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  Her eyes flicked to the kitchen doors as she sat, shoulders tense, toe tapping under the table.

  All the other Stormers had eaten. From the new scouts, to the senior Stormers. Carl, still sullen, had demolished his bowl, barely engaged in conversation and disappeared without even bothering to flirt.

  Her relief at seeing Kade well earlier had vanished along with her appetite when even after she’d lingered till the last Stormer had thanked Ma Hamlin and Martha, he’d still not shown up.

  Now, Ma Hamlin was the only one remaining, even Meg had given up waiting, instead taking her meal into the sitting room where she and Cester could eat in privacy and discuss the upcoming wedding details.

  Ma Hamlin’s smile was kind as she looked at the food. “You’re not hungry, dear?”

  Hadley swallowed, guilt still rippling through her at the ease at which Cester’s mother had forgiven her deceit and welcomed her back. “I was hoping to see Kade.”

  Ma Hamlin patted her hand. “He’s a lovely boy, but too self-reliant for his own good.”

  Hadley cocked her head at the curious statement. “How do you mean?”

  Ma Hamlin exhaled, the slight scent of the perfumed soap the Hamlin women made, wafting towards her. “I mean, when all our own strength is exhausted, it’s important to know you can lean on others.”

  Hadley frowned slightly. “You don’t think he does that?”

  Ma Hamlin’s eyes glittered with something Hadley couldn’t place. “I think we all need to have a safe place; Kade doesn’t have that. He’s too caught up on proving to everyone he’s in control to show he needs anyone.” Ma Hamlin’s tone was gentle. “I think you and Kade are very much alike.”

  Hadley’s cheeks heated at the comparison, her head shaking at the idea. “Kade is strong, and I could never do what he does. I’d never be able to put myself in danger like he does.”

  Ma Hamlin leaned forward, her forehead wrinkling even more as she frowned. “Strength isn’t about not being afraid; it’s about overcoming that fear to fight for what’s important, and you have done that already. Kade must be important to you? To face your own fears for his sake?”

  Hadley’s own forehead merged into a frown. “I couldn’t do a whole lot.”

  Ma Hamlin gestured at the cooling stew. “I’ll make you a deal, dear. You eat up, and we’ll talk more about Kade as you eat?”

  Hadley’s smile replaced her frown at the gentle manipulation. She picked up her spoon and took a taste, swallowing down the delicious stew despite her concern Ma Hamlin was going to pick up where Meg had left off, talking about a god she didn’t understand. “What did you want to talk about?”

  Ma Hamlin raised a delicate eyebrow. “Kade had a lot to say about how important you were in Amaria; he also said you saved his life with your quick thinking.”

  Hadley nearly choked as she swallowed another mouthful. “He told you that?”

  Ma Hamlin’s smile was quick to appear again. “Kade had a lot of free time while he recovered.” Her smile faltered slightly before she tugged it back into place. “I spent a little time with him, and he was full of praise for you dear.”

  Hadley’s stomach flipped as she forced another mouthful, no longer enjoying the food, only eating to keep Ma Hamlin talking. “What else did he say?”

  The slightest sound of shuffling feet made her look to the doorway, her cheeks pinked as Kade appeared, looking weary, his shoulders slumped as he crept inside the kitchen. “Sorry, I’m late: is there anything left?”

  His gaze slid to her, and he backed up a few steps. “I can take it and eat in my cabin.”

  Ma Hamlin interceded, rising from her chair and grasping Kade’s arm to steer him towards the table. Hadley’s pulse throbbed as he settled in. Ma Hamlin didn’t waste any time placing a bowl in front of him. “It stayed warm enough on the stove.”

  Instead of sitting again, Ma Hamlin swept out the doorway, only turning to give her a meaningful look. “Take your time, you two. Enjoy the peace and quiet. I’m sure you have lots to talk about.” Ma Hamlin sent her a knowing smile before she bustled out.

  Hadley turned her attention back to her meal, the only sound to break the tension Kade’s slight slurp as he rushed to finish his bowl.

