Hidden Treasure (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

S
he was curled
up on her sofa, clutching a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. Not that she noticed. Her father had called to tell her he’d made it home to Seattle, and to say one more time that he would keep her posted on his medical condition.

They’d spoken for an hour on the phone, and he’d even managed to make her smile a time or two, but the moment they’d hung up, the pain was back. He’d made her promise to keep working the ranch, to keep living each beautiful day. He’d assured her that he would be fine, that this was just another bump in the road, one that they’d one day laugh about.

She didn’t see that ever happening, but what she couldn’t change in this world, what she had no control over, was not something she should allow to have such force over her emotions.

So shouldn’t she continue to do her best to succeed, to give him something to be proud of her for? Of course she should. Brielle assured herself that was exactly what she would continue doing — starting back up tomorrow. For tonight she needed to brood, to sit in the dark of her living room and drink her tea.

“Brielle?”

Her head snapped up. A shadow had appeared in the doorway to her living room, but it wasn’t fear that had her heart racing; it was that Colt was standing there. Though she couldn’t see his face, she knew that silhouette, knew that voice, knew the feeling she had the moment he was in the room.

“I’m here,” she said, a shiver running through her. She’d wanted to telephone him, to ask him to come to her, but suddenly everything about her life seemed so unsure. She didn’t know whether she had the right to call him, because she didn’t know what the two of them were to each other.

“Why are you sitting in the dark?”

“I…” She stopped as she realized how shaky her voice was.

“What’s wrong, baby?” He was instantly at her side, sitting down on the couch and carefully removing the cold tea from her hand before pulling her onto his lap, just where she needed to be.

“My dad,” she said with a sigh. There were no more tears left. In the last few months, Brielle had cried more than enough times to make up for the fact that she hadn’t cried in twelve years.

She wouldn’t cry again. “It’s my dad. He has cancer.” It was almost surreal to say those words out loud. She hadn’t been able to tell her brothers, because of her promise to her father, but she had to speak about it, had to voice what she was feeling, and she was thankful Colt was there to listen.

“Oh, Brielle. That’s terrible. May I ask what kind?”

“It’s prostate cancer. He said there’s a new treatment, and that’s why he left today. He told me that the doctors are doing their best to fix it, but he doesn’t want my brothers to know yet. He didn’t want me to know. I answered his phone…”

“I’m sorry, Brielle.”

She was relieved when Colt didn’t try to offer her more than that, didn’t try to make her unfounded promises that her father would be okay.

“I can’t think about it anymore, Colt. I just can’t. It’s all I’ve been thinking about all day, and I’m so worn out. Please tell me something, anything to make me stop thinking about it.”

Just sitting there in his arms took some of the burden away, just knowing he was there with her, that his hands were caressing her back, that his head was resting against hers. Just having him here with her meant she didn’t have to be alone. That was so much better than sitting in the dark with a cold cup of tea.

Why was she so focused on the tea? Because it was something to think about other than cancer and death. It was something to worry about that didn’t have a serious consequence.

“It’s funny, really. You go through life worried about the smallest, most petty things, and then you’re hit with something like this,” she said, her voice almost a monotone. “I used to get so upset when I would get a fresh manicure and then chip my nail the same day. Or when I couldn’t find the perfect purse to go with a brand new top. I was so shallow.”

“You’re anything but shallow, Brielle.”

“I don’t know, Colt. Can a person really change that much in only a few months?”

“If you want my honest opinion, I don’t think you were ever shallow. I think you focused on those things because they were what you could control. You could look at your nails and see there was a problem that you were able to fix. You could focus on an outfit because there was a solution — or, if not, what did it really matter? Your mother left you and your family drifted apart. You were spinning and you did what you had to do in order to stay planted on the ground. That doesn’t make you shallow, really — that makes you a survivor.”

“I don’t know how you see me the way you do, Colt, but it terrifies me.”

“Why would that scare you?”

The way his hand was drifting through her hair was so soothing she almost forgot what she was saying.

“Because I feel that I’m going to fail you.”

That was her second biggest fear. Her father had left from his visit saying how proud he was of her, and Colt saw an image of her that she couldn’t see. What if both men were wrong?

When she tilted her head, the shadows restricted her view of his face, but she could still see the outline of his mouth, and she lifted her hand to trace his lips. How she loved the way he kissed her fingertips.

“I can see you, Brielle. I can see the beautiful woman you are, inside and out.”

“I want to be beautiful for you, Colt.”

“Do you really know why I love being around you?”

She wanted to know, but she almost feared what he would say. Still, she nodded her head.

“I love being around you because if I’m having a rough day, all it takes is one comment from you, one smile, one look, and my entire mood will change. What I feel when I’m with you is something most people will never in their life get to experience. I