Page 111 of Sneak Attack

I was adjusting to Cole being gone more, I was finding ways to get out on my own and feel comfortable in Marysville again, and I was even starting to make some friends.

Nora and Sarah’s offer to come to Marley’s so I wouldn’t be alone was hopefully proof of that.

Outside of Marley’s slow decline, I was noticing more and more—like the morning I came down to the kitchen to find her staring at the coffee with an empty expression as she turned to me, flinched, like maybe she didn’t know whoIwas and said, “I’m not sure how to use it. Is it new?”

No. Her thirty-year-old coffee pot was most definitely not new.

“I’ll show you,” I’d said, thinking quick on my feet and remembering Melanie’s words not to make forgetful moments a big deal.

They could scare her, and they’d come and go with increasing frequency but so far, she hadn’t seemed to have forgotten anythingtoomajor. I was still holding out hope she’d be there for Christmas. I was already making plans to decorate earlier and give her the best Christmas she’d ever had.

Wasn’t quite so sure how I’d pull it off, but she deserved one more year celebrating her favorite season and I was determined to make it happen.

I was in the kitchen, washing the rest of the dishes and cleaning up after Nora and Sarah’s visit when my phone buzzed with a text.

Home in five. Coming?

I’ll be there.

Nerves hit as I smoothed out the tank top I bought. In truth, I’d bought four different Nashville Steel tops but considering it was definitely still summer weather, I was plenty warm in the cutoff denim shorts and tank I’d thrown on to watch the game. In my dresser was a sweatshirt, short sleeve and long sleeve shirt supporting Cole’s team. Nothing with his number, I wasn’t presumptuous. I figured showing up like this would make him smile enough even if he’d be dressed in his typical suit when he arrived. But like last time I went there for dinner, I didn’t doubt he’d strip out of those clothes and throw on something more comfortable too.

After using the bathroom and running my hands through my hair, I slid into a pair of my black Birkenstock sandals, grabbed my purse at the door and locked it on my way out.

Dave’s old, blue Ford pickup rumbled up the driveway right as I reached their front porch, so I leaned my shoulder against one of the beams.

Cole hopped out first, slamming the door and waved hello before opening up the front passenger door. He held Marley’s hand and helped her down and repeated the help to Kate who’d sat in the back.

“Hello,” Marley said, as Kate came up next to her and cupped Marley’s elbow gently in her hand. “Did you have fun?”

“Cole won, so I was happy. Nora and Sarah came over to watch the game with me.”

Her brows furrowed. “Good. That’s good.”

I stepped back while Kate helped her up the stairs and inside.

“Does she not know who they are?” I asked Dave.

“Had a long day, probably tired. Seemed for a minute there earlier though she didn’t recognize Cole, and when he asked if she was excited to get back to you for dinner, she was excited you were in town.”

“Oh.” Excitement from the win of the game diminished with the news. “She forgot how to make coffee the other day.”

Dave settled his arm over my shoulders and pulled me to his side. “Getting old isn’t a walk in the park. We knew this was coming.”

“Yeah, but now that it’s happening, it feels like I’m staring down a runaway train.”

“Probably gonna be as painful as getting hit by one when she’s gone too, even though we all see it coming. Doesn’t mean she’s not worth enjoying while she’s still with us. Got myself a feelin’ there’s a lot of wisdom left in that head of hers if we keep paying attention.”

I allowed him to walk me inside where Kate was already in the kitchen, getting dinner ready.

Dave was right. On all accounts. We knew her end was near but that didn’t make the goodbye coming less painful. I took a moment to watch Marley gather the vegetables for the salad as Kate handed them to her and got to work cleaning and chopping them. Enjoyed the warmth of their home they’d re-welcomed me into without so much as a blink and the quiet conversation Kate and Marley were having.

She’d be gone soon, and I’d spent enough time away. It was time to enjoy her as much as I possibly could.

* * *

“Cole,” I rasped his name against his throat as he moved deep inside of me. Slowly, with powerful thrusts. I planted my feet on the mattress so the bed didn’t squeak.

I’d walked Marley back to the house earlier and sent Cole a text once she was asleep. He was spending the night with me, while Jasper had a sleepover with his parents. Tomorrow was Labor Day. Cole had to go in for an easy practice and game film, and he was dropping Jasper off at Selma’s so they could have the day together.

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