The boys were the first to jump to their feet, and the girls soon followed, even though Blaze took her time.
“Do you think we should be playing games, Colt?”
He nodded. “We need a break from time to time. If not, we’ll get worn out from work too quickly. Besides, there is more to life than working ourselves to death. Am I right?”
She smiled. “Yes, I suppose.”
Colt motioned to her with his hand. “Come on, then.”
He waited for Blaze to reach his side, but by the time they crossed to the next field, the others had already greeted the kids. After they all made their introductions, Colt told everyone that he’d learned a fun game while living in New York for a couple of years.
Colt walked to the ball the kids had been kicking around and picked it up. He tested its firmness for the game he had in mind.
“I know a game that is not only fun, but it challenges us to be stronger and quicker. The game is called dodgeball. One player will have the ball and throw it at the others. It’s our duty tododgethe ball and not let it hit us. If we are hit, then we are the ones doing the throwing.”
Teddy nodded excitedly. “I’ve played this before. It’s fun.”
“Who will start the game?” one of the other kids asked.
Colt grinned. “I will since I suggested it.”
It surprised Colt to see the difference a game made on Lisa’s kids. Even Blaze seemed to smile more. He really enjoyed hearing her laugh, too. It eased his heart and mind seeing her this way as they all played the game. Turmoil had been building up inside him since the day Blaze picked him up from the stagecoach.
Why did he have to think about herthatway? But more importantly, why had she dressed so alluring the night of the doctor’s masquerade party? And... why did she kiss him? The more he thought back to that amazing night, he recalled that she was the instigator. Even though he wanted to kiss Cleopatra, she was the one who urged him to do it first. That told him what he needed to know. She felt the same way about him.
Now he wondered how long it had been since she’d thought of him as more than a friend. And now that he knew, it would be impossible just to ignore his feelings.
As he thought about all the things they had done together, she was the one he had more fun with. She was the one who’d made him laugh. Blaze was the one he went out of his way for. He’d loved her as his best friend because he knew they could never be anything more.
But now... The kiss had changed everything.
As the game progressed, he didn’t have time to think about the growing attraction he had for his best friend. Instead, he concentrated on throwing the ball. At first, he purposely missed his targets, only because he liked being in control and watching Blaze’s hazel eyes sparkle when she laughed.
Finally, he was able to get Teddy out. It didn’t take long for Teddy to get Emma out. After five more games, the group was tired and needed a short rest. They all walked to the water-well that wasn’t too far away and drank as if they’d been walking for miles in the hot wilderness.
Blaze leaned against the well, sitting on the ground. He plopped down beside her. Blaze’s face was damp, but he thought she still looked pretty. Her cheeks were flushed from the heat, and there was a spark in her eyes whenever she looked his way.
His breathing was still fast due to the exertion he’d put his body through, and yet, the frustration building up inside him still hadn’t lessened.
“So tell me,” she said, out of breath, “why did you need this activity today? Did something happen between you and your father that upset you?”
Sighing, he relaxed against the well, keeping his gaze on her. “It seems I’ve been having hard days since coming here.”
Her forehead creased. “Really, Colt. You need to work things out with your father. He’s not going to live forever, and you’ll feel guilty if he dies without you clearing your troubles with him.”
“Maybe that is what worries me. I don’t like seeing him this way. I don’t want him to die, and it’s hard to get focused on work again.”
She patted his arm. “Let me know if I can do anything to help you out.”
He liked it when she touched him, and his heartbeat fluttered wildly. “No. I’m not so heartless to add more work to your already heavy load. I know how my father piles work on to you.”
She laughed. “I can handle your father and all of the extra duties he gives me.”
He frowned. “Blaze, you don’t have to always act tough. Sometimes it’s good to let the tender woman inside you come out and get a taste of the real world.”
“Colt,” she said, laying her hand on his knee. “I know it’s been many years since we have done things together, but I assure you, I’m not tough all the time.”
“I have yet to see that.” He placed his hand over hers, holding it to his knee, mainly because he liked the crazy rhythm of his heart whenever she touched him, and he liked the warmth flowing through him. “Because if you showed it more, I’m sure you’d have guys lined up for miles, waiting to court you.”
