A Breath of Heaven: El Camino Real (3 page)

***

“Happy
Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday dear Cade, Happy
Birthday to you.”

He
held up his hand to halt the singing. “Thank you, thank you.”

First,
he hugged Amelia King. This was as regular as clockwork. She gave every family
member a ‘surprise’ birthday party and he was lucky enough to be no exception.
“Thanks, mama.” He whispered in her ear and Cade could tell from the way she
hugged him that the honorary title meant a lot to her.

“Happy
Birthday, my beautiful boy.” She kissed him on the cheek. “The day you came to
us was a blessing.”

“I
love you. I love all of you.” He hugged her hard.

Turning
around, he sought Abby. Always he gravitated to Abby. She was the lodestar in
his universe. He wanted her so badly he ached. He’d waited for years for her to
grow up and he still had a couple more to go before he could approach her with a
clear conscience. She was just sweet sixteen, still too young for him to make a
move. 

From
across the large, elegant room Abby smiled at him. But she looked sad. The
thought of someone upsetting her made Cade tense up and want to slay dragons on
her behalf. Their eyes locked and it was as if all of the well-wishers in the
room disappeared and it was only him and her in the universe. Holding her gaze,
he began to weave his way through the crowd, shaking hands and accepting
congratulations. But his attention never really wavered. Abby was his fantasy
girl. Long dark hair, big blue eyes and the face of an angel.

“Excuse
me,” a female voice sounded near his shoulder. “Watch where you’re going, young
man!”

“I’m
sorry,” Cade apologized, stopping to see if he’d injured the lady or stepped on
her toes or spilled her drink. “Forgive me, please.”

“What
is someone like you doing at Amelia King’s party?” Her sneer and snide comment
took Cade by complete surprise. It had been years since he’d faced prejudice
like this. Being accepted and protected by the King’s had isolated him from
those who would look down on him because of the color of his skin or how his
last name sounded on their lips.

“Actually,”
he tried to give her a friendly smile, “the party is for me, ma’am.”

Abby
had seen Deirdre Earnhardt accost Cade. The snide matron had been her mother’s
friend years ago, but had moved out of state before Cade had come to live with
them. Now, she was back and apparently unaware how the King family dynamics had
changed.

“For
you?” Deirdre huffed. “Hardly possible. Don’t just stand there gawking, get me
a drink before I report you to your supervisor.”

Abby
moved faster, insinuating herself between Cade and the prejudice woman. “Cade
isn’t staff, Ms. Earnhardt. He’s one of us.”

Instead
of apologizing, she tossed her head and looked down her nose at the both of
them. “Surely, the King family hasn’t deteriorated to that extent.” She looked
around. “Where’s your mother?”

Abby
was furious. Not for one moment did she think her mother would disagree. Taking
Deirdre Earnhardt by the elbow, she began to walk. “I’m so sorry you have to
leave. But I understand that you have to go.”

“Go?”
Ms. Earnhardt pulled away with a jerk. “Have you forgotten who I am?”

“Not
for a moment, ma’am.” Abby remembered who she was very well. Her family owned
one of the oil refineries in Houston. But money didn’t give her license to
mistreat Cade. “I know exactly who you are.”

“Step
aside, young lady.” She barked.

Cade
came close to her side. She felt his heat. “Abby, it’s okay.”

“No,
it’s not.” She faced down her mother’s ex-friend. That fact, she didn’t doubt –
once Amelia heard the story, she’d be on Deirdre Earnhardt like white on rice.
“Cade belongs here. You don’t.”

Cade
thought the older woman was going to have a stroke. They had attracted quite a
bit of attention, including Abby’s Dad.

“Problem?”
He asked, sidling up next to them.

“No,
sir,” Abby said calmly. “Ms. Earnhardt is just leaving.” Sam smiled and let
Abby continue to show the woman the door. Cade was following, in case Abby
needed something.                     

“Hold
up, son,” Sam King caught his arm. “I need you to come with me.”

“But…Abby…”

“Can
handle her,” the older man drawled, “I have something to say and I want
everybody to hear it.”

Sam
found a spot by the fireplace and faced the crowd. “This is a special day, my
friends. Thank you all for coming to our party. I know many of you have
presents for Cade, I have one myself.” He looked at Cade. “You’ll find the
family present for you in the barn. Abby will take you there as soon as I give
you this.” He held out his hand and Cade went to him. “This is a present you
gave yourself, Cade. But I have the privilege of putting it in your hand.
What’s in this envelope will probably mean more to me than it will others,
because I walked this same path. And this is also where I found you, my son.”
He smiled, proudly.

