Colt by Lori Foster

CHAPTER TWO

THEIRONYOFit struck Colt.

If he hadn’t gone to Heidi’s, he wouldn’t have known Charish was back.

But once she’d figured out how he’d spent his night, she’d ramped up her efforts to run him off.

Not going to happen. Six years ago, she’d removed him from her life. Just as she’d changed, so had he. For the most part he was still easygoing, but in this? No, he wouldn’t let her push him away this time. He’d get to know this more mature version of her. Not that he expected it to go anywhere. The past was there, still between them, both good and bad.

With her long-distance breakup, she’d robbed him of closure.

He wouldn’t be robbed again.

Diesel was at Uncle Jason’s when Colt got home, but immediately trotted over to join him when he pulled into the driveway. Because he would never cheat Diesel, he went to the backyard with him to throw his ball a few times, then spent a while just petting him. As a German shepherd mix, the dog shed in the summer no matter how often Colt brushed him. He found it funny.

Would Charish?

After Diesel settled in for a nap, Colt took a speed shower and shave, pulled on sloppy shorts with an old Zac Brown Band T-shirt and running shoes without socks, then headed out again. As he drove to the diner, he considered his plan. He had a feeling Charish would find a reason to be away if he didn’t return quickly. Catching her while the movers unloaded was his best bet.

It wasn’t his habit to chase women, but then, he usually didn’t have to. In his intimate relationships, he strove to be polite, respectful, and generous in bed. If a woman wasn’t interested, he moved on to another who was. He kept things casual, and he enjoyed himself.

He did not let things get intense.

Coming through the door of Screwy Louie’s, the diner his dad and Violet ran together, he headed for the counter. Because he’d worked here for many happy years, he was as familiar with the place as Violet herself.

Kristy was still employed there, now as an assistant manager, and she looked up with a smile. “Hey, Colt. Joining us for lunch?”

“Takeout, actually. Can I get a couple of loaded burgers, a double order of fries, two chocolate shakes and... What dessert do we have today?”

Just leaving the kitchen, Violet said in her sweet accent, “Hey, sugar. Joinin’ us for lunch?”

His grin spread out and he grabbed her up for a hug. Being at Screwy Louie’s meant being with family. He’d never take that for granted.

“Kristy asked me the same thing.”

Pushing back, brows up, Violet asked, “What’d I do to deserve that?”

“You know I adore you.” So damn much. She was a terrific stepmom—and a perfect wife to his dad. After the mess his own mother had left behind, Violet had brought a healing touch, along with a lot of joy, back into their lives.

“Well, I adore you, too.” She squeezed in for another hug, then headed over to clear a booth, saying, “We have a few different berry pies, chocolate cake, and bread pudding.”

“Two slices of cake,” he said, rounding out his order to Kristy.

“You’ve got it.” She hustled away, always doing three things at once, which was pretty much the way of it at the diner.

Starting past him with a tray full of dishes, Violet said, “Paisley is out back with Hogan.”

Colt stole the tray from her hands, felt her dishrag smack him in the ass, and laughed. After depositing the dishes in the sink, he detoured out of the prep area to find his dad standing over the grills, preparing the ribs for the evening, while Paisley sprawled on her stomach in the shade with posable soldiers arranged in the grass.

She wore a cute sundress that rode high in the back, showing the edge of her panties. Her wildly curling dark hair framed her little frowning face as she set up a frontal assault with the soldiers.

“Hey, squirt.”

With something sticky on her lips, Paisley squealed and shot to her feet. “Colt, look, I have a whole army now.” She ran to him, arms up, fully expecting a hug.

He lifted her high, tossed her once, making her shout with laughter, then lowered her back to her feet. “What did you eat?”

“Cake.”

His dad handed him a napkin, delegating cleanup duty while he slathered sauce on the ribs.

Kneeling, Colt drew Paisley close. Keeping her chin tilted up, he gently cleaned icing off her mouth, smoothed her thick hair, and then kissed her nose.

Smiling, she asked, “Want to fight?”

If he hadn’t heard that question nonstop over the past year, he might have misunderstood. “I don’t have an army,” he said, trying to sound serious instead of amused.

She generously offered, “I’ll share a few soldiers.”

God, he adored her. She liked dolls on occasion, but toy soldiers were her true love.

To his dad, he asked, “Was I this bloodthirsty?”

Hogan snorted. “You two are as different as night and day. Both unique, both pretty damn wonderful.”

Leaning in, Paisley said, “Don’t tell Mom he’s cussin’ cuz she’ll smack him, but I don’t even repeat him no more, so it’s okay.”

