Chapter 10

Misty was euphoric. She tried to carry on like a normal person for the rest of the day without dancing around in glee. Fortunately for her, Breck left the office, and she was on her own with her silly grin.

He did it. Colt said he would save the ranch, and he did it.

She was used to empty promises. Her alcoholic father’s vows of sobriety; promises broken time after time, until it didn’t matter anymore. So, for Misty, finding a man she could depend on was a great big deal. At the end of the day, she locked up the office and drove to her transitory home in a state of elation. When she caught sight of her face in the mirror, she let out a giggle. It seemed her entire being was elated. She felt as though she had wings.

Turning in under the gate to the Garrett ranch felt like coming home, but she jerked herself up short. This is not our home. Mark and I have a home.

She exhaled heavily. Now they needed to go there and stop mooching off the Garretts. She thought Big Jim Garrett would be glad to see them go. No, he appeared to have some affinity for Mark, but he would definitely be glad to see her leave his domain.

She pulled up in front of the house, parking in the space where Leah had always kept her vehicle before. Perhaps she could use the car for a while longer, just until she could make some other arrangements. Maybe there was a used car in Langston she could purchase. Maybe she could make payments. Maybe her paycheck would be enough to cover the cost and allow her to buy food for the inhabitants of the Dalton ranch.

Swallowing hard, Misty removed the keys and swung out of the car. She wondered if Leah would consider selling her the car. Not that she had any money right now, but tomorrow was Friday, and that was supposed to be payday. A bubble of anticipation welled in her stomach. She could go to the grocery store and bring fresh supplies to Paco and Rosa.

“How’s it going, Misty?”

Her reverie was jarred by Beau, who strode toward her.

“Oh, good, I guess.” She felt her cheeks flame. “I was just going to look for Mark.”

Beau cocked his head to one side, grinning. “He’s in the stables. That sure is one horse-crazy kid.”

“I have to agree. He’s always been that way.” She turned toward the stables, intent upon sharing her news with her brother privately.

“Leah’s going to have dinner on the table in about a half hour,” Beau said. “You might want to tell Mark.”

“Thanks. I will.” She took a few steps in that direction, thinking Beau had something else he wanted to say and she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear it.

He looked indecisive and then seemed to make up his mind, falling into step beside her. “I’ll keep you company.”

Great! Just great. She nodded acquiescence, hoping she had done so graciously.

“I just wanted to say…I hope you know Colton likes you.”

“Yes, and I like him too,” she said evenly.

“No, I mean he really likes you.”

Before they reached the stables, she turned. “Beau, I know you mean well, but…seriously, do you think this is a conversation you should be having with me?”

He stopped, staring down at her with a slight frown on his face. “Well, no, but, I mean…”

“I’m not going to discuss it with you. My relationship with Colton is between the two of us. If you have something to say, take it to him.” She lifted her chin, facing him in what she hoped was a calm and determined manner.

He blew out a breath. “Well, that’s clear enough. I’ll just butt out, then.”

“Thank you.” She turned and continued on to the stables. Once inside, she closed the door, leaned against it, and heaved a huge sigh. What is it with Beau and Big Jim? Don’t they think Colton is capable of acting for himself?

She smiled. Yes, he is.

The sound of something scraping reached her ears. Venturing deeper into the outbuilding, she turned a corner and found her little brother hard at work. He was so intent on what he was doing he didn’t appear to notice her approach.

“Hey, Mark,” she called.

He looked up from his task, which was cleaning Sam’s stall. Sam was tied to a nearby post, apparently waiting to be ridden as he wore a bridle but no saddle yet.

“Hey, Sis.” He turned back to his shoveling.

“I have some incredible news.” She wanted to hug him and dance around.

“Whut?” He raised his head to glower at her with one dark brow lifted.

“Well, put the shovel down, and I’ll tell you.”

He bleated out a snort and leaned the shovel, and then himself, against the stall. “Whut?” he repeated, crossing his arms across his chest.

She sighed. Brothers! “I just wanted to let you know we’re not going to lose the ranch. Does that interest you?”

He pushed away from the stall. “Yeah,” he said.

