Still the One

by Susan May Warren

  “Stop. I’m not making him fat.” No, not at all. Because she distinctly remembered him lifting her from the snow and her being pressed against his solid form. And being held in his arms when he chased away the cold with the warmth of his body. He hadn’t an ounce of fat on him. “Besides, why do you assume it’s for him?” She began to scoop more cookie dough onto the sheet.

  Ivy took a bite of her cookie. “These are really good.”

  “Of course they are. They’re Mona’s Footstep of Heaven Bookstore recipe she published in the Deep Haven Cookbook.”

  Ivy took another bite. “So, you’re clearly denying any attempts to fatten up Cole Barrett and hypnotize him into staying through your baking magic.”

  Megan held her spatula in the air like a jouster. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

  “So you aren’t carting those downstairs to him when you walk me out?”

  “You’re right about one thing.” Megan narrowed her eyes. “It’s time for you to go.”

  Ivy laughed. “Fine. But I’m totally on to you. I think you’re cooking up more than baked goods and if your goal is not falling in love, I think you’re going about this totally wrong.”

  Megan shook her head. “It’s worse than that.”

  Ivy quirked a brow, waited.

  “We may have, well, our lips may have possibly collided.”

  “What? Like your face fell and his lips caught yours?”

  “I kissed him, okay? Actually, he kissed me.” She used the spatula to point toward the window facing his house. “He started it.”

  “When did this happen and why am I only now hearing about it?” Ivy set down her cookie, put her elbows on the kitchen peninsula and her chin in her hands.

  “At Pine Acres. The night I nearly froze.”

  “What?” Ivy gasped, comprehension filling her eyes. She sat up. “Wait a minute—is that what you were doing when Jensen found you?”

  “What? Why? What makes you ask that?” Megan reached for a cookie.

  “Because when Jensen called to tell Darek he’d found you, he told us you seemed to be ‘better than fine’ and you had refused medical care. Were you, or were you not, kissing Cole?”

  Heat flushed Megan’s cheeks. “Don’t go all prosecutor on me.”

  “Are you denying it?”

  “Can I plead the Fifth?”

  Ivy narrowed her eyes, answered slowly. “Noooooo.”

  Megan squirmed. “Do I qualify as a hostile witness?”

  “Definitely not.” Ivy crossed her arms. “Were you, or were you not, kissing Cole Barrett?”

  “Okay. Yes.” Megan made a face. “And we probably looked like a couple of teenagers breaking into a vacant house to make out.”

  Ivy’s eyes were huge saucers. “Wait, this wasn’t just a kiss.”

  “It was, though. I mean, look at him—” Megan pointed out the window toward the Barrett house again with her spatula. This time, a chunk of dough plopped onto the counter. “He’s been working overtime like he can’t get it repaired fast enough. Like he’s on the run.”

  “Or maybe he just wants to not have to be working on the house all the time.”

  “So he can leave.” She scooped the dough off the counter with her fingers and ate it. “Don’t forget, he’s the same dashing stranger who rescued me and tried to evict me all in one day.”

  “He didn’t know either one was you, so I think he should be pardoned on those counts. What if he’s working so hard because he wants time for other things—like kissing you?”

  “Stop. We were just—we were just caught up in the moment. You know, stress kissing. Let’s not forget I almost died that night.”

  “Stress kissing isn’t a thing and you still haven’t told me the rest about that night. How you almost died.”

  “Yes, I did. I drove off the road. Hiked back. Fell.”

  “Yes, I know all that part. I meant the part about when he found you and what, exactly, happened before this kiss?”

  Megan stared at the plate of cookies, letting the memories soak into her. He’d carried her into the house. Taken care of her. Kept her warm. She’d felt safe.

  And when he’d talked about his past, being a foster kid and a Ranger, she longed to be that safe place for him too. Home, where the warrior could find rest.

  She put the next batch of cookies in the oven, then turned to Ivy. “When he found me, I nearly started bawling. I mean, I really thought I’d die of hypothermia before anyone came along. I was praying, and then he showed up—got me unstuck and carried me into the house.” She plated the fresh tray of cookies. “That’s about it. We talked, you know, and then, he kissed me.”

