Sandra Chastain by Firebrand

It seemed that every time she gave in to his kisses, she began to have doubts about the ease with which he claimed them.
    “Sorry, darling,” he whispered from behind heras he straightened up. “It comes as a package deal.”
    After that, conversation was strained, then nonexistent. Finally Letty, in exasperation, slammed down their plates of baked chicken and dressing, and put her hands on her hips in a threatening manner.
    “Now listen here, you two, it’s obvious that Cade isn’t into basketball and Rusty doesn’t know one end of a football field from the other. You can’t exchange recipes or tips on cows. I don’t know what it is about you and mealtime that addles your brains, but if you don’t get whatever it is out of your systems and enjoy the food I prepare, I’m going to turn that wild man Eugene loose in the kitchen and let
him
cook for you.”
    “ ‘Wild man’?” Cade repeated, a twinkle in his eye. “He said that you two would get along.”
    “Beans and biscuits?” Rusty said at the same time in horror.
    Rusty and Cade looked at each other and began to laugh.
    “You’re right, Letty,” Rusty agreed. “There’s no point in letting our differences spoil your food.”
    “ ‘Differences’? I don’t think we actually have any differences, Rusty,” he said. “I think that our problems are very much the same problem. Perhaps we could skip dessert for now and go into the study. I’d like to hear what that judge is going to put into the agreement.”
    “Good idea, Cade.” Rusty stood up and skirted the table. “When Judge Meekins arrives, Letty, please show him into the study. If you’ll go on ahead, Cade, I’ll join you in a moment. I promised Pixie that Glenda would tuck her in.”
    “ ‘Glenda’?”
    “Didn’t you know? I’m Glenda, the good witch. And if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to follow the yellow brick road to Oz.”
    “Is that why you’re wearing the pink dress?”
    “Yes,” Rusty admitted with a blush. “Pixie said that Glenda always wears pink.”
    Cade didn’t comment. He paused in the doorway, basking in a rare feeling of contentment as he watched Rusty walk down the hall. Gone was the long stride and swagger that he’d seen that first day. Instead, the woman climbing the stairs gave off an aura of gentleness and well-being that made the whole house feel content.
    Cade held back the urge to follow her. It was important that Rusty and his daughter find a common bond if this relationship was to become permanent. He’d thought that Pixie might rebel at the idea of another woman intruding into their lives. But he was continually amazed at his daughter’s ability to accept what came and adjust to it. It had taken him a long time to learn to do that. And just when he’d thought he had the system licked, Rusty came along to knock it cockeyed.
    Glenda, the good witch. Leave it to Pixie to put a name on a thing and turn it into a treasure. Cade stood in front of the fireplace with both hands braced against the mantle. Good witch or bad witch, Rusty had certainly cast a spell on his heart.
    “Cade?”
    She’d done it again, crept up behind him, and he’d been so intent on his thoughts that he hadn’t heard her. He turned around.
    “All done?”
    “Yes, and Pixie sent you this.” She stood on tiptoes, placed a quick kiss on Cade’s lips, and pulled away.
    He swallowed hard. “I don’t suppose that I could send her a reply?”
    “I think you’d better not.” They were only inches apart, and Rusty knew that she ought to step back. The judge was due any minute, and now was not the time to let herself get carried away. “I think what we need is some of Eugene’s Tundra Tonic.”
    Rusty tried not to think about Cade’s kiss. But she couldn’t step away. Her legs felt liquefied. Her breasts burned to touch Cade’s chest, and she felt a great aching need as she speculated on how Cade’s hard body might feel against her, nude and aroused. She took a