4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Cole

As soon as Noelle's eyes met mine, an electric shock runs down my body. I throw the curtain from my hand.

"Just great, Cole." I rub my hand up and down my face. "Now you look like a stalker."

I all but run to the kitchen, open the refrigerator door and stare at the food. I try to look like I'm busy, but that's silly because she just saw me standing at the window watching her.

As soon as I pulled the curtain back I knew it was a mistake. Noelle would not be happy with me intruding on her privacy. But once my eyes landed on her, I was powerless to pull them away. Her pacing, drawn lips and cheeks stained with a charming hint of pink made it pretty clear that she was not a happy camper.

My lips moved into a slight smirk as there was no doubt she was giving Mel an earful because of my being here. A tiny inkling of guilt nagged at me for asking Mike and Mel to lie, but I was afraid if she knew she wouldn't come.

Based on the chilly reception I received after her surprise wore off, she probably wouldn't have.

I had no doubt she'd be miffed, not just at me but at both Mike and Mel. Why wouldn't she be after the last time we saw each other? It gives me hope to know that she still has strong feelings about it.

I blow out a breath and close the door. Staring at food isn't going to help settle my mind. Yes I love to cook, but eating is the last thing I want to do right now.

I head into the living room, grateful that Noelle hasn't returned yet, and move toward the fireplace. I know how much she loves a roaring fireplace. We used to sit for hours in front of the fire, talking, playing games, or basking in the flames' coziness.

I reach for three logs from the pile I brought in earlier. I strategically place them on the grate before grabbing two more and placing them on top of the three. I add kindle in between the logs, filling the spaces, before adding one more log on top of the pile.

The door opens and a rush of cold air moves across my back, blowing out the match. I wait for the door to close and then grab another match out of the box, strike it and light the kindling closest to me before tossing it on the pile.

The fire begins to spread as all the kindling catches.

I hear Noelle as she hangs her coat and removes her boots, but I don't look in her direction. Instead, I head back to the kitchen and open the refrigerator again.

I know I said I wasn't hungry, but with Noelle in the same space, the cabin suddenly feels small. Moving to the kitchen seems like the only way to create some space, and looking busy is probably a good option.

"Are you waiting for the food to put itself in your hand?"

I jump at the sound of Noelle's voice.

Can things get any worse?

"Actually, yes." I try to joke as I look over my shoulder, only to have my eyes collide with her steely gaze. I swallow past the knot suddenly lodged in my throat. "I've found that if I stand here long enough, the food will eventually come to me."

Did I actually just say that? Apparently things can get worse.

She rolls her eyes so hard I'm surprised she doesn't break something before she walks away. I hear a bedroom door close and let out a groan.

I stare at the place where she stood before rubbing my eyes. I close the refrigerator door, move back to the living room and sigh, throwing myself on the couch.

I watch as the flames slowly spread out and surround the logs. Regardless of the heat, I still feel a chill.

I don't know how to approach this version of Noelle. She's closed off and nearly unapproachable.

It's what I deserve for how I treated her at Mel and Mike's wedding.

My breath catches the moment I see Noelle walk into the room. She looks radiant in a powder blue dress that hugs her in all the right places. For the first time since my career ending injury, my heart feels light. The smile that sweeps across my face is one I haven't worn in a long time.

For the first time in years, she is standing within reach, and I know with complete certainty that I won't let her push me away...again.

A smile lights her face when she meets my gaze, and my heart races. Just as I begin walking toward her, I see him.

I see his hand on her waist, his mouth on her cheek, and I feel my heart drop to my stomach like a rock. Next thing I know, my jaw is clenched so hard I'm pretty sure my teeth are going to crack. My hands are balled into fists. I want to rip his hands from her body.

The sparkle in Noelle's eyes dims, and the jealousy I feel immediately becomes rage at myself for letting things turn out this way.

My professional baseball career is over, I have no clue what my future holds and my father is telling me what a failure I am. As if I had somehow wanted to intentionally end my career with a fluke injury to my pitching elbow.

Despite all of that, I still had hope. Hope that somehow, Noelle and I could make things right again. That we could reclaim the life we were meant to have together before her gran got sick.

This wedding was supposed to be a new beginning for us, but here she is with him .

As I watch the remainder of the light in Noelle's eyes fade, I feel an all-consuming shame. I turn and walk away. I need to calm down for Mike and Mel. If only that were the worst of it.

The crackle of a burning log snaps me back to the present moment.

I watch the flames flicker across the wood and feel a familiar ache. I refuse to mess this up again. That means there is only one thing for me to do—call in the big guns.

I slide my phone out of my pocket and dial Mel.

"You know that Mike's number has the 3 and not the 4, right?" She teases.

Michael and Melanie Matthews, or the M just let her dictate what you do. When she talks , you talk. When she's quiet , you be quiet. Understand? Noelle is in a fragile place and if you push she will shut you out faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition.

I chuckle , recalling the one-legged man comment. Mel is not a Southern girl, but she does have family down south and is known to come up with some of the kookiest sayings.

The point, however, hits home.

I will let Noelle dictate how things move. I hope we won't actually be moving at the pace of a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition, but if she needs slow, I can do slow. I've waited this long; I can wait as long as she needs.

Even if what I really want to do is sit her down, tie her to a chair and make her listen to me. So I can finally kiss her senseless like I've been thinking about since I first laid eyes on her, looking for the hidey key.

Yes, kissing her senseless is not a good idea. It's why I called her best friend for advice.

I pull out the cutting board and grab a knife to start prepping the vegetables when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Mike's name lights the screen.

"Hey," I mumble.

"Things going that bad, huh?" He laughs, but stops suddenly to groan. "Please tell me you didn't call my lovely wife."

My silence is all the confirmation he needs. "No man! She is the worst at this stuff."

"Mike, she's Noelle's best friend, she knows her better than anyone. Plus you didn't see the magic she worked when Noelle called her." My voice comes out rushed. "She had her laughing and teasing."

"Well first off…" I hear him holding back laughter. "Mel didn't act like a complete idiot and tell her to move on."

"And that's why you and Mel are married," I chuckle at his words. "She said exactly the same thing."

"Well then maybe I was mistaken and my wife is brilliant." Affection laces his words. Mike adores Mel and likes to tease her about her meddling ways. "Maybe I'm rubbing off on her. What did she say?"

I give him a quick run-down of Mel's words of wisdom and when I get to the one-legged man he cackles.

"Where the heck does she come up with these sayings? You can bet that I'll be ribbing her about that one later."

A wry smile crosses my lips and I lean the phone against my shoulder so I can start chopping the carrots. I realize I forgot the celery and head back to the fridge to grab it.

"Have you checked the weather?" My head snaps up at his sudden change of topic and I close the door. " It looks like you may just be getting some extra time alone with Noelle, for better or worse."

A loud bell dings in the background signifying they have a call. "Gotta run," Mike says before hanging up.

"Be safe," I say to no one, then pull up the weather app on my phone. The corner of my mouth pulls up at the upcoming weather outlook.

Looks like we have a blizzard heading our way, and not because of the woman in the other room.