Chapter 20
Kade tossed the remainder of his cake into the yard and leaned against the porch, hoping the night air would defuse the restless anger inside him.
“That’ll draw ants,” a voice behind him said.
He turned and saw Hope silhouetted in the yellow glow of the moon as she walked toward him.
“What are you now, an expert on insects? Do you know everything, Miz Jackson?” He didn’t try to keep his surly voice or the curl of his lip in check.
“No. But I do know you don’t like me, Mr. Kade McKune.”
“Give the lady a cupie doll,” he said sarcastically, turning his head from her. He didn’t want to think about how the moonlight made her black hair shine like a raven’s wing. Nor how full and kissable her lips were. Hell, he didn’t want to think about her at all, yet here she was, invading his home, his space, his thoughts.
Hope moved alongside him and leaned against the porch post.
“What do you want?” Kade muttered, still refusing to look at her.
“Gran said to have you show me my new living quarters. It’s getting late.”
“I thought she was going to.”
“After we did the dishes, I shooed her off to bed. She looked exhausted.”
“Yeah,” he reluctantly agreed. “She’s been looking that way lately. Maddy’s a handful.”
“I can see that. A precious handful. She’s got all of you under her spell.”
“I noticed you weren’t immune, sneaking her bites of cake.”
Hope chuckled, a pleasant sound in the evening stillness. “It wasn’t done to spoil her.”
“No?”
“No. You can’t tell anyone, but I hate raisin spice cake.”
Kade threw back his head and roared. “Damn, there just may be one thing I like about you.”
“Oh, I don’t know, there might be even more if you’d give me a chance.”
Kade’s laughter froze, and his eyes resumed their penetrating coldness. His body was aloof and stiff.
“Don’t count on it.” He started down the steps. “Come on. I’ll show you the apartment. Watch where you’re going.” He strode ahead, not waiting to see if she followed.
“Such a gentleman,” Hope muttered to herself. “Serve you right if I fell and sued you.”
“You wouldn’t get much.” Kade’s words drifted back.
“I didn’t mean for you to hear that,” Hope said embarrassed.
“Then keep that lovely mouth of yours shut.”
Lovely mouth? Well, maybe it isn’t ice water coursing through his veins. Hope hurried after him.
Kade entered a side door of the huge barn. “You can come in through here, it bypasses the main section of the barn and leads directly to my office and your apartment. The front entrance will eventually get you here, but for now you’ll have to go through the main working area and past the horse stalls, tack rooms, etc. I’d rather you came in this door. That way you won’t be underfoot.”
“I don’t plan on being underfoot, as you so nicely put it. I’m here to help with Maddy’s care. I have no intention of going where I’m not wanted.”
“If that was the case, you wouldn’t be standing there right now.” Kade didn’t give her a chance to reply as he unlocked the door to her apartment. He turned and handed her the key.
“Keep it locked. We do a background check on everyone we hire, but they’re not always conclusive. By the way, I’ll be doing one on you. Gran takes people at face value. I don’t.”
Hope almost fell across the threshold. Panic filled her. A background check. Of course, he would. It was foolish to think he wouldn’t. If she had any sense, she’d leave now, tonight. Why put off the inevitable? Yes, that’s what she’d do. She’d tell him now. She’d make some excuse, grab her suitcases, and run.
“Mr. McKune . . .”
“I thought we agreed to first names.”
“Uh, Kade . . .” The words telling him of her decision to leave lodged in her throat.
“What?” he growled, scowling at her.
She lowered her eyes, swallowing hard and groping for the right words. But the words that flew from her mouth weren’t the ones she needed.
“Nothing. Nothing that can’t wait.” It was a perfect opportunity, and she didn’t have the courage to say what she should.
Kade’s brow wrinkled as he peered at her, and he shrugged dismissingly.
“This,” and he waved his arm expansively at the large room, “is the sitting area and a small kitchenette. Thought I’d add a fireplace later. Ran out of time. That door,” he jerked his head, “opens into the bedroom and bathroom. The kitchenette’s small, but you’ll be taking your meals with us at the big house.” Kade made no move to walk her through the room and stood stiffly at the door.
“You don’t need a guided tour. It is what it is. We’ve had a direct line to the house put in. We’re one button away should you need anything. The door is sturdy. There’s one window that can, in an emergency, be used as another exit. I’d recommend keeping it locked. Declan and I raided the storeroom and put some furniture in here. You’re welcome to hunt through it for whatever else you need. Nothing gets thrown out at the Double K. But if there’s something special you want or need, tell Declan, and he’ll see you have it.” Kade wanted it made clear that while he ran the place, he wanted no part of her being there, and that included looking to her needs.
“Gran made the bed up. There’s food in the cupboards and refrigerator. Not sure what, that’s Gran’s doing. Declan carried your luggage in and put it in the bedroom. We start early around here, but the apartment’s soundproof, and I’m usually the only one back in this area.”
Hope blinked. You couldn’t fault him. He was doing what Gran suggested, showing her the apartment, but nothing more. He was as brusque and emotionless as a well-rehearsed tour guide.
“Any questions?”
His cold indifference awakened the imp in her.
“Yes, sir. I mean, no, sir.” She turned on her heel and gave him a snappy salute. “If there is, sir, I’ll ask anyone but you, sir.”
For a split-second, admiration flickered in his eyes.
“You’ve a smart-mouth.” Kade snapped and slammed the door behind him.