Noé shook his head. “No, jefe. I have never seen him before.”
“Do me a favor and check him out. If he doesn’t feel right to you, send him on his way.”
Palmer watched as Noé met the boy down the road. The two stood in conversation for a brief moment, then began to walk together toward Palmer and the work crew. As tests went, it looked like he had passed the first one. Getting past Palmer’s number two in charge wasn’t an easy thing to do.
When the two reached his side, Noé gave his boss a nod as he sauntered past, leaving him and the boy standing together.
“How can I help you?” Palmer asked.
He extended his hand. “Good afternoon, sir. My name’s Benjamin Harris. I heard you might be hiring and I’m looking for a job.”
“Palmer Colton,” he said as he shook the boy’s hand. “How old are you, Benjamin Harris? You look awful young.”
“I’ll be eighteen in the fall.”
“Have you ever worked on a ranch before? Or done any kind of manual labor?”
“Not really, but I’m willing to learn. My father was a jack-of-all-trades and he taught me a lot before he died.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
The young man shrugged. “Thank you.”
“So, why should I hire you?”
“I have a strong work ethic. I’ll work hard. I’m a fast learner and I like getting my hands dirty. You won’t be disappointed.”
Palmer stared at the kid. There was something in his eyes that Palmer recognized. A deep hunger that seeped past his lashes. A look that reminded Palmer of himself at that age. Determined to have his dreams, to accomplish a lengthy list of goals and to be the best person he could possibly be. What he saw in the young man named Benjamin had been the same drive he himself had possessed when he had wanted to make his parents proud.
“What about school?” Palmer asked. “Have you graduated?”
“Yes, sir. This past spring.”
“What about college? Are you going in the fall?”
“I don’t know if school is what I want to do with my life right now. That’s why I need a job.”
“Do you know anything about horses?”
“Some. My dad taught me how to ride, but we never owned one.”
Palmer turned to eye the crew, who’d just replaced the last length of pipe that needed to be repaired. The trenches were being filled in and the crew was ready to be done for the day. He turned back to Benjamin.
“If you’re willing to learn, I’m willing to give you a shot. Be here tomorrow at dawn. The work is going to be dirty. You’ll be mucking horse stalls and cleaning stables. Whether or not we keep you will depend on how well you do.”
Benjamin grinned. “Thank you, sir. Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
Palmer held out his hand a second time. “Call me Palmer.”
Benjamin nodded. “Palmer, thank you. And you can call me Ben.”
“Well, Ben, aren’t you going to ask me how much you’ll be making?”
Ben shrugged. “I know it’ll be a fair wage. Your reputation precedes you, sir.”
* * *
As he headed back to the house, Palmer had a lot on his mind. A few times, he thought his head might explode, too many thoughts vying for his attention—Soledad taking center stage with most of them. He had missed her. Even as he’d dug piles of dirt and torn up his hands cinching pipe, she had been on his mind. All he could think of was getting to the end of the day and getting back to her.
There was so much for him to process and unpack. Soledad was his dream come true, but he had to be rational about their situation. Soledad had known what she’d wanted. But had she wanted what had happened between them because she’d desired him or because she’d needed a diversion from the stress of the situation? And why was he suddenly doubtful about them being together, second-guessing if taking that jump had been a good thing? Because, deep down, he knew that what they’d shared was honest and genuine, and everything he had ever wanted. He just wasn’t certain that Soledad felt the same way, and that actually scared him more than anything else.
As he pulled in, his cell phone rang. He glanced at the incoming number before he answered the call.
“I could use some good news,” he said to the caller, not bothering with “hello.”
“So could I. Do you have any for me?” Melissa Colton asked.
“I wish. How are you doing, beautiful?”
“I’ve been better. I’m sure you’ve heard about the protests. They’re calling for my head on a platter.”
“I hate that you have to go through this.”
“It may well be the end for me. I know the city council is considering a special meeting to discuss whether or not I am fit to continue in my position.”
“Whatever you need from me, you know you have it, right?”
“I appreciate that. Right now, though, I need to know about my witness.”
“Obviously, I’m not doing a good job keeping her hidden if you’re asking about her.”
“Quite the opposite. I wouldn’t know where she was if you hadn’t told Troy.”
“He’s such a tattletale.”
“He’s a good cop. We excuse the rest because he’s family.”
Palmer chuckled. “So, where are you with finding Gavin Stone?”
“That’s why I’m calling. I want you to know I’ve stepped up the patrols in your area. We’ve had two credible sightings. He is definitely still in the area, and for some reason, he seems to be focused on that end of town.”
“Good. I have something for him if he shows up.”
Melissa took a deep breath. “I want to move Soledad and the baby to a safe house. I think it would be best.”
Palmer paused, considering the comment. Personally, he didn’t agree with his cousin. He wasn’t ready for Soledad or Lyra to leave him, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary to keep her there, safe and sound under his watch. He said, “I’ll discuss it with her, but I doubt she’ll do it. Under the circumstances, she’s not very trusting.”
“Look, I get it, but I still think it would be in her best interest.”
