Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers)

her. Three men, Cade! Three! Is she okay?” his sister’s chiding voice asked.
    “I don’t know, Paige. I’m speeding there now. Well, give her a hug for me.”
    “How is every one finding out about this anyway?” It wasn’t like Noodle to spread gossip…much.
    “Father James saw the lights and went to check it out. He called John Wolfe, who called all the Rose sisters. Miss Lily called Kenna, who called Dani who called me. You know, the norm.” He should have known. That was the normal grapevine chain. “Cade. Don’t smother. She won’t appreciate it if you do.”
    “I never smother.” He heard his sister give a little snort and hang up. Okay, maybe sometimes he smothered.
    His tires skidded as he took the turn into the church parking lot too quickly. The little cottage was lit up, but nothing appeared out of sorts. He tried to pay attention to Paige’s advice and slowly walked up the steps.
    “Oh! It’s you. Post-game breakdown run late?”
    Cade almost jumped at the sound of Annie’s voice coming from somewhere nearby. “Annie?” He looked around on the porch but didn’t see her.
    “Down here.” He leaned over the railing and saw the bushes move.
    “What are you doing down there? You should be in the house, with the doors locked, and a medic looking after you!” Whoops. Well, he had tried to take Paige’s advice at any rate. From the way her hands went to her hips, he guessed she didn’t care that he had made an effort to remain calm.
    “I’ m looking for something.” She turned her back to him and disappeared back into the bushes.
    “Shoot, Annie, I’m sorry. I was just so upset when I heard that you had a visit from Gaylen’s people. I should have been here to protect you.”
    “Ah-ha!” She popped back up, holding up a gnome that looked suspiciously like a priest. “Hate to burst your bubble, but I didn’t need you. I had him. He took out Larry and Curly.”
    Cade watched as she came up the stairs and turned to him. His fists clenched in anger as he saw the massive, swollen bruise on the side of her face. “I could have protected you from that.”
    Annie felt her temper rising as she put the little gnome back in place. Her face throbbed, her side ached, and he was spouting macho bull when all she really wanted was a hug. She didn’t know which made her more upset: that he was pulling his protection act or that she needed him to hug her.
    Tonight had taught her one thing. She was tired of being alone. She was tired of working so hard and then coming home to an empty house with no one to share her day with. It frustrated her. She had never felt these desires before, and she wasn’t quite prepared to handle them
    She loved the sex with Cade, but she found herself wanting more of the moments they snuggled on the couch watching a game, laughing and talking. She turned around from where she had place Lil’ Jim, her new name for the priest gnome, and looked at Cade.
    “I’m sorry, Sparky.” Cade’s shoulders slumped as he took a seat in the chair by the door. “I just can’t seem to stop myself from being an overprotective ass.”
    “What?” Did she hear him right? An apology and an endearment. She was pretty sure she had never received either of those before. It felt nice. Comfortable.
    “Damn, I’m out of my element here. I care for you. You have to know that. When I heard you were hurt, I just blamed myself for not protecting you.” He held up his hand to stop her from speaking. “I know. Trust me, I know you are more than capable of taking care of yourself. I have seen you in action and I have read your file. None of it matters to me. I trust you to have my back in a fight, but it still doesn’t mean that I want to see you in a fight. It goes against every instinct I have to think of you being hurt and not wanting to prevent it. Please tell me you understand.”
    Annie looked at him. His speech had been firm, unyielding, but his eyes seemed to implore her to understand. Surprisingly, she did. The trouble was she had those same feelings for him. She wanted to protect him. The meaning of that protective feeling and the warm feeling that came over her when he said he cared about her was just too much for her to contemplate. What she did know is that she understood and couldn’t be angry at him for acting the way he did.
    “Yes, I understand. You’re a good man, Cade, even if you do call me Sparky.” She winked at him and opened the front door. “Want to