Her Renegade Rancher EPB
Page 2
“She does the same exact thing,” he shot back.
Sadie stood and planted her fists on her hips again. “Oh, grow up. You know what you need to do to make this right. Suck it up and get it done. I won’t have you two glaring at each other in my wedding photos.”
“I’d never do that.”
“No. You’d stand next to your brother looking miserable because of the woman standing next to me.”
He took a chance, hoping Luna gave Sadie some information, one glimmer of hope that he could make things right. “Has she said anything to you at all about me?”
“Only that she doesn’t want to talk about it. The thing is, Colt, she doesn’t seem angry.”
He perked up at that bit of news. “No?”
“No. More embarrassed maybe. Like she doesn’t want to admit what she did, to me, her best friend who would never judge her. Maybe it’s because I know you now, and I’m marrying your brother.”
“She didn’t do anything. It was me.”
“You take the blame. She takes the blame. Seems to me whatever happened, it was the two of you who did it together.”
He didn’t know what to say about that. When he thought back to that night, standing in the parking lot, one of her hands on his shoulder, the other touching the aching bruise blooming on his jaw that her ex, his best friend, gave him, he didn’t know who moved first. Him? Her?
“Here’s what I’ve learned from dealing with my brother. If you don’t take responsibility for the choices you make, things only get worse. Own up to your part. Apologize for what you did. Maybe that’s all that’s needed to at least thaw the cold shoulder you both have for each other.”
One tough chick, Sadie didn’t back down.
“I see why Rory fell so hard for you.”
“He sat across the diner, staring at me for the better part of two years, wishing he’d talked to me. Maybe if he had, we’d have found our way to each other a lot sooner. I’m not saying it’s the same between you and Luna, but if you’ve carried this with you all this time and it’s still this raw, maybe you need to settle it before it festers into something so much more than it ever was to begin with.”
She had a point.
“I’m afraid it already has. She can’t even look at me without me seeing it all in her eyes.”
“Maybe because when she looks at you she sees it in your eyes as well. Exactly the way I do right now.” Sadie reached out and laid her hand over Colt’s. “Don’t wait the way Rory did.”
“I’m not looking for a wife and a family.”
“Maybe not right now, but ask yourself, if you feel this bad about things now, how will you feel if you never make it right and spend the rest of your life wondering what if she was the one?”
“It’s not like that,” he lied, remembering exactly how he felt when he kissed her. The connection he’d found with her in that moment tugged at him even now to close the gaping distance between him and the woman across the room.
A woman who couldn’t stand the sight of him.
“You may not want to admit it, but I see the one thing you try to hide every time you look at her. Something I held on to myself for a long time.”
Afraid to ask, but needing to know what she saw but he couldn’t figure out, he spoke up. “What’s that?”
“Hope.”
Luna tucked her notepad back in her apron pocket, slid the pencil along the top of her ear, and turned toward Sadie, who tapped Luna’s shoulder. “Hey you. Time to go home to that sexy cowboy of yours?”
“Yep.” Sadie tilted her head toward Colt. “There’s one waiting for you at the counter. He wants to talk to you.”
Luna’s eyes went wide on her friend. She’d been a ball of roiling emotions since Sadie started seeing Rory. One day, it would come to this. She and Colt would finally talk. She’d finally get her say.
“Did he tell you what I did?”
Sadie eyed her. “Funny, he refused to tell me what he did. He seems to think he’s in the wrong. You think you’re the one who did something. Could it be neither of you are to blame, because whatever it is, it’s not that big a deal?”
Luna frowned, feeling the guilt rise up in her gut, and her face flushed.
“Did you cheat on his friend?”
Taken aback, Luna gasped. “What? No. Billy and I were broken up. And I didn’t sleep with Colt.”
“Could it be you did something you wanted to do but didn’t expect and things got weird?”
Luna sucked in a surprised gasp and fought the urge to glare at Colt across the room. “He did tell you.”
