Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
ELLA
Standing along the railing, I close my eyes and inhale the scent of the air drifting across the lake.
It carries wisps of my hair across my face.
I reach up to brush them away before looking back out at the water.
The serenity of it wraps itself around me.
The sun is beginning to set from behind, casting its orange glow across the shimmering surface of the water.
It looks like the painting I worked on last week, except the hues are much more vibrant in real life. Contentment rolls through me, my soul soothed as a soft smile crests my lips. This is everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve. A slow and peaceful life where my cup is filled.
“Hey,” Remi says softly as she walks up beside me, bumping her shoulder into mine. “There’s everyone’s favorite bartender.”
“I was finishing up my break and getting ready to come back in.” I tilt my head to the side, raising an eyebrow at her. “What brings you out here? Need a break from the madness inside?”
“Pfft,” Remi blows out the sound, rolling her eyes. “There’s barely any room for anyone to walk around.” She glances back at the door. “I told Rose I needed a minute of quiet.”
“Is she okay in there?”
Remi nods. “Yeah. Maisie just got here a little bit ago, so I think everything is good for now.” She pauses, a smirk dancing across her lips. “When I was walking out, I saw all three of the Wild brothers walking in.”
My heart picks up the pace as my eyes widen at Remi. “All three of them?”
Cole Wild, the middle Wild brother with tousled dirty blonde hair and the softest of ocean blue eyes.
“I know, I was just as surprised to see him.” She purses her lips. “Did you know he was going to be back in town?”
My forehead creases and I shake my head at her. “No. I haven’t talked to him in years.”
“Do you remember how you had the biggest crush on him when we were in high school?”
I snort, shaking my head at her. “We were children then, Remi,” I laugh softly. I may have had a crush on him back then, but so did every other girl who went to Silverspur High.
“You’re not children anymore though,” she informs me, wagging her eyebrows. “You’re single and maybe he is too.”
“You’re crazy,” I chuckle, rolling my eyes. “Who knows what his dating life is like? He’s probably married with kids of his own.”
Remi purses her lips and raises her eyebrow at me. “So, you are curious about his dating status.”
I stare at her, the laughter vanishing and I swallow hard around the lump lodged in my throat. “No, Remi. Just because you’re a hopeless romantic, doesn’t mean the rest of us are. Some of us are realistic and have no plans of being with anyone. Ever.”
Remi’s expression softens and she reaches for my hand, giving me a gentle squeeze. “I’m sorry, babe,” she says quietly. “One day, you might change your mind.”
I force a smile onto my lips and shrug. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, but I suppose you never know.”
“You’re right.” She releases my hand, bumping her shoulder into mine. “Maybe the boy you had a crush on years ago ends up changing your mind.”
Laughter escapes me and I playfully push her shoulder with the palm of my hand. “You’re impossible,” I giggle, my head moving from side to side. “I don’t know what the future will hold, but I do know for now that I’m perfectly happy by myself.”
Remi stares at me for a moment, her expression unreadable before she nods. “We should probably head back inside,” she says softly, a smile lifting her lips. “We shouldn’t leave the ladies alone in there with the madness for too long.”
“After you,” I say, moving my arm in a sweeping motion toward the door. Remi heads in through the back of the bar and I follow. The sound of country music playing through the speakers wraps around us as it mixes with the various conversations happening throughout the restaurant.
Remi strides through the kitchen, heading straight through the doors that lead to the bar.
There’s no hesitation from her. She thrives in this kind of environment.
I prefer the quiet, calmer parts of life, although here at the bar, I’ve been trying to make the best of it.
I’ve been trying to find what fun I can have in it and I’ve found that putting on a smiling, friendly face who offers warm conversation brings happiness to the customers.
I pause by the door, sucking in a deep breath before letting it out.
I push on the doors, stepping back into the familiar space behind the bar and I dive right back into my work.
I relieve Rose of the customers she was taking care of in my absence and I make my way through, making sure they’re all content and served.
I finish with the second to last group and that’s when I see the Wild brothers sitting at the end of the bar. Cash and Cade sit side by side and there, seated to the right of Cade, is none other than Cole Wild.
My heart skips a beat in my chest and I wipe my hands on my apron before heading in their direction.
