by Natalie Ann
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie. Did you talk to Cole? Oh my God, did you say something to him? You didn’t tell him to leave me alone, did you?”
“It’s not like that. Not really.”
“Nick…what did you say to him?” She went to push the chair out to stand, and of course she kicked it back too far and it bumped into the wall again.
“Wow. I’ve never seen this side of you before. You’ve never slammed things around. Maybe it’s a good thing I went to talk to him today.”
“What?!”
“Oops, let that one slip. Sorry, Rene. Here’s the deal. You’re my baby sister. I worry about you. He’s got…more experience than you.”
“How do you know? Maybe I was a wild one in college and just kept it hidden from everyone.”
He burst out laughing and she tried not to grind her teeth. Everyone seemed to think it was so funny when she said something like that. It was a bit mortifying. “Sorry. I’m not buying that. No offense.”
“None taken,” she mumbled. She’d probably be more offended if Nick did believe that about her. “So back to Cole—what did you say to him?”
“Nothing more than you were a bit naive when it came to relationships and I didn’t want him taking advantage of that.”
She felt the heat fill her face. Images of steam coming out of her ears flashed in front of her eyes. “How dare you insult him that way. You’re lucky he didn’t take his gun out and shoot you.”
“See, Rene. It’s comments like that that make me worry about you. Be realistic here. He understood. He has a sister. He’s done exactly what I did. Probably worse, from the sounds of things.”
“I can’t believe you embarrassed me that way. What did he say?”
“Not much. He’d just gotten off shift and was going to bed. I didn’t stay long. I just said my piece and left.”
“What did your ‘piece’ entail?”
“I said I was worried about you and how you might handle him and his reputation.”
“What was his response?” Her heart was beating loudly in her chest now.
“He said I was jumping the gun. It was two dates, nothing more.”
She was trying not to get upset over Cole’s response, but it still hurt to hear him say that. Then again, if she learned anything about Cole, it’s that he wasn’t going to say too much to Nick about them. No different than her not saying much about him to anyone else.
“You’ve got no right, Nick. Don’t do it again,” Rene said, close to tears.
“Yeah. I do. See, you’re getting upset now. I’d rather see you throwing things into the wall again. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done it. I probably wouldn’t have if I’d known you approached him first. That’s my mistake and I’ll take the blame for that.”
He reached for her and pulled her in for a hug and that was when the tears started to fall.
“What’s going on?” Amber asked, walking in. “Did Cole break up with you?” she asked sympathetically.
“No,” Nick said. “I put my foot in my mouth and said some things I shouldn’t have. Rene’s tough, and she’ll forgive me, because she always does.”
Rene stepped back and wiped her eyes. She always got emotional when Nick hugged her. She’d just looked up to him so much and it was actually comforting to know he messed up. Even if he was looking out for her. He was right; she was already softening. She couldn’t stay mad at anyone, no matter how much she wanted to.
“It’s all good. I’ll forgive him at some point.”
“If I had a brother and he messed up, I’d forgive him faster if I got some chocolate out of it,” Amber said. “Maybe even a big box I could bring to the office and share.”
Nick laughed. “You’re good,” he told Amber. “Rene, I’m sorry. Sorry enough to possibly have candy delivered to the office tomorrow. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Yeah. Hopefully I don’t have too much damage control to take care of with Cole.”
“I doubt it,” he said, then walked out of the office.
Pushy
Later that night Rene was in her room getting ready for bed. She hadn’t heard a word from Cole all day and figured he was mad about Nick’s confrontation. Just what she needed, something else to worry about now.
Rather than text him, she sat back and tried to figure out how to handle it. She’d wait until he made the first move and go from there. Of course, she’d never been good on her feet, so she still had to figure out something to say.
But when Cole sent her a quick text that said “we need to talk” she couldn’t think at all.
Instead of texting him back, she called. He answered on the first ring. “You aren’t breaking up with me.”
There was silence on the other end for a moment. “What?”
“You heard me. I can tell by your text. You’re going to break up with me. You aren’t doing it.” More silence. “Unless you want to. I mean, if you want to talk because you think this isn’t working or you don’t like me as much as I like you or you aren’t really attracted to me, then just tell me. I’ll be fine. I can handle it. But if it’s because of Nick, then the answer is no.”
He laughed. “I didn’t ask you a question.”
“No, you didn’t.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m overreacting. I know Nick stopped to talk to you today.”
“I can’t believe he told you,” Cole said.
“I’m not sure he meant to. As soon as I said I asked you out to dinner first, he swore and got a guilty look on his face, then confessed what happened. I got really mad at him.”
“I don’t see you getting mad,” Cole said.
“I can get mad and I did. I even pushed my chair into the wall.” She wouldn’t admit she cried though, that would make her seem like a wuss, but banging things around might make her seem tougher than everyone thought she was. “He apologized to me. So if you’re texting to end things because of something he said, you can’t.”
“We aren’t right for each other,” Cole said.
