Part 11 (1/2)

”It's when you catch a catfish with your bare hands. You find their hole and stick your hand into it, wiggle your finger so the fish bites it, and then you pull the catfish out.” If he had been a teenager, he would have added, 'like duh'.

Annie didn't know how to respond, so she didn't. She just found herself looking back and forth between the two of them. They reminded her of golden retriever puppies, and she had the odd sense to pet and cuddle them.

”Do you think that's why I have trouble dating, d.i.n.k? Maybe I just need to let them chase me.”

”It's worth a shot.”

”Thanks, Miss Hill. I'll give it a try. If it worked on Cade, it's good enough for us to try, huh d.i.n.ky?”

”Sure 'nuf.”

”Have a good night, ma'am. Shoot, Miss Hill, don't forget, March is the perfect month for a wedding. Just make sure it's after the NCAA tournament. I think we'll go far this year. Go Big Blue!”

Annie waved good-bye as they got into their cruiser and took the Three Stooges off to jail. She needed a drink. What was Big Blue? She had been afraid to ask after stupidly asking what noodling was. All she knew was she wanted to get inside, get warm, and put an ice pack on her swollen cheek.

Chapter Fifteen.

Cade ran the film again for the players. They had been there for two hours and it was close to midnight. Coach Parks had gone outside and told all the parents that the team wanted to stay and work on preparing for the playoffs. Between uppercla.s.smen and the coaches, all the kids without cars would be driven home.

”Coach? Your phone is buzzing again.”

”Thank you, Hall. Just ignore it.”

”But, Coach, it's the third time it's gone off in under a minute. It's probably important.”

Cade s.n.a.t.c.hed up the phone and looked at the caller ID. He didn't know who was calling, but it was a local number. ”Yes,” he snapped as he pressed the answer b.u.t.ton.

”Cade? Noodle.”

”Kinda busy here. Can I call you back tomorrow?”

”Oh, sure, sure. I didn't really need to talk to you. I just thought I should let you know I just came from haulin' three big fellers off Miss Hill's property. She was fine, but there was one heck of a bruise forming on her face. Looks like something real nasty went down there although she's only claiming trespa.s.sing. I figured it was best not to push.”

Cade froze. Bruise, three men, this was serious. ”Is she okay? Are you sure?”

”No. That's why I'm calling you. Miss Hill is real nice, but I take it that she is a real independent type. She tried to feed us a line that three guys were just pa.s.sed out drunk as she sat there with a swollen cheek, and the way she moved showed a tender midsection also. For all she wants to appear innocent, she beat the c.r.a.p out of these guys and I'm beyond impressed. However, she is choosing to keep us in the dark. Since she's your girlfriend, I'll respect that. Just call us if you need us. But, if I were you, I would be heading over there right quick to check on her.”

Cade's heart had stopped beating as soon as Noodle had told him about Annie being injured. ”Thanks, Noodle. I'll go over there now.” Cade ended the call and turned to his team. ”I'm sorry I have kept you guys so late. It's about time for you all to head home. Uppercla.s.smen please give at least one of the lowercla.s.smen a ride home. I'll see you for practice on Monday. Expect to stay late. We have a champions.h.i.+p to win!”

The boys cheered and headed out to the parking lot as Cade grabbed his things and sprinted to his car. If only he had been there. He should have been there. This was all his fault. He was nauseous at the thought of the fear she must have gone through with three men attacking her.

He knew she was trained, but still, three men! How did she take down three men? It didn't matter that she had. He should have been there. His phone rang, and he opened it immediately as he tore out of the high school parking lot.

”Annie?”

”No, it's Daisy Mae. Where in all of Jupiter are you? Why aren't you with Annie? How is she?”

”I don't know. I just got the call from Noodle. On my way there now. Call waiting, it may be her.”

”Give her a hug for me.”

”Annie?” He was desperate to hear her voice.

”No, but speaking of Annie, why weren't you there to help 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 ma.s.sive, 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 s.e.x 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 a.s.s.”

”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.