Page 37 of Honey Bee Library
“Everything okay?” Cole finally asked as he slowed to a stop at the red light.
Startled, I glanced over at him. I hadn’t anticipated that he would be the one to speak first. “Yeah,” I said as I stretched my arms out in front of me and curved my back. My body was so tense, and I needed to relax.
Cole flicked his gaze over at me. “You just seem stressed.”
That was an understatement. I was struggling with so much and nothing made sense, but I couldn’t unload on the person who was causing the bulk of my confusion. So I just shrugged. “It’s been a long week.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Cole nod as he kept his attention on the light. “I bet,” he said softly.
The air felt heavier as we sat there in silence. I didn’t know how to read our relationship anymore, and I wasn’t sure I should try. The last thing I wanted to do was mess things up for Jasper. I just needed…distance. Time to get my head on straight.
“I think I’ll call Ralph tomorrow,” I blurted out before I had time to plot out where I wanted to take the conversation.
Cole flicked his gaze over at me for only a moment before the light shifted to green and he pressed on the gas.
When he didn’t speak, I decided to keep going. “The mechanic,” I said, in case he didn’t know.
“I know who Ralph is,” he said quietly as he kept his gaze forward with his fingers wrapped around the steering wheel.
I flicked my gaze back to Jasper who was still staring out the window. Thankfully, it seemed like he wasn’t interested in listening to our conversation.
“I just think it’s time. Jasper and I need to take steps for our future since, eventually, you will leave Harmony.” I offered Cole a weak smile, but he didn’t turn to look at me. “It’s the best for all of us.”
Cole shifted his weight so his left wrist was resting on the steering wheel. He glanced over at me and then back to the road. “Okay,” he said, his voice quiet.
I wasn’t sure how to read his reaction. Was he disappointed? Relieved? Offended? I could only imagine how having me and Jasper stay with him had interrupted his life. He should be celebrating. He was going to get back to his routine. That’s what bachelors wanted, right? Space to do…whatever bachelors wanted to do.
I didn’t speak again and neither did Cole as he lingered at the security gate and then drove through the neighborhood and parked in his garage. Jasper filled the silence with excited exclamations as he pulled open the car door and climbed out. He was ready to play cars with Cole.
I wanted to pull my son back. The last thing I wanted was for him to get too attached. But I resisted.Iwas the one with the issues with Cole. Jasper was just thrilled to find a fellow lover of Matchbox and Hot Wheels. It would be selfish of me to deny him that friend.
I left Cole and Jasper to play in the room that Cole had set up. I took a hot shower and dressed in a flannel muumuu that I’d grabbed at the thrift store the other day. After brushing my hair and braiding it, I collapsed on the bed and let my body sink into the fluff.
I started reading on my phone, and my eyes grew heavy. I knew I should sit up. I should climb out of bed to go get Jasper ready. But I was too tired and my body felt too relaxed. My eyes drifted shut, and I didn’t wake up until three a.m.
Startled, I sat straight up when the realization that I’d left Cole to put my son to sleep slammed into me. My hand jutted out, and I felt around for Jasper.
Nothing.
My heart was pounding now. Where was Jasper? Why had I fallen asleep? I was the worst mother ever.
I yanked off my blanket and set my feet on the floor. I padded through the bedroom and out into the hallway. “Jasper? Cole?” I called out.
No answer.
I hurried over to the room where I’d left them earlier. Maybe they’d fallen asleep. I stood in the doorway and flipped the light on, squinting as I waited for my eyes to adjust. After a quick scan of the room, my heart sank. It was empty.
My mind raced to the worst-case scenario. Had Cole…kidnapped my son?
I sprinted down the hall and into the kitchen, where my gaze swept every last nook and cranny. There was no way Cole had taken my son. There had to be another explanation.
As I glanced around the countertop, a white envelope caught my eye. I walked over and grabbed it, only to find a note from Cole.
Willow,
I had to take an emergency trip to Miami. I won’t be there when you and Jasper wake up. I’m not sure when I’ll be back, but I guessing not for a few days.
Cole
