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  She shivered in response to his provocative words before scooting back on the seat to press her back to the window. “I don’t care what you think. I’m telling you the way it is, the way it has to be. I’m sorry if that’s not what you want to hear.”

  Quitting wasn’t in Cole’s vocabulary, but he knew he wasn’t going to win this battle today. “Are you gonna go out with him?”

  “Who? Paul?” She lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. “That’s the plan.”

  “Why?” He wanted to kiss her more than he’d ever wanted anything, if for no other reason than to remind her how hot it was between them. The fact that he couldn’t because of their surroundings just infuriated him more.

  “Because I like him, and he likes me. Isn’t that reason enough?”

  “No!” He took a deep breath when he realized he’d raised his voice and drawn a few of her students’ attention. “Look, we both know why you’re doin’ this. You just wanna send me a message to back off.” He would do or say almost anything to convince her to reconsider her decision to go out with some other guy. Everyone expected her to end up with someone like Paul Courtnall. He was a nice person, a responsible member of the community, a good father, and no one speculated about his sex life. Within a few months of dating, her family and friends would convince her that he was the man she’d been waiting for, and Cole would have to watch his one and only opportunity with her slip away. He couldn’t let that happen.

  “Who I go out with is none of your business.”

  The bus pulled into the gravel drive leading up to the farm.

  “Kindly get out of my way so I can speak to my class.”

  He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “If you think I’m lettin’ you get away without a fight, you need to give more credence to that reputation of mine.”

  Chapter Three

  Charlene was obligated to wait in the classroom until all the children left, which meant Cole had the opportunity to corner her at will. He and his daughter were the last to leave every day for the past several months. She hated to admit that she enjoyed their little chats, but they settled into a comfortable routine.

  Cole brought her a take-out coffee from Mavis’s diner and they sat and talked while Cassidy erased the chalk board, collected papers, and sharpened pencils. She was such a sweet little girl, definitely Charlene’s favorite student, though she would never admit it to anyone.

  “So, what are your plans for the holidays?” Cole asked, settling into the plastic chair. It was one of three larger chairs in the room, but his large frame seemed to make all of the furniture look small.

  “Um, Paul’s family is coming to town. He asked me to have dinner with them.”

  She and Paul had been seeing each other since the field trip. She enjoyed spending time with him, but she feared she might be using him as a buffer so people wouldn’t speculate about the nature of her relationship with Cole. She and Cole were friends. Admitting it to herself took a long time, but she liked the single father. He was kind and generous, sweet and funny. But she knew he had a mean streak too. She saw it when a drunk man bumped into him at one of the high school football games, spilling a soft drink down the front of his shirt.

  “Why?” he asked, leaning forward so Cassidy, who was at the back of the room tending to fish in the small aquarium, wouldn’t hear them. “You know you’re wastin’ your time with him.”

  They had this conversation too many times over the past several months. He kept telling her that Paul was all wrong for her, while she kept trying to convince him and herself that they were perfect for each other. “That’s for me to decide.”

  Cole sighed, tipping his cowboy hat back on his head. “You know you’re just leadin’ him on.”

  “That’s not true,” she said, feeling the familiar twinge of guilt that often accompanied Cole’s accusations. “I enjoy spending time with him. No one, including you, knows where it might lead.”

  Cole turned around to make sure his daughter was occupied when he asked, “Are you sleepin’ with him yet?”

  He’d asked before, but she never gave him the satisfaction of knowing that she told Paul she wasn’t ready to take their relationship to the next level. She knew she couldn’t go on this way much longer. They’d been seeing each other for eleven weeks. The man had been more than patient. Before long, she’d either have to let him go or sleep with him. Neither was an idea she felt ready to contemplate.

  Sleeping with him would undoubtedly leave her feeling miserable because she had no doubt that Paul could never give her what she craved, but letting him go meant she’d be forced to confront her feelings for Cole, and that terrified her even more. She told herself she liked and respected Cole, but she knew it was more than that. Without even trying, he excited and aroused her. Just remembering the way he’d made her feel the night he took her to his house reminded her that it was possible to feel that way in a man’s arms.

