One Hundred Choices (An Aspen Cove Novel Book 12)

by Kelly Collins

  He slid from his saddle to the ground and tossed her a bottle of water he’d pulled from his saddlebag. “You hungry?”

  “I am, but I’ll survive. I didn’t know this was an all-day field trip. I’m woefully unprepared.” She uncapped the water and drank deeply.

  “Come on down. I’m like a damn boy scout.” He lifted a paper sack and pointed to a patch of ground beneath a large oak tree. Its leaves were new green and rustled in the wind. “Hope you like peanut butter and jelly.” He tossed her a sandwich and took a seat.

  She didn’t scope out the grassiest area or lay down anything to cover the damp soil. She sank to the piece of land without a care to its comfort. Trinity was like no woman he knew.

  “I’m impressed. You handled yourself well out there.”

  “It’s not rocket science. I imagine it’s harder to herd cats.”

  He took a bite of his sandwich. When he swallowed, he asked, “Have you ever tried to herd cats?”

  “No, but I woke up to one in my face today.”

  He wasn’t sure if he should make the joke that floated in his head. “I’ve got nothing to say to that.”

  She opened her sandwich to inspect the ingredients. “I bet you had a perfect response, but you’re too nice to blurt it out. Every other guy would comment on how they would never complain about a ‘kitty’ in their face.” She air-quoted kitty as if he didn’t know exactly what she referred to.

  “You’ve got me mistaken. I’m not that nice, and you’re right. I don’t know a man who would complain.” He dug into his second sandwich. He always brought three. Today he’d do with less. “Something wrong with your sandwich?”

  She took a bite and smiled. “Nope, it’s one of the best things I’ve eaten this week.”

  “You need to up your culinary variety quotient. Maybe you should get closer to Baz. He’s taking classes. That boy can make a mean brownie.”

  “I don’t mind breaking in a new horse, but I have no interest in young boys. The fact he can cook is the most attractive thing about the kid.”

  “You can’t cook?”

  “I can hold my own.”

  “Great, I’d love to taste what you’re offering.”

  She plucked the crust off her bread and tossed it toward a bird sitting on the fence. “I have nothing to offer, so you’ll probably starve waiting on me.”

  He hopped to his feet. “I’ll share anything I’ve got, so don’t be afraid to ask.” He offered his hand to help her up, and to his surprise, she took it. “You ready for more?” He loved how the double entendres filled the conversation with possibilities. Were they talking about cooking? Riding? It was open to interpretation. Cade described his sister as a tsunami. What would it be like to get caught up in her undertow?

  They rode the fence for the next few hours and made their way back to the stables.

  “Thank you for today. I needed it.”

  She took care of Red while he tended to Rex.

  “There’s nothing better for the soul than the outdoors,” he said.

  “Or a cheeseburger.”

  He chuckled. “There’s that too.” He walked inside Red’s stall to make sure he had hay and water.

  “Wyatt,” Violet called from the stable door. “Are you in here?”

  “Shit,” he whispered.

  The shuffle of Violet’s boots neared. He needed to end her infatuation for good. He rushed to stand in front of Trinity. “Please don’t hit me. Just play along.” When Violet moved to the entrance of the stall, he cupped the back of Trinity’s neck, knocking her hat to the ground. He pulled her toward him and crushed his lips against hers with more force than intended. She didn’t fight him. She melted into him. Her hand went to his chest, and he expected a push, but it never came. She fisted the fabric of his shirt and yanked him closer.

  Was it possible for her to enjoy the kiss? It wasn’t something he planned, but a spur-of-the-moment reaction to Violet’s visit. More shocking was when she opened her mouth. Who in their right mind wouldn’t deepen the connection with a woman who was willing? One touch of her velvety tongue started a spark that raced through him. Unbridled desire galloped through his veins.

  “Who the hell are you?” Violet screamed.

  Trinity tapped at his chest like a wrestler who’d given up. When he backed off, she said, “I’m Trinity.”

  Wyatt pulled her to his side. “She’s with me.”

