“That works. I’ll keep the French toast warm. And congratulations, you two.” She beamed at them. “Fabulous news. A great Christmas present.”
Mila hurried to her room with its attached bath and left both doors open, hoping to eavesdrop on the conversation between Cole and Claudie. She was as surprised as Claudie that Cole had come right out with the news. Surprised and thrilled.
Since he’d been so open about that subject, what else might he tell her sister? But with the noise of the shower and her rush to get dressed afterward, she couldn’t hear a thing.
Turned out it didn’t matter. The minute she walked into the kitchen, Claudie announced that he’d told her about the notebook.
She glanced at Cole, who was pouring coffee while Claudie dished up the French toast.
“I thought it would be good for her to know. I’m not planning to pass it around. In fact, I’d be in favor of burning it.”
She nodded. “Might be a good idea.”
“But giving it to you unlocked a door for me. Now I can say it. My dad used to beat me. It’s a fact. And it’s not something to be ashamed of.”
“Definitely not. But Jordan doesn’t know, right? So?—”
“I’m asking both of you to keep this to yourselves for now. Today’s not the time, for sure. Give me a chance to break it to her gently. She doesn’t need all the gory details. Nobody does.” His gaze locked with hers.
The significance of that statement was huge. He’d provided her with the gory details. No one else. The rest of the family would get a tamer version of his story.
She’d thought that when they made love, they were as close as two people could be. Not true. In making her the sole caretaker of his darkest secrets, he’d bestowed a measure of trust that took her breath away.
That reality stayed with her as they quickly ate breakfast before leaving to join the rest of the family gathering in front of the barn. Claudie poured coffee into three to-go mugs with snap-on lids.
Looked like those walking to the barn were armed with the same to-go mugs along with scarfs, gloves and hats.
Cole glanced at her as they neared the base of the steps. “Don’t come up.”
“Don’t you want company up there while you….” She trailed off before she gave Claudie too much info.
“Of course, but I’d rather have you out there where you can see. It’s for you, too, you know.”
“But I’ve already?—”
“Not quite. I added a couple of things.” He smiled. “Go be my audience, mi amor.” He planted one on her and bounded up the stairs.
“Be careful on those steps!”
Claudie chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry. He’s so high on love he could probably fly up there. C’mon, let’s go see this surprise.” She tugged on Mila’s arm. “I want a good spot.”
“In a sec.” She waited until he was on the landing before walking away. “I can’t believe he told you about the notebook.”
“I can’t either. He didn’t reveal much, just that it was his way of dealing with the beatings. I don’t want to read it, but clearly it means a lot to him that you did.”
“It also meant a lot to me. It filled in the missing pieces.”
“And prompted you to propose?”
“He’s the one, so why not?”
“Why not, indeed. I’m over-the-moon happy for you, chica. Who are we telling?”
“Nobody until at least after the surprise and we’re back to the regular Christmas routine.”
“Gotcha. Hey, look, Rio’s wearing reindeer antlers on his Stetson. That’s new.”
“And Luis and Jordan have matching Santa hats. So cute.”
