Chapter 7 - How To Take A Heart

Since they were back home, Wade had additional work for them every day. His uncle had even drawn sketches of the attachments he planned to do. Though Cole already knew Mike and Bastian would come, Wade had told them they would show up within the next few weeks. At least one extra room had to be ready when they would arrive.

Aaron helped on the Wilmington Ranch too, to pay back the help they got from Wade in Canaan. Cole and Aaron had forged something like a friendship. In addition to a new friend, it allowed Cole to ride over with Aaron in the evenings to the Kramers more often.

Cole was sent to Grey Feather tomorrow and wanted Aaron to come with him. It would be good for his friend to get to know the tribe in their surroundings. Mr. Kramer allowed it after Cole had promised him several times that he made sure nothing would happen to his boy.

The next morning the two rode over. They had a long ride of about four hours ahead which gave them time to talk about everything, including Carolyn.

Her brother wasn't a fool; he'd soon found out that Cole was into his sister and told him that Carolyn watched out for him every time she walked across their yard to not miss a visit from Cole.

That was the crucial hint what finally gave him the grit to make the first step and ask Carolyn for a date.

They stayed only one night at the camp though everything went without any problems, Tanner realized not all were made to have a connection to this way of life. At least Aaron considered them no longer as wild weird killers. It was a start. Though Cole was sure, if Daniel would have come with them, Aaron would already have a new enemy. The looks Aaron gave Shewa told how much his new friend liked the view. Tanner was not sure if he should do something or say something that would stop Aaron from staring at her that way.

*** The Wild West Triad - prequel ***

Somehow relieved they left the camp in the morning and arrived at the Kramers by noon. The two teens rode toward the barn, when Cole got the best opportunity to ask Carolyn for the picnic that Shewa had suggested. Carolyn was just on her way back home when the boys got off their horses in front of the barn.

"Heya, Carolyn!" Aaron greeted his sister. The teen intentionally hurried to take care of his things and horse, leaving Cole with her.

"Hello, Carolyn," Cole began the conversation, nervously.

Carolyn hurried to brush her brown hair back, which had snuck its way out of her knot. She seemed pretty nervous herself. "Hello, Cole. You two are back early. How was the trip?" She smiled brightly at him, tugging at the bottom of her blue vest that fitted her skirt.

"It was really nice, we went fishing and had a meal with Grey Feather and his kids."

"Oh, that sounds very nice. How is Shewa? She was so friendly when they visited us. I wish I could see her again. I haven't got many girls here to talk about … you know girl things."

Her smile was the loveliest he'd ever seen. Cole couldn't get enough of it. Every time she smiled, Cole found himself staring at her.

"She's doing fine. Uhm, if you like talking with me instead ... I was asking myself if you want to have a picnic with me? I mean not to talk about girl things … but just talking ..." Oh god, what bullshit was he telling her? Maybe this hadn't been a good idea at all.

She smiled amused, which left Cole even more unsure. "I would love to."

It took a load off his mind. "Really?"

"Yes, really," Carolyn answered, still smiling with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Cole found the strength to smile back at her. "Great, how about tomorrow in the late afternoon at the little pond not far from here? I will come and pick you up."

"Yeah, sounds perfect. But now I have to bring this inside." Pointing at the basket with green leaves and roots, she took it up and turned to go. "Goodbye, Cole."

Cole stood in the yard until she was inside, still smiling. He tried to calm his fast pounding heart. That went better and was much easier than he had imagined. Cole put his hat back on his head and walked over to Aaron to say his goodbyes to him. Heading home, he already thought about what was needed for tomorrow.

*** The Wild West Triad - prequel ***

Cole searched the bookshelf for the recipe book he had brought from Connecticut. Sandra, their housekeeper, had gifted it to him when they had left. He didn't need it for daily cooking anymore but Cole planned to bake Sandra's Cookies for tomorrow. It had been a while since he had made them. Tomorrow he didn't want to leave anything to chance. Finally, he found the book. Flipping through the pages it fell open on the well used page.

The seventeen-year-old opened the cabinet and placed everything that was needed on the table. He was deep in thought that he didn't hear Samuel walking slowly into the kitchen area.

"Hey, what are you doing? We already had supper," his friend asked.

"I bake Cookies," Cole answered, barely looking up from his work.