“I don’t want to risk her running. I’ll see what she says, but if the answer is no, I’ll keep a watchful eye on her. You can trust that.”
“You just be careful, please. Stone is a dangerous man and there’s no telling what he might do if he feels cornered. He’s hell-bent on getting his hands on Soledad and his baby, and there’s no telling what he might do.”
“Does he have a legal claim to Lyra?” Palmer questioned.
Melissa took a deep breath. “Legally, the court would have to consider any claims he may have, since he is her biological father, but Annie was very clear about where she wanted the child to be placed. I highly doubt he’s planning to take any legal route to get custody of Lyra.”
Palmer sighed, a heavy breath blowing past his lips. “I’ll call you once I talk to Soledad. But I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you,” he said.
“Thanks, cousin. Love you!”
Palmer disconnected the call. He didn’t have to ask Soledad the question to know the answer. She wasn’t going to leave if she didn’t have to, and he didn’t want her to go. He couldn’t keep her safe if she were somewhere else, and he didn’t have the heart to tell Melissa that he wasn’t so trusting of the Grave Gulch Police Department himself. He knew most of the officers through his family. Some he liked, others he didn’t. Trust didn’t come just because they wore a badge and carried a gun. Many were a fine lot of officers and most just wanted to do the best job they could possibly do. It was the few who weren’t as committed that worried him. The ones who didn’t wear a sign that said they might be dirty, on the take or just plain lazy about their responsibilities. So, no, he thought. Soledad and Lyra weren’t going anywhere if he
had anything to say about it.
From where he sat, he saw Soledad peeking out past the wooden blinds that decorated his windows. He waved his hand so that she would know he was fine. He had one more phone call to make before he went inside, and he was dialing as she blew him a kiss through the glass.
Geoff Colton answered on the first ring. “Where are you, son? We were expecting you here an hour ago.”
“Hey, Pop. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
“I ran into some problems here on the ranch. It’s taking me longer to get them resolved than I anticipated.”
“I hate to hear that. Do you need us to come give you a hand?”
Palmer chuckled. “No, sir. I can handle it. You just enjoy your birthday party. I’m sorry I can’t be there, but I’ll make it up to you.” And Palmer was sorry, wishing he could be there and wishing Soledad and Lyra could be there with him.
He finally understood what his father had meant when he’d been a boy, professing that your family was your greatest blessing. How he’d been a stern disciplinarian, ensuring they all stayed on a straight and narrow path. He often found himself sounding like his dad when he spoke with the boys in his program. And his time with baby Lyra brought memories of his father’s adoration for his sisters. Geoff Colton was the epitome of what a father should be, and Palmer was discovering just how much he wanted to follow in those footsteps.
There was a rumbling on the other end and Palmer could hear Grace’s muffled voice. He didn’t have to be there to know that she was fussing, or that his father had covered the receiver with his hand, hoping that he wouldn’t hear her complaining.
Geoff cleared his throat. “Your sister is already making faces. Do you want to talk to her?”
“Oh, hell no. Tell Grace there is only one woman who gets to discipline me, and her name is Leanne Colton.”
Geoff laughed. “Well, Mom is loving on little Danny. Your nephew is quite the ladies’ man.”
“I’m sure Desiree doesn’t want to hear that.”
“Your sister will have to get over it. When you have pretty babies, they grow up to be pretty adults. Danny will be a heartbreaker like his grandpa.”
Palmer laughed. “Well, I hate to miss all the fun, but I’ll run by the house to see you both soon.”
“Not to worry, son. God willing, there’ll be more birthday parties for you to celebrate with me. I plan to get good and old.”
“I love you, Dad.”
“We love you, too, son.”
* * *
When Palmer walked through the door, Soledad stood with Lyra in her arms, the two of them smiling brightly. Amusement flitted across their faces.
“What?” he said, eyeing them both anxiously. “What did I do?” He tossed a look over both shoulders in jest.
“We need a taste tester,” Soledad announced.
Lyra suddenly flung a biscuit across the room. Jack bounded in that direction and eagerly scooped up the treat.
“Naughty girl.” Soledad’s scold brimmed with amusement. “Stop doing that.”
Confusion danced through Palmer. “What are you three up to?”
“I tried to make teething biscuits for Lyra. But she doesn’t like them, and every time I give her one, she flings it across the room for Jack to eat.”
“That’s not saying much. Jack is a canine vacuum cleaner. He’ll eat pretty much anything and everything.”
“I think they taste good. There’s no accounting for her taste buds. You get to be the deciding vote,” Soledad said as she pointed to the plate of cookies on the counter.
Palmer shook his head as he stepped forward to take one. He eyed the cookie cautiously, his brow lifted and his face squinched. “It doesn’t look very appetizing. There aren’t any chocolate chips or nuts or caramel... Nothing.”
“It’s a teething biscuit.”
He took a nibble and then a bigger bite. A second later, he flung the cookie across the room and Jack happily retrieved it. Lyra laughed robustly, the wealth of it so heartwarming that Soledad and Palmer couldn’t help but laugh with her.
“You two are no help at all,” Soledad said.
