My mom pats my hand. “Let me know whenyou’re coming to Crystal Falls to pack up the house. I’ll start saving boxesfor you; we can all get together when you and Cole come up.”
“Won’t we bethere nextweekend?” My mom and I look up at Cole, who’s leaning against the bedroom door.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” He comes in, sitting on the other side ofme, wrapping an arm around me.
“No, I’m going to call everyone andcancel.” She raises her chin and I see a slight tremble in it. I know that willbe hard for her to do. She’s not one for making apologies and admittingmistakes very well.
“Kate, is that what you want?” Cole looksat me, his eyebrows raised.
Huh—I get a say? I glance from Cole to mymom and back down at my hands. “No, not really.”
“You still want to have the wedding—well,ring ceremony and reception?” My mom questions.
“Yes, I want to. I want to celebrate withyou and the family.”
“I just thought…that was the problem.” Mymom shakes her head, finally understanding her mistake. “I should have askedwhat you wanted.”
I shrug and give a little nod.
“What about you, Cole? Are you all rightwith this?” My mom looks at him, hopeful.
“Yes, I think it’s a wonderful idea. Ialways did. I want Kate to have a real wedding surrounded by the people wholove and care about her.”
“You two are sure?” she asks, a smilethreatening.
I peer at Cole, and he nods with a smile.I turn back to my mom, “yes, we’re sure. We want the wedding, don’t cancel.”
My mom pulls me into a hug and then shegrabs Cole, pulling him down for a hug, too. “Okay then. We’ll keep planningit. I’ll have Annie send you a list that you can fill out and send back to herwith everything you want; it will give you something to do while you rest andget better.”
“That would be great.” My mom kisses mycheek and stands. “Coulter, I owe you a huge apology. My baby girl has foundthe man of her dreams and she’s grown up. It’s been hard for me to accept. Iput you in the middle of that. I’m sorry. If there’s anyone I think deserves mybeautiful Katie, it’s you. You’ve got your hands full son…”
“Mom,” I chide.
“Let me finish. She’s worth every bit ofit.”
“Oh, gosh.” Great. They better not starttalking about me like I’m not here.
“I know, Luann. And I promise to cherishevery moment.” Cole smiles.
“Life is never dull with Kate around.” Mymother leans over, patting my face.
“Okay, that’s enough, you two. Give me timeto settle into my own, and life will be dull and boring, just the way I likeit.”
They both just smile and nod, notbelieving a word I say.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Cole walks my mom out and tells her wewill see her a week from Friday. The day before the ceremony. When I come outof the bedroom dressed and ready for the day, I find Cole sitting at the table,still dressed in his jeans and t-shirt. He has papers spread out and his laptopopen. He glances up at me. “Hey baby, how are you feeling?”
“Still tired, but I’m hungry. Why aren’tyou at work?”
“Because my wife is sick.”
“But...”
“No buts, come here, please.” I walkaround the table and Cole pats his knee. With an eye roll, I sit down. He rubsa hand up and down my back, kissing my neck. “I have a gift for you.”
“Having you here with me when I’m feelingsick is gift enough, babe.”
Cole pinches my butt. “Smart ass.”
