Marrying Cade by Sally Clements Page B

And he wasn’t standing around to watch her being bullied.
    Marco was sitting up in bed, with Mary at his side when they walked into his bedroom. His eyes flickered to Melo.
    “Good morning,” Mary started, then stopped, realizing this was not a social visit. “What’s the matter?” Her hand reached for Marco’s. Gripped it tightly.
    “I’ve just heard from the company making the replacement tanks,” Adam said. “They tell me Melo has cancelled my order.”
    Mary stared at Melo. “What on earth would make you do such a thing?” She stood. “Melo. Explain this.”
    “I had to.” Melo’s voice was low and she clenched Cade’s hand fiercely. “Papa knows.”
    Her mother’s gaze turned back to her husband, and her eyebrows rose in query. Marco flushed. His hands picked at the bedcovers. “I asked Melo to cancel the order. It was necessary. His voice wavered. “I hoped we could delay this discussion until after tomorrow. I asked Melo to be discreet.”
    He glared at Melo, as if it were somehow her fault the supplier had taken matters into his own hands and called Adam.
    “I think you better tell us what’s going on.” Mary waved to the chairs around the corners of the room. “Sit down, everyone.”
    Cade felt Melo tremble through their tangled fingers as they sat around the bedside. He squeezed gently, trying to pass an unspoken message of support to her.
    All eyes were on her, and her throat moved discreetly as she swallowed before starting to speak. “The business is in jeopardy, through imprudent investments.”
    Melo’s face colored and she avoided the shocked faces before her. No wonder, as an investment specialist she must be horribly embarrassed and ashamed of giving the family bad advice.
    A mass of voices rent the air, all speaking at once, questioning how this could have happened. Through it all Melo said nothing. Eventually, Marco cleared his throat and the room fell quiet.
    “How we came here is not important,” he said slowly in a voice brooking no further discussion. “What is important is we now face an impossible situation. One where Melo had to cancel the new orders.”
    Cade gripped Melo’s fingers tightly. He waited for Marco to reveal the fact he’d talked to Cade about buying land, but Marco stayed silent.
    “I didn’t want to ruin your wedding day, Rosa.” Marco held out a hand to his daughter, grooves deepening in his forehead. “I knew it would be a disappointment. Cast worry into what should be only a happy occasion.”
    Cade’s heart clenched. How could Melo have gambled so recklessly with her family’s future? He glanced at her pale face, half hidden by the veil of her chestnut hair. He should feel anger, disgust. Instead, he felt pity for her obvious pain.
    “I’ve looked through the figures; the only option was to cancel the improvements. We can’t pay for them.” Melo’s tone wavered. She turned to Adam. “I told Papa we should talk to you about it. You made the order; you should have been the one to cancel it.”
    “I’ve been brought in as new Managing Director of this Company, it’s unforgivable that I haven’t been informed of this,” Adam said.
    “You mustn’t upset Papa,” Rosa urged, resting her hand on her husband-to-be’s arm. There must be something we can do,” Rosa pleaded, still in denial about the severity of the situation.
    “We have only one option, Rosa.” Marco’s gaze held Cade’s. “We can sell some land.”
    ****
    Why was her father looking at Cade?
    Melo’s heart clenched. She shivered feeling sudden chills as she gazed up at the profile of the man she’d spent the previous night with.
    He held Marco’s gaze steadily, then his chin moved down slightly then back up, in a subtle nod. She pulled her hand out of his, and wrapped it around her own body, holding in the feelings of panic that shuddered through her.
    “I have spoken to Cade.”
    With her father’s words, something inside Melo shattered. She scrunched her