WHAT IF! cole walter

CHAPTER EIGHT, treehouse talks & tension

When Jackie left, Hollyn helped her parents with cleaning up the kitchen before she helped taking the dogs outside. As she sat on the back porch, watching Ace, Lottie, and Goldie run around, she didn't hear footsteps approaching her.

"Hey." Cole greets her, smiling a bit. He sat down beside her on the porch swing by her side. He chuckles when Lottie ran over to him after she spotted him, jumping into his lap and licking his face. "Well, hello to you too, Lotts." He let the dog curl up on his lap, smiling wider as he pet her. 

"Hi." Hollyn smiles, looking over at him. "What are you doing over here? Not that I mind." She added.

"Wanted to see if we were going to the treehouse tonight. Like we usually do after dinner." Cole answered, scratching behind Lottie's ears. Lottie leaned into his touch, her tail continuing to wag happily.

"Oh, right." Hollyn nods, remembering their nightly routine. They would often go to the treehouse to hang out and talk after dinner. "We can do that. Let me just put the dogs up and tell my parents." She stood, calling out to Ace and Goldie, who both stopped playing and perked up before they ran over to her. Lottie jumped off Cole's lap, running after her siblings and barking. Hollyn grinned at them and opened the back door, letting them in.

"Okay, I'll be right back." She told Cole with a small smile, going back inside the house. She guided the dogs to the laundry room where their crates and other supplies were at. She made sure to give them fresh water and food, and gave them each a treat. Once she was sure they were okay, she then went to find her parents to tell them she was going to the tree house.

She found them in the living room, cuddled up on the couch and watching a movie together. Kiwi was curled up in a ball, sleeping on Carolyn's lap. She smiles softly as she watches her parents, seeing the love they had for each other. It was always so clear and evident in everything they did. She had always wanted a relationship like theirs.

"Mom, Dad." She says softly, standing in front of them. They looked up at her and smiles, pausing the movie. "Cole and I are going to the treehouse, okay? I'll be back later." She told them.

"Okay, honey. Just be careful." Carolyn says, looking at her. "And don't be too late. It's a school night."

"I know. I won't. I love you." Hollyn smiles and kissed her cheek before leaning down and kissing her dad's cheek. "I love you too, dad."

"We love you too, Holly Berry. Have fun and be safe." Her dad replied with a warm smile.

Hollyn nodsand heads back to the porch where Cole was waiting. When he heard her walk back out, he stands and smiles at her. "Ready?"

"Yeah." Hollyn smiles back at him, nodding her head. "Let's go."

They head to the Bellwood stables to get two horses out and ride them to the tree house. Hollyn got her horse Apollo and Cole rode on another horse the Bellwoods have. Her name was Athena and she was a beautiful dappled gray Arabian. They rode side-by-side, the cool night air blowing through their hair as they headed towards the woods. The full moon illuminated their path, the sound of the crickets chirping filling the air.

When they reached the tree house, Cole helped Hollyn off her horse before they tied the horses' reins around a nearby tree, giving them enough room to roam freely. Hollyn was nervous when climbing up the ladder, she hated having a fear of heights. But with Cole's help, she made it up safely. She climbed up the ladder first and Cole followed close behind her, making sure she was safe. When she got to the top, she pulled herself into the treehouse, collapsing on the floor in relief.

"I hate having a fear of heights." Hollyn groaned, burying her face in her arms.

Cole chuckles lightly, sending her a sympathetic smile. "I know, but you made it up here. That's all that matters." He murmured, heading over to sit down on one of the bean bags chairs.