His Brother's Bride by Denise Hunter Page A

far?
    She studied the lines and indistinct images. There was simply no way of telling how far. But it looked like. . .yes, it looked like the lines around the X depicted a cave or a cliff wall. The gold might be buried in a cave on Cade’s property. But there could be many caves! How would she ever find the right one? And once she did, how would she retrieve the gold?
    She scrutinized the picture again, then hugged it to her chest. At least she had an inkling now of the direction it was in. And maybe there were only a few caves out that way. She could ask Cade a question or two and then start searching. Hope welled in her chest. Maybe she could find the gold and be done with this whole mess before winter. Uncle Stewart would release Nana to her care, and surely Cade wouldn’t mind if Nana came here to live.
    She so wanted to get this over with. She was tired of deceiving Cade. Perhaps he withheld his affections because he sensed her dishonesty. Perhaps when all this was finished, he would find it within himself to love her as a wife. Somehow, even though she cared greatly for Adam, she couldn’t seem to let go of the desire to have her own children. Her heart har bored frustration because of Cade. What were a few white lies when he was denying her dream?
    Finding the map put a hope in her heart the rest of the day. Later that night as Emily tucked Adam into bed, she ran her fingers through his soft, dark hair. He had a new freckle on his nose, a result of the hours spent in outdoor play. She wondered idly if a child of hers would have freckles. Probably so, since her own skin was fair and prone to them.
    â€œI forgot to get your bonnet,” he said.
    â€œI think we both forgot, Sweetheart.”
    â€œDoes that mean you won’t bury the treasure tomorrow?”
    She chuckled and ruffled his hair. “I’ll still bury it. But not until after chores.”
    A shuffle sounded behind her, and she turned to see Cade in the doorway.
    She leaned down and planted a kiss on Adam’s cheek. “Sweet dreams, Adam. Good night.”
    Suddenly, he pulled her into his little arms. “Night, Ma.”
    The word caused her breath to catch in her throat. Her eyes stung, and as she pulled back from the boy, the sweet smile on his face stole her heart.
    She squeezed his arm and stood, turning to leave the room. But before she took a step, her gaze connected with Cade’s. His stricken expression impaled her. She couldn’t move for a moment, caught in the steely web of his gaze. His displeasure was evident in the tight bunching of his brows, the rigid set of his shoulders.
    Quickly, she brushed past him and down the stairs. She grabbed her sewing basket and busied her fingers with a holey stocking. Why was Cade so distressed that Adam had called her “Ma”? Was it so awful that he had grown to love her, that she had grown to love him? A child needed a mother, and she was the only one this child would ever have. That was his reason for marrying her, after all.
    She realized the hurt she’d read on Cade’s face must be on Ingrid’s behalf. Of course that must hurt. But it had been five years, and it was only right that Adam should have a ma.
    She stuck the needle through the material and pulled it out the other side. The look on Cade’s face bore into her with more force that she’d like to admit. His displeasure bothered her. Wasn’t she good enough for his son? Did he see something in her he disliked so much that he wanted distance between her and Adam? Wasn’t the distance between her and Cade bad enough?
    She heard his feet on the stairs and stiffened as he entered the room and settled across from her, his Bible in his lap. She kept her gaze fixed on her work. Her heart jumped against her ribs.
    Cade’s presence in the room was thick and tangible. The very air had changed when he’d entered, and her spirit squirmed. Did he regret marrying her? Her gut