Runaway Colton

by Karen Whiddon

  “Yes.” Unrepentant, she grinned and then took another sip of coffee. “It’s my blessing, or curse, depending how you look at it. As to early...” She glanced around the kitchen for a clock, finally seeing a digital display on the microwave. “Since when is six thirty early? Getting up at four a.m. in the summer to work cattle is early.”

  “I forgot you live on a ranch.”

  Still grinning, she nodded. “I do. And Eldridge always made all of us help when we were young.” Though her smile wavered as she remembered the man she thought of as her father, she forced herself to continue on. “Most of us still help out around the ranch, along with pursuing our other interests.” Which, in her case, meant repurposing old furniture and curb-side treasures.

  She took a deep breath. “Do you want me to make breakfast? I cook a mean omelet.”

  “You cook?”

  Realizing he still stood in the spot where they’d collided, near the doorway as if he wanted to be able to bolt from the room, she smiled. “I do. And I’m pretty darn good at it, too. Our ranch cook taught me.”

  “Hmm.”

  “An enigmatic response if I ever heard one.” She gestured toward one of the empty kitchen chairs. “Why don’t you sit down? I promise I don’t bite.”

  Of course, the statement sounded a lot more provocative than she’d intended, definitely because the instant she’d uttered it, she pictured where and how she’d love to bite him.

  Closing her eyes, she briefly allowed herself to linger over the fantasy. Then, she shook her head, took a big gulp of coffee and eyed him, letting a half smile play on her lips.

  He still stood in the same spot as if rooted in place. “Look, Piper...” Shifting his weight from foot to foot, he dragged a hand through his hair. To her amazement, this ruffled look made him even sexier.

  “We need to set up some boundaries,” he continued. “I don’t sleep with my clients.”

  “I’m not your client,” she promptly replied, still smiling. “Technically, Fowler is.”

  He sighed. “True. But I’m helping you try and find out what really happened to Eldridge and you’re going to assist me in locating my niece. You really need to take this seriously. It’s important.”

  “You’re right.” Sobering, she nodded. “Sorry. I do take this seriously. It’s just you’re so darn good-looking, it’s distracting.”

  After a second of startled silence, he burst out laughing. “Thanks, I guess. You’re not bad yourself. Now, that said, can we focus on business?”

  “Of course.” Debating, even as she tried not to be offended that she apparently didn’t have the same effect on him as he did on her, she shot him a quick, narrow look. “After breakfast. If you have any eggs, I’m making an omelet. If you’d like one, you’d better speak up. Otherwise, I’ll just make one for myself.”

  Just then, Truman came padding into the kitchen.

  “There you are,” Cord said, setting down a large dog bowl full of kibble. “You’re late for breakfast.”

  “He slept with me,” Piper volunteered. “He’s really an awesome dog.”

  Cord nodded. “Yes, he is.”

  She ended up cooking two omelets. He made toast and poured them each a glass of orange juice. He took a seat across from her and they both ate quickly and in silence, though she had to curb the impulse to speak.

  Once they’d finished, he grabbed the plates, rinsed them off and put them in the dishwasher, an act that made her smile. She enjoyed watching him move around the small kitchen. Even if they managed to act completely businesslike around each other, she figured that would never change.

  “More coffee?” he asked. When she nodded, he poured them both a cup.

  “What’s on the agenda for today?” Eager to get going, she pushed to her feet. Since he hadn’t taken a seat, she figured that meant he was ready to get started.

  He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got a personal errand to run first thing. After I get back, I figured we could discuss Renee. I can show you some pictures—she’s a big fan of selfies on her Facebook and Instagram pages. Maybe if you get a feel for what she’s like, her personality and looks, you might have some new insights into where she might be hiding.”

  “How about we talk in the car?” she countered. “Once you tell me her info, I can pull up her social media accounts on my phone.”

  “I thought you could stay here until I get back.”

  “What?” She cocked her head. “You weren’t going to take me with you? Why not?”

