been split up. Putting up with Wally was better than taking that chance.”
“Maybe they could have found a way to keep you and your brother together—”
“Yeah, and maybe Santa Claus is real.” He raked a hand through his hair and expelled a harsh breath. “I couldn’t take the chance.”
Her brows pulled together. “It sounds like this went on for quite some time. I can’t understand how none of the teachers noticed the abuse.”
“Wally made sure he hit me where the bruises didn’t show.” A chill settled over Cole’s body. “I started football in middle school and played hard. That explained away any bruises. By the time I met you I could hold my own against him.”
“What about Cade?”
“For some reason he left him alone.” Cole gave a humorless laugh. “Other than the night I got the black eye. I stepped between them. There was no way I was going to let him pound on my little brother. After that episode Wally gave both of us a wide berth. Once I graduated from high school, I left Jackson and took Cade with me.”
Contacting an uncle in Austin who he’d never met had been a long shot, but it had worked out. Cole only wished he’d done it years before.
Soft fingers touched his arm and he jerked his gaze upward to find Meg standing beside him.
“Why didn’t you tell me about your stepdad?”
“Like I said, I told no one.” He met her gaze. “It was best.”
“I’d have been there for you.”
Cole gazed down into her luminous green eyes and realized how easy it would be to fall under her spell once again. To believe in the words sliding so easily from her soft lips. To think she genuinely cared and could be trusted.
But he wouldn’t let himself be fooled a second time. Meg was a nice person with many good qualities.
Yet, trust her?
Not again. Not ever again.
Chapter Nine
The next week passed uneventfully for Meg. Life in her temporary mountain home settled into an easy rhythm. She helped Cole with his exercises and was astounded by his progress. Her only worry was Charlie. The boy had begun to suck his thumb and had started waking up during the night crying.
Yesterday, he’d had his first session with Dr. Allman, a Jackson psychologist who came highly recommended by July Wahl. Charlie appeared to enjoy his time with the man, saying Dr. Pete had a lot of really cool toys.
Maybe everything with Charlie was under control. Her and Cole? Well, that relationship was still under construction.
When Cole had opened up to her Sunday afternoon about his childhood abuse, she felt as if something momentous had occurred. She now understood him in a way she never had before. His honesty had chipped away at the hurt and anger encasing her heart all these years.
Although Cole may not have explained why he’d so unceremoniously dumped her back then, now there were lots of potential explanations. Whatever the correct answer, Meg bet it had something to do with his tumultuous home life.
She considered asking him straight out, but he appeared more withdrawn after his confession, as if dredging up the past had shot a hole in his emotions.
“What’s taking so long?”
Speak of the devil.
Meg glanced up from the kitchen counter, where she’d been preparing vegetables for Lexi’s holiday festivities tomorrow, to find Cole standing in the doorway. For a second, she let her gaze linger, her eyes drinking him in. She’d never known a man who could look so good in jeans and a sweatshirt. She barely noticed the brace on his leg anymore. It had become as much a part of him as his dark hair and the barely perceptible cleft in his chin.
“Charlie sent me to tell you that we’ve got the Chutes and Ladders game out. All we’re missing is you.”
“Did he really say that?” Meg teased. “Or are you simply hoping for adult conversation with your popcorn?”
While she was working on the veggies, Cole had stuck a bag of popcorn in the microwave. Charlie had done his part by dumping the finished product into a large bowl and carrying it into the family room.
“I’ll have you know, Charlie and I were in the middle of a very scintillating conversation on the merits of chewing two pieces of gum over just one.” Cole crossed the room and grabbed a couple of black olives from the relish tray in front of her. Before he’d finished chewing those, he reached for another.
“Stop that.” She slapped his hand. “These