“Let’s take a walk,” she suggested. “I need some fresh air.”

Mark fell into step beside her. “I don’t understand. You said the bank was going to take the ranch.” They walked outside the stables, strolling toward the barns.

“They were. The banker was just waiting for Daddy to pass away from his illness. Apparently he didn’t want to throw a dying man off his property. Probably bad for his public image in a small community where everyone knows everything.”

Mark frowned. “So, what changed?”

“Colton Garrett.” She checked to see how Mark had reacted to that. “You like him, don’t you?”

Mark shrugged. “Sure. He’s been great.”

“Well, he’s our new partner in the ranch.”

Mark’s face morphed into a frown. “Partner? But it’s the Dalton ranch. It always has been.”

Misty heaved a huge sigh. “Well, the Daltons haven’t done such a great job of running it lately. If it weren’t for Colton, we wouldn’t be able to keep it.”

“So, what does this mean?”

“It means he is going to help us get the ranch back to being profitable, and he will share in the profits.”

Mark’s lips tightened, and he huffed out a sigh. “I suppose that’s fair.”

She hung an arm around his shoulders. “It’s more than fair. Colton knows what he’s doing. So we can have one hundred percent of nothing or fifty percent of something.”

“How did you get him to do this?” Mark’s eyes skewered her like daggers.

Misty shrugged. “He just did it. I didn’t even ask.” They walked a bit more in silence. “I wouldn’t have even thought to ask him to bail us out…to pay such a huge amount of money just so we could hang on to our home.” She shook her head. “He did it all on his own.”

“I guess Colton’s a pretty nice guy. He likes you a lot, doesn’t he?”

She considered. “I think so. I like him too.”

Misty hung out with Mark while he finished his chores and then they went into the Garrett home. Mark went to wash up, and Misty looked in on Leah in the kitchen.

“Hey, Misty,” Leah called. “I was getting worried about you. I was beginning to think my car had made a liar out of me and left you by the side of the road.”

Misty laughed. “Thankfully, no. I just needed to talk to Mark. There were some things he needed to know.”

Leah gave her a speculative look but didn’t comment.

“What can I do to help with dinner?” Misty asked.

“Easy dinner tonight,” Leah said. “I put a beef roast in the Crock-Pot this morning, so we’re having that with the veggies I cooked with it and a salad on the side.”

“Lovely,” Misty said. “You always come up with such great food.”

Leah flashed a smile. “It took me a while to learn to cook for this bunch, but I enjoy it. Before I married Ty, I only cooked for Gracie and myself, so there was much less cooking involved. Now the guys really scarf up everything I put in front of them.”

“I’m sure they appreciate it.” Misty picked out enough plates and eating utensils to set the long table.

Leah shook her head. “The guys know this is only temporary. After our home is ready, Gracie, Gran, and I will be moving there. So when Ty is home, it will just be the four of us.”

Misty hesitated and then asked, “He doesn’t mind your grandmother living with you?”

Leah smiled. “No, he was the one who insisted she come here with us. There was some trouble when he and I were living at her little ranch. So we really didn’t feel good about leaving her there. Of course, she put up a fuss about staying here, but we convinced her it was just temporary. Now she’s okay with it. She loves to go with me to see the progress on our new home.” Her smile went wall to wall. “I can’t wait to move my family into our brand new home.”

Misty felt a clutch of something she was surprised to recognize as envy. It must be wonderful to share a life with the man you love. “That will be great.”

She made her way around the table, setting plates and utensils in place. She added napkins and then placed a large tossed salad on the table, all the while thinking about what she would need to do the next day. Friday.

Tomorrow she would be paid. She needed to open her own bank account. Or maybe just cash the check. Misty bit her lip in thought. She was a cosigner on her deceased father’s ranch account. What about that money? At least there was the deposit from the sale of the horses to Colton. Maybe she should draw that out too? She decided to go to the bank on her lunch break tomorrow and see what needed to be done.

* * *

Colton had been feeling a little guilty. He normally didn’t keep secrets from Big Jim, or Beau, for that matter. But, somehow, he dreaded divulging his partnership with the Daltons and how much he had paid for the privilege. Some things were best left unsaid.