“No, he didn’t. But I think the pair of you are perfect for each other. Go over there. He wants to talk to you as much as you want to talk to him.” Sadie gave Luna a quick hug, then walked out the door just as Luna’s favorite customer walked in for his Thursday-night dinner date with her. Wayne came in like clockwork. Tuesday and Thursday, eight o’clock sharp. She checked her watch. Twenty-two after the hour. Hmm. Something held him up. The strained look on his face told her his family, probably one of his sons, or both, were involved.
She went to him and gave the old guy a soft hug that she held an extra few seconds when he didn’t let go. She felt his frailness and worried about his diminishing health. She stepped back but held him by the shoulders. “Everything okay tonight, Wayne? You’re late.”
“I’m old and slowing down. Everything seems to take me longer to do. Did you miss me?”
“Always. I have news. I got a job offer.”
“That’s great.”
She tilted her mouth into a lopsided frown, not so sure. “I don’t know. It’s out of state.”
“I thought you wanted to set up an equine therapy program for children with autism and disabilities.”
“I do, but I need a job that will help me pay for the program. The horses, gear, a place for the kids to ride. You know, all those pesky little details that mess up my dream.”
That earned her a smile from Wayne. “Well, something better is coming your way. Let’s sit. We’ll talk about it.”
She squeezed him tight again, spun out of his arms but kept one arm around his shoulders, and led him to his favorite booth. She already had it set up for him with his favorite iced tea with a splash of fresh lemonade.
Wayne scooted into his seat, took the dark brown Stetson from his silver head, set it beside him, and took a sip of his tea, letting out a satisfied sigh. “Exactly how I like my drinks and women—sweet and tart. Like you.”
As predictable as the biscuits and gravy he ordered every week, he made the same comment about his preferred drink.
“You seem upset today.”
His gaze dropped away. “Unsettled.”
She slid into the seat across from him. “How so, Wayne? Your family giving you trouble again?”
Wayne’s eyes darkened and rolled to the ceiling. “Again? Always. If it’s not one of them, it’s all of them.”
“What are families for?”
“I thought by now I’d be settled down with grandbabies running around my ankles, riding the horses, eating all my food. Instead, I get nothing but a headache every time my sons show up. Don’t even get me started on my sister and her husband.” Wayne raised his gaze to the ceiling and shook his head like he was praying for mercy. “I do like their girls. My nieces are smart. Kind. Always taking care of more than their share. Like you.”
She covered his hand on the table and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t let them get you down.” She didn’t know what else to say. Wayne was a kind and generous man. He took care of his family, but they never thanked him. Instead, from all she’d heard, they expected it and wanted more.
“That’s why I come to see my girl.” He patted her hand over his. “You always put a smile on my face and lighten my heart.”
“I love spending time with you, too.”
“Let’s talk about your job offer and something my sons brought up. It involves you.”
“How so?”
Luna snuck another peek at Colt, who waited patiently for her to come over and take his order. “He’s not mine. Never was. Never will be.”
A twinkle shined in Wayne’s eyes. “But you want him to be.”
“What? No. I didn’t mean that.”
“I think you did, you just don’t want to admit it.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Well then, let’s simplify it. Is he a good man?”
“One of the best.” She didn’t have a single hesitation in admitting that.
“Why?”
“Why? I don’t know. He’s kind. A little wild at heart, but steady. He’s got principles and morals, even if he does like to shirk responsibility and have a little fun once in a while.”
Wayne frowned a bit at that. “Everyone needs to cut loose now and again, I guess.”
“He’d never leave someone in the lurch. Whatever he sets aside, he gets back to when it’s time and makes up for it.”
“So, a good man. Kind, as you said. A hard worker when he needs to be, but still knows how to have some fun. A loyal friend?”
“Always.”
“To you?”
“Used to be, but I kind of did something and he took a huge step back.”
Wayne’s head bobbed. His lips pressed together in a line. “So that’s why you two have spent the better part of too long avoiding each other.”
Had it been that obvious to everyone?
