by Kate Kisset
They cuddled, not moving from that position for five or ten minutes. Mariah closed her eyes, stroking Colt’s head, playing with his hair, blissfully content to fall asleep for an hour, or a month with Colt on top of her.
“You know what?” she whispered, grinning up at the ceiling feeling his hair on her cheek.
Colt chuckled, making his chest move against her. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”
“It’s kind of a secret.”
“I think you can trust me by now, don’t you?” He sounded as relaxed and sleepy as she felt.
“Don’t get scared.” She knew she was warning herself as much as him.
He nuzzled into her neck. “I won’t.”
She thought twice about saying anything, and then closed her eyes, summoning the courage to admit, “I always thought you would be my first and my last.”
“Last?” he said, shifting but not getting up. “I would be your last? Like permanent last?”
“Yeah, but don’t freak out about it, okay? I’m not saying you have to be my last, or I’ll fall apart if you aren’t. I just thought—I don’t know . . .” She peered at the puffy white clouds out the window. She’d probably said more than enough for one day.
“Tell me.” He propped himself up, blocking her view of the window. His beautiful eyes zeroed in on hers. “You just thought what?”
Mariah narrowed her eyes, studying his expression. He didn’t seem afraid, or worried about what she’d say next. “I just thought that after a few years of in-between stuff—you dating, me dating—that, somehow, I would always come back to you. And you’d come back to me, and somehow everything would work out.”
The room vibrated as the door slammed shut. Colt flinched and scrambled off her, while Mariah turned toward the source of the sound.
And then she stared, wide-eyed, at the absolute last person she wanted to see. Wyatt stood by the door, a set of keys in his hand and a look of shock on his face.
She gasped, peering up at Colt.
“What in the actual fuck?” Wyatt’s brows shot to his hairline. He poked his head out the door into the hall. “Now’s not a good time, guys.” He closed the door. “What the fuck?” he shouted.
I’m naked. Colt’s naked. There’s no way to explain this.
Colt grabbed the throw draped on the back of the couch and covered her. It was all happening so quickly, she couldn’t find the words. It felt like years passed by as she stared into her brother’s scorching glare. She’d never seen him so angry.
Colt’s worst nightmare is coming true. She couldn’t wrap her head around it.
“I’m here letting the cleaning crew into your office. For you.” He shot daggers at Colt. “I’m working my ass off, for you. And you’ve been fucking my sister this whole time?”
She snapped out of her daze as Colt hurriedly put on his jeans.
“What in God’s name, the actual fuck, Mariah?!”
“Wyatt! Please, we’re all adults,” she cried out, tucking the blanket up to her chin. “And please don’t say anything to Dad. He’ll have a heart attack.” The tears exploded from her eyes, tumbling down her cheeks.
“You expect me to disrespect Dad and keep this from him? No way in hell. You should have thought of that before you slept with my best friend.”
“I—” She sobbed, barely able to keep any composure whatsoever. What could she say? Nothing would make this situation better. Nothing.
“I think you should just get dressed and come home with me now.” Wyatt turned his back on her, facing Colt to give her privacy. “Dad should probably hear about this from you, maybe it will soften the blow, because there is no way I’m not telling him.”
“There is no blow, Wyatt.” Colt straightened. “And there’s nothing disrespectful about this.”
“Do. Not”—Wyatt pointed at Colt—“fucking talk to me. After all the girls you’ve been with,” he shouted, “you turn around and screw my sister.”
Holding her breath, Mariah quickly buttoned her shirt and grabbed her sandals off the floor. Fumbling with the straps, she looked up in time to see Wyatt storming toward Colt.
“Nice best friend you turned out to be, you prick!” And before Colt could open his mouth, Wyatt swung and punched him in the face.
Chapter Sixteen
SQUINTING OUT OF HIS good eye, Colt wiped the sweat off his forehead and pressed the gas pedal to the floor.
“Shit,” he muttered, as trees, telephone poles, and cows flipped by the car like a deck of cards. But he wasn’t hauling ass to the Walkers’ fast enough. Why hadn’t he driven his new truck instead of the beater Chevy to work?
