Brikelle walked back into the dining room with Emma and stuttered to a stop. Colt and Cally were just outside the back window on the patio and their lips were stuck together. She blinked, but the horrible image didn’t change. Her stomach rolled and she was certain she was going to be sick. The entire dining room was watching the action, though some of them turned to look at her in pity.

Colt stopped the kiss and Brikelle knew a moment of hope. Maybe Cally had just kissed him. Maybe Colt hadn’t welcomed her advances. Then Cally threw her arms around his neck and was pressing her lips to his again and there was no indication of him stopping her.

“Could someone please take me home?” she asked the room in general.

“I can,” Ezra said, standing. His wife looked on compassionately.

“Thank you.” She couldn’t help herself from glancing out the window again. They weren’t kissing, but they were still standing close and talking, and it didn’t look like Colt had any intention of pushing Cally back out of his life and chasing after Brikelle.

Emma took her arm and walked Brikelle and Ezra to the door. She assured her that she’d have her clothes brought to her house. The clothes Colt had so thoughtfully bought for her. She shouldn’t want them, but she did. She glanced down at the diamond on her finger. Would Cally be wearing it soon? She clasped her hands together, covering the ring with her right hand. This ring was hers. Cally had no right to it. She glanced back at Colt, but couldn’t see him anymore. She’d thought he was hers, but Cally was obviously stepping in and taking over. Brikelle rolled the ring on her finger. She should probably leave it with Emma, but she couldn’t bring herself to pull it off her finger.

Emma gave Brikelle a hug and told her she’d be in contact soon about more work. Sadly, she didn’t offer her previous reassurances that Brikelle and Colt were meant to be. She’d seen the kisses as well as Brikelle had. The past with Cally was much stronger than any hold Brikelle had on Colt.

She couldn’t think of anything to say on the drive to her house, and thankfully Ezra didn’t seem to mind. She thanked him when they got there and walked sadly into her shabby, dank apartment. The fairytale was over, and real life descended on her like a heavy cloud. Her handsome prince wasn’t coming to her rescue. She’d have to face that sooner or later.

Unable to stand waiting here, she debated if she should head home to Idaho, at least for tonight and Sunday, but she couldn’t stand the thought of driving three hours right now. Her eyes were gritty and exhausted from withheld tears. Maybe some exercise, then copious amounts of chocolate and watching Princess Bride for the hundredth time would help. Maybe if she begged, Caimbre would come visit or meet her in Ogden for dinner or shopping. She looked down at her outfit, knowing it was more expensive than anything she’d worn in her life. Running her hand over the silky shirt, she could only think of Colt. He’d been so good to her. Cally was the luckiest woman she knew. Bitterness rose in her throat. Life bit the big one sometimes.

Brikelle changed quickly into her running clothes and was back out the door. Her feet pounded out their usual pattern, and before she knew it she was running past Colt’s house. Dang, she loved that house. She loved the man who’d built it even more. The tears she’d been fighting streaked down her face. She let them come.

A loud, obnoxious bark jerked her from her sadness, and she let out a little squeal before recognizing Ike. She stopped and took a couple of deep breaths. Ike wouldn’t hurt her. Everyone had reaffirmed that he wasn’t that type of dog. He loped up to her. Brikelle slowly extended her hand, then forced herself to tentatively pat him on the head. “Hey, boy.”

Ike ruffed again, wagging his tail and pushing his nose into her thigh. She flinched, then realized his teeth weren’t sinking into her; he was just trying to get closer.

“Maybe Emma’s right and you are an old teddy bear.” She found herself scratching behind his ears and smiling at the huge dog.

He snuggled up into her. Brikelle remembered Colt saying Ike had gotten him through some tough times, and now she understood. This dog knew how to give comfort and she really needed that right now. A gradual feeling of peace pervaded the moment, but then a sharp ache reminded her of Colt. How awful that she had to be without him while she petted his dog. He’d been so proud when she’d touched Ike’s head. Colt had been with her every step of that interaction. Now she was alone.

She forced herself to stop thinking about Colt and said to Ike, “You want to go run with me, boy?”