  Though he tried hard to appear annoyed, she could see the way he tried to keep from smiling. “It’s a personal errand,” he reiterated. “Which means it’s something I have to do alone.”

  Suddenly, with a gut-wrenching realization, she understood. “Damn.” She only swore in certain situations. This definitely felt like one. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a girlfriend? I wouldn’t have come on to you if I’d known.”

  Hurriedly, he bowed his head. At first, she thought it was to hide his anger, but as soon as she saw his shoulders shaking she realized he was laughing.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked, her voice cross. “I’m not one to poach on another woman’s man.”

  He apparently found her last sentence hilarious, because he busted out laughing. Arms crossed, she eyed him while he attempted to rein in his amusement.

  “I don’t have a girlfriend,” he finally said. “And, Piper, you jump to conclusions quicker than anyone I’ve ever met. You take off at a tangent before I even get a chance to explain.”

  She nodded. “I’ve heard that before. I’ve been told I might be a bit...overly enthusiastic.”

  “That’s an understatement.” He spoke gently. “I’m going to pay a visit to an elderly widow who used to know my father.”

  Of course her mind whirled at that. She could think of several different scenarios now, especially since she’d known his father. There were drunks and there were abusive drunks. Cord’s father fell into the latter category.

  She ventured a guess, choosing the imaginary scenario least likely to offend him. “Collecting rent?”

  “No.” Draining the last of his coffee, he set the mug down with a thump. “It’s actually none of your business.”

  “Of course you realize your evasiveness only makes me want to know the truth, right?” She grinned. “Sorry, but I’m nosy like that. And if you didn’t want me to be all up in your business, you shouldn’t have insisted I stay with you.”

  He nodded, conceding her point. “Fine.” Checking his watch once more, he faced her. “You can come with me. I’ll explain in the car. But on one condition. No matter what you think or believe or how you feel about the situation, I’d appreciate if you’d keep your opinion to yourself. Can you do that?”

  She had no idea. In fact, she rather doubted it. “Of course,” she replied, intrigued. One thing she had begun to learn about Cord was that he certainly wasn’t boring. Or dumb. She’d met other male bodybuilder types before who were equally great to look at until they opened their mouths. Not him. He was the most fascinating man she’d ever met.

  “When do we leave?” she asked, since he’d glanced at his watch a third time.

  “Whenever you’re ready. It’s about a forty-five-minute drive each way, without traffic.”

  “Okay.” Placing her mug next to his, she smiled her brightest smile. “Give me a minute to freshen up. I’ll be right back.”

  He nodded, his expression either downright unenthused or simply resigned.

  “We’ll also discuss your niece while we’re driving.” Glancing back over her shoulder, she raised her brows. “I promise I won’t waste your time.”

  Back in her room, she checked her appearance in the mirror, then used her phone to see the outside temperature. November in Texas, even this late in the month, could run the gamut from freezing to downright balmy. Since today’s high had been forecast in the low fifties, she grabbed a light jacket, just in case.

  When she reemerge
d just a few minutes later, Cord waited in the living room, jiggling his car keys in his hand. The sunlight streaming in the eastern window turned his dark hair to gold. “Ready?”

  Temporarily struck dumb, she pushed away the aching need to touch him and nodded.

  She waited until they’d backed out of his driveway and turned off his street before speaking, even though she wanted to bounce up and down in her seat like an impatient child. “Okay, so where exactly are we going?”

  Unsmiling, he shot her a glance. “Did you ever know Ms. Berens? Most people called her the Widow Berens. Her first name is Lorraine.”

  The name didn’t ring a bell. Piper finally shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t.”

  “Her husband used to own the pharmacy on Main Street, though he passed away, probably before you were born. She sold it and banked the money, intending to use it to live on for the rest of her life. I believe she supplements her income by making and selling custom quilts.”

  Piper nodded. “I’ve seen some of her quilts. They’re beautiful.”

  “Yes they are. Well, back when my daddy was alive, he ran a scam on her. This was before internet dating scams, but he did something similar to her. She was lonely, he was a good-looking man, and he convinced her that he loved her.”

