Carmen’s Reviews > A Cadence Creek Christmas > Status Update

She was insistent on coming in but now that she was here, trying to get anything out of her was about like working with a pigheaded colt who refused to be bridled. Trying on the patience. Once he got the bit in her mouth she'd be just fine, he realized.

Oh, sick. Stop.

You don't have to apologize to him! You don't have to FUCKING APOLOGIZE to him!!!!

Why is he being SUCH AN ASSHOLE for no reason!?!?! Absolutely no reason. WTF.

And he turns out to have part-ownership of the diner. Boss-message delivered.

"You're leaving anyway, Rhys. I'd appreciate it if you weren't patronizing."

I'd also appreciate that.

But what hope did they have? He would never be happy living in a city like Vancouver, and she could tell by the way he spoke and how he'd acted since they'd met that he wanted to stay close to his mother to look after her. She realized now that his desire to hold a steady job rather than being the boss was all about taking care of his family. What she'd seen as complacency was actually selfless and noble.

Her smile grew. Had she really ever thought him plain and unremarkable? There was a humor in the way he set his mouth, the way his eyes glowed that set him apart, wasn't there?

Alward is flirting with the idea of a plain hero here.

Off-page sex

He had to stop thinking of her like some nervous, inexperienced filly, afraid of her own shadow. Taylor Shepard was the most self-assured, confident woman he'd ever met. She knew her own mind.

Yes! She's not a horse! Thank you!

So we learn he ran off because
a.)At first it was knowing that he was on the verge of losing control and pushing his advantage, which he made a practice of never doing. Taylor wasn't as ready as she thought she was. It was in the sweetness of her kiss , the tentative way she touched him, the vulnerable look in her eyes. And just like the horses he worked with, he knew she had to be sure. She needed to come to him.