Chapter 36
The next morning, Cole rolled over to find Hannah’s side empty.
He jumped from the bed and entered the living room. He saw her outside with Brody and Brownie playing in the snow.
Her green eyes sparkled with laughter as she threw the ball, watching the dogs leap in the snow to fetch it.
He went into the kitchen, made a pot of coffee, and put a package of cinnamon rolls in the oven to warm. He shrugged on his coat and went outside. When she saw him, she called to the dogs and ran through the snow, toppling him over onto the cold, wet fluff.
“Good morning,” she greeted him.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, kissing her.
“We’re snowed in. Leo says to stay put. They’re plowing the main roads on the mountain and it’ll be late by the time they get to us,” she explained.
“What will we do with all the time on our hands?” he teased.
“It’s close to Christmas. I’ve never liked waiting to open gifts,” she replied as she kissed him. “Last one inside gets to make breakfast,” she called and took off running toward the porch.
Both dogs followed her, making him shake his head. “Traitors,” he called after them as he pulled himself off the ground.
He watched her from the window as she fed the dogs and took the buns from the oven.
Cole glanced around him, scanning the mountain that drew him here.
At first, he thought he needed the change of scenery to heal from losing his best friend.
Maybe John played a part in getting him here to the team who vowed to help him find the person responsible for his death.
It didn’t matter. Everything fell into place.
Cole didn’t feel restless or lost anymore, thanks to his four-legged friend.
Hannah thought he gave her the stars and the moon.
Little did she know, he’d give her whatever her heart desired.
He anticipated introducing her to his parents. They’d love her instantly.
Brody barked, gaining his attention. Cole walked toward him. The dog’s tongue lolled to the side, and he smiled as if he knew his antics of taking a pinecone to a stranger ended up binding them together.
Cole proudly watched the woman he loved as she spoke animatedly on the phone.
The mountain brought him here, and Brody gave him Hannah.
He knew her trauma didn’t end with one night, but he vowed to stay by her side because healing Hannah meant he found a lifetime of love.
Who wouldn’t trade the moon and stars for that?