  If only she could give in to the temptation and experience it one more time. But she couldn’t. Cole’s reputation in the bedroom was legendary in their small town, and if people so much as suspected they were sleeping together, she’d never be able to show her face again. People would know what she’d allowed him to do to her, and if she stayed with him, they’d know she liked it.

  That wasn’t an option for a small-town second-grade teacher whose reputation was supposed to be beyond reproach. The conservative soccer moms on the P.T.A. would scream for the principal to fire her. Her co-workers would whisper about her in the staff room, kids would snicker in the halls, her family and friends would berate her… No, it wasn’t worth turning her life upside down, no matter how sexy he looked in that Stetson.

  “I’m waitin’ for an answer.”

  “Well, you’re not going to get one. I told you before. It’s none of your business.”

  “If you meet his family, he’s gonna think you two have a future together.”

  She busied herself setting the children’s last period art projects in a neat pile on the corner of her desk so she wouldn’t have to look at him. “Maybe we do.”

  He reached across her desk, trapping her hand under his. “You don’t really believe that.”

  After forcing herself to look him in the eye, she said, “How do you know what I believe?”

  “Honey,” he whispered, “he can’t give you what you need, but I can. If you’ll just let me...”

  “Daddy, why are you holdin’ Miss McCoy’s hand?” Cassidy asked, skipping up to the desk. “Are you two in love?” She covered her mouth and giggled as Cole withdrew his hand.

  “Come on,” he said, getting to his feet. “It’s time for us to go home, Princess.”

  “Awww,” Cassidy said, stomping her feet. “You told me you’d take me to the store after school today. You promised to get me that new Barbie.”

  Cole tugged on his daughter’s ringlets. “How could I forget? Okay, let’s go.” He looked at Charlene a long time before he asked, “Think about what I said?”

  She couldn’t allow herself to go there. If she did, she’d just invite trouble. “Have a good weekend, you two.” She smiled at Cassidy. “I’ll see you bright and early on Monday morning, and don’t forget to practice for the holiday concert.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  Cole had never been so frustrated. He knew he and Charlene had a unique connection. He felt it every time they were together, but he couldn’t act on it because he knew she would reject him. She was too worried about what people thought to consider putting her own happiness first. He knew he could make her happy, in and out of the bedroom, but that wasn’t an option as long as her pseudo-boyfriend was in the picture.

  He knew she was using Paul to hide from her feelings for him, but Cole couldn’t call her out on it as long as his daughter was in the room. He was getting tired of dancing around their attraction. He wanted to act on it. Again. He hadn’t been with a woman since the school year started. He told himself that he’d been too busy, b
ut the truth was, no one else interested him. He wanted Charlene. Period. Even in the year since they had sex, the few women he slept with made him crave her even more. He was so screwed.

  “Daddy, what are you doing?” Cassidy squealed. “You drove right by the store.”

  He swore softly under his breath as he pulled into the drug store parking lot to turn around. “Sorry, sweetie, I guess my mind was somewhere else.”

  “You were thinking about Miss McCoy again, weren’t you?”

  Cole looked in the rear-view mirror to see his daughter looking sadder than he felt. “What makes you say that?”

  “You always get real quiet after you see her.” She sighed and crossed her arms. “I wish she wasn’t going out with Kelsey’s daddy. She says they’re gonna get married, you know.” She frowned. “Then Miss McCoy will be her mama.” She kicked the back of the seat with her fur-trimmed boot. “It’s not fair! Kelsey always gets everything she wants. Why should she get Miss McCoy, too?”

  Cole tried to breathe to ease the knot in his stomach as he gripped the steering wheel. “You don’t know they’re gonna get married, Cass.” Please, God, don’t let her marry him.

