Chapter Thirty-Eight
COLE
Cake for everything
“Looking good, Adele,” Haven teased we walked into the waiting area.
Adele rolled her eyes. “I feel fine.”
He studied her a moment while I kept her hand snug in mine. “In all honesty, I know you want to feel invincible, but it’s a good thing you came here today,” I commented.
Adele’s sister—now officially family in my mind, and clearly very protective of Adele—glanced at her with a bemused smile teasing the corners of her mouth. “Adele totally thinks she’s invincible.”
“I know I’m not,” Adele murmured, her tone sobering. “Thank you for driving us in, and for waiting,” she said to Haven. “It’s been a while.”
Haven shrugged. “Anytime. I know if I needed a ride into town and a hospital hangout, you would be there too. And hey, I got caught up on all the town gossip.”
Adele laughed. “Good. Do I need to know the town gossip?”
“Well, someday…” Holly interjected as she approached, handing Adele a sheaf of paperwork with a smile. “You don’t need to read this, but I have to give it to you.”
“Discharge paperwork, right?” Adele asked.
Rowan nudged her lightly with her shoulder. “It is, and you can give it to Cole. That way, if he thinks he needs to check on something in the next day or so, he knows where to look.”
I took the papers from her. “Got it.”
In short order, we were driving home. After they decided to leave Rowan’s car at the hospital since she’d already had a drive this evening, Rowan and Haven chatted casually in the front seat, basically getting to know each other.
Meanwhile, all I could do was focus on Adele beside me.
I was so relieved. My emotions felt raw and exposed.
When Haven pulled into the parking area at Heartfire Falls, Rowan glanced around. The sun was just starting to set. “It’s beautiful here,” Rowan breathed.
Adele grinned at her. “Isn’t it? This is where I live now.” I gave her shoulders a squeeze when she looked back at me. “We love it.”
“Your timing is perfect,” Haven added.
“It is?” Rowan asked.
“Yeah, this looks like a good sunset for Heartfire Falls.”
As we climbed out of the truck, the whole family was waiting on the porch. Elsa came running down the steps. “Are you okay, Adele?”
“I’m fine. I swear. Just a little scare.”
“She is fine,” Rowan added calmly.
My mom wasted no time herding us all inside the house, insisting on feeding us. “Dinner. I know you’re starving. Even if you ate at the hospital, the food isn’t great there.”
Adele rolled her eyes, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. My mom placed her hands on Adele’s shoulders and looked into her eyes. “We love you, and we want you to be okay.”
Rowan rolled with the chaos of my family and fit in easily. My heart felt warm to see Adele so pleased her sister was here.
“Look who’s here,” Mom said as we walked into the family part of the kitchen, her eyes twinkling.
“What do you mean?” I asked, confused. Until I turned and saw him.
“Oh, hey, Ford!” I pulled him into a back-slapping hug. “Haven’t seen you in maybe two years.”
“Took a position with the hotshot crew in Willow Brook,” he said with a sly grin. “Still living in Anchorage, but I’ll be out here full-time soon.”
“Awesome! If you ever want to guide trips for us…” Haven chimed in.
“Already heard,” he replied, sliding into a seat next to Rowan, whose cheeks tinged with pink.
When Adele sat down beside me, I slid my hand onto her thigh and gave it a squeeze. “I missed you,” I said, leaning close.
Her eyes were bright. “You’ve been with me all day.”
“I know,” I murmured. “But I missed you last night. You were avoiding me.”
She rolled her eyes, smiling sheepishly. “Maybe a little. But I’m done with that.”
“Good. Because I’m coming over tonight.”
When I leaned close and kissed her, Asher whistled. “You are so gone for her.”
I glanced across the table and shrugged. “I am.” I was head over heels for Adele. Forever.
My mom clapped. Adele blushed deeper. I didn’t care. I wanted to savor her.
Tommy had ideas. “We should have a celebration!”
“A celebration?” Adele squeaked, glancing from Tommy to me.
“Yes! You guys are in love. Excellent reason to celebrate,” he explained. “I’ll make a cake. I have a new recipe to practice.”
“You do?” Haven asked.
“Yep. I saw one on The Great British Bake Off. That’s my new favorite show. I want to be one of those bakers from that show.”
“I love this!” Adele whispered.
“Ohhh…” Asher rubbed his hands together. “The food is about to get even better here.”
“You can practice baking all day, every day,” I said.
“What should we celebrate after Cole falling in love?” Haven teased. “Even though he’s been in love for months now.”
The conversation rolled easily around us, and I soaked it all in. Later, we walked back toward the barn apartment. Halfway there, Adele stopped. She tipped her head back to look at the sky.
“Oh, I love it here,” she breathed, her tone reverent. “The stars are amazing.”
I leaned back to let my gaze scan the stars. “Do you know the constellations?”
“Just the main ones. Big Dipper. Little Dipper.” She pointed at each.
I chuckled and squeezed her hand. “Maybe that’s something we could do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Learn the constellations. If you pay attention to the ceilings in the barn apartment, they’re all there.”
She squeezed my hand again.
“Now can we get inside?” I asked.
Her eyes met mine. “Are you in a hurry?”
“Yes,” I said firmly.