Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
“I’m happy for you, mana.” As Jordan and Cole headed to the dance floor, Luis settled back in his chair with a sigh of contentment. “This thing with Cole seems right.”
“It feels right.” Mila gazed at him. “Like it was supposed to be.”
“Funny how it worked out. If Jordan had been willing to date me when I attended that clinic with her five years ago, you still might have met her brother.”
“But we weren’t the same people five years ago. We might not have clicked.”
“But they both would’ve met Dad.”
“Yeah. I hate that they didn’t get to.”
“And he didn’t get to meet them.” He fell silent. “Or Liberty.”
Pain sliced into her heart. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me, too.” He dragged in a breath. “It really bothered me, but you and Cole getting together helps. It helps a lot.”
“I’m glad, but I don’t see why—”
“If Dad hadn’t died, we wouldn’t have needed to hire Cole.”
“Huh. I guess not.”
“I’m not saying the four of us wouldn’t have ended up here, but—”
“I don’t think we would have. Change one thing and everything changes.”
“Exactly.” Luis’s attention shifted to the dance floor. “They look cute out there. We’re supposed to be watching so we’d better do that.”
“We should.”
“Jordan said they took lessons together during the time she shared his apartment. They’re really close.”
“They are. I like that.” The rush of excitement over the baby news was fading, giving her more perspective on Cole’s mood. He’d been excited, too, but thinking back on it, he’d also looked vaguely uneasy about this turn of events.
Then Jordan had asked him to dance. Mila would bet her share of the family Yule log that Jordan had wanted to check on him. They weren’t having a barrel of laughs during that two-step, which indicated a discussion could be taking place.
It might be a sister-brother thing that had nothing to do with her. But what if her joyful response to the baby news had given the impression she couldn’t wait to have her own? Wouldn’t hurt to set the record straight.
She wouldn’t get the chance anytime soon, though. As soon as Cole and Jordan returned to the table, they had company. Sam, the band’s lead guitarist, appeared armed with sheet music in hand.
He and Cole went into a huddle while they discussed it. Then Sam returned to the bandstand, stepped up to the mic and faced the crowd. “Who’s ready for some top-notch fiddle playing?”
The enthusiastic response put a smile on Cole’s face that was beautiful to see. The lines of tension around his eyes disappeared as he rose to his feet and headed to the bandstand accompanied by eager applause.
While he pulled his fiddle from its case, Sam set up a metal stand for the sheet music. Mila’s assumption that Cole only played by ear was dead wrong. He’d put more into this endeavor than he’d let on.
She shouldn’t be surprised. He wasn’t the type to do anything halfway. Taking a pair of reading glasses from his fiddle case, he scanned the music, then tucked the glasses away.
Mila glanced at Jordan. “Does he have a photographic memory?”
“Pretty much. I think he had the tendency and built on it because he hates wearing glasses, especially when he’s playing.”
Sam adjusted his guitar strap over his shoulder and moved up to the mic again. “You’re welcome to dance to this, folks, but it might be tricky. I suggest just sitting back and giving us a listen.” He glanced at Cole. “Ready, buddy?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Then here’s our version of Carol of the Bells.”
The music began, and Mila went very still. Always before Cole had performed in a casual, playful way, with an almost careless disregard for the process. He had knowingly or accidentally disguised…this.
His intense focus showed in every line of his body, every stroke of his bow as the soaring melody poured from his violin. The breathtaking river of emotion swirled through the room, mesmerizing everyone in it.
Conversation stopped. Forks were put down, drinks abandoned. Not a chair scraped as everyone sat enthralled by the majestic, hypnotizing sound.
The guitars formed the base of the piece, while the violin created the achingly sweet top notes, moving faster, higher, and faster yet. The tempo increased, finally building to a crescendo that filled the air with glory.
Cole’s bow flew, a blur of motion as the guitars kept pace…. And it was done! Cole plucked the final notes. Ding…dong. Ding…dong.
A moment of awed silence ended when the room erupted with a standing ovation. The band members and Cole bowed and exchanged grins, clearly proud of themselves.
Sam leaned toward the mic. “Always wanted to try that. Never had a fiddle player who was up to it. Let’s hear it for Cole Sterling!”
As everyone whooped and hollered, Cole blushed and tipped his hat.
“And now that we’ve got him up here, I intend to keep him for a while. Get back out on the floor folks, for a change of pace. Here’s Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree!”
Cole might not have known the tune, but he got through it just fine. Same with the next one. In a way she was relieved that he didn’t need her up there with him. Singing at this event was a much bigger deal than it had been at the wedding.
Good thing she’d enjoyed a couple of dances with the guy earlier, though. Might be some time before she’d have the opportunity again.
She had fun as usual, dancing with her brothers and chatting with friends. Tia Kat started a conga line, a years-old tradition of winding through the tables and passing out hugs to those who’d chosen to sit it out.
When the Rooty Toots finally took a break and Cole headed back to the table, Mila figured this was her cue. She waited while he remained standing, gulping down some water and responding to comments about Carol of the Bells.
When he started to take a seat, she left her chair. “Could I talk you into going for a walk?”
His eyebrows lifted as if she’d suggested taking a rocket ship to the moon. “Outside?”
“Sure. There’s no wind tonight and the square holds in the heat. It’s not as cold as walking around out on the ranch. It’ll be lovely.”
