“They’re not married yet.” Grumbling, Colt returned to his hammering, but now he was anxious to meet the other man who may melt Blaze’s heart – or break it.
He threw the hammer down and stood. Apparently, he couldn’t concentrate on his work until he saw the other man, too.
Trying to walk calmly, he soon joined the sisters who stood near the road, looking down the street toward the stagecoach station. He couldn’t see much from this far away. Part of him wanted to get a horse and ride closer, just to get a better view.
“Which one is she?” he asked the sisters.
“I can’t really see,” Dakota said, “but she’s wearing a white blouse and green skirt.”
He squinted, trying to see better from this distance, but he was still out of luck.
“Should we walk closer?”
Teddy’s voice from behind Colt made him jump. When did they come out of the barn?
“No, we will stay right here.” Colt turned and gently pushed his stepbrothers back toward the barn. “Come on, you twittering half-wits,” Colt said to the sisters, “get inside so that we can finish our work. The sooner we’re done, the sooner we can meet Blaze’s new beau.”
His words must have encouraged the siblings because they returned to their duties and worked faster than Colt had seen them do so far since he’d been here. Yet, he also realized he was working extra fast, as well.
The hours seemed to drag after that, but soon, the sisters finished their painting and ran toward the house. Not long after, the brothers hurried out of the barn, heading for the house. Colt should stop, too. Yet, he didn’t want to meet the man Blaze would marry because then everything would become too real. He didn’t know how well he’d be able to handle that.
Once he was finished with the wagon wheel, he shut the doors to the barn and hung up theclosedsign. Running his fingers through his hair, he groaned. He needed a bath. He wanted to look his best before meeting Blaze’s beau.
A week ago, when he arrived, he had decided to stay in the bedroom in the back of the barn. He didn’t want to hear the step-siblings arguing in the house. Taking his meals with them and having them in the barn wore on his nerves enough.
It didn’t take long to fill the hip tub with water and thoroughly wash himself. As he bathed, he tried to listen for joyous voices coming from the house as the family got to know the new man in their lives, but he couldn’t. His gut twisted again, wondering if he would be able to handle this at all.
Colt dried himself off and quickly dressed. He took the comb and pulled it through his wet, tangled hair. He would meet this new man and do what he told Blaze he’d do for her. Colt would make sure this man wasn’t going to break her heart. Although Colt wasn’t ready to settle down yet, he would at least see that his best friend was happy in her new marriage.
Taking a few moments to gain courage, he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Sadness etched in his eyes. He needed to put on a fake smile and try to do his best even if his heart wasn’t in it.
He left his room and turned to head to the barn’s back door, but a sound from the main workroom caught his attention. Nobody was supposed to be here. Scowling, Colt marched toward the intruder. He wouldn’t let anyone take advantage of his father’s shop.
The lantern on the table was lit low, and he definitely remembered turning it off. Then taking cautious steps, he moved into the workroom, glancing around the room, ready to catch the miscreant.
Standing at the window with her back toward him was a lady dressed in a white blouse and matching hat, wearing a green skirt. Colt sucked in a quick breath. What was Blaze doing here?
He stepped closer to her. “Blaze, honey? Why aren’t you at the house with your beau?”
From where he stood, he noticed when she took a shaky breath from the way her shoulders shook when they lifted and fell. After a few seconds, she turned to face him. Her eyes were red and swollen from her tears.
“Blaze,” he gasped and rushed to her, taking her in his arms. “What happened?”
Her body trembled slightly. “He... didn’t come.”
“What?” He withdrew just enough to peer down at her face. “He didn’t come on the stagecoach?”
She shook her head. “The stagecoach arrived, but he was not on it.” She swallowed noisily. “He... he... he didn’t want to marry me, I suppose.”
“Then he’s a fool.” Anger rose inside him, making him want to find the stupid man and shake some sense into him.
“No.” She took an uneven breath again. “He probably came earlier than planned and was able to get a good look at me.” She licked her lips. “And he probably realized he didn’t want a tomboy for a wife.”
“Oh, my dearest Blaze.” He cupped the side of her face as he stroked his thumb gently along her cheek, moist from her tears. “It doesn’t matter if you like to wear men’s clothes or play dodgeball with a group of kids. You are far from being a tomboy. You’re as gentle as any woman I’ve been with, and you have such a caring heart. And...” He moved his gaze over her face and up to her hat before removing it. “You’re the prettiest woman I know.”
More tears filled her eyes, and she smiled, even if it wasn’t full. “Colt Masterson, you are a cad.”
“What?” He hiccupped a laugh. “Why am I a cad?”
