Page 16 of Cade

CHAPTER EIGHT

“I’m sorry that you all felt the need to come up here,” said Cass, looking at Bree and Ashley. “I know how busy you both are.”

“There is nothing that would make us too busy to help you,” said Ashley. “Everything you’re feeling, everything you’ve felt, is normal, honey. You’ve been through a traumatic event, and it will take some time to get through this.”

“She’s right,” said Bree. “You need to remember that most of us have experienced our own traumatic events. Certainly, your mother and Ashley. Alexandra, Rachelle, and so many more. It’s important that you know you are not alone, honey.”

“I think that’s obvious by the fact that Cade came running after me, or before me,” she smirked, “and you all here.”

“He loves you, Cass,” said Ashley.

“I know. I know that now. It’s funny. When I drove up here, all I could think about was that I was alone, and there was no help for me at all. No one would understand me. No one would know what I went through. How could I think that, knowing what happened to my own mother?”

“Honey, it’s awful tough to get past your own pain sometimes. Don’t beat yourself up. Just remembering that we are all here for you, with you, is what’s important now.”

The door to the large cabin opened, and Cade, Trevor, and Doc came in, stomping their boots.

“Hey, ladies, we don’t mean to snow on this parade, but they’re predicting nasty conditions tonight and the rest of the week. We just called and got us all a reservation in Seattle. Why don’t we gather our things and drive down the mountain and get across the border? We could be there by nightfall and have a nice dinner, maybe down near the fish market.”

“I think that sounds wonderful,” said Cass. She stood and walked toward Cade. He helped her get into her winter coat and then took her hand.

“We’ll meet you guys back here in about thirty minutes,” said Cade.

The snow was starting to fall but was still light. By the time they reached the cabin, it was already falling heavier. Quickly packing their things, Cade made sure everything was off in the cabin and then loaded everything into the car. Driving back to the other cabin, they were waiting at the end of the driveway.

The ride down the mountain was slow, but they were grateful to beat out the storm. On the other side of Vancouver, they went through customs and then drove south toward Seattle. Just as predicted, they pulled into a small boutique hotel as the sun dipped behind the mountains and night fell around them.

Once settled in their rooms, they met in the lobby and walked toward their dinner destination. Seattle was known for amazing coffee places, but they also had terrific seafood. The quaint little place on the water was small but offered magnificent views and smells that sent everyone moaning as they walked inside.

“Table for six, please,” said Trevor.

The man led them to a round table near the glass, took their drink order, and promised to return for their food order. Cass smiled as Trevor pulled Ashley closer to him, kissing her neck sweetly. Doc was holding Bree’s hand above the table, the two of them looking at one another like they were high school kids. Then she felt Cade’s hand on her knee, giving a gentle squeeze. She looked up at him, smiling, as he gave her a wink.

“Our special tonight is Alaskan Salmon with a lemon butter glaze, wild rice, and asparagus. I might also recommend our prime rib, which comes with roasted rosemary potatoes and almond green beans.”

“That’s for me,” grinned Cade.

“Me too,” said Doc.

“Make it three,” smiled Trevor. The waiter laughed, then looked at Cass.

“I’ll do the salmon,” she smiled.

“Me too,” laughed Ashley. Bree held up three fingers, grinning.

“I’ll get some bread out to the table,” he said. “If you’d like, we have a molten chocolate lava cake for dessert, but I’ll need to put that in now as it takes some time to prepare.”

‘Oh, hell, yea,” said Trevor. “You can do three of those.”

“It’s so beautiful here,” said Cass, looking out over the water. “I’ve never been to this part of the country before.”

“I was born in Oregon,” said Cade, swallowing and looking away. “Bodhi and I both. I think my grandparents may still be there. I’m not sure.”

“Are your parents alive?” asked Doc.

“Uh, no. I mean, my dad is. He lives in Minnesota, but my mom, my mom committed suicide when I was a little boy.”

“Brother, I’m so fucking sorry,” said Doc.

---