Dreaming of You and Me

by Kristy Tate

  “What if I ruin them?”

  “How are you going to do that?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe they’ll fall off and into a river.”

  “Impossible. The closest river is the L.A. Aqueduct.”

  “Really?”

  He grinned. “I have no idea. I do know that there’s a creek about a mile away, and if it makes you feel any better, we won’t go near it.”

  “I would feel better if I just wore my flip-flops.”

  “No, you won’t. Just trust me, you’ll be glad you wore the boots. And you might want to change into long pants.”

  Frowning, Nora took the boots and sat down on the steps. She resolved to tell him that they didn’t fit, but when they fit almost perfectly, she was too surprised to lie. She held out one boot-clad foot. “Weird, right?” She glanced up at Cole. The expression on his face also surprised her. “Did you even ask her?”

  “She’s not here.”

  When Nora began to tug off the boot, he pulled out his phone and shot his mom a text. Irena replied before Nora could hand Cole the boot back.

  “Here.” He held out the phone so she could read Irena’s response. “See? She doesn’t mind.”

  While Nora put the boots back on, she couldn’t help thinking about the difference between Irena and her own—real—mom. Katheryn liked order, so much so that she had a hard time when anything was misplaced. “A place for everything and everything in its place” had been a frequent mantra in the Lance household. Katheryn didn’t share anything. Nora knew some of her friends borrowed their mom’s makeup, jewelry, and clothes, but Nora had never, ever asked to borrow more than a dollar from her own mom.

  The chaos in Darby’s family home intrigued Nora and yet made her jealous...and more than a little uncomfortable.

  “You good?” Cole asked. “The saddle will rub your legs raw. Want to borrow a pair of pants?”

  “My cottage is just right there.” Nora pointed in the direction of her cottage.

  He grinned. “I know where you live, remember?”

  “I can wear my own pants.”

  He raised his eyebrows.

  “I’ll be right back,” Nora said. She tried to walk quickly, but the boots didn’t bend the way she’d thought they would, and she ended up hobbling across the pasture. She felt awkward knowing that Cole was watching.

  COLE’S PHONE BUZZED with a text from his mom.

  Mom: So you’re going riding with Miss Tomas?

  Cole: Yep.

  Mom: I like her.

  Cole didn’t know how to respond. He and his mom were close and her comment was more than a passing one. For years, she had hoped for him to find the happiness and fulfillment in love that she and his father had shared. She wanted him to marry and have a family. He wanted those things, too, but it just hadn’t happened yet.

  Cole: I do, too...but...

  Mom: There’s always a but.

  Cole: I’m not sure it’s a good idea to get involved with one of the teachers. Things could get weird really fast. And then what if the students get wind of it? You know how they love drama.

  Mom: Ha! Remember when we had that stallion sire Gilly?

  He snorted a laugh.

  Cole: Yeah. Not quite the same thing, but you get my point.

  Mom: I think as long as you’re not rooting around in the stables you should be fine.

  Cole: See? Things are already weird.

  Mom: You’re probably right. Better keep your distance.

  Cole: Will do. After today, at least.

  When Nora reappeared, Cole quickly pocketed his phone and prayed that she would never see his text exchange with his mom. She’d been cute in her shorts and the boots, but she looked even better in the jeans. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and led her to the stables. He had every intention of closing the distance between him and Nora Tomas.

  “NORA, THIS IS BETSY Ross.” With one hand, Cole stroked the neck of a gray and white dappled horse and fed her a sugar cube with the other.

  Nora watched the horse’s big black lips press against Cole’s outstretched hand and apprehension curled inside her. She leaned against the stables’ wooden wood-planked walls while Cole threw a blanket and saddle over Betsy’s back and fastened the girth. In the neighboring stall, Triton snorted restlessly as if he knew his turn was coming soon.

  Once Betsy had her bridle on, Cole led her through the stables and out to the yard. Nora trailed behind, careful to stay out of kicking distance.

  “Here.” Cole handed her the reins. “Just hold her for a minute while I get Triton.”

