Page 30 of Operation: Return

“That’s awful.” She loved animals, though she’d never lived anywhere they could have a pet. “Are you sure it was the dog’s owner and not just some random kid?” Bubbles came to mind and the story Cole had told her about finding him.

“He had some old scars too. Sam, of course, thinks he can rescue the animal. He’s stubborn that way. Thinks he can save everyone.”

Erica swallowed hard. She knew the feeling, only for her it was one someone. Pete would always come first.

Pete piped up, “Aw, he makes it sound so easy. That dog came racing out of nowhere. It was growling, and biting, and barking.” Pete raced around the room like a mad dog. “Cole just dodged around it and managed to get me off the horse without even getting bitten. You should’ve seen it.”

“I’m glad I didn’t.” Just hearing about it was making her chest ache. What if the same situation had happened at the horse camp? Pete would’ve been surrounded by a bunch of well-meaning, but untested teenagers who knew enough about horses to help others but not enough to handle a random situation like this.

She glanced up at Cole and couldn’t deny she was really happy for his expertise. Something tightened like a coil inside her and she wished she’d met Cole under different circumstances. Ones where she didn’t have to question his past, or her sanity. “I’m glad Cole was there too.”

Cole grinned for a moment before he ducked his head, hiding his face behind his hat. His smile was nice and softened his features. When he smiled, he looked even more like Taylor. He’d proven that he could be protective and caring to a boy he didn’t know. “Thank you.”

She would have to tell him at some point that Pete was Taylor’s and see his reaction. In fact, that might be the only way to really test if Cole was Taylor. Not in how he reacted, but the extent of his reaction. Powerful emotion probably meant he’d been telling the truth the whole time. In which case, she would owe him an apology. And, she would have to work out some sort of custody agreement.

Her breath lodged in her throat and she gripped the desk. Agreeing to be away from Pete for a week when she’d promised to let him go to camp had been hard enough. How was she ever going to let him go for weeks at a time?

“Gabby and Junior offered to watch Pete tonight and have a movie night if you wanted to have dinner with me?” Cole smiled over at Pete as if they shared some big secret.

Pete grinned. “Junior told me we’re going to watch a superhero movie and make popcorn. They were going to have Gabby bring home pizza, but she didn’t go to work today so they’re going to make frozen.” He jabbered on as if the decision had already been made.

“You must have had lots of time to talk about this?”

Pete grinned bigger and nodded. “When we were riding, Junior came out of the ranch house with Gabby this morning. She said she wants nothing more than to snuggle with Junior and watch a movie where good guys beat up bad guys.” He laughed.

“I can imagine.” After getting attacked that morning, she was handling it better than Erica would. “Are you sure they would want to babysit tonight?” She wanted to talk to Cole alone, especially now, but this felt so sudden and bad timing for them.

“I’d like to. If you would?” Cole turned those eyes on her that melted her more than she wanted to admit. If she let this continue, she was going to leave part of her heart behind with Cole when she went home. She never thought she’d be given the chance to lose Taylor twice.

“As long as it’s really okay with Junior and Gabby. If she’s tired and has changed her mind, it’s okay. How is she doing? Is she going to go to work tomorrow?”

Cole held up a hand and notched his head toward Pete. “Hey, bud? I happen to know that Brendon has a sweet tooth. He keeps chocolate in the top drawer of his desk.” Cole glanced at his watch. “And if you hurry, he doesn’t have anyone coming in for another ten minutes.”

Pete bounded off the sofa and rushed out the door. Erica clamped her mouth shut, realizing she’d never had to keep anything away from Pete, but now she did. She had to keep Cole a secret for a little while longer, and she had to keep what was going on around Pete a secret. Life wasn’t supposed to be like this.

“Thanks,” she said, though she wouldn’t normally tell him to eat chocolate right before supper.

“No problem. I just didn’t want to say in front of him that Edwyn has put the ranch on a lockdown of sorts. We are not to leave unless absolutely necessary. All deliveries will be checked. We are expecting help to come soon and I hope that will be the end of it.”

“That would’ve scared him. Maybe. He’s so excited about being here that he probably would’ve thought it meant we could stay longer.”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

The side of Cole’s mouth tipped up and her belly fluttered a warning. How could she be so attracted to this man so quickly. Almost instantly. As if they were picking up right where they left off seven years before. If only that were possible.

She wasn’t sure how to reply so she shoved her hair behind her ear and stood awkwardly waiting for him to say anything else. Like where they were supposed to eat tonight? She hadn’t dated after Taylor left, thinking he would be her husband when he returned. He’d been the only guy she’d ever dated and wasn’t sure how this worked.

“I’ll come by your place about 1700 hours. That should give you a half hour to rest and do whatever you want before we walk Pete over to the Morrisons’ cabin.”

“But you’ll ask them first, right?” She still didn’t want to even bring Pete over if his presence would be a bother.

He gave a chuckle. “Leave it up to me.”

ChapterTwelve

Cole rapidly sent off two texts to Victoria, confirming a special supper for that night, then sent Junior a text making sure his offer was still open. He wanted someone to watch Pete and he trusted Junior the most, mostly because Gabby was there. He’d trust any of these guys with his life, but with a child . . . maybe not that much.

Junior was the first to reply with a text smile emoji, a thank you, and a yes. Veterans were sometimes men of few words and Cole appreciated the quick reply. He strode to his wardrobe and yanked the door open. He’d been so busy with the ranch he’d missed days of spending time with Erica. That would change now. What if something happened and she turned on him? He might never get this chance again.

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