Cade
took the piece of paper from Sam King’s hand. Maybe it was the excitement or
all the people who surrounded him, but he wasn’t connecting the dots. Taking
the card from the envelope, it finally registered. “I’m a professional rodeo
rider.”

“Yes,
you are!” Sam clapped him on the shoulder. A chorus of shouts and applause went
up.

Cade
and Abby’s eyes locked again.

He
looked at her and swore in his heart that their time would come.

She
looked at Cade and promised to wait for him forever – she just hoped it didn’t
take that long.

Ten Years Later
and Everything’s Changed

“If you think Cade Tallbull can sleep in
my house, in the room next to me, until the wedding—you’re crazy!” Abby flung a
stalk of celery at her favorite brother.

Jase caught the celery and took a big
bite.
Chomp
. “I agree. He should be staying in your room. You two have
danced around each other for years.”

Abby blushed. “I’ve no idea what you’re
talking about. You know we can’t stand one another.” Dang, her nose itched. She
was elbow deep in a pan of dressing, crumbling the cornbread and mixing the
chicken broth with the vegetables. Just because they were celebrating her
brother’s wedding to the Land Shark on Christmas Day didn’t mean they couldn’t
have their traditional dinner before the hanging, uh, ceremony. Abby was a
stickler for tradition.

“I think thou both doth protesteth too
much.”
Chomp.

Abby rolled her eyes. “No, Shakespeare,
the dislike is real and very mutual, I assure you.” Actually, Abby wouldn’t
have admitted to Jase the truth of how she felt about Cade if he held her
upside down over a bed of fire ants.

Jase studied his sister’s face. “I know
this is ancient history, but there was a time when you two actually liked one
another.” He shook a half-eaten stalk of celery at Abby. “What happened?”

“We grew up.” She waved her hands in the
air. “We grew apart. He grew obnoxious.” 

“Well, you’d better get over it. He’ll be
here any second. We’re all double-bunking and we gave Cade’s room to Pam’s
sister and her husband. With Mom and Dad coming in and all of Pam’s relatives
staying here, there’s not an empty room at the main house or a motel vacancy
for thirty square miles. Because of the storm, lots of places don’t even have
electricity. We’re lucky to have the generators. Do you realize this is the
coldest winter in decades? Hell, we’ve got ice on the ponds almost thick enough
to skate. This reminds me of what Granddad used to tell about our ancestor,
Jane Long, and the bear. Do you remember? She wrote in her diary about when
Galveston Bay froze over and they watched a bear walk from the mainland to the
island.”

Abby rolled her eyes. “You and your
fascination with family history. I’m not worried about the cold or a bear.”
Cade was a different story. “You do realize we’ll kill each other if we’re left
alone for more than five minutes, don’t you?”

Jase held up his hands in the same
defensive posture he’d utilized for their entire history as siblings. Abby was
small, but feisty. Living in the house with five brothers and Cade, she’d
learned early on to talk loudly and carry a big stick. “He understands the
situation and he knows you well. I’m sure he’ll arrive in a helmet and
appropriate body armor.”

 “Cade had best wear a cup over his
favorite private parts if he knows what’s good for him. Because I’m will knee
him in the nuts if he messes with me,” Abby grumbled just as a blast of icy
wind swept through the house. Abby shivered – but not from cold.

“Now, is that any way to greet an old
friend for Christmas?” asked the same deep, husky, sexy voice that haunted her
every dream.  

Cade. A thousand emotions hit her like a
tsunami. Longing. Lust. Regret.

“Are you glad to see me, Abilene?” The
words were simple. The tone was civil – but she knew he was a master of
bull-shit. 

Damn his ornery hide, he also knew she
hated the name Abilene. “Glad is not the best word for it, Cade. Irritated
would be a more appropriate term.” She didn’t know which was worse, being rude
or lying. As far as Cade was concerned, rudeness was Abby’s mode of
self-defense. Lying to him was preferable. It was better than embarrassing them
both with the truth.

