Page 100 of Colt

Nuh-huh. Not this early in the day. You can think about that later, in the privacy of your own home.

It’s been all of three days since Lainey came over for dinner and…everything else that ended up happening. But you’d think it’s been three months for how much I think about her.

How much I’ve been texting her now that I finally have her number. It’s like LEGO building opened the floodgates. We’ll tease each other. Talk about everything and nothing. Flirt shamelessly. A few times, I almost worked up the courage to ask if she wanted to exchange some less-than-appropriate pictures but decided against it. I like taking my time with this woman. Although my right hand’s been getting a workout, that’s for damn sure.

I turn to Mack, who’s in the corral with us this morning for our fifth attempt at getting a bridle on Polka-Dot. Guess who came up with that name after he saw the Appaloosa’s brown-and-white spots? Dean was tickled pink when Polka-Dot was born with more spots than any of us could count. “Polka-Dot” was one of the few words my son could say at the time, and the name stuck.

“What’s up with him today?” I hook my thumb in Beck’s direction.

Mack shrugs, idly circling a lasso through the morning air. I wouldn’t say it’s crisp yet, but the weather’s definitely cooling off. Fall is my favorite time on the ranch. Leaves are changing, foals are done dropping, and we’re gearing up for later mornings (thank God).

“He said something about an old friend being in town,” Mack replies. “Think it put him off-kilter.”

Huh. Wonder who it could be? Takes a lot to rock Beck’s boat.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Not sure. I’ll do some digging.”

“Whatever the case, cussin’ like a sailor ain’t gonna get that bridle on any faster.”

I feel Mack’s stare burning a hole in the side of my head. “You do know that you cuss more than anyone I know. Myself included, and that’s saying something.”

“I’m not cussin’ today.” I pop my sleeves, picking at an invisible piece of lint on the denim. “All I’m saying is we don’t want to spook Polka-Dot.”

More staring. “Forgive me if I made this up, but weren’t you the one who called him the cuntiest cunt who ever cunted?”

I tip back my head and laugh, reveling in the warmth of the sun on my face. “I did, didn’t I? That was a bad day.”

“Speaking of bad days.” Mack gives me a look. “You talked to Billie yet? She misses you. So does Ry.”

My stomach knots. “I’m not ready to forgive them yet.”

“I get it. What they did—hiding it from you—that wasn’t cool. But I really do think they’re in love. We gotta give him a chance to prove he can treat her right, yeah?”

“Maybe that’s what I’m doing. Giving us all time to prove we’re grown-ups.”

“A grown-up would mend fences with his sister and best friend sooner rather than later. You don’t wanna miss out on any more of their story than you already have. We also miss you at Sunday supper.”

I cut my brother a glance. “Awful wise for someone younger than me.”

Mack grins. “Lainey’s younger than you too. Funny coincidence, that.”

Beck is still in the corral. Still cursing.

“I could use a little help!” he yells.

“Mack, why don’t you lend a hand? I think I’ll watch y’all today.”

“Watch us?”

“Yes.”

“Who are you?” Mack stares at me with wide eyes. “And what have you done with my brother’s body?”

“Ha.”

“You never watch. You always participate even though everyone offers to help, and then you bitch about it for days afterward.”