Stepping out of her car, Indigo heard the house door open. Cole walked out onto the porch, dressed casually in jeans, a flannel shirt, and sneakers. His clothes fit as if tailor-made for him. His curly black hair shone under the porch lights, while his brown eyes beamed happiness that Indigo had never seen before. All earlier reservations about spending this evening in Cole’s company vanished, replaced by a swift desire to feel the flannel of his shirt under her palm and against her cheek. She scattered those thoughts to the lengthening evening. This was a casual dinner with a new friend, a step out of her self-conceived world and into greater sociality. Here, with Cole, she was taking a new stride in learning how to live within the realm of humanity without Sam, and it needed to be a small, slow walk—like learning to dance.
Cole smiled. “Was it hard to find?”
“A little,” Indigo admitted. “But I was sure I was at the right place when I ran into your surly guard. He’s a dead giveaway that something or someone lives up here who doesn’t want to be found.” She made her way to the porch.
“It’s a secure community,” Cole replied. “Lots of these houses are second homes, so they can be empty most of the year.”
“Well, I doubt anyone would get past your front gate and guard. What’s his name?”
“Elton.”
“And what’s the name of his little friend?”
Cole furrowed his brow. “What little friend?”
“The one strapped to his hip.” Indigo smiled. “Let me guess. I bet his name is Colt 45.”
“You’ve got a good eye. Do you know guns?”
Indigo relaxed. “A little. Sam—” She stopped. Why did she have to bring him up every thirty seconds with Cole? “Sorry.” Her eyes dropped to the porch boards.
“Don’t be. What were you going to say?” Cole asked.
Once again, Indigo was overcome with gratitude for Cole’s easy attitude about her husband. “Sam, Dad, and I used to shoot a lot. I haven’t gone shooting in a few years, though. Sam’s first love was fishing.”
“There are plenty of fish in this lake,” Cole replied. “Do you fish?”
“Not really,” she said. “It was Sam’s thing.” She grew uncomfortable, and the moment turned awkward. She didn’t want to talk about Sam anymore. “I like birds, remember?”
Cole’s eyes warmed. “I do remember.”
With their shared pleasant recollection of the blue heron, Indigo’s pulse settled down. She changed the subject. “I appreciate you telling me about the Sweetheart Tree. If someone comes up here drunk or unprepared, they could leave with an insurance claim.”
Cole laughed. “It’s happened a time or two, but it’s a beloved part of the development. Did you see the initials carved in the trunk?”
“I tried, but it’s a little too dark. I bet there’s a story behind each one.”
“Yeah. It means a lot to Brooklyn and Asher. They got married not too long ago and carved their initials in there too.”
Indigo shifted her weight. She didn’t want to talk about marriage.
Cole moved out of the way of the door. “Come on in,” he said.
Indigo followed him into the house and gasped as all discomfort fled. Cole’s home was nothing like she’d ever seen. The entry opened into a sprawling living space done in muted grays, white, and warm taupe. Pops of celery green and cranberry showed in the throw pillows and the understated pattern on the drapes. The windows faced the lake, which shimmered with the last glow of the evening sun. Calm white walls met inviting hardwood floors, covered in a shaggy rug with a muted pattern in black and gray. The huge fireplace was wood-burning and finished with the same limestone that offered a foundation to the outside of the home. A large bright flame burned and snapped, inviting Indigo near. Light spilled from the recesses in the ceiling, giving the room a warm and appealing air.
“It’s so … tranquil,” Indigo breathed. She could picture herself curled up with a book in the reading corner or sketching designs while gazing over the lake for inspiration. The only thing missing was soft piano music and a mug of hot chocolate.
“Care to see the rest of the house?” Cole asked.
Indigo looked up at him. “I’d love to.”
The wood floors carried them through the formal dining room and into the kitchen. Pendulum lights hung over a gray quartz island with a huge gas cooktop and dark gray cabinets that grounded the whole thing. The rest of the cabinets were a creamy white. Black stainless-steel appliances rounded out the look. But like the living space, the main draw in the kitchen was the large window facing the lake.
“There’s more.” Cole led the way to a hallway off the kitchen, where two spacious bedrooms with baths stood as if ready to receive guests into their fluffy navy down comforters. The same muted tones were carried through the identical rooms, with a large bath that included a whole wall for a shower and a large free-standing tub that was strategically placed in a bay window for maximum views.
“The master and study are in a separate wing of the house.” He led the way back through the living area before coming to another hall. The study was framed out in beautiful dark wood.
A huge wood-burning fireplace stood at the center, framed by two windows that looked out over the lake. A large oak desk stood near the fireplace, showing a computer monitor, keyboard, and intricate desk lamp, but little else. Books lined the shelves, and Indigo wished to run her hands along the spines while studying the titles. What intrigued Cole in his reading? She was about to ask when he ushered her back into the hallway and to the end of the house, where the master bedroom stood behind oversized double doors. Rich and lush buff colored carpet invited her to take her shoes off and sink her toes into the plush fibers.
A slight horror struck her. “I should’ve taken off my shoes when I entered the house. I’m so sorry.” She lifted her foot to check the bottom of her shoe. No debris.