  Her eyes on the stew, she summoned the courage to break the silence. “I was waiting for you.”

  Kade’s eyes flicked up, and his shoulders went rigid before he carried on eating. “Sorry. I lost track of time.”

  Hadley shifted on the chair, trying to figure out why he’d turned so cold towards her. “Have I done something wrong?”

  He lifted his head, his eyes locked on hers before he shook his head. “No, of course not. Why would you say that?”

  Hadley wrinkled her nose at the question. “You just seem off, like I’ve annoyed you.”

  Kade shook his head again, this time putting his spoon down, his expression serious as if he had something to tell her. “You haven’t done anything wrong. I just needed to think.”

  His forehead creased, eyebrows drawing together. “I’m leaving again to look for the man who hired Jax. We’re heading down south to check out the leads Spike gave us. Not sure when we’ll be heading back to Kingsport. But if we do, I’ll check out the lower district, see if I can come up with any news about your brother.”

  Hadley sat up a little taller in her seat. Not sure if she should say anything. That he was planning on looking in her hometown made her heart thud a little faster.

  Kade scratched at the stubble on his cheeks, his eyes on his food before he pushed it away. “Cester’s making me Captain of the Northern branch of the Stormers.”

  Hadley nodded, not sure why he looked so gloomy. “Meg told me before.”

  His hand fell from his chin, and he nodded absentmindedly. “Right. Of course, she did.”

  His eyes found hers again, and her breath seized at the look on his face. “What do you think about that?”

  Hadley shrugged lightly. “It’s a good thing for Meg, and you’ll be safer, won’t you? You won’t have to go on retrievals and get injured anymore.”

  Kade’s gaze dropped again. “I guess.”

  Hadley frowned, as he placed his palms on the table. “You aren’t happy about the promotion?”

  Kade shrugged. “To be honest, I’d never thought of this as a long-term career. More a way to get through a rough time, you know? I had this crazy idea that I could save enough to buy a plot of land and set up a business.”

  Hadley’s lips quirked at the idea of Kade plodding around on a farm. “Doing what exactly?”

  Kade’s eyes narrowed. “Are you laughing at me?”

  Hadley shook her head a little too quickly. “No! I was just thinking about you wearing a straw hat and overalls while you muck out a pig sty; I can’t quite picture it.”

  Kade stared at her for a few beats before a smile tugged at his lips. “Neither can I, but I was thinking more about Arrowford. There’s still land for sale, and there’s plenty of gold; we’d just need to figure a smarter way to mine it.”

  Hadley’s eyebrows rose. “We?”

  Kade sucked in a breath, his cheeks blazing. “I meant me, not we.”

  Hadley eyed him for a minute, her throat thick as she forced the words past her tongue. “That’s a lot of work for one person; do you have room for a few more?”

  Stop talking! What are you doing?

  Kade’s jaw slackened. “Ah, who are we talking about here?”

  Her skin heated as she hastened to correct the ridiculous statement. To stall, she made a face as though thinking. “Well, I don’t know. I mean I could help. And maybe Thomas too.”

  Kade shifted in his chair, an odd expression working its way over his face. “Steady on, I don’t even have a parcel of land yet or enough money to buy one.”

  What is wrong with you?

  Her stomach flipped. “Forget it. It was a silly idea.”

  Kade cocked his head at her, his face contorting into a half smile, half gri
mace. “It’s not silly. Just didn’t realise you were planning on being a part of my, ah, future.”

  Hadley stilled on the chair at his wording. Heat flooded through her at the strange look on his face. Was he pleased? Or was that amusement?

  She swallowed and stared at her hands, her voice pitching higher on the last word. “Do you want me to be a part of it?”

  Kade was silent for the longest moment until she couldn’t stand it. She peeped up from under her lashes only to find him gawking at her, a stunned look about him. His cheeks flushed, and he drew his gaze away to pick up the spoon. “Why would you care if I did?”

  Hadley’s heart jumped in her chest. Why? What could she say?

