Happy New Life (12 page)

When they made eye contact, it was like making love. The connection was
so strong. A smile as big as the Grand Canyon spread across his face.

“Fancy seeing you here.” He held up the to-go bag up.

The electricity was still strong breaking between them. Her mind burned
with the memory of them making love.

“Best coffee in town. With the best customers too.” He said.

She recalled the ecstasy of being held against his body by those strong
hands.

“I didn’t know they let riffraff in here.” Jenna chimed in glaring at
Cole.

Cole didn’t say a word. He just turned and left.

“Of all days to run into Cole Michaels. Now my day is completely
ruined.” Jenna slammed her purse down, spilling its contents onto the table.

“What is your deal?” Liz whispered while helping Jenna gather her
things. “Can’t you be nice to him? I know you’re sad and that you’ve lost the
love of your life, but. . .”

Jenna gritted her teeth. “You want me to be
nice
to him? I
can’t. He comes back into town and has to hit on you, my best friend? And you
are falling for him! Maybe I misjudged you. Maybe your judge of character isn’t
what I thought it was!”

Jenna gathered her belongs, and stood up to leave. Liz stood up too.

The entire diner was watching.

“Jenna.” Hazel Greenlee walked in the door and ran into her daughter.
“What’s wrong?”

“Cole.. Mom…Cole.” Jenna ran out the door.

“Come on, Liz.” Hazel wrapped her arms around Liz and turned her back
to the table. She signaled for Kerry Ann to bring them some coffee.

Kerry Ann filled the mugs and left Hazel and Liz alone.

“Tell me, Hazel.” Liz begged. “What is she hiding from me?”

“Honey, it’s her story to tell.” Hazel’s bangles jingled as she patted
Liz’s hand. “They both have the right to feel the way they do. And when the
time comes, they will tell you why they hate each other.”

“The time is now.” Liz jumped up.

The time is right now.

FOURTEEN

“Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall
forever.”

~Author Unknown

Cole’s truck was parked underneath a big old pine tree that stood
between the cabin and clinic. She knew that in order to get the truth, she
needed to keep her distance. If she let her guard down, she’d fall right back
into his arms.

The smell of the smoke coming from the chimney was so welcoming. It
lifted her spirit.

Remember why you are here
, she tried to convince herself. With
each knock, her heart rate accelerated.

He opened the door.

Stay cool
.

His Henley shirt fit him perfectly, and it made it more difficult
knowing what was under it.

“Come in.” Cole opened the door wider.

His expression definitely wasn’t welcoming. Nor did he seem surprised
that she was there.

She began to wonder what it really was she wanted from him.

“That’s okay. I just really need to know what is going on.” She
searched his eyes for something she already knew. The answer was hidden deep
down—somewhere she didn’t want to explore.

“Nothing, Liz. Please come in.” He stepped aside to make room. “I just
made some fresh coffee to go with my carry out.”

She walked in.

She could hear him take a deep breath when she walked by. His scent
sent chills down her spine.

“I can only stay for a bit.” The fresh brewed coffee added to the
coziness. “I’ll take a cup since my last cup was interrupted.”

Liz moved around his kitchen like she belonged there. She glided with
ease and grace, pouring two cups of coffee. She liked the way she fit—it felt
natural.

It was his home.

Sadness crossed her face at the thought of not having him in her life.

“What are you thinking?” Liz sat the cup in front of Cole on the table.
“I can see it in your eyes. You look sad.”

“I know that you aren’t going to be in my life for very long and it
makes me sad.” He said.

“Tell me Cole.” Liz squatted in between his legs. Looking up, she
scanned his eyes and ran her hands through his salt and pepper hair. “I want to
know what is going on. You and Jenna mean so much to me.” She pleaded with him.

Gingerly, their lips met. “I have to get Hayes from school.”

“I will be over tonight.”

With the expectation that she was going find out the truth, it was
easier for her to walk away from him at that moment.

FIFTEEN

“True friendship isn't about being there when it's
convenient; it's about being there when it's not.”