I shove down the embarrassment that creeps up, hoping and praying that maybe Cole forgot the time I tried to kiss him.
Cash leans on his elbows, talking to Cade while Cole stares down at the laminated menu in his hands.
“Well, good evenin’ boys.”
My eyes scan the three of them, Cash sitting back in his seat with a goofy grin on his lips. “Hey, Ella.”
Cade tips his head. “Howdy.”
Cole slowly sets down the menu, lifting his head as his gaze collides with mine. “Hey El.”
His voice is a little deeper than I remember it being, but then again, it’s been a long time since I last saw him. He looks good, like time has been on his side. He’s only twenty-six—three years older than me.
Stark, sharp bright blue eyes. His nose straight and jaw line perfectly chiseled with a dusting of stubble along the sides of his face.
There’s a small scar above his left eyebrow, but I remember that he got that when he was thrown off a horse in high school.
His dirty blonde hair is tousled and wavy, falling above his eyebrows.
“What can I get y’all tonight?” I ask the three of them, my eyes bouncing between them all. Cole’s gaze travels across my face, down to my mouth before landing back on my eyes again.
“We’ll each take a bourbon on the rocks, whatever you have that isn’t bottom of the barrel,” Cade tells me, the smallest smile on his lips. “I’ll take a burger, medium well.”
Cash chimes in. “Yeah, I’ll do the same.”
I don’t bother writing any of it down, since the order is simple enough. I look back to Cole and find him watching me once again.
“What would you recommend?” He questions me, tilting his head to the side as amusement passes through his irises. “I haven’t eaten here in a long time.”
I swallow roughly, smiling at him, dipping my chin. “I mean, I’m a little biased, but anything on that menu is good.”
“Hmm,” he murmurs, his eyebrows shifting slightly before relaxing once more. “I’ll have what they’re having.”
“Sounds good,” I tell the three of them, the smile still on my face. “I’ll get your order in and be back with your drinks.”
The three of them thank me simultaneously before Cash ropes the two of them into a conversation. My heart pounds as I walk over to the screen to put in their orders. My fingers shake as I enter in their order.
I pause, sucking in a deep breath, closing my eyes while I focus on my breathing for a few seconds. When I open them, the shaking is gone, but my heart still has a mind of its own, pounding away.
Something about Cole makes me feel like I’m off kilter.
It must be the remembrance of the crush I had on him and those old feelings speaking.
It was never mutual. Cole was best friends with Wyatt, so he never once made a move on me.
I wouldn’t have expected him to, but there was a part of me that had hoped he would.
I was just a delusional teen, obsessed with her older brother’s best friend.
We’re adults now and there are no crushes to be had.
Only drinks to make and burgers to serve.
Ignoring the burning curiosity and urge to look back at Cole, I busy myself with all three of their bourbons before carrying them back over to their spot at the bar. I walk over, finding two empty barstools and one Wild brother sitting by himself.
My heart pitter patters again as I set two of them down and the last in front of Cole. “Did your brothers abandon you?”
Cole lifts the glass, a smirk on his lips as he shakes his head. “Nah, they’re back there,” he motions behind himself to the pool table. “They’re both still trying to learn how to have patience.”
I laugh softly, looking back at Cade and Cash before directing my attention to Cole. “It seems like you do, though.”
His cheeks lift a little higher, his eyes narrowing in the slightest bit as he nods. “Oh, I am. I learned to be patient long ago.”
He doesn’t elaborate and I don’t ask what he means by that. “I’m surprised to see you back in town.”
“It’s been a while.” His throat bobs as he swallows hard. “I figured it was time I got back here to help out on the ranch.”
“Did something happen?” I question him, even though I know what happened.
He half shrugs. “Just bullshit injuries,” he tells me. “Healing properly becomes an issue when you rush it. I never healed properly from my shoulder injury two seasons ago. Last season was rough and after MRIs showed the amount of scar tissue inside, I realized it was time to hang up my hat.”
“It was that simple?”
Cole chuckles, shaking his head at me. “No, El. Nothin’ is ever that simple.” He lets out a soft breath. “It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I know it was for the best.”
“I’m sorry that happened,” I say, my voice soft and quiet against the noise inside the bar.
“It’s not uncommon and it is what it is, ya know?” Cole pauses, chewing on the inside of his cheek.
