Page 55 of Forbidden Flame

I’m sorry to bother you, but we lost Izzy’s Easter basket. You didn’t happen to find it, did you?

It might be at the cabin. I haven’t been back yet. But I’ll look for it and let you know.

Thank you.

I took a deep breath before I walked into the house.

“Did you find it?” Izzy asked.

“No, but I bet it’s at Cole’s cabin. He’s going to look for it,” I assured her, hoping it would placate her. “I have some candy if you want some before he can locate it.” I pulled a few pieces down from my hiding spot and gave them to her.

I didn’t want Cole to think I’d left the basket on purpose to see him again. At the same time, my heart soared at the thought of spending more time with him.

I loved the idea of getting to know him better, but he’d made up his mind, and I had to be okay with it. He probably had more to lose than I did. Family was important to him, and he didn’t think of himself as a Monroe.

When we finished the snack, I heard the rumble of a truck.

“I bet it’s Cole with my basket,” Izzy said as she ran to open the door.

I didn’t think he’d show up without letting me know he was coming, and I didn’t even have a text indicating that he’d found it.

“Grandpa,” Izzy cried.

My dad picked her up and gave her a smacking kiss. “How’s my baby girl?”

“We went to an Easter egg hunt and found the golden egg, and I got all this candy and a bike. But then we lost the basket. But Cole is looking for it. Mommy’s sure he has it,” Izzy said confidently as Dad set her down.

“Does this have something to do with that red truck that was here earlier?” Dad asked as he followed us into the kitchen, and I poured him a glass of water.

“She won a bike, and I didn’t have room for it in the van.” I wasn’t even thinking she’d win a prize that big.

“A bike? You could have called me.”

“I know. But Cole insisted on following us.”

“Is he a Monroe? I saw the logo on the truck.”

“He’s a cousin. Not one of the brothers.”

“I assume this hunt was at the farm?” Dad asked carefully.

“It was part of a fundraiser for Izzy’s school, and she was so excited,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it.

“Did you have fun?” Dad asked Izzy.

“There were so many people there, but Cole held my hand and walked with me.”

Nerves fluttered in my belly, and Dad raised his brow. “Oh, really?”

“Cole helped me find the golden egg. Then he lowered the bike so I could ride it. He even helped me learn to ride.”

“I would have taught you,” Dad grumbled.

“Izzy still needs to practice more before we take off the training wheels.”

“Can you come watch me?” Izzy asked, then ran to the door to put on her shoes.

We followed her outside, where she got on the bike without any issues and pushed off the pedals. “Look, Grandpa. I’m doing it! I’m riding!”

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