“You are going to do it. Seriously? You’re going to listen to what he said. You? The guy who gave all his sister’s boyfriends the third degree? Did they break up with her after you talked to them?”
“It’s not the same thing. She wasn’t an adult most of those times.”
“She is now. Are you telling me you never said anything to Caleb?” More silence. “Answer me, Cole,” she demanded.
“Damn, you’re pushy. Fine,” he said. “I confronted Caleb and no, he didn’t end things. Are you happy?”
“Yes, I am. Wow. Now I feel much better, because you’re being a fool.”
“I’m the fool? Your brother confronts me and tells me he’s worried about you and that we have nothing in common. I listen to what he says and agree and you’re saying I’m the fool?”
“Yep,” she said, gaining some confidence. “We already had this conversation, right?”
“Yes.”
“We already agreed we had nothing in common but were going to teach each other things. So far what I’ve learned today is my brother and my boyfriend are morons.”
“Morons?” he said, then asked, “Am I your boyfriend?”
“I don’t know. I guess. Freudian slip. We’ve been on two dates. So my brother and you are morons. How’s that?”
“Boyfriend is fine,” he said, laughing lightly. “Moron, not so much. Why don’t I remember you being this…aggressive before?”
“Because I never used to be. Maybe you’re rubbing off on me.”
“That would be part of what Nick wasn’t happy about, I’m guessing.”
“You’d be right. But guess what? I’m twenty-nine years old. I’m an adult. I’m capable of making decisions in my life and don’t need any man to tell me what to do, how to do it, worry about me, or watch out for me.”
“You’re right on two counts. Your brother and I are still going to worry and watch out for you, though. Sorry, better get used to it.”
> Her heart started to pound. No one but her father and brother ever worried or watched out for her. No one but Cole when she was a kid and then now. If he wasn’t careful, she’d slip and say more than he was her boyfriend.
“Are we good now?” she said, figuring she better end this conversation before she sounded more like an idiot.
“Yeah. I guess. How about breakfast tomorrow?”
“Huh?” Was he asking her to spend the night? To go over there right now? What had she missed? Where did this conversation take a turn?
“Before you start work, how about we meet and have breakfast quick? I’ve got to go to Burlington for the day and get some parts for my chopper. I’m not sure when I’ll be back or how long I’ll be working on it tomorrow night. I just thought we could spend an hour together before our day started.”
“Oh,” she said, relieved. “I’d like that.”
“I’ll meet you at seven thirty at the diner on Main Street. Does that work?”
“Yes. See you there. Night, Cole,” she said, disconnecting the phone.
She’d just set the phone down when she heard a knock at her door. “Come in, Grandma.”
“Is this a bad time?”
“No. I’m just getting ready for bed. Is everything okay?”
“That was going to be my question to you, sweetie.”
“I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“I could hear you yelling downstairs.”
“Oh,” Rene said. “I didn’t know I was. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Though you should cut your brother some slack. He means well, even if he overstepped his bounds.”
“So you think he did, too?” Rene asked, relieved someone understood where she was coming from.
“Maybe just a little. He cares about you. You should take solace in that, but he still should have minded his own business. Or at the very least talked to you before he approached Cole.”
“I don’t think he should have talked to Cole at all,” Rene argued. “It’s embarrassing for me and probably for Cole.”
“I highly doubt Cole is embarrassed. He’s done it plenty of times to other men in regards to Celeste. And we both know Nick isn’t all that intimidating, least of all to someone of Cole’s size and demeanor. I’m sure it was more like two older brothers just saying what was on their minds.”
“Something like that,” Rene said, hoping she didn’t sound too grouchy.
“It’s most likely new territory for Cole. Not too many people say much to him at all, especially where women are concerned.”
“You’re probably right, but that doesn’t make me feel any better.” Rene paused and then said, “Nick made me cry at work. Then Amber came in and asked if Cole broke up with me. Is everyone watching us, just waiting for that to happen?”
“I don’t think so. I think everyone is really concerned about you getting hurt. Nothing more than that.”
“I can handle it,” Rene argued. “No one has any reason to worry about me.”
“You know better than that. But…I have to say you did prove a point to Cole just now. You’re no pushover and for that, you should thank your brother. It’s hard for Nick to see you growing up and he doesn’t know how to handle it. The bottom line is, it’s his problem, not yours.”
She didn’t think of it that way and started to replay her conversation with Cole back in her head. She did kind of jump all over him and yell…just a tiny little bit.
“I’ll hold off thanking Nick just yet. Maybe you’re right though. Maybe it was good for Cole to see I can handle myself.”
Her grandmother walked back to the doorway and then stopped. “I don’t think anyone—including you—is giving you the credit you deserve. You know your mind. You know what you want. Just go and take it, Rene.”
“Maybe I will,” she said, smiling back at her grandmother. Maybe now it was time.
At breakfast the next morning, Cole came in and almost hesitated before he leaned down and kissed her. “I won’t bite,” she said to him.
