Chapter 32
Cole pulled up to the restaurant and parked. Turning toward the nervous Hannah, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
“We got this, Hannah. Brody and I promise not to leave your side,” he said softly, reassuring her.
“Having dinner with Dad feels like a prison sentence,” she mumbled.
“You’re strong, brave, and smart. Don’t let him into your head.
I really like the woman who kissed me at the community center and drove my truck.
If you get through dinner tonight, Brody and I decided to let you drive us to the ice cream shop and home,” he bargained. “What’s your favorite ice cream?”
“Vanilla, with lots of sides,” she said, grinning.
“Duh, I should’ve guessed,” he said, kissing her lightly. “Let’s have a great dinner. I promise to keep it entertaining.”
They entered the restaurant and her mom waved excitedly upon seeing her. She walked toward the booth, feeling Cole’s hand at her back. Brody walked on her left.
Cole glanced around and waved at the server. “Do you mind if we take this table? I’m with Serenity Securities.”
She nodded and Cole held out a chair for her mom and then Hannah, leaving himself to sit beside her father with his back to the wall. Brody went under the table between her feet and Cole’s. She felt his head on her feet as if lending her support.
Hannah kissed her mom’s cheek. “It’s good to see you, Mom.”
“I can’t believe you’re here. We never thought you’d return to us,” her mom whispered, clasping her hand.
“You’ll have to credit Cole and my friend, Scarlett. They never gave up on me,” she said, peering at him across the table.
“How did you meet?” Hannah’s mom asked.
“It’s a funny story,” Cole began. “May I call you Brenda?”
“Of course,” her mom agreed.
“I signed up as a patient visitor. My dog, Brody, decided Hannah needed company. When I met her, I couldn’t resist trying to figure out her favorite meals. Scarlett mentioned she liked to read, and we bonded over Tad and Vera’s story,” he said, winking at her.
Hannah giggled. Cole made it sound as if they were two characters in a love story.
“This Kassie never mentioned letting men into your room,” her father pointed out.
“Don’t worry, sir. They have strict rules, and Brody supervised us at all times,” Cole reassured him. “Trust me, he’s a stickler on who gets close to Hannah. I’m lucky if I can kiss her.”
“You’re dating?” her mom exclaimed.
Hannah’s cheeks burned as she felt her father’s eyes on her. “Yes, we enjoy each other’s company.”
“You barely know each other and you moved in with him,” her father hissed after the waiter placed glasses of water on the table.
Hannah picked up her menu, feeling her anxiety rise.
“As you know, sir, the hospital has a program where veterans support one another. At the time, Hannah’s only choice boiled down to staying with me or moving to a cabin alone.
She transitioned so fast, and I insisted she stay with Brody and me.
We make excellent roommates,” Cole insisted.
“I recommend Ty’s steaks. They taste incredible.
Hannah, do you want to share one? They have an array of sides we can choose from,” he said, taking her hand and caressing it with his thumb.
She didn’t know what got into Cole, but played along. “Oh, I like your idea. He has grilled asparagus and mashed potatoes. We can’t go wrong with those. Have you tried the others?”
“The rice and sauteed green beans taste out of this world. Do you want mac and cheese?” he asked.
Her father’s head bobbed between the two of them as if he were watching a tennis match.
“No. We’ll save it for tomorrow,” she replied.
The waiter placed a basket of rolls on their table and took their order.
Brenda buttered one and passed it to Hannah. “You’re so thin. Kassie said you didn’t eat much. Here, let’s put some meat back on your bones.”
“Thank you,” she said, setting it on her side plate. “I ate a big lunch today with Scarlett. It’s my first time at Ty’s and I want to save room for my meal.”
“Surely you won’t fill up on sides and a piece of steak,” her father pointed out.
“I’m not hungry,” she said lamely.
“It won’t hurt for you to eat it,” her father insisted. “Put your mother’s mind at ease. She’s prattled all day about how skinny you seemed in the short time we saw you last night. We haven’t seen you in months. Your boss might be gracious enough to let you take a few days off.”
“I recently started, and they’ve been without anyone in this position,” she faltered.
Her hand went toward the dreaded bread when Cole’s hand grabbed her wrist. He shook his head slightly at her. His eyes shot fire. “She said she didn’t want it. As an adult, she has the right to refuse,” he growled.
“It’s all right,” Brenda soothed. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I only worried about seeing you this scrawny. I love your new hairstyle.”
Hannah knew her mom’s tactic for changing the subject. “Thank you. Samantha O’ Neil has a spa in town. She cut it for me. Maybe while you’re visiting, we can get a mani/pedi together,” she suggested.
“We came to take you home. There’ll be plenty of therapists near us who can handle your mental health,” Conrad blustered. “They’ll handle your Florence Nightingale complex with this man.”
“Conrad,” her mother exclaimed as Cole took the napkin from his lap and tossed it on the table.
He waved the waiter down and cancelled their orders.
Standing, he offered Hannah his hand. She rose from the table, shutting down every second.
Her lungs refused to breathe. Brody jumped up and touched her leg and her hand automatically sought his fur.
Cole leaned over the table. “We’re leaving.
I’ll not allow you to speak to Hannah like this.
She’s made quantum leaps to heal and you’ve done nothing but put her down.
She deserves a father who understands what serving in the military entails and has some empathy for what his daughter suffered.
Brenda, it’s lovely to meet you, and I can assure you, Hannah’s eating and making up for lost time.
She needs a little space and I’m sure she’ll call and set up a mani/pedi date with you. ”
He helped her with her coat and led her outside. His hand lowered to her back. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you. He has no business criticizing you,” he growled.