Palmer leaned in to kiss her lips. “They taste like paste with a hint of vanilla.”
“Paste? They are not that bad!”
Palmer took Lyra from Soledad’s arms. “Oh, yes, they are. Isn’t that right, princess?”
Soledad rolled her eyes at the ceiling. “How was your day?”
“Long and exhausting. I need a shower, something to eat and your good cookies.” He gave her a suggestive wink.
Soledad felt herself blush, her cheeks warming rapidly.
“Not those cookies,” Palmer said teasingly. “Your other cookies.”
Soledad moved to stand behind the counter. “Well, go grab that shower. By the time you get back, the food will be ready and we can discuss my cookies after Lyra goes down for the night. Considering that food review, I’m not sure you’re going to get any more of my cookies.”
“Do you see how your mommy does me?” Palmer said teasingly. He nuzzled his face against Lyra’s as the little girl grabbed both his cheeks. “She’s not being a very nice mommy.”
“You’re not winning any points, Mr. Colton. You might want to quit while you’re ahead.”
Palmer sat Lyra in her high chair. He eased around the counter to press himself against Soledad, cradling his body against hers. She was warm and soft and smelled of cardamom and ginger. He pressed a damp kiss to her neck and felt her body jump ever so slightly.
Dessert couldn’t come fast enough, Palmer thought. He kissed her one last time, then headed down the hall to the bedroom.
Chapter 16
“No!” Soledad said emphatically. “If Melissa insists, Lyra and I’ll take off and find somewhere else to hide out, but I’m not going into witness protection with the local police department.”
“I told her you probably wouldn’t agree, but I promised I’d ask,” Palmer responded.
The two sat side by side on the family room sofa. Palmer was finishing off a bottle of beer and she sipped on a glass of white wine. Lyra had gone down for the night and they hoped with fingers crossed that she would sleep through most of it. Jack had gone out the door ten minutes earlier, racing across the fields toward goodness knew what. He would come in when Palmer made his late-night rounds to check on the animals.
“Unless you’d prefer we leave?” Soledad said. She shifted in her seat to face him.
“Not at all. You are welcome to stay here for as long as you need.”
“And that’s kind of you, but how do you really feel about us being here?” Soledad questioned.
Palmer paused for a split second. “It would break my heart if you left,” he finally said softly. “I want you here, with me.” He leaned to kiss her cheek, allowing his lips to linger sweetly against her skin.
Soledad let go of the breath she’d been holding as she waited for him to answer. She took a sip of her wine. “Did she say anything about Gavin?”
Palmer pushed his shoulders toward the ceiling. “They’re still looking,” he muttered, not bothering to elaborate because he really had nothing new to add to the conversation.
“Maybe he has left town,” Soledad said. “Maybe this will be over soon and then things can go back to normal for the both of us.”
“What’s normal?”
“You’ll get your life back and you won’t have to babysit me and Lyra anymore.”
“Who’s babysitting you?”
“Didn’t you have a party to go to tonight? You mentioned it the other day.”
“Yeah, it was a birthday party for my father. There’ll be other ones,” Palmer said.
“I hate that you had to miss it. You know you could have gone. Lyra and I would have been fine.”
“I
didn’t want to go. I wanted to spend the evening with you.”
“But your family...”
“My family celebrates something every other week. Hopefully, when they have the next party, you’ll be able to go with me.” Palmer shifted in his seat. Things were different between them now and he knew he couldn’t consider a future that didn’t include her and the baby. More important, Palmer knew he didn’t want to. He frequently wished a quiet prayer that she was feeling the same way.
“Do you think about what will happen with us when this is over, Palmer?”
“I do. All the time. I imagine you’ll go back to the bakery and forget all about me,” he said facetiously.
“I was thinking the same thing about you and your ranch.”
“I could never forget about you, Soledad.” Palmer gave her a smile as he slid his empty beer bottle across the table. “You’ve left quite an impression on me.”
“You say that now. But we’ll see.”
“I’m sure we will,” Palmer laughed and then changed the subject. “I’m going to be gone most of the day tomorrow. I have to catch up on some maintenance work. Noé has to take a few days off, so I’ll need to step up and act like I own this place.”
“One of your employees came to the door today. At least, I think it was one of your employees.”
“Here at the house?”
Soledad nodded. “He was a young guy. He wore jeans and a T-shirt, and he carried a backpack. He rang the bell first and then he went into the barn. Later I saw him with the other guys, sitting in the bed of the truck. That’s why I assumed he worked for you.”
“He was in the barn?”
“Yeah, and then he walked that way.” She pointed a finger toward where Palmer and his crew had been working.
Palmer’s eyes shifted as he pondered that tidbit of news. He had to wonder who had trespassed and why, although he was fairly certain he knew who it had been. But why, he wondered, was his new employee poking around the property?
“Did he see you?” Palmer prodded.
“No, I don’t think so. When he came to the door, he was trying to peek through the sidelights, but Lyra and I were in the bedroom. I only knew he went into the barn because he was coming out of it when I finally came out to see who it was.”
Rescued by the Colton Cowboy Page 18
