CHAPTER 4
Carol
Colt McCoy.
The last person I ever expected to see here. What in the world is he doing in Chicago? I didn’t even know he ever left Santa Fe, let alone New Mexico.
“Clean up on aisle nine,” the bartender jokes, but this is no laughing matter.
I’ve had a crush on Colt since I was sixteen. I told him I wanted to work at his ranch so I could ride his beautiful horses and so I could make some extra money before I went off to college…and that’s definitely true.
But I conveniently left out the part about wanting to be on his property so I could ogle him all day long.
There was just something so sexy about the way his hands wrapped that rope around the horn of his saddle after he slung his leg over and was riding high. It was the two most beautiful animals in the world together. A horse and the perfect specimen of a man.
He taught me how to ride horses, but I always secretly hoped he was going to teach me how to ride something else. Him.
But he never did. He never made a move. I never flirted with him or came onto him but inside I was dying, just hoping one day he’d look at me as something more than his best friend’s daughter. I wanted him to see me for the young woman I was becoming and the individual I was, not just my father’s daughter.
Sadly enough the day never came so I pursued my other dream, which was to study at one of the most prestigious universities in all of America. I felt so fortunate to get accepted and Colt was moving slower than molasses in the romance department so I had to get on up out of there.
And now, four years later, here we are again…face to face.
Some things change, like me. I’m a businesswoman now, or at least I’m learning how to become one.
And some things stay the same, like him. He’s got on his cowboy boots and those jeans of his that hug his muscular thighs perfectly…not too tight and not too lose. I know the minute I get a look at his backside I’m going to be reminded of images of him sitting on that wooden fence with his terrific tush hanging over the top plank as the sun sets off in the distance behind him. Cowboys are known for riding off into the sunset, but watching him riding that fence with his thick back and sculpted body was plenty fine for me.
And thankfully he hadn’t ever found love and rode off into the sunset, which meant there was always hope for me.
Or was there? Four years is a long time, and I know how women are always looking at him. Somehow he’s oblivious to it all. He’s just so humble and takes it for people being friendly. I’m a woman myself so I know what’s really going on when women use any excuse they can to get closer to him or even try and strike up a conversation.
And having a conversation is going to be beyond difficult right now because my mouth is hanging open and I’m totally at a loss for words.
“Is this a mirage or did I find Carol Walker, the city slicker, at her local watering hole?”
God, he’s so sexy. He smirks just enough to let me know he’s teasing and more than enough to get my lady bits a stirrin’.
“Colt,” I say. “What are you doing here?”
“Wanted to make sure these metro men aren’t giving you too much trouble.”
“Metro men?” I ask. He knows about metrosexual guys?
“Yeah. The fellas in the city who ride the metro. Or do you call it the subway here?”
I go to laugh but a snort comes out. He doesn’t know what metrosexual means, but his own definition is way cuter. You can take Colt out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of good ol’ Colt.
“We call it The L,” I say
“That’s a good idea.”
I pause and look up and to my left as my mind tries to figure out what he means. “I don’t understand.”
“The el. It’s a clever way to make it easy to understand for both English and Spanish speakers. Kind of like el el.”
Snort number two finds its way out. This man doesn’t even know how adorable he is right now.
“Not el as in Spanish for the. L or El as in elevated railway.”
“Elevated? I thought they were underground.”
I want to just give him a hug so bad right now. “Are you busy? Care to join us for a drink?”
“Are you kidding? I’m parched.”
A man with a mop suddenly appears in front of me. I apologize profusely, blaming it on my clumsiness. I’m not about to tell him the real reason why I lost my grip. Sorry, but Mister Charismatic Cocksure Cowboy came into my line of sight and I literally dropped everything I was doing. That’s not really going to fly.
The bartender says he’ll send another round to our table free of charge, even though I beg him to let me pay for my mistake. He won’t take no for an answer so I make a mental note to use the money to tip him for his generosity. It is the holidays and I’m in the giving mood, especially after what was just given to me…the sight of Colt McCoy delivered right on my doorstep so to speak.
We get settled into our booth, and I introduce Colt to Sheree. She was extremely kind for agreeing to meet with me tonight and telling me what her job entailed. I was embarrassed to reach out to her, but she said getting fired this week was a blessing. It also gave me the truth. She was fired. She didn’t quit. She said not having to work with those guys anymore plus the severance just in time for the holidays was the ultimate surprise gift. I loved her enthusiasm and positivity. I just wonder if she can tell mine went up a notch since Colt arrived.
The waiter brings our drinks but Colt insists on a round of shots first.
A couple minutes later we tip back the whiskey and I must admit…it’s the first time in my life I’ve tried it and I expected it to burn, but somehow it goes down smooth. I’m not sure if Colt ordered something from the top shelf or he just knows where to look for value in the liquor cabinet.
And looking is exactly what Sheree is starting to do…at Colt!
I tell myself I’m not competitive, but I can feel it. I want Colt all to myself. The thought of ever sharing him simply isn’t an option. And although he’s focused on me, while still being polite and nice with Sheree, I still feel a little jealous. Okay, a lot jealous. What’s gotten into me?
I never felt this way on campus around the boys there, but then again none of them ever seemed like a real catch. There were some really nice guys, some good-looking guys, and even some rugged guys, but none of them was close to the full package. And how could they be? They were just too young and too immature to really be what a woman truly looks for in a man.
