8. Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

Cole

I hear the front door close and know that Mel will most likely get an earful. Whether it's because of the weather or something else is anyone's guess.

Overall, dinner was a successful ice breaker, if the glances I felt from Noelle meant anything. But we're not out of the deep end yet.

It took every ounce of control to keep my eyes on my food and my mouth full. A few times I felt the side of my face heat, and I knew Noelle was watching me.

I had to bite my tongue to keep the words I've longed to say for the past six years from tumbling out. I wanted to apologize for being a complete fool and throwing us away, but I could sense it wasn't the time.

And Mel's words kept ringing in my head: If you push, she will shut you out faster than a one-legged man in a butt-kicking competition.

A smile splits my face, and I shake my head as I get up from the table, bringing my bowl and cup to the sink. I turn on the water, rinse all the dishes, and place them in the dishwasher.

Noelle is struggling. I can see the conflicted emotions hidden behind the anger she uses as a shield whenever her gaze meets mine. She's vulnerable and confused. I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around her, pull her close and absorb all the uncertainty oozing from her.

The cabin is quiet except for the sound of popping and crackling. I walk into the living room and add more logs to the fire. Probably the last of the night.

I slide my phone from my pocket and see Mike's name.

"Hey, Mike. Brian's wife have the baby yet?"

"They are the proud new parents of a beautiful baby boy! Six pounds and five ounces." My phone vibrates, and I open the text to find the smiling faces of Brian and his wife holding their new baby.

"Brian looks terrified," I chuckle, trying to relieve the lead in my stomach.

"Being responsible for a new life will do that to you. He's already talking about coming back to work." I join Mike in his laughter. "Generator all set in case you need it?"

"Everything looked good to go when I checked it today." I sit on the couch and watch the flames flicker. "Is the tree stand still in the shed? I'd like to get the tree up before the storm hits."

"That's a good question. Let me check. Mel?" Mike pulls the phone away from his mouth as he shouts for his wife. A smile crosses my face as I know the real reason Mike called. Mel is on the phone with Noelle. I hear Mel yell something back before he starts talking to me again. "Mel said yes. It's on the right as soon as you walk in."

"Great, thanks. Where's the flashlight?" Mike yells to Mel again. This time, I pull the phone away from my ear and scrunch my face.

"On the shelf by the door. Are you planning on getting it tonight?"

"Thinking about it. It might be smart to grab it since we don't know exactly when the storm will hit. Noelle picked up a great tree."

"Speaking of Noelle—" I was waiting for Mike to ask this. "How's everything going?"

"She hasn't killed me yet, soo…"

"Better than expected then," Mike chuckles. "Mel just hung up. Incoming."

A blast of cold air rushes over my neck, carrying a hint of lavender. The stark contrast of hot and cold courses through my body, and I feel a chill. I hear Noelle shuffling as she sheds her outerwear.

"Copy that," I laugh, then whisper, "The Bug has landed."

Mike cackles on the other end of the phone, and I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face. "What are your plans for heading up?"

"It's a wait-and-see game right now," he responds. "If the storm finishes by mid- or end-of-day tomorrow, we will hopefully be headed up the next day or two. We'll definitely be there by Christmas Eve."

I feel a burning sensation on the side of my face and turn to see Noelle leaning against the kitchen door frame, arms crossed and brows drawn. My mouth goes dry.

"Sounds good," I say to Mike, my eyes still on Noelle. "I'll catch up with you tomorrow."

"Everything okay?" I ask Noelle, my brows furrowed.

"You cooked; I should clean. Those are the rules." My eyebrows shoot up. "At least you left something for me to do."

"I did?" Confusion lines my face.

"The Dutch oven was still on the counter." She gives me a small smile, and my heart just about bursts. Maybe Mel does have some magical powers over the weather. Look at what she's done to Noelle.

"I aim to please." I mock salute.

Her lips quirk, and she puts a hand on her belly. "Well, the stew definitely did."

"I'm glad." My lips pull up in a lopsided grin. "It's still one of my favorite lessons from you."

