Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

COL E

I drive into town early to grab a coffee before work and run into Travis and Presley right outside the cafe. She holds their baby, April, against her chest, snuggled in a peaceful sleep.

“You buyin’ today, boss?”

Travis cocks a brow. The pair of them look pretty good, considering it’s their first baby and I’m fairly certain the little sweetie keeps them up most of the night. “Did you join a comedy act since yesterday?”

I give Pres a playful nudge as I open the cafe door to let them in first. “Not that I recall.”

He shakes his head at me. He’s used to me by now. Nothing else is new.

They say never work for your friends, but Travis isn’t like that. He owns Cedar Construction and has been running it since the year before last, when he moved back here to settle down and renovate his own ranch. That’s when he met Presley, and after a brief battle of wills over a 40 foot blow-up-snowman and Christmas decorating from Hell, the two of them gave in and admitted their feelings fo r one another. Ain’t love grand?

“How about I’ll buy this round, if you can let me clock out early today?”

Trav lets out a laugh. “You’re kiddin’ right?”

I pop a shoulder. “Ainsley just moved in next door and the rest of her stuff is coming at four. I said I’d lend a hand as she has no helpers.” That slight little thing, Emma, isn’t exactly a heavy weight that can lift couches, a fridge, furniture and God knows what else. I know the moving guys will do most of the lifting, but I know those dudes and they’ll do a half-ass job if they can get away with it.

“And you didn’t know until now?” Trav asks as we all walk up to the counter.

“No, I didn’t know until the U-Haul came yesterday. I’m the Get It Done Guy.” I give Pres a wink.

“Why didn’t she tell any of us? We could have helped,” Pres chimes in, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I think she’s the kind of woman that doesn’t like to ask for help.” I shrug. “That’s just my guess, anyway.”

“She only has her mom in town, and Emma,” says Pres. “And she’s a bit of a loner.”

“She works at the library, right?” Trav asks me as he tilts his cowboy hat to quickly browse the menu. I don’t know why he bothers, he always has the same thing.

“Yeah. She reinvented the place after Margaret left,” Presley goes on. “Everyone loves her, she’s like homemade sunshine.”

That description suits her perfectly. It’s widely known how generous she is because of what she does within the community. She’s always lending a hand somewhere. But I wouldn’t have a clue about books, libraries or otherwise. But it is kinda cute she’s a book nerd. I don’t have a type, but a hot librarian is definitely up there with the best of them.

A thought pops into my head about what Ainsley would be like out of her work uniform, because I hardly ever see her dressed in anything but that cute skirt and blouse of hers. Another smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “Is that a yes, boss?”

He sighs. “For Ainsley, then yes. Provided we can finish up with the Town Hall on schedule.”

“Consider it done. I can work the weekend if I have to.” It ain’t like I got much else to do after this job, now that the winter has set in and the ski season is well and truly here.

“Me and the guys are having drinks Saturday night if you wanna join us?” Trav suggests. He’s talking about Rich and Justin, possibly even Jake.

“Sounds good. First night out since the baby?” I quirk my eyebrow at Presley. “You letting the man loose, honey?”

“Just for a few hours.” She smiles as I fish my wallet out of my back pocket in between ordering coffees to pay for us all. Trav throws in a couple of muffins for good measure, since I’m paying. I would have done the same, too.

“Well, if you two ever need a night off, I’m happy to watch Rigger, Bronx, and the Bub.”

I’ve watched their animals plenty of times, and Rig, the border collie, can more or less look after himself. He’s like a human.

That sentiment prompts Travis to look at me like I’ve got two heads. “ You , babysit?” he balks.

I frown. “Now, why would that be so unbelievable?”

“Have you babysat before?” he asks, as we move out of the way for the customers behind us to order while we wait for our coffee. “Cause all I’m envisioning is my baby bein’ dropped on her head.”

“Well, I haven’t exactly ... I mean, I’ve helped Hank here and there with his kids.”

I hear a faint laugh from Presley. “Aren’t they seven and eight?”

“Well, yeah,” I concede. “But, hey. I’m sure the mechanics are all the same.”

“You’re gonna change a dirty diaper?” Trav snorts. “My God, this I’ve gotta see.”