No way would he leave Mariah to face her family alone. He was just as responsible as she was. He’d do anything to protect her. And when he made that quick two-wheeled turn onto Walker Ranch, one thought stayed clear and present at the top of his mind. Mariah was his to protect. She loved him. End of story.
He scrambled out of the truck and took a second to tuck his shirt in. There wasn’t anything he could do about the shiner Wyatt had so precisely placed over his right eye, and he certainly hadn’t wasted one second trying to find ice.
Colt took a deep breath, trying to ignore the way his head felt like someone had taken an axe to it. His rapidly swelling eye didn’t bother him much. He could take the stairs up to the Walkers’ front door blind if he had to.
He knocked and then froze listening carefully to the footsteps on the other side of the door. Was it Mr. Walker? Mr. Walker was heavier than Wyatt, so his footsteps would be louder. Or maybe it was Wyatt. Or maybe the whole family was there giving Mariah a browbeating. It wasn’t easy for her being the only girl.
The doorknob clicked and Colt held his breath as Jamison Walker opened the door. Taking one towering look at Colt, Mariah’s dad grunted and crossed his arms. He leaned back on one leg and stared Colt down, blocking the entrance.
“Mr. Walker, if I could just have a minute of your time.” Colt waited a millennium in silence.
“You’ve had much more than a minute Colt,” he barked. “I’ve spent decades watching you grow up, and I’ve never been more disappointed in anyone in my life.”
This is not good. Colt eyed him humbly. He hadn’t considered not being let into the house.
“Please, Mr. Walker, with all due respect, I won’t take long. May I please come in?”
Jamison harrumphed. Not saying a word, he turned his wide plaid-shirt-covered back to him and marched into the house. But he left the door open, so Colt followed him.
Step by step as his boots clacked against the hardwood floors, Colt held his heart in his throat, scanning the house for Mariah.
Jamison turned left into the dining room. Colt was obviously interrupting a heated family discussion. The air was thick with disdain. All Mariah’s brothers, Kace, Levi, Wade, Ford, and Wyatt sat silently around the formal table. Mariah’s eyes were red and puffy, like she’d been crying for hours.
Colt wanted to reach out to her but stood at the head of the table instead. He needed to address every one of them.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Wyatt hissed. “Haven’t you done enough by screwing our sister?”
Jamison flinched at Wyatt and peered up at Colt.
Colt steadied himself. He had to do this by the numbers. Although he hated Wyatt’s tone, and certainly wouldn’t describe what he and Mariah were doing as screwing, Colt thought carefully about what he’d say next.
“I know this must have come as a surprise to all of you.” Colt made eye contact with Mr. Walker first, and then each brother. “But it wasn’t a surprise to me. Not really.”
“Is that so?” Ford pushed back from the table, probably ready to get up and kick Colt’s ass.
“No, because I’ve always loved Mariah.” Colt found Mariah’s eyes. The only safe haven in the room. “I’ve always cared for her. And I’ve always wanted to be with her. And I’m sick of waiting. I love her.”
The brothers eyed each other, as if
they were having trouble believing him.
“Mariah knows it. She’s always known I loved her. Even if I didn’t say it. Haven’t you, Mariah?”
She nodded, smiling. “And I love you too.” She laughed. “Well obviously you know that.” She scanned around the table. “I told him this afternoon.” Mariah leveled a stare at her dad.
Mr. Jamison leaned back in his chair and nodded to her. He kept nodding, open-mouthed, appearing half angry, half shocked.
“I’m sorry I didn’t ask you sooner, Mr. Walker, but—”
“It’s a little late to ask my permission now, Colt,” Jamison growled. “After everything you’ve gone through with my family, don’t you think it’s a little late to start asking for approval to . . . to what? To bed my daughter? A woman who’s close enough to be your own sister, for Christ sake. Answer me.”
“It’s okay, Dad.” Levi sneered at Colt, and then patted his father’s arm. “Don’t get upset. It’ll all be okay.”