It took all Colt had not to laugh. “Give me six guys and I’ll play until Kristy has my food ready.”

Sporting an amazing pout, Paisley asked, “You’re not stayin’?”

“Sorry, honey, I can’t. But I’ll visit this weekend and we’ll stage an entire war, okay?”

That put a huge grin on her face. “‘Kay. I’ll go get ’em ready.”

No doubt she’d set the stage in a way that she could quickly obliterate him. Her tactics were often ruthless.

With his heart full of love, Colt stood and leaned on the outside wall far enough away from his dad’s grills to avoid some of the heat. Because he and Hogan talked about everything, he didn’t hesitate to say, “Charish is back in town.”

As was usual for his dad, he quickly gauged the situation and Colt’s mood, moved the meat around a little, and wiped his hands on a towel. Now that he could give Colt his full attention, he stepped closer and studied his face. “For good?”

“I think so. She’s moved back into her family’s home.”

Taking up a spot on the wall next to him, Hogan asked, “You saw her?”

“Just came from there.” At six-three, he stood a few inches taller than both his dad and his uncle. “I’m taking lunch back to her.”

Hogan considered that for a moment, then asked, “You’re glad to see her?”

Up in the air.

Or was it?

Seeing her had stirred long-dormant emotions. The problem was that not all of them were good.

“I guess. Overall anyway.” Mixed with pleasure had been residual bitterness, but he’d rather no one knew that because it sounded petty. To deflect, he added, “She looks good. More mature.”

“Meaning more like a woman than a girl?”

Flashing him a grin, Colt said, “Definitely a woman, and now totally stacked.”

That hadn’t been the reason for his interest, though, and they both knew it. Hogan waited, giving him time to sort through his thoughts.

“I was at Heidi’s when I saw her.”

Understanding what that meant, Hogan winced. “Awkward.”

“Maybe a little. Not like Charish and I are still involved.”

They both knew that was bullshit, too, at least on Colt’s part, since he clearly had unresolved feelings. Sure, he’d gotten on with his life. But Hogan was an involved father, they talked often, and he knew Colt better than anyone.

The silence stretched out while his dad watched Paisley move barefoot over the lawn, his smile full of affection and pride.

Colt got that, since he felt the same. His little sis was quite the character.

After shoulder-bumping him, Hogan asked, “Why don’t you bring her around tomorrow for dinner? Everyone will be here. It’ll be like a reunion.”

“Maybe.” He liked the idea of having her on his own turf, surrounded by his family and friends. In case Charish refused, he didn’t fully commit. “I’ll see. For now, I have a battle to fight with the pip-squeak before Kristy brings out my food.”

Hogan laid a heavy hand on his shoulder. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Colt moved away to join his sis on the grass. Twenty years separated Colt from Paisley, but Hogan had barely been eighteen when Colt was born. Though Hogan had stepped up to be a terrific father, Colt realized how much responsibility had been dumped on him at such an early age.

It was nice that this time around, his dad was older, more settled, and he’d made the decision with eyes wide open, rather than being handed a surprise. He and Violet shared everything, good and bad.

That’s what Colt had always wanted, too, but he hadn’t been in a hurry to get there. Not since Charish moved away.

“I have time for one battle.” Sitting on the grass, Colt surveyed the soldiers she’d given him, all of them standing upright while hers crawled through the grass. He noticed hers were all armed, too, and she even had a cannon.

“One battle,” she agreed, and immediately launched into sound effects as she advanced her men.

Laughing, Colt tried to deflect her efforts, but it wasn’t this battle that occupied his mind.

It was the coming battle with Charish—and in that, he planned to win.

CHARISHREMOVEDTHElamp and rearranged the end table once more. The couch, she found, was a bit heavy to budge. She had her shoulder to it, her bare feet firm on the floor, pushing hard, when a knock sounded on the door and startled her enough that she did a face-plant.

“Oof.”

Opening the door on his own, Colt peered in, spotted her in the process of getting up, and quickly set aside bags of food.

Before she could regain her feet, he’d caught her upper arms and lifted her.

Still with his hands on her, he studied her cheek, probably red from where she’d collided with the floor. “I heard the thud. What happened?”

Even knowing he shouldn’t be there, and that she shouldn’t let him be there, Charish’s heart bumped into a fast beat. Excitement. Happiness. So dumb. But she was close to him, his hold was familiar, and she... You’re not a high school girl anymore. Get it together.

Gesturing at the big leather couch, Charish explained, “I want to move that monstrosity.”

“Why didn’t you have the movers do that?”