  Violet turned the color of her name and stomped away.

  “Who’s Violet?” Trinity asked.

  “The owner’s daughter.” He stepped back and licked his lips. “It’s not what you think.”

  “It never is,” she said.

  “Thanks for saving me.”

  “I owed you one. Now we’re even.”

  She bent to pick up her hat and walked from the stables acting like nothing had happened.

  He found her sitting in the truck. Something told him they weren’t even at all.

  Chapter Seven

  “What the hell was that?” she murmured.

  Her lips tingled, and her heartbeat pounded in her ears. She told herself she didn’t enjoy the kiss, that it was obvious Wyatt needed a rescue. He’d saved her that morning, so it was only right to pay him back.

  She touched her kiss-swollen lips. Did she have to pretend to like it so much? Was she pretending? As soon as his hand cupped the back of her neck, she’d known what was coming. She melted into him like butter on a biscuit. Why him?

  She shook her head. Vulnerability did a lot of things to a person, and in her case, it ended up making her needy for a touch of kindness. Now that it was out of her system, she could move on.

  Her phone pinged, and she glanced at the screen.

  Come to the main house.

  A low garbled growl erupted from deep in her throat, and the fear of rejection escaped her heart and raced through her veins. Was Cade going to kick her out because of Tom? He’d had Cade’s ear all day, and no doubt pleaded his case.

  An unsettling laugh bubbled up. “He didn’t need to plead his case,” she said aloud. “All he needed to do was swing his—”

  The door swung open, and Wyatt took a seat. “Are you ready?”

  “Are you sure we don’t have more fences to check?”

  He chuckled. “We do, but that will take all day, and we’d get stuck in one of the weather shelters.”

  “You think Lloyd would rent me one?” she whispered.

  “What was that?” He put the truck in gear and drove off the ranch.

  “Nothing.” She watched the valley turn into a forest. The pine trees stood tall next to each other like protective relatives. What would it feel like to have her family stand beside her? Would life have been different for her if she hadn’t been born a girl?

  “You bet it would,” she blurted.

  Wyatt glanced in her direction for a second. “What’s that?”

  “Nothing.”

  “That’s a lot of nothing you’re saying.” He turned from the country road onto the highway.

  She hadn’t been here long enough to recognize any landmarks. It all looked the same.

  “I have little to say.”

  She shifted ever so slightly to see the man next to her. She knew nothing about Wyatt except his last name, and that he was a competent cowboy and an excellent kisser.

  “You want to talk about the kiss?” he asked.

  “Not really.” To discuss it would make it the nothing it was. Keeping it to herself allowed her to pretend it was more. Wasn’t it time she got a little more?

  “I should apologize.”

  “You should, but don’t. I get what it was.”

  He nodded. She wasn’t in a chatty mood, and the more he pressed, the less she’d say.

  “You hungry? We can stop by the diner to grab a bite if you’d like. I owe you at least that much.”

  She turned so her back was against the door. “My kisses are worth far more than a meal,” she said.

 
“Understatement, but I wasn’t talking about the kiss. I was referring to the work you did today. Having you pulling up the rear moved everything along quickly. Thank you for that.”

  “Thanks for the compliment, and for the offer. I’ll have to pass.” She lifted her phone into the air. “Cade has summoned me to the main house.”

  “Sounds ominous.”

  “I think it will be as pleasant as a splinter under my nail.”

  He drove down Main Street and pulled into a spot in front of the corner store. “I’ll be right back. I need to pick up a few things.” He hopped out of the truck and jogged into the store.

  Trinity climbed out of the cab and glanced down the street. Aspen Cove was like all the other small towns she passed along the way. It had the basics and not much more. In fact, it might have less. There wasn’t a bank or a bingo hall. She was also certain a good cup of coffee wouldn’t exist anywhere.

  It didn’t matter. This was a stopover. The problem was she didn’t know where the end destination would be. All she knew was she was here now.

