Cole Cameron's Revenge

"Cole says it's time to stow it, champ," Cole said, and grinned. He looked at Faith. "We thought we'd go to the amusement park today." He cleared his throat. "And we hoped you'd come with us."

No, she thought. Thank you for asking but don't be silly. Go by yourselves. I'm not big on amusement parks or roller coaster rides or-or on spending the day with you, Cole, pretending we're a family when we're not.,.

"Faith?" Cole said, and she looked into his eyes, saw that he wanted her with them, that he really wanted her with them, and the floor seemed to tilt under her feet as she said yes.

They shrieked with terror on the Mind Bender and the Ninja, and laughed when they got soaked riding the Log Flume. Faith said she'd rather walk on hot coals than ride the Georgia Scorcher and after watching that coaster for a while, Peter said well, he'd ride it for sure, except he didn't want to leave his mom standing around while he did and Cole said, solemnly, that sounded exactly like what he'd been thinking.

They ate hot dogs and drank soda, and when the long, wonderful day ended, they drove home through the soft, warm night, Peter sound asleep in the back seat, Cole and Faith saying little but, perhaps for the first time, not needing to find ways to fill the silence.

"I'll carry him up," Cole said softly, when they reached the house.

Faith nodded. "I'll get the door."

Peter awoke just long enough to mumble a protest when she undressed him and got him into his pajamas. He needed to wash his hands and his face, still sticky from cotton candy, and she knew he ought to brush his teeth, but she looked at her sleeping child, smiled and decided that one night of bad habits wouldn't end the world.

"Good night, sweetheart," she whispered, and kissed his forehead.

"Good night, son," Cole said softly, and Faith's throat closed up.

They tiptoed from the room, shut the door carefully behind them. Faith looked at Cole. The day was over. It was time to go to her bedroom and leave him behind but she didn't-she didn't... Her heart skipped a beat. Oh, she didn't want to...

"Did you have a good time?" he said quietly.

She smiled. "Wonderful."

He reached out a hand, gently touched it to her nose. "You got sunburned."

"So did you."

Cole cleared his throat. "Faith. I want to discuss something with you."

"Yes?"

"Let's go downstairs."

What could he want to tell her that would make him sound so serious? The warm joy of the day faded. She knew what it was. This-this sojourn was coming to an end. Of course. He'd been here, what, almost three weeks? He'd been sweet to Peter and polite to her and now he was returning to the real world. His world. Peter would miss him. Just Peter. Only-

She blinked as Cole switched on a living room lamp. "I didn't think I'd enjoy being back here," he said. "In Liberty, I mean."

Faith turned and looked at him. She smiled politely. "I understand."

"But these weeks have been..." He hesitated. "They've been great."

"Yes. Yes, they've been-pleasant."

His eyes darkened. "Pleasant? Is that the best you can do?"

"I don't know what you expect me to say, Cole. I mean-"

"Never mind." He ran his hands through his hair, paced away from her, then paced back. "Peter's been happy."

"Very. And-and I want to thank you for that. He's really-really connected with you, Cole, and-

"He's had a tough time, Faith. You told me but I didn't realize..." Cole took a breath. What the hell was the matter with him? He had something to tell her and she'd be happy about part of it. As for the rest-as for the rest, what did it matter if it pleased her or not? She was his wife. She had certain obligations. "I've managed to change things a little."

"I know. And-and I want to thank you for that, too. Taking him fishing, bike riding, going to those ball games with him-',

"Dammit, Faith!" Cole glowered at her. "What are you thanking me for?" His voice roughened. "I love the kid. I couldn't love him more if he were my own."

She nodded, afraid to speak, afraid words that might betray her would come tumbling from her mouth.

"What I meant, about changing things... Pete says the other kids are treating him better. Maybe that's the wrong way to put it. I get the feeling he's been accepted."

Faith nodded again. He had been, and it was all Cole's doing. He'd dealt with the town as he'd dealt with Alice that very first morning, making it clear that he wasn't going to tolerate any disrespect. Ted had never done that-but it wasn't fair, comparing Ted and Cole. Ted had been a good, decent man. Cole was-he was good, too. And decent. Yes, he'd used her years ago but that was then and this was now. And now, Cole was-he was