Colt by Lori Foster

CHAPTER SIX

SOMEHOWAMONTHpassed in what felt like the blink of an eye.

He and Charish had fallen into such an easy routine, visiting in the evenings during the week so they could each get to work on time the following morning, but then spending much of their weekend together. Whenever they went to the diner, Heidi and Dave joined them. Those two had turned into a regular couple and had proved themselves to be good company.

Colt enjoyed all the casual time spent with Charish, but the weekends were by far his favorite.

Staying the night with her wasn’t something they’d done before because they had both lived with family, but damn, he liked it. He usually woke before her, and he’d stay still, watching her sleep, feeling her warm breath on his skin, enjoying the way she fit so perfectly against him.

Diesel and Winslow had already made themselves at home, too, often joining Colt on his visits. Charish didn’t mind the occasional bit of dog fur or the spilled water dish. In so many ways, they were in sync, caring about the same things, enjoying the same entertainments, whether it was movies, food, or a colorful sunset.

Whenever Colt wasn’t with her, he thought about her, but he figured that little bit of distance would keep him from losing his perspective and moving too fast. At least that’s what he told himself Monday through Friday, but once the weekend arrived and he held her through the night, he wondered why the hell he kept fighting it.

With every day in Clearbrook, she got more settled. August had rolled into September with even hotter temps. Little by little, Charish’s waist expanded. Not noticeably for those who didn’t know she was pregnant, but he saw the difference—especially in her breasts. Each time he had her, her breasts seemed more sensitive.

Thinking about it made him want her again. Now.

Where was their relationship going?

Was it even possible to recapture the trust? In the ways that mattered most, they hadn’t grown apart. That had to count for something.

Except that he knew Charish well enough to know she still held back. It was subtle, that reserve of hers, but he still sensed it.

When she needed something, she wouldn’t ask, wouldn’t let him take part. Many times he came over to find she’d done a lot of work on her own, even though he wanted to help and kept offering.

She did so much, sometimes worked so hard, that it worried Colt, enough so that he did some online research to ensure that, as a pregnant woman, she wasn’t taking chances.

Everything he read claimed she could do just about anything as long as she didn’t have any complications with the pregnancy.

But...would she tell him if she did? He wasn’t sure, and that bugged him big-time.

He’d tried protesting, not that it did him any good. She got prickly about her independence, as if she had something to prove. He got that—when it came to other people.

Not with him.

This Saturday morning, he arrived with donuts and coffee, thinking he’d wake her with his arrival since it was still early. Instead, he and the dogs found her outside, dozing on the porch steps. Wearing pull-on cotton shorts and a loose tank top, her hair up again in another sloppy topknot, legs stretched out and face flushed, she looked extremely sweet.

To his way of thinking, being able to sleep in the summer heat proved she wasn’t getting enough rest. He glanced around and saw several thick limbs cut from a big tree, some of them already sawed up and stacked in a wheelbarrow, others still littering the ground.

Very quietly, he left the car, letting Diesel jump over the seat to exit through his door, then lifting Winslow down as well. Diesel stared toward her, on alert, but he was also quiet, his gaze going to Colt, to Charish, and back again.

“Shh. We’ll let her sleep, bud.”

Tail thumping, Diesel sat back and stared at her.

Winslow wasn’t as considerate. He started to run toward Charish, so Colt scooped him up.

Seeing how uncomfortably Charish slumped against the railing, Colt got an idea for a gift. A couple of decorative wooden chairs, maybe rockers, would look nice on her porch, and then they could sit outside together while the dogs played in the yard. His uncle Jason made custom pieces, so Colt decided to talk to him about it first thing.

For now, just being here with her gave him a sense of peace. It disturbed him to admit it, but whenever they were apart, he missed her.

Currently it seemed that Charish thought he had the same type of relationship with her that he’d had with Heidi.

Casual sex and friendship.

Damn it, he wanted more.

Didn’t matter that she was pregnant. If anything, that put an added edge to his protectiveness.

Daily, he struggled with the conflicting emotions, wanting her 100 percent, but determined that this time, he wouldn’t be the only one emotionally committed.

So far he hadn’t pressed her. She’d been so busy getting the house together and starting a new job, she’d needed a friendly shoulder.

He was that. But even before they’d slept together, he knew he was also more.

He was about to head quietly for the wheelbarrow, thinking he’d clean up the rest of the mess for her, when Winslow started yapping.

Charish came awake with a start. Eyes popping open, she jerked upright—and groaned, one hand going to her neck.

Diesel took that as a signal and bounded over to her, pushing his head into her lap and nearly unseating her. Winslow ramped up his own efforts until Colt set him down. Yapping with every step, he ran to her.

Laughing, she gave them both hugs. “You guys startled me.”

