by June Faver
She lay in his arms, exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. Never in her limited experience had she ever felt as though she were part of an explosion.
“Misty,” he whispered, his lips against her temple. “That was amazing.”
She nodded, not sure what to say. Her heart was still pounding in her ears, and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath.
He held her for some time, gently stroking her hair and kissing her. “Misty, I didn’t know we would be together like this, but this whole evening has been important to me. I feel that we have something special between us. I hope you feel the same.”
She nodded, unable to form coherent speech.
He kissed her forehead. “I guess I better go. I don’t think your father or brothers would like to find me here.”
Misty felt a sudden sense of loss. She didn’t want to even think of how bad it would be to have her brothers find her naked in Colton Garrett’s arms…but she didn’t want to let him go, either. “You’re right.” She tore herself out of his embrace. “I guess you had better leave.”
“I’m hoping you’ll be able to give me some good news tomorrow.”
“Good news?” she asked.
“Dinner. If I’m lucky, your father will feel well enough for me to take you to dinner tomorrow.”
She smiled, warming at the thought that she might be with him again. “Me too.”
He climbed out of bed, retrieved his clothes, and pulled them back on. Leaning onto the bed, he gathered the comforter around her and kissed her. “Give me a call later. Let me know when we can get together.” He handed her a card with his number on it, and she clasped it to her bosom. “You already have my cell number in your phone. This has the ranch number on it as well. Good night, Misty, and thanks for spending your evening with me.” He gave her another quick kiss on the cheek and straightened.
She followed him to the door, dragging the comforter behind her. From the window, she watched him return to the truck and drive away. She also hoped her dad would have a good day tomorrow.
Returning to the bedroom, she gathered her clothing and picked up the check that had fallen from her bra. Her priorities reached out and gave her a mental smack on the head. “Yeah, I know what I have to do.”
* * *
Colton climbed in his truck and rolled as quietly as possible away from the Dalton homestead. He hated leaving Misty alone. All he had wanted was to stay with her, but he didn’t want to cause any trouble with her family. Leaving her caused an ache in his chest.
He only knew one thing about the delicious Misty Dalton. He had to have more. No matter the consequences, he wasn’t about to let her get away from him.
Turning onto the main highway, he heaved a sigh. This one’s a keeper.
He didn’t encounter any other vehicles on the stretch of highway between the Dalton and the Garrett ranches. His headlights cut a path through the darkness, making him feel like the only human left on the planet.
When he turned in at the big horseshoe-shaped gate marking the entrance to the private drive leading to the Garrett ranch house, he was thinking about the possibility of taking Misty to dinner and ways he could make it a special evening for her.
The big, rambling Spanish-style ranch house was quiet. Big Jim had apparently retired.
The lights were out in the wing that Leah, Gracie, and Fern Davis—Leah’s grandmother—were currently occupying while waiting for Ty to return from his tour and for their new house to be built.
Colton parked and got out of his truck as quietly as possible, but when he went into the house, he was surprised to find Beau watching a rerun of The Walking Dead in the front room.
“Hey, Bubba,” he said in a soft voice.
“Don’t call me that,” Colton snapped. “It’s after three in the morning. Isn’t it past your bedtime, Little Brother?”
Beau chuckled. “But not yours. You must have gotten a little action from the lovely Misty Dalton.”
“Shut up!” Colt huffed out a sigh. “I really like her, so just back off.”
Beau continued to give Colton a hard time about being so obviously smitten with Misty. “I mean, Bro, you’re supposed to be cool. Play hard to get.”
“I don’t want to play hard to get. I want her to know I’ll be easy to get…for her.” He opened the buttons on his shirt, intending to head for his bedroom.
“But you just met this girl,” Beau protested.
Colton ignored his brother and made his way down the hall to his room as quietly as possible, hoping not to awaken anyone. He managed to strip out of his clothes and take a quick shower but decided to raid the refrigerator before climbing into bed. He pulled on his denims again and walked barefoot down the hall.
He turned on the light in the kitchen and was surprised when his dad joined him.
“Late night for you,” Big Jim commented.
Colt shook his head, grinning. “Dancing at the Eagles Hall.”
Big Jim slouched in the doorway, leaning against the frame. “Anyone special catch your eye?”
Colt narrowed his gaze. “And Little Brother has been shooting off his mouth, hasn’t he?”
Big Jim snorted. “A little bird did happen to mention that you were dancing with one particular young lady.”
“Guilty. A very pretty one at that.” Colt reached in the refrigerator for a package of sliced turkey and the jar of mayonnaise. He opened the bread and took out four slices, laying them out on a plate.
“The Dalton girl?” Big Jim’s forehead furrowed as he arched a brow. “She’s a little young, don’t you think?”
“I’m a few years older, but I don’t think that’s much of a difference.”
Big Jim pushed away from the doorframe, standing with his feet as wide apart as his wide shoulders. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his Wranglers. His mouth was set firmly as though he was holding back on something.