“Are you sure? I got thinking last night that if you were yelling at me in person I might have had to duck from a flying fist.”
She laughed, knowing he was joking. “I’m sure if my fist connected with any part of your body, I’d probably end up breaking a few bones.”
“Would it be worth it though?”
She liked this side of him. She’d seen the teasing nature here and there, but not this personal and not this frivolous. She went with her gut. “I’d make sure it was worth it. There’s no fun in doing things half measure.”
She lifted her eyebrows just a touch and watched his eyes light right up. Exactly what she was hoping for. She had this. She could take control just like her grandmother said. Yay for self-confidence.
“From what I see, you’re a good study and fairly thorough. Does that extend to all aspects of your life?”
Okay, now it was getting over her head and out of her comfort zone. But she started this so she had to push through the blush and continue on.
“If it’s not good enough, then I need to work harder. Or maybe I need a few lessons. Are you up for it?” she asked mischievously, inching forward and putting her chin in her hands.
The minute those words were out of her mouth she saw his grin spread across his face. Dang it, there went the brain cells.
“I’m always up for it.”
She cleared her throat, then said, “I’m going to hold you to it.”
Thanks Grandma, she thought, wondering if she just set herself up for disappointment. Or set him up for it.
Real Thing
“Hey, come on in. You didn’t have trouble finding the place, I see,” Cole said Friday night, stepping forward and taking the bags from her hands.
She wanted to cook him dinner and spend some time with him alone on a date. She wasn’t sure what he thought of her suggestion but was glad he agreed. She hoped she wasn’t jumping to any conclusions about tonight, but didn’t think so. Even her grandmother asked her if she was coming home tonight. Talk about embarrassing.
“No problem. I just put your address into my GPS and here I am. You’ve got more land than I thought.”
“Yeah. That meant more to me than being on the lake. I wanted a place for my chopper.”
“Where is it? I didn’t see it when I pulled in.” She’d parked in his garage—that he’d left open for her—and she was able to just enter the house that way.
“You didn’t notice the big barn off to the left?” he asked, smiling.
She did, but didn’t think anything of it really. She was more concerned with banking her nerves for the night to come.
“I did, but guess I didn’t realize it would be in there. How big is it?”
“I can take you out and show you if you want. We can go up for a ride sometime this weekend if the weather permits.”
“I might like that at some point. I’ve never been in one before, but I do enjoy flying.”
“Let me take your jacket,” he said, holding his hand out.
“Sorry,” she said unzipping her parka and handing it over. She was so scattered right now and had to starting focusing.
“You aren’t that far from the lake though. Just a few blocks really, and not that far from Celeste, either.”
“Nothing is far in Lake Placid if you think about it. But no, it’s not that far from my mother’s either. She isn’t on the lake. Just my grandmother was.”
“Celeste’s B&B, right? That was your grandmother’s house.”
“Yes. My grandmother left it to her, knowing it was Celeste’s dream to have her own bed and breakfast,” he said. When she started to take her boots off, he said, “You can keep them on, it’s fine.”
“I’d rather take them off. It’s more comfortable.” She needed to get more comfortable right now or this was going to be a horrible night, no matter how much she was looking forward to it.
“That’s fine. Make yourself at home. I just didn’t want you to think I
was some neat freak that made everyone take their shoes off.”
She looked around the mudroom she was still standing in, and where it opened up into his kitchen. It was neat enough. Not wonderful, but not horrible. Not really modern either, but not so old. Serviceable, for sure. Decent appliances and countertops, but nothing high-end or fancy. It was an older home that had been updated, but not in the last ten or fifteen years based on what she could see.
“You’ve got a lot of space in here.” She noted a little breakfast nook with a small high table and four bar-style chairs when she followed him into the house.
“I’m not in here much. It meets my needs, but it’s nothing glamorous, either.”
“I guess it all depends on what you’re looking for in a home.”
“I got what I needed,” he said. “Is that food okay there on the counter? I can give you a tour if you want.”
“Sure.” She wanted to see what his home looked like. How he lived. He walked her through an empty formal dining room, then a spacious living room with nice furniture and a big TV on the wall.
“There’s a half bath right here,” he said, opening a door. “Three bedrooms and two baths upstairs. Well, the master bath is small. Just a sink, toilet, and shower, but it’s enough for me. Downstairs is some more space. It could be another living room with the bar and stuff, but I just use it for storage and exercise equipment.”
“It’s a lot of space for one person,” she said.
It wasn’t a large home by any means, but she could see where it was more than enough for one person. Especially someone who didn’t like to cook…and if she looked close enough, clean much, either. She didn’t miss the dust and cobwebs in the corners when she walked around.
“I’m not home much, so I don’t notice. Most of the rooms don’t even get used.”
She figured as much. “I hope you’re hungry. I just wanted to keep it simple. Hamburgers, and I thought I’d make a pasta salad with it.”
“Sounds good.”
He was watching her as she unloaded the food she’d brought with her now that they were back in the kitchen. The last thing she pulled out was a bakery box.