“I did. Twice. But you know how it is with a new place. You need to reconfigure until you get it right.”

Wearing an indulgent smile, he asked, “Where do you want it?”

That “let the big man do it for you” tone got her molars grinding. Truth, though, he was bigger, and she felt like she’d pulled a muscle trying to move it on her own. “There,” she said, gesturing with one hand while rubbing the small of her back with the other. “In front of the window.”

Colt considered that and shook his head. “You’ll put the TV opposite it, right?”

“Yes?”

Another superior smile. “The sunset will make it impossible unless you get black-out blinds.” He retrieved the food and headed for the kitchen. “Let’s give it a little thought, okay? Eat while your burger is still warm and then we’ll figure it out.”

We? Where did he get a “we” in there? It was her house, her furniture...and that burger smelled divine. She still needed to get the bedding together, the TV hooked up, and all around her packed boxes waited. At least now she had a table and chairs in the kitchen.

“Sustenance,” he declared. “Start with that.”

“Is that from Screwy Louie’s? Oh my God, I’ve been craving one of their burgers.” No sooner than the words left her mouth, she froze. She definitely shouldn’t have mentioned cravings. Going for a quick save, she clarified, “I mean, no one makes them like the diner.”

“I remembered how you like yours—loaded.”

Of course he had. Colt was one of the most considerate people she’d ever known. Smart, too.

And even in her own head, she would stop singing his praises.

“Thank you. I’m hungrier than I realized.”

With the food already set out, including two packages of cake, Colt pulled back her chair for her. “Dig in.”

As she was sinking into the seat, she grabbed up the burger, took a big bite, and groaned as her taste buds rejoiced. In the time she’d been gone, she’d sometimes dreamed about those burgers. “So good.”

Gaze fixed on her mouth, Colt stuck a straw in her drink.

It made her self-conscious, how intently he watched her. She quickly wiped her mouth with a napkin, then nodded at the drink. “Chocolate shake, too?”

“Takes you back, right?”

Back to the days when he’d worked at the diner and she’d hang out with their friends, catching him on his breaks, sneaking off to make out... “Yes.” That squeaky voice wouldn’t do, so she took another bite to keep herself from saying anything more.

Sitting opposite her, Colt started on his own food, but his eyes stayed on her. It was too silent, wearing on her nerves, ramping up her tension. Tugging her phone from her pocket, she pulled up a playlist.

By some twist of fate, the first song was “Chicken Fried” by the Zac Brown Band...just like the T-shirt Colt wore.

He lifted a brow. “I see you still have good taste in music.”

“Of course.” Feeling a little more at ease with the music between them, she asked, “Are the Drunken Monkeys still a thing?”

“Hell, yeah. They play every Saturday night at the diner. Usually outside in the summer months, but upstairs when the weather isn’t as nice.”

Liking the way he relaxed in his chair, his long legs out, forearm resting on the table, Charish asked, “You do any more performances?”

Humor put a devil’s glint in his eyes. “No, so don’t get any ideas.”

Too late. Her thoughts had already traveled back in time to when the local guys had put on a “ladies’ night” to go down in the history books. Shirtless, wearing cowboy hats, they’d performed a line dance on the stage that had everyone at the diner whooping, encouraging, and egging them on.

More so than the other men, Colt had enjoyed himself. Pretty sure that was when she truly fell in love.

“That’s the night Dad proposed to Violet.”

That grin of his made her feel too many things. It was boyish, charming, and oh-so-compelling. She had to remember that he wasn’t a boy anymore, and his charm should have been wasted on her.

“It was special.” It took effort, but she managed to concentrate on her food instead of gazing at him. “All the same guys in the band?” Since they were local, she’d known most of them. The sheriff, Nathan Hawley, was the lead singer. That prompted another quick question. “Nathan is still sheriff?”

Almost like a challenge, Colt said, “Things in Clearbrook don’t change. You know that.”

And just like that, the easy smile was gone, replaced by cynicism. Because she’d been forced to leave? He couldn’t know it, but everything in her world had changed in such a life-altering way.

Could she recapture any of it?

Not Colt, she didn’t delude herself on that. As a grown man, his youthful infatuation wouldn’t exist anymore.

It was the sense of belonging, the contentment, and a foundation for a real home that she was after. With her mother happily settled, she wanted that for herself so badly. Peace of mind. Direction.

Expression unreadable, Colt sat back in his chair. “Charish—”

A knock sounded on her front door.

They stared at each other, the connection almost tactile and very unsettling, at least to her.