Cade sauntered to the fireplace to warm
his hands, inspecting the family photographs on the mantel. “I told you this
wouldn’t work, Jase. Throwing me and Abilene together is like pouring gasoline
on a fire. Just stand back and wait for the explosion. Frankly, I’d rather room
with a cranky skunk than put up with your sister’s snarly attitude.” He spoke
calmly and Abby stewed behind him. Running his hand over the smooth wood, he
asked casually. “Why isn’t my photo up here, Abby? I’m family. Aren’t I?”

Was there a tinge of longing in his voice?
Surely not. She slipped back into her usual role of antagonist. Familiar was
always best. “Your photo’s on display at the Post Office with all of the other
troublemakers. Where else?” Abby braced herself to face her nemesis. She
steeled her resolve to react in the manner to which they’d become accustomed a
long time ago. Wiping her hands on a dishtowel, she turned. Slowly.

Wham! And there it was.

No matter how often she laid eyes on him,
no matter if it was from the rodeo arena stands, watching him on TV or sitting
across from him at the dinner table, the effect was always the same. Abby’s
knees went weak. Her heart pounded. Her nipples hardened and her pussy creamed.

Cade Tallbull was the sexiest man alive to
her. Bar none.

Also, no one could make her madder faster
than this egotistical, arrogant, sanctimonious Don Juan in spurs. “Skunk?
Snarly?” Abby put her hands on her hips, flung her hair over her shoulder,
narrowed her eyes and threw back her shoulders. “I’ll have you know I’m an absolute
living doll. Cade Tallbull. I’m sweet, thoughtful and kind. And if you don’t
quit grinning at me like an absolute idiot, I’m going to brain you with this
skillet.” She picked one up off the stove and weighed it in her hand as if
testing its worthiness to be a weapon.

Jase picked up one more stick of celery.
“Ah, threats of violence is my cue to leave. I’m glad to see you two enjoying
each other’s company, just like normal.” Her brother began making his way
toward the front door, stepping lightly between them as if traversing a mine
field.

Cade stood behind the brown leather sofa
with arms folded, facing Abby as if he were contemplating challenging her to a
duel. “Catch you tomorrow, Jase, and thanks for abandoning me in the enemy
camp.”

Abby noticed Cade and Jase exchanging a
knowing look. Jase slapped his best friend on the shoulder. “Be careful. I have
to warn you, she’s armed.”

Cade snorted. “Your sister is always
armed. She’s lethal. But I do enjoy a challenge. Taming flighty, feisty fillies
is my specialty.”

Jase put on his coat, easing out into the
inclement weather as Abby grumbled. Cade ducked and a rosy red apple bounced
off the door. “Tame me?” She picked up another apple and considered her target.
“You don’t have the balls, Tallbull.” Even as she threw down the gauntlet, Abby
knew she’d just made a strategic mistake. She’d just waved a red cape in the
face of the biggest bull Alpha in Texas. Damn! Why did he have to be so
devastatingly good-looking? Every time she was near him, her whole body went
into sexual shell-shock. Six-foot three, two-hundred forty pounds, perfectly
ripped, wide shoulders, coal black eyes, dark hair and enough scruff to make
him look like an old west desperado. Yea, he was gorgeous and she wanted to run
for the hills.

Cade began to move toward her. Slowly.

Abby was no fool. She started backing up.

“Au contraire, my lady.” Cade cupped his
oversize package in the palm of his hand and bucked his hips toward her
slightly. Abby jumped. “Do I make you nervous, Buttercup?” Cade wanted to lick
the fluttering pulse point at the base of her neck so badly he could taste it.
“I’m hung, Abby. Don’t ever doubt it. You wanna see? I’ll be glad to show you.
I have a yard of hard, a battleship full of balls and enough hair—”

“For heaven sakes, stop it!” Abby couldn’t
take anymore. Before she knew it, he had her backed against the wall -
literally. “You Are Out Of Line, Cade,” she growled out every word.

Placing one big hand on either side of her
head, Cade leaned over and looked her right in the eye. She could feel his
breath on her face. She could smell him – God, he smelled good. A scant quarter
of an inch separated their bodies. Her breasts were swelling. Abby dared not
breathe, lest the hungry tips graze his chest.

Lowering his voice, Cade whispered in her
ear. “A moment ago, when you thrust your shoulders back, did you know it made
me want to suck your nipples?”

Her sex wept at his words, clenching with
need. “Jerk!” She pushed against his chest, lightly, but he didn’t budge. Abby
wasn’t nearly as brave or disinterested as she pretended.