“I’m not avoiding him,” she lied right to his face. Just a little lie.
“You’re a damn good waitress, yet you’ve let him sit there without a drink or taking his order for the better part of ten minutes. He’s a patient man, but you got to ask yourself what he’s waiting for. His food? Or you?”
“Wayne, what I did, I shouldn’t have. I took what he believes in and disregarded it completely to take what I wanted.”
“Say you’re sorry.”
“Why does everyone keep telling me to do that? It won’t change what happened. I can’t take it back. I don’t really want to,” she admitted softly.
“Did you ever ask yourself if he wants you to?”
She fell back against the booth seat and stared blankly, wondering if that could be true. What she felt from Colt that night for that one, all-too-brief-and-perfect moment felt so real, then he’d set her away from him with both hands firm on her shoulders and stared at her with this hard look in his eyes that she couldn’t read. Mostly because he’d made her brain go haywire with that kiss.
“Take it from an old man, don’t put things off. Time slips away so quickly, before you know it, it’s gone.”
She squeezed his hand again, noticing his pale face and weary eyes, the fine sheen of sweat across his pale brow. “Wayne, is everything all right?”
“Nothing you can do about me, sweet girl. But you can do something about him. Go. Do what you gotta do. A good man is hard to find. Believe me, I can’t even find one in my own family.”
“You’re a good man, Wayne. You’ve always been kind and generous to me. I love our talks and spending time together. Your encouragement and understanding mean so much to me.”
“You give me all those things and more, sweet girl. You’re like a daughter to me, and I appreciate all our time together. Most people your age would dismiss an old man like me. Not you. You listen when I got something to say. You value the wisdom I’ve gained. Use some of it now and go make things right with your guy.”
“He’s not mine.”
“He could be if you wanted him.” Wayne reached over and cupped her cheek. “He’d be crazy not to want a beautiful, loving girl like you.”
“Are you flirting with me, Wayne? It’s true, isn’t it? You have a mad crush on me.” Most of the patrons teased about it. Even Wayne teased about it. But what they shared was nothing more than a deep friendship that meant more to her than anything.
“I’m not crazy.” He tapped his finger to the tip of her nose and smiled. “Go on now. I want you to be happy, so fix this and put the pretty smile back on your face. For me. I’ll be right here waiting when you’re done.”
Colt stared at the shiny coffeemaker, lost in his own thoughts about the woman sitting in the booth behind him with Wayne Travers. The guy was rich. He owned one of the largest spreads in the state. And he had a thing for Luna. The whole town talked about their dates. Colt had to admit, they looked friendly. Too friendly for his mind, but he shut that line of thinking down quick. He wasn’t jealous. Just . . . What? He didn’t have a right to think anything about what Luna did, or who she saw. Not that he believed some of the racier rumors about the pair. If he was honest with himself, what he really saw between them was affection and a deep friendship. He hoped when he was in his sunset years he had a hot young thing doting on him and brightening his world, too.
Actually, he’d rather a woman like Luna by his side.
Maybe the old codger was trying to set her up with one of his sons. Colt smashed the paper napkin into his fist before he caught himself and tossed it aside.
He leaned forward and planted his head in his hands, elbows propped on the counter, rubbing his temples, telling himself he was not thinking about a wife and kids. That was for Rory. Not him. Not now. He had time to find the right woman—like Rory found Sadie.
“Headache?”
That voice made his belly quiver and his skin heat. She hadn’t spoken to him directly since that long-ago night, but he’d never forget her soft, rich voice. It followed him into his dreams and called his name.
“Uh, no. Just . . .” He raised his head and looked at her. God, from a distance she caught his attention every damn time, but up close, she stopped his heart. “Hey.”
“Hey yourself.”
She set his favorite beer in front of him, along with a frosted glass. “Looks like you could use this.”
“Thanks. Listen, Luna . . .”
Her eyes met his and something warm glowed there for a second before her gaze darted to the closed menu in front of him.
“What’s it going to be? Steak, meat loaf, or burger?”
