He should let go.
We should both let go at the same time,but neither of us does.
Chapter Four
Cole
The streetlamps on Main Street glow in the hazy light of the storm. Most of the shops are dark with closed signs flipped over front and center, but the diner still shows signs of life.
“See,” I squeeze her hand as I reach for the door above the faintly buzzing neon sign, “I told you. The diner doesn’t close for anything.”
She shakes her head, but I catch the corner of her mouth twitching. I think I might have won a point or two, but the jury is still out.
“This doesn’t prove anything. What we really need is the hardware store, and they’re closed.” She nods toward Nichol’s, where the light is indeed off. “We can’t fix a heater with milkshakes and french fries.”
“Nope, but we won’t need to. The general store is open. I’m sure they have something I can use to fix the heater, at least through the weekend.” I pull open the door, sending a rush of warmth around us. “We should get food first. I’m starving.”
It’s been a while since I’ve been in the diner, mostly because I’ve been lying low since I got back into town. Seems now’s a good time to break the seal and head back into the belly of the beast, given there aren’t many folks out. Plus, a Christmas without the lumberjack special really isn’t a Christmas at all.
The bell rings above the door, and the familiar scent of fried onions and coffee welcomes us in. I pause inside, scanning the room for familiar faces, but it’s just us and a family in the back wearing festive Santa hats. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on how you look at it, the only face I recognize is Brelynn’s. I didn’t know she worked here.
“Hey guys!” Brelynn’s tone is bright and sing-songy, bordering on annoying.
Tess shakes the snow from her hair and stomps her boots on the mat by the door as though she’s as annoyed as I am.
“Hey, Brelynn,” I say, trying to sound kind. “Thought you were heading home.”
“Oh, I was… but we got that road closure alert and I figured it was safer to stay in town, so I let Marge head home early and snatched her shift up.” Brelynn grins. “I need the money. I’ve done way too much Christmas shopping this year! My dad wanted this new pair of boots, and my mama needed a new pie pan. Plus, I’ve got four nieces and nephews, and every single one of them has a list a mile long, and my brother lost his job this year, so ya know.”
As she searches for a few menus, I hope she’s tired herself out. Youth is such a wild thing. All that energy with nowhere to put it.
“For the boys, Lyle and Mitch, I got them new trucks and a few of those toy tool sets, and my niece, Debbie, wanted a new doll.” She scrunches up her nose. “Not just any doll. The kind that wets itself and really drinks. Those things are expensive, and I had to go all the way to the Springs to snatch one up.” She sucks in a deep breath. “Oh, and my other niece—”
“That sounds like a lot of gifts. Good thing you picked up the shift,” I say, grabbing two menus from under the podium myself. “Otherwise, Santa would’ve had to take out a loan.”
She laughs too hard and guides us to the best table at the diner. I’m not sure everyone would agree but I love it. You get a perfect view of Main Street, and I get to keep an eye on the entire place, the front door included. Granted, no one is on the street and there’s only one family dining, but still, it’s the best table.
Tess pulls her jacket off and hangs it on the hook outside the booth before sliding inside. She’s so beautiful, but given her reaction to me so far, I gather she’s not as interested as I am. It’s a shame. I think we might balance each other out well, if she’d let me.
I take my seat across from her, the vinyl creaking under my weight as Brelynn keeps talking. “So,” she grins, “you two on a date?”
“No,” Tess snaps. It’s the first time she’s spoken since we got here, and her tone is clipped with frustration.It’s almost as though she may have lied about her lack of jealousy regarding Brelynn’s little schoolgirl crush.“We’re just hungry. Do you mind if we look at the menus for a minute?”
“Not at all.” Brelynn taps her pen against her pad of paper as a Christmas tune hums in the background. “Take your time. I was just wondering if you two were dating ‘cause then I’d have felt bad about asking Cole out earlier.”
“Oh.” Tess forces a grin, her lips tight. “Nope. Not dating. Maybe you should ask him again. He was probably just caught off guard earlier, being you’re so pretty and all.”
The blonde beams, oblivious to Tess’s sarcastic grin. “Really? Aren’t you such a sweet thing!” She glances toward me. “What do you say then, Cole? If you’re too busy to make the rodeo, we could hang out after Christmas. Maybe dinner in the Springs? I hear there’s a new Italian place that’s themed like Italy. They even have one of those boats inside that you can get pictures in.”
Tess’s eyes flick toward me, sharp and amused, and her mouth twitches like she’s holding back a laugh.
“Wow, that’s really creative. A boat inside a restaurant,” I say slowly, burning time.
Brelynn nods enthusiastically, ponytail swaying. “Yup, sounds super romantic. It’s just like going to Venice, or one of those hotels in Las Vegas, except here in Colorado.”
Tess’s eyes gleam with mischief as holiday music continues to play.
“Well, I appreciate the offer Brelynn, and I think you’re great, but our age difference is a little much for me.”