Instead, he had thrown himself into working alongside them and hoped he didn’t drop anything to make them suspicious. He just wanted things to go smoothly. He wanted Misty and Mark to get on their feet without a huge uproar from Big Jim. He figured Beau wouldn’t say much, but he probably wouldn’t be able to get a word in edgewise, what with Big Jim being on a rant.

Now the three men entered the ranch house, intending to clean up for supper. The aromas coming from the kitchen assured them of a tasty repast.

Big Jim led the way. He walked in the house and disappeared down the hall, unbuttoning his shirtsleeves, ready to shed his work clothes and step into the shower.

Beau and Colton followed more slowly.

Beau lifted his nose in the air. “Something smells great.”

“Sure does,” Colton agreed.

Just then Mark came around the corner and threw his arms around Colton’s middle.

“Thanks for saving our ranch, Colton. Misty told me what you did.” He stepped back, gazing up at Colton, his dark eyes shining like it was Christmas. “I’m really glad we’re partners.”

Well, the cat’s out of the bag now. Colton didn’t want to squelch Mark’s enthusiasm, so he offered his hand to shake and then tousled the boy’s hair. “Me too, buddy.”

When Mark had returned to the kitchen, Colt ventured a look at Beau. “Go ahead and say it.” He grabbed his little brother by the shirtfront and dragged him outside again. The two men stood staring at each other under the portico.

Beau, for his part, looked stunned. He shook his head. “Did I just hear correctly? You saved the Dalton ranch from foreclosure? Tell me you didn’t.”

Colton blew out a lungful of air. “I did. And I’m sure you’re going to beat a path to tell Dad.” He fixed his brother with a stern glare.

“Why do you say that?” Beau’s voice took on a defensive note as he folded his arms across his chest.

“Because it’s what you do. You’ve always been a tattletale.” Colt crossed his arms across his own chest.

“Am not.”

Colton rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on. It’s what you’re known for. Don’t make me call Ty for back up.”

“Okay, I’ll admit I have gone to Dad when I’ve had some concerns…”

“The thing is, Little Brother, this is my business and not any of yours. I will tell Dad when the time is right.”

Beau’s lower jaw jutted out. “And when will that be? When that little gold digger has drained you dry?”

It felt as though an explosion went off in Colton’s chest. Without hesitation, his hands fisted, and he barely stopped himself from punching Beau into the next county.

“And now you’re going to beat me up for telling the truth?” Beau took a step back, but his hands were fisted too.

“Don’t push your luck,” Colton growled. “She’s not a gold digger, and I would advise you never to say that again. This wasn’t her idea. It was mine.”

Beau huffed out a snort. “I’ll bet. You’re so crazy about her, you don’t even know when you’re being tooled around.”

“You better shut up,” Colt warned. “I have a legal partnership with the Daltons. Breck Ryan drew up the paperwork, so back off.”

It was Beau’s turn to roll his eyes. “Legal partnership, huh? What does that mean?”

“I’m in partnership with Misty and her brother. The Dalton ranch is good land. It’s just been neglected. There’s a decent-sized herd. It’s an investment.”

Beau nodded, his mouth tight. “I can see you’re not going to listen to anything I have to say.” He half turned toward the house. “I’m not going to say anything to Dad. You just blew a whole lot of money, and I sincerely hope your ‘investment’ pays off for you.” He stomped inside the house, his face darker than a thunderstorm.

Colton heaved a sigh. This wasn’t the way he had envisioned breaking the news to his family. He hoped Beau would keep his mouth shut. It was more likely that Mark would spill something. Maybe he could talk to Misty and ask her to keep a lid on her little brother.

Maybe he would be able to keep a lid on his own.

* * *

When Misty got to the law firm the next morning, she found an envelope with her name on it sitting right in the middle of her desk. She opened it and gazed in rapture at her name neatly printed on her first paycheck. Quickly, she stowed it in the bottom desk drawer along with her purse.

She had made a peanut butter sandwich and tucked it inside a plastic bag. That would serve as lunch, since she had personal business to conduct during her lunch hour.

