Page 58 of Reins

Friends.

After I’ve dawdled long enough, I limp into the small living room to the counter where the coffee pot is already full.

“That smells amazing.” Guilt stabs into me.

He’s cooking again for me and I’ve done nothing to help.

“How’re you feeling?” His caramel gaze watches me closely with a frown. “You’re still favoring that knee.”

“I’ll live.” I flash him a smile as I top off his cup. “Gonna talk to your family today?” I’d rather talk about anything other than me.

With a groan that makes my belly tingle, he turns back to his pan. “I don’t know.”

“Well, I’m excited for you getting the chance to rebuild that. I’m just going on what I’ve heard and thinking the opposite,” I laugh as I sit gingerly on the couch. “So they must be pretty great.”

“Yea, they are.” He stares at the spatula. “I’m just not sure if I’m ready to open that can of worms.”

“How will I live vicariously through you?” I blink as I purse my lips and blow across the steaming mug.

He squints, shaking his head. “I’m the last person who you should want to emulate.”

“I don’t want to be you. I want to see you with a silly Santa hat on while you spend time with the people you love.” I blink rapidly against the sting of tears. “I want to see what it’s like for a normal family to have fun traditions.” My shoulder rises and falls in a shrug while I try to curl into a ball against the cushions.

“Maybe—” He hands me a plate, then sits next to me and leans forward to prop open his laptop. “—we make some new ones? Have you seen The Christmas Story? I used to watch this on repeat when I was a kid.” He hits a few buttons and pulls it up on the screen. “I’m gonna go down after breakfast and check on the horses, then I have a surprise.”

This side of his face is whole, unblemished, and pulled up in a mischievous smirk.

It doesn’t take me long to get sucked into the antics of the children on the show.

But every time Cade leans back and rests his wrist on my ankle, that’s all I can focus on. Is it the way his thumb drifts over the bone? Or just the heat of his palm warming my skin?

Whatever it is, I like that he’s doing it.

“Alright,” he grunts and unfolds himself from the cushions. “I’ll be back in a few.” After dropping our plates in the sink, he pulls his broad brimmed hat and coat from the rack, then toes into his boots.

I try to watch the movie, I really do.

But the gnawing guilt of the dirty dishes turns into my brother’s voice yelling in my mind.

When Cade comes in, he catches me elbow deep in soapy water while the show plays on the coffee table.

“Rosalyn,” he growls, stomping the snow from his feet. “You don’t need to be doing that. You should be resting.”

“I can’t help it.” I don’t stop, getting a fork up out of the depths. “This is my purpose.”

Another disapproving rumble comes out of his chest. “No, ma’am. Not today. New tradition, no damn chores on a holiday.” Tiny flakes of hay drift down from his Carhartt when he hangs it on the hook.

It’s all I can see, the little green bits sprinkling the floor by the door.

He follows my worried stare and his jaw tics. “Ros,” he says softly. “Will you relax once it’s clean?”

Fighting the urge to chew on my lip, I nod.

His fingers twitch near his thigh, then he pulls the broom from the corner and sweeps up the stray leaves.

When he’s done, he moves close enough that I can feel the heat of his body near my arm. “You will not get in trouble here.” His warm breath pours over my shoulder. “We’re equals, Ros. But today, let me take care of you.” He holds out his palm, twitching his fingers until I dry mine quickly and take his hand.

“Good girl.” He smiles, leading me back to the couch. “Now sit.” There’s a lace of command in his voice that compels me to obey.