He woofed happily. She took off at a jog and Ike trotted obediently at her side. It was no substitute for Colt, but this beastly dog that she used to fear was making her happier. If nothing else, her relationship with Colt had helped her overcome her fear a little bit.

They kept a good pace, and before she knew it they were approaching Powder Mountain’s lower lift for the ski school. Everything was green and quiet at the moment, no vehicles or crowds and the warm sun touching her shoulders. She wondered if she’d be here in the winter to try out the slopes. Sadness swept over her again. Probably not.

Ike darted off down the bank to the river to chase something. Brikelle stopped to catch her breath and watch him splash through the river. He looked back up to make sure she was still there, then barked and chased around in the water again.

Her thoughts swung to the dog’s owner, as they had constantly over the past two weeks. She couldn’t believe how fabulous yesterday had been and how today stunk. Was Colt still “talking” with Cally? Had they resolved all their issues? Brikelle wondered if he’d be upset that she left without talking to him, or if he’d be relieved that he didn’t have to face her and could spend more time with Cally. It didn’t matter now.

The sound of a large vehicle approaching brought her head around. It was a white four-door truck. Could it be Colt? Was his a Chevy or a Ford? This truck looked like his, but she couldn’t see the driver clearly or the side panel with the Jepson Cabinetry logo.

If he’d come for her, maybe he’d ditched Cally and there was a chance for them. He’d be so proud of her for patting Ike and bringing him on a run, instead of yelling at him to go home. She was proud of herself.

She pasted on a brave smile and waved as the truck rolled to a stop beside her. She peered in and saw dark hair, but … oh, shoot, no. It definitely wasn’t Colt.

Disappointment surged through her just as the door popped open and a tall, lanky man climbed out. He grinned at her. “Hi, sweetheart. You looking for some fun?”

She shook her head and backed away. “No.”

“Your pretty smile says you are.”

“I’m definitely not.”

He kept approaching, the leer in his eyes turning her stomach to ice. She kept creeping backward, trying to distance herself from him. There had been hardly any vehicles passing her as she ran. There was little hope that someone would come along.

She tripped on some rocks and stumbled backwards. The man was on her in a second, grabbing her arm and hauling her up to her feet. “Whoa. You okay?”

“No. Get away from me!”

“Come on.” A frown cast furrows in his forehead. “I’m not gonna hurt you or anything. You were waving at me and smiling and I thought, hey, why not have a good time with a gorgeous brunette?”

“I’m not looking for a good time.”

“You would like me. I promise.” He tugged her closer to him.

Brikelle’s heart was thumping out of control. “No!” she screamed, clawing at his arm to release her.

A ferocious barking sounded behind her, and though her heart beat harder and her palms grew clammy, her rational side cheered. Ike! He knocked into the man, barked loudly, and sank his teeth into the guy’s leg.

The guy yelped and cursed, kicking at Ike, then leaping away. “Get your dog away from me!”

“Get yourself away from me!” she yelled back.

The guy limped to his truck as fast as he could, Ike barking on his heels every step of the way. He jumped in, slammed his door, and the engine roared.

Ike darted back to her side as the truck sped off up the mountain road. Brikelle sagged with relief and wrapped her arms around Ike’s neck. He licked her cheek, and she managed a shaky laugh. “You might be a beastly dog, but I love you, Ike.” He woofed and nuzzled his nose against her cheek. “Let’s get you home, boy.”

Ike barked again. Brikelle’s legs were shaky, and even though they were going downhill, they didn’t progress very quickly. When they finally reached the bottom of the canyon, Ike gave her one more nuzzle and a bark and then ran up his driveway. Brikelle wished she could follow him, but it wasn’t her place and she wasn’t going to pursue Colt with Cally back in the picture. Colt probably wasn’t home anyway. He and Cally were probably still at Emma’s.

She slowly made her way back toward her apartment. The roar of an engine coming from behind her made her freeze. It sounded exactly like that guy’s truck. She whirled around to look and ice ran through her veins. It was the same white four-door truck. Ike was gone. She wasn’t quite sure how she’d defend herself, but she wasn’t going to let that guy come after her again. She sprinted away from the truck, hoping for some sign of help. She was in a rural spot, but there was a house about a hundred yards away. Did she dare run there for help? What if they weren’t home? The guy could pin her in. But maybe he would think this was her house and would bug out.

