Chapter 28
Hannah slid dinner into the oven and set the table. Nine stayed in the kitchen, hoping she might drop a few tidbits her way. Brody sat in the doorway, watching Cole and Hannah at the same time.
“You don’t have to make dinner,” he said, starting the fireplace. “Let’s eat in here tonight. There’s a chill in the air.”
“I hardly call it making dinner when I’m warming up a freezer meal. Plus, it has mashed potatoes and broccoli,” she called as she returned the plates to the stove.
“Did you enjoy your time with Scarlett today? You didn’t say much about your visit,” he said, watching her. Her movements slowed, and she licked her lips nervously.
“We chatted. I like her. She’s exactly as I imagined. I’m looking forward to working with her,” she said.
“But…”
“It feels weird having a job again,” she confessed. “A few weeks ago, I watched the world go by through my hospital window. Now I have a position at a securities facility.”
“As I said, unpredictable as a storm.” He winked at her, making her feel warm inside.
“Leo gave me a bonus. I’m thinking of putting it toward a vehicle. Gosh, I haven’t driven in forever. I hope cars haven’t changed much and I recall how to operate it.”
“After dinner, you can borrow my truck, and we can reacquaint you,” he offered.
The timer on the stove went off, and she pulled out the food and set it on the counter. Her hand touched the corner of the tray, and she hissed, clutching her hand.
Cole seemed to appear from nowhere and held her hand under the faucet, letting the cool water soothe her skin. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her hand, gently drying it. Inspecting the wound, he said, “It doesn’t appear too bad.”
“No. It surprised me,” she murmured, staring at the towel. They clasped hands several times over the last few days and it felt safe. His touch seemed to send a jolt of warm current to her belly, making butterflies. Scarlett’s advice seemed to whisper inside her head as her gaze roamed to his face.
He smiled slightly and slowly let her go. “I’ll dish out the food. Why don’t you take traitor one and traitor two to their kennels? I placed their food and fresh water in them.”
“Do they have to stay in them? It feels like a prison sentence,” Hannah said, turning her nose up in disdain at the metal cages.
“Brody has always used a kennel and finds it a safe place. Sometimes he uses it to have some alone time. Nine needs to learn how to behave in hers. After they eat, I’ll take them outside.
Brody uses the bathroom on command. Nine likes to smell everything in a ten-foot radius.
When they’re working, they don’t always have the luxury to sniff for half an hour.
She’s the youngest in the group, and I want to train her myself. Leo didn’t pay for her. I did.”
“Then why does she have to train with all those other big dogs?” Hannah came to Nine’s rescue. “She’s a baby.”
“The military uses dogs for missions, and I learned their techniques in Texas. I want to train her differently. Did Kassie talk about getting a service dog?” he asked.
“Yes, she and Claire mentioned it. Maybe when I’m feeling less overwhelmed, I’ll entertain the idea.
I can only perform one miracle at a time, ya know.
I’m organizing all of Leo’s invoices. His and Whiskey’s filing system needs work.
Leo has stuff under pain in my ass, heart attack waiting to happen, Whiskey’s screwups, and what the fuck.
It’s taking me a while to decipher Whiskeys.
He has notations such as, ask Leo about this, tell Samantha, remember to call, and I don’t know what to do with this.
Leo gave me carte blanche to do whatever, but so far everything keeps going into the ‘what the fuck’ pile,” she said, placing the dogs inside the crates and making a face.
Cole laughed. “You’ll figure it out after you attend a few meetings,” he said while setting the plates on the coffee table.
He handed her a fork, knife, and napkin when she sat on the floor across from him.
“Leo’s a character. He’s smart as a whip and knows what he’s doing.
I’ve never met a more family-oriented man.
He brings Grace, his daughter, to PT, and when we finish, he drops her off at the hospital nursery.
Did he warn you about the swearing? Melody listens and demands five bucks for each swear word.
He says he can swear at the facility without getting in trouble. ”
“I’ll keep it in mind,” she said, scooping up her potatoes.
“Damn, Ty can cook,” Cole moaned. “Hannah, you make a mean prepared meal.”
“Thank you,” she grinned. Her phone rang from the bedroom and her smile disappeared from her face.
“I take it you haven’t spoken to your parents since your last conversation?” Cole asked gently.
“Kassie faxed them the paperwork releasing them as my power of attorney. They will only be added if I become incapacitated again. The fact I accepted a job and I’m attending therapy shows I’m making rational decisions. I miss speaking with my mom, but I never know if my dad will be on the line.”
