Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
ELLA
“Come, momma, come!” Chloe calls from the front of the house as she taps on the door. With the childproof lock on the knob, she’s not able to turn it, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t try anyways.
It’s become part of our morning routine and I swear the little girl is in love with the outdoors.
Most days in Silverspur Springs are flooded with sunshine and warmer temperatures this time of year.
After breakfast, we go outside to look at the birds and the flowers while I finish my morning coffee.
The tender moments with my daughter tug at my heartstrings.
A chuckle escapes me and I shake my head. I walk over to her, finding her trying her hardest to unlock the door. “Let me get it, Clo,” I laugh quietly and gently remove her hands from the knob. She falls back onto her flat feet and clasps her hands in front of her chest as she waits.
I unlock the door, turn the knob, and pull it open.
She doesn’t hesitate to push the screen door and she takes off running across the front porch to the stairs.
She takes the steps, two feet at a time, holding on tightly to the railing as she safely makes her descent.
Watching her do it makes me nervous every time, but she’s been adamant on having her independence.
She wants to do everything by herself and as much as I love seeing my daughter grow, I would love for time to slow down a bit.
The wood floorboards creak beneath my feet and I let the door close behind me. I’m about to step down onto the first step when something catches my eye off to the right. On top of the small table by two wooden chairs is a brown paper bag with handles.
My eyebrows pull together and I eye it suspiciously.
There’s no branding or label on the outside.
My heart picks up the pace in my chest, anxiety licking my veins.
I swallow hard and glance back out to Chloe.
She’s crouched down in the front yard looking at a small patch of weeds that are disguised as flowers.
I look back at the bag and hesitantly walk over to investigate. I’m not sure what it could possibly be but the paranoid instincts in my brain always have a way of circling back to Jacob.
Gently grasping the sides of the bag, I pull them open, leaning over to see what’s inside. The air leaves my lungs in a rush, the same moment confusion and excitement washes over me. It’s nothing threatening, nothing that could be a danger to Chloe or I.
It’s a bag full of art supplies.
My throat constricts. Who left these here?
I lift the various paints from inside, my eyes widening as I inspect the bottles.
There’s at least a dozen oil paints, a new set of brushes and a sleeve of chocolates from France.
Emotion washes over me, the corners of my eyes burning and I rapidly blink away the tears.
As I begin to set the items back into the bag, I notice a small envelope inside. Leaving the paints and brushes, I pull it out and read my name written across the front of the white paper. I slowly open it, my heart crawling into my throat as I find a small card inside.
On the outside, there are a few decorative swirls and inside there’s a handwritten note.
El,
The world deserves to cherish and appreciate art like yours.
Paint until your heart is full and your soul is content.
I’m still waitin’ for you to tell me when I get to take you out again.
Don’t worry—I promise it won’t be a date ;)
Your Cowboy
My lips part, a shallow breath slipping from me, the corners of my mouth lifting on their own accord. Blush creeps across my cheeks and I glance around to see if he may be lingering somewhere, watching.
He’s nowhere to be found, but that doesn’t put a damper on my mood. It doesn’t take away from the excitement that’s running through my veins. A giddiness settles inside as my stomach does its own acrobatic routine.
He continues to surprise me and threatens to obliterate any belief I’ve had about other people. I know who I can trust in my life. My circle may be small, but I can count on the few people I have for anything Chloe and I could possibly need.
Cole Wild has been the most unexpected thing in my life. His kindness and generosity continues to supersede any expectation I could ever have of someone who’s simply a friend. There’s no ulterior motive to the things he’s doing.
With Jacob, I was young and dumb. I craved an escape and love from someone so desperately, I was willing to take whatever I could get.
I looked past the red flags that were blatantly waving directly in front of my face.
With him, I was powerless. It felt like I had no control over my life.
Like I had no say in what was happening.
Cole is the greenest flag I’ve ever met and it terrifies me. I’m skeptical of everyone I meet—constantly questioning who they truly are. How can I possibly question someone who hasn’t shown me one inkling of a darkness inside of him?
He’s tearing down my walls, one paintbrush and pink toy truck at a time.
He remembers everything I say to him. About the paints, about not wanting to go on a date. He never fails to forget the most minor details, as if he’s hanging onto every word I say to him.
How can I continue to fight against someone who is the actual definition of good?
I watch Chloe for a moment, my smile widening as she tries to whistle at a bird perched on the small dogwood tree in the yard. In her hand is the small pink truck Cole gave to her.
She deserves the best things in life… and perhaps I do too.
Grabbing the bag, I bring it with me to the steps and sit down on the top one with it sitting next to me. Chloe runs past, chasing a butterfly with a string of giggles drifting through the air. I lift my coffee and take a sip as I reach into the front pocket of my robe for my phone.
I open my messages and start a new one, typing his name.
Ella
You’re sneaky.
He responds in less than a minute.
Cole
I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.
My mistake. It must have been the other Cole I know who decided to leave a bag of paint supplies on my front porch.
Cole
You know another Cole?
I stifle a laugh. I don’t actually know anyone personally with his name, but his reaction is amusing.
Cole
It wasn’t him.
So it was you then.
Cole
Yes. It was me.
You didn’t have to do that.
Cole
Did I get the wrong things?
No, they are right. I would feel better if you’d let me pay you back for them.
Cole
That’s not how this works, El. When someone gets you somethin’ as a surprise or a gift, you don’t pay them back.
You got the most expensive kind.
Cole
I know. You deserve the best ones they have.
Cole…
Cole
You won’t be payin’ me back, El. If I want to spend every last dollar I have on art supplies for you, that’s exactly what I’ll do.
Well, that would be pretty senseless.
Cole
Tell you what… if you wanna pay me back, you can.
You can pay me back by not going on a date with me.
Deal.
I don’t tell him I already planned on wanting to ask him if he wanted to go out again. When he left the other night, I told him I would let him know when I wanted to see him again. What I failed to tell him was that I never actually wanted him to leave.
I wanted to see him the very next day.
Cole Wild has been working his way under my skin and I’m afraid once he’s under it, there’s no way I’ll be able to get him out. I’ve been trying to keep him at arms length but I can feel my resolve slipping. It’s growing weaker with every interaction with him
Cole
What are your plans this evening? There’s somethin’ I’d love to show you if you have time.
What is it?
Cole
Well, that would ruin the surprise.
You didn't say it was a surprise.
Cole
It is now.
Remi and I are both off tonight so I take a chance and text her to see if she would be able to watch Chloe for a few hours. She doesn’t bother to ask why, probably because she knows why.
Remi
Let me know what time and I’ll be there.
Ella
You’re the best.
Remi
I know
I switch out of her message and tap on the thread between Cole and I.
Ella
I’m free tonight.
Cole
I’ll come by and pick you up at six. Does that work for you?
Ella
That’s perfect.
Cole
See you tonight, El.
“Momma, wook!” Chloe calls out as she points up at the sky. I tilt my head back, looking up at the clouds she’s pointing at. “A heart!”
A smile creeps across my lips as Chloe comes running over to me with a handful of weeds. There’s a smudge of dirt across her cheek and I wipe it away before pulling her onto my lap.
A sense of doubt creeps into my brain, traveling down my torso before sinking into the pit of my stomach. The peace that has settled into my life feels too good to be true. There isn’t a single thing that has been going wrong.
I’m happy.
I’m hopeful.
And I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop…