Page 68 of Chasin' Cole

"I want to prove to you that you're what I really want," Cole gives me a lop-sided grin. "Will you go on a date with me Friday?"

"How hard did you hit your head?" I scrunch my eyebrows together.

"I didn't hit my head," he swallows hard. "I wanted to say all of this to you last night, but you cut me off."

"You want to go on a date?"

"A date, yes."

"Friday?"

"Friday."

"Can I think about it?"

Cole nods. "Yes. But I'm not going anywhere."

"What if I want to travel?" I sit up straighter.

"Then we'll travel, if that's what you really want," he smiles down at me.

"But you just said—"

"I know what I said," he interjects. "I don't mind traveling, but I want someplace to call home. I want to call you home."

My eyes fill with tears. "Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes, I'll go on a date with you," I laugh.

His cold nose slides against mine as he inches closer to my lips. "I love you, Rose."

"I love you, too, Cole," I smile as his mouth slams against mine.

He tastes just like I remembered. Warm, solid, and delicious.

I break the kiss and hop up from my spot on the ground beside him. I bend over and grab as much snow in my hand as I can. I squish it into a ball between my gloved hands and throw it at Cole.

I take off runnin' with him right behind me.

I've spent a lot of years chasin' after Cole Strickland, but he's chasin' me now. And I have a good feeling he's goin' to catch me.

Epilogue

Cole

A year and a half later...

"Keep up!" Rose calls over her shoulder as the summer breeze whips through her long, blond hair.

I dig my heels into the horse I'm riding, chasing after her. That’s all I seem to be doing these days. Following Rose around. Chasing her every evening after we saddle the horses and make our way down to the creek.

Never thought I’d like it this much. The whole being in one place thing. But I do.And it’s all because of Rose.

She disappears around a bend in the dirt road and my heart thumps with anticipation. In my back pocket is my grandmother’s ring. She has no idea that after our swim in the creek, I’m going to ask her to be my wife. I’m pretty sure she’s going to say yes. I hope she does.

She comes back into view, tying Sundance to a tree branch. Then she’s stepping out of her boots and shimmying her jeans down her legs.

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