“So, are you back for good then?”
Cole lifts his drink, taking a sip as his gaze pins mine. “I think so.” His tongue darts out to wet his lips. “Coming home was always my plan, it just happened a little sooner than I expected.”
He tilts his head to the side. “What about you? What’s new with Ella Dani—”
“Well, shit Cole,” Cash calls out, cutting off Cole as he comes striding over toward the bar with Cade behind him. “Why didn’t you tell us Ella brought our drinks?”
Cole runs his tongue over his top teeth, turning in his seat to look at his brothers. “Y’all were busy.”
“Thanks, Ella,” Cade says, smiling as he takes his drink.
I nod at the three of them as Cash and Cade slide back onto their barstools.
I glance over my shoulder, seeing that one of my other customers' drink is empty. She sees me looking at her and smiles. I use the opportunity to excuse myself from my conversation with Cole. I don’t know what he was going to ask, but I have an idea it might be about my life now.
“I’ll be back with your food in a bit. If y’all need anything, just let me know.”
My life is good. It’s better than it was before, but that doesn’t mean I feel like spilling all the details to a man I haven’t seen in years.
I end up getting Miss Nancy another drink and check on the rest of my customers to stay busy on the opposite side of the bar. One of the cooks rings the small bell to alert me and I head back, grabbing two plates to take out before returning for the third.
All three Wild brothers are sitting and waiting with smiles as I set their plates in front of them. Cole’s eyes meet mine.
“I’ll be right back with yours.”
“Take your time,” he says softly, mischief dancing in his eyes. “I’m a patient man.”
My breath catches in my throat and heat immediately creeps up my neck. Spinning on my heel, I control my movements, forcing myself to walk—not run—back to the kitchen as my heart pounds erratically in my chest.
My hands are shaky as I grab Cole’s plate and I force myself to pause and take a few deep breaths. He doesn’t make me uneasy, not in a bad way. Just in a way like I’m standing face to face with an old crush who’s a grown ass man now.
I have a daughter to worry about and I swore I would never put myself in a vulnerable position to get hurt again. Cole can be nice to look at and that’s it. Nothing more. Ever.
“Here you are,” I tell Cole, setting his plate down in front of him.
“Thanks, El,” he murmurs, his blue eyes slowly searching mine.
I shove my hands awkwardly into the pockets of my apron. “You guys enjoy.”
The three of them dig in and I leave them to it. A few customers pay their tabs and head home for the night, right as we end up getting another late evening rush. Ignoring Cole’s gaze that follows me around, I throw myself into my work, making sure that everyone is taken care of.
By the time I’m done, I see that the Wild brothers finished their meals and left more than enough money lying on the bar next to their empty glasses. My eyebrows pull together. Certainly, this was a mistake.
I lift my eyes, doing a quick survey of the building when I see Cole coming out of the bathroom. Excusing myself past Rose and Remi, I slip out from behind the bar and half jog across the room, holding out the two-hundred-dollar bills.
“Hey, Wild!” I call out to him when I see him reaching for the door to walk out of the bar.
He slowly turns around, tilting his head to the side as the corners of his lips twitch. “Hey, El.”
I hold out the money to him, along with the bill. “Here, you left way more than what your bill was. Do you have less than this or I can get you change.”
His brows furrow. “No, that wasn’t a mistake.”
“But—but this is way more than what your bill was.” It’s like a ninety-dollar tip.
“Well, the service was great and I tip accordingly.”
A frown immediately tugs my lips downward. “Cole—”
“Ella.” He shakes his head at me. “Just keep it, okay?”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can.” He scratches the back of his head. “I gotta go, but I’ll see you around, alright?”
I take a step closer, attempting to hand him the money again. “Cole, no.”
He quickly sidesteps, a deep chuckle rumbling in his chest. “Goodnight, El,” he laughs before ducking out through the doors, leaving me standing with his bill and cash.
Frustration boils inside, but instead, I find myself unable to conceal the grin that pulls across my face. I laugh quietly to myself, mentally cursing him as I head back to the bar to pay his tab. Instead of pocketing the cash, I slip it into the shared tip jar for everyone working.
Cole Wild has always been impossible to ignore.
And clearly, that’s something that hasn’t changed a bit.