Cole sifted through the morning in his mind like it was a rolodex. He couldn't find what he needed though. Somewhere in the hours they spent wandering the farm Noelle put on a mask. It was indifferent and although she said she was fine when asked, Cole didn't feel the warmth from her he'd come to crave. She didn't look upset or angry, but she looked far from happy. He didn't feel close enough yet to pry too much, but he also thought things were going so well.

After failing to figure out what happened, he decided that food might be the answer for everything.

"I think we've seen almost everything that's worth it. How about I take you two to one of my favorite places around here to eat. Best burgers and steaks and anything in between." He only glanced at Noelle before focusing at Jacob who was his official best friend. He was curious about everything and took everything in stride. Even the times they were crowded by people wanting his attention.

At that moment Cole felt like an idiot. It had to have been the people that put Noelle in preservation mode. Maybe she didn't like being crowded. He was certain it was that though and it made him feel slight relief. Before he could linger inside his own head, the excitement from Jacob brought him back.

"I love hamburgers! And sometimes my pappy makes steak and cuts it in to really tiny squares so I have like a million little steaks. Can we go, mama? I've been good like you told me all day!" HE looked up at her with his big innocent eyes, and he knew he would have a hard time ever telling Jacob no to anything. He only hoped his mother was the Colee.

"Are you sure it's okay?" She asked and when Cole looked towards her, her eyes were already connecting with his. If he wasn't so practiced at concealing emotions he would have easily let it slip that she undid him in a way. And then she'd probably be running for the hills.

"Of course it is. I want to take you there," he said without skipping a beat. Why did she seem so...unsure now? As much as he wanted to know immediately, maybe showing patience and compassion would let her slowly share it on her own. If she was willing.

"Please, mama!" The little boy knew just how to play the game and he knew no one, even Noelle, stood a chance at saying no to Jacob. With a playful sigh and crossing her arms to look somewhat intimidating, Noelle stared her son down in a failed attempt to level the playing field. Cole had to work hard to suppress a laugh at how adorable she looked.

"Okay, but then you have to promise to clean your room this evening. No excuses," Noelle bargained with her son. The tone in her voice was strong and much more commanding than Cole thought could ever leave her lips. Even he wanted to agree to cleaning his room just to make her happy. Jacob must have been on the Colee boat because he nodded without hesitation. She then looked back at Cole and the look made him want to stand up straight to avoid criticism. "We'll follow you?"

Cole thought for a split second before deciding, "why don't we drive together. Save gas and all," he tried to persuade her economically.

"Umm, sure. I'll drive?" She went back to her slightly unsure tone and to give her control he agreed.

The short drive to ____ steakhouse was full of Jacob recounting their entire morning, almost as if he forgot both Cole and his mother were there with him. They both entertained him with it though and he glowed under the attention of both. Cole assumed no one was able to resist his charm. Noelle seemed to loosen up after a moment on the drive. Maybe she just needed to be back in her own element, under her own control. He hoped she liked the farm, but he wouldn't force her there anymore if she didn't want. The thought made his heart ache a tiny bit. He quickly brushed it off when Jacob reminded them of the reindeer and how one of them turned his backside to the crowd of people at the fence and pooped for them. It got many laughs and some of the younger kids made grossed out noises. Cole had to chuckle remembering how Jacob howled with laughter at it. He was glad he wasn't afraid of anything at the farm. At least he gave him a bit of hope.

When they arrived at the restaurant, it was starting to get busy and Cole noticed Noelle shrink behind him when a few people passing by turned their heads and said Cole's name. It only took a few moments for the lightbulb to flash on in his mind. Of course that was it. He felt ignorant and guilty for not realizing others aren't used to being noticed wherever they are. And at the farm it was multiplied thanks to local people being aware of a local boy who went pro. And social media helped spread the word. In large cities Cole mostly went unnoticed. Only his size gave away anything most of the time there, but here where he grew up, everyone knew him and the rest knew him by association.

When they made it to the host he tipped the young lady and requested a both with the most privacy. They walked through a maze of tables and booths and made it to the corner of the restaurant to a large booth meant to fit six. Cole was relieved it was large so he wouldn't be squeezing in and uncomfortable like he was in many situations. He also noticed the relief on Noelle's face as she sat where she could face everyone. She seemed hyper vigilant and maybe no one being behind her helped keep her at ease.

Jacob was given a booster seat and asked to be placed in between the two adults. While they both agreed, Cole was left disheartened as he wanted to apologize to Noelle for making her uncomfortable in any way, but he'd have to wait. He only hoped the opportunity presented itself soon.

The waiter appeared shortly after they got settled and the moment he looked up at Cole his face morphed into one of shock. Cole wished it was someone who wouldn't have recognized him, but his luck only ran so long. Before the waiter made any sort of fuss Cole spoke up. "Hey man, if you could keep things quiet here, I'd appreciate it." He looked down at Jacob who was already watching him and continued. "We Don't want to overwhelm this little guy with a large crowd and we're just trying to eat some lunch. What do you say?" As he finished he handed a generous tip to the waiter who promptly closed his mouth and began to blush for practically being called out.

"O-oh yeah sure that's fine. Can I uh...get your autograph before you leave? I promise I won't tell anyone else you're here and I'll make sure Stacy, the lady who seated you doesn't as well." The young man whose name tag said "Jeremy" spoke lowly and hastily left after getting their drink orders. Cole took his eyes from the menu over to Noelle who quickly looked down at her menu, clearly caught red-handed.

"I hope that was okay," Cole said to Noelle causing her to look back up at him in slight confusion. "Using Jacob as an excuse to be left alone," he cleared up.

"Oh, that's fine, isn't it CoCo?" She mussed at her son's hair causing him to giggle. Cole enjoyed them interacting. His heart warmed immensely watching how much they cared for each other. I want that he said to himself. They continued small talk where Cole learned that Jacob's family nickname was CoCo and his mom's was NoNo. Cole asked Jacob if his uncle Max's nickname was MaMa to follow the protocol and Jacob laughed like it was the funniest thing he'd ever heard. Cole felt like the Grinch with a heart growing more and more the longer he spent with Noelle and Jacob. Now if he could figure Noelle out he'd better understand how to communicate more effectively with her.