Colton

Colton spent a restless night thinking about that man alone with Asha in her house for dinner. He had decided to come by in the morning to check on her but had been busy with his farm hands, Aaron and Everit, trying to fix the breakdown that had stalled them yesterday. He’d had to go into the city for parts and on his way home decided to stop in and see what the hell was going on at Roseland.

Asha stood off to the side, by one of the barns. Colton saw her shade her eyes then she glanced at the stranger who stood beside her. The stranger from the night before.

A hard ball of emotion that was a mix of jealousy, envy and longing fisted Colton’s insides into a tight knot. His temper flared, hard and hot. The urge to ball his hands into fists was so great he had to flex his fingers.

Asha started moving in his direction and the stranger, like a lost puppy, followed at her heels. Colt didn’t miss the way the pup’s eyes raked over Asha when she turned. The expression on his face said he would worship the ground she walked on. Colt knew that look. He’d seen it on other people’s faces. Asha was an enthralling woman. It was hard not to be captivated by all that ethereal beauty.

Asha didn’t smile when she noticed Colt approaching. His heart sank. He wasn’t sure why he expected her to. Instead she looked nervously back at the pup following her. As if she knew that Colton would want to beat him into a pulp on the spot. Or at least teach him some respect. What kind of man followed a woman around, his eyes on her inappropriate areas? Colton’s mother, if she were still alive, would have beat him raw for such disrespect.

“Asha,” Colt called, raising a hand in greeting. He smiled, trying to disarm her worry, though it was well founded. He clenched his other hand into a fist behind his back. He forced himself to take a deep breath and was surprised how effective it was in cooling his anger. By the time he reached Asha he wasn’t completely calm but he had been able to relax his fist.

“Colton. It’s good to see you.”

“I came by last night but I could see you were busy.”

Twin spots of pink appeared on her cheeks. He was surprised. Blushing wasn’t something Asha was known to do. It made his blood boil.

Did she actually have something to be embarrassed about?

Which meant then, that he was nothing to her. He knew there wasn’t a label for what they were doing. It was a no strings attached deal that couldn’t even begin to be called a relationship, but he still felt protective of her. He’d always hoped that he meant more to Asha then she let on. Surely she wouldn’t disrespect him like this, right in front of his face. She had just been at his house a few nights ago!

“Colton, this is Gabriel. He’s going to be here for a week helping me with the farm and the store’s new website and social media.”

Colt blinked, surprised. Who talked Asha into that? He knew what she felt about social media. She didn’t trust a single thing she read online. Apparently she’d slipped more than a few things past him.

“It was Katelyn’s idea that we improve the website and such, but I think Gabriel has some really good ideas.”

Of course he does. He probably has some ideas as to what to do with you as well. This was what the pup did for a living! Colt actually found himself hoping the man was good at what he did. Maybe then he could do it fast and leave just as quickly.

Colt ground his teeth so hard they clicked audibly. He forced himself to remain calm. “Can I speak with you for a minute, Asha?”

Asha actually shook her head. She stood her ground. “Actually, I was just telling Gabriel about the shearing. I was going to do it tomorrow, but I think I should start today. The poor things are sweltering in this heat.”

“Do you want some help?” Damn it, you have your own work to do. Everit and Aaron were probably wondering where the hell he was and what was taking so long with those parts. He watched Gabriel tense and was satisfied with the fact that the other man seemed uneasy. Why shouldn’t I stay? He’d helped with shearing before. Numerous times. It was hard work and he knew everyone was busy. This time, his offer of help didn’t feel charitable though.

“Sure. Thanks. Gabriel, do you want to stay and watch? I know you probably have work to do.”

Colton’s eyes swept to the pup’s face. He waited for the other man to answer. Of course he had to nod.

Asha smiled sweetly, apparently oblivious to the fact that Colt wanted to lay Gabriel out cold. She walked off, probably in search of her shearing equipment. Gabriel’s eyes trailed after her. God, can he not take his eyes off of her?

Colt’s hand fisted again. It’s going to be a long afternoon. No one should look at Asha that way, especially not while he was right there to witness it. Before his temper got the best of him, Colt turned and stalked off in the direction Asha had gone. He didn’t turn to check and see if the pup followed or not, because he knew, without a doubt, that he was there.