  Nora opened her mouth to protest, but then remembered the young girls she’d seen riding with Cole. She didn’t want him to think she was scared...even if she was. After Cole disappeared into the stables, she thought about telling Betsy that she was the former president of a multi-million-dollar company that she and her husband had built from scratch, but Betsy blinked at her with long curly eyelashes framing her soft brown eyes and Nora decided that Betsy didn’t care a fig about companies or millions of dollars. And maybe, she shouldn’t either.

  Cole emerged from the stables with the giant black stallion. Muscles rippled beneath the horse’s shiny coat. He tossed his mane at her, letting her know he knew he was a terrifyingly beautiful creature. Nora instinctively backed away and bumped against Betsy, who surprised her by nuzzling her hair. The horse’s breath blew warm and moist against her skin.

  Cole dropped Triton’s reins and held out his hands. “Here, let me help you into the saddle.”

  Nora just stared at him while he positioned himself beside Betsy and cupped his hands for Nora to step in.

  “What if she moves?” Nora asked.

  “She won’t,” Cole assured her.

  Betsy let out a breath as if she understood and was insulted by Nora’s questions and hesitation.

  Nora put one boot in Cole’s hands, grabbed onto the saddle’s horn, and settled herself on Betsy’s back with her feet in the stirrups. This isn’t so bad, she told herself. But then Betsy skittered to the left.

  Cole whispered something soothing into Betsy’s ears and the mare immediately calmed down.

  “What did you tell her?” Nora held onto the saddle horn with one hand and the reins with the other.

  “Horse secrets,” Cole said with a grin. “Here.” He handed her the reins. “Just tug her in the direction you want to go. If you want her to stop, pull back on the reins. If, by chance, you want to go faster, you slap the reins against her neck and kick her.”

  “That’s not going to happen, is it, Betsy?” Nora held herself perfectly still while Cole climbed on Triton.

  The stallion grunted, tossed his head, and kicked up the dust, but Cole looked perfectly relaxed and at home on the big animal. “You okay?”

  Nora nodded, and, to her surprise, Betsy did too.

  “We’ll just take a walk around the pasture paddock before heading out on the trail. Sound good?”

  “Sure.” Nora tried to relax her grip on the reins.

  Impatient, the stallion surged for the gate, but Cole held him back, leaned forward and murmured in his ear. Triton danced in place but didn’t try to bolt.

  “What if Betsy decides to make a run for it?” Nora gripped the saddle horn.

  Cole chuckled. “She won’t. She’s a grandma sort of horse.”

  “What is that supposed to mean? Do you think all grandmas are old and slow?”

  “Aren’t they?”

  “If that’s what you think, you to meet Darby’s grandma Betty.”

  “Something to look forward to.” Cole nodded at Betsy. “Go on, give her go.”

  Nora studied the reins in her hands, and after a moment of thought and a mental pep talk, she slapped the reins against Betsy’s neck and gave her a gentle nudge with her heels. Betsy responded by ambling in the direction of the gate. Nora pulled the reins to the right, but Betsy continued plodding for the gate.

  Cole and Triton came along beside he
r. “You have to let her know you’re in charge.”

  “But am I? I’m not so sure.” Betsy wouldn’t be deterred.

  “Try turning her again,” Cole urged.

  “She really wants out. I think we should just let her go.”

  “If that’s what you want.” Cole pulled his horse ahead and Betsy followed.

  Outside the gate, a pasture of tall waving golden grass stretched before them. Nora tried to relax while Betsy plodded after Triton. The massive oaks stood like statues while quaking aspens shivered in the warm breeze. A few clouds wisped across the sky. School would start in a few days. It seemed impossible that she would be the teacher and not the student.

  Cole and Triton headed for a deeply rutted dirt road that led up a gentle grade shaded by twisted trees.

  “Betsy’s a gentle ride, but she can still be spooked by deer or snakes,” Cole called out over his shoulder.

  “What should I do if that happens?” Nora asked.

