Page 18 of Taking Chances in Cedarwood

“Right.” He finished sweeping and replaced the broom. “The cows are fed, cats and Gabby have been fed, too. Everyone has fresh water and bedding, and I even checked in on the kittens. Everyone is good. When I looked over the garden, I noticed we’ll have a bumper crop of beans for Saturday.”

“You’re avoiding.”

“Avoiding what?” He walked away from her and escaped into the house. God, Maddie wouldn’t let up.

She joined him in the kitchen. “The gossip. You bought groceries for Cain Ables.TheCain Ables. He’s a freaking movie star.” She closed the main door. “Andy, you helped a celebrity.”

“I heard you.”How many times does she have to say ‘celebrity’?

“You don’t understand, do you?”

“I do. He showed up without his card, and I paid for his food. Big deal. I need to get cleaned up,” Andrew said. “I’m tired and I want to heat something up for a very late dinner.” So maybe Cain hadn’t been lying about his status. Still, the story seemed far-fetched. He left the kitchen. “I’m going upstairs. Gabby?” When he said her name, the dog trotted over to him. “Okay?”

“Andrew.” Maddie grasped Andrew’s arm. “I heard he’s here because he’s researching a role. He’s doing a film with Liam Blackwell. A gay film.”

“Okay?” He didn’t want to waste any more time, but now he had more confirmation for why Cain and Liam were together.

“He’s not gay.”

Andrew sighed. “It happens.”

“You’ve been seen with him.”

“Right. I was at the store when he visited.”

“Andrew.” She dug her nails into his arm. “You’re going to get hurt. He’s not gay and he’s using you. He’s learning about Cedarwood and farms. He’s not into you, but he’ll play you like he is so he can research the role. Don’t get swept up in the glamour of him.”

“Right. Point taken.”Nice.Now he couldn’t even have friends. He walked up the stairs, leaving his sister in the dining room.

“You’re going to get your heart broken. I can see in your eyes that you like him,” Maddie said. “Don’t fall for this.”

He stopped halfway up the stairs and sat. “Who says I’m falling for him?” He should talk to Cain and have this out. He wasn’t in the mood to argue right now. His head ached, he needed a shower and he’d grown tired of people thinking he was foolish.

“Andy.” She started up the stairs until she looked him in the eye. “You got hurt bad when Teddy left. I get it. He was an asshole and never deserved you. He and Ross belong in hell together.” She folded her arms. “But you’re a good guy with a big heart. You let people in. Don’t let this one make a fool of you. Cain isn’t looking to date you.”

“I never said he was.” He flattened his palms on his thighs. “I’m being nice to him, yes, because we’re friends. If he’s not gay, then he’s not.” Andrew knew better, but he wasn’t going to disclose Cain’s secret to Maddie. “I’m not forcing anyone or anything.”

“You’ll become the focus of the tabloids,” she said. “You’ll smear his celebrity.”

“Because I’m gay?”

“Because people will get the wrong impression. He’s been seen with women and was engaged to a sweet actress for a year.” She frowned. “He’s not that into you.”

He stared at her. He’d thought she was different.So much for thinking.“Me being friends with someone means I’m fucking them, right? It’s not true. Let everyone assume. They’re wrong. If they and you can’t handle the truth, then it’s on all of you.” He made his way up the stairs to the second floor of the farmhouse. When he reached the bedroom, he waited for Gabby to enter the room, then closed the door.

His head ached harder than before. Despite his stomach rumbling, he hurried through a shower, then collapsed naked onto his bed. No matter what he tried to think about, his thoughts returned to Cain. He didn’t understand how someone could be so sheltered.So used.He wanted to see Cain again. Maybe he’d give him some lessons in being a person. It couldn’t hurt.

The memory of the almost-kiss played on a loop in his brain. He could still smell the tang of Cain’s cologne and feel the softness of his skin. He’d been so used to men with rough working hands. Cain wasn’t rough. His blue eyes sparkled, and he seemed almost too pretty to be real. Thinking back on their time together, he could see how Cain would be a movie star. Cain had the right look—perfect teeth, just enough body in his hair, no visible tattoos and that mole on his cheek.

Andrew couldn’t forget the strength in Cain’s body. He’d bet there wasn’t much fat on his frame—if any at all. If he’d been sheltered in the way he’d claimed, then Cain probably had someone monitoring his calories, making sure he worked out and harping at him if he put on too much weight.

Christ.Restrictions could be good, but too many wore people down. No wonder Cain had run away. He needed to break out and find his own path.

What if Maddie was right, and Cain was using him for research for the movie? What if he hadn’t run away and he’d made the story up? Andrew retrieved his phone from his pants and tapped the internet icon. If Cain had indeed disappeared, then the media would know.

He typed Cain’s name into the search engine. Instead of Cain’s website coming up first, Andrew was bombarded with links about Cain not being in Hollywood.

Cain Ables escapes the bright lights of fame.

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