As Maisie napped, I sat in a chair looking out the window. Such simple words with such a big meaning.I like him.I had to admit I liked him, too. Even more than I did six years ago.
And that terrified me. Almost as much as the anger sitting just out of reach, threatening to turn to rage if I didn’t stop it. But I didn’t know how. It kept tightening its grip on me, whispering to me. Asking why now, and not six years ago.
Chapter 6
COLE
Maisie racedaround my yard with a sparkler in her hand. After Ava agreed to give me a chance, I’d run into town and bought a few things for the bonfire that a kid might enjoy. The sparklers were a hit, and I imagined the s’mores later would be, too.
Dusk had almost given way to night as Luke and I built the fire. The rest of the bridal party filled out the lawn chairs we’d set up around the pit, and everyone chatted and laughed. It was strange having so many people here. I hadn’t been very social since moving to the mountain.
“Momma, look!”
I automatically looked over at the same time as Ava. Maisie waved the sparkler around, and the growing dark made the dancing light more visible. I glanced at Ava. She was watching Maisie, her expression soft, unguarded. For a second, she looked like she belonged here. Like she belonged to me. Then she caught my eye, and the wall slammed back up.
A friend of Luke’s who lived in the area chuckled. “Luke, I can’t believe you convinced Cole to have everyone over. He’s practically been a hermit since moving here.”
A bridesmaid joined in the teasing. “Some of the single women in town made the trek to offer baked goods and check out the recent addition to Cedar Hollow. They barely made it up the drive before he shooed them away.”
Luke snorted. “He does nothing halfway. When he left the city, he left it all behind. Luckily, I have plenty of embarrassing stories from our teenage years to hold over his head and make him comply.”
Ava’s curious gaze settled on me as everyone continued ribbing me for my newfound solitude.
“One woman even ordered a table from him to give her an excuse to flirt.” The bridesmaid shook her head while laughing. “The date she wanted didn’t happen. But she loves the table, so at least she got something out of the attempt.”
“Personally, I commend him for making the change.” Becky shot a look toward Ava, who watched the fire as she twirled her wineglass in her fingers. “It’s not easy.”
“If everyone’s done talking about me like I’m not here, I think it’s time for s’mores.” I stood, grabbing the bag of marshmallows from the ground at my feet. “Any takers?”
“Me!” Maisie ran to my side, dancing in place.
I showed her how to put the marshmallow on a stick and hold it over the flames. Her first attempt caught fire, but I helped her with the second after eating the blackened marshmallow, to her delight. Then we built the sandwich with the cookie and chocolate. She made a mess eating it, but her grin was worth it.
She grabbed my arm with her sticky fingers. “Again.”
Ava started to lunge forward with a napkin, but I waved her off.
“I got it.” I wiped a smudge of chocolate from Maisie's cheek with my thumb, not caring about the sticky mess on my own jeans. Ava sank back into her chair, looking stunned.
We continued making s’mores until everyone had at least one. When Maisie tired of roasting marshmallows, she climbed onto my lap and leaned her head against my chest. My eyes burned, and I sought Ava. She looked conflicted but didn’t tell her daughter to move. I took that as a win.
Maisie yawned, and her eyes drifted closed as her breaths evened out.
“I should take her back to the inn,” Ava pitched her voice low as she put her glass down and stood.
“I have a spare bedroom. We can put her down there.” I lifted Maisie in my arms and motioned with my head for Ava to follow. “No reason for you to leave early.”
We walked away from the group, and the dark night wrapped around us. I led her up the steps and across the porch. “Can you grab the door?”
“Are you sure about this?” Ava asked. “I can take her back.”
“You’re the maid of honor. You should be here for your sister’s last night as an unmarried woman.”
She opened the front door, and I took her inside to the smaller bedroom. I’d cleaned it up earlier, just in case Maisie needed it. I laid her on the bed, and Ava pulled the blanket over her. “This is the same room I stayed in when visiting my gramps during summers. Feels right having her in here.”
“Cole…” her voice trailed off, and she bit her lower lip.
“Can we talk?” I guided her out of the bedroom, my hand on her back. “For real, talk. About what happened.”
