiled so sweetly into the camera.

Cade’s daughter. Jordan felt a pang of sadness at the loss. How did he bear it? She didn’t think she could ever endure Caleb’s death.

Idly flipping through the photos, she came across one with Cade and a tall brunette, both smiling. She paused. He looked younger, different—so happy. That must be Marissa.

Jordan studied the photo. She and Marissa were nothing alike. At least he wasn’t marrying her because she resembled his first wife. Marissa had been closer to Cade in age. Her healthy outdoor glow attested to her love of ranch work. Hadn’t he known her all his life?

“I believe I hear Caleb. I’ll go check,” Amelia said.

She hurried down the hall. Jordan turned the pages again, not wanting to dwell on a woman long gone. Not wanting to think about comparing herself with Cade’s first love.

Cade’s only love? The insidious thought wouldn’t be squelched.

She turned the page when she heard Amelia returning, her eyes instantly focused on the familiar face. Her heart almost stopped.

“It’s Caleb’s father,” she said in stunned amazement.