Page 26 of Saving Cade
“I made it up.”
His eyebrows rose. “Just now?”
She nodded, feeling a bit self-conscious. How much of the song had he heard?
“It was good. Really good.”
Was he just saying that? She wasn’t sure. She didn’t know him that well. Fingering the strings on the instrument, she stared at the blankets. “How long were you standing there?”
“Long enough.”
She dared a glance at him. His gaze was soft, the corners of his eyes crinkled in an unseen smile. He motioned to her lap. “Play more.”
It was one thing to sing while Cade was in the other part of the house and have him hear her when she didn’t know he was behind her. It was another altogether to sing with him sitting right there, looking at her. Nerves shot through her and she shook her head. “I can’t.”
His emerald gaze seemed to penetrate through her. “It’s just me. Pretend I’m not even here.”
She fiddled with the corner of the blanket, studying the stitching. Maybe it would be okay to sing one song. It was only Cade, right? She slowly raised her gaze. “All right.”
Cade’s lips curled up into a smile. He nodded at her when she hesitated. Then she picked up her ukulele and started strumming. She didn’t even know which song she was going to sing until it started coming out of her. It was one she’d written six months ago as she was going through a tough time with Travis.
She closed her eyes and let the melody wash over her. The song was therapeutic, and the lyrics made her emotional. When she finished, she let the sound fade away before opening her eyes. Cade sat staring at her, an unreadable look on his face.
“That was amazing.”
“You don’t have to say that.” Meg could feel a blush cover her cheeks.
“I’m serious. Your voice is so unique and so beautiful. You’ll be a star someday, Meg. I know it.”
She wanted to laugh at him, but something held her back. He was paying her a genuine compliment, she knew it. “Thanks.”
The sound of breaking glass came from the back of the house and Cade jumped to his feet, his eyes wide. “Did you hear that?”
Meg’s heart pounded. “Yes. What was it?”
“I don’t know. Stay here. I’ll go check it out.” Cade scanned the room and grabbed the iron poker from beside the fireplace. He walked to the arched doorway, his bare feet padding on the hardwood flooring. He peeked around the corner, then he slipped into the darkness.
Meg clutched the blankets. Was there a burglar? Or maybe another animal had gotten in and knocked her water glass off the kitchen counter? She held her breath as she waited for a sound. Any sound that would be louder than the pounding of her heartbeat in her ears.