~Author Unknown

She felt like a teenager sneaking her boyfriend into the house every
night. Being apart was almost more painful than the secret he was keeping from
her. There was never a conversation about their relationship during daylight
hours. They avoided each other in the community, keeping their relationship a
secret.

He was pushing it by staying later and later each morning in her bed.

Except the time Hayes had spent the night with a friend. They made love
all morning and it was heaven. Endlessly they talked about what they wanted to
do with their lives. Cole was content being a local veterinarian and working as
an obedience trainer. Liz told him she wanted The Mole Hole to grow, when what
she truly wanted was him and Hayes under one roof—in her life openly.

It was nice having that little secret love affair. The idea of Cole
sharing her bed every night became a welcome feeling that she had been longing
for.

The next few weeks before winter break she spent working and, picking
Hayes up from school and obedience class on Monday nights. Besides a few emails
about the benefit, which was rapidly approaching, Jenna and Liz didn’t see each
other. Liz hadn’t wanted to risk any confrontations. She’d accepted that there
was a secret, but didn’t force the issue. Hazel was right. They’d tell her when
the time was right.

Liz was amazing by all the planning you could do over the Internet. She
had called some of her close friends from Cincinnati and secured a couple of
free trips, jewelry, free car lease for a year, furs, and some free dinners for
the auction at the benefit.

It looked like the New Year’s Eve Casino night was going to be a big
hit. It was the talk of the town.

Liz dialed Jenna to confirm a few last minute details. She was relieved
when Jenna’s answering machine picked up.

“Jenna, it’s Liz. I wanted to let you know that Hayes has gone to his
dad’s house this week end and we should tie up the loose ends on the benefit.”
Before she could finish, Jenna jumped on the line.

“Hold on…hold on.” Jenna fumbled with the answering machine on the
other end.

Liz loved that Jenna used her old manual answering machine.

“It’s entertaining to hear the person on the other end.” Jenna would
say to justify why she hadn’t upgraded from the ancient device.

Truth be told, Jenna’s husband had gotten the old machine and his voice
was still on the outgoing message. It was the only recording that she has of
his voice and she refused to change it.

“Sometimes I hit replay over and over just to hear his voice.”
Jenna admitted one long night at The Thirsty Turtle.

Half the time it didn’t even work. Liz had left countless messages over
the past six months, and Jenna claimed she never got them.

“Sorry, I was in the shower.” She was out of breath. “Sounds good to
me. I think we are doing great on the auction items. The caterer is ready and
we just need to pick up the casino tables. Why don’t I come over and we’ll
finish up?”

“Great. I will make some coffee and put a few cookies in the oven. Say
about an hour?” Liz really wanted to get this New Year’s bash over with and put
it behind her.

Plus after the benefit, she’d demand more answers from Jenna.

“Let’s say two hours. I need to put some laundry in and wrap a couple
of Christmas gifts. I can’t believe that Christmas is next week and the benefit
is the week after that.” She sounded excited, which was a great relief to hear.
“Are you ready for Christmas?”

“I am. My family is going to come here this year. Hayes wants to stay
home.” The previous year, Hayes still felt like Cincinnati was his home, so
they stayed at Liz’s parents.

“Good.” Jenna confirmed, “I’ll see you in a couple hours.”

Looking at her watch, Liz realized she needed to take Tramp for a quick
walk. If she didn’t, he would be all over Jenna.

He was responding to more and more commands. The last obedience class
had been torture, but it was paying off. She tried hard in class. She didn’t
want Cole to see her as a slacker. Plus if she didn’t concentrate, she’d be focused
on Cole. He was already a big distraction in her life.

She noticed he tried not to make eye contact with her during class.
They laughed within the walls of intimacy about their little secret.

“Not bad.” Liz walked down the snowy sidewalk, proud of not being
dragged through the snow.

She was even able to take in the picturesque historical houses in her
neighborhood that were all beautifully decorated for the holidays. The
untouched snow on the tree branches gave a soft glow to the already beautiful neighborhood.

Each house was blanketed in white powder as though it had been
perfectly placed there. Silence hung in the air.

