Break In Two (40 page)

Ben handed him his laptop, "Speaking of the right woman, let's find you the next flight to London so you can go get Claire."

"There is no way I can go right now. We're going to have a full house here for the next two weeks."

"Like hell you can't," Ben said. "You think you're the only one who knows how to run this place? I may not like it in the office, but I know what to do when I'm in there. Dad and Mom are here as well and if you remember, they ran this place when you and I were still in diapers."

"You gotta go, Cole. Now. Don't leave it another minute," Alicia said, handing him a piece of paper. "This is the address for Claire's sister. I emailed her for it so I could send her tax forms when they come. Go get her."

"What if your baby comes early? I need to stay here at least until after the Christmas holiday is over," Cole said, looking at her doubtfully.

"We'll be just fine, Cole. The doctor said there is no way this baby is coming for at least another two weeks. Gabriela's wasted enough of your time. Now get your head out of your ass and go get her already," Ben said.

Cole smiled at him, "Okay," he said opening the computer and turning it on. "Let's find me a flight."

In London, Claire was sitting up in bed. It was 2 am and she had just woken up from another bad dream. She turned on the lamp and sighed, mentally calculating the time of day back in Colorado. It was early evening there and she imagined that Cole and Gabriela were probably together, maybe snuggled up on the couch watching a show or making love. Claire tried to shake the thought out of her head. Cole was in her past as much as Antonio was. Neither would be a part of her life again and she had to find a way to forget him as he had done her.

She needed to focus on her future. Claire thought about the new year; it would be a fresh start for her. This past year had completely depleted her emotional energy - finding out that Antonio was cheating, starting over in Colorado, falling in love with Cole only to lose him, ending up heartbroken in another new place. Her heart and mind were exhausted from all of it. She needed something new to fill her with hope and purpose again.

She wanted the next year to be a chance for her to develop her independence. Finding a commercial property she could lease was proving difficult. She had seen several strong possibilities but none of them were exactly what she wanted. The reality that Claire didn't want to admit to was that nothing would be perfect if Cole wasn't there to walk through the door and taste what she was preparing, smile at her or wrap her in his arms. She needed to find a way to get excited about her life without him and she had no clue as to how she would do that.

*
              *              *

December 25th

Cole boarded the early morning flight with nervous knots in his stomach. By the time he would arrive in London, it would be late evening local time. He hadn't let her know he was coming but planned to get a cab straight over to her sister's house. He felt horrified every time the thought crossed his mind that she might have fallen for someone else already. Logically, he knew it wasn't likely, but he couldn't help considering the possibility.

He tried in vain to watch the movies offered, feeling too anxious to take in any of it. He fidgeted, staring out the window and checking his watch every ten minutes. '
Come on, come o
n,' he thought to himself. He finally saw the lights of London as they descended. The city seemed to go on forever, brightly lit with reflections glowing off the river. He had never seen a sight more thrilling. This city held his Claire and he was about to go find her. He could only hope she would be willing to give him a second chance.

He got his backpack and left the airport, heading straight outside to find a cab. As they drove along the streets of London, he barely took in the sights, hoping he would find Claire at home and wondering what to say to her. The house was completely dark when he got there, except for the outside light.

"You want to wait here or shall I drive you somewhere else?" the cabbie offered.

"I'll wait here."

"You sure? There are no buses running and the Tube is shut down for the night. It'll be hard to get another cab from here tonight."

"Thank you, but I want to wait here."

"Grand romantic gesture?"

"Something like that," Cole nodded.

"Good luck with that, mate. I hope it works."

Cole paid the driver for the fare and took his backpack out of the trunk. He walked up the steps of the house and rang the bell, just in case someone was home but it looked dark from the outside. After a moment, he knocked and then had a seat on the cold steps to wait.

*
              *              *

Claire had been invited to Christmas dinner at friends of Ted and Janet's. She sat quietly on an armchair by the living room window, where the party had gathered after their meal. She felt very out of place in a house full of couples, several of whom were lawyers or doctors. On top of that, her feet were freezing. She had worn nude tights and heels with her winter grey merino wool knee length dress. She hated having cold feet. Between that and not knowing anyone other than her sister and Ted, she wished she was snuggled up under a blanket on the couch back at their place watching movies. This felt nothing like Christmas to her. There was nothing peaceful or cozy about this day for her. She sipped at her wine, watching the clock and wondering what time they could leave.

Ted walked over to her and sat on the chair next to her, leaning over and speaking in a low tone, "Here's a fun fact you may not know - this party has been nominated for the
Guinness Book of World Records
in the dullest evening category."

Claire laughed quietly, covering her mouth with her hand, "I thought I was the only one who felt that way."

"Are you kidding me? If I hear one more of these pretentious snobs go on about his portfolio, I'm going to smash them in the face with that disgusting Christmas cake."

Claire tried to stifle another laugh, "It was gross, wasn't it? When do you think we can go home?"

Ted looked at the clock on the fireplace mantle, "I don't think we have to stay much longer. I'll try to give Janet the signal."