When the noon hour approached, Misty put the sign in the door and opted to walk the two blocks to the bank building. She passed Sara Beth’s store, waving as she went by.

Sara Beth rushed out onto the sidewalk. “Wait a minute. Where are you going in such a danged hurry? I brought a pasta salad for us to share.”

Misty turned back to her. “That sounds incredible, but I have to go to the bank. I got paid.” She flashed a grin.

“Woo-hoo! That’s a reason to celebrate. Stop in on your way back, and I’ll fix you a plate.”

“Thanks, Sara Beth. I’ll try to hurry.” Misty trotted off toward the bank.

She felt a rush of joy. Everything in her life had turned around. For the first time in years, she was happy. She had two female friends she could count on, Leah and Sara Beth. Her ranch hadn’t been jerked out from under her. True, she had lost her father and older brother, but she still had Mark. She stifled a grin. And she had Colton. She wasn’t sure what he was. It would be great if he was her boyfriend, but at least he was a great friend, and now he was in partnership with her and Mark, so maybe the ranch would prosper as it had in her youth.

She sighed, a picture in her mind of her parents and brothers as they had been when the ranch was flourishing.

When she reached the bank, she pushed inside, using the polished brass handle to gain entrance. Pausing for a moment, she glanced around the lobby.

It wasn’t too busy. There were two tellers attending customers from behind the half walls with glassed-in dividers. Only a couple of people were in line.

She turned toward the offices, reading the names imprinted in gold lettering.

FRED HAMILTON, PRESIDENT. Yes, he was the one who hadn’t been particularly helpful. Well, she supposed he had come around when Colton paid the loan up to date. She peeked inside, but the office was empty, the chair pushed up close to the large desk. Old Fred must have gone to lunch.

There was another office farther toward the back of the building. Stepping forward, she saw an older woman behind the desk.

The woman looked up and smiled warmly. “Yes, may I help you?”

“I—I need some help with my check.” Misty groped for her purse, but the woman waved her inside.

“Come right on in. Take a seat.” She gestured to one of the chairs in front of her desk. “What can I do for you?”

Misty sat down and sucked in a breath. “I just got my first paycheck.” She took it out of the envelope. “But I don’t know what to do with it.”

The woman cocked her head to one side. “Well, let me see if I can help you figure it out. I’m Abigail Parsons, the vice president of the bank.” She held out her hand.

At first Misty started to hand her the check, but she realized it was an offered handshake instead. She shook the banker’s hand. “I’m Misty Dalton.” She heaved out a sigh. “My name is on an account already, but I think I need to open another account just for me.”

“What is the account you’re on?”

“The Dalton ranch account. But my father just passed away, and my older brother, Joe, was killed, so my name is the only one left.” She had to press her lips together to keep from tearing up.

The woman’s eyes lit up. “Ah, the Dalton ranch. I just dealt with two gentlemen who brought the loan up to date. I suppose you know about that?”

Misty nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

Ms. Parsons turned to her computer and tapped her keyboard, bringing up the account. “Let me see…” She made a few more keystrokes. “The account is set up as a survivorship account. It appears you are the only surviving signatory.”

Misty swallowed. “Well, I have a partner in the ranch, and my little brother is my only other surviving relative. Mr. Ryan said Mark was too young to sign a legal document, but I would like his name to be added to the ranch account in case—in case something happens to me.”

The woman gave her a pitying look. “Actually, very young children can have accounts, but usually there is a legal guardian who looks after their finances.”

“Good to know. Mark is only twelve, but he’s very responsible.”

By the time Misty left the bank, she had a signature card for Mark on the Dalton ranch account, a brand-new checking account she could deposit her paychecks into, a few blank checks, and an ATM debit card. Keep things nice and tidy.

She returned to Sara Beth’s store and spent the last twenty minutes of her lunch hour gobbling a delicious serving of pasta salad and drinking peach iced tea.

“Thanks so much, Sara Beth. This was really good. I’ll try to bring something to share with you next week.”

