He stepped over the log and stood in front of me, so that my only view was him. “Walk with me.” It wasn’t a request .
Cole took off toward the crashing waves at a relaxed pace. I followed him to the water. My eyes adjusted to the darkness away from the fire, keeping his silhouette in my line of sight .
The waves lapped along the shoreline, and my toes sunk into the softness of the wet sand. We were far enough away from the bonfire that the others couldn’t hear us .
“So, how long have you been working at the Dune Scape?” I trailed behind slightly. “Ryan never mentioned it. And I had no idea you were back in Texas .”
“Two years.” He said it as if he had answered a question about how long he had been in prison .
“Ever since you left the Corps?” I clutched the cup between both my hands as I inhaled the rest of my drink .
“Yes.” He kicked along the tops of the waves, sending saltwater along my legs .
“Did you go back to school? Like a trade school or something ?”
He laughed. “No, not really. It’s more on-the-job training .”
“You definitely could stay busy there for a long time. There’s a lot broken.” I wanted to kick myself. “I mean, it’s great—my room is great. You’re an excellent handyman, Cole.” I might as well dig a hole in the sand and bury myself in it right now. Nothing I said was right .
“It’s mine .”
I almost choked on my lime drink. “‘Mine’ as in you own the Dune Scape ?”
“Believe me, I wish I didn’t. I inherited it from my grandfather. H
e recently passed away and left me the place, but no money to run it. Not the best inheritance.” His gaze was fixed on the horizon. He tipped the cup back .
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. But Ryan did tell me you have a son. Is he here too ?”
He nodded. “He’s the reason I kept the motel. I know the damn place is a money pit. It’s been closed for the past year, and trying to get it back to any kind of working condition is taking all the money I have and some I don’t. I should just give in and sell it. It’s not like my family’s around anymore to argue about it. But I want him know that it means something to work hard. That my grandfather didn’t leave family land to me just to sell it. I want him to have a legacy .”
“Does he have a name?” I smiled. “I don’t really know anything him. I don’t get to talk to Ryan enough .”
He chuckled. “Yeah. Grayson. Grayson Michael .”
I wondered if his little boy had pretty blue eyes like his daddy .
“And his mother?” I was afraid to ask. “You two are married now ?”
He huffed. “No. Never were .”
“Oh.” I tried not to sound excited. “Ryan said — ”
Cole cut me off. “Let’s agree that your brother sucks at information .”
I laughed. “Ok. I can agree to that .”
“Amber, that’s Grayson’s mom. We dated off and on. Honestly, it was more off. And when I found out she was pregnant I was sitting with my papers in front of me. I didn’t sign them. I knew I couldn’t deploy again. Then my grandfather got sick. So Amber moved to Padre with me and we’ve shared custody of Grayson since them. For the most part it works. But I don’t think it will ever be enough .”
“Oh Cole. I’m sorry. The last two years sound horrible .”
“I shouldn’t be dumping all of this on you. Damn it. Sorry. We’re supposed to be counting falling stars or something, right? I think I promised a sky show .”
He turned toward the ocean. There were a few boats dotting the horizon with blinking green lights .
I hadn’t intended to grab his arm, but I was afraid he would pull away, and I didn’t want that to happen. We were talking. We had somehow broken away from Ryan’s shadow. This was Cole and Kaitlyn .
“I want to know what’s been going on with you.” My hand rested on his forearm. I fought the urge to move it up the length of his bicep. It felt solid and taut .