  Cade had told her to find a job. She looked down at her worn jeans and dusty boots. She had never interviewed for a position anywhere but was certain what she wore wouldn’t impress. She needed something nicer. When her eyes lit on a sign that said dry goods, she smiled. Surely, they’d have clothes. Way back when, they called a country store a mercantile, and it would have sold everything from eggs to bolts of fabric. A modern dry goods store should have a shirt, and if she was lucky, underwear. At this point, she’d settle for the cotton white briefs grandmas wore. She perked up until she noticed the windows were whitewashed.

  “You ready?” Wyatt placed his paper bag in the truck bed and took his seat.

  She climbed in, and they were off.

  “Where does a person buy clothes in this town?”

  “They don’t. I imagine Copper Creek or Silver Springs will have what you need.”

  “It’s a possibility that I won’t be here long enough to bother.”

  His jaw tightened. “Cade won’t kick you out. You already made it past his flare-up and eruption.”

  “Cade is like Chernobyl. I may have avoided the worst of the disaster, but it’s the fallout I fear.” Her life was coated in the aftermath of other people’s choices.

  “You’re safe. Abby seems on your side, and Cade isn’t fond of sleeping in the trailer.”

  “Home sweet home,” she said under her breath.

  “What’s that?”

  “Nothing.”

  “It’s always nothing with you.” He pulled in front of Abby’s cabin.

  “Actually, it’s always something with me if you listen to everyone else.”

  He hopped out and rushed around to open her door. “I’m not listening to anyone else. I’m listening to you.”

  “Shocker.” She walked past him.

  “Hey,” he called as she made it onto the first step of the porch.

  She spun around and held up her hand. “I know, don’t tell anyone about the kiss.”

  His chin snapped back like she’d hit him. “No, that’s not what I was going to say. While I rarely kiss and tell, I wouldn’t presume to dictate how you should behave.” He looked at the ground and kicked the dirt beneath him. “All I wanted to say was thanks for everything.”

  She gave him a weak smile. “You’re welcome.” She made it up another step before she turned to watch him round the truck. “Hey,” she called out.

  He stepped onto the running board and leaned over the roof. “Yeah?”

  “I don’t kiss and tell either. But Wyatt … that kiss was worthy of a tell.”

  He laughed. “See ya, Three.”

  She cocked her head. “Three?”

  He nodded. “Yep, you’re blonde, bold, and definitely bad for me.”

  She stepped up one stair. “I’m more than that.”

  He chuckled and climbed inside.

  She swore before the door closed, she heard him say, “God help me.”

  When she turned around, her brother stood leaning against the doorframe. “Come on in, and let’s clear the air.”

  He didn’t sound angry. Could she have misinterpreted his reason to want to see her? She was programmed to expect the worst, but maybe things were changing.

  “Hi, Trinity,” Abby said when she entered the house. “There’s hot water on the stove. Tea and honey are on the table.” She breezed past her. “I’m checking on the hives if you need anything.” Abby walked out, closing the door behind her.

  Trinity thought they were alone until she heard heavy footsteps come from the hallway. Tom strode out, zipping himself up.

  She turned to her brother. “Really? How are we supposed to clear the air when you’re polluting it with garbage?”

  “Trinity. Stop.” Cade pointed to the living room. It was a trait he’d learned from their father. When Trent Mosier snapped his fingers, everyone jumped, but Cade wasn’t her daddy.

  Instead, she moved into the kitchen and made a cup of tea. She picked the chamomile for its calming qualities but should have chosen the peppermint to settle her stomach. She drizzled honey from the dipper because she needed something sweet in her life.

  She walked into the living room and sat on the stone hearth. It was the farthest she could get from Tom.

  “Things being what they are,” Cade started, “I thought it best to put you both in the same room and establish a set of rules.”

  Trinity didn’t miss the lift of Tom’s brows. He wasn’t a man that paid much attention to rules, whether spoken or unspoken.