Sara Beth walked with her to the door. “I must say, you’re looking a lot happier than you were at the first of the week. This past Monday you looked like a scared little girl. Now you’re absolutely blooming. What happened to lift your spirits?”

Misty wrapped her in a fierce hug. “So many things. I’ll tell you all about them when I’ve got more time. Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you Monday.” She rushed out of the store and hustled back to the law office before her hour was up.

* * *

It was Friday, and Colton wanted to spend time alone with Misty. There was a live band at the Eagles Hall, and he thought about asking her if she would go with him, but he supposed it wouldn’t be appropriate for a young woman who had just lost her dad and her older brother to be out enjoying herself at a dance.

His little set-to with Beau the previous day still had both brothers dodging each other. Even when they were working side by side they avoided eye contact and only spoke out of necessity.

Now, he noticed that Beau was all cleaned up and headed for town. Probably going to grab a steak for dinner and then go to the Eagles Hall. Colton watched as Beau climbed into his truck and revved the engine before tearing out.

Colt turned toward the kitchen, puzzled when he realized he didn’t smell anything cooking. In fact, only one small light was turned on.

He heard voices in the hallway coming from the bedroom wing. When he followed the sound, he found Leah with Gracie and Mark. She was fussing with Gracie’s hair, and Mark was cleaned up too.

“What’s going on?” Colton asked.

Mark turned to him eagerly. “Big Jim is taking all of us to dinner and then to the Eagles Hall. I’ve never been before.”

Leah gazed up at him expectantly. “Didn’t your dad tell you? We’re all going out tonight.” She turned around. “Hurry up, Gran. We don’t want to be late.”

“I’m a-comin’,” Fern called out.

“Um, no. I guess I didn’t get the memo.”

“Well, now you got it.” Big Jim came into the hallway. He wore a freshly starched Western shirt, and his Wranglers were pressed as well. “Come on. Get a move on.” He flashed a big grin. “I’ve got a date.”

“I better wait for Misty,” Colton said.

Big Jim hesitated just a second and then nodded. “Well, you two hustle it up. We’ll be at the steak house, and then we’re going to get a table at the Eagles. I’m planning on dancing with Celia Diaz tonight. She’s going to meet us for dinner.”

Colton grinned. He was glad his father was seeing someone, even someone much younger. He didn’t want Big Jim to spend the rest of his life alone. “Have a good time. We’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Fern Davis, Leah’s grandmother, bustled into the room, tucking a handkerchief into her handbag. “You’d best hurry up, young feller. I’m a-savin’ a dance for you.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right along.” He followed them to the doorway, watching as Big Jim herded Leah, her grandmother, and the younger two into his big truck.

Colton heaved a sigh and stepped back through the door as the truck roared off. He was glad his father was taking an interest in Mark. The boy certainly needed to be appreciated. He just wished some of his father’s benevolence could spill over onto Misty.

For that matter, he couldn’t understand why Beau held such a negative opinion of her.

It wasn’t dark yet, but it was much later than Misty usually got home from the law office. Colton was just about to go look for her when Leah’s old clunker pulled into the driveway. He felt as if a tight band around his chest broke loose when he saw her bounce out of the car with a grin on her face. Sucking in a deep breath, he returned her grin. “About time you got home. I was going to send out a search party.”

She flew into his arms, and he swung her around. He had never seen her so happy. “What’s going on?”

“Oh, Colton. This has just been the best day ever.” She gave him a hug. “First off, I got paid, and when I went to the bank, a very nice lady helped me open my very own checking account. Then she straightened out the ranch account, and I have my own debit card and checks.” She gave a little squeal at the end of her sentence.

“That sounds like a great day, all right.”

“But right after work, I went to the grocery store and got food for Paco and Rosa. I took it by the ranch, and they were so happy.” Her eyes were shining, and she was talking rapidly. “I love them both so much. They’ve been like another set of parents to Mark and me.”

He planted kisses on her upturned face, skimming her forehead and her nose and settling on her lips. “I’m glad you’re able to provide for them, but you know I would have sprung for groceries.”

“Oh, Colton, I’m so happy. I feel as though things might actually turn out well.”

