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“I do.” Granny untied her apron and hung it next to the fridge. Then she and Willie danced out of the kitchen. Their laughter lingered as they headed for the front door. Their weekly bridge game was something they looked forward to.
“Your grandparents are amazing.” Cole dropped his arm from around Olivia’s waist, but didn’t move away from her. Instead, he turned to look her in the eyes. “How long have they been married?”
“Forty-two years.” Olivia’s heart beat erratically as Cole’s hand rose to brush a strand of hair off her forehead. His fingertips sent a wave of pleasure through her as they traveled along the sensitive skin at her temple before brushing the shell of her ear.
“I can’t imagine what that’s like.” His voice was almost wistful, the longing in his gaze unmistakable as his attention landed on her lips before rising to meet her eyes. “Spending such a long time with someone and still being in love.”
Olivia’s breath hitched. “Why not?”
His gaze grew distant. “My parents had a rough marriage. There was a lot of fighting and chaos in my household. They must’ve been in love at some point, but somewhere along the way, all those feelings died. All that was left was anger and vengeance.” Cole stiffened slightly, as if he suddenly realized how close in proximity they were to each other. He released her and backed away. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
She wasn’t sure if Cole was sorry he’d shared something so personal or was simply apologizing for ruining the romantic moment with something serious. Either way, it bothered her. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m glad you told me.”
Many of the things he’d said over the last few days made sense. The comments about divorce, his conversation with Randy. Olivia knew he’d been burned, but she’d imagined a bad relationship with a girlfriend, not growing up in a household with constant fighting. No wonder he was so leery of marriage.
Olivia couldn’t stop herself from stepping forward to close the distance between them. She laid a hand on his chest, right over his heart. Cole’s flannel shirt was soft under her fingertips. “It couldn’t have been easy growing up like that.”
“No. It wasn’t.” He seemed frozen in indecision. Olivia knew Cole cared about her, but she also intuitively understood he wasn’t willing for those feelings to go any further. “My parents were trapped, and neither would leave, even though it would’ve been better if they’d called it quits and gotten a divorce. They argued right up to the day they died.”
His expression was haunted, and Olivia sensed there was more to the story. But his jaw locked as he held the words back. She wouldn’t force him to share more than he was willing. “Is that why you’re struggling to write the speech for Eli and Sienna’s wedding?”
He nodded. “I’m not good at relationships, Olivia. In fact, I’ve steered clear of them. Marriage isn’t for me.” His gaze skittered away from hers. “I’m not sure I even believe that you can be happy for your whole life with someone.”
“My grandparents are living proof that not every relationship will end up like your parents.”
“They’re the exception that proves the rule.”
“Are they?” Olivia kept her tone gentle. Challenging Cole’s long-held belief needed kindness and understanding. “I don’t think so. My grandparents have lots of friends who have been married for decades. Look at your own ranger team. Most of them have caring relationships built on trust and mutual respect.”
She knew that for a fact because Olivia had planned two of the weddings herself. Ryker and Hannah wed two years ago. Now Eli and Sienna were poised to walk down the aisle. Both couples had been through difficult times but came out the other side stronger for it. “Marriage can be hard at times, yes, but with the right person?—”
He shook his head. “People change, Olivia. I’m not the same as I was ten years ago. I’m sure you aren’t either. It’s romantic to think a couple can promise to love, honor, and cherish each other, but in actuality, it’s a gamble. You don’t know what kinds of challenges will come your way. Or how your spouse will react.” Cole’s mouth flattened as he shifted away from her until the island separated them. A physical and emotional barrier. “I admire your ability to see the best in everyone, but I don’t have that skill. I use data and facts. Lots of relationships don’t last.”
The doorbell rang. Cole’s expression shifted as he jumped into Texas Ranger mode. “The team is here. I’ll get the door.”
He fled the kitchen on long strides. Olivia watched him go, her heart sinking. She didn’t believe in changing people. If Cole didn’t want a relationship, then she would be wise to listen to him no matter how much it hurt. After her stalker was captured, she and Cole would go their separate ways. The most she could expect was a friendship. And maybe even that was impossible. Her feelings for Cole had grown so much, Olivia wasn’t sure she could be around him without hoping for more.
The front door opened. As voices filled the entryway, Olivia braced herself for what lay ahead. Eli and Jackson had spent the afternoon interviewing everyone at Oak Gardens. Had today’s attack brought them closer to identifying the stalker?
And if not, what would?
EIGHTEEN
He’d nearly kissed her.
Cole should be thinking about the case, but he couldn’t erase the memory of standing in the kitchen with Olivia. The softness of her skin as he brushed the hair from her forehead. Those precious seconds when desire had overtaken his common good sense. He’d stopped himself. But there was no denying his feelings for Olivia were running out of control. Even now, his heart skipped a beat as he accepted the slice of chocolate cake from her.
She wore sweatpants and a T-shirt, her long hair left loose to flow over her shoulders. Her creamy skin was clear of makeup. Their fingers didn’t touch, but it seemed every cell in Cole’s body wanted to. Olivia, on the other hand, deftly avoided meeting his gaze. She busied herself with cutting another slice of cake and plating it.
Pain and regret smothered the butterflies flitting in his stomach. He set his cake down on the table and crossed the kitchen to fetch the carafe of coffee. It was better this way. Everything Cole said in their conversation was true. He wasn’t interested in marriage or a long-term relationship. Too many things could go wrong. His parents' failed marriage taught him that. It wasn’t fair to kiss Olivia, to deepen these feelings between them, and then walk away.
Cole poured mugs of coffee and then served his fellow rangers. Dark circles shadowed the skin under Eli’s eyes. Jackson’s shirt was stained with something that looked like grease, and his hair was mussed, as if he’d been crawling around an attic. The newest member of their team, Felicity Capshaw, waved off the offer of coffee. She’d already poured herself a glass of cold milk to go with her chocolate cake.
Once everyone was settled, Cole shifted the conversation away from small talk and onto the case. “What did you find out during your interviews at Oak Gardens?”
“Someone definitely tampered with the chandelier.” Jackson gestured to the grease on his shirt. “I was in the storage unit above the ballroom with the head of maintenance for most of the afternoon. There’s a safety mechanism on the motor that runs the pulley system. It prevents the chandelier from hitting the floor even if someone lowers it down. The mechanism was smashed.”
Cole figured that was the case, but it was good to have confirmation. “Any idea who might’ve done it?”
