was a bar to the right that separated the entry from the kitchen area. Two wrought iron backed barstools were scooted up to it. A faded, denim shirt was hanging over the back of one.
“Follow me,” Cole said, setting her suitcase down on the floor by the door. He led her into the kitchen. It was small, but cozy. The countertops were dark granite that blended well with the dark, hardwood floors. The appliances were newer stainless.
She followed him toward the front of the house, into the next room, which was a dining room. There was a long, rustic dining room table, made of a thick, solid, dark wood and six matching chairs. There were two tall, wrought iron candlesticks on the table and an antique looking stained glass lamp hanging from the ceiling, centered over the table.
Natalie ran her hands over the dark, glossy table top, admiringly. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thanks. I built it.”
She looked at him, amazed.
“Surprised?” he asked.
“Yes. I didn’t know you were so talented.”
Cole moved on to the next room, which was a living room that stretched across the front of the house.
Natalie looked down, noticing that the hardwood floors appeared to run through the entire house. A huge stone fireplace took up the left wall. There were a couple of overstuffed chairs and a matching sofa, a flat screen TV, and antique coffee table and matching end tables that held tiffany style lamps. A door led out to the covered front porch.
Cole turned, and led her back into the dining room to a hallway on his right. There were two doors. One he opened, and she peeked inside seeing a bedroom with an old, white, iron bed and a computer sitting on an old fashioned desk.
Natalie had begun to notice that there appeared to be a lot of antique furniture. “You like antiques?” she asked.
He nodded. “Strange, huh? I’ve picked a lot of them up over the years, going to garage sales and flea markets. They seem to fit the house better than any of the new stuff they make today.”
She nodded, and gave his a sly look. “Garage sales and flea markets, huh?”
He grinned. “Guilty. I’m addicted.”
“Well you’ve picked out some great pieces.”
“This is the bathroom.” He opened the next door.
She glanced inside. It was nicely remodeled for an older home. There was an antique dresser converted into a sink with a glass bowl attached to the top and beautiful antique fixtures. “And this?” She ran her hand over the top. “Did you make this, too?”
He nodded.
“Amazing.”
“You can stay in that bedroom,” he nodded toward the bedroom she’d just seen, “and use this bath. The master is in the back of the house, if you want to see it.”
“Yes. I’d love to.” She followed him back through the kitchen to a room off the back. It wasn’t large by any means, but she liked it. A big antique sleigh bed took up most of the room. It was unmade and clothes littered the floor. The top of the matching dresser was covered with a coating of dust and enough clutter and papers to fill a garbage can.
“Sorry. I told you the place was a mess,” Cole explained, embarrassed.
“You need a woman, Cole.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I do.”
She smiled at him.
He nodded to the door on the right. “There’s a bath through there. I’d rather you don’t see it until I can clean it up.”
“Fair enough.” She laughed. “So, how about you buy me lunch? I’m starved.”
They ate at a small Mexican café with a quaint Spanish style outdoor patio. They each ordered Coronas and tacos.
When they were done, Cole lit a cigarette, and leaned back in his chair. “How are my kids?”
Natalie sipped on her second beer. “They miss their father.”
Cole looked away. “I miss them, too.”
Natalie nodded. “I’d like to see this club of yours.”
Cole’s head snapped back to her, a little stunned. He hadn’t expected that. “What do you mean?”
She nodded toward his cut. “This club you’re a part of. I’d like to see it, if that’s allowed.”
“It’s just a dirty clubhouse that reeks of cigarette smoke and beer. I don’t think it’s anyplace you’d care to be.”
“I think I know what to expect. Still, I’d like to see it.”
He took a hit off his cigarette, considering. He blew out the smoke. “Yeah. Okay. I’ll need to make a call first.”
“Okay.” Natalie got up. “If you’ll excuse me. I have to use the ladies room.”