Both of us are lost in the past for a moment and Noelle doesn't look away. Her eyes are like a brewing storm I don't know how to soothe, so I just watch. My heart is racing, and my mouth is dry.

I need to tell her what happened and why I acted as I did, but the words are stuck in my throat, and nothing comes out.

"Well, I'm gonna get ready for bed and call it a night." She points her thumb over her shoulder and turns to walk away.

"Noelle?" I call out, my voice insistent.

"Yes?" She looks over her shoulder, eyes wide. Is that hope I see in her eyes?

My breath is quick and short, and the words I've wanted to say are not coming to me. She tilts her head and raises a brow.

I rub my palms together and take a deep breath.

"I'm gonna head out to grab the tree stand and then bring the tree in tonight. Is there anywhere in particular you'd like me to put it?"

Her shoulders slowly lift and fall, and I notice her mouth falling slightly open.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about the tree. Good idea. Especially with the storm coming." She looks around the room and then points to the wall beside the fireplace with an open corner. "What about there?"

"Perfect," I say, my gaze lingering on her face. When her eyes meet mine again, I see a slight flush creep up her cheeks. I finally drag my eyes from hers to where she pointed.

"I'll go do that now." I smile at her as I push myself up from the couch and head to the front door. "It will be all ready for decorating tomorrow."

"Cole?" Noelle's voice is soft, and my heart jumps.

"Yeah?" I look at her with my eyebrows raised .

"I'm sorry—" I hold my breath, my heart beating so hard I have to strain to hear her over the pounding. "I know I've been a bit…prickly."

She looks away from me and stares at the ground. The vulnerability on her face makes me want to run to her, take her in my arms and tell her that everything is going to be okay. Instead, my fists clench, and I force my feet to stay put.

"It's been a…" I can see her swallow from here. "Challenging year and seeing you here…"

She trails off, and my breath catches. "Bug—"

She puts her hand up, but for the first time, her eyes don't harden at my endearment. Heat infuses my body.

"I'm just trying to say that my…" She pauses as if trying to find the right words.

"Prickliness?" I ask, the corner of my lips lifting slightly.

"My prickliness…" A small smile curves her lips, and a glint I haven't seen today sparks in her eyes. "It's not all about you. I think that us clearing the air is a good idea. Especially with me moving back."

My body feels weightless, and no matter how hard I try, I can't push any words from my lips.

"Thank you," she says, and my mouth falls open.

"For what?" I all but whisper.

"For just being…you." She shrugs. "Good night."

With that, she turns and walks out of sight. My mouth is hanging open, and my body is frozen in place.

Did that happen? Did Noelle apologize to me?

The words lost to me just a few minutes ago come crashing over me in waves, nearly knocking me down.

"Noelle?" I call out sharply.

"Yes?" Her response comes as she pops her head around the corner, looking at me with her eyebrows raised.

"At Mel and Mike's wedding—" She puts her hand out and opens her mouth to stop me. "Please, let me get this out."

She drops her hand, and I take a deep breath. Noelle stares at me with wide eyes and her mouth partly open.

"When I last saw you." I push past the lump in my throat. "My baseball career was over. I was on the outs with my dad, and I wasn't handling any of it well. When I saw you with Dean, something snapped."

I watch her shoulders rise and fall as she presses her lips together. Her eyes are guarded, and I can't read them.

"I was awful to you, and I've regretted it ever since. Please know that I am so very sorry."

We stand there, just looking at each other, not saying a word. The crackle of the fire is the only sound.

She gives me a slight nod before turning around again.

I take a deep breath and slowly exhale. Tears sting the back of my eyes.

The anchor holding my heart down is released. I'm unsure what happened or how it will affect anything, but light and a sense of euphoria come over me.

The sound of Noelle's door closing brings me back to the fact that I'm still standing by the front door, staring at the place she last stood.

A wide smile crosses my face as I pick up my coat, slide on my boots and grab the flashlight. I open the door just as a gust of freezing air decides to blow, and I shiver.

But nothing can blow out the flame that is now burning within. Hope. There is hope.