  That she trusted him, that she couldn’t imagine not seeing him ever again, that Meg’s idea held so much merit that she’d risk acting a fool? That even if she found Thomas, she knew she wanted to remain close to Kade because, because why?

  Just stop it. You know why.

  She checked the doorway was still clear before pushing up on shaky legs, Kade’s gaze following her, a puzzled expression on his face like he was half afraid she was leaving.

  With her heart in her throat, she ducked her head out the doorway and scanned the hallway. There was no way she was risking anyone coming in. She’d die of embarrassment if one of the Stormers walked in.

  The hallway empty, only the slightest of murmurings came from across the way from the sitting room. Hadley pulled the door closed and turned and faced Kade. Her heart leapt into her throat as he got to his feet and crossed the distance. “Hadley? What’s going on?”

  Hadley wiped her clammy hands on the sides of her dress and tried to still the tremble running throughout her entire body. Meg’s words ran on an endless loop, giving her the courage she needed. Make this day count.

  Kade shook his head as she stopped directly in front of him, a confused expression on his face. “Hadley what are—”

  Here goes nothing…

  Hadley pushed herself up on her toes and pressed her lips to Kade’s. He tensed, stiff against her, her heart squeezed for a moment, fear rushing around her body that he might reject her after she’d so boldly offered her heart.

  Before the thought was fully complete, his lips relaxed, and his arms slid around her back as though he’d been waiting to do so. He moaned slightly, and she pressed against him, not caring that his knives were digging into her torso.

  She’d only ever wanted to kiss one other boy, and when it had happened it had been all awkward giggles and fumbles.

  That kiss had been a horrible, unpleasant mistake, never again to be repeated. But this kiss was nothing like that. This is…he is…everything I wanted him to be.

  All the protest left him, his mind scrambling to make sense of what was happening. One minute he’d been trying to figure out why Hadley seemed to want to be a part of his mad idea to start mining gold, the next she was kissing him, confusing him even further.

  As the kiss intensified, she slid her fingers into his hair, his mind grew fuzzy as pleasure surged through him, and he gave up trying to fight doing what he’d wanted to do for so long. Damn it. Could she be any sweeter? How was he supposed to turn a girl like her down?

  How was he supposed to stop kissing her when her lips were so soft, when she smelled like heaven, when her curves were pressed into him like a thousand pleasant dreams that he ached to touch.

  Desire swelled like fire that threatened to undo him right there in the sweltering kitchen. He’d never wanted anything more in his life. Right now, this girl, this moment was all he needed.

  “Stormer Kade!”

  His brain still fizzing with desire, Kade ripped himself away from Hadley, whirling to face a red-faced Cester. “With me now!”

  He had no time to even look at her before Cester grabbed his arm and yanked him through the doorway, sending him staggering into the hallway, narrowly avoiding colliding with the wall.

  He took a quick backwards glance, relief flooding him that Hadley hadn’t followed him out. Her presence somehow would have made the coming reprimand a million times worse.

  Cester yanked open the sitting room doors and gestured sharply for him to sit. His nerves fraught as he fought to bring himself back under control, Kade took a seat as Cester shut the doors, preparing himself for the incoming lecture and withdrawal of the promotion he no longer cared about.

  There was a flickering of something else now. A different future, one where Cester held no control over him. Meg still got what she wanted. But maybe now he could get what he wanted too?

  And I want Hadley.

  Cester glared at him, all hard lines and simmering fury held tightly contained. “I’m disappointed in you.”

  Kade’s blood ran cold before defiance reared up. “I don’t want the job, if that’s what this is about; give it to Brute, he’s a good guy, and everyone respects him.”

  Cester stilled before he released a sigh as though trying to release some of his anger. “If that’s what you really want, I’ll talk to Brute, but you understand I won’t allow you and Hadley to travel together now? You just confirmed what I suspected.”

  Kade’s stomach tightened. That was what Cester was angry about? Anger crept into his voice at the insult. “What are you saying? Because we kissed, I can’t control myself around her? Duke will be there. Send Luna again: you didn’t have a problem sending her with Carl and Brute. We both know if given the chance, Carl would have done more than kiss her!”

