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“You’ll probably want to wake up to see this.”
“Is it an all-you-can-eat cereal buffet?” he mumbles.
That’s oddly specific and not at all enticing, but then again, my brother’s always had a thing for sugar-coated grains and milk.
“No.”
As the wagons roll closer, two giant wooden doors open inward to reveal a dirt lane leading into the fort. Buildings line both sides of the street like they do in old Westerns, with hitching posts out front and a raised platform for pedestrians to walk on. Or, in this case, congregate on, since people are gathered to greet us—some wearing modern clothes and some dressed like pioneers. We roll under the carved wooden sign bearing the fort’s name and I adjust my bonnet to get a better view. My eyes search the crowd for Colton, but I can’t spot him. My heart sinks a bit that he’s not here to greet me.
Our wagon eases to a stop in front of O’Connor’s General Store and whatever building is on the other side. Caleb’s still sleeping and I’m not about to crawl over him to lift the canvas.
Up front, Mom, Dad, and their new besties, the McCreadys and the Stones, are oohing and aahing.
Jake turns to me with a grin. “Civilization at last. Running water, electricity, high-speed internet if you know the Wi-Fi password, which I might be willing to share.”
“Cell service?” I ask.
“Sometimes.”
For the first time since we left Darby, I pull out my phone and power it on. It takes a moment to search for a signal. The bars fluctuate between none and one, and then, like a miracle, two bars. I grip the phone tight, expecting it to suddenly shake like I’m holding a mini earthquake in my hands with all the notifications coming in.
Dr. Michaelson’s office: Don’t forget to schedule your six-month dental cleaning.
Avondale High School: Please remember to return all outstanding library books before July 1 to avoid penalty.
Quinn: Hope you had a good flight. Miss you! Call me when you can.
It’s not nearly as fantastic as I thought it would be to have service and I’m surprised to find I’m not disappointed with the lack of messages. Who needs cell service when you’re out on the prairie with a cute cowboy? I look up and spot a pair of familiar dark eyes fixed on me.
Colton.
I barely register powering off my phone and sliding it back into my bag.
“How about I show you around, give you a behind-the-scenes tour?” Jake waggles his eyebrows.
“I’m all set,” I reply as I take in Colton in his pioneer costume.
He was right. I almost don’t recognize him in his rugged outfit. He’s dressed in dark brown trousers hoisted high up on his waist with a pair of black suspenders. His loose-fitting shirt is a dark green cotton, open partway down like a popover without the buttons and the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his muscular forearms. Instead of his Stetson, Colton wears a black felt hat with a wide brim and his modern work boots have been replaced by a dusty and scuffed pair that look like they’re at least a hundred years old.
Not gonna lie, it’s a good look on him. A very good look. Maybe too good, given how the tween girls in front of the general store are eyeing him.
Jake sneers down his nose at Colton, which he can only do because he’s atop his horse. On the ground, Colton has about three inches on him. “Nice hat, man.”
“You can pick up one just like it at O’Conner’s,” Colton says. “Tell Jim I sent you, and you might get the friends and family discount.”
Jake balks. “I’d never wear a hat like that.”
“Your loss,” I say. “Maybe with a hat like that, you’d be the center of attention.” I give a pointed glance to the giggling tweens and grab my backpack.
Colton’s eyes glisten when I turn to him. “Welcome to Fort Bellows. Meet you at the back of the wagon?”
CHAPTER 28
Colton
“THESE PIONEER DRESSES are a health hazard,” Riley says, shaking part of her skirt at me. “I almost tripped getting into the wagon. I had visions that I’ll face-plant trying to climb down.”
“We can’t have that.” I reach out a hand to help Riley step down the wagon ramp. “Although I’m pretty sure your bonnet would break your fall.”
