I step out of my car, glad I chose to wear my favorite, broken-in old boots, as the ground feels a little soft under foot. The band is rocking a loud, upbeat ditty, and it easily puts a little jaunt in my step. I walk between the cars, swinging my hips and tapping my fingers against my thigh. Will the dance floor be crowded already? How long has it been since I danced outside of my kitchen? That school dance I attended in seventh grade, the week before Mom’s accident?
I gasp when a flash of movement catches my eyes, but I grin when I recognize Daryl lurking behind his truck. “You look fucking gorgeous, Cady,” he says, taking me in and swearing as he makes the obligatory crotch adjustments to accommodate his erection. “The way you were shaking that sexy ass of yours just now? You’re making me want to drag you into the fields and fuck it, so best you get it inside before I set my mind to it.” A hungry rumble accompanies a playful slap on my rump, and he then saunters toward the barn ahead of me. He flashes me a dazzling grin over his shoulder before he gets too far. “Save me a dance?”
“Midnight. Over the garden wall.”
He gives me a thumb’s-up, and I let him get a decent distance before I follow. He’s already been here a while, keeping up appearances, and I wasn’t expecting him to greet me, but I’m glad that he did. So glad, I can’t shift the smile from my face, and I walk into the barn dance, ready to make it my bitch.
Within three steps of entering, the faces start to turn my way. It happens slowly at first, and then all at once, as the dominoes are set in motion one by one by the nudge of an elbow to a neighbor, or one man’s tug of another man’s shirt. Eyes widen, mouths drop open, and the music may as well screech to a halt with how still everyone becomes.
I don’t try to hide. It would be impossible in this dress. My tits are the particularly proud and pretty centerpiece nestled into the snug, low-cut neckline. In fact, every curve I have is on display. Everyone here can see that all their beliefs about my being daddy’s reclusive little good girl are about to be challenged and obliterated.
I see Sally Carruthers in the mix and wave. She looks around as if she’s about to be burned at the stake and quickly retreats through the people behind her. I guess my waving could suggest she’s in some way responsible for my saucy transformation, and while my first thought is to find her later and apologize for notconsidering that, my second thought, is that I don’t need to give a fuck about how she chooses to respond to a friendly wave.
Weirdly, nobody says anything to me. No-one approaches. They just look at me, like I’m some sort of freak — and to them, I probably am. None of them know anything about me, other than what they’ve chosen to believe, so being faced with something to the contrary… it’s likely a little unsettling. And awkward.
“Y’all act like you’ve never seen a woman before, but I know y’all have seen plenty. Carry on, everyone.” I swat my hand at the bulk of the group and head for the drinks table.
“Cadence Malone.”
I brace myself and turn slowly to greet my father. “Yes, Daddy?”
“What the hell are you wearing, and who in the world is watching your mother?”
“Well, this is called a dress. And Mom’s at home, perfectly safe, with the nurse I booked to watch her so I could have a night off. I even cleaned out the downstairs bedroom, so she can be put to bed there, leaving no need for you to call your night short to carry her up the stairs. After all, I know how late you like to stay out with your friends, especially the ones in Morrinsville.” I throw a challenging glare at the many folk who are clearly eavesdropping while trying to look like they’re minding their business.Fucking small towns.
Dad glowers at me and starts shrugging out of his sports coat. “Cover yourself at once. You look like a damn lady of the night.”
“Well, you’d know what one of those looks like, wouldn’t you?” I take his jacket as if I’ll do as he’s asked, but I throw it over the nearest hay bale instead. “Even the Morrinsville nurse from I hired to watch Mom tonight saw your photo on the wall and recognized you from the amount of time you spend in those parts. Seems you’re allowed to abandon your family wheneveryou want, to entertain who you please, while I’m stuck at home, treated like a sexual leper.”
“Cadence.” His tone is low and warning, and his eyes flash around the room, like I’m airing his dirty laundry too loudly. I’m not. I’m actually being kindly quiet.
“What did I say?” I ask innocently. “Are you upset I said the wordsexual? Or did I imply I was judging you when I said that I know you’re out paying for it? Because I actually understand that completely. It’s not like Mom can consent to anything anymore, so you can’t go there. So, are you annoyed that I’m calling you a hypocrite? Or are you just annoyed that I’m here speaking at all?” I press the back of my hand to my brow with dramatic flair. “Oh no. What if someone hears the truth.” I roll my eyes and walk around him to get myself a drink.
“You’re looking exceptionally sassy and voluptuous tonight, Miss Malone,” Daryl says, already at the drinks table.
I snort and accept the drink he hands me. “Good evening, Mr. Winters. Read any good books lately?”
Dad comes butting in between us. He takes the drink from my hand and dumps it into the nearby trash bucket. “Whatever argument you’re having with me, there’s no need to ruin your life over it by becoming this man’s next victim. Don’t ever accept a drink from this man again. Especially dressed as you are. You’re asking for trouble.”
I stare at my father. “Are you serious? Did you — in the space of one breath — accuse an innocent man of drugging my drink in the hope of then assaulting me in some way; while also telling me it would be my own fault, because I’m wearing a nice dress? Do you even hear yourself?”
Daryl clears his throat. “Harmful and misguided as his suggestions may be, I believe your father is only trying to protect you from a perceived threat.” He steps closer and standstaller, towering over my father a little. “He doesn’t want my…reputationto touch a woman of your obvious grace and caliber.”
“Well, that’s God’s honest truth.” Dad jabs Daryl in the chest with his finger. “So take your drink and get your shitty reputation the hell away from my daughter,ass-fucker.”
Daryl inhales through pursed lips and then grins. “No need to get so defensive, Vander. I’m not trying to stick my dick inyourass. You’re not my type.” He gives me a wink and walks away with a sexy swagger in his step. It’s hard not to watch his ass as he leaves, and Dad notices my interest.
“Don’t you try and break my heart that way, Cady. You’re worth more than that.”
“Am I?” I ask turning back to him. “How much am I worth, exactly? A full-time salary with benefits and annual leave? Because that’s what you’ll have to pay someone when I leave town next week.”
“What?” The look on his face is priceless and incredibly satisfying.
I cover my fake gasp. “Oh. Did I not tell you? I must have been too busy arguing for this one, single night off. Wow. It’s a good thing I won’t have to fight for my human rights anymore. That must be such a relief for a man who cares so much for his daughter he does everything he can to keep her from ever leaving the house.”
I’m so consumed by my rant, he actually looks a little scared. He even takes a step back. “Cadence, you’re being unreasonable?—”
My rage-fires are about to burn this fucker to the ground. “I’mbeing unreasonable?”
