Cole arrives on time, as expected. He’s always on time. If not a few minutes early.
Ellie’s packed a backpack only. I’ll have to explain that the rest needs to come slowly, not all at once, so she doesn’t feel like we’re giving her away.
He lifts his granddaughter with a bit of a struggle when she races up to him. “You’ve got to stop growing, El,” he grunts.
She giggles as he sets her down.
Cole squints at me in the middle of the living room, rubbing his hip. “It was probably the backpack.”
I chuckle. “Probably.” Then nod him toward the kitchen. “Come on in. We’re just cleaning up dessert, but there’s still plenty. Everyone just left.”
He follows me with hesitation but I don’t call attention to it. Willow puts on a fresh pot of tea, shooting Cole a warm smile. “Green tea OK?”
Cole watches her as she moves about behind the island, and as harmless as I know the man is, I’m instantly alarmed.
I remind Ellie to sweep her room again to see if there’s anything she forgot.
Cole removes his hat. “Willow, I .?.?. I’m sorry. I swear, I had no idea what Glenda was going to do to you. That wasn’t—well, she didn’t—” He sighs heavily. “I apologize.”
And as they have the last two days, her eyes start to well. “I know, Cole. Thank you. And it wasn’t your fault.” Willow glances at me—equally nervous about the question we have to ask him.
He might take it the wrong way. Or think we’re pulling one over on him. We haven’t exactly had much time to think it through, since we had to get back to the dinner we were hosting.
Cole takes a breath like he’s not quite done. “I, uh .?.?. I don’t think I was wrong about you two making up this engagement to help your case. But I was wrong about you doing it to keep her away from me.”
Willow freezes and I move to stand next to her.
Cole glances at me. “This man loves you very much. Knew it the minute he threatened me in front of six police officers,” he scoffs, then swallows painfully, looking down at the tile floor. “I’d have done the same for Maya.”
I circle the island. “Cole, why don’t we go sit in the living room?”
Willow prepares a tray of tea, berries, and pumpkin pie and meets us in the living room. Ellie prances down with Buttons in her hands.
“I’m ready,” she gasps. “Can I have more cake?”
“I’ll allow it. Come here, Slippers.” Willow lifts her onto her lap and I swear they could be mother and daughter, with their red curls and killer smiles.
We sip tea quietly, awkwardly, attention on Ellie and her devouring a second piece of cake.
“Go grab some milk,” Willow urges. “And don’t forget your blanket.”
Ellie nods, skipping away.
“Pack light, pumpkin, I’m bringing you back tomorrow,” Cole calls after her. Then he looks at me and Willow. “She belongs here.”
My heart skips, relief and tension washing away so profoundly that I barely react.
But Willow does, exhaling with tears and reaching an arm over. “Cole—we don’t know what to say. Thank you. But Ellie belongs withallof us. Not just .?.?. on certain days of the week.”
“Yeah, well, doesn’t need to be so formal, we are family, after all, right?” His gaze lands on mine in a way I haven’t seen in weeks. With trust.
Willow’s eyes flick to me and I give her a nod.
She clears her throat and swipes her eyes. “Dallas and I wanted to invite you to stay here with us. We have a spare bedroom. Lots of room.”
Cole nods. “Yeah, and cake.”
“And a family,” I add.
