Page 32 of Walking the Bird

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Melinda raised a nervous hand, rapping her knuckles against the wood door. She was late, so much more than was socially acceptable for her date with Cade. Adjusting the bag in her hand, she listened for any signs of life on the other side of the door. She wouldn't blame him if he turned her away, even if her tardiness couldn't be helped.

Cade peered through the security hole, a smile crossing his lips as he took in the nervous beauty bathed in the warm glow from the lamps in the breezeway.

Melinda stood a little straighter the second she heard the lock click, her heart hammering inside her chest in anticipation.

“I know you said dinner, but I was called away at the last minute and I didn’t have your cell number.”

Reaching out, Cade placed his palm on the side of her face, “Slow down, baby. You forget it was my sister-in-law you were doing the favor for.” Raising his left wrist, “Besides, it's not midnight yet, and I clearly remember saying tonight after the boys went to sleep.”

Relief washed over her, partially from Cade’s understanding, but mostly due to his touch. “I brought a peace-offering.” Lifting the bag containing the resort's award-winning cheesecake.

Cade took her offered hand, pulling her into his chest as he dipped his head low to capture her mouth with his. He’d kissed a countless number of women, his good looks and quick wit a Biggs genetic advantage. Yet, as he took his time exploring Melinda’s sweet mouth, it felt as if this was his first. In a sense, it was. He was in love.

“Come on, I want to hear about this impromptu bachelorette party you threw together in ten seconds.”

Melinda’s face fell at Cade’s words. Ten seconds? The women appeared to be happy when she’d left them. Had they said something to Cade about their dissatisfaction?

“What’s with the look, babe?”

“Nothing, I—” Melinda stammered, embarrassment and anger stealing her words.

“Tell me.”

Walking around Cade, Melinda dropped her body onto the sofa against the wall, toeing-off her flip flops and tucking her feet under her. “I take a lot of pride in my work, Cade. Yes, your sister-in-law called me with a last-minute change in their plans for Jordan’s bachelorette party, but I always have a backup plan. What I did for them, getting a DJ, food, decorations, didn’t happen in ten seconds.”

Cade slid onto the corner of the coffee table, taking Melinda’s trembling hand in his. “I’m sorry, bad choice of words on my part. Elli ran out of here like her hair was on fire, saying something along the lines of you doing the impossible by shifting from a spa day to a nightclub.”

“I’m the one who’s sorry,” Melinda admitted, “I was distracted today. Between Derek’s news of an unwanted individual on the property, to worrying once you had time to think about my past, you would want to steer clear of me.”

Lowering his face to hers, Cade ran his nose along the edge of her cheek. “Does it look like I want to stay clear of you?” Cade didn't give Melinda an opportunity to answer as he pulled her to the edge of the sofa, tipped her to the left and laid a kiss on her lips which would have made Hollywood jealous.

Pulling back, Cade wanted to fist-pump the air at the glassy-eyed way Melinda looked at him. He wanted her to be happy and satisfied by him always. “Now, tell me about this unwanted individual.”

“I really shouldn't be telling you this, you are a guest at the resort after all.” Melinda’s eyes grew wide as the innocent statement left her lips.

Lifting his left brow, “Now who has their foot in their mouth?”

“I’m sorry—”

Cade silenced the apology with his lips. Growing up on a ranch with five brothers left little room to be sensitive.

“You were saying.” Placing a soft kiss to her lips, Cade moved the couch, tucking Melinda into his side, picking up a strand of her blonde hair and twirling it around his finger.

Releasing a breath she’d held for what felt like years, Melinda melted into Cade’s solid form. “Not long after I began working here, security found a door to one of the storage units broken and all the supplies stored in there stolen. We contacted the authorities, but they were of no help, even with the money Derek offered.”

Stilling his fingers, “What kind of supplies?”

Tilting her head back to look at him, “Flour and protein powder. After it happened a few more times, I began looking at online auction houses to see if anyone was selling it. I mean who would have use for hundreds of pounds of protein powder?”

“So, this happens a lot?”

“Once every couple of months I’d say.” Melinda shrugged, not understanding Cade’s fascination with what she had to say.

“And this intruder, what’s that about?”

Shifting her position, Melinda moved out of Cade’s warm embrace. “Oh, well, there’s this guy, at least we think it a guy as no one has seen his or her face. Diablo they call him. He’s like an omen of sorts, because once he makes an appearance, bad things happen.”

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