From This Moment

“Of course not. It’s a girl thing.”

“He was giving Rona the eye yesterday. Did you look at him like that?” he asks me.

“Are you asking me if I found him hot?” I try not to laugh, but it’s hard to do since everyone is snickering the background.

“Yes!”

“He’s hot, but you’re a lot hotter than him.” Heat springs to Cade’s eyes but I can tell he’s not happy I checked out Josh when he was questioning me. “If it helps, when I first saw you, I undressed you with my eyes, but I didn’t with him. Does that answer your question, honey?”

He smiles as a slight blush blooms along his cheekbones. “Yes.” He leans over to kiss me.

“Idiot, I will only ever love you,” I whisper.

Settling back on the sofa beside me, Cade starts to fidget. Is he uncomfortable at his display of affection for me? He didn’t seem too bothered before. Not really knowing how to help him, I decide to be honest with his daughters as Elise already knows how I feel about Cade, and I blurt out, “I love your father with all my heart, and he loves me.” I look between Anna and Beth.

Cade squeezes my hand. I can see his eyes are full of love and pride.

“What Rona says is the truth. You both know what happened between your mother and me, I’ve made no secret about that. You know I didn’t love her and I haven’t been in love before, until now. I know there is a large age difference, but I hope you will accept Rona as the woman of my heart.”

“I told you last night, Dad, I’m happy for you both and I meant it.” Anna looks at us both while nudging Beth.

“I was upset last night,” Beth admits slowly, “until Anna and Jake told me to grow up and to think about how much happier you’ve been since Rona has been here. I realized I was being selfish. Like Anna says, you need someone to love you as a guy and not a father and seeing you with Rona just now, I realize you finally have that. So yes, I’m okay with you and Rona being together, besides, she has good taste in clothes which will probably fit me!”

A glance at Cade tells me he’s having difficulty controlling his emotions. Letting go of my hand he rises and walks over to Beth, who stands to meet him. His arms wrap around her and tears sting my eyes when I see the kind of father he is, just in that hug.

Beth buries her face in his chest. Kissing her forehead, he says, “Thank you,” before letting her go and walking back over to me.

He sits next to my hip and helps me sit up before pulling me into his arms. I have my fingers running through his hair as I nibble his ear. He shivers against me.

“Mmm,” I moan.

“Dad, why don’t you disappear for an hour and we’ll look after Rona.” Anna grins when she sees her dad’s expression. “She’ll be fine. Don’t you have some work to do on your laptop? Go get it done, then when you’ve finished, you’ll be able to concentrate on Rona.”

“I guess. At least Rona won’t be able to see what vacation I’m planning since I’ve got everything set up in my office.” He winks at me, but still seems reluctant to leave.

“Vacation! Hey can we come? I could do with a break,” Beth says.

“If you need a break, I would have a word with your husband, Beth,” Cade counters.

“Last time I had a word, he took me away and I ended up pregnant with Edith!”

Cade shudders. “That really is too much information.”

“If you think that, then think how we feel knowing our father actually has sex!” Beth says, grinning.

I start to laugh, but a shooting pain in my hip from the movement steals my breath.

“Rona, what is it?” Cade asks, his voice full of concern.

“I’m okay. I just forgot about my hip.” I wince, but can’t hold back the chuckle.

“All right, fun’s over,” Anna says. “Dad, you go and sort your vacation out, and we’ll take care of Rona.” Anna shoos Cade away.

He still seems reluctant to leave me, so I add, “I’ll be fine. I’m comfortable here plus all you have to do is look out of your office door to see me.” I give him a kiss, then a slight shove.

“Now that’s sorted, who wants a coffee? Dad, before you head upstairs, come and grab yourself a cup of coffee and a slice of cake to take with you.” Anna heads toward the kitchen letting Cade know who’s in charge at the moment.

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