“It isn’t too late. Respectfully sir, I’d like your permission to marry Mariah.”
Every head at the table popped up and turned to him with a blank stare.
“What?” Wyatt stood. “Is this a joke?”
“No, I’ve never been more serious in my life.” Colt swallowed and focused on Mariah. The sight of her crying hit him like a punch to the stomach. He hated seeing the tears tumble down her cheeks. Or were those happy tears? He wasn’t sure, and at that point it didn’t matter. One way or the other, her family needed to know how he felt about her. “I didn’t plan on asking right now. I haven’t even talked to Mariah about this yet. But if she’ll have me, I don’t care how long our engagement is. If she doesn’t want to get married right now, or next week, or next month, because she’s traveling or whatever, or even next year, whatever the case. I’ll wait.
“You know, Colt,” Jamison said, rubbing his forehead. “I had a feeling you cared deeply about Mariah by the way I’d catch you looking at her sometimes. I saw it.” He shook his head, like he was scolding himself for not believing his instincts. “I saw it years ago, but I didn’t want to see it.”
“I assure you, I’ve never thought of Mariah as my sister. And I’m going to be a better husband than Thomas Bishop could ever be. Forgive me, sir, I know how much you admire your friend, and I respect the Bishops as well. Thomas is a fine man, but I’m better for Mariah. I’ve known her longer. I know how to make her happy, and I want to spend the rest of my life doing it.”
“Mariah?” Jamieson asked. “How is all this sitting with you? Think your Mariah wind might want to stop blowing this way and that and settle down with Colt?”
Colt held his breath waiting for Mariah’s response. Going from I love you, to let’s get married had to be a big leap for her. “Mariah’s perfect exactly the way she is.” He smiled, hoping against all hope she’d say yes. “She doesn’t have to change one little thing for me. She can still go wherever the wind takes her.”
And when Mariah beamed at him, all sparkling and light, he melted. “I just need to get a bigger suitcase, so I can fit Colt inside.”
“Well, hell, pull up a chair, Colt. It looks like we have a lot to talk about.” Jamison sighed, shaking his head. “If this is love? Love love after all this time? It deserves some discussion.”
Colt carried one of the extra chairs against the wall to the table and parked next to Mariah. “My new normal,” he whispered before kissing her.
“Yes, my future husband.” She kissed his nose and giggled. “Mine,” she cooed, then frowned at his eye. “I should get some ice for that.” She gently kissed his temple. “Does that make it feel better?”
“Well, isn’t this just the cat’s pajamas?” Jamison bellowed. “All that kissing is going to take some getting used to.” He pointed to them, addressing the table. “Looks like you boys are getting another brother. For crying out loud.” He laughed. “Colt, you’re actually going to be my son.”
Months Later
Boone, Harlan, Wyatt, and the rest of the Walker brothers were creaming each other in a muddy game of touch football in the back field. But Colt opted to stay close to Mariah all day.
Jamison had insisted they all celebrate a Friendsgiving this year at Walker Ranch and turn the holiday into an engagement party.
Pearl, the owner of Pearl’s Diner, sashayed to the buffet table set up on the deck, balancing pies stacked to her chin.
“Just how many of those did you bring?” Colt asked, hurrying to help her.
Pearl pivoted so he could take the top four boxes off the top and set them down. “Only two of each flavor,” she said, setting what looked like an apple pie at the far end of the table with the rest of the desserts. Her thick false eyelashes fluttered. “I wanted everyone to have a slice of their favorite. Do you think it’s too much? Too little?” Arranging the pies, she blew a stray wisp of hair off her forehead. “I have more in the car.”
“I think this is perfect.” Colt wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “And so thoughtful, Pearl, thank you.”
She reached up and pinched his cheek. “Anything for you Beckett brothers. Besides, I’m using this little shindig as my pre-game for the wedding.” She put her hands on her ample hips and stared down over the deck’s railing to where everyone was playing football. “You did propose to her within city limits, didn’t you?”