“Of course they will.” He gave her another kiss. “Now, go toss on your jeans, ’cause we’re late.”

She looked up at him, brows raised in question.

“Everyone has gone into town. Dinner first and then the Eagles Hall. Are you up for that?” He stopped abruptly. “I don’t know if you feel okay about dancing so soon after losing your father and Joe…but we can come home after dinner…”

“Everyone’s going?”

“Your little brother is safely tucked under Big Jim’s wing. He’s really taken a liking to Mark.”

She smiled, a little sadly, he thought. “That’s great.”

He wanted to assure her Big Jim would love her when he got to know her, but he thought better of it. “If you’re up for it, hustle into your dancing boots, and let’s go.”

Misty grinned. “That sounds like fun.” She headed down the hall, unbuttoning her shirt as she went.

Colt’s libido surged into overdrive, and he followed her. “Let me help you with all those clothes.”

She turned, laughing. “Why, Colton Garrett. I do think you have something on your mind.”

“You bet I do.” He slipped the blouse from her shoulders and traced a line of kisses down her neck and bare shoulder.

A look crossed her face that set fire to something in his chest. Without another word, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom.

He set her on her feet, but she clung to his neck, smiling so sweetly he had to feast on her lips not once but twice.

Her hands roamed over his chest, tugging at the top snap on his shirt. The snaps opened all the way down to his belt buckle, but the rest of his shirt was firmly trapped inside his Wranglers.

It pleased him that she wanted him out of his clothes. It’s not that easy to undress a working cowboy.

He thought he would give her a little help, so he unbuckled his large belt buckle and stripped the belt from the loops on his Wranglers. Letting it fall to the floor, he moved her closer to the bed.

“You’re making this easy for me.” Her voice had dropped to a lower register.

Spreading his arms wide, he grinned. “Knock yourself out. I’m always easy for you.”

A pretty blush of color stained her cheeks, but determinedly, she set about removing his shirt. She had to unsnap his cuffs and walk around him to slide the shirt off.

He took the shirt from her and arranged it on the back of a chair to keep it from getting wrinkled. He considered that he would need to put it back on to save face with his father, whose sharp eyes would immediately pick up the fact that something had transpired if he showed up wearing a different shirt.

When he turned, she had slipped out of her clothes, down to her bra and panties. He swallowed hard. “Well, all right.”

“I—I just thought we better hurry…you know—if you want to meet up with your dad.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He slid the bootjack out from under his bed, eased out of his boots, and then slid off his Wranglers. “May I assist you to my bed and ravish you thoroughly?” He gestured toward his king-size bed.

She giggled, covering her mouth with both hands. “Thoroughly?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he drawled. “That’s how I roll.” He swept her up into his arms and did a fancy turn that landed her on the bed and him beside her.

They were both laughing, and then suddenly they weren’t. There erupted a tangle of arms and legs as they struggled to get closer to each other.

Colton grazed his fingers over her warm skin, stirring a rage of desire in his core.

Misty arched closer to him, pressing against his skin as though to meld the two of them together.

He fingered the lacy material of her bra before slipping one strap down and pressing a kiss against her shoulder.

A soft moan escaped Misty’s lips. “Oh, Colt…hurry.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he whispered. He quickly removed her bra and panties before divesting himself of his underwear.

She inhaled sharply. “Let’s—let’s do this. I mean, I don’t want them to know.”

“Well, let’s don’t tell them.” He rolled her onto her back and trailed kisses down her body, taking a detour to pay homage to her breasts. He circled her nipples with his tongue, leaving each standing at attention and a grin on her face.

Colton’s hand swept over her rib cage and down her flat stomach to cup her mound. Her legs spread apart, and he gently probed her wetness with his finger.

She expelled a sharp breath, writhing in pleasure.

He slipped on a condom. “Now we’re dressed for success.” Then he set about making sure she had no unfulfilled desires. When they were both satisfied, he reluctantly drew away. They lay together, damp and breathing hard.

“I guess we better get dressed and meet the others.”

She let out a snort of laughter. “Y’think?”

He grinned, glad they’d had the house to themselves for a change. Now he wished he had his own place to share with her all the time.