Outlaw (44 page)

“Why?”

“If you must know, I suppose I’ve been a little mad
at you about the way you treated Cole.”

“Is he gone?”

“Yes. He’s gone.”

“Good.”

“Good? You should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Why?”

“Do you know he sat by your bedside day and night
for weeks?”

Angel looked away. “I find that hard to believe. He
hates hospitals.”

“Yes, he does. But he did it anyway, because he
loves you. He dropped everything, and flew out here as soon as I called to tell
him what had happened.”

Angel didn’t say anything.

“And you don’t even have the decency to hear him
out.”

“I guess I’m tired of being lied to.”

“He loves you. That’s no lie. Hasn’t he proven it?
Hasn’t he proven it more than once?”

Angel looked away. She knew he had. “I don’t want to
talk about this now.”

Natalie studied her. “Okay. We won’t talk about this
now. But believe me, we will talk about it.”

That night, when Natalie got home, Cole called her
to tell her they were safely in California. He was back at his old place. The
new house he’d bought still needed to be painted and furnished. Natalie asked
to speak with the kids, but he explained that they were tucked in bed next to
him, fast asleep. They hadn’t wanted to sleep in a separate room in the strange
house.

She told him to kiss them for her, and to call her
tomorrow. He had promised to show the kids the ocean tomorrow, but said they’d
call as soon as they got back.

Days passed, and soon the day had finally come when
Angel was to be released from the hospital. Natalie went to pick her up in the
old car, leaving the shiny new one parked out on the street.

When they pulled up to the house, Angel expected the
kids to run to meet her. She assumed that Natalie’s friend, Bonnie was watching
them.

Natalie came around, and helped Angel out of the
car. She was still a little sore, and had to take it slow. They got into the
house, and Angel realized it was empty, she asked, “Where are the kids?”

Natalie knew it was time for their confrontation.
“Sit down, dear.”

Angel sat down on the sofa.

Natalie sat next to her. “I have something to tell
you.”

Angel looked at Natalie’s face, trying to read her
expression. “What is it? Are the kids okay? You’re scaring me.”

“The kids are fine, but they’re not here.”

“Where are they?”

“They’re with their father.” Natalie waited for the
explosion. It didn’t take long.

“What?”

“They’re with their father.”

“I heard you. They’re with Cole? Why? He took them?
He can’t just take my children. Get me the phone. I’m calling the police.”

“No. You’re not.”

“The hell I’m not.”

“Angel. I sent them with him.”

“You what? Why?”

“Because he’s their father, and I needed some help.
You were in the hospital, and I was concerned about you. And taking care of you
and two little children, it was too much for me,” she lied.

“You let him take my babies? Back to California? How
could you?” Angel practically shrieked. Her children were in California, seven
hundred miles away. Were they okay? Was he taking care of them? Did they
understand any of this? Did they understand why they’d been sent off with a
father they barely knew? A million thoughts raced through her mind.

“Yes, back to California. And they’re not just
your
babies. They’re his, too. You’d
better start remembering that, because if he ever wants to press his rights,
you just might be sending them off every other weekend.”

“What? That’ll never happen.”

“Really? What makes you so sure? If you don’t stop
acting so stubborn, and think about what you’re throwing away, then that is
exactly where you’re going to end up.” Natalie stood up, and marched into the
kitchen, and got the keys to the new SUV off the kitchen table, along with the
letter Cole had written. She marched back to Angel, and held them out to her.

“What’s this?” Angel asked, taking them.

“I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn that you
can’t see that you’re throwing away your happiness with both hands. That man
loves you, with all his heart. He’d do anything to make you and those kids
happy. Why can’t you see that?”

Angel looked at her.

Natalie nodded to the keys in Angel’s hands. “He
bought that for you, so you could drive it to California.”

“What?”

“Yes. A brand new SUV. Top of the line. It’s worth
quite a lot of money, but I’m sure you know that.”

“Why would he do that?”

“My God. Because he loves you!”

Angel just stared at her.

“You might as well know everything. My friend in
Seattle? She wasn’t sick. I didn’t fly to Seattle. I flew out to see Cole.”

“What? Why?”

“To see how he lived. What he had to offer you and
the kids.”

“How he lived? You mean that room in the clubhouse?”

“Yes, I saw the clubhouse. Does that surprise you?
But he also showed me the home he lives in. It’s lovely. A little small, but
I’m sure that can be worked out. He’d do anything to make you happy, I’m sure.”

“I’m going to my room.” Angel started to stand up.
She didn’t want to hear any of this. But what Natalie said next stopped her.

“Read the letter he wrote you. When you’re
completely healed, and up to the trip, we can leave for California. I’ll take
you out there, but you will talk to him. If after that, you still want to
return to Arizona, I’ll help you get back. But Angel, I’m selling this house.
And I’m going back to California.”

Angel’s mouth dropped open.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” And with that,
Natalie left her, and headed to bed.

Angel sat staring at the envelope and keys sitting
in her lap. She was trying to digest all the information that Natalie had just
thrown at her. Natalie was mad at her. That much was clear.

Was she being unfair to Cole? He had hurt her so
badly. He had slept with her, knowing he was married. Like she was some, what?
Side-action? A diversion from his marriage? She had felt so hurt and
humiliated. She had thought they were starting to build something. That after
all these years of being separated, that maybe they had a chance, a real
chance. But he had known all along that he had a wife waiting for him, that he
was going back to California. He’d never had any intentions of staying here
with Angel.

