FIVE
Blaze inhaled steadilyand calmly as she stared at Colt. Her mind wanted to turn him down, but her heart told her tolet him. She swallowed hard. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Colt, but really I don’t –”
“Shh.” He put his finger to her lips, stopping her. “Don’t turn me down. You need me. You know you need me.” His smile widened. “I know you know you need me.”
Her breathing turned ragged again, and with an unsteady hand, she moved away from his touch, but he clasped her hand and held on to her fingers.
“How exactly will you see if he’s the right man for me?”
“I know you, Blaze. I know what you like to do and what you don’t like. I’ll see if he enjoys the same things you do. I’ll especially see if he’s going to treat you well. If not, I’m sending him back where he came from.”
How she had missed him being her friend before she married the first time. If Colt was around, he could have seen that Lawrence wasn’t the man for her, but she’d married him anyway, because he was the only man who asked for her hand. She had been as desperate as Lawrence was.
“Well, I suppose I could have you meet him and get to know him a little.”
Colt’s smile widened. “I’ll do more than that. I’ll treat him like a brother. Maybe then he’ll let his guard down enough for me to see if he has a kind heart.”
“Colt?” she asked softly, running her hand up his arm slowly. “Why are you doing this?”
He gasped. “Are you kidding me? I’m your friend.”
“Yes, but you haven’t been my friend for a long time.”
His smile disappeared. “I know, and I’m sorry. I wasn’t leaving you as much as I was leaving my father and his new family.”
“I know, Colt.” Her chest tightened. “But a lot of time has passed. I’m surprised you still think of me like that.”
He shrugged. “I’ve always been able to talk to you, Blaze. I need that, especially now as I help my father and the wainwright shop.”
“How long are you planning on staying in Last Chance?”
He stepped away from her, looking down at the water. He didn’t have to say anything. His actions told Blaze what she needed to know.
“I have to be here for a year.”
“What? Youhaveto?”
He looked up at her. The light in his eyes was gone. “Yes. My grandfather is paying me to stay and help my father for a year.”
She didn’t enjoy the clenching of her chest or the feeling that she’d just been punched in the stomach. He only came here for money? Perhaps Colt Masterson wasn’t the man she wanted him to be after all.
“Well, once I’m married, you won’t have to stay long. My new husband will be very helpful, and you can be on your way. We don’t want you here if you’re being forced.” She took an uneasy breath. “Believe me, it’s not a fun life to be forced to do something you don’t want to do.”
She turned and stepped out of the stream. She collected her stockings and boots but didn’t put them on. Instead, she quickly mounted her horse and rode off toward home, blinking away the tears filling her eyes.
* * * *
COLT SHOULDN’T HAVEtold Blaze about the money. Nobody would understand why he did what he did. How could he explain that he only did this because all of his life, his grandfather had convinced Colt that he’d never make a good grandson – good enough to get an inheritance, anyway?
It crushed him to realize he’d upset her so much. He needed to bring that beautiful smile back to her face soon and make her feel that she was important to him.
The next morning while Colt was rebuilding a wagon, his mind churned with ideas of how he could bring light back into her eyes and laughter back to her expression. Ten years ago, he would create games that challenged both her – and him – which included some of the other youth their age. Of course, usually, only the boys played along. Still, it made her happy to compete. He hoped she was still competitive now, as she’d been before.
At lunchtime, he sat on a tree stump in front of the barn as he ate a sandwich. In the field across from his father’s land, a group of kids who looked to be between the ages of ten and sixteen, played kickball, but they appeared bored. Traveling so much, Colt had learned many fun games over the years. Perhaps he should show them some. After all, he would be in this town for at least a year, so he should try and get people to like him.
He quickly finished his last bite and hurried inside the barn. Lisa and George were at the house, but Blaze and her cousins were all working on something. Dakota and Emma were painting some boards, and Teddy and Leroy were arguing about something. Blaze was the only person who enjoyed what she did. Of course, Colt wondered if she would like married life better. He was sure she’d make a good mother.
“Who in here is ready to take a break?” All heads snapped up and gazes locked on him. He grinned and motioned toward the field across from the barn. “I see some kids playing, and they look bored. I think we could help them liven things up. What do you say?”
