Chapter 23

Amelia

I stood beside Lucy and scanned the lot in front of us. As promised, Max had arrived last week and taken care of the excavation. It was early evening now, and the foundation crew had left for the day. I took care of the architectural design for projects, while Lucy and I handled the construction together. I contracted out for excavation, foundation work, and plumbing. Conveniently, Lucy was also a certified electrician.

I grinned when I met Lucy’s eyes. “Time to start building.”

Lucy held her hand aloft for a high-five. “You got it,” she said when our hands collided with a whack. “Should we start tonight or wait until tomorrow?”

Alaskan summers created an odd dynamic. On the one hand, when it came to anything one might want to do outdoors, summer felt so short. Yet, on the other hand, the days were so long, the hours added up to about the same as a longer summer. My construction business felt like a race every year. Long days, short nights, and every project I felt I could handle crammed in.

I considered Lucy’s question. Since it was after seven in the evening, we could knock out a few hours of work right now if we wanted before darkness rolled in. If it weren’t for Cade, I probably would’ve said yes. I caught Lucy’s eyes and shook my head. “Nah. Let’s start tomorrow. Meet at seven?”

Lucy’s eyes crinkled at the corner with her sly grin. “You seem to have changed your work habits lately.”

I fought to keep from flushing, but my cheeks heated against my will. “Maybe. You got a problem with that?”

Lucy shook her head. “Nope. You’re the boss. You haven’t said much, but I’m guessing things are pretty darn okay with Cade.”

My cheeks got even hotter. “Things are…” I paused when I realized I was about to say ‘great.’ Because that’s how it felt. Actually, great didn’t even capture how good it felt to have Cade home with me again. I felt as if I’d been alone in the desert for years. He’d been a mirage in my memory for so long, and now he was real—everything I remembered and more. Just as I imagined, he’d grown and settled into himself. He was all man and he was mine again. Yet, there was a tiny corner of my mind that worried I was diving in too fast after walking out on Earl. It had only been a month ago that I’d been an hour before my not-wedding.

I thanked my stars time and again that I’d had enough sense to make my choice about Earl before I saw Cade, before I had any clue he was moving home. Otherwise, I’d be even more of a mess over it all. As it was, I was so far gone over Cade, if he proposed we get married tonight, I wouldn’t even hesitate. And that scared the hell out of me. I’d pretty much fallen apart inside over him before. I didn’t know if I was up for being this vulnerable again. But that was the problem when it came to me with Cade—I was always vulnerable. He meant too much. We meant too much.

I glanced back to Lucy. “Things are pretty darn okay with Cade.”

Lucy flashed a grin and started to walk toward the work truck parked at the edge of the lot. I walked alongside her. When we reached the truck, Lucy hooked her arm on the back and eyed me. “As relaxed as you’ve been, I’d bet you two have almost burned your cabin down a few times.”

I burst out laughing. When I caught my breath, I shrugged. “Maybe so. He’s a firefighter though, so we’ll be fine.”

Lucy’s grin faded, her gaze becoming somber. “Just checking in, but you were, well, a little stressed about him before. I’m sure the sex is great, and trust me, I see how he looks at you, but have you sorted out all the mess from before?”

I eyed her for a long moment and nodded. “I think so. I mean, it was a giant misunderstanding. Made worse by me being stubborn as hell and him being gone the whole time.”

Lucy laughed softly. “You’re definitely stubborn as hell. Just making sure you’re okay.”

I sensed something was up. Lucy wasn’t one to over-worry. “What’s up?”

“Just checking because I heard from Janet that Shannon’s back. Because she heard Cade was back in town,” Lucy said flatly.

My gut started churning. The pain of walking in on Shannon climbing in bed naked with Cade was scabbed over, but still there. I tried to remind myself Cade had told me the truth, but my emotions on the matter weren’t exactly sensible. “What the fuck is she doing here? Doesn’t she live in Anchorage now?”

Lucy nodded. “Far as I know, but it’s not like she can’t come up with some excuse to visit. Her sister’s still around. Look, I just want you to be okay. You and Cade are pretty fresh. I wasn’t sure if I should give you a heads up, but, well, now I did. Her showing up like this doesn’t mean anything. You and Cade are together, and good God that man practically drools when he’s around you. Just be prepared if you run into her.”

I kicked my boot against one of the tires, beating back that old feeling of betrayal and all the insecurity that came with it. “This is bullshit. Why would she do this? I mean, he chased her off last time. He’s been gone for seven years. Does she hate me that much? I mean, we’re back together…”

Lucy cut in. “I don’t think she knows that. I realize it might seem like forever ago, but you were supposed to get married to Earl only a month ago. Janet said she didn’t think Shannon knew what was up. You have to realize she pissed a lot of people off over what she pulled. I wasn’t close to you then, but it was impossible not to hear how angry people were with her. No matter what anyone thought of you and Cade, she pulled a hardcore bitch move. Now you know. Watch your back. You might want to give lover boy a heads up too.”

I was too angry to laugh. My misery must’ve shown on my face. Lucy stepped to me and pulled me into a fierce hug. For a small person, Lucy’s hugs were powerful. She threw her arms around my shoulders and gave me a hard squeeze before bouncing away. “I’ll kick her ass if she tries anything. And remember, you and Cade are solid. Now go home and screw his brains out.”