“Yeah, I know. But I was hoping to do something in the barn tonight.” Colt glanced over his shoulder at his father. “Doesn’t something need to be repaired?”
His father shook his head. “Colt, you need to relax tonight and meet people. That’s what this party will help you with. There will be many single women there, and I’m sure you’ll find someone who interests you.”
Once again, Blaze’s face popped into his mind, and he quickly ushered it out. “I’m not going to meet women, Father.”
His father smiled. “Of course, you are. I know my son.”
Colt slowly turned in the chair, studying his father’s expression warily. The old man knew something, Colt could tell. “What’s so special about tonight?”
“Well, Lisa has a friend in town who has a single daughter. We want you to meet Susan Wilson. She’s really pretty, and I know you’ll like her.”
Colt groaned, and he didn’t care if his father heard him or not. “Father, stop trying to play matchmaker.”
The old man’s mouth tightened. “If I don’t, who will? You certainly won’t.”
They hadn’t spoken for all this time, and yet things hadn’t changed at all. His father wanted to argue with Colt, and he wanted to push back. He was tired of this game. “Fine, I’ll meet her, but I’m not promising anything.”
His father’s face relaxed. “You’ll instantly love her. She’s so very charming and intelligent.”
Knowing he couldn’t fight this forever, Colt stood and placed the black mask on his face. His disguise was the midnight bandit, which was the only thing Lisa could come up with at the last minute. “What is Susan’s costume tonight? I’ll seek her out and make introductions.”
“Lisa’s friend says her daughter will be dressed as Cleopatra.”
Colt rolled his eyes. Of course, she would. Most women who wanted to catch a man’s attention dressed as an Egyptian seductress. All he wanted to do tonight was finish this facade. The quicker he could meet the woman, the quicker he could tell his father that he wasn’t interested.
He stood and stepped to the door, but his father grasped his arm, stopping him.
“There’s one more thing you should know. I don’t know how much longer I have to live. I want you to take over Masterson’s Wainwright. My expectation is for you to fill my shoes, but to do that, you must get your life in order and settle down. I want you to marry, have children, and raise your kids better than I have raised you.”
Anger mixed with helpless frustration boiled inside Colt. Was this a threat? Although he shouldn’t take it as such, how else could he feel when his father threw this at him?
Clearing his throat, Colt squared his shoulders, meeting his father’s direct stare. “And what if I don’t want to settle down in Last Chance?”
His father expelled a heavy breath. “Then I don’t know who is going to take care of Lisa and her children.”
“Father.” Colt sighed and folded his arms. “I love you, but I’m telling you now. You can’t force me into a life I don’t want. If and when I get married and have children, it’s because I want them.”
His father’s mouth tightened, and he nodded. “I understand.”
Blowing out a frustrated breath, Colt left the study and headed toward the front of the house. Everyone had already left for the doctor’s party, and he suddenly wanted to be anywhere but here.
He saddled a horse and rode toward the destination. Lisa had told him where the party would be. A slight breeze stirred the leaves in the trees, and a full moon lit the way. Soon, he arrived at a large barn that was lit up with lamps. Fiddles were playing inside, and a parade of costumes filled the barn as the people moved from group to group, chatting.
As Colt entered, he noticed a few women dressed as Marie Antoinette and three men dressed as the French King Louis XVI. So far, he hadn’t seen anyone who wore the midnight bandit costume.
Colt scanned the room and recognized many historical costumes. He even saw Lisa and her children. But he couldn’t find Blaze. He figured she’d be easy to spot because of her pretty auburn hair.
He turned away from the dancers, ready to go in search of the punch bowl... when he saw her – the woman his parents wanted him to meet. Cleopatra. Wearing the silky white dress of the famous Egyptian seductress, the woman’s black wig reached her shoulders with beads of gold hanging from her jeweled headdress that matched the wide golden collar circling her neck and shoulders. On her face was a white, golden-jeweled mask. Circling her wrists were matching bracelets. On her feet were golden sandals.
He hated to admit it, but although he couldn’t see her face, the rest of her was very well put together. But he knew that if he wasn’t impressed with a woman’s mind and personality, it didn’t matter what her body looked like. He would not court her.
Colt sighed heavily. He made a promise to his father that he’d get to know her before turning her down. No time like the present.
She stood still just inside the door, her head moved slowly as if she was looking for someone. He was sure her mother had told her what Colt would be wearing tonight, so maybe introductions weren’t really needed. Then again, this was a masquerade party. He really should pretend to be the charming midnight bandit, bent on stealing something from the young maiden, just as she would pretend to be Cleopatra.
When she saw him coming, she placed her hand on her chest, and her mouth dropped open. He stopped and bowed.
“Madame Cleopatra,” he said in his best charming voice. Well... maybe it wasn’t exactly hisbest.