Coming to stand in front of her, Colt blocked the hot sun. “How long have you been out here?”

As if unsure, she glanced around. “I don’t know. What time is it?”

“Ten.”

“So...about two hours?”

Colt barely held back a growl. “I thought you were going to sleep in this weekend.”

“I wanted to get the yard cleaned up before it got too hot today, but then I sat down to take a quick break and I guess I fell asleep.”

“Why don’t you go inside and nap, and I’ll finish up out here?”

She gave him her patented “not happening” look and pushed to her feet. After a jaw-splitting yawn, she declared, “I’m fine. Just give me a minute to finish loading these limbs and then we can grab some coffee.”

Colt stopped her from stepping away. Hands to her shoulders, the dogs serving as a rapt audience, he held her in front of him. “I brought coffee and donuts.”

“Bless you that sounds good.” Again, she tried to sidle off.

Screw it. “You know you’re overdoing it.”

Shaking her head, she said, “No, it’s just that I didn’t sleep well last night.”

That bothered him even more. “Why not?”

Wearing her own “screw it” expression, she said, “I was missing you, if you must know.”

If that was true, why the hell hadn’t she called him? “I was home. You could have invited me over.”

Lifting a hand to her temple, she muttered, “We agreed not to do that.”

Irritation added a rough edge to his tone. “You can always let me know if you want me.”

“I want you.” Defiantly, she stared into his eyes. “Pretty much always.”

Damn, but that admission did a lot to ease his frustration, if not his frown.

She frowned right back. “Now that I’ve gotten used to sleeping with you on the weekends, the weekdays don’t feel as comfortable.”

“I was trying to give you some time.”

“For what?” Exasperated, she said, “News flash, pregnant ladies get large and unwieldy and, I’m sure, very unappealing. Already I’m showing signs and I’m only five months.”

Good God, with the way he felt about her, how could she think it would matter? The changes in her body fascinated him, but they didn’t repel him. Not at all.

Of course, he hadn’t spelled it out to her. Indecision tightened his jaw. He still didn’t want to lay it all out there, so he only said, “You’re being silly.”

Indignation flared in her eyes. “Silly?”

That high tone didn’t bode well.

Diesel whined, distressed by her obvious anger, and Winslow flattened his ears.

Colt stepped around Charish, went up the porch, and opened her door. “Come on, guys. You don’t need to hear this.” The dogs trotted in, making a beeline for the kitchen, where Charish kept a water dish for them.

Guilt stole her edge. “I didn’t mean to upset the dogs.”

“I know.”

“It’s just... How much more time do we have?”

With his back still to her, Colt said, “If you mean because of your pregnancy, I love the changes so far. It’s fascinating.”

After two beats of silence, she rasped, “You can’t be serious.”

That got him turning with renewed frustration. “Why the hell not?”

Coming up three steps, she squared off with him. “It’s not your baby.”

A rush of anger clenched his hands and deepened his breathing. She may as well have slapped him, for how that made him feel. His left eye ticked. His molars locked together. “Are you through?”

Taking in the signs of his anger, and maybe feeling some regret, she deflated, casting her eyes down. “I don’t understand you.”

“First,” he said softly, determined to keep it together, “I’m well aware it’s not my kid, but I wish it was.”

Her gaze shot back up to his.

“If you hadn’t dumped me years ago, we’d probably be married with three kids by now.”

Jaw loosening, she said, “I never dumped you.”

Since that was an outright lie, he ignored it. “Second, I thought I was pretty clear that it didn’t matter to me. The baby is yours. That’s how I see it.”

“I never dumped you.”

She looked so sincere, he tried to turn away...and couldn’t. “Lastly, if you don’t want me coming around, just say so. But I won’t let you push me away again.”

Her breath hitched as she stepped up against him. “I didn’t dump you, Colt. How could you even think that?” Breathing faster, she said, “I let you go, and it almost killed me.”

It had almost killed him, too, but he wouldn’t say so.

One hand to his face, she whispered, “God, I missed you so much. I cried for the longest time. It felt like someone had ripped my heart from my chest.”

Pretty much how he’d felt, too. “Then why the hell did you do it?”

“I knew I wasn’t coming back, and it wasn’t fair to keep you tied down. How could I do that to you?” Her voice caught. “I loved you.” And then, a little brokenly, “I still love you.” Arms coming around him, she hugged him tight. “Pretty sure I will always love you.”

Well...that changed everything. “Why did you do that, babe?” He held her close, his face in her hair. “I was willing to wait for you.”

“Six years?” She gave a small, bitter laugh. “That’s how long it’s taken me.”

“I would have come for you after college.”

Her hand slid up his chest to his neck. “You deserved to be free in college, to date and do all the stuff a good-looking, smart, caring guy should.”