Plus none of them was my first, and so far only, crush I’d ever had.
We’re barely fifteen minutes into catching up when I hear a voice I wasn’t expecting to hear.
“Having fun ladies?”
I look up and see Mister Dudley and Jared.
“Mister Dudley. Jared,” I say.
“Gentleman,” Colt says.
I feel nervous and somewhat strange with my boss and one of the guys from the office standing here in front of me, but the minute I feel my heart rate spike I also feel Colt’s leg brush against mine. I’m not sure if he meant to do it or not. Maybe he was just adjusting himself in his seat, or maybe he noticed my stress level picking up and just wanted me to know he’s here for me. Either way I feel safer already.
“Can I speak with you a moment, Carol?” Mister Dudley asks.
“Yeah. Sure,” I say.
Out of the corner of my eye I can see Colt looking squarely at me. He looks dead serious and I know why. He can feel that I don’t like this and he’s just waiting for me to say something so he can step in like a gentleman and stuff these two rodeo clowns in a barrel and roll them on out of here. I can’t have that. We’re not back in Santa Fe, and my livelihood depends on making sure guys like Colt don’t beat up my boss. It’s not like it would be much of a challenge for him anyways. He’s got more strength in his pinky than these quote unquote men do in their entire bodies.
I make a move to slide out of the booth, and Colt lets me pass. He still looks uneasy about it and I feel his eyes on me as Mister Dudley motions for me to step a few feet away towards the dartboard. So much for him worrying about my safety. Or is it a power play? Scold me, as I can see he’s ready to do, while darts whizz by a few feet from my face.
“What are you thinking, Carol?”
“Sir?”
“Having cocktails at a bar with a former employee who we just terminated this week and a client.”
“A client?” I ask.
“Of course he’s our client. You did up the paperwork this afternoon.”
I quickly think back. I didn’t really do up any paperwork. It was mostly just copying a bunch of stuff and putting it all together nice and neat. I actually tried not to look at the names. I wasn’t sure if I was authorized to see all that account information, and I definitely didn’t want to appear nosey.
“He’s a client?”
“The cowboy who came in last minute. Referral from Snidley. You know the one.”
“Oh, right,” I say. I’m not sure if I should tell him I actually know Colt. I’m not sure if that will make things better or worse at this point.
“Come on. You’re a team player right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“That’s what I though. And I don’t think, I know that you’re better than this. You need to end this. We’ve got a double whammy here and it doesn’t look good or sit well at all.”
“Yes, sir. Can I at least finish my drink?”
“Be quick about it,” he says.
“Yes, sir. Sorry for the lack of judgment.”
He makes a head motion to Jared and they move toward a booth on the other side of the room. They may not be next to us, but it doesn’t matter. Their eyes are fixed square on ours.
Part of me wants to blow these guys off, but the part of me that has rent and bills to pay knows I can’t. How can they come in to a bar and basically tell me what to do? And on my off time too?
I guess it’s really true. Business is cutthroat and if the clients don’t get you your own colleagues will.
“Guys, I’m really sorry, but I have to get going,” I say less than two minutes later. I tip back my drink and finish it. Wow, that was definitely not a good idea. I already feel lightheaded.
“You don’t have to go because these knuckleheads said so,” Colt says.
“No, it’s not them. It’s me. I’ve just got a lot going on these next few days.”
“It’s the weekend,” Sheree says. “And the holidays. Nobody’s working now. Just relax and join us for another round. One more at least.”
I’m kind of surprised she’s not ecstatic that I’m offering to leave her alone with Colt. Then again I should be locked up for doing such a crazy thing. Actually…what am I doing?
“I can talk to those two,” Colt says in a tone that’s somehow just a little deeper and a little raspier than normal. I didn’t know there were octaves below the ones he used on a daily basis.
As much as I would love that I just can’t go down that route right now.
“Thanks, Mister McCoy, but it’s okay.”
“You’re a young woman now, Carol. Please…call me Colt.”
And call me dripping wet. If he doesn’t see me as a little kid anymore than maybe, just maybe, I’ve got a shot.
The alcohol’s kicking in and as much as I want to grab him by the face and kiss him right on the lips I know that’s not the smartest move. Not with Laurel and Hardy sitting over there and also not some sloppy, wet disaster for a first kiss. That kind of attempt at romance would almost rule out a second chance by one hundred percent.
“Excuse me,” I say.
Colt stays put for a few seconds before reluctantly sliding out of his seat.
He stands.
“Are you leaving too?” I ask.
“I’ll walk you out. Help you get a cab.”
“Thanks,” I say. “But I think I need to do this on my own.”
“Is everything okay, Carol?”
“Yeah, fine. Thanks.”
He knows I’m not telling the truth, but there’s no time to discuss it now.
“You still using your Santa Fe number?” he asks.
“That phone is back home in my room. I have a different number now.”
“Can I call you later?”
He cares. I feel even warmer inside, and it’s not just the alcohol this time.
“Yeah.” I quickly rattle off my number with a hiccup in the middle. “Want me to get a pen so I can write it down?”
“Completely unnecessary. There’s no way I’m going to forget those ten digits. The perfect ten.”