  “She said her daddy asked her how she would feel about it if he proposed to Miss McCoy. She thinks he’s gonna buy her a ring for Christmas.” Her blue eyes brimmed with tears when they met his in the mirror. “It’s not fair. I love Miss McCoy. I want her to be my mama.”

  Cole swallowed the lump in his throat. He’d denied the void in Cassidy’s life for too long. He told himself she was happy that it was just the two of them, but his mother was right. His little girl was missing out, not having a woman like Charlene in her life, and he intended to do something about it before it was too late.

  “How would you like to have dinner with your nana tonight, Princess?”

  “Yeah!” Cassidy said, clapping her hands.

  Apparently her sadness over Miss McCoy was forgotten. “Okay, just let me call her.”

  “Can I sleep over, Daddy?”

  Convincing Charlene that he was the man for her may take the entire night. “If it’s okay with your nana, it’s okay with me.” He knew it would be. His mother always said she wished she had more time with her granddaughter. But between horseback riding lessons, figure skating, swimming, and dance, they were booked most nights and often on weekends.

  Cole parked his truck and pulled out his cell phone. His heart started racing when she didn’t pick up after the third ring. His gut told him that if he didn’t reach out to Charlene soon, it would be too late. “Hey, Mama,” he said, when she finally picked up on the fifth ring. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “No, honey. I was just washing some cookie sheets and I had to dry my hands off before I could answer the phone.”

  “Sounds like you were doin’ some holiday bakin’.” His mother enjoyed baking for friends and the annual church bake sale. “Cassidy wanted a sleep-over with her nana tonight, but if you’re too busy—”

  “No, I’d love to have her. In fact, she can help me decorate the gingerbread men. Tomorrow we’ll do a little Christmas shopping for her daddy.”

  “You sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure. Bring her right over. I just made some chicken soup for dinner. You’re welcome to stay, too.”

  Food was the last thing on his mind tonight. “Thanks, but I’ve got to take care of a few things.” Like a certain sexy teacher. Taking care of her would be his pleasure. “I’ll just stop at home to pick up Cassidy’s things.”

  “Don’t bother. I have everything she needs. She keeps an extra toothbrush and stuffed animal here, and I bought her some clothes and story books the last time I went in to Sudbury, so I think we’re all set.”

  That would save him some time, since his mother’s house was only a few minutes from Main Street. “Okay, thanks. We’ll see you in a few.” He looked over his shoulder at his daughter. “You still wanna get that Barbie, or can it wait ‘til next week?”

  “It can wait! I wanna see Nana.”

  Cole chuckled as he slipped his phone into the cup holder. “How did I know you were gonna say that? Okay, let’s get you over to your nana’s house, Princess.”

  As he drove the short distance, his mind worked overtime, trying to formulate a plan. He knew Charlene had bought the Martins’ old bungalow, which was just around the corner from his mother’s house. He could make it there in no time, but he had no idea if she would be alone when he arrived. He’d seen her around town with Paul a time or two on a Friday night, and he wouldn’t be surprised to find him there tonight.

  He struggled to think of an excuse for dropping by, in case she wasn’t alone, but he came up empty. As he ushered Cassidy into his mother’s house, the smell of gingerbread assailed him. “Wow, smells like you arrived just in time, sweetie. I bet Nana could use some help decoratin’ those bad boys.”

  She giggled and tugged on the edge of his leather jacket. “Gingerbread men aren’t bad boys, silly. They’re good boys.”

  “Of course they are,” Cole said, tweaking her nose. “Why don’t you go on in and say hi to Nana? Then I want you to run upstairs and get washed up.”

  “Okay.” She slipped her boots off and shed her coat before skipping in to the kitchen.

  Even after several years, getting used to his mother living in the small house in the center of town was difficult for Cole. The ranch was her home for as long as he could remember, but she claimed she loved living within walking distance of the meager amenities Brant offered.