Cole shook his head. “Don’t worry. I wear mine. The rugs are cleaned all the time or replaced when they get dirty. I never worry about it.”
Indigo relaxed, but the idea of replacing carpet just because of a little dirt shocked her, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it as she looked over the master bedroom. The lightest taupe on the walls and the white trim gave the room a soft feel. The bed was a simple light wood frame with white and light-blue bedding piled high. On the opposite wall, another fireplace framed in limestone offered the possibility of warm, cozy nights.
“The bath is this way.” Cole led her to the bathroom, where a beautiful glass light fixture hung from a finished tray ceiling. Two sinks and a latte-colored countertop matched the travertine floor and dark wooden cabinets. An oversized shower with white marble subway tile and a large soaking tub offered understated opulence and functionality. Once again, everything was situated to take full advantage of the lake view.
She could spend hours in that tub. Hours.
“When I was looking for a home, I thought about being at the water’s edge, but then I realized being up on the hill would be more private.”
“It’s stunning.” Indigo reached her hand out to touch but then pulled back.
“It’s all right,” Cole replied. “This house is meant to be lived in. And I admit, I have great help. You’ll meet Suzette in a little while. She’s cooking for us.”
He steered Indigo back into the kitchen, and they stepped through the huge glass doors that led to the deck. A fire blazed and crackled, warming Indigo even from a distance.
Cole pointed to the lights shining near the shore. “See that? It’s where we’re headed. Suzette is making dinner on the boat. I’ll steer the Lake Mermaid out a little way, and we can eat under the stars. How does that sound?”
“Like magic.”
“You’d better hang on to me,” Cole suggested as they began making their way down the lit staircase that led to the water’s edge.
Indigo slipped her hand through the crook of Cole’s elbow, his strong arm pulling her close and helping her maintain h
er balance on the uneven rocky stairs. The warmth of his body next to hers invited her to move closer, but she thought better of it. It was just too soon to relax into this whole situation. She needed a few more minutes to get her bearings as a friend.
Reaching the boat, Cole went aboard first before turning to help Indigo. Once on deck, they walked through the big glass door and into the cabin. Indigo was so happy to see Suzette, she immediately hurried to the older woman and gave her a hug.
Suzette returned the embrace. “Welcome, Indigo.”
“I’m going to get this boat underway. It’ll take me just a minute.” Cole disappeared.
Indigo turned to Suzette, breathing deep. The aroma of perfectly cooked meat and bubbling sauce made her mouth water. “Smells wonderful. Can I help?”
“Nope. As soon as Cole finds the place he wants to anchor, I’ll plate dinner.”
Indigo felt the boat edge away from the dock, and she moved outside to watch the lights from the house flicker as the distance grew. When they were out of sight of the house, Cole brought the motor to a stop.
Indigo was suddenly shy as she stood on deck with Cole. Lights from the cabin lit his face with a dim glow. The beauty of this man and his generous hospitality along with his sweet understanding about Sam began overriding any doubt she had carried into this evening. Whatever discomfort she felt about being Sam’s wife were left far behind at the dock. Now, with the black lake spread around them and a blanket of stars overhead, Indigo felt both small and as if the whole world were on this boat. Water lapped at the hull, but the boat didn’t sway much, allowing Indigo to keep her footing, both on deck and in her head. She was grateful for the steadiness. The more time she spent with Cole, the harder it was to keep the line of friendship visible and not step across it.
Chapter Fifteen
Cole dropped anchor. “Care for dinner?” His voice was soft and gentle.
Indigo wasn’t hungry for anything but more of Cole’s company. She took his outstretched hand, an act that was beginning to feel familiar, and let him lead her into the cabin, where he settled her at the table. Two candles stood tall, their flickering light warming everything within their circled glow against the pristine white tablecloth and tableware. The meal was steaming and beautiful. Too pretty to eat, really.
“Where’s Suzette?” Indigo asked as Cole sat opposite of her.
“She’s below. There’s plenty of room for her to enjoy herself with a good TV show or a book.”
Indigo took a bite of her meal, and her eyes flew open. “This is incredible. Do you eat like this every night?”
“No. It depends on what’s going on. But Suzette is an incredible cook.”
Indigo took another bite, losing her inhibitions with each minute shared with Cole, adding to her confusion about life without Sam.
Her husband had never asked her to live the life of a nun. He’d just asked that she never forget him—a promise she had easily made and willingly kept. But did that mean she had to give up on finding love or being loved ever again? And was friendship the first step in that love? If Sam knew how she was spending this evening, what would he think? The old angst rose up from within.
She tried to channel Sam. First off, he’d love this boat. Would he like Cole? He would appreciate how Cole treated her, and he might be looking for a way to relieve the debt that choked the life out of him long before the cancer took over.
Indigo squirmed in her seat, and the bite spoiled in her mouth. Would Sam be looking for an angle to Cole’s money? She closed down that thought. She didn’t want to consider the effort Sam might make to try to secure a loan from Cole had he known him.
“Is everything all right?” Cole asked.
“Oh, yes. This is … it’s incredible!” she blurted out. Focusing on Cole, Indigo decided she would no longer think of Sam during this evening. She refused to spend her time with Cole cheating the living for old worries and concerns about the dead.
