The Winter Moon's Wolf Part 18

After changing clothes, Cade rummaged in the kitchen to make dinner.

While he was doing that, Dean's cell phone rang. "Hey, Jamie." Cade caught his gaze and Dean smiled from where he leaned on a shoulder out of Cade's way. "Yeah, they're here for a couple more days probably. Why? Oh. I'm sure they'd love it. What time? Bring the... I am not saying that!" Dean burst out with laughter. "He's standing right here! Yeah, yeah. Okay. See you tomorrow night. Thanks." He disconnected the call, swallowing more of his laughter.

He tipped the phone in Cade's direction, saying, "Your brother-in-law is a menace," then slid it into a pocket.

Cade shook his head in answer. "Repeat after me, brraaat brraaat."

Dean chuckled.

"What's the plan?"

"Dinner at their place, tomorrow night. He said about six thirty."

Cade nodded. "Not surprised." He knew having family, being part of a family that cared and supported each other, was very important to Jamie.

"Let me call them so they don't make other plans." He turned away for the living room to make the call.

Once they were seated to eat, Cade asked, "Did you find out anything else after going to the station?"

"No, not yet. I tried to call the detective on the way here, but he didn't answer. I wanted to know who this guy is and why he's connected to Daniel's shooting." Dean grimaced. "What did I ever do to him? It was my brother who died."

Cade reached and encircled Dean's forearm.

Dean leaned over his plate, confusion marring his features. "I just don't get it. The fire, the roof, this..." He motioned to his neck. "Daniel's murderer is in jail. He's not even up for parole for another fifteen years."

Cade wondered the same. It could be anyone, and the knowledge that it was possibly someone tied to Daniel was eating at Dean. "When did it happen?"

"Six years ago. I don't think I ever said. I'm thirty-four." A hint of a sheepish grin appeared.

Cade snickered lowly. "I guessed you were older than me." That didn't matter to him. "So, if it's connected to Daniel, but his killer isn't a possibility, who?"

Dean frowned. "Family? A friend wanting revenge? And why now?" He used his fork to stab at food, pushing it around. "I honestly have no f.u.c.king clue." Absently, he rubbed at his neck. Cade didn't doubt he'd be forgetting that anytime soon.

"What are you doing next?" Cade asked a few minutes later.

Dean glanced up from a nearly empty plate. "The insurance has finally closed the claim. They're issuing funds next week. I just need to decide what to do with them. Buy, or build, and where."

"Where?" Cade echoed softly. "Would you be willing to bring it to Silo? Or at least closer?"

Dean shrugged. "I would need to apply for serving licenses with the city. That wouldn't be an issue. But... It's a heck of a nightly drive to Ca.s.san," he said with a leading hint in his tone.

"Who said anything about you staying in Ca.s.san?" Cade retorted with mock severity. They slowly grinned in mutual understanding.

"So I guess that's your way of saying I'm moving in?"

"Unless you don't want to," he said, sitting away a fraction, hoping he wasn't pushing too hard. They'd come a long way since Christmas, but he didn't want to give Dean more to stress over.

Dean reached and curled a hand behind Cade's neck, stopping his retreat, tugging him close. His lips touched Cade's. "I'm kinda happy with the guy I'm dating right now. Let me think about it. Closer does sounds like a good idea."

"Just kind of happy, huh?"

Dean nipped at his upper lip, giving Cade a jolt to his spinal nerves. "We're good," he said.

Relief flooded Cade. Maybe someday he'd even be mother approved.

Cade opened Jamie's front door the next evening. He smiled when he snagged on Dean's gaze. The return gaze was a little drawn, weary. Cade tilted his head in question, but Dean just shook his head.

He opened the door. "Come on in," he invited. Dean's parents trailed him. "Let me put up your coats."

They all gave them to Cade and he carried them to the bedroom, putting them with everyone else's. Cade turned to discover Dean slipping into the bedroom and quietly shutting the door.

Cade didn't hesitate. He opened his arms and Dean met him halfway.

"Bad day?"

"One word: Mom." Dean nuzzled into his throat.

A tense Dean almost melted into Cade, relaxing against his frame. "What does your dad say?"

"He thinks I should go back with them, but he's at least willing to let me make the decision. Mom..." He groaned, burrowing harder against Cade. "She's all or nothing, and the alternative isn't an option."

"So she's not going to relent?"

"I really don't think so."

"Where does that put you?"

Dean grumbled. "Honestly, at odds with her, because I'm not leaving."

Cade held on a little tighter. "How about if you promise to see them in a few months? When did you last visit?"

"About three years ago."

Cade's thoughts circled. "So if you make plans to see them more often, would that help?"

"If it will get her to let up, I'd promise almost anything," he grumped, though jokingly. "Just can't promise to move." He kissed Cade's neck and straightened. "Better get back out there. Come over tonight?" As worn as he looked, Cade knew he couldn't say no.

Cade nodded and after a final quick kiss, reluctantly released him.

"There they are," Maya teased, the first to spot them. "Did you boys get your h.e.l.lo kiss out of the way?"

"Quade," Cade said with as much suffering as he could pour into his voice. "She's not wearing her muzzle again."

Maya laughed. "Ah, you know you love me."

"No, he loves you." He motioned to his brother. "I think you're a pain in the rump."

"I thought I had that privileged spot," Jamie piped up from the kitchen.

