Chapter Sixteen
Cole rolled over, his hand reaching out to feel the empty bed next to him. He squinted at the clock.
Eight a.m.
He got up, showered, dressed, and went in search of Angel.
He went to the living room window and looked out toward the driveway. Her car was gone. He walked into the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee, then wandered out onto the patio and sat at the table. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, inhaling deeply.
The back door opened, and he turned at the sound.
Natalie walked out. She carried a cup of coffee to the table and sat down. “Angel left for the hospital about twenty minutes ago.”
“Everything okay?” Cole asked.
“Yes. She’s hoping to get Melissa to keep some food down today.”
Cole nodded. “Right. The feeding tube. She told me about it.”
Natalie nodded. She looked back at the house, and then back at Cole.
He took a hit off his cigarette, watching her.
“I just want you to know, I heard what you said last night.”
He nodded. “Good.”
They were quiet for a few moments. Cole took a sip of his coffee.
“TJ’s growing quite fond of you.”
Cole smiled, looking back at the house. “I know.”
“Cole, can I ask you something?”
He nodded slowly, wondering what was coming.
“What’s your plan?”
“My plan?”
“The kids? Angel? Are you sticking around?”
Cole took a deep breath and leaned his elbows on the patio table. “I told Angel I’d stay as long as she needed me.”
“She’ll always need you.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“Yes, you do.”
His eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”
“You plan on being a father to those kids of yours?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“And how are you going to do that from California?”
He took another hit off his cigarette and tapped it in the ashtray. “I don’t know. I’m trying to figure that out. It’s complicated.”
“What’s so complicated? You have feelings for her, don’t you?” she asked bluntly.
He looked at her. “You know I do.”
“Do you want to marry her?”
Cole smiled and blew out a breath. “You don’t mince words, do you?”
“Not about this.”
He couldn’t hold her gaze. “You think she wants a life with me? What do I have to offer her?”
“Love, for starters.”
“Love don’t pay the rent.” He ground out his cigarette.
“You’re the father of her children.”
He nodded and replied softly, “I know.”
“Do you love her?” It was really the only question that mattered.
Cole looked at her. “Yes, God help me.”
“What do you mean ‘God help you’?”
He looked away and shook his head.
“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
He looked back at her for a long moment, and then nodded. “Yeah. There is.”
She watched him, waiting. When he didn’t say anything, she asked, “Well? What is it?”
He looked her in the eyes. “I’m married.”
“Oh my God.” Natalie was stunned.