“Charish.” Aware of her trembling, he lifted her chin. “All I wanted was you.”

She bit her lip, staring into his eyes, then asked, “And now?” Before he could answer, she added in a rush, “Knowing I’m pregnant, knowing I’m just starting out and my life is kind of a mess and...and I can’t even clean up my own yard without needing a nap?”

For the first time, Colt placed his hand protectively on her stomach. “No matter what, I want to be with you every step of the way.” Grinning, happiness expanding into every empty corner of his soul, he said, “I’m looking forward to it, actually.”

Her smile came slowly. “You are the most remarkable man.”

So many compliments made him laugh. “And you’re a remarkable woman—whose life, by the way, is not a mess. Look at all you’ve accomplished. Your own house, a good job, a big move on your own terms. Damn, I’m proud of you.”

With a big, happy sigh, she felt her tension easing away. “Fair warning, I won’t let you go again.”

“Just try getting rid of me.”

Her hand covered his. “Do you mean that?”

“I love you, too, you know.”

“Colt!”

Setting her back, he said, “Now instead of fighting me, how about you go inside and I’ll pick up the yard?”

The switch threw her, leaving her flabbergasted for a moment, but she shook her head and laughed. “Because you love me, I shouldn’t help clean up my own yard?”

As to that, why would they even need two yards? Didn’t matter to him where they lived, as long as they lived together.

“Tell you what,” she said, misinterpreting his silence. “Now that I’ve had a nap and I’m feeling refreshed, I’ll help so we get done that much sooner, and then we can have those donuts you mentioned.”

“And we’ll talk about the future.”

“A future with you?”

“And Diesel and Winslow—” he curved his hand around her stomach again “—and this little one on the way.”

Hand covering her mouth, her eyes big and soft, Charish nodded. “I love that idea.” Snatching his hand, she went down the steps with new purpose.

Amused by her, finally feeling free to love her, Colt pulled her up short. “One second.” He opened the door again and called to the dogs. “The coast is clear, guys.” They were both happy to play alongside him and Charish as they moved everything to a woodpile out back.

It took no more than fifteen minutes to finish up. While Charish reheated the coffee, Colt set out the donuts. It was cooler inside, so they sat at the table together. Diesel sprawled on the kitchen floor in a ray of sunshine coming through the window over the sink, and Winslow snuggled in near his neck.

As Colt watched Charish bite into a chocolate-frosted donut, years of resentment melted away. Fighting it hadn’t done him any good, but accepting all the things he felt?

Yeah, that brought him a lot of peace.

He waited until she’d finished the donut to point out, “We don’t need two houses.”

She blinked. “Are you saying...?”

“I’m saying I want you with me every day, every night, not just weekends.”

Heavy with emotion, she whispered, “I want that, too.”

He liked the sound of that. “I never stopped loving you, Charish.”

Leaving her chair, she crawled right into his lap, making him laugh as she repeatedly kissed his face. “When I made plans to move here, I never expected... I didn’t even dare hope...” Drawing a breath, she said, “I would love to share a house with you.”

Her happiness brought out his own, and they both ended up grinning at each other—that was, until he kissed her. Things quickly escalated then, and they ended up in bed.

Sometime later, when Diesel got tired of waiting for them and scratched at the door, Colt pulled on his boxers, let the dogs into the room, then got back into bed to hold Charish close.

Diesel sprawled over the bottom of their legs. He was older now and slept a lot more often. Winslow looked divided, wanting to charge up to Charish’s face, but also drawn by Diesel’s snores...and finally Diesel won. Winslow didn’t go to sleep, though. He just rested his little chin on his paws and watched them.

Appreciating Winslow’s discretion, Colt said, “Being here with you like this, it’s how it was always supposed to be.”

Her face glowed. “You make me so incredibly happy.”

Funny, because he hadn’t known he was unhappy until she returned. “I know things happened fast, but I think that’s because it never really ended. Not for me.”

“Or me.”

Now that they’d ironed that out, he wanted to cement things every way possible. An announcement to his family, a shared home. Marriage. “Where do you want to live? This was your family’s home, so I’ll understand—”

“But your house is close to your dad and uncle.”

That would suit him best, especially since his house was a little larger. “They’d love having you there, too. And, Charish? They’ll love the baby the same way I will.”

“I believe you.” She hid her face against his neck. “I told myself that I wanted to come home because Clearbrook is such a wonderful place.”

“It is.”

“And I have friends here.”

“You do.”

Eyes shining, she gazed up at him. “I’m a terrible fraud. Overall, I know what I really wanted was you. Even knowing you might be with someone else. Even if we could only be friends. My grandmother was gone, my dad was no longer suffering, and Mom was happy again.”

“You deserved your turn.”

She nodded. “But I didn’t know if I still deserved you.”