"Can't win, can you?" Dean asked. Amus.e.m.e.nt was making his eyes glitter now. Cade knew Dean was already accustomed to their familial bickering. He was just glad to see the strain he'd carried walking in the door had faded.

Chris handed them both filled gla.s.ses. "Try this."

"Is it loaded?" Cade asked. He'd willingly try it if it were.

"No. Just drink it. It's tea."

Cade took a sip and Dean copied him. "Wow." He licked his lips and took another big drink. He spotted Jamie watching them expectantly. With Cade's approval, he smiled huge.

"See? I told you," Chris said to Jamie. "I wasn't being biased."

"Yes, you were, and I expect you to be," Jamie informed him. He carried two more to Dean's parents, offering them with smiles. "Thanks for coming."

"Thanks for inviting us," Ann replied, accepting the gla.s.s. "Is it sweet?"

"With fruit juice, and only a little. No added sugar."

She seemed surprised, but nodded, taking a small sip. That led to a much larger one, which had Jamie smiling broader. After making sure they were comfortable, he returned to the kitchen. Cade was grateful to see Maya talking to Ann, while Chris and Quade were talking with Trent. Jamie was working on something in the kitchen.

"I'm going to see if he needs any help," Cade said.

"Okay." Dean squeezed his hand before he walked away.

"Need any help?" Cade asked, wondering how he could. The table looked nice. It was already set, and Jamie had decorated with a hollowed log with small candles for a centerpiece. He had no idea where he got it, but it looked good.

"Thanks," Jamie replied, adding b.u.t.ter to a dish. "It's almost ready." Jamie surrept.i.tiously gazed at Dean's parents, then said, "They're nice people."

Cade did the same. "They seem to be," he offered.

"Oh?"

"Nothing," he muttered. He wasn't about to say it. He knew Ann didn't think he was good enough, but geez. When was the last time he'd had that that problem? He really didn't know why Ann was so against him. If she thought disapproval would pressure Dean to return with them, he honestly didn't know. problem? He really didn't know why Ann was so against him. If she thought disapproval would pressure Dean to return with them, he honestly didn't know.

Jamie patted his arm. "Don't worry about it. They're having a good time." He turned and put the bowl on the table. "Soup's on!"

"It smells wonderful," Maya said when she stopped at a chair.

"Thank you." They all sat. "I actually owe Dean."

"You do?" he asked, surprised as he paused in loading his plate.

"Chris knows I want to cook better, but it was your suggestion to check out the internet courses. I did."

"And?" Quade asked.

"I'm going to enroll for the summer semester at the community college in Stiller Springs. I'll also see if there's anything else that I can take in the same window, maybe something vet tech related. Might as well make it work for me."

Chris had reached over and covered one of Jamie's hands as he'd spoken.

"That sounds great," Dean said.

Everyone dug in and ate, complimenting Jamie between bites.

"How long have you been together?" Ann asked Jamie a few minutes later.

"Only since the spring," Jamie explained. "Dad kicked me out and Chris found me about a week later."

"Why would he do that?" Ann exclaimed.

"Because I told him I was gay. There was a guy I wanted to ask out back where I grew up, but I couldn't because Dad would want to know who he was, why he was around. So I told him. He a.s.saulted me." He smiled at Chris. "It was a good thing I was found, too."

"I will never understand parents, anyone, who can treat another like that," Trent grumbled. "Being gay is no more a decision than what color your hair is when you're born."

"The only problem with being gay is no grandchildren." Ann sighed despondently. "I really was hoping for them."

"Mom." Dean rubbed into his eyes with stiff fingers. "Don't do this. Not right now."

"It's okay," Cade offered, noticing how everyone else had mostly stopped eating, giving Dean all their attention. He doubted that was helping at all. He slid a hand under the table and rested it in comfort on Dean's thigh. "We've already talked about that."

Ann faced him, surprise pitching her voice a little when she asked, "You have?"

"It was more a case of I explained what I hope for, and to see if he was agreeable, but, yes. So that makes it 'not a problem'."

"But... How?"

"Surrogacy or adoption. I lean toward adoption because someone out there, hundreds of thousands really, already need a loving home." He faced Dean and caught the softest gleam of understanding in his gaze. "There are things we need to talk about, but we can't. Not yet."

"Why not?" Ann asked. He almost replied, but Dean cut him off.

"Because you want me to come home so bad," Dean remarked testily. He twisted on the seat to face his parents. "If I come home to make you happy, I lose Cade. I lose this family. I lose everything I've spent the last eight years building."

"But the bar is gone," Ann pointed out. "You can do the same at home."

"Yes and no. It can be rebuilt, and I can start over, anywhere. That much is true. But there's more here than just the bar." He turned enough to catch first Cade's gaze then those around the table. "I like being here. I love this crazy family."

Cade's heart tripped hearing that.

Facing his mother, he scowled in clear displeasure. "And I'm very tired of deflecting your conniving to change it. I don't appreciate you bringing it up here, tonight, either." He withdrew from the table. "I'm sorry. Excuse me?" He spun and vanished down the hallway. Cade knew he was probably going to hide in the spare for a few minutes.

Ann put a hand to her face, then covered her mouth. "I'm sorry," she finally gasped. Trent put an arm around her until she calmed.

Cade released a slow breath. He wanted to follow so badly, but he waited a few seconds. "Please understand Ann."