“You should do it,” Jordan said. “It sounds very winter-wonderlandish.”
Luis stood, too. “Does that mean you want to go, too?”
“I’d rather stay here and order dessert. That’s romantic, too.”
“Then I’ll order us some.” He glanced at Mila. “Want me to get you two something for when you get back?”
“Not for me, thanks. Want dessert, Cole?”
“Not right now, thanks. Maybe later.” He grabbed his coat and hers. “Off we go.”
“Hey, Cole!” Sam called out as they walked away. “Hope you’re not leaving. We’re hoping for more fiddle music after the break.”
“I’ll be back!” He gave them a wave and continued toward the front door with Mila. He lowered his voice. “Unless you have other plans.”
“I wouldn’t dream of taking you away from your fans.” She pushed her arms into the sleeves of the coat he held for her. “Besides, you’re the designated driver. You can’t leave early.”
“Something I realized after the fact.”
“You probably think I’m nuts inviting you out into the cold.” She buttoned her coat and turned up the thick shearling collar.
“No, ma’am.” He put on his jacket and repositioned his hat, tugging on the brim. “I’m sure you have a good reason for suggesting this walk.”
“I do.”
“If it involves kissing, I’m all in.”
Warmth flooded her body. “It just might.” What the heck. Her lipstick was mostly gone, anyway.
“Then let’s go.” He ushered her out the door.
When she stepped out of the noisy tavern into the quiet night, she let out a sigh. “I love these parties, but….”
“This is a great idea.” Wrapping his arm around her waist, he tucked her against him. “Which way?”
“Let’s walk over to the gazebo.”
“Better yet, we could walk around behind the gazebo.” He matched his stride to hers as they stepped off the curb and walked across the deserted street.
“To be clear, I didn’t suggest this just so we could make out.” Her boots crunched on a thin layer of snow as they headed toward the glittering focal point of the town square.
“That’s too bad.”
“I need to clarify something.”
“Go for it.”
“I’m not a ticking clock.”
“Huh?”
“Some people think… I mean, it’s kind of a cliché but—”
“Oh.” He cleared his throat. “I get it. The baby thing.”
Pausing, she faced him, slid her arms around his neck and tucked her hands under his collar. “I’m excited for Luis and Jordan, but I’m not jealous. Their announcement didn’t create a burning desire to get pregnant ASAP.”
His gaze searched hers. “Okay.”
“I wondered if you might assume that was the case. I fit the profile. I’m over thirty. And now we’ve made love, so—"
“I didn’t think that. I can’t imagine you wanting to rush into motherhood when we’ve just started this thing. It would be totally out of character.”
“Thank you.” The knot in her chest loosened. “I was afraid all my gushing sent the wrong message. I’m glad you didn’t take it that way. Let’s just forget I said any—”
“But since you brought it up, I should probably let you know where I stand on the subject.”
Her breath caught. “That sounds ominous.”
“I don’t mean it to be, but…” He sighed. “Although you won’t ask me to ditch the condoms tonight, it hit me that someday you will.”
Her chest tightened again. “And that’s a problem?”
“Yeah.”
“You don’t want kids?”
“It’s not that I don’t want them. It’s that I probably shouldn’t have them.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t have the greatest role model. I don’t trust myself to—”
“You don’t? When you’ve been such an amazing big brother to Jordan?”
“Not the same.”
“Not exactly, but—”
“What I’m trying to say is that much as I’ve enjoyed every second we’ve been together, much as I want to keep that up, we need to face the fact that—”
“I can guess what you’re about to say and it’s fudging nonsense. You—”
“I’m not a good prospect in the long run. You need someone who—”
“I need you.” She ducked under his hat and laid one on him, gripping the back of his neck and not letting go until he groaned and started kissing her back.
When he shifted to take the kiss deeper, he knocked his hat to the frozen ground. She tried to pull away and retrieve it, but he tugged her closer. Thrusting his fingers into her hair, he held her head as he continued to ravish her mouth.
Desire pulsed in her core. She whimpered, craving what his kisses promised, aching for the heat of his body to meld with hers.
Gasping, he broke away from the kiss. “This is insane. If anyone looks out the windows….”
“Do you care?”
“No. Do you?”
“No.”
“That’s all I need to hear.” He quickly undid his jacket buttons and hers. Pulling her close, he dipped his head. “Might as well give them a show.”
His kiss had been hot before. Now it was so X-rated her body clenched in reaction. She pushed her hips against his fly and he gripped her tush, bringing her in even closer.
As he made love to her with his tongue and rocked his hips, her body responded. If he kept this up, if she didn’t move away… she would….
With a soft cry of regret, she wiggled out of his arms and stepped back, panting. “Enough.” She fumbled with the buttons of her coat.
“Yeah.” Gulping for air, he shoved his hands in his jacket pockets, leaving his jacket open to the frigid air as he gazed up at the night sky. “To be continued.”
“Oh?” She dragged in a breath. “Then you’re not dumping me for my own good?”
He responded with a ragged chuckle. “I should, you know.”
“But you can’t, because I’m irresistible.”
He leaned down and scooped up his hat. Then he met her gaze. “I’ve lived my whole life believing I can always walk away.”
“Please don’t walk away.”
“That’s the thing.” He settled his hat on his head and buttoned his jacket. “For the first time ever, I’m not sure I can.”