"Perfect. I just want to curl up on the couch and watch
Elf
."

An hour later, the three were pulling up to the townhouse. Claire was sitting in the backseat of Ted's car half asleep. She heard Janet's voice say "Holy crap."

Janet looked back at her from the passenger seat, seeing her sister's eyes closed, "Claire, honey, I think Santa left something for you on the steps. Or maybe me. Dear God, I hope that's for me."

Claire opened her eyes and looked at Janet, "What?"

She looked out the window and saw Cole sitting on the top step looking like the sexiest man on the planet in his jeans and a dark grey wool overcoat.

Janet handed her a mint, "I take it that's your cowboy?"

Claire was speechless as she nodded and took the mint. She sat staring at him through the window of the car in complete shock. Cole got up and walked down the steps with a look of uncertainty as he peered through the glass at Claire.

"Claire, I think Janet and I are going to go for our traditional Christmas evening drive around London for the next hour or so," Ted said grinning at her.

"Is that okay with you, Claire? Or do you want us to stay?" Janet asked protectively.

"Umm hmm," she nodded keeping her eyes on Cole, "Have fun."

"Claire, get out of the car," Ted said, "There's a dreamy guy standing there waiting to talk to you. If you don't get out, my wife is going to."

"Right," she said, nodding. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she wrapped her red pashmina around her shoulders and opened the door. She stepped out and gazed at Cole, who was on the opposite side of the car to her, his face full of emotion.

Janet unrolled the window and said, "Welcome to London, Cole. We have to run, but we'll catch you later."

"Okay, nice to meet you, Janet," Cole replied without taking his eyes off Claire.

Ted slowly pulled the car away and down the empty street, leaving a large space between them. Snow began to drift gently down from the sky, as if it had been
cued by a movie director.

Claire stood in the middle of the street, not completely sure that this moment was really happening. She had dreamed of Cole appearing out of nowhere since she had gotten in the cab at the ranch several weeks ago. She had convinced herself it was never going to happen and yet now that he was here, she wasn't sure how to feel. Her first instinct was to run to him and jump into his arms, but something was holding her back. Feelings of fear, anger and guilt muddied the desire that she felt for him.

Cole stood on the sidewalk searching her eyes for some sign that she wanted him there. The past days of planning and travelling and then waiting all evening on the step had been like a roller coaster, filled with moments of absolute exhilaration that they would be together soon to complete uncertainty that she would even want to see him. His heart ached just looking at her, so beautiful and delicate in her dress and red wrap. She looked too skinny to him, her cheeks too defined - a sign of the toll these past weeks had taken on her.

He pulled something out of his coat pocket, "You left your gloves in the barn." He held his hand out to her but stood still, waiting for her reaction.

Claire gave him a faint smile and looked at the gloves in his hand, "It's a good thing you brought them. My hands have been really cold this whole time."

"I was worried about that. I realized I better get them to you as soon as I found them."

Claire laughed a little and then gave him a sceptical look, still not sure what to do.

Cole looked into her eyes, "It's over, Claire. Gabriela's gone. You were right about everything. Tomas isn't my son. I should have listened to you in the first place instead of being such a jackass and trying to do things my own way."

He paused, and looked down at her gloves in his hand. When he looked back up, his eyes were glistening with tears. "The things is....the thing is I need you, Claire. My life doesn't mean anything without you. I don't want any of it, not even the ranch if you aren't there with me..."

Claire's eyes welled up, "Really? But Cole, you moved on. You sent me that text."

He sighed, "I sent that to you on purpose to piss you off. I thought it would help you to forget about me. I never started up with Gabriela. How could I when I won't ever stop loving you? I came here hoping that you'll give us another shot. But this time, it has to be forever, Claire."

Claire nodded, trying to blink away the tears, "I think I can do that. Yeah. In fact, I'm pretty sure about it," She took a few steps toward him.

As soon as she started to move, Cole rushed to her, wrapping her up in his arms and lifting her off her feet. He kissed her full on the mouth. Claire reached for his face and held it in both of her hands as she kissed him back. His skin was cold to the touch against hers. Their embrace expressed everything they felt for each other - the longing, the love, the regret, the passion.

Cole gently set her back down on the ground, mouths never parting as she wrapped her arms around his neck, shivering with the cold. He pulled back from her a little.

"You're freezing, let's get you inside," He brushed some snow off of her hair gently as he smiled at her, his eyes shining with love.

"Oh I'll be fine now that I have my gloves back. But you seem chilly," she said as they turned back to the house. Claire reached into her clutch and found the keys. They made their way up the steps slowly, stopping to kiss along the way. Cole picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. When they reached the door, Claire put the key in and started to unlock it while Cole stood behind her, with his body pressed against her back and his arms around her waist. As she let the door swing open, she swivelled around to face him. Their lips met, with quick, passionate kisses. Cole backed her into the house with his hands on her hips and then hooked his foot around the door and swung it shut behind him.

He brushed his lips along her neck, leaving tender kisses from her ear to her collar. "Merry Christmas, Claire," he murmured.

