Page 31 of Operation: Return

He dug though his closet, but there weren’t many options that weren’t jeans and tees. He didn’t go anywhere but the ranch. Even church was fairly casual since they attended here on the ranch.

Nothing occupied his time but work. His life had officially restarted when Teddy found him and he loved what he did, but he didn’t really love Cole Bradley. He’d become acrid and someone people didn’t enjoy hanging around with. He hadn’t even cared about the change until he’d tried to change back for Erica.

Someone knocked on his front door and he abandoned his search to go answer it. He pulled the door open to Victoria balancing a tray in one hand and holding a pitcher in the other.

“How in the world did you knock?” He took the pitcher from her knowing she would want control of the food until she lifted the covers with a flourish.

“I’ve got the balance of a jungle cat . . . and I can kick pretty good too.” She laughed as she set the tray on the table. “See these trays are raised? There’s hot water under them and if you keep the lids on, they will stay nice and warm until you serve supper. Just pull the plate out, wipe off the condensation, and pretend like you can actually cook.” She laughed then rolled her eyes.

A week ago, he’d have given her a hard time right back. Now, he was just thankful he hadn’t had to try to cook for Erica after a long day of work when he couldn’t even make rice that was edible. “Erica will know better. Thanks, Victoria.”

She stopped in place and her mouth dropped open. She blinked a few times before answering. “What did you just say?”

His stomach clenched and he fought the urge give some smart comment like, ‘you heard me’. Instead, he opted for, “I said ‘thank you’. You already cooked for everyone, and this was extra work for you. Thank you.”

Victoria’s eyes softened and she strode toward him and laid a hand on his shoulder. “If this woman brings out the side of you that says things like that, then I am all for this mission. I’ve been worried about you for years. I was sure you’d be alone the rest of your days, acting the way you do.”

She released his shoulder and headed for the door. “I’ve got to get back to my job. Teddy will have everything set out by the time I get back, but I don’t like leaving him with serving everyone.”

Cole laughed. “Teddy would do anything for you.”

She sobered immediately. “That man would move Heaven and Earth for any of us. But he’d move the whole universe for the chance to talk to his wife one more time.”

Cole went for the door to hold it open for her. “Is she . . .?” He wasn’t sure how to be kind and ask what he wanted to know.

“Dead? Not that I know of. I’ll be honest. When I heard about what y’all were doing, I thought about looking her up. I don’t think Teddy would forgive me though. Reaching out has to be his idea and on his terms.” She strode through the door, then turned. “Cole, take care tonight. Erica doesn’t strike me as the kind of woman who gets a sitter often. Treat her like this is important, because it is.” She left him with that thought as he stood in the doorway.

He was trying to be the man he was before, the kind of man who would know Erica didn’t go out on dates and didn’t find sitters. She gave everything for her son. The trouble was, the only side of Cole she knew, was the side he’d considered dead.

Maybe he was taking this entirely wrong. Maybe he shouldn’t be trying to convince her of who he was when he could never be that man again. He should be trying to start over. If he tried to start over and a relationship between them didn’t work, at least he wouldn’t have the regrets he had from before. He could look back and say he’d tried to give them both a second chance.

He could just be himself then, instead of trying to act like a man uncomfortable in his own skin. Maybe the old Taylor was trying to come forth again. So be it. This was bound to change him. Erica was from his past, parts of him he’d pushed away might appear just by being around her.

He glanced at his watch and realized he needed to hurry or he wasn’t going to make it to her door in time. She would not be left waiting for him. Not anymore. Not for another minute if he could help it. He headed for his closet and chose the nicest of his jeans, tees, and boots. That’s who he was now, and he wouldn’t be ashamed of it.

After slipping them on, he glanced in the mirror. Without the cowboy hat, he looked a lot more like his old self, the one he’d left behind. Maybe tonight he’d leave the cowboy hat hanging on the peg by the door.

Time seemed to rush by as Cole waited for Erica to answer her door. The moment she opened it, she took his breath away. Even though she hadn’t brought many changes of clothes with her, she’d put her dark blonde hair up and wore a little makeup. Her clothes were soft and held a pull he wasn’t sure how to describe other than to say they were purely her. He couldn’t imagine anyone else looking as good.

“Ready?” she asked, looking up at him for confirmation.

“I am. You ready, Pete?”

In answer, Pete bounded out the door and ran toward Junior’s cabin.

“I guess that’s how he feels.” Cole laughed, feeling unsure of himself for the first time in years.

Erica strode alongside him silently and he wasn’t sure what to say or do. He hadn’t dated anyone since Erica the first time and this felt like a date. Rescue came in the form of Junior opening the door and mock wrestling with Pete until they reached the porch.

Junior picked Pete up and slung him over his shoulder while Pete roared with laughter. “I think we can handle this from here. If no one comes to pick him up by 20:00 hours, we’ll set up a bed for him on the sofa.”

Erica glanced between Junior and Cole, her eyes wide. “I don’t think . . .”

Cole squeezed her hand to let her know he wasn’t going to take advantage of her. “I’m sure we’ll be back to pick him up before then. I don’t think Erica is ready to have her son away that long.”

She immediately relaxed and smiled. “Thanks.”

Cole tried not to feel too proud of himself for seeing her needs and meeting them. Junior gave a salute and closed the door, leaving him with Erica for the evening.

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