Before she reached the driveway, the truck rolled up behind her and jerked to a stop. She heard the door pop open as she sprinted with all she had. If his truck was stopped, she could maybe get away. She could hardly breathe and she’d pushed her legs too hard, they felt like limp noodles. She prayed over and over again in her head, simply begging for help.

She could hear the man’s boots thud to the ground and then, “Bri!”

She whipped around so fast, she tripped herself and rolled on the pavement, scraping up her elbows, hands, and knees. “Ouch,” she muttered as she skidded to a stop.

Footsteps pounded up to her. Colt knelt down and gently touched her back. “Oh, Bri. I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

She glanced up at him, tears springing to her eyes. It was him. He was here. Was it possible he had been looking for her? She brushed off the pebbles and tried to struggle to her feet.

“Be careful, sweetheart. You’re hurt. Why were you running from me? I’m sorry you saw Cally kissing me. It meant nothing, I promise.” He helped her to her feet and placed that warm arm around her waist that she had grown to crave.

“It wasn’t Cally.” She shook her head. “Well, that was why I went running, but I was running from your truck because I thought it was this other guy who came after me up the canyon.”

“Bri,” he muttered. “I should’ve been there.”

“Ike protected me.”

“Ike?” His eyebrows shot up. “That old guy?”

“Yeah. He was so brave and he knocked into the guy, then bit him. I love that dog.”

“Thank the good Lord he was there.” Colt blinked at her. “Do you think there’s any way you could love Ike’s owner too?”

Brikelle swallowed hard. “But Cally?”

Colt shook his head. “Could never mean to me what you mean to me.”

“Colt, that’s crazy talk. You have years of history with her and you loved her so much. Now she’s back and you have to give her a chance.”

“I thought I loved her, until I met you.” He glanced over her. “Where are you hurting, love?”

“I’m really okay. A few scrapes on my elbows and knees.” She held up her hands. They were scraped too, but not bleeding.

“So your lips are feeling fine?”

“Colt!” Her stomach lifted with excitement, but she tried to remain logical and pushed at his chest. “Get serious. We need to talk this through about Cally.”

He nodded solemnly. “We can talk the day away if you want, but it’s all going to come to one conclusion.” He took a deep breath. “I love you, Brikelle, and if I have to say I’m sorry and analyze Cally and our relationship for years, I’ll do it to be with you. I’ll hate it because I’d rather be kissing you, but I’ll do it.”

She studied him, the sincerity in his eyes touched every part of her. She tilted her head to the side and licked her lips. “This is all because I finally accepted Ike, right?”

He nodded. “That was the most important key. If you couldn’t love Ike, I couldn’t possibly love you.”

She laughed.

He wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her to him. “Honestly, Bri. I love that old dog. He helped me a lot after Cally left. But if you don’t want him around, I’ll ship him off to Momma’s house and it would be fine. You’re more important to me than any man, woman, or beast.”

Brikelle grinned, went on tiptoes, and kissed him thoroughly. “So do we need to make things official so we can justify all the lies to Emma?”

“Did you just propose to me, Mrs. Jepson?”

She blushed, but stayed brave. “I think I just did.”

He lifted up her left hand. “I’d really like to keep this ring on your finger.”

She completely agreed. “I love this ring.”

“I was thinking we could go on a few dates first, but you know I’m all for skipping to the good stuff.”

“What’s the good stuff?” She arched her eyebrows.

“All the things I was dreaming of doing with you last night.”

The heat in Brikelle’s cheeks would not abate. “Hmm. Maybe we should date for a few years and make sure this is really a good thing before we take the plunge.”

A low growl emitted from Colt’s throat. “I’ll give you few weeks of intense dating, and then we’re eloping.”

Brikelle smiled. “Hopefully you can convince me in the next three weeks.”

“I’ll bet I can convince you in the next three minutes.” He pulled her flush against his strong body and proceeded to tangle up her mouth and her mind. She was floating on happiness again and never wanted to stop.

When he finally pulled away, she whispered, “Okay, okay. You keep this up for three weeks and I’m sure I’ll say yes.”

He chuckled and went back to convincing her.