"That's a great idea, I haven't had Cookies for a long time. Can't wait to eat them." Sam stretched his aching shoulders from today's work.

"Forget it, buddy. These are for Carolyn and me," Cole announced.

Sam raised a brow and walked next to Cole to look into his face. "You finally asked her for a date?"

"Yep."

"Thank God! But maybe you can give me only one cookie? Or do I have to have nightmares again before you make them for me?"

Cole squeezed his eyes to slits, soon grinning lopsidedly. "Ok, but only one and you defend the other with your life from the hungry Wilmingtons. Promise!"

"I swear." Raising his hand Samuel swore to it.

*** The Wild West Triad - prequel ***

Cole and Carolyn sat at the shoreline of the pond, a big checkered towel was spread out in front of them on which two glasses of milk and a box full of fine sugar cookies rested.

Carolyn purred like a cat when she tasted them. "Mhh, I haven't eaten something so good in years. Where did you get them from?"

"I baked them yesterday," Cole answered honestly.

"Really? You can bake? You're full of surprises, Mr. Tanner," Carolyn told him, still chewing and enjoying her cookie.

"You bet, Carolyn. I think I could tell you one or another thing you haven't ever heard of," Cole answered now more self-confidently.

Though Mr. Kramer as well as Aaron were still wary about the Absarokee, Carolyn was eager to hear about them. Her father would never allow her to ride over with Cole, not to think about staying there over the night. But Cole tried to picture her everything as detailed as possible.

He was sure she would enjoy the colorful decoration at one of their feasts. While telling her more, he watched her eyes get a shine when she listened to him. He loved to see her so excited and happy.

After a nice meal and a good chat, they sat in the grass at the small pond. Cole was excited and unsure, as he finally took a heart and closed his hand around Carolyn's, not breaking eyecontact with her. Her smile grew with blushing cheeks and carefully she leaned over to him. The gesture could not to be misunderstood.

Carolyn's lips felt so soft and warm. His heart was racing making him completely happy and euphoric. Cole's aroused breath brushed her cheeks when they separated. Cupping her beautiful face in his hands, he pulled her in another kiss, longingly this time.

The couple fell backward into the soft grass, lying in each other's arms. For long they kissed and enjoyed the warmth of their bodies. Cole felt happy - totally and completely happy. The stress and insecurity of the past weeks were washed away.

Carolyn lay next to him in his embrace, caressing his strong chest . "I began to worry you would never kiss me," she teased.

Cole rolled over that he was on top now. "You could have given me a sign earlier. I wasn't sure if you liked me the way I do."

"And what is the way you like me?" she pushed to know playfully.

"I like you in the love-way, Carolyn. I think day and night about you. It feels like a wonderful disease I never want to get rid of."

The girl pulled him closer for another kiss.

Cuddled together they watched the sun getting lower over the water. Cole didn't want to separate from the warmth of her body but it was time to leave. Cole wanted to know Carolyn safe at home before sunset. It was too much drilled into his head that it could be dangerous outside by night.

"Can we meet tomorrow?" Carolyn asked as Cole walked hand in hand with her towards the Kramers barn where he had left his horse.

He stayed next to his stallion pulling her closer and slid his hands around Carolyn's small waist. He tried to imprint every detail of her angelic face into his mind. From the brown curls which framed her soft white skin to her beautiful brown eyes. As he watched deeper into them he made out a slight green in the outer circle. Cole caught another kiss from her soft lips, the upper was slightly thinner than the lower lip, which invited him to nib and bit on it playfully. "Whenever you want."

She stroked with her fingertips through his wavy black hair, pulling him into a kiss. "I love you too, Cole Tanner."

"Yeah, I had the feeling you do," Cole teased with a smug grin. He stole another kiss before climbing up his horse. "See you tomorrow." Cole directed his horse toward home, deeply happy. This day couldn't be more perfect.

Whistling riding homewards, he reached the old oak which led to the direction where the ranch was. To meet someone out here in the lonely wide land of Wyoming was nearly impossible, but Cole made out not only one but two wagons heading towards the oak. He had no information that more settlers would arrive any time soon.

TBC

A/N: Let me know your thoughts about this story. Who do you think will arrive? Even when you thought it so horrible that you would not read on. Just let me know. Every review is so very important to a writer.