Helping her into the truck and securing Brody, Cole slid into the driver’s seat. Hannah turned and cupped his cheeks. “Thank you,” she said, kissing him. “Most of my boyfriends stayed quiet and let him say what he wanted or agreed with him.”
“I’m not a boy,” he seethed. “I’m a man who refuses to let your father belittle you. I care way too much for you to let you suffer through a dinner with him. He’s an asshole.”
Hannah’s stomach growled.
“Let’s steal Brody’s idea and grab a pizza,” he said, starting the truck. “Let me guess, cheese with lots of sides?”
“You got it,” she agreed.
Forty minutes later, they sat on the living room floor, enjoying a supreme pizza with a cauliflower crust.
“You really didn’t need to get the crust. I can eat the toppings off. It’s a full meal by itself,” she said, tapping the bottom of the pizza.
“Until you decide you want to eat bread, we’ll eat what makes you feel comfortable. My sister loves cauliflower crusts and I shared with her. I’m used to it, but I can eat anything,” he said, passing her a napkin.
She bit into her slice and closed her eyes as the cheesy goodness hit her taste buds. “I’ve missed pizza,” she moaned.
Cole chuckled and leaned across the table to wipe the sauce from her face. “You need to sit beside me. You’re too far away,” he said, his voice deepened.
She scooted around the table while he held her paper plate.
“I like this better,” he said, putting his arm around her. Brody jumped on the couch behind him and put his head between them.
“Listen, pal, this is an A-B conversation. You need to C you’re way outta here,” he spoke to Brody.
The dog grumbled.
“He’s lonely. You didn’t bring home his buddy,” Hannah said, sadly.
“Nine took forever to calm down today. I spent an hour playing ball and having her work puzzles to keep her engaged. She has the attention span of a gnat,” he said, shaking his head.
“Does it mean you won’t be able to train her?” she asked, taking another bite.
“She’s still young. Nine knows her commands but chooses to ignore them. She’s testing boundaries,” he explained.
“Maybe she doesn’t listen because she hates her name. I know I do,” she muttered.
“What do you think we should name her?” he asked, taking another slice.
“How about Brownie?” she suggested.
“Why Brownie? It’s kinda…girly,” he said, making a face.
Hannah punched his arm. “It fits her. Nine’s coat is fudge and caramel colored, and she comes with a side of nuts.”
Cole laughed. “Get your shoes. We’ll go see what Nine thinks of her new name.”
Hannah jumped up and did as Cole bade. Brody seemed excited, too.
Cole drove to the training center and opened the kennel, letting Nine out. She immediately ran to Hannah, jumping up and down. Cole said something in German. Nine complied and sat, but her butt wiggled nonstop.
Cole checked on each dog, even though someone watched over them.
Entering the training area, he showed Hannah everything he taught Nine. When he finished, he handed her a treat. “Let’s see if she likes her new name. You stay here and call for her, and I’ll go to the other side. Give her the treat to get her used to the name.
When Cole nodded, he called to Nine while she called her Brownie. The dog started toward Cole, who raised his brows at Hannah, gloating over his win, when the dog turned and ran to her.
“Yes,” she squealed as Brownie accepted her treat.
“Oh, brother. I feel sorry for the man who ends up with her. Leo may have to offer a raise. Brownie doesn’t sound very tough,” he complained good-naturedly.
“It sounds perfect,” she said, shoving him sideways while she put the leash on her four-legged friend and scratched her behind the ears. Brody scooted closer and earned a snuggle before they returned home.
“It’s too cold to enjoy the porch tonight,” Cole said as they entered the cabin.
Hannah stifled her disappointed sigh. She loved the feel of him beside her when she slept. “I guess we need to head to bed, PT will be here as soon as we shut our eyes. I don’t know why we have to start at 0500.”
“Leo said the holiday stuff will take most of our time. He said he won’t allow us to become fat asses while we slow down, and the Grans will stuff us with Christmas cookies and candy for a month. We’ll leave for the mission soon.”
Hannah nodded and walked to her room. Brownie followed her while Brody went with Cole.
She brushed her teeth and put on her pajamas.
Sliding into bed, she turned on her side, willing herself to go to sleep.
Brownie sidled up next to her. Half an hour went by and she watched as the clock beside the bed changed every minute.
Finally, she rose from the bed and tiptoed across the hall and slowly opened Cole’s door.
His head rose from his pillow and he smiled while he lifted the covers, inviting her to join him.
“Can’t sleep?” he whispered as she snuggled beside him.
“No,” she confessed, as he kissed her forehead. In all the time they slept under the stars, Cole never touched her other than to pull the blanket around her or lend his shoulder.
“Can I ask you something?” she murmured.
“You can ask me anything,” he assured her quietly.
She turned on her side and he did the same, facing her. “We’ve slept together almost every night. Yet, you’ve never touched me other than kissing. Does what happened to me bother you?”
His thumb stroked her cheek. “Not at all. You said you don’t recall what happened, but it doesn’t mean your body doesn’t. I’m not sure what will trigger you. We’re not in any rush because I don’t want a one-night stand, and I care about you. If it takes us a while to get there, then I’ll wait.”
“It’s confusing,” she admitted. “Sometimes, I’m terrified for no reason. I know Leo’s teaching Sparky and me self-defense because of my background. Victoria plans to show me a few things after the holidays. But when I’m with you, I feel safe.”
“I imagine it’s difficult to separate all those feelings. Know I’m not going anywhere. Your physical and mental health matters to me. We can’t have a healthy relationship if either of us hasn’t healed. I want this with you, but on our timeline and no one else’s.”
Hannah kissed him softly and snuggled into his shoulder. Within minutes, she yawned and her eyes drooped. Her last thought before she drifted into slumber was Cole Martin seemed like an extraordinary man. One she could see sharing her life with.