  “Hey, Mama,” Cole said, removing his hat before walking into the kitchen. His mother was the only who still chastised him for walking into a room wearing a hat. Even though she’d lived with cowboys all of her life, she insisted there was no excuse for bad manners.

  Ruth Braxton looked up at her son and frowned before kissing her granddaughter’s head and sending her upstairs to wash up so she could help her with the cookies. “You look like hell.”

  Cole rolled his eyes. He could always count on his mother to be honest with him, whether he liked it or not. “Gee, thanks.” He bent to kiss her cheek and stole a sugar cookie from the plate behind her.

  She slapped his hand with a twinkle in her eye. “Leave those alone. They’re for the church.”

  He smirked before devouring half the cookie in one mouthful. “They won’t miss one.”

  “What are you up to tonight?” she asked, wiping her hands on her apron. “Got a hot date?”

  He wasn’t ready to tell his mother about his feelings for Charlene until he was convinced she was ready to pursue this thing between them. “I thought I’d stop by and see a friend.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched. “This friend of yours wouldn’t be Charlene McCoy by any chance, would it?”

  He didn’t know why he was surprised his mother knew what he was up to. He’d never been able to keep anything from her. He didn’t know why he even bothered to try. “What makes you say that?”

  When he finished the cookie, she offered him a platter containing small squares of Christmas cake. “You know Mrs. Briar and I are good friends. She mentioned that you’ve spent a lot more time at the school lately. And Cassidy mentioned that you and she hang around talking to her teacher every day after school.”

  Cole stuffed a square into his mouth, hoping he could buy some time while chewing. “It’s no big deal. Cassidy likes her teacher this year. That’s a good thing, right?”

  “I don’t think my granddaughter is the only one who likes her.” She smiled. “You like her too, don’t you?” She set the platter down on the counter before pointing a finger at him. “And don’t even try to deny it. You know I can always tell when you’re holding out on me.”

  Cole shrugged. “So what if I do like her? What’s the big deal?”

  Ruth reached up to pat her son’s chest. “Honey, Charlene’s a lovely girl. I’ve known her family a long time, but…”

  “But what?” Cole scowled. His mother wasn’t o
ne to spare his feelings, so he knew he wasn’t going to like what she had to say if he had to drag it out of her. “Come on, if you have somethin’ to say, just say it already.”

  “I just don’t know that she’s your type is all.” She set the silver-framed glasses hanging on a chain around her neck back up on her nose before turning her attention to an open cookbook on the counter.

  Cole reached for her elbow. “You’re not gettin’ off the hook that easily, Mama. Tell me what you mean.”

  Ruth sighed as she set aside the book and turned to face her son. “Charlene is sweet and innocent, and well, you’re not.” She blushed. “I know what you do behind closed doors is your business, son, but we live in a small town. You must know that people talk.”

  Cole didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Someone had actually spoken to his mother about his sexual proclivities? Who would do something like that? “Look, I don’t know what you heard, but—”

  She held her hand up. “I don’t mean to embarrass you, but I feel it’s my place to help you see reason. Charlene’s not the right girl for you, honey. She’s a sweetheart, but if you were being honest with yourself, you’d admit that she was much better off with Paul.”

  “I can’t believe I’m hearin’ this,” Cole said as he started pacing back and forth over the tiled floor. “My own mother doesn’t think I’m good enough for this woman?” Maybe she was right, perhaps he wasn’t good enough for Charlene, but he didn’t think Paul was either.

  “I’m not saying that at all. I just don’t want to see you make another mistake. You married the wrong woman the first time. You tried turning her into someone she wasn’t and look how that turned out.”

  “Oh my God,” Cole said, stopping in his tracks. “That’s who told you about…” He couldn’t say it, not to his own mother. “Andrea talked to you about…”

  His mother looked as mortified as he felt. “She confided in me that things weren’t going well at home, and when I pressed, she told me she couldn’t keep you satisfied in the bedroom. She said…” She started wringing her hands as a blush crept up her neck. “You wanted things that she couldn’t give you.”