"Merry Christmas, Cole," she whispered. Suddenly pulled back into reality, Claire moved her face away from him, "I still don't know how you ended up here, Cole. What happened?"

Cole looked down at her, "It's a long story. Can we curl up together while I tell you everything?"

"Of course, I'll put the kettle on for some hot chocolate. Hang up your coat and turn on the fireplace."

A few minutes later, the two were snuggled up under a warm blanket on the rug in front of the fireplace, sipping cocoa while Cole told Claire all the details of the last six weeks of his life. Claire listened quietly. Her heart broke for his loss of the little boy he believed was his son and for how he had been betrayed by Gabriela and Trey. His face wore a pained expression when he spoke of little Tomas and then anger as he described how things would never again be the same between himself and his cousin.

"I'm so sorry, Claire. I should have listened to you from the start instead of being so stubborn. I thought you were just being insecure, instead of logical. You were looking out for me the whole time and I couldn't see it. And I'm so sorry for that text. It was a rotten thing to do, but I hope you know that in my own stupid way, I was trying to help you."

Claire stared at him for a second before replying, "Misguided, maybe, not stupid. I was devastated at first, but after I
was
angry enough to try to move on, so in a way, it worked as you intended it to. It was still shitty though."

Cole pulled her to him and held her against his chest, "I know it was and I feel like a total asshole, Claire. I wish you could know how much I regret all of it. These past weeks, thinking that I would have to spend the rest of my life without you has been the worst time of my life. I don't ever want to be apart from you again."

They sat quietly for a long time, watching the fire as Cole held her and ran his fingertips up and down her arm. He whispered in her ear, "Are you sure you can give us another chance?"

Claire looked up at him, "I am. Just tell me one thing first - do you have any ex-girlfriends who might show up with children of yours?"

Cole laughed and kissed her, "God, I hope not. If you want, I can make a list and get a hold of each of them to make sure."

"Is it a long list?"

"Not really. It wouldn't take that long but it would be a little awkward."

Claire grinned, "Let me think about it."

Cole gave her a long kiss, "I should probably go check in at my hotel. I don't want your sister and her husband to spend Christmas night driving around, thinking they can't come home. Would it be presumptuous if I ask you to spend the night with me?"

"No, it would be wonderful, but it's going to be almost impossible to get a cab tonight."

"I booked at a hotel near here. It's supposed to be about a ten minute walk."

Claire gave him an admiring look, "I'll go pack an overnight bag and text my sister that it's safe for them to come home now."

A few minutes later, Claire emerged from her bedroom, dressed warmly in jeans and a wool sweater. She had taken a quick shower to freshen up and had taken out the bun that she wore at the party. Her hair fell into sexy waves around her face as she walked down the hall to him. Cole was standing by the front door with his coat on, ready to go. He helped her into her winter coat and handed her the gloves he had brought. Claire wrapped a royal blue scarf around her neck and then placed a matching wool hat on her head. The combination brought out the blue in her eyes.

Cole stared at her for a long moment, admiring her, "You are so fucking beautiful. You have no idea how much I missed your face."

"I think I do, Cowboy."

Cole picked up his backpack. "You ready?" he asked.

"Ready," Claire nodded.

Outside, the snow was beginning to accumulate on the ground, giving a soft, peaceful look to the deserted street. Cole reached for Claire's hand and they walked side by side in the direction of the hotel. Claire leaned her head on his arm for a minute and squeezed his hand.

"I'm just checking to see if you're real," she said.

"It's hard to believe this is happening, isn't it?" Cole said, smiling down at her.

"Almost impossible. If this is a dream, I will kill the person who wakes me up."

They made their way to the Bingham Inn, which turned out to be a very romantic hotel that backed onto the Thames. When they walked into the suite, they were both impressed with the grandeur of the room. It was large and had high ceilings with French doors that lead out to a balcony overlooking the river and the park. Off to the right, there was a sitting area with a dark grey leather couch and matching armchair, and to the left, a king-sized canopy bed with white linens. A large crimson poinsettia decorated the coffee table, creating a festive warmth to the otherwise cool decoration of the room.

Cole put down his bag, unzipping it and pulling out his shaving kit, "Mind if I go get cleaned up a bit? I need to get the plane grunge off of me."

"Of course," Claire said, giving him a lingering kiss on the lips. "You must be so tired."

"Not really," Cole said, caressing her cheek with his hand, "I've been waiting so long to get here, I'm not going to waste my time sleeping."

"Good, but you will be exhausted when I'm done with you," Claire replied with a playful look in her eyes.

"I'm counting on it," Cole said, pulling himself away to go shower.

As Claire watched him walk in and close the door, she smiled to herself with a sense of pure contentment. Cole was here, this was really happening. Through some divine intervention, they had been given another chance at love. Claire took off her coat and tossed it on the chair, then made her way over to the bed and sat down. She looked around restlessly as she waited for him to emerge from the shower and then realized that she had to brush her teeth. In the past, she would have just walked into the bathroom while he showered, but tonight that level of intimacy wasn't there. Things felt strangely formal and she wasn't entirely sure how to proceed.