Most houses had a candle in each window, while a few had a giant
blow-up snowman for their little ones’ enjoyment. Liz had gotten to know her
neighbors through Tramp. They had all enjoyed watching Tramp drag her up and
down the street.

But not on that day. He was starting to become the dog she knew he
could be.

As they approached her house, she glanced up at her house to see why
Tramp’s ears had perked up.

“What are you doing here?” She smiled at Cole’s gorgeous face as he
stood on her porch. She raised her eyebrows. “Nice surprise.”

“I wanted to make sure that you were okay since Hayes is not here.” He
followed Liz inside like he belonged there.

“I am good. I have a lot of work to keep me busy.” He looked at her the
same way he did before they made love. “I am getting ready to make …”

“Love?” Cole walked over and moved his mouth over hers, devouring it’s
softness.

“No, make cookies.” She squeezed in before he could claim her lips
again.

“Cole, seriously, Jenna will be here in an hour and I don’t want you
anywhere near this place.” She tried to unwrap his arms from around her.

“Don’t leave on my account.” Jenna stoned face at the back door.

Immediately Cole dropped his arms and darted for the front door while
Jenna turned to go out the back. Liz stood still trying to decide who to go
after. The best friend that had taken her in when she knew no one? Or the first
man that she had been attracted to since she’d been divorced.

“Jenna! Jenna!” She ran out the back door.

She knew that her best friend needed her more.

She turned the corner as Jenna and Cole almost ran smack-dab into each
other. If they would’ve collided their bodies would have exploded like TNT.

“I am done with this situation, Liz!” Jenna screamed, glaring at them
with burning eyes.

A sudden chill hung on the edge of Jenna’s words.

“No.
I
am done with this situation.” Cole headed towards his
truck.

“What about me? I don’t get it.” Liz pleaded between the two of them.
“Why can’t I have both of you?”

“You want to know why?” Jenna’s anger was thunderous. “Why don’t you
tell her? You’ve been pretending to be this wonderful man. Why don’t you tell
her Coleman Michaels? Dr. Michaels?”

Cole stopped. He didn’t turn around.

Liz waited.

She rubbed her hands on her arms to ward off the chill. She couldn’t
figure out if the goose bumps were from the falling snow or the chilly
conversation.

“You’ve been dying to tell her. Go ahead, Jenna.” He muttered with his
back still turned to them.

He brushed the snow out of his hair before putting his hands in his
pocket to get his keys.

Liz needed him to turn around. She needed to see his eyes.

“Tell me what? I’ve been trying to get it out of both of you for a
month now. Jenna, you are my best friend. Please tell me.” She knew she might
be able to get it out of Jenna.

Jenna turned to Liz with a look of disgust, fear and pain. She began to
shake with uncontrollable sobs.

“Your precious Dr. Cole, killed my husband. You murderer!” Jenna ran at
Cole with her fists in the air.

She reached him and began to pound on his chest. He stood there, not
defending himself, just staring at Liz; his broad shoulders heaving with ragged
breaths.

“I hate you. You’re a drunk!” She continued to hit him. “They should’ve
never let you out of prison!”

She sank to the grass around Cole’s feet.

Cole turned and silently walked to his truck. He stopped for a second
after he opened his truck door. Liz wanted him to say something.

Anything.

He got in and drove off.

Like an injured animal on the side of the road, Jenna lay in the cold,
wet snow while large snowflakes began to blanket her.

What have I done?
Liz bent down and put her hands on Jenna’s
shoulders.

“My God, Jenna. I am so sorry.” She picked her up. “It’s cold out here.
Let’s go in the house where it’s warm.”

“I am so sorry.” Liz whispered in Jenna’s ear over and over. The pain
radiated throughout her entire body. She couldn’t imagine how Jenna felt. “Let
me help you.”

“I should’ve told you before you got involved. I just thought that
without my approval you’d. . .” Jenna’s voice trailed off.

“I would’ve avoided him if you had only told me. I would never want to
be involved with some one that has hurt you the way Cole did.” Liz was having a
hard time believing what she had just learned.