  “You’re leaving so many details out.” Ivy raised a brow at her.

  Yeah. Like the hard planes of his body he tucked her against. Strong arms, holding her close. The laughter that danced in his eyes when he asked about their first kiss. And, hello, she’d have remembered kissing him when they were kids. But that kiss at Pine Acres. It was all grown up, and very much worth waiting for.

  “Are you blushing?”

  She looked up to meet Ivy’s gaze. “Wouldn’t you? Yes, it was a great kiss, but…stupid. Oh, so stupid. He’s clearly leaving, and I’m making the old familiar mistake of giving out my heart without thought.”

  Ivy shrugged and reached for another cookie. “I bought my husband at a bachelor auction. There wasn’t much thinking involved in that.”

  Megan smiled. “Yeah, but it all worked out for you—I have Josh to think about.”

  “Darek had Tiger. He was a single dad. You’re a single mom.”

  “That’s different.”

  “How in the world is that different?”

  “You always knew you wanted to stay here. You knew Darek had roots here.” Megan shook her head. “I don’t want to risk my heart or Josh’s on someone who isn’t sticking around. I can’t see Josh get hurt like that.”

  “It wasn’t always easy. For a time, Darek really missed the fire lines.” She pushed the plate of cookies away after snagging one more. “What if Cole turns out to be the best thing that ever happens to you and Josh?”

  “You’re such a romantic, Ivy.”

  “I’m just saying, keep an open mind.”

  “Look at all the evidence, right? If I look at all the evidence, it points to one conclusion. He’ll be leaving as soon as he can.”

  “I say there’s still reasonable doubt.”

  “What do you call it? A preponderance of evidence. From the Sheetrock to his history, Cole leaves. And he will again, just like when we were kids.”

  “Megs, I still say you’re wrong, but that reminds me—I’m so glad Josh can spend the night tonight.”

  The timer dinged on her last batch of cookies and Megan pulled them out of the oven. “I’ll bet he is already on the back of a snowmobile.” She grimaced.

  “Yeah. They were heading out to the lodge with Darek. They were all smiles, and my in-laws love to have kids around.”

  “Josh was so excited to be able to go again, but I’ve gotta be honest. It scares me a little to think of him riding around out there.” She scooped the cookies off the pan. “But I know it’ll be a fun night for him.”

  “And Tiger too. He loves getting to share his outdoor playground.”

  “He doesn’t mind that he’s got four years on Josh?”

  “No, not at all. He loves playing the ‘big brother’ role. Joy’s not into what he considers the really fun stuff.” Ivy looked at her watch. “Speaking of, I told them I’d pick up pizza and take it out there. I should get going.”

  “Let me fix you a plate of cookies to go.” She piled cookies onto two plates and trailed Ivy to the door.

  “I don’t know that you should be using stairs.”

  “The doctor said I need to get it moving and today’s been a good day. I’ll go easy. I promise.”

  “If you fall, I will say ‘I told you so.’” Ivy winked.

  “Of course you will. I
’d expect nothing less.” She followed Ivy downstairs, one step at a time.

  “Trekking that road to Cole’s heart,” Ivy said, gesturing to the second plate.

  “Leave me alone. I’m just doing some recon,” Megan said and shuffled to the Barrett house with the other plate of cookies, shaking her head when Ivy gave her a knowing wave and smile.

  She knocked on the door.

  “Come in!”

  She stepped across the threshold into a light, bright living room. The peeling paint was gone, new light fixtures hung from the ceiling, and the old armchair had been replaced with a pale blue, barrel armchair. Cole stood in a flannel shirt and jeans, holding paint samples to the light.

  “Wow, you’ve gotten a lot done.”

  “Should you be out walking around? Take a look at these paint chips.” He gestured toward the coffee table where more paint samples covered the surface. Mostly browns, but some grays and blues too. “You can help me pick a color scheme for the kitchen.”