“Am I that predictable?”
“Not really. I like a man who knows what he likes and what he wants.”
“Like Billy, right?” Colt regretted mentioning her ex the second before her eyes darkened and narrowed on him.
She planted her hands on the counter and leaned forward. “How can you say that to me?”
“He wanted you. Held on to you as long as he could, I guess.”
She hung her head and shook it, her long midnight hair swaying. When her head came up and her pale blue eyes met his, he leaned forward, drawn into the pain in their depths. “I’m not the only one who didn’t see it.” Her lips drew into a quick frown. “If you didn’t see it either, maybe I’m not as stupid as I thought.”
“What are you talking about? You are not stupid.” The words came out soft, but tinged with the dread building inside him. He didn’t want to know that his best friend treated this amazing woman less than she deserved.
“That fight we had in the bar.”
“He wanted you back.”
“No. He wanted to keep me away from you.” Her eyes stayed steady on his.
Colt couldn’t breathe. He leaned in, needing to kiss her so damn bad he couldn’t think a single other thought. Except, what the hell did she mean by that?
Her arms bent, bringing her closer, then her gaze shot past him and her eyes went wide. She leaped up onto the counter and jumped off past him on the run. He spun in his seat to see what put the terror in her eyes. Wayne fell to his knees beside the booth, clutching his chest, his face an unnatural, deep, dark red. He fell forward onto the scuffed wood floor, his shoulder knocking a chair out of his way and up and under t
he nearby table.
Luna slid to her bare knees beside him. She placed her shaking hand on his back and leaned down close to his ear. “Wayne, honey, what’s wrong?”
Colt slid in beside her, took the old guy by his shoulders, and gently turned him over. “He’s not breathing.” He called over his shoulder to the few patrons in the restaurant who gathered close. “Call nine-one-one.” He turned back to do what he could, but Luna had already unbuttoned the collar of his shirt and pumped Wayne’s chest, her hands gripped tight over his heart.
“Give him mouth-to-mouth.”
Colt didn’t hesitate. He pinched Wayne’s nose, tilted his head back, pushed down on his chin, leaned down, and breathed hard to fill the old guy’s lungs.
Luna resumed chest compressions, her face a mask of concentration despite the tears slipping down her cheeks.
“Please, Wayne, come on. Don’t do this to me. Please,” she begged. “Don’t you die on me.”
Every break in Luna’s hard work, Colt leaned down and gave Wayne another breath, checking to be sure his chest rose and fell. He pressed his ear to Wayne’s chest, heard nothing, and leaned back so Luna could continue.
“It’s not looking good,” someone whispered behind them.
Luna’s tear-filled gaze held Colt’s as she bounced up and down on Wayne’s chest. He saw it in her eyes—she wouldn’t give up, but deep down she knew the truth. He was gone.
Fire and rescue arrived, red and blue lights sweeping across the restaurant walls from the vehicles outside. Two guys dropped their packs beside Luna. She didn’t stop compressions until they were set up and ready to take over. One put a plastic breathing resuscitator over Wayne’s face and squeezed the balloon end to push air into Wayne’s lungs. The other guy tore open Wayne’s shirt, charged up the defibrillator, attached leads to Wayne’s chest, and squirted gel on the pads.
Luna stared at the flat line running across the monitor.
Colt went with his gut. He stood, stepped over Wayne, hooked his hands under Luna’s arms, and pulled her up and away so the paramedics had room to work. The hushed whispers from bystanders faded into the background. Luna’s focus remained on the man on the floor even as Colt moved behind her, sat on the edge of a table, and pulled her between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her middle to hold her close, offer what comfort he could during this terrible time. Her hands pressed to his arms, her nails digging in with the first shot of electricity that went through Wayne’s frail body, which jolted Luna’s, too. She trembled, so Colt held her tighter to his chest. He propped his chin on her shoulder and watched the paramedics try to save Luna’s friend and a man who’d been a pillar of the community and generous to those less fortunate.