  “Oh, no.” Piper feared she knew what he’d say next.

  “He bilked her out of her entire savings.” His grim voice told her what he thought of that. “Ever since I learned about it, I’ve been trying to make restitution by paying her back a little at a time.”

  Moved, she nodded, looking away so he wouldn’t see the rawness of her emotions in her eyes or face. She’d always felt things deeply, a trait she’d learned at an early age to keep hidden to avoid ridicule. “That’s kind of you,” she managed, glad her voice sounded even. “Not many people would feel responsible for their father’s sins.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.” He shrugged. “All I know is that it’s the right thing to do. She was gullible and trusted the wrong man. My father didn’t spend one second regretting what he did to her, not even on the day he died.”

  Hearing the trace of bitterness in his voice, she nodded. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Like what?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. Anything to help her. Cooking, cleaning, laundry?”

  “I guess you can ask her. As far as I can tell, she’s still able to take pretty good care of herself.”

  By the time he turned off the paved farm-to-market road onto a rutted, dirt one, Piper felt more like herself than she had since she’d been arrested. She’d always said helping others was the best medicine. The very act took all the focus off one’s troubles. Marceline had scoffed, as had Fowler, and Piper’s adoptive mother, Whitney. Her adoptive brother Reid had always smiled with pride. He’d often whispered to Piper how proud he was of her.

  Piper wondered what Reid thought about her now.

  “Here we are,” Cord said, turning into a long, gravel drive. A black metal gate that needed paint guarded the entrance, though it sat open, the part that closed hung crookedly from one hinge.

  Despite this, the place felt homey rather than decrepit. She felt a sense of peace here.

  The white farmhouse sat back from the road, under the shade of five huge live oak trees. “It’s nice. The wood siding appears to have been freshly painted, unlike that gate.”

  He grimaced. “Yeah, I should’ve fixed that last time I was out here. No time to do it today, so it’ll have to wait.”

  “Does Ms. Berens have children to help her?”

  “No. At least not as far as I know. She’s never mentioned any kids and I certainly haven’t seen any in all the years I’ve known her.”

  Once he killed the engine, he turned to look at her. “Do you want to wait out here?”

  “Oh, heck no.” She grinned to take the sting off her words. “I want to meet her. I’m guessing she loves to have company.”

  To her surprise, he grinned back at her. “That she does. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Chapter 5

  Side by side, they headed up the sidewalk. Before they even reached the porch, the front door opened and a tiny, white-haired woman greeted them. Beaming, she hugged Cord tightly before turning to study Piper.

  “This is the first time you’ve brought a lady friend to see me,” she said, winking at Piper as she held out her hand. “Howdy do. I’m Lorraine Berens.”

  As Piper shook her hand, mildly amazed at her strong grip, she realized she’d need to give a name. “I’m Penelope,” she said, using her actual given name. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise.” Releasing Piper, Lorraine turned back to Cord. “Come on inside. I just finished making a big apple pie. The apple orchard had a huge crop this year.”

  “Apple orchard?” Piper could scarcely contain her excitement. “When I was a kid, I used to love going apple-picking!”

  “Well, honey, after we visit a spell, you can go out back and pick until your heart’s content. There were so many on the trees, I couldn’t get them all. A lot of ’em probably spoiled, but I bet there’s still enough for you to gather a bushel to take home.”

  “I’d love that,” Piper said, meaning it.

  Cord touched her shoulder. “You can go right now if you want. I need to discuss something with Ms. Berens.”

  “No,” Lorraine protested, before Piper could answer. “It’s not often I get company. She can get her apples later, after we visit awhile.”

  The determination in her faded blue eyes made Piper smile. “You’re right, of course.” Piper nodded. “Cord, if there’s something private you need to discuss, can it wait until right before we go?”

  Chin set, he didn’t appear happy, but he finally nodded. He followed Ms. B into the kitchen, held the plates for her while she cut the pie, and carried both his and Piper’s back into the living room.

