Two days after the best Christmas he'd had in a long time and one day since he had seen Noelle, Cole was a nervous wreck. He didn't understand why he was such a mess since they had both admitted to being into one another, but a part of him still worried something would derail their connection. Last time it was him, what if she decided to do the Colee thing? He kept giving himself pep talks throughout the day to get the worries out of his head, but they kept popping in.

While mentally battling himself, he also kept his physical self busy with things at the farm. Although there was only general maintenance and daily chores to do, chores which everyone contributed with, Cole felt it necessary to take on more of the tasks than he normally did. It was helpful to overexert himself and it did quiet his mind a little, but every chance his mind got, it went back into worrying.

As evening approached, Cole got even more nervous. His hands felt tingly and he kept having to take deep breaths as to remind himself to breathe at times. No one seemed to have noticed during lunch or when they crossed paths with him at the farm. No one except for his sister.

"Hey stranger," she joked with him as he finished cleaning one of the last stalls in the stable. "What's got you in a twist?"

Cole tried ignoring her question, but then thought to himself that maybe sharing his stresses with her would be helpful. He needed to hurry and finish though so he would have time to shower and shave before his date. Date. That word made his heart race once more.

With a deep breath, he stopped shoveling and turned to his sister. "I have a...date. It's in a few hours and I don't know. I'm freaking out and I don't know why. I spent over 24 hours with her and yet I'm still afraid." He felt silly for confessing, almost childish in his worries. The look on his sisters face didn't show that she felt the Colee at least.

"Well I'm glad you have a date with her. Seems like things went well for Christmas since you didn't come back till yesterday afternoon," she said as she wiggled her eyebrows, easing some of the tension in Cole's chest. "What are you most afraid of about this whole thing?"

Cole had to think for a moment to get a real idea on what he was most afraid of. It only took a few moments before he opened his mouth, "I'm afraid she will decide I'm not worth it and bail, maybe just up and leave like I did." It felt nice to admit it out loud and with it, he felt even more of the weight on his chest dissipate.

"Hmm...seems like you're just projecting and worried that she will seek revenge or something. Does she seem like that kind of person?"

Cole shook his head instantly. "Absolutely not."

Ashley stared at him with a curious look on her face. It almost made Cole uncomfortable, but he knew his sister was good at sussing things out and getting to the core of the problem. "I think you're already in love with her. That's what has you scared." Her quick assumption made Cole's eyes almost pop out of his head and his heart raced again. This time it wasn't from terror, but because he had been busted. He was in love with her and his heart knew it for awhile.

"But isn't that too soon?" His voice held all of the worry he had in him and his sister smiled sweetly at him, a glint of mischief in the mix which put Cole slightly on edge.

She chuckled lightly. "It's fun seeing you flustered. Kind of adorable actually" she teased. "But honestly...I don't know if there's really a timeframe for things like that. If you were a teenager and jumped to those feelings, I might say it is definitely too soon, but since you're pretty old and seem like you have a solid head on those shoulders...I'd say if it feels right there shouldn't be too much cause for concern."

Her relaxed demeanor while answering him made him feel much better. She must have truly believed it if it came so easy to her and the rest of the worries he'd put on himself practically disappeared within seconds. He felt almost silly for worrying about such a thing.

"Do you think I should tell her so soon though?"

She looked at him once more with that smile that said she was enjoying his agony all too much. "Hmmm...perhaps give it a few dates. If you see forever in this woman you don't have to rush into telling her these things as long as you show her you're invested. Take her out. Take her and her kid out. Make sure they know you want them in your life and then you can add the words to those actions. Maybe she'll even beat you to the punch."

"You know, you're smarter than we give you credit for," he teased her back, causing her to pick up some loose straw and toss it at him before running away.

"Good luck tonight!" She yelled as she made her way out, leaving Cole to himself once more. This time the air around him was lighter and his heart only raced from thinking about Noelle and how wonderful a future with her could be. Now he just had to show her that he could do that as well.

Cole was able to finish the extra tasks he set for himself and get home in time to shower before heading out to Noelle's town. He text her that they would be heading into the city just to be prepared and she responded with an okay and that Jacob is already planning on a sleepover at his grandparents. As much as Cole wanted to see Jacob and spend more time with him, he wanted Noelle alone for an evening. One where he could romance her as best as he could and hopefully show her that he's all in.

Once he made it to Noelle's home and made his way up to her doorstep with an amaryllis plant his sister made her take for the date, he took a deep breath and knocked. Not two seconds later did the door open and his breath was once again taken away by the beautiful woman before him. He had mentioned it wasn't going to be too formal of a place and to dress comfortable. Seeing her in a little black dress with ankle boots had his palms already sweating. He was done for.

"Wow. You look...um...wow," he stuttered his way through complimenting her. Her rosy cheeks in response to a squeaky thank you let Cole know that she must be just as nervous as him. He held out the plant to her and she took it from him and set it on the table by the door with another thank you. "Shall we get going?" He held his arm out for her to take and walked her to the passenger side before getting in himself and taking them to their first official date.

First of many, Cole hoped.