To escape the room and the things he still made her feel, she hurried from her seat. Her heart continued to hammer, leaving her breathless. Aware of Colt following, she went to the door, pulled it open...and there stood Heidi Ellard. Her neighbor. Her Realtor.

Colt’s lover.

God, it needed only this.

AWAREOFBOTHwomen eyeing each other, Colt worked up a smile. “Heidi,” he said evenly enough. “How’d the meeting go?”

Blue eyes going from one to the other, Heidi took in the situation and, as always, handled it with flair. “You make an amazing welcoming committee, Colt. I’m glad you’re here. Could you get that big plant from my back seat?”

Glancing out the door past her, he saw her car in her own driveway, the back door open. “Sure. Where do you want it?”

“On the porch, of course.” Turning to Charish, Heidi beamed. “It’s a housewarming gift, since you not only paid my commission, but we’re now neighbors.”

Smile strained, Charish said, “That’s so kind of you. Thank you.” Glancing at the empty porch, she added, “A little color will liven it up out there.”

“Oh my, look how much you’ve gotten done already.” Shooing Colt on his way, Heidi took in the furniture, the boxes, and the windows that still needed blinds or drapes.

Colt didn’t want to, but he headed out to Heidi’s driveway, jogging so he didn’t leave them alone too long. It wasn’t that he thought there might be drama. That wasn’t Heidi’s style or, if she hadn’t drastically changed, Charish’s either.

It helped that Heidi wasn’t the least bit territorial. If she had been, he wouldn’t have stayed the night with her.

That didn’t mean he wanted to be in the dark about whatever they discussed. How friendly were they anyway? Would Heidi be hanging out with Charish a lot? They’d be neighbors, they were close in age...

Given the things he’d already been thinking about Charish, it could get tricky, especially if she made too much of his relationship with Heidi. He hefted out the gigantic decorative pot overflowing with vines and colorful flowers.

It weighed a ton.

As he set it on the porch, he heard Heidi saying, “If I might make a few suggestions?” and then she took over, directing Colt on where to move the couch, how to situate the chair and the tables, then stepped back with satisfaction. “There. Isn’t that nice? The room feels even bigger.”

“Amazing.” Charish looked around in awe. “I just assumed the couch had to go against a wall, but this is so much better. It creates an entry, and yes, the room feels bigger.”

While he waited for the next direction, Colt watched them interact.

“You have artwork for the walls?” Heidi asked her.

“Not yet.”

“Perfect! I know just the place. Everything is discounted but unique and I can already envision the pieces that will pull this all together. Oh, and you’ll need an area rug. I can help with that, too. Do I smell food?” Nose in the air, Heidi headed for the kitchen.

Charish blinked at Colt, clearly frazzled by Heidi’s fast-track mind.

When he’d first met Heidi, he’d had the same reaction, so he understood. “Come on.” Hand open on the small of her back, he absorbed Charish’s warmth as he urged her after Heidi.

Eyeing the food, Heidi asked Colt, “Which one is yours?”

He pointed, and she immediately took his seat, stealing the rest of his fries and helping herself to his chocolate shake.

As if he hadn’t woken up in her bed that morning, Heidi asked, “So you two know each other?”

Easily, trying to prove it didn’t matter, Colt said, “We dated in high school.”

“Ah. I thought something was there. I’m newer to town, so I had no idea. I’ve been here...what?”

Colt said, “Three years now.”

“That’s right.”

Cautiously, Charish reclaimed her seat—but she didn’t touch her food. “I appreciate the offer of help. Unfortunately, I’m on a really tight budget for a while.”

“I get it.” Heidi eyed Colt standing there. “Don’t you have a chair?”

“I did.” When she grinned at him, he laughed. “I’m fine here, and I was mostly done eating, so help yourself.”

“Already did.” Reverting back to the home décor topic, Heidi said, “I promise, the places I’m suggesting are perfect. Plus it’ll give us a chance to get to know each other more. Oh, I have a great idea!”

That was Heidi, always on Mach speed. When in bed, he appreciated all that over-the-top energy, but now? Charish looked like she’d been hit with a steamroller.

“Join us tomorrow night at Screwy Louie’s. It’ll be fantastic. Good weather, a great band, and incredible food.” As if imparting a secret, Heidi leaned forward. “I’ve won over a lot of clients who are relocating because of that diner.” Winking at Colt, she added, “His father is truly the barbecue master.”

Finally, Charish cracked a smile. “I was around when Violet dubbed him that. Definitely earned.”

“So say yes. We’ll have a wonderful time.”

Her gaze darted to Colt, then away. “I don’t want to intrude.”