  Watching the gentleness with which Cord treated the elderly woman, Piper felt something unfurl in her chest. Respect, certainly, but this was something more, an emotion she couldn’t exactly put a name to, though she realized it was dangerous to her currently fragile existence.

  Too serious, which meant dangerous. To push this away, Piper considered impulsively kissing him, right there in front of the elderly woman, just to see what he’d do. Before she could act on it, he handed her a slice of pie.

  “This looks amazing,” she marveled, meaning it. And the first bite...she moaned, rolling her eyes with pleasure.

  “I’m so glad you like it,” Ms. Berens exclaimed, beaming at her.

  “Obviously.” Cord grimaced, apparently irritated.

  Piper tried not to mind. Her outgoing enthusiasm sometimes got on other people’s nerves. But the elderly woman deserved the compliment—and a hundred more.

  A second bite. This time, Piper rolled the filling around on her tongue, trying to savor it. It wasn’t just the apples and cinnamon and sugar, but the perfect crust. One more bite, and then another. Before she knew it, she’d polished off the entire piece. Eyeing her empty plate with more than a trace of regret, she looked up to see both Ms. B and Cord staring at her. “It was good.” She sighed. “More than good. Great. This is one of the best apple pies I’ve ever had.”

  Ms. B chuckled. “Honey, you do know how to flatter a gal.”

  Which made Piper laugh. Meanwhile, Cord sat silently, eating his slice of pie with grim determination. Piper again fought the urge to tease him out of his sudden bad mood.

  “Are you all right, son?” Ms. B asked, setting her empty plate aside. “You’re shoveling that pie into your mouth like it’s liver and onions.”

  Piper sputtered. “She’s right, you know.”

  Though Cord lifted one brow, he continued his determined chewing.

  “Or something equally distasteful,” Ms. B continued. “Instead of my wonderful apple pie.” Turning her head, she winked at Piper.

  As soon as Cord had cleaned his plate, he jumped up and
carried it into the kitchen. Piper couldn’t help but admire the way his tight jeans showcased his backside.

  “He is a mighty fine specimen,” Ms. B. remarked, her sharp glance missing nothing.

  For some reason, this comment made Piper laugh again. “That he is,” she concurred.

  When Cord marched back into the room, he glanced from one to the other, still unsmiling. “Is something funny?” He glowered at the two women, an unhappy giant.

  Piper decided she’d had enough. “What the heck is wrong with you?” she asked, standing. “Ever since we got here, you’ve been in a bad mood. Is it me? Because if you didn’t want me to come along, you could have told me up front.”

  He sighed. “It’s not you, believe it or not. Not everything is about you, okay?”

  Stung, she swallowed. But she knew what he meant. Ever since her life had been turned upside down, she’d been a bit self-absorbed. “Sorry,” she muttered. “But if it’s not me, then what’s wrong?”

  “I need to talk to Ms. Berens. Alone.”

  “All righty, then.” Glancing around the small house wildly, Piper tried to decide where she could go. Even if she went in the kitchen and started doing the dishes, she’d still be able to hear every word.

  Then she remembered the apple orchard. “I guess now would be a great time to go pick apples,” she said brightly.

  Cord jerked his head in a nod.

  “Go ahead and pick all the apples you want, honey,” Ms. Berens said. Smiling, she pointed one gnarled finger toward the kitchen. “Go out the back door and head for the big red barn. The orchard is right behind that.”

  Tempted, Piper looked from her to Cord. “Are you sure?”

  “Of course I am. They’re just going to go to waste. Take a sack with you. There are a couple hanging inside the pantry.”

  Though she spoke like Piper should know her way around the kitchen, which she didn’t, Piper figured she’d manage. “Okay.” She jumped at the chance. Not only would she be out in the fresh air and get some exercise, but apples fresh from the tree? Say no more.

  “Have fun.” The lack of humor in Cord’s quick smile gave her pause. She eyed him, noting his clenched jaw and the tenseness in his stiff posture.