And then when his wife had called her, well, that
had been the ultimate humiliation. When Mandy had told Angel that she and Cole
were having a baby, something inside Angel shattered.

Natalie had told her months later that Cole had
found out that Mandy had lied about the baby. Cole had called her everyday for
weeks. She’d refused to take the calls, or open his letters. She, instead, had
wrapped her anger around her like a cloak. A cloak she wore proudly.

And then the calls had stopped. She hadn’t known
until they did, that she could feel worse than she already had. But thinking
that he’d truly given up, that she really would never see him again? She’d sunk
into a deep depression.

Natalie had informed her that Cole had flown to her
side the minute he’d heard she was attacked. That he’d stayed by her bedside
night and day, refusing to leave her side. And then he’d stood there, in that
hospital room, and told her he loved her, wanted a life with her, promised to
do whatever she demanded to make this work. He’d practically begged her to
forgive him, to give him another chance. But her pride wouldn’t let her do
anything but throw it all back in his face. She didn’t know what to say to him,
and all she could do was turn her head away, and order him to leave.

He’d always said he didn’t deserve her. Now Angel
questioned whether it was her that actually didn’t deserve him.

She looked down at the envelope lying in her hands.
Now, as she ran her shaking fingers over it, she was afraid that what was
really inside was a goodbye letter, telling her he’d finally accepted that she
didn’t want him. Dear God, what had she done?

She opened the thick envelope, and took out the
contents. There was a single sheet of folded paper and a thick folded document
with many pages, stapled together. She opened the document first. It was Cole’s
divorce decree. His final papers, just like he’d promised her. He hadn’t lied
about getting a divorce.

Laying them aside, she opened the single folded
paper. It was handwritten. Her hand shook as she held it.

Angel,

I know I have little reason
to hope that you will ever change your mind, and give me another chance. I
understand why you feel you can’t. I know I hurt you. For that, I’m sorry. I
want you to know I never meant to cause you such pain.

I understand why you believe
we could never have a life together. I never lied to you, but I didn’t tell you
the truth, either, which I guess is the same as lying. You think you can’t
trust me, and I understand why you feel that way.

I want a life with you and
my children. I want us to be a family, but I think you’ve finally convinced me
that will never happen.

I want only good things for
you, baby. I hope you at least know that.

I love you. I always have.

Cole

A tear rolled down Angel’s face, and then she broke
into sobs.

Chapter Twenty-One

Cole was just finishing tightening the last nut on
the tricycle. TJ was waiting next to him, the excitement showing in his little
face. He was practically jumping up and down in anticipation.

Cole smiled as he flipped the tryke right side up,
and set it on its wheels. “Okay, son. It’s all yours.”

TJ shrieked with glee, and scrambled on. He peddled
off to chase after his sister, who was already riding around on her bike.

Cole had told him ‘lady’s first’, and watched TJ’s
little lip come out in a pout as he had to wait for Cole to assemble his
sister’s bike first.

Cole squatted, watching his children race in circles
around the driveway. A feeling of contentment filled him. These two children
meant the world to him.

He stood up. Natalie had let him know that her and
Angel were on their way. A million questions had raced through his mind. Had
Angel read his letter? Had she said anything? Were they coming just to take the
kids back to Arizona or something more? All of which, he’d been too afraid to
ask. And Natalie had said nothing that gave him any indication how this was all
going to go, which made him fear for the worst.

Cole took a deep breath. The ball was in her court.
There wasn’t anything else he could do. He knew Natalie wanted him to talk to
Angel when they got here, but to tell the truth, Cole wasn’t sure he had
anything left to say. She either wanted him or she didn’t. He’d be damned if
he’d stand here and beg.

Hell, he’d already made a damn fool of himself in
that hospital room. Pleading with her. At least there had only been one nurse
to witness it. He’d never begged anyone for anything in his life, and he didn’t
like the way it made him feel.

Besides, if he had to beg her for her to love him,
was it really a love worth having? Cole shook his head. He didn’t even know
anymore.

He pulled out his cell phone, and looked at the
time. They needed to leave soon for the clubhouse. The charity run that was to
take place today started in a couple of hours.

He needed to get the guest of honor there in plenty
of time. Melissa’s Ride, they’d named it. Cole still couldn’t believe all the
work everyone had done to make this happen. Natalie had been on the phone with
Mack numerous times since she’d left, helping him make arrangements. In addition
to the money they collected from today’s ride, they hoped to get some donors.
This morning, all across the state of California, as well as several other
states, charters were going to be showing up at donor centers to be tested. He
hoped they got a good turn out.

Rusty, from the War Dogs had stopped by yesterday to
let him know that the War Dogs would all be showing their support, as well.
Cole had choked up, and in the end had only been able to shake Rusty’s hand,
and slap him on the back.

Cole watched his kids ride around. He hated to break
up the fun, but he needed to get them ready to go. He’d been assured that there
would be plenty of activities today for the kids, balloons, face painting, a
clown, and a jumping house. He’d even heard the local news wanted to come out,
and do a story on Melissa’s Ride. Wouldn’t that be something?

*****

Natalie and Angel pulled off the interstate at about
dinnertime. They’d been driving all day, and were ready to stop for the night.
There were several motel chains to choose from at this exit.