Page 39 of Chasin' Cole

Birch. Fresh laundry.Cole.

"I like the way you smell," I answer.

Cole runs a hand through his wet locks before slippin' into a pair of plaid pajama pants. I hope he doesn't put on a shirt because I really want to lay on his toned chest while I fall asleep. Call me crazy, but I think I’m obsessed with him now. Obsessed with being as close to him as I possibly can.

After I'm dressed in his clothes, I dig my cell phone out of my purse and send Mama a quick text.

Staying at Lacey and Brock's tonight. Be home early tomorrow to take care of the horses.

I know it's a lie. One I can't believe I'm tellin', but I want to stay. I want to stay with Cole, and I doubt she’d be alright with it.

"Are you feeling better?" he asks when I walk over and help him remake the bed. The corner of the fitted sheet came off durin' our afternoon activities and the pillows are strewn all over the floor.

I bend over and pick up a pillow, hugging it tight to my chest. "I think so."

I cried. Cried because he’s leavin’ and there’s nothin’ we can do about it. I cried until Cole carried me to his bathroom and turned on the hot water. Under the pressure-less spray of his shower head, he cleaned my body with his Old Spice body wash and shampoo. His hands roamed every part of my body, cleansin' me from the outside in. Tears poured down my cheeks as I let him wash me.

The waterworks finally stopped when he knelt in front of me, rivulets of water streamin' down his handsome face and back while he proceeded to wash my feet. He took his time, massaging the balls and heels of my feet, even my ankles.

One year.

That's all it is.

One year of separation, and then he promised he would come home to me. He'd come home and he’d stay home with me. But there's a real, honest part of me that wonders if that will make him happy. Will the adventurous Cole Strickland truly be happy settlin' down in the same town he spent so many years tryin' to get out of. This has never been a permanent place for him. It's more of a rest stop between travels. And that scares me.

"Are you going to tell me what's got your knickers in a twist?" Cole jokingly elbows me.

I swallow hard and slip a strand of blond hair behind my ear. "Just wonderin' what's goin' to happen when the year is over."

Cole's fingers find my chin. "I come back here, and we get married."

Married?

He wants to marry…me? Is he sure? It doesn’t make sense. He’s most of his adult life travelin’ and making films. He wants to give that all up for…me?

Marriage. It's the answer I want to hear, but there's still doubt lingerin' in my heart like a pesky gnat that won't quit buzzin’. It's what I want to hear, but is it what Ineedto hear?

When I don't respond, Cole sits on the edge of his bed and stares up at me. "What's going on, Rose?"

"Nothin'," I brush off. I don't want to spend whatever time I have left with him cryin' over how things might turn out. I’ve already cried enough today. I don't want to focus on that when he's sittin' in front of me. Right here. Within reach.

"Doesn't sound like nothing," he wisely deduces.

I sit on the bed beside him. "I love you."

His hand finds mine and he flips it over, tracing the lines of my palm with his fingertips. "I love you, too."

There's silence. Quiet, still silence.

"What's your favorite image or video you've ever captured?" I ask.

Cole gives me a small smile. "A few summers ago in Australia, I got the shot of a lifetime. There was a mom and baby rhino that walked by. The baby turned and kept chasing after our truck. I asked the guide to stop so I could get out and take images of the two. The little guy kept posing for me. It was…I...I've never shown anyone the photos before. Rhino populations are being threatened by poachers. All for their horns. It's... incredibly heartbreaking that anyone could be so cruel. They're beautiful creatures." There's a beat before he continues. "I've kept in contact with the conservation organization down there. I'm hoping to go back in the next few years and help out where I can."

I nod my head mechanically in response. "Sounds amazin'."

"I want you to come with me when I go, Rose," he whispers as he twines our fingers together.

A lump forms in my throat. "I don't know if I can. I have a lot of responsibilities here. My business—my horses. I can't just pack a bag and go. I would have to find someone else to board everythin’. And I don’t know if Mama and Howard would take care of my horses for me. You know how Mama can be."

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