“Why don’t you tell me about your business plans?” Cole said. “Suzette tells me you’re altering Alyssa’s dress in your home. Do you always plan on working from home?”
Indigo grinned with happy anticipation. She loved talking about her future shop. “I’m calling it the Silver Stitch and hoping to save enough money from the ballroom costumes to finally lease a storefront. You know that place on North Main? The cute newly remodeled Victorian?”
“Yeah. The yellow one?”
Indigo nodded eagerly. “That’s the kind of place I’m looking for. It’s close to downtown but not in the hustle and bustle of it all. It’s got good parking, and there’s plenty of light in spite of the huge front balcony. I love that spot. The lighting is great, and the color on the walls is fresh and neutral.” She blushed. “I’ve been inside several times and even peeked in the windows when the places have been closed. Sometimes, I feel like a stalker.”
“It sounds as if you’ve done some scouting around to find the right place.” Cole took a sip of his tea.
“I have, although I doubt that exact place will ever come up for lease. It’s what I’m looking for.” Satisfaction, along with cheer, overcame Indigo at the opportunity to share her plans with Cole.
“You’ve got a good eye for location,” Cole replied. “That’s a big part of success.”
“I suppose you know all about that with Café Oceanus.”
Cole raised his eyebrows. “How do you know—?”
“Alyssa told me you and your family own Café Oceanus. It’s one of my favorite restaurants. How did your family come to own such a great place?”
“It was started by my great-great-grandfather. He opened a gyro stand on a street corner in LA, and the rest is history.”
“Do you work with the company?”
“I’m the accountant.”
A slight tension overrode the earlier warmth they shared, putting Indigo on guard. Maybe Cole didn’t like talking about his work. She cast about for a new direction, steering away from the talk of money. “Do you do any of the cooking?”
“Me? No. My dad is the chef. My mom handles the front end. My brother Landon is the lawyer, and I handle the money.”
The strain grew taut. His answers were short, clipped, and unyielding, adding to Indigo’s confusion. What would make him comfortable during this meal? “So, tell me about this art trust.”
Cole’s face lit up. “The seed of it started when I walked into Cara’s and Phillip’s dance studio and watched Isabella perform The Nutcracker. I talked to Cara and Phillip and realized she and her mother were barely scraping by, so I offered to sponsor her. Then, I asked if other kids needed sponsoring, and they did. Now, I want to start a trust for other areas of the arts and other children. But when it comes to Cara and Phillip, it’s more than that. Cara and Phillip offered me a place to land when I was new to the area. We work together for the betterment of the kids, but they’re also my friends.”
Indigo settled into the conversation, and her curiosity grew. There was so much to Cole, and she wanted to understand all of it. “What made you come to Arkansas?” The air between them chilled, and Indigo realized she had touched on something deep and distressing. It showed in the closed expression that frosted over Cole’s usually warm eyes. Did this have anything to do with his work?
Cole was silent for a beat. Indigo allowed the moment while he sat back, thoughtfully chewing the last of his meal. “A bad breakup.”
Indigo lowered her voice. “Oh, I’m sorry. Care to talk about it?”
Cole’s face changed, shutting Indigo out. “Not really.”
Indigo looked down at her empty plate, embarrassment flooding through her, souring her finished meal. Cole’s willingness to let her in only went so far. Maybe he harbored his own grief while helping her tend hers. This was their first date, and it made sense that he wouldn’t want to talk about an ex-girlfriend. Did she always have to march where angels feared to tread? “Right. It’s none of my business, really.”
Cole stood. “Are you f
inished?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
He took the plates to the sink before returning to the table. “I have something to show you.” Once again, he offered his hand, but Indigo hesitated before placing her fingers against his palm. If he was going to be aloof, it might be wise to keep some distance.
Once outside, Cole continued to hold Indigo’s hand until she withdrew. She gazed into the black expanse of the lake and dark hillsides where only an occasional light broke the monotony of the shadowed and forested land.
“Look up,” Cole suggested.
Indigo raised her face to the sky and was greeted by thousands upon thousands of stars hanging so close, as if they begged to be touched. She gasped. “Oh my.” She staggered a little at the scene above her and fell into Cole’s chest.
He steadied her. “Care to watch for falling stars?”
Once near the outdoor furniture, Indigo folded herself into the couch and pulled a down blanket around her to ward off the chill. “Did you set this all up?” She took in the dim lights coming from the cabin and the welcoming furniture. Everything offered soft solace, comfort, and beauty, but Cole’s earlier decision to shut down still chafed. Or maybe it was her own unease. Cole wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to talk about the past.
As she inhaled the heavy evening air laden with the smell of fresh water, her guard slowly lowered. Cole didn’t ask for anything she wasn’t willing to give, and she would do the same. He was respectful and honest. Maybe she could relax in this man’s company. She leaned back on the throw pillows.
“I asked Suzette to set this up. Yes.” He wrapped himself in another down comforter and settled next to Indigo, the two of them silent as the stars winked back at them.
Her Billionaire Betrayal (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book 3) Page 12