“I never believed that nonsense, either,” Millie said firmly. “If they don’t turn up anything on their property, I think they should try mine. I wonder if it’s possible that Lorraine’s husband caught her coming back from my place that day. It’s a really strange coincidence that she came up missing the same day. I didn’t get the sense that she planned on leaving that soon. I think she would have told me if she never planned on seeing me again.”
God, that made so much sense.
Cole’s father could have been completely irate if he’d found his wife coming back from his brother’s property.
Possibly angry enough to kill her exactly where he’d found her.
“I’ll suggest it if all of their searches come up empty,” I assured her. “Thank you, Millie.”
“Don’t thank me,” she answered. “I want to see my nephews happy. I’m not sure if that’s possible, but I’d at least like to see them at peace.”
“I’m not sure about Asher,” I told her hesitantly. “But I’m hoping I can help make Cole happy. There’s another reason I called you, Millie. I wanted someone in the family to know that I’m going to be gone until at least tomorrow afternoon.”
“Because?” she prompted.
“Cole is taking me on a first date,” I confessed. “He’s not telling me where we’re going because he wants it to be a surprise, but we’re flying on his jet today. I’m packing now. I don’t want anyone to worry if they try to find me and I’m not around. My vehicle will be at home, but I’ll be away.”
“Well, that’s a lovely surprise,” Millie said excitedly. “I’ll make sure to call Anna, Reese, and Hannah. I didn’t know you and Cole were even thinking about dating. What brought this on? I thought he was rude to you.”
“He wasn’t very nice,” I admitted. “But I think I felt that way before we really got to know each other. You were right, Millie. He has a good heart. I think he just comes off as abrupt because he’s not much of a socializer. After that whole situation with the flu, he’s been good to me. I really…like him.”
“So much for the two of you just being friends,” she said with a chuckle.
I hadn’t said much to Millie about Cole yet, but I had mentioned that I’d like to be his friend after the whole flu incident.
“I can’t just be his friend,” I told her honestly.
“Because you’re attracted to him,” she stated. “And he’s attracted to you. I might be old, but I know that a lot of women would consider my nephew pretty hot.”
I actually giggled. “Millie!” I said in a pseudo-scandalized tone.
She ignored me. “Make sure he treats you right,” she insisted.
“I’d say he’s treating me pretty well if he’s using his private jet for our first date,” I teased.
“Good,” she said in a satisfied voice. “You deserve to be swept off your feet. I told you that you just needed to find the right man.”
“Don’t get too excited,” I warned. “This is really new for the two of us, Millie. First date…remember?”
“Cole isn’t the type to ask a woman on a date unless he has some serious feelings for her,” Millie mused. “He hasn’t shown any interest in a female since he moved back to Crystal Fork.”
“We’ll see,” I said cautiously.
“I think you already have feelings for him, too,” Millie guessed.
I let out a long breath. “I do,” I shared. “I’ve never felt this way about a guy in my entire life. That scares me sometimes because it’s all happening so fast.”
“That’s the way it happens sometimes,” Millie said wistfully. “I knew my husband was the one on our very first date. Don’t underestimate those initial feelings. Sometimes it takes a while for our brains to catch up with our instincts. Mutual attraction doesn’t always make sense when it happens almost instantly, but it will all work out if it’s the right guy. Now tell me about this date. He won’t tell you anything?”
“Nothing,” I said with a frustrated sigh. “Not even a hint. He just told me to pack a change of clothing, and he’d take care of everything else.”
“The Remington men are so frustrating sometimes,” Millie said lightly. “They’re much too good at keeping secrets.”
“I like some surprises,” I answered. “But there’s something very mysterious about jumping on a private jet and having no idea where I’m going.”
“Are you worried about your safety?” Millie questioned.
“Of course not,” I denied instantly. “I trust Cole, but you know me, Millie. I’m a planner. If I’m going somewhere, I check and recheck to make sure I have everything I need.”
