Page 130 of Mine For The Winter

“I think he’s feeling better,” Kris murmured.

“Yeah, I think he is, too.”

And wasn’t that the best news in the world? A wave of happiness washed over her, and this time she didn’t fight it. Didn’t try to tell herself not to be too happy, or have too much hope.

“Well that was a good game,” Cole said.

“Yep,” her dad gruffed out. “Be good for your mom today while I’m at the Tavern.”

“Gotta go,” Kris whispered, cupping her jaw with his warm hand. “I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, please.”

Their eyes locked, and she felt a shiver snake down her spine. How many times had she said goodbye to this man? But this time it wasn’t goodbye.

It was hello and I love you and I’ll see you real soon.

It was I want to spend my life making you happy, because that will make me happy, too.

“I love you,” he mouthed. And she mouthed it right back.

As far as she was concerned, it didn’t get much better than this.

EPILOGUE

Two years later…

“Dad!” Cole’s low voice pierced through the air as Kris swung the axe to cut the tree trunk up into useable pieces. Looking up, he could see Cole standing in the doorway of their ranch house, his hair too long despite Kelly’s urging that her son get it cut for the holidays.

They’d built this house last year. Right after he and Kelly and Cole ran away to get married without telling anybody. She hadn’t wanted a fuss, just wanted to be his wife. And he was fine with that.

The same way he was fine with Cole calling him Dad. Lyle had been in touch twice since Cole’s surgery. Once last Christmas and once this summer, after Kelly had told him that she and Kris were married. He hadn’t been out to see Cole at all.

It annoyed him to shit, but he made sure not to show it to Cole. Just tried to be there for him in all the ways Lyle should have been.

Putting the axe down carefully on the ground, Kris smiled. “Everything okay, bud?”

“Mom’s in the bathroom. Said to get you. She thinks it’s time.”

A chill went through his spine. He practically ran into the house, following Cole through the huge hallway, and even in his panic he noticed how much harder it was to keep up with the kid nowadays. Cole’d had about five different growth spurts in the past two years, the latest one had gotten him to within twelve inches of Kris’ height. At thirteen he already towered over Kelly.

She was small but mighty. And she didn’t need height to put the fear of god into Cole whenever he stepped over the line.

When they got to the bathroom the door was open. Kelly was sitting on the floor, Paul beside her, holding her hand.

“Okay, baby?”

“It’s too soon.” She looked petrified. “She’s not due for another three weeks.”

He hunkered down in front of her, wiping the hair from her face. “The c-section is scheduled for next week. She’s ready. Let’s go meet our girl.” He looked at Cole. “Can you get your mom’s bag?”

Cole nodded, looking almost as apprehensive as Kelly.

“I’ll let everybody know,” Paul said. “Oh, and I’ll open up the tavern.” He stood a little easier than he used to. The surgery on his knee had been a success, and he could walk without a cane once more. He could drive, too, and he’d bought a small car so he could cover some of the shifts that Kelly used to work. Between the three of them they managed the place so they all could have a life.

And the nights that he and Kelly could stay home and spend time with Cole were his favorites.

When it was just the two of them left in the bathroom, he reached down to take Kelly’s hands, helping her stand. Her stomach was perfectly round. She’d joked that she’d probably give birth to a basketball, and Cole had protested, because he’d prefer a puck.

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