“I’m okay. Bruising’s almost gone and the broken ribs and other injuries hurt less every day.”
“That’s good. Ben said he was doing well when I called.”
His mother scoffed. “He’s acting like nothing happened. I caught him trying to lift a dresser yesterday. Honestly, if I don’t chain that man to a bed, he doesn’t rest. It’s like he forgets he was shot.”
A small smile tugged at Colt’s mouth. “Sounds like Ben.”
“Can I come visit tomorrow? I’d love to see you.”
“You mean us.”
There was a small pause. “Yes. Well, of course.”
He shook his head. Shestilldidn’t get it. And at this stage, if she didn’t get it, she never would. “Mom, it willalwaysbe us. It’s beenussince we started dating in high school.”
“I know. I—”
“No. I don’t think you do know. I appreciate you checking in, but as I’ve said before, I need minimal contact right now.”
“Colt—”
“Indie will need to rest tomorrow anyway. I’ll try to stop by in the next week or so. I’m glad Gordon’s in the hands of the police so we can all be safe now.”
Then he hung up and leaned his head back, the frustration tugging at every part of him. He loved his mother. What they’d gone through together at the hands of his father had created abond he’d thought was unbreakable. And his mother had given him the best life after Gordon was gone.
It was probably why this hurt so much. Because he’d expected more from her.
When the lights were off, he moved back to the bedroom to see Indie curled into a ball on her side of the bed.
Damn, she was beautiful. Every time he looked at her, he was reminded that she held his heart in the palm of her hand.
He stripped down to his briefs and climbed into the other side. Then he slipped an arm around her waist and tucked her close.
She sighed and nestled closer.
This. Her. It was everything he’d craved the last year. It was all he needed. All he’d ever needed. And he would do whatever it took to protect her, body and soul.
CHAPTER 27
“We had our first fight this morning.”
Indie’s lips curved as she lifted her peppermint tea, coffee still not sitting well in her belly. She didn’t love the tea, but it was supposed to be good for nausea. “You and Holden had a fight? About what?”
“We went out to that new Italian place for dinner. I was dressed very casual—leggings, my hair was in a claw clip, and I had no makeup on. Basically invisible.”
Indie scoffed. “You’re never invisible, Clara.” The opposite. Her cousin was gorgeous.
“No, I looked terrible. And this waiter comes over and asks how we’re doing. He smiles, hands us menus. That’s it. That’s all he does.”
“Sounds very standard.”
Clara threw her hands up. “Exactly! Well, the second the waiter leaves, Holden says he was flirting with me.”
“What gave him that idea?”
“He said the guy’s gaze lingered and he had atone.”
“What kind of tone?”
