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Finally, the place cleared out and I got out of the truck. Reaching into my pocket, I breathed a sigh of relief. I pulled the door open and the bell chimed. I was sure she would turn around but she didn’t. It was as if she didn’t even hear it. Fred frowned and I motioned for him to get out of the building. “Nora, I’m going to go check something outside.” The man fumbled through that lame excuse and she nodded, but still didn’t turn. He walked closer to me than he had in two years. “Whatever you’ve done, fix it,” he whispered before he left. Moving to the till, I waited for her to realize someone was there.
“What do you want?” There was no feeling in her voice, and she placed her hands down on the counter.
“How did you know it was me?”
“You have a presence, Kipp.” She finally turned and my heart ached as I looked at her. Her eyes were red, puffy, and sad. The spark in them was gone. I had done that. She grabbed a cup and filled it with coffee and set it down on the counter. “No charge, just leave.”
“I didn’t come here for coffee, I came here for you.”
“Oh well, I should be flattered.”
“You stole my truck,” I said as I leaned on the display case.
“You shouldn’t leave the keys in it,” she snapped. God, she was sexy when she was mad, and it was taking everything in me not to kiss her.
“I’m sorry.” My words were whispered.
“Sorry for what? For having a son? That’s nothing to apologize for.” She turned around and took a step closer. “He’s yours, Kipp. I understand you need time to sort that out. As much as I want to, I would never ask you to choose. Cooper is growing up without a father because I made a stupid decision, but you’re not the kind of man who could turn his back on his child. You’re a good man, Kipp Miller.” Tears were rolling down her cheeks and I leaned over the counter to wipe them away.
“He’s not my son.”
“What?” Confusion filled her tear-stained face, and her eyes searched mine.
“Bella was using me. The boy isn’t her husband’s either, but they figured they could make me think he was mine and I would start paying.”
“That poor boy,” she whispered as she brought her hands to her mouth. “What’s going to happen to him?”
“Nash and I found his real father. He’s my cousin, which explains the similarities. He had no idea he had a son and he’s going for custody. It’s going to be a battle but I’ve got him the best lawyers in the state, so that’s a start. They live over in Billings, so when they get settled they will come visit. I might not be his father, but I won’t be one more person to turn my back on him.” Taking a deep breath, I walked behind the counter and reached for Nora’s hand. She took it but didn’t grasp onto me like she used to. We walked to a table and I pulled out her chair before sitting across from her. “That brings me to you and Cooper. I never should have said what I did, you haven’t ever just been the cook Nora, but I didn’t want Bella to say anything else about you. I’m sorry, but more importantly there’s a little boy across the street I’ve disappointed and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make that up to him.”
“You don’t have to do that, Kipp. We aren’t going to be here long.” She looked down at her hands and picked at her fingernails. “I’ve talked to my parents, and we’re going to go home. I won’t pretend it’s going to be easy, there’s a lot of years of hurt but I have to try.” She nodded absentmindedly.
“Sure, we can go visit for a while.”
It took a moment for her to process what I’d said. Her eyes raised to mine. “What are you talking about?” The lines between her brows grew deeper as she processed what I’d said.
“If I’m going to marry their daughter, I should probably take you home to them, don’t you think?” I pushed the chair back and dropped down to one knee. This wasn’t what I had in mind when I was going to propose to my future wife, but I couldn’t wait any longer. “Nora Pine, if that is your real name, will you marry me?” I pulled out the ring and held it out for her. “It’s not new, it’s the one my dad gave to my mom. If you don’t like it or want something different…” She grabbed my shirt, yanked me to her, and pressed her lips against mine.
“Stop talking,” she mumbled as we kissed in the coffee shop. The bell above the door chimed and I didn’t even care who was standing there. She ended our kiss and smiled. “Yes, I’ll marry you and there isn’t a more perfect ring on the planet,” she whispered.
“Can we go home?” I asked, wanting to get out of this town.
“Let’s go. Fred, I…”
“Quit, I know. Damn, I hate when that asshole comes in here.” He shook his head and perched back on his stool.
Running across the street hand in hand, we walked into the daycare. “Ms. Belfort, can I help you?” Mrs. Trader said, walking out of her office. She looked from Nora to me. “Kipp, what are you doing here?” She frowned and then looked at my hand clasping Nora’s.
“Well, Wanda, can you tell us where Cooper is, we’re here to pick him up.” She opened her mouth but no sound came out.
“Kipp!” A little voice yelled from the opposite end of the hallway. Turning, I saw Cooper in a full out sprint. His little legs moved as fast as they could. Bending down, he launched himself into my arms.
“Cooper Belfort, you know you aren’t supposed to run in the hallway. You will put other kids in danger and I can’t have that here.” Standing, I looked at Nora and then back to Wanda.
“It’s Cooper Pine, and you don’t worry about it happening again, he won’t be back, and I really think you need to find a new job, you clearly don’t enjoy it here. I hear the coffee shop is hiring.” Nora stifled a laugh and we turned to leave.
“Are we going home?” Cooper asked, looking at me with confusion on his face.
“You bet we are, cowboy. I’m going to marry your mom and we’re going to be a family.” I put my arm around Nora’s waist and we walked down the sidewalk together.