  “I can’t sit still. Let’s see them.” Why not help him move out faster, taking her heart with him? But she was a glutton for punishment, handing him cookies, pitifully wanting to be in his life. “I brought you a few cookies. They’re still hot.” She even sounded desperate, but how else could she catch a glimpse of what he’d been working so hard on all day?

  “Thanks.” He took a cookie from the plate. “Mmmm… I thought we agreed you weren’t going to sabotage my PT test.”

  “I’m not. These are a local favorite. What do you think?”

  “Delicious, as always.” He grinned at her, and she felt it all the way to her bones. “How’s the ankle doing?”

  “Better.”

  Her eyes fell on a detailed repair list stuck to the door of the refrigerator. Basement drywall. Plumbing. Interior paint. Lighting. Front porch. A ruler-straight line cut through many of them, and any small piece of hope she’d latched onto sunk.

  His phone began ringing on the table. He glanced at the number, not answering, and continued to eat his cookie.

  “Should I get that for you?”

  “No. Let it go to voicemail. It’s Seb.”

  “The mayor? What’s he calling about?”

  “He wants me to be part of a new Crisis Response Team.”

  “You’re starting a team?” How had she not heard about this?

  “He’s pushing for me to. Keeps telling me I should put in for the vacant deputy position that’s closing soon.”

  “Really?” Huh. Like he might stay. She wasn’t sure how far she wanted to step out on that ice.

  “I’m ready to take a break. Should we go grab a pizza?” He paused, smiled. “Or, we could order in.”

  And, oh, there was danger in those blue eyes. She should go. Grab her plate of cookies and run. Or at least, hobble.

  He took a step closer, and the musky scent of aftershave and the heat of work practically reached out to taunt her.

  Oh, dear. “Yeah, we could order in,” she heard herself answer.

  Yep. She’d completely lost her mind.

  He leaned in, placed his hands on her waist, and his glance lowered from her eyes to her lips.

  Her phone rang in her back pocket.

  “You don’t have to get that.”

  “It could be a client.” She dug it from her pocket.

  “Don’t—”

  “It’s Ivy, and Josh is at her house for the night. He probably forgot his toothbrush again.”

  He relaxed against the wall, leaving his hands on her waist, and she clicked the button and winked at him. “Don’t worry, Ivy, I’ll save you some cookies.”

  “I’m sorry, Megan—I just got a call.”

  Her breath hiccuped and Megan’s smile vanished. “What is it?” She stepped away from Cole, into the living room, her heart pounding in her chest.

  “Josh and Tiger…” She took a breath. “They’ve been in a snowmobile accident in the woods beyond Evergreen Lodge. They’re both being taken to the hospital.”

  She didn’t know how Cole had moved up next to her again, hadn’t even realized he’d touched her shoulder, but when she looked up at him, he just nodded. “Tell her we’re on our way.”

  Chapter 9

  Hospitals still had the nauseating effect of snapping Cole back to the day his parents died. By the time the officers had escorted him to the trauma center, both of them had passed. His father first, followed minutes later by his mother.

  He walked down the corridor, beeps and buzzes coming from the rooms they passed on their way to find Josh’s exam room.

  Poor Megan. When he’d overheard Ivy on the phone, he almost felt like his world had imploded too. He’d followed her almost by instinct when she’d walked away, her face blanched.

  Their short drive across town took an eternity. She’d prayed aloud the entire drive to the hospital, panic threading her voice.

  Lord, please keep Josh safe. Let him be okay.

  And then, the part of the prayer that had pierced him through and through, like a bullet.

  Please don’t make him pay for my mistakes.

  Oh, Mae. He’d reached over and slid his hand around hers. Squeezed.

  They approached the urgent care reception desk, Megan’s limp hardly slowing her down. “We’re looking for Josh—Joshua Carter.”

  The woman looked up. “Friends or family?”

  “Family,” Cole answered.

  “I’m his mother.” Megan fished her driver’s license out of her purse and gave it to the woman. Her hands shook. The nurse nodded and began typing, reading her screen. “Looks like they’re just loading up at Evergreen Lodge to transport.”