Leaning in again, Heidi said, “I invited Dave Gamblin.” To Colt, she said, “He’s one of your friends, right?”

So Dave was to be her new conquest? He could see that. “He is.”

“Gorgeous,”Heidi proclaimed to Charish, then to Colt again, “But you didn’t hear it from me. I don’t want him to get cocky.”

Appreciating her tactic, Colt spelled it out—for Charish’s benefit. “So you and Dave, huh?”

Heidi popped another fry into her mouth. “I’m testing the waters, and I’d appreciate reinforcements. Say you’ll be there, both of you. Please?”

Damn, she really was special...as a friend. “I’m in.” Knowing it would put her on the spot, and appreciating the better odds, Colt asked, “Charish? How about it? It’ll give you a chance to let people know you’re back.”

Like a deer in the headlights, she said, “Um...”

“Convince her, Colt.”

Meeting Heidi’s gaze, Colt winked. “Leave it to me.”

“Perfect. Say six? I’ll see you both there.” A never-ending whirlwind, Heidi was already back on her feet, Colt’s milkshake still in her hand. “Until then, I’ll take a few pics of things I love, with prices, and send them along to you. I know when you see the rug I have in mind, you’ll insist on having it.” She glanced at Colt as she said to Charish, “I already have your number.”

Subtle, she was not, but Colt enjoyed her too much not to smile now that he knew he could get Charish’s number, too, if he wanted it.

Together, they walked Heidi to the door, then watched her cross the lawn in her high heels without faltering.

Standing behind Charish, Colt breathed in her scent. The urge to put his mouth to the back of her neck, to taste her satiny skin, nearly sidelined him.

He hadn’t been this drawn to a woman since...well, since Charish had left.

Annoyed with that realization, he headed for her TV. “You have cable turned on yet? I can get this hooked up for you.”

Standing at the open door, Charish faced him with one hand behind her on the doorknob. Sunlight framed her, stroking around those fuller curves, softening her expression.

Or maybe it was her attitude that had softened.

“Heidi is really nice.”

Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Colt paused with cords hanging loose in his hands. She’d sounded pleasant enough, but he picked up the serious undercurrents. “Like a friendly tornado blowing through, right?”

“You’ve known her long?”

“Since she moved here.” He draped a wrist over a bent knee and studied her. Carefully, he said, “She’s a friend, nothing more.”

“I didn’t ask.”

“I know.” And that bugged him, too, because he wanted to know everything about her.

Silence stretched out until she smiled slightly and closed the door. “You’ve been such a big help.”

He glanced around the room. “It really does look great.”

Without looking away from him, Charish said, “Heidi has a good eye.”

“For design?”

“For everything, apparently.”

Was that a compliment aimed at him? He wasn’t sure, so he let it go. “What else do you have to get done today?”

“Unpacking.” Heaving a sigh, she gestured at all the boxes. “Luckily I have them labeled so I know what I need right away.”

“Give me five minutes to finish this and I’ll help.”

“You’re staying?” Quickly she clarified, “I mean, still? You don’t have something more important to do?”

He wanted to do her. Maybe once he got his fill, he could get her out of his head and see her strictly as part of his past, instead of the one who got away.

While tackling the cords, he shook his head. “I left Diesel sleeping. Now that he’s older, he naps more.”

“Diesel is your only commitment?”

Finally, a little reciprocal interest. “Overall. I finished up a big job yesterday and don’t start on the next one till Monday, so I have a three-day weekend.” Her flat screen TV wouldn’t hang on the wall, but instead sat on a shelf, which made it easier to hide the cords.

“You’re a mechanical engineer?”

That had been his plan even back when they’d dated. “Yeah. I just oversaw some work in a new convention center in Columbus. Four floors means a lot of elevators and escalators, and all the mechanics to run them, not to mention the software and the—” Cutting himself off, he shook his head. “Boring stuff, right?”

“Not the way you tell it.” She lifted a box. “I always knew you’d make it happen, Colt. You’re one of the smartest, most motivated people I’ve ever met.” And with that, she headed down the hall.

For only a moment, Colt dropped his head. The short laugh took him by surprise. Charish had sounded proud of him.

It pleased him, but also left him...insulted?

After all, she’d dumped him. Cut him loose. Moved on with her life. So why would she...

Hell, he wasn’t sure what he felt, and he knew he wouldn’t figure it out today. Finishing up with the TV, he used the remote to make sure it worked, then went after her.

He found her putting sheets on a bed.

Oh, he knew what he felt now. And it was just the focus he needed.