Page 109 of Porter's Angel

“My daddy will pay him dearly.”

What exactly was Porter getting out of this again? How was losing their family home to Lacy getting him off their backs forever?

It hadn’t been signed. Nothing else had gone through.

Porter would just concentrate on getting Cadence home.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Meeting up with Liv to take tickets for Emily’s concert was the perfect distraction.

Cadence let out a breath of relief. Strangely, she was able to enjoy herself as she listened to the happy chatter of the crowd where she sat in the booth. The heat of the day was disappearing under a light breeze. It caught her hair, whipping the black curls against the buckles of her light jean jumper. Her worries from before seemed overblown.

She’d meet up with Porter soon, and she’d see for herself that he was in one piece. Until then, she and the other volunteers had their work cut out for them. The line to get in to the fairgrounds was only getting longer.

Emily was a hit!

Porter’s brother had been good for her career—hopefully he’d also been good on her heart. Cadence remembered how nervous Emily had been to perform at that relatively small house party at Lacy’s. That seemed so long ago.

Cadence turned to Liv while Scarlet Neck, the bluegrass band, played above them on the stage. “How’s Emily doing?” she asked. Cadence was a little worried for her friend appearing in front of such a huge audience. “Is she okay?”

Liv smoothed down her gray knit dress. She bit down a giddy smile. “Her practice yesterday was amazing. She has this new confidence that I can’t explain really, except… well, I don’t know, maybe it’s Nash.”

Nash? Really? Somehow Cadence doubted that. It must be something else… unless, like Porter, Nash was about to surprise them, too.

Cadence laughed helplessly. Her first impression of Porter’s twin could’ve been just as off as it had been with the man that she now loved with every part of her being. She hugged her new friend. “Thanks for inviting me, Liv. It’s been so nice to get out and enjoy some sunshine.”

In the light of day, her troubles seemed to melt under the sunlight. She was still excited and scared for her babies. Lacy’s threats weighed on her, but now she wondered if a solution was coming. Porter seemed to think that there was.

Her heart fluttered uncomfortably at the thought of him putting himself in danger for her. He’d reassured her that it wasn’t a big deal.

Nothing was with him.

She sighed.

Liv rubbed Cadence’s shoulder. “I have a confession,” she said. “I happened to mention to Porter that you’d be coming with me today. He asked me to take special care of you.” Liv dimpled and brought her hands up. “I think that guy has a crush on you.”

Cadence smiled. “I thinkIhave a crush on him.”

Liv squealed. “Really?”

She nodded. “Uh huh.” But that was beside the point. If he got himself hurt standing up for her, then she’d have a few words for him.

Cadence jumped when she recognized a pair of broad shoulders to the side of her. Porter? He took a ticket from another window at their booth. He wore a baseball cap low over his face and sunglasses like he was trying to disguise himself, but his height and that shock of dirty blond hair that seemed to catch the light of the setting sun gave him away.

She straightened.

“You can come with me if you like…”

“Huh?” Cadence realized that Liv was saying something.

“… to meet up with Emily backstage,” Liv said. “River is opening for Emily and he has a surprise for her. I told him that I would be there for him.” Her hand went to Cadence’s arm. “She’d love to see you.”

“I would love to see her, too, but…” Her eyes followed Porter as he disappeared into the crowd. “That was Porter,” she said with a laugh.

Liv perked up. “Oh?”

Cadence smiled. “I’ll get him and come meet you backstage.”