Cade licked his lips and winked at her. “I
bet I could make you tremble, Abilene. Do you remember that one sweet kiss we
shared all those years ago? You sure enjoyed it. I can still remember how you
whimpered and clung to me, pressing those sweet tits of yours into my chest.”

Abby stiffened, the memory almost hurt
more than she could bear. “The kiss was a mistake, a terrible mistake.” He
could never know the truth—never.

Still bracketing Abby’s body, he let his
eyes rove over her face, trying to read her emotions. “No, you’re wrong. The
kiss was amazing,” he countered. Cade let his mask of teasing drop. Sighing, he
looked almost sad for a moment. “I’ve never understood what happened to change
your mind or why just being around me gets your panties in such a twist.” Then,
he grinned again – picking up where he left off. His demeanor changed, Cade
lost the wistful expression and gave her an evil little smirk. “But let me put
your mind at ease, Shortcake. As far as I’m concerned, spending time with you
is like going to the dentist. A necessary evil. Because rest assured, I want to
be here with you about as much as you want me here.”

A burning slash of pain almost split Abby
in two. Cade’s words stung like a fiery brand was thrust in her side. If he
only knew the truth…

“Fine.” She grated, pushing on his chest
once more. His hard, muscled, manly chest. “I understand you completely and I
agree. Just stay out of my way while you’re here. Now, move!” She pushed again—hard—and
he smoothly stepped to one side.

Her momentum caused Abby to gallop out
into the middle of the floor, much to Cade’s amusement.

“Steady, Abs, you’re gonna fall on that
delectable tush.”

Cade chuckled. Abby fumed. “Let me show
you to your room. And I hope you stay in there!” She ground out her words.
“Follow me, Tallbull.”

“To the ends of the earth, Darlin’.”

His sexy drawl just made her even more
furious. The man was stepping on her very last nerve – and he knew it. “Yea,
right.”

He grabbed his bags and she led the way.
There was only one guest room and now she wished it was on the far side of the
house instead of right next door to hers. “God, I hope you don’t snore.”

“Same here.” He glanced in his suite, then
turned and went next door to hers. “So, is this your room?” Without waiting for
an answer or asking for permission, Cade walked into her sanctum. He didn’t say
anything, just looked around at her bed, her belongings. 

Abby felt exposed, vulnerable. “What do
you think you’re doing?” She tapped her foot, making a show of waiting for him
to finish.

“Just checking to see where your bed is
located in the room.” He put his palms together, making a point. “The
headboards are against the same wall. We can whisper sweet nothings to each
other during the night.” He winked at her with a sensual smirk on his handsome
face. 

“Oh, joy.” She huffed, unable to keep her
gaze locked with his. Abby didn’t need him reading her every thought.  

Looking up at exposed beams, he asked,
“So, you still sleep with the ceiling fan blowing?”

Abby grimaced. What was with the normal
conversation? “Yes, you know I can’t sleep without it. It keeps me company.”

With a sardonic drawl, Cade observed. “I
think you need something else to keep you company besides a damn fan – or
someone, rather.”

“Hush. It’s time to show you to your room.”
She urged him to his room with a nudge on his arm, following closely behind
him. “There are towels in the bathroom and you can adjust the thermostat
however you want. I hope you’re comfortable.”

Cade chuckled. “No, you don’t. No use
lying to me. At least you didn’t have time to put itching powder in my sheets.”
He placed his suitcase on the bed and opened it, taking out several pairs of
jeans and a stack of briefs. “What time’s dinner?”

Abby stared at those small pieces of
cotton and pictured him in them, the material stretched tightly over his cock.
Wiping a bead of perspiration from her forehead, she refrained from fanning her
face. The man was baiting her and she was falling for it—hook, line and sinker.
Damn him. “Dinner will be in about a half hour.” At the door, she looked back,
and added, “If you’re brave enough to eat it.”

 Abby slammed the door so hard, Cade
winced. But her childish action didn’t keep him from smiling from ear to ear.
He’d rather poke this little she-cat and hear her spit and sputter than eat a
fine steak washed down by a cold beer. Of course he’d rather make her purr, but
all of Cade’s dreams of a future with Abby had ended over a decade ago and he
still had no idea why. As always, Miss Abilene Grace King was determined to
keep him at arm’s length.