Colton regarded his father, steeling himself for resistance. “Actually, I’m thinking she’s just right for me. At least, everything about her seems that way to me.” He recalled how perfectly their bodies had fit together and how sweet her lips had tasted. Swallowing hard, he slathered mayonnaise on all the bread and began dealing out slices of smoked turkey. “Do you have a problem with the Daltons, Dad?”
“Just be careful. I heard they were having some trouble financially. That girl might be looking at you to bail them out…you know, baiting the hook.”
Colton felt his jaw tighten but tried to maintain an easy inflection to his voice. “She said they were having trouble. Her dad is sick…dying, in fact.” He glanced at Big Jim and saw him flinch.
“I didn’t know that. Sorry. What’s going to happen to the kids when he passes?”
“Don’t know. We didn’t discuss it, but Misty is taking care of her father, and she seems to be taking care of her brothers as well.”
Big Jim frowned. “That’s a big load for someone so young.”
Colton filled a tall glass with cold milk and returned the jug to the refrigerator. “You’re right. She turned twenty-two this past week and didn’t even tell her dad it was her birthday because she didn’t want to upset him. I think she’s a pretty special person.”
Big Jim stood in the doorway, his face grim. “Sad.”
Colton took his plate and glass to the table and seated himself. “Take a seat, Dad. If you have a lecture for me, we might as well be comfortable.”
Big Jim stepped away from the doorway. “I didn’t say I was going to lecture you.” He pulled out a chair and settled his big frame in it, resting his forearms on the table. “I’m just concerned, that’s all. I don’t want you to get involved with the wrong kind of girl, Son.”
“You haven’t even met her.” Colt leveled a questioning gaze at his father. “I think even you would be impressed.”
Big Jim
scowled. “I take it you intend to see this young lady again.”
Colton nodded, stuffing a bite of sandwich in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed, eyeing his father. “If Mr. Dalton is doing well tomorrow, I’m going to take her to dinner. If not…” He shrugged. “There will definitely be another time.”
Chapter 4
Misty woke up early the next morning, but she felt she had been in bed too long. She jerked fully awake, and her feet hit the floor. She had pulled on her clothes after Colton left and now tidied the bed to erase all signs of their lovemaking. She couldn’t erase the smile on her face and the lightness in her heart.
Hurrying into the main house, she rushed to her father’s room. Quietly, she opened the door, relieved to see he was still asleep, a peaceful expression on his face.
She smiled, glad he was resting comfortably.
In the kitchen, she filled the teakettle with water and set it on the gas range to heat. Considering their meager stores of food, she opted to make oatmeal for her father’s breakfast. She arranged a tea bag in his favorite mug and poured steaming-hot water over it. Stirring the oatmeal, she wished she had some fresh fruit to go with it, but settled for a few spoonfuls of brown sugar. She added another for good measure since her father’s medication seemed to have affected his taste buds. “More is better,” she whispered.
Misty added buttered toast and a jar of strawberry preserves to the tray and headed for her father’s room. “Good morning, Dad,” she called out.
There was an answering stir of the covers, and Arnold Dalton raised his head from the pillow. “Ah, there’s my sunshine.” His voice was weak and gravelly.
“Let me help you sit up.” Misty set the tray on the nightstand and arranged the pillows behind him. She set the tray over him and tucked a paper towel in the neck of his pajamas. “Here’s some honey for your tea, Daddy.” She nudged a squirt bottle shaped like a bear toward him.
“It looks wonderful. Thanks, my darling.” Arnold’s face was sallow, but he managed a brief smile and a pat on her hand.
“Dad, we sold the horses at the auction yesterday. Do you remember?”
He looked puzzled for a moment but then nodded. “Yes, I remember.”
“I’m going to deposit the check today, so I need you to sign it.” She offered the check and a pen, which he took with a shaky hand.
“What does it say?” He indicated the words she had written on the back.
“I wrote ‘for deposit only’ and the account number…just in case it got…lost.”
Arnold gave her a puzzled glance, then shrugged and signed it.
A wave of relief washed over her as she folded the check. Now, if she could get to the bank before it closed that afternoon, all would be well. She lifted the spoon and offered some oatmeal to her father. “Eat up, Daddy. You need your strength.”
* * *
Big Jim Garrett hadn’t slept well. He was concerned for his oldest son, Colton. Always the serious one, it wasn’t at all like Colt to lose his head over a girl, especially one from the Dalton family.
He had known Arnold Dalton forever, it seemed. There was nothing remarkable about the man that he could bring to mind.
Arnold had never been particularly successful, but he had somehow managed to marry and produce three children while keeping his ranch in the black. Lately, however, things had been different. When his wife died, Arnold had sought solace in the bottle. He probably hadn’t drawn a sober breath in years.
Big Jim heaved a sigh, remembering the pain when his own beloved wife had passed away. Tore the heart right out of the man, but he had responsibilities…three sons and a sprawling ranch to see to. He had dug in and eased his sorrow with hard work and devotion to the boys.
The result of all his hard work was that he had raised the three boys to manhood and had amassed even more land and cattle. Three fine sons…
And now the oldest was apparently smitten with the little Dalton girl. Not acceptable.
Big Jim had heard that the Dalton ranch was now heavily mortgaged and that the family was on the verge of losing its land.