  “Just hold on.”

  Nora suspected he was laughing. In time, the road narrowed to a path that clung to the side of a hill. The air cooled and the forest grew thicker as they rode higher and higher. Nora forgot to be nervous as she caught views of the valley through the shifting trees. In time, they reached a clearing. The sun felt closer here although the breeze was sharper. Nora sucked in her breath when she saw the view of not only the valley, the school, and the tiny town of Oak Hollow, but, in the far distance, the blue stretch of the ocean.

  “This is an amazing place,” she said.

  “I thought you’d like it,” Cole said. “It’s spectacular at sunset, but I didn’t think you’d want to be out after dark on your first ride—and we would be.”

  “Maybe after I’ve had more practice?”

  His smile sent a frisson of longing through her. “That means you’ll need lots of practice.”

  Cole slid off Triton, led him to a quaking aspen, and looped the reins around a low- hanging branch. Nora wanted to do the same, but she remained perched on Betsy’s back, afraid that she’d fall on her face when she attempted a dismount. Cole must have noticed her apprehension because he gave her a smile and came to her side.

  “I think I can do this.” She heard the hesitation in her own voice.

  “Just swing your leg over,” Cole replied.

  “Better move. I don’t want to kick you with your mom’s boots.”

  Cole obediently took a step back.

  Nora tried to mimic Cole’s fluid dismount, but the heel of her boot of her heel caught in the stirrup. Cole caught her and held on while she kicked free. Betsy grunted and looked bored and insulted.

  Breathless, Nora tried to find her feet, but Cole held her inches from the ground. He stared into her face and her breath caught. She hoped for—no, feared—no, dreaded his kiss. He put her down and she stumbled backward. He moved toward her with an outstretched hand, and she regained her footing and edged away.

  Disappointment flashed across his face, but he hid it behind a smile. Looping Betsy’s reins in his hands, he led the horse to a tree and tied her up. After pulling the backpack off, he unzipped it and pulled out a quilt. “Ready for lunch?”

  The insides of Nora’s thighs burned from sitting in the unaccustomed position on the horse. She sat on the quilt and secretly hoped she’d be able to stand when the time came.

  Cole dropped beside her and pulled a couple of water bottles, some sandwiches, carrot sticks, grapes and a pair of peaches from the bag.

  “This looks great.” Nora snuck a quick glance at him from under her lashes, wondering if he felt the same tension ramping up between them. This has to stop, she thought. He’s my brother!

  But what if he’s not? What if Crystal was wrong?

  It doesn’t matter, he’s still my boss.

  Cole spread a napkin in front of her and put a paper plate beside it.

  “This must have been a magical place to grow up,” Nora said.

  “Yeah, it was.”

  “Although, lonely, too, right?” Nora bit into a grape. “I know what it’s like to be an only child.”

  Cole blinked at her. “I’m not an only child. I have a sister.”

  Nora leaned back, stunned. “A sister?” she squeaked. She had always wanted a little sister. Anger at her parents for denying her siblings swept through her.

  “She’s a graphic design artist living in Paris. It’s hard for my mom, but it gives her a reason to go to Paris, so there’s that. Sometimes, it’s hard on Talia, too. She loves this place, just not as much as me since she’s able to leave.”

  The pain in Nora’s chest made it hard to breathe. “What’s she like?”

  “Her old boyfriend calls her Artie Fartie.” He laughed. “It’s an apt description. Although I think it’s pretty cool she can support herself with her art. Considering how dippy she is, it’s amazing she can find her shoes, let alone find a market for her work.”

  “What does she do?”

  “She works for a video game company, but she’s also a photographer. I’ll send you a link to her blog. Her images are...I guess emotional would be the right word.”

  “That’s so cool.” Nora had always admired the artistically talented. “What was it like growing up here?”

  “When we were kids, money was tight. The Fergusons gave us a place to live, but my mom’s salary wasn’t much. Plus, she went to night school. We had a giant garden and grew most of our own food. Still do. We had chickens...we still have chickens. I guess things haven’t changed all that much, although Talia is in Paris, and we’re no longer building tree forts or making boats to float down the creek.”