  “I know the rules.” She set her tea down and held up her palm like it was paper and moved across it with her finger like a pen. “Don’t fight. Don’t steal. Don’t sleep with Cade’s employees. Simple enough.” She picked up her cup and took too big a drink. The hot liquid burned all the way down, but it wasn’t nearly as painful as having to swallow her pride over and over again.

  “Glad you figured it out,” Tom snarled. He brought his hand to his nose.

  She shook her head. “Oh, I figured you out a long time ago.” She stood up and walked her empty teacup to the sink. “Too bad you could fool everyone else.” She turned to her brother. “Watch this one. If you think I’m trouble, he’s double. He pretends to know the rules, but he won’t follow them. That guy there.” She pointed to Tom. “He hates the word no.”

  Tom rose and marched toward her, so they were toe to toe. “No isn’t a problem for me unless every other guy gets a yes.”

  “You two need to stop. If you can’t get along, one of you will have to leave,” Cade yelled.

  Trinity pushed Tom out of the way. “We know who that will be.” She walked toward the door.

  “Come on, Trinity, that’s not true. All I’m saying is I don’t have the energy or the time for conflict. Get along.” He looked from Tom to her. “Not worried about you two sleeping together since you can’t stand to be in the same room. We all need something here.” He glanced at Tom. “You need a job.” He turned to Trinity. “You need a place to stay.” He tapped his chest. “I need help.”

  “I can live with that,” Tom said. He walked to where she stood by the door. “You do your thing, and I’ll do mine.”

  She ignored him and leaned over to see her brother. “Are we finished?”

  He nodded. “Are we clear?”

  “As mud,” she said and walked out.

  She stomped across the field to the gate that separated Abby’s property from Cade’s. She had a choice. She could stay in the bunkhouse or the trailer. Wyatt and Tom would be in the cabin. Feeling her fist itch to punch Tom in the face again, she chose the trailer.

  When she got there, she found a cold beer on the step. Beneath it was a note.

  Not sure if you’re staying in the trailer or the cabin. Thought I’d cover all bases. Not sure what’s in there, but I know there isn’t one of these. Let me know if you need anything else.

  Wyatt

  She uncapped the
bottle on the conveniently located bottle opener attached to the side of the silver shoebox. “Designed by a man.” She plopped herself down on the worn lounge chair. Her bottom fell through the spot where the plastic straps had given way. “Five-star experience.” It wasn’t the Ritz, but it was someplace, and that was always better than no place.

  A cloud of dust rolled past her. When it settled, she watched Tom get out of his truck and walk toward the bunkhouse.

  “Have a good night, Trinity.” He tipped his hat as he walked inside the door.

  “You too, asshole,” she whispered, not loud enough for him to hear, but when he turned around to smirk, she flipped him the bird.

  When she felt the strain of a full bladder, she rolled to her feet and entered the trailer. At five foot seven, she almost hit her head on the ceiling. She wondered how Cade had lived here. It was a tight, compact place. One end had a bed; the sheets were still crumpled from its last occupant—most likely Cade the night before.

  There was a tiny sink but no running water. On the counter sat a single burner plugged into a solar battery pack. The panel leaned against the only window to eat up the light. A tiny refrigerator took up the under-cabinet space.

  Her stomach grumbled, reminding her all she’d eaten was a part of a muffin and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She opened the fridge and found nothing but a slice of moldy cheese. On the countertop was an open box of crackers.

  After a cup of tea and a beer, her bladder screamed for relief. She turned around and saw the bathroom. There was one door, and when she opened it, she wanted to cry. Inside was a composting toilet that looked new and unused. From the ceiling, dropped the showerhead.

  “All in one.”

  When her jeans were at her knees, she stopped. Using the toilet meant she’d have to empty it, and that wasn’t happening. Her life had enough crap in it as it was; she didn’t need to add additional nastiness to the mix. If Cade hadn’t used it, there was a reason. Her brother could be an asshat, but he was rarely an idiot.

  She yanked up her jeans. Wyatt said to tell him if she needed anything, and she had to pee. She hopped down the two steps to the ground and raced toward the bunkhouse.