Mariah snuck up behind him and pinched his ass. “Hey,” he said with a laugh as she came around, looking cuddly in a furry poncho and boots.
She snuggled into his chest. “Yes, of course he proposed in town. Sure, he asked my dad for permission, and I agreed, here at the ranch, which is technically outside city limits, but he asked again and put the ring on my finger at the park in downtown Lonesome, Montana, USA.” She flashed her sparkling diamond, and he took her hand and kissed the top.
“Aww, you two, that’s exactly the way an engagement should be carried out. Perfection.” Pearl swooned.
“And we’re doing everything by the rules,” Colt clarified. “We’re getting married at city hall the day before the ceremony here.”
Pearl nodded. “Good call. We can’t let something like a proposal or a marriage outside of Lonesome’s city limits ruin your happily ever after.” She narrowed her eyes at the field and scanned the property from left to right.
Colt pointed to the pristine patch of lawn Pearl had just skimmed over. “We’ll have a tent set up over there.”
“And if it snows? A Christmas wedding in Montana, Colt, Mariah. Tell me you’ve planned for snow.”
“Don’t you two worry about a thing. I’ve already gone through the plans with Jamison.” Belle Smith, the proprietor of Belle’s boutique, chimed in, giving all three a quick kiss. “They’ll have a walkway over the grass. And plenty of heat. Oh, and there will be a floor in there too, so no slushing around.”
“Can you imagine getting mud on her dress?” Pearl shuddered, patting her bun.
“Not on my watch. And you should see the gown, Pearl.” Belle leaned in, using a conspiratorial tone. “It’s glorious.” She turned to Mariah. “Please don’t forget your fitting is next week.”
“I won’t. The dress, Pearl, it has the prettiest faux-fur collar. And instead of flowers, my bridesmaids are carrying muffs. Don’t you love it?”
Colt’s head swam in all the details, but if fur collars and an outdoor wedding in the snow made Mariah happy, he was all in. His head hadn’t stopped swimming since that night he’d asked her dad for permission to marry her.
Surprisingly, her brothers and father warmed up to the idea quickly. A few days after the confrontation and subsequent proposal at Walker Ranch, Colt had the chance to sit down one-on-one with Wyatt when they both had cool heads.
He explained to him that Mariah had never been in the same league as his other girlfriends, because she’d always been the love of his life. And when Colt flat-out admitted that maintaining his friendship with Wyatt was so important, it was one of the reasons he never acted on his fee
lings for Mariah, they ended up hugging it out. Wyatt agreed to be his best man.
By now everyone seemed to agree that there had never been an option for Mariah to marry anyone other than him.
Colt stepped away from the group, “Mariah,” he whispered, not wanting to interrupt Belle and Pearl who were in the thick of wedding plans, talking a mile a minute with their hands flailing. The two didn’t seem to notice when Mariah left them to join him.
“What?” she asked, holding his hand.
“Over here.” He led her to an unoccupied corner of the room. Her emerald eyes shimmered with anticipation when they locked on his.
“What?”
“I’ll tell you what,” he said, cradling her face. “Thank you for making me the happiest person on the planet.” He inched to her lips, ready to devour her.
Mariah got up on tiptoe, tempting him with a sly smile. “No, I’m the happiest,” she gushed.
“You haven’t seen anything yet.” He covered the distance between them, and closing his eyes, pressed his lips against hers. Once Mariah had said yes to marrying him, he’d learned to let go, and live life to its fullest, at least when it came to being with her. Intoxicated by her lily of the valley and musk scent, he let his hands roam over her luscious curves, kissing her again and again. That whirling spell of want whipped around him, driving his need for more and more of Mariah, but this time, he didn’t have to fight it.
“I was serious when I told your dad I wanted to spend the rest of my life making you happy.”
“And you do,” she whispered breathlessly.
“I wish we could get married now. I don’t want to wait a second longer for you to be my wife. Mine.”
“Mine.” She tugged his collar drawing him down to her lips for another kiss. “And after the wedding, the next stop is Europe.” She giggled. “I’m going to have my way with you in every country.”