He tucked her under him. “Marry me, and I’ll spend every day for the rest of our lives showing you exactly what you deserve.”

“As long as you let me do the same.”

“Is that a yes?”

“With you, Colt, it has always been yes.”

ELIJAH RYAN GUTHRIEcame into the world a few weeks early, weighing seven pounds, five ounces, with a thatch of dark hair and a very strong voice—at least until his daddy held him.

Still in the hospital delivery room, a little worn but so very happy, Charish smiled at Colt. “You can let them in, you know. I don’t mind that I’m a mess.”

“You are incredibly beautiful,” he replied, but he couldn’t take his eyes off the baby snuggled in his arms. “The thing is, there are a lot of them out there. Dad and Violet, and Paisley is especially anxious to see her nephew.”

“Who’s watching the diner?”

“Kristy has it under control. Uncle Jason would have offered, but with Honor due any day, he didn’t want to risk it. They’re here, too, you know, even though Honor looks ready to pop.”

“And Mom and Hank?”

“They arrived a few hours ago. Your mom has been happy-crying for an hour now.”

“I bet that means Hank is cuddling her.”

“He is.” Finally, Colt smiled at Charish, and she saw so much love in his eyes it almost overwhelmed her. “Even Heidi and Dave were here, but she finally had to get to a meeting, so Dave drove her home. She demanded that we head to her place for dinner as soon as you’re ready.”

Heidi had turned into a best friend, and she and Dave were their favorite couple to hang with. “That will be fun. Now, Colt, give me Elijah and go let them in.”

As he carefully placed the tiny bundle into her arms, he asked, “You’re sure you’re up for it already?”

“For family and friends who love us? Believe me, I will always welcome that.”

A minute later, Hogan was the first one in. Coming to Charish’s bedside, he stared down at his grandson. “He’s beautiful.”

Squeezing up next to him, her mother said, “Oh, Charish. Oh, oh...” She fanned her face as more tears trickled out.

Honor said quietly to Hank, “That little boy is going to get so much love.”

Holding Paisley, Colt came around to the other side of the bed. Eyes wide, Paisley stared at the baby and whispered, “He’s awful red.”

“You were, too, when you were first born.”

“Was I that little?”

Violet came to lean against Colt’s shoulder. “You were just a little bigger, but remember, Elijah came a few weeks early.”

At the foot of the bed, Honor, Jason, and Hank smiled at her.

These people all considered her family. Could she be any luckier?

For the next hour, everyone took a turn holding the baby until Jason said, “I want to get Honor home. She could go all night, but I’ll feel better once she’s sitting with her feet up.”

“Plus Diesel and Winslow are waiting for us,” Honor said.

They laughed at that. Honor was pretty big in her pregnancy now, but she still loved her visits with the dogs.

Violet said, “Paisley and I will walk you out. I need to get back to the diner anyway.”

Since he’d driven separately, Hogan gave his wife and daughter each a kiss. “I’ll be there shortly.”

With a smile at Colt, Violet said, “We’ll get by without you for one day, so don’t rush, Grandpa.”

Taking his cue from the others, Hank put his arm around her mother. “We drove straight through, so I think we should head out as well. It’s been a long day.”

Again, Colt asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to stay with us?”

“We already rented a room, but plan on us being underfoot for a bit.”

Her mom smiled. “Just for a week or two, so I can help out.”

Once the room was quiet again, Charish smiled at Colt and his father. Hogan held Elijah, and he didn’t look ready to let him go. Clearly, he considered himself a grandpa.

Just as Colt had said, none of them cared who had fathered the baby. He was a part of their wonderful family now, and that was all that mattered.

Sighing, her heart full, Charish whispered, “I love you all so much.”

Without giving it a second thought, Hogan said, “And we love you.” Kissing the baby’s head, Hogan reluctantly handed him back to her. Then he embraced Colt, a big, warm bear hug full of love and pride.

After they moved apart, both of them smiling, Hogan said, “I’m so happy for you, son.”

Knowing it was true, Charish laughed softly. “Even though everything happened so fast?”

Hogan put a hand to her shoulder. “I think that depends on your perspective.”

“To me,” Colt said in agreement, “it took six years longer than I wanted. You were always the one, Charish. Pretty sure Dad knew it.”

With one last smile, Hogan headed out. “If either of you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Like father, like son, she thought. “The smartest thing I ever did was to fall in love with you, Colt Guthrie.”

“Maybe.” He grinned at her. “But the second smartest thing was to move back home, because this is where you belong.”

“With you.”

Sitting beside the bed, he took her hand, kissed her knuckles, and agreed. “With me. Back then, now, and every day for the rest of our lives.”

Read on for a sneak peek at New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster’s next novel, The Summer of No Attachments, a story of second chances at love and life, best friends, found family, and rescued animals.