Cole set his fork down. “You can’t avoid him forever. Why don’t you explain how you feel and see if he’ll back off?”
“He’s used to getting his way. My mom never fights him.
She says she picks her battles.” Hannah paused.
“I’ve disappointed him, but I feel like I’m making the right decisions.
I don’t want to hear his voice in my head while I’m figuring this out.
Even if it means I have to limit my conversations with my mom. Claire says I’m protecting my peace.”
Cole picked up their plates and took them into the kitchen. “Grab your coat and we’ll start your driving lesson. I’ll take the pups out.”
“It’s dark outside. Do you think it’s smart to drive on a mountain with someone who has lived in her own little world for two years?”
“You’ll pick it up fast. I’m assuming you’ll be driving at night, you might as well get the practice while I’m with you,” he reasoned as he let the dogs out.
A few minutes later, they got inside the truck. Hannah gripped the wheel tightly at ten and two.
“Relax. It’s still the same basic principle,” he assured her.
She started the engine and backed out of the driveway slowly. “I’ve never driven a truck. It feels huge,” she said as she put it in drive and started down the mountain. She bit her lip, concentrating on the curves.
“You’re doing great,” he praised her. “When we get to the bottom, take a right. We’ll follow the bus route to pick up the seniors.
It’ll take you all around the area. There’s a lake a few miles down and they use it in the summer for a community picnics.
It’s too cold now, but it’s still pretty to see.
We’ll take another drive during the day. ”
She nodded, still holding onto the wheel in a death grip. Cole slipped his hand around her neck and kneaded it, relaxing her muscles. “Breathe, Hannah. You’re doing fine.”
“I don’t want to wreck your truck,” she admitted.
He leaned over and chuckled. “At seventeen miles an hour, I don’t think it’ll do much damage.”
“Shit,” she swore.
“Nobody’s behind us, and you haven’t driven these roads. Take your time,” he soothed her. “You’ll speed up when you’re ready.”
“I need to renew my license,” she exclaimed.
“We can do it in a few days after you’ve practiced,” he said patiently. “Remember, one step a day.”
They made it off the mountain and she turned right, speeding up on the straight road. She let out a relieved sigh as she sped up. Cole told her where to turn and about the seniors of Serenity. His calm voice and relaxed nature eased her.
“We’re heading back into town. Why don’t we stop at the community center and have a piece of Edie’s pecan pie? It’s the best in town. She even has ice cream on the side.”
“You know how I feel about my sides,” she teased, pleased about her driving skills.
“Park on the right over there,” he directed.
She jumped out and nearly bounced with pleasure at her win for the day.
Cole held out his hand and led her inside. The elderly ladies sat at a table, gabbing with their friends. At the sight of them, Cherise and Edie stood up to greet them.
“I brought Hannah to meet you and hoped you might have a couple of slices of pie left over with some homemade ice cream,” he said, flirting with them.
Cherise patted his chest. “You two have a seat, and I’ll get the pie. “It’s nice to meet you. Scarlett has talked nonstop about you joining the team. Between the two of you, you’ll keep those boys in line. I’m Ty’s mother, Cherise.”
Upon recognizing her. Hannah smiled. “Scarlett’s told me about you. She’s happy you decided to move back to Serenity.”
“Oh, honey. She’s the best decision my son has ever made. I’m proud to call her my daughter-in-law. Find a seat, and I’ll be right back.”
Cole led her to a table and held out the chair for her. When he sat across from her, he took her hands in his and rubbed his thumbs along the sides. “See, I knew you’d do great,” he praised.
“Thank you for helping me,” she murmured. “If I keep getting incentives with all these sides, I might have to up my game.”
“Take your time, Hannah. We’re not in any rush,” he said, gazing at her. Her entire body seemed to flush under his regard. A warm feeling drifted from her head to her toes.
“Here ya go,” Cherise said, setting two wedges of pie and a healthy scoop of vanilla ice cream on the table.
“Thank you,” Hannah said, distracted by the smell of the warmed dessert. She scooped up the cold side and licked her spoon, sighing with contentment.
She glanced up to see Cole staring at her. His eyes seemed darker as his gaze turned intense. Her tongue swiped along the back of the spoon, never breaking their eye contact.
Cole coughed and cleared his throat while he seemed uncomfortable in his seat. She blushed and peered down at her dessert, picking off the crust.