  Nora swallowed back a sob, wishing she had been invited to the tree fort and to the creek.

  “How about you?” Cole asked.

  “We lived in L.A. until I was three—but I really only remember Shell Beach.” She didn’t tell him about the series of nannies who came and went until she was twelve and her parents decided she was old enough to occasionally stay at home alone. “My dad is an attorney and so is my mom, although most of her work is pro bono. They’re busy people. Do you have cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents?”

  While Cole told her about his cast of relatives, Nora bit into her sandwich. The lunch he had prepared was amazing, but as envy soured in her belly, she found it harder and harder to enjoy it.

  “Both of my parents are only children as well,” Nora said.

  “Wow. That’s sad. My Aunt Henley and Uncle Biff have seven kids and live on a ranch in Somis.”

  “Wait. I thought you said your mom was from Chile.”

  “She is, but my dad grew up here.”

  “You have a dad?”

  “Everyone does,” he said with a smile.

  “Where is he now?”

  “He died from a bee sting.”

  “Gosh, I’m sorry.” She covered his hand with hers, but once it was there, she wasn’t sure what to do with it. After a moment, she patted his hand and took another bite of her sandwich just so she had a reason to move her hand. “That seems like a really avoidable way to die.”

  “They didn’t even know he was allergic until it was too late. I was pretty young. Talia only has a few memories of him and I wonder if that makes it easier, because she doesn’t know what she’s missing. Or maybe it’s sadder.”

  “It’s tragic, no matter what. And Irena never remarried?”

  “No. She said the school gives her everything she needs.” He winked at her. “As you’ll see tomorrow.”

  Tomorrow. Her first day of class.

  “Speaking of tomorrow, we should get back.” Cole climbed to his feet. “I bet you have a lot to do to get ready.” He held out her his hand to help her up.

  Nora accepted his help, mostly because after the long horseback ride she needed it. But also, if she was honest, she wanted to touch him.

  He drew her to him, and warmth crept up her spine. As her blood pulsed through her veins, she thought she heard Crystal’s voice
in her head. “Irena Rowling is your mother. I believe she also has a son.” Nora put her fingers on Cole’s lips. “I can’t,” she whispered. “You’re my b-br-boss.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers. “I could fire you,” he whispered.

  She pulled away to look at his face.

  “I’m joking,” he said. “Sort of.” Clearing his throat, he added, “I agree with you. Even if I really, really don’t want to.”

  She took his hand and squeezed. “Cole, you and I are always going to be...good friends. Really good friends.” She relaxed when he smiled.

  But then Betsy, who had been happily grazing beside them, started when a pheasant suddenly lifted into the air. Betsy bumped her rear against Cole’s back. Cole smacked into Nora and they fell to the quilt in a tangled heap. Cole landed with his face inches from hers, his hand at her waist. He had barely caught himself from landing on her entirely.

  He gazed into her face. “I’m so sorry,” he said, but he didn’t make an effort to pull away. “Are you hurt?”

  Hurt? No. Flustered, confused, and aroused much more than she should be? Yes.

  After what seemed like several minutes but was probably only a moment, he sat up and propped his elbows on his bent knees. “I don’t want to be in the friend zone.”

  Nora rolled to her side and pushed herself up so she sat beside him. “Things could get complicated really fast. I’m nervous enough as it is about teaching school.... Adding you—” would be wonderful, she mentally added. “I just can’t.”

  She needed to talk to Irena. Because if she wasn’t Cole’s sister, then she was going to kiss him silly.

  I'm standing in front of a stadium filled with thousands of people. They have all come to hear me talk. I have something important to share, something that will help the world be a better place. I'm honored and flattered that I have this opportunity to try and share a message that will fill these people with a desire to be more loving, generous, and kind. I'm about to share this knowledge, but as I rise from my seat, a cold wind blows all the hair off my head. I open my mouth and all my teeth fall out.