  Cester shook his head. “I was certain Brute would look after Hadley, and it was a good test to see how Carl reacted with a young woman. Which, unfortunately, was poorly. I will not willingly put any of my men into tempting situations.”

  Kade frowned heavily, whatever embarrassment at being caught lost amongst the incoming emotions swirling through him. “What are you going to do? Forbid Hadley from coming with us?”

  Cester raised an eyebrow. “I have rules, you know this. To allow you and Hadley to travel together would be distracting for you both, not to mention irresponsible of me.”

  Kade scoffed, his face contorting with anger. “You think that little of me? You make me sound like Carl!”

  Cester eased back on his chair, his words cool and calm but piercing nonetheless. “Carl was not the one I caught kissing a girl in my kitchen; while you are under my roof, and while you are one of my men, I expect respect, and I expect my rules to be adhered to.”

  Heat flared over Kade’s cheeks, the words out of his mouth before he could think too hard. “Fine. I’ll resign, and I’ll leave. Then I won’t have to abide by your rules. Hadley and I will go look for her brother on our own.”

  Cester frowned. “You can’t be serious? You’re prepared to give everything up just like that?”

  Kade shrugged. What was he doing? He couldn’t leave a steady income just like that, to walk away and never look back. Not after one kiss. They hadn’t even had time to talk over what that meant. What was wrong with him? One kiss, and already he was planning his life around a girl who might not even want the same thing.

  He needed to talk to her. Find out what that meant for her. Find out what she wanted. Oh crap.

  Cester’s tone changed, and his frown disappeared. “Kade, I understand you’re confused right now; you aren’t thinking clearly. Step outside, go for a walk, clear your head before you do something you regret.”

  Kade’s eyebrows rose at the use of his first name, rather than the formal title Cester preferred. He was trying to relate to him, to step back from the usual role he played.

  He ran a hand over his face. “Hadley deserves to come, you know that. She heard the information first hand, and if we find the lost boys, she should be there to identify her brother.”

  Cester sat back a little, emulating Kade’s posture. “The rules I have are to protect you; I don’t expect you to share my faith, so it’s natural you don’t want to abide by them. But Hadley is under my protection, and as such, I need to make sure her virtue is pro
tected.”

  Kade moved to argue. “Haven’t I already proven I’m trustworthy where she is concerned?”

  Cester shook his head. “Even the strongest men can be tempted under the right circumstances. I’m not asking you to deny your feelings. I’m asking you to guard not only Hadley’s honour but your own.”

  Kade’s jaw worked as he struggled to find a response to set his captain’s concerns to rest. But when nothing came, he huffed out a breath. “What do I have to do to convince you?”

  Cester dropped his gaze for a moment. “You can’t convince me that nothing will happen. Because something already did. I will not place you or Hadley in that position.”

  Kade stared down at his knife hilts for a moment, trying to collect the thoughts jostling for attention. Cester huffed a breath. “What would you have done if it had been me kissing Meg in the kitchens? What would you have done if the roles were reversed?”

  A blaze of heat shot across his cheeks before Kade’s shoulders slumped. He knew what he would have done. He would have thumped Cester, captain or not.

  A deep frown growing on his forehead, Kade eyed Cester. “So, what happens now? Hadley’s so stubborn, she’ll try to follow me if I tell her she can’t go.”

  Cester nodded slowly. “There is that to consider. Might I say, if you intend to take this further, you should do everything you can to find her brother to ask his permission to court Hadley, as I asked for yours.”

  Before Kade could speak, Cester’s hand was in the air, telling him he hadn’t finished. “I realise you can’t do this without Hadley, so I’ll relent to let you leave to find him, and to search for your official retrieval, on three conditions.”

  Cester held out his hand and ticked off his fingers as though Kade was a child incapable of counting.

  “Number one, Luna accompanies you. Number two, you will not share a room. Hadley will have her own room, at your expense. If you intend to court her with the view to marriage, you will afford her the utmost courtesy. Thirdly, you will not spend any time alone together while travelling; is that clear?”