  “They aren’t here yet?” Cole gripped the edge of the reception desk. “We thought they were already on their way.”

  “No.”

  “How can they not be here already?” Megan looked up at him. “Does that mean it’s bad?”

  He pulled her into an embrace. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

  “Do you have his insurance information? I can start the registration process.”

  Megan nodded, dug out a card, and handed it to the emergency room receptionist.

  “I’ll be right back with this.”

  “Okay.” Every time her voice wavered, it tightened the fist around his heart.

  When she finished with the receptionist, he led her to the waiting room.

  He couldn’t sit. Just began to pace at the window. Waiting for someone else to get things done wasn’t his MO. He was used to being the guy in charge. Planning and executing the attack.

  The helplessness ate at him. He finally slid into the seat next to Megan, wrapped an arm around her, and let her lean into him.

  “This is my fault,” she whispered.

  What—? “Megan. How could you even think that?”

  She shook her head, looked away.

  “Ms. Carter?” A woman in scrubs stood in the doorway.

  Megan jumped to her feet. “Yes.”

  “Your son has arrived. We’ll let you back in a little bit.”

  “How is he?”

  “I don’t have any information right now, other than that he’s stable and alert.”

  Megan nodded, her eyes red. She slid back down onto the seat.

  He’d nearly worn a rut into the linoleum floor by the time an ER nurse came through the interior set of double doors. “You’re his mother?” she asked Megan.

  “Yes.”

  “You can come back now. He’s asking for you.”

  “Is he okay?” They followed the nurse down the hallway.

  “Preliminary findings are a sprained wrist. They’ve already taken an X-ray and are waiting on the final confirmation. That’s one lucky kid.”

  The nurse stopped outside a room and pulled back the curtain. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”

  Megan nodded. “Thanks.”

  Josh sat on the bed looking like he’d just been expelled from school. The bed engulfed him. He spoke before Megan could. �
��I’m sorry, Mom.”

  “I was so worried about you.” She wrapped her arms around him.

  “Really, I’m okay, Mom.”

  For his part, Cole barely held himself back from doing the same thing. Stupid kid, scaring them all that way.

  Josh looked up at him. “Hi.”

  “Hey,” he managed, irritated by his irrational anger. Josh didn’t do anything wrong. And still, Cole wanted to wring his skinny neck. “Looks like you fared pretty well.”

  “Yeah. You’ll have a fancy sling to show off at church tomorrow,” Megan said, sounding far more lighthearted than she looked.

  She blamed herself—for what? Wanting a night off? Letting her son go have fun with a friend?

  “Are you coming to church too?” Josh was looking at Cole.

  Megan looked at him.

  “Me? I—uh—”

  “Sorry to interrupt.” Ivy stood in the doorway. “Jensen was looking for you, Cole.”

  Ivy looked pale.

  “How’s Tiger?” Megan asked.

  She swallowed and blinked back tears. “He’s good—he got a couple tiny scratches from brambles, that’s all.” Ivy set her eyes on Josh. “We’re relieved you’re okay.”

  Josh looked down. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll be back.” Cole reached out, squeezed Megan’s shoulder.

  Megan nodded and Cole stepped out, leaving Ivy with her. The small waiting room had a crowd. Jensen, Darek, Tiger, and Seb. Two sheriff’s deputies dressed in SAR gear. Tiger had a couple fresh scratches on his cheek that had been cleaned up and a little bruising around his eye.

  “He’s got a bad sprain but is otherwise in pretty good shape, all things considered.” Cole gave his report to everyone in the room.

  “That’s great news,” Darek said. He wrapped his arm around Tiger, who looked devastated. “Tiger bailed out of the exam room nearly as fast as they could flush his cuts.”

  “I told them I didn’t need the ambulance.” Tiger’s voice cracked. “I don’t know how it happened. We must have gotten off the regular track. It was still fresh snow and I thought I knew where we were, but then we hit a culvert and—” Tiger clasped his hands together and stared at the ground.

  Cole touched his shoulder. “Hey, it’s not your fault and he’s okay. In fact, I think you should probably go in there with your mom and see for yourself.”