“Hang on, sweetie.”Oh, God. How in the world would she explain why her mom wasn’t in that house waiting for her? As she started off, she heard Paisley’s voice.
“Is Mommy home?” She sounded confused.
Cole dropped to a crouch. “No, sweetheart. She’s not.”
“Evvie’s going to be sad.” The girl sounded awfully sad herself.
“She is. But we’re here for her. Hailey and I, we’ve got her.” He tugged a braid. “You can be sad, too. I know I am. Your dad and I were best friends growing up.”
“You were?”
“Yep. We used to ride bikes and go snowboarding…We had a lot of fun together.”
“Can I go inside now?” Paisley asked.
“Yeah, of course.” He stood up, laughing. “When did I become a boring old man?” He yanked the wool beanie off his head, slid his fingers through his hair, and jammed it back on. His high cheekbones, the strong jaw, and those eyes that revealed more than he wanted anyone to know… He was just so damn striking.
“You’re not boring. You’re amazing.”
He watched her as though waiting for her to drop thebutin the sentence.
“I’m serious. You better watch it, or I’m going to do something crazy like kiss you.” Hiding her grin, she hurried to catch up with the girls.
Evvie had both hands on the doorknob, her mittens tossed to the ground. “Open.”
“Hang on.” Cole inserted the key and unlocked the door.
While the girls ran straight for the kitchen, Hailey registered the stillness, the chill. A throw pillow was tossed onto the floor. A coffee mug sat on the dining room table, a pink lipstick imprint on the rim. The coat closet was ajar, one hanger jutting out as if someone had just jerked a coat off before running out. “A life interrupted.”
Cole shut the door behind him, making it marginally warmer. “What’s that?”
“They were probably in a rush to get the kids settled with the neighbors before they left. Or maybe they dropped them off the night before and left first thing in the morning. Either way, they were off on a grand adventure, so excited to have some time alone.” But she bet they couldn’t wait to come back, to get home to their girls. The idea of time away would seem better than the reality. They’d just want to hug their babies.
A powerful sense of loss closed over her, an unbearable, suffocating weight. Because of course, Lindsay and Darren would never hug them again.
Cole watched her intently, as though ready to catch her if she fell. But she wouldn’t do that. She picked up the pillow and put it back on the couch.
But I can. I can hug them and make them feel safe and loved.
“Deborah also said we should let them see our own grief.” Cole spoke quietly. “We shouldn’t hide it from them. And that, even if they can’t express it, their primary concern is their own safety.” He let out a sharp exhalation. “Actually, right before we left the house, Paisley asked if she was going to live with us.”
“What did you say?”
“I deflected. I told her they’d stay with us for Christmas. But I think what she really needed to know is who’s taking care of her. I told her I have a job playing hockey in Boston, but that I’d be back every chance I got.”
“Do you really think we should lie?”
His gaze snapped over to her. “I didn’t. I’ll be back as often as I can.”
“You told me you’d be back for Christmas, but that was it. You said you’d be hyper-focused on your season.”
“That was before she asked me the question, and I realized I can’t do it. I can’t just walk away from them.” He looked her right in the eyes. “From you.”
Awareness exploded in her chest, sending sparks raining down through her body. The soles of her feet tingled in the aftermath.
His fingertips brushed the back of her hand. “I’m not going to let you do this by yourself. In every way that I can, I’m going to be here for you and the girls.”
Her cheeks flushed hot. She wanted that. Wanted him. Too much.