Looking back at the toy truck sitting on the shelf that Ella discarded there, I can’t help myself as I pick it up. A smile pulls on my lips. What a mischievous little girl, trying to sneak the pink truck into her shopping cart.
She reminds me so much of Ella when she was a kid. Bright blue eyes, unruly curls, and a wild spirit.
The smile doesn’t leave my face and I continue on through the grocery store, collecting the items I need. It doesn’t take me long before I pay for my things and head out into the parking lot in search of my truck. I catch sight of them again when I turn down the row. My heart crawls into my throat and I pause, watching for a moment.
The little cart is gone and Chloe stands in the trunk of Ella’s car, giggling as she moves out of the way as Ella begins to load her bags into the back. The corners of my lips twitch and I don’t bother to hide the fact that I’m blatantly staring.
Chloe’s eyes meet mine from across the parking lot and she begins to wave. Ella glances over her shoulder and her gaze crashes into mine. I lift my hand to wave and Ella gives me a smile as her eyes soften. I’m not sure if it’s an open invitation butit seems like my feet have already made the decision to approach her without my permission.
Ella turns to face me when I stop by her cart. “You again.”
The corners of my mouth twitch. “Me again.”
“Hi Mist-uh Cole!” Chloe says with excitement.
“Hi Chloe,” I smile at the exuberant little blonde-haired girl. “You know, when I was gettin’ ready to leave the store, someone came up to me and said that they thought you forgot somethin’.”
Chloe looks at me with her eyebrows scrunched. “I fuh-get?”
Reaching into one of the bags in my cart, I pull out the small pink truck that Chloe had her sights set on earlier. It may not be the right thing to do and I don’t want to piss Ella off, but I couldn’t resist it. After seeing the disappointment on Chloe’s face when Ella told her she couldn’t get it... I knew I had to get it for her. Just to be able to put a smile on that little girl’s face.
Chloe squeals as I hand it to her and she shows it to Ella. “Look, Momma. Da twuck!”
Ella smiles at her and I don’t miss the touch of sadness that crinkles around her eyes. “I see it, baby. What do you say to him?”
“Tank you!” She says with a sweetness that has my heart melting inside my chest.
“You are so welcome.” I turn to look at Ella as Chloe starts to take the truck from the packaging. “I hope it’s okay that I got it for her.”
Ella’s gaze shifts from her daughter to mine. She chews on the inside of her lip as she nods. “It is. I’ve been trying to teach her that we don’t have to buy a toy every single time we come to the store.”
“Well, let’s call it a loophole then,” I say with a wink. “Technically you didn’t buy it.”
Mischief dances in her eyes as she watches me. “A loophole,” she says softly as she tilts her head to the side. “I guess you’re right.”
“Let me help you put the rest of your bags in your car,” I offer, stepping around her and reaching for one of the handles.
“You don’t have to do that; I can get it.”
I glance over my shoulder at her, placing the groceries inside the trunk. “I know I don’t, but I want to. Let me help you.”
There’s a conflicted look that washes over her eyes and I can see it right then. She has trouble accepting help. I don’t want to make any assumptions about her life, but it’s clear to see. Ella’s a fierce, independent woman. She doesn’t need anyone, and she certainly doesn’t want any help.
That doesn’t mean I didn’t want to offer it anyway.
Ella reaches into the trunk of her SUV and pulls Chloe out while I pack the rest of her groceries into the back for her. It doesn’t take me long and I close the door before turning to look at the two of them. Ella holds onto the packaging from the pink truck as Chloe makes noises driving it up and down Ella's bare arm. She shifts to the side of the car and I reach past her, opening the door for her as she puts Chloe in her car seat and straps her in.
I take a step back and Ella closes the door before turning back to face me. “Thank you, Cole,” she says softly, with appreciation glimmering in her eyes as she stares back at me. Her lips part like she’s going to say something else but she quickly closes them before smiling at me.
She’s absolutely breathtaking. The gentle breeze is laced with the smell of hay fields and sunshine and it carries wisps of her curls that break free from the messy bun on top of her head. Her bright blue eyes shimmer from the rays of sunlight shining from above and I resist the urge to reach out and touch her tanned skin. I find myself staring, completely captivated by her.
I clear my throat, breaking free from the trance I was caught in. “It was my pleasure.”
“I’m sure I will see you around?” She murmurs with a questioning tone as she steps to the front door and pulls it open.
I look at her for a moment. “Yeah.” A smile spreads across my lips. “I think you will.”
“Good.” She bites back her grin, dipping her chin at me. “Bye Cole.”