As a rancher, Big Jim was always interested in acquiring more land. He had his own sons to provide for, and to his way of thinking, land was always the best investment. The boys would be coming into their own soon, and giving them their share of the Garrett ranching enterprise had always been his intention.
Of course, Tyler had his music career and a lovely new bride. Big Jim heaved a sigh. Although Ty had never expressed any thoughts of moving away from the land, there had been a time Big Jim thought he had lost his middle son for good. Fortunately, the rift between father and son had been healed with no permanent damage, and he knew he owed a big debt of gratitude to his lovely daughter-in-law, Leah. Now, Ty might not always be present to take on the day-to-day tasks involved in running the ranch, but he would help out when he was home. And Ty was building a house for his new family right there on the ranch. Yes, the boy had his head on straight and would always be a part of the land.
Big Jim’s youngest offspring, Beau, had graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock with a degree in land management. He had never expressed any thoughts other than to be a part of the Garrett ranching enterprise.
Nor, for that matter, had Colton. Big Jim felt his oldest son was strong and steady. He was born and bred to be a rancher, and this land was what he knew like the back of his hand. Big Jim had no worries there…but he was concerned that Colt might not make a wise decision when it came to the fairer sex.
Colt had never been girl crazy. He had spent his school days as a leader, both scholastically and athletically. There had been girls, of course, but they were the popular girls. The class leaders. Girls from the best, most affluent families in the area. Colt hadn’t been serious about any of them. Like Ty and Beau, he had also graduated from Texas Tech and dated his fair share of girls while there, but he had never brought anyone home.
Big Jim couldn’t put his finger on why he was so troubled, but when Beau told him that Colt was acting uncharacteristically smitten, it had stirred a core of parental concern. He thought Colt was overdue in the romance department. If he was just going to have a fling, that would be okay, but somehow, Big Jim felt this Dalton girl had struck a chord. Somehow she had come to mean a lot to his son, and he wasn’t sure this was a good thing.
Just the little rumblings he had heard about the Daltons and their current state of affairs had him worried. Maybe he could find a way to intervene.
* * *
“Where is it?” Joe demanded.
“What are you talking about?” Misty gazed at her brother, though she had a pretty good idea what he was after.
“The check. I know you have it, so hand it over.” He glared at her, his hand extended as though to receive the object of his desires.
“Too late,” she said. “While you were sleeping it off, I drove into town and deposited the check. You need to just chill and realize we have to be very careful with that money.”
“You little bitch!” Joe screamed at her. “I need that money.” He hit her with the back of his hand, sending her careening into the coffee table.
She fell on it, hard, causing it to collapse. Misty sucked in a breath and blew it out through her clenched teeth. Glaring up at him, her cheek throbbed and her hip ached from the collision with the coffee table.
“What’s going on out here?” The hospice nurse stepped out of Arnold’s room and into the hallway. She frowned at the scene before her. “You two stop right now. Don’t upset Mr. Dalton. He’s not feeling well to begin with.”
Joe’s jaw twitched as he huffed out a snort. “You better find a way to get me that money. My life depends on it.” He shot one last hate-filled glare at Misty and stomped out of the house.
“Are you all right, Miss?” the nurse called.
Misty swallowed and picked herself u
p off the floor. “I—I’m okay.” Her hands were shaking as she raked her fingers through her hair. At least Mark wasn’t around to witness Joe being an ass.
She was glad she’d picked her baby brother up at the Tates’ house when she had gone to the bank, but he was engrossed in playing a video game in his room and had his headphones on.
She heard Joe slam the door of the pickup and rev the motor. He tore out, the tires squealing.
Good. Just get away from me. She was angry over his outburst. Everything always had to be about him. She couldn’t believe he’d said his life depended on getting his hands on the proceeds from the sale of the horses. Such drama. She wondered briefly what he planned to spend the money on. He apparently didn’t remember why they had decided to sell off the stock.
She rubbed her hip, which still smarted from colliding with the coffee table. That’s going to make a bruise.
Now, she just had to hope her father was having a good enough day so she might be able to spend the evening with Colton Garrett. Maybe it was Misty’s turn to think of herself.
She went into the kitchen and made a list of basic groceries they were out of. Since Joe had taken the truck, there was no way to go into town to shop, but at least she would have a list. Worried about her father, she decided to make something to feed his sweet tooth. She found a can of peaches and put together a pie plate with the peaches on the bottom and a topping of oatmeal mixed with a little flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. She set this in the oven, wishing she had a carton of ice cream. This might keep a little weight on her dad.
“What are you making?” Mark asked. He had come into the kitchen with his headphones around his neck. “Whatever it is smells awesome.”
“Sort of a peach cobbler. I hope it turns out to be edible,” she said, ruffling his hair. “Are you feeling better about the horses being sold?”
Mark shrugged but managed a grin. “At least we know they will be taken care of over at the Garretts’ place. And I can ride the school bus over there to see Sam. Colton said he would give me some chores to do and pay me for them too.” He seemed proud of himself, which was an about-face from the sadness that had kept him so depressed.
