home. I’m sure Angel and the kids would like it, too.”
He looked over at her, waiting. “But?”
She smiled. “But, it’s only a two bedroom. I don’t think that will work out, at least not once the children get a little older. Maybe you could make do for now, but-”
“That’s your worry? The number of bedrooms?” Cole cut her off, astonished at the words coming out of her mouth.
“Well, it has to be considered, if you’re going to bring your family here.”
Cole just stared at her. “I’m laying my whole life out for you to judge, and all you can come up with is bedrooms?”
She smiled. “You’ll make her happy. And I know you’d do anything to protect her, to take care of her. Of that, I’m sure. You love her. That’s all I need to know.”
Cole looked away. Her words meant more to him than she could know. He couldn’t believe how relieved he was to hear her say those words. He closed his eyes. He hadn’t realized until just this moment how badly he’d wanted Natalie’s approval.
“Now, we just have to get her out here.”
He looked back at her, and nodded.
*****
Cole was standing on the back porch with a cup of coffee. The roar of a bike coming down the block broke the early morning quiet. He turned, and watched as Mack made the turn off the street, and rolled up the driveway.
“Mornin’,” Cole said, when Mack got off his bike, and walked up the stairs.
“Mornin’.”
“Want some coffee?” Cole offered.
“Sure.”
They walked inside. Mack sat at the bar, and Cole walked around to the kitchen, and poured him a cup. He set it down on the bar in front of Mack.
“She ready?” Mack asked.
Cole set his own mug down, and walked the few steps to the hall, and tapped on the bedroom door. “Your ride’s here.”
Her muffled reply came from the other side of the door. “Thanks. I’ll be right there.”
Cole walked back into the kitchen, and picked up his mug. Leaning back against the opposite counter, he took a sip of coffee, studying Mack.
“You okay with this?” Mack asked him.
“Oh, now you ask.”
Mack spread his hands, and bobbed his head. “You’re right. Shoulda run it past you first, but hell, one look at her, and-”
“Yeah. Yeah. I was there. Don’t need the replay.”
“So? You good?”
“I’m fine. Not so sure she is.”
“What do you mean?”
Cole shrugged. “She was having second thoughts about this last night. Thinking maybe she was in over her head.”
Mack looked toward the bedroom door. “Yeah. Maybe this was a bad idea.”
“I think you make her nervous.”
Mack grunted. “I seem to have that effect on women. The good ones anyway.” He took a sip of his coffee, and then looked up at Cole. “Maybe you should come with us. It’d probably make her feel more at ease.”
Cole almost laughed. “You’re kiddin’ me, right? I don’t think so. Not interested in bein’ the third wheel, here.”
Mack took a sip of his coffee. “I don’t care. You’re comin’.”
Cole smiled, noticing the tremor in Mack’s hand. “Now who’s the nervous one?”
They both turned their heads, as Natalie walked out of the bedroom. She was dressed in jeans and a black tank top. She had her hair pulled over one shoulder, and she was finishing braiding it. She wrapped a band around the bottom. She held a pair of sunglasses between her teeth.
“Good morning.” Mack smiled at her, his eyes sliding over her. “You ready to go?”
She pulled the sunglasses out of her mouth, and nodded. “Good morning.” She smiled back at Mack.
“Cole is coming along.”
Natalie looked over at Cole. He tossed the rest of his coffee in the sink, and set his cup down. She didn’t think he looked too happy to be tagging along on their date. But she was glad he was. She smiled. “That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. Wonderful,” he agreed sarcastically, leaning back against the counter, and folding his arms. “So, where’re we goin’, anyway?”
“Thought we’d ride down the coast. Maybe stop, and have lunch somewhere.”
“Well, she’s a new rider, so you probably don’t want to ride all day,” Cole felt the need to point out.
Mack gave him an exasperated look. “I realize that.”
Natalie looked between the two men, and grinned. Cole was going to look out for her, and she knew she could relax, and enjoy the day. Papa Bear was on chaperone duty, and apparently he was taking his responsibility seriously.
They headed out the door.
Mack pulled an extra helmet out of his saddlebag, and handed it to