But Connor was more than his friend now, he was family. And he owed it to Jules to keep an eye on the people she loved, no matter how much he didn’t like thinking about the fact that his sister was gone.
Losing her so quickly, without any warning, it was working him over, like salt on an already opened wound. Cole hadn’t figured out how to manage the pain of so many disappointments, and talking to Connor only served as an unwanted reminder of what he didn’t want to face.
Still, this wasn’t about him. Josh and Connor had seen him through the dark days of his divorce—he’d be a lousy friend if he didn’t return the favor.
Cole parked in the lot behind Hazel’s, got out of the truck, and walked around the building toward the front entrance. Josh and Connor sat at a table right in the center of the busy restaurant.
Cole tried not to groan. Running into people he knew was inevitable here—that’s why he usually ordered carryout or came during the off times. He caught a glimpse of Connor’s face. Whatever grief Cole felt right now about being out in public, it was a thousand times worse for his brother-in-law.
He needed to grow up and stop being such a baby.
He opened the door and beelined to the table, not bothering to look around at the crowded space. Josh looked up and gave Cole one of those slow head-shakes that said, He’s not doing well.
Cole sat, trying not to think of the day Julianna and Connor told him they were dating. Connor and Josh were Cole’s best friends—and they both knew his sister was off-limits.
But when she’d left the dance company and come home to figure out her next move, she and Connor connected almost instantly.
“We didn’t want to keep it a secret from you,” Jules said. “But we’ve been dating for a month now.”
Cole looked at Connor, whose expression turned sheepish. “You’re dating my sister?”
“She asked me out,” Connor said. “Like I was gonna say no.”
Cole watched as Julianna slipped her hand in Connor’s.
“We aren’t asking your permission,” she said. “But we’d love your support.”
He knew it mattered to her what he thought—Cole was her only real family now that Dad had found a new wife and they had their own kids. He wasn’t about to mess that up, and Connor was a good guy. Still, that didn’t stop Cole from saying, “You hurt her, and you’re a dead man—you understand?”
Connor hadn’t hurt her. He’d loved her well until the day she died.
Why would God take her away? Why would He leave such a hole in the fabric of their lives by allowing something so tragic to happen to someone so good?
Cole sat down across from Connor. His brother-in-law looked terrible. Red eyes, pale face, broken spirit. Was it possible he’d gotten worse in the few days since Cole last saw him?
“Hey, man.” Cole clapped a hand on Connor’s shoulder. “How’s it going?”
It was a stupid question. Cole should know better. How many times had he rolled his eyes to that question after Gemma left?
Connor shrugged, then pushed his palms into his eyes. “I shouldn’t have come. I need to go get the kids.”
“Where are they?”
Connor shook his head. “Still with Hildy.”
Cole should’ve checked in with Hildy after she picked up the kids. It was only supposed to be for the day—what changed?
“My kids are in a transitional home, for goodness’ sake.”
“Haven House is a great place,” Josh said. “You know they’ll take good care of them until you’re ready.”
Connor looked up at Josh, then at Cole. “What if I’m never ready?”
Josh cleared his throat. “Listen, man, there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Hildy and Steve are good people—and they aren’t the only ones that will help. Carly and I can take the kids with us sometimes. I’m sure Quinn and Grady would too.” He looked at Cole.
“And I’ll do whatever I can.” Cole would take AJ and Amelia without question, but a baby? He’d be lost as to how to take care of a baby.
“What kind of life is that for them?” Connor’s voice broke.
“It’s not for forever, man,” Josh said. “Just for now.”
Connor shook his head. “I don’t know when this will ever get easier. You know what Jules was like. She took care of everyone all the time. I can’t replace her.”
Cole’s mind wandered back years, back to a day when his dad likely felt the same way Connor felt right now. He’d faulted him for those feelings—made the man feel guilty for asking for help when he needed it. He’d been so short-sighted, so selfish, but he was a kid. He hadn’t understood.
“Listen, I’m heading out to Haven House tomorrow,” Cole said. “I’ll check on the kids.”
“Why are you going to Haven House?”
“Told Steve I’d help him fix a fence,” Cole said. They’d made the plan at Sunday dinner. Steve wasn’t a spring chicken, and Cole owed the man his life. It was the least he could do.
“You’re making the rounds on the yard work,” Connor said. “You bringing Charlotte along with you?”
Cole frowned. “I didn’t ask her to come help at your house.”
“It was a strange sight,” Connor said. “Did you have to show her how to pull weeds?”
“Who’s Charlotte?” Josh asked.
“One of Julianna’s ballet friends,” Connor said.
“You did yard work with a ballerina?” Josh waited for Cole’s response with a raised brow.
“She just wants to help,” Cole said.
“She’s a pretty big deal in the ballet, I guess. Like one of the best in the country.” Connor looked at Cole. “How do you know her anyway?”
“I don’t,” Cole said. “Didn’t even know she knew Jules till that day.”
Connor frowned. “She wants to buy the dance studio.”
“So let her,” Josh said. “Sounds like she’s more than qualified to run it.”
Connor turned a mug of coffee around between his hands. “I’m having a hard time giving it up. Jules loved that place.”
“Well, you’re not gonna run it,” Cole said. “Might as well let her.”
“Someone else is interested in it.” Connor took a drink. “Some franchise dance company based in Chicago. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.”
Josh closed his menu and set it down. “Could be a nice payday for you.”
Cole frowned. “Jules wouldn’t want some big Chicago outfit coming in here running her classes. That’s the opposite of her vision for the place.”
Connor pushed the mug away. “And that’s exactly why it sounds like a good deal. It’ll become something so different it won’t remind me of her anymore.”
Cole glanced at Josh, who gave him a slight shrug.
“I just think you should give Charlotte a chance,” Cole said.
“You have quite the soft spot for someone who trashed your headlight,” Connor said.
“She trashed your headlight?” Josh’s brow furrowed.
“We had a fender bender,” Cole said. “Right out there, in fact.” Cole pointed to the street in front of the diner, and as he turned, his eyes landed on a table situated next to the large window at the front of the restaurant.