Page 98 of Forbidden Flame

Izzy looked up at Cole, who stood behind the bench. “Can’t you be my dad?”

My heart splintered into a million pieces, and tears pricked the back of my eyes. “Oh, sweetie, that’s not how it works.”

“If you date each other, you’d kiss and get married. Then he’d be my daddy.”

I looked at Cole for guidance, and he nodded, so I took a deep breath and told her the truth. “I like Cole. We’re getting to know each other. But I don’t know if our relationship will lead to marriage.”

Izzy’s eyes widened. “So you could be my daddy?”

“Are you okay with us dating each other? That means that we spend time together, getting to know each other—”

“And kissing.”

I laughed. “And holding hands.”

“That’s okay.” Izzy stood on the bench and wrapped her arms around Cole’s neck. I wasn’t sure what he whispered to her, but it had her nodding against his shoulder.

He easily lifted her over the bench, and her legs wrapped around his waist. It was sweet, and I couldn’t help but snap a quick picture of the moment.

I moved closer to them and placed my hand on her back. “Cole can be an important person in your life. Just like Grandpa and your uncles.”

“He can be my daddy.”

I didn’t have the heart to argue with her because it was breaking mine. I didn’t know what the future would bring, but I was pleased that she was okay with us seeing each other.

We walked for a little while longer. Cole eventually put her down. We went into a bookstore, and Izzy picked out a few books to read. Cole bought them for her, and we headed outside. Flakes were starting to fall from the sky.

It was beautiful with the lights lining the street and the holiday decorations in the windows of the stores.

“You want to take the gondola up the mountain?” Cole pointed in the direction of a lift I hadn’t noticed before. “It starts in town and goes to the resort.”

“Can we?” Izzy asked me.

Was it too much to hope that Cole would be the person she could rely on eventually? “Of course. We’re on vacation. We have to explore all that Telluride has to offer.”

While we waited with the other couples and families to board the lift, Cole explained to Izzy how to get on the moving chair.

“I’ll hold your hand the whole time.”

Izzy looked up at him with so much trust in her eyes. It made me wonder if he’d be in our lives long enough for her to love him. I wanted that for her.

We got onto the lift without any issues, and it ascended so that we could see the town beneath us. Cole pointed out the places we’d visited today, and where Santa was still meeting with other kids. He had an arm around her as she sat between us, and she followed his every word.

The longing for us to be a family hit me hard. I wasn’t sure what I’d do if Cole bowed to family pressure not to be with a Calloway.

It almost made me want to keep us a secret for longer. Is that why Cole was so reluctant to talk to our families? He knew they’d never approve, and once they found out the truth, we’d have to break things off? The thought sent my heart into a panicked flutter.

When we descended, Cole explained the exit plan to Izzy, and she held his hand when the guardrail lifted and we could step off to the side. I was confident that Cole had Izzy and wouldn’t let her get hurt. It was a feeling. One I wasn’t used to unless Izzy was with one of my brothers or my dad.

It was a nice change to have someone by my side, sharing the responsibilities of parenting with me. In the past, I worried it would take away from my role, but it didn’t. Cole only enhanced it.

When we reached the lodge, Cole dropped Izzy’s hand. “I’d better go see what my family is up to. Maybe I’ll see you later?”

“We brought some games and puzzles. We might play before bed.”

“I’d love to stop by then and say goodnight.” Cole’s voice was low.

My heart warmed at his sweet words. He kissed my cheek and then fist bumped Izzy. “Be good.”

---