I screw up my nose at the idea. But it doesn’t escape me that Trav has worked damned hard for his family and getting the house ship-shape, plus taking on more work than ever to keep the dollars rolling in. Having kids ain’t cheap, apparently. And poor Presley probably hasn’t had a break in months. I take my hat off to moms. They’ve got one hell of a job to do all day, every day.

“You know, I could just put a clip on my nose, or better yet, wear a mask.” I chuckle.

Presley laughs next to me. “You’d really do that?”

“Yeah, I mean, at least I couldn’t smell the?—”

“I mean the part about offering to babysit.”

“Oh,” I laugh. “Yeah, I mean, why not?”

“Why not!” Trav looks at his wife like she’s gone nuts. “Are we really going to trust Cole to look after our first born? No offense, bro, but if anyone is going to drop the baby, it’s you.”

I balk at the notion. “Thanks a lot for the vote of confidence. But I’ll have you know I’m excellent with kids.” The baby stirs just as I’m saying it. “I’ll prove it.” I reach my arms towards Pres in a gesture to hand her over.

She smiles and carefully peels April from her chest and passes her to me. She’s wrapped in a soft blanket.

“Put your hand under her head—” I give Trav a look as I scoop the baby in my arms, supporting her little head in the crook of my elbow.

“See, wasn’t that hard was it, little April? You know that Uncle Cole wouldn’t drop you, but your daddy doesn’t trust me to look after you, no he doesn’t.”

Presley laughs as Trav struggles to keep a straight face. “Isn’t that how you talk to your cat?”

“Same difference.” I shrug. “And I would treat your child just as good, if not better, than the pets. And that’s saying something.”

“Well, if I can bear to tear myself away from her anytime soon, I’ll let you know,” Pres says.

“All jokes aside, thanks for the offer,” Trav says. “But you’ll have to get behind both of our folks. They’re dying to take her.”

I coo at little April, rocking her back and forth and I’m starting to think I’m a natural by the time our coffee is made. That’s when I turn and see Emma and Ainsley walking in the door, mid-rock and they both halt their conversation to look over at us.

I distinctly see Emma giggle and raise her eyebrows at Ains. I wonder what that’s all about.

“Hey, ladies.” I keep rocking April as I take a few steps over toward them, like it’s no biggie. I hold babies all the time.

“Hi!” Emma over-enthuses.

That makes me grin because I have an inkling they may have been talking about me. Then my face splits wider as I look at Ainsley’s face and see that sweet little blush that sweeps up her cheeks. Not for the first time, my heart does a little jolt.

“Hi, Cole,” she says, finally. Maybe this holding the baby thing really does attract the chicks ?

“You’re both looking as lovely as ever.”

Emma giggles again as they stop to have a brief look at April.

“You look like you’ve got a real handle on the baby cuddles.” Ainsley says, as she tickles the baby’s face with such warmth, it’s hard to believe that she’s going through a relationship crisis as well as moving houses. Two of the most stressful things on earth, except for death and taxes, yet she still seems as calm and collected as ever.

That smile even reaches those big blue eyes and I start to think she might actually be Wonder Woman.

“Ah, it’s a piece of cake,” I say, like I’m an old pro. “And it’s like snuggling next to a hot water bottle. She’s so warm.”

Ainsley mollycoddles her, proving my theory that she’s amazing with kids, while Emma orders their coffee.

“I hear you’re moving?” Presley takes a sip of her latte as we all stand together.

Ainsley tucks a lock of curls behind her ear — which ultimately springs back again as I try not to smile. “Yes, the rest of my things should be coming this afternoon. I never realized how much stuff I had.”

At least we’re consistent.

“You should have said something,” Trav adds. “We all coulda helped.”

She waves it off with a delicate hand. “I don’t like to make a fuss. Plus, I have my mom and Emma to help me set everything up when we unpack.”

“It’s no trouble,” Presley says. “Let me know if you need anything at all. I can always rope Charli and the girls into helping, too.” By girls, she means her other two friends, Rory and Ali.

“Thanks,” Ainsley says. “Maybe over the weekend when I get sorted out a bit.”

April gurgles, then I look down at her adorable little face. She’s so darned cute and small, I never really knew how cool babies could be.

“To all the women of Silver Pines, be careful,” Trav croons next to me, slapping me on the back. “I think our friend Cole here is turning into a mother hen.”

I laugh heartily. He might not be wrong. I’ve never thought about being a dad. I mean, I just assumed some day it might happen, but I’m still young, so it hasn’t exactly been on my To Do list until I’m at least thirty.

Another little glow passes over Ainsley’s cheeks at that sentiment and she and Presley share a little giggle.

“Hey, never say never.” I shrug. “Babies are cool.”

“Let me hear you say that when she’s waking you up at all hours and demanding feeds.” Presley strokes her little cheek adoringly. “It’s all worth it, though.”

“I would say you’re never going to get any work done if you keep schmoozing the ladies here and hogging my child.” Trav reaches for his daughter and I pass her over carefully. At least she didn’t cry or spit up all over me. That’s gotta be a plus.

Pres passes me my coffee and I take a much needed swig. I have a new respect for Presley carrying her around all day because they sure get heavy after a while, even when they’re small. No wonder all these mommas have arms made of steel.

“Duty calls, then.” I give Ains and Emma a wink. “Ladies. I’ll see you later.”

“See you,” the women chime.

“I’ll be there within the hour,” Trav assures me.

With that, I high-tail it to the Town Hall where I know I need to move my ass if I have any chance of finishing the pr oject by the end of the week. I wasn’t joking about working on the weekend. It’ll be worth it to help Ainsley.

If there’s one thing my parents drilled into me growing up, it’s that work ethic is absolutely everything. I’m faultless to a tee and I’ve never rolled up to work and done a half-assed job, hungover or otherwise.

Mid-sip of my coffee, I turn back as I get to my truck and glance back at the cafe. Ainsley isn’t looking my way. She’s talking to the girls, but that smile lights up her entire face and it makes me happy she’s not dwelling on her recent misfortune.

Or maybe she is, and she’s just good at hiding it.

**

The pressure is on to have the Town Hall finished by Monday afternoon, because there’s a council meeting and the town planning committee needs to finalize all the Christmas festivities. It’s almost the last week in November and the giant Christmas tree in the square is due to be put up, along with the forty-foot blow up Frosty the snowman — Trav’s personal favorite — plus the annual town light show, will all be going up the following weekend. Presley and Travis take it pretty seriously, but since Pres is a little occupied with the baby now, she’s passed the torch to Ainsley this year.

The council had their first meeting in October, as everyone around here takes the holiday traditions like vows; each committing to one activity. I have to admit, magic happens in this town and the kids love it. Even us big kids.

I helped last year and the previous years with a treasure hunt we aptly call, The Hunger Games; which is where participants get to complete a mud map of tasks, and the first couple to finish all tasks wins donated prizes from local businesses.

Most years the prizes can be pretty phenomenal. The Silver Pines Resort, where Charli and Jake both work, always make a very sizeable cash contribution to the prize pool.

This year I will be taking part in the decoration committee, God help me.

Personally, I don’t mind the holidays so much. I mean, we don’t do the whole crazy thing at my parents’ place, since it’s just me and them and a few cousins, with my aunt and uncle usually dropping in from Jackson Hole. But there’s a feast of turkey, potatoes, biscuits and all the trimmings, and I’m totally down for that. I’m not even opposed to a round of carols by candlelight either, but I really detest Christmas shopping because it’s busy everywhere. The ski slopes here are booked out way in advance, so it’s a crazy time of year. Last year the resort was snowed in when a terrible snowstorm hit and no one could leave their houses for three days.

I hope the same doesn’t happen this year. Though you can never really predict these things, no matter what the forecast says.

They say it comes in threes, so to have a third snowstorm in a row over Christmas would just be spiteful. Though, with my new neighbor next door, maybe this year Christmas will be looking up.

I’m fooling myself if I think I even have a shot with Ainsley Parsons. She’s so far out of my league, she’s in orbit. And since she’s just broken up with what’s-his-face, I don’t want to be her rebound. No, no. Ainsley isn’t the kind of woman who you bang once and just forget about or move on from. She ’s a woman with something to say. And when she talks, my ears can’t get enough. I want more. As much as I try to deny it, I know I can’t forever.

I have a crush on my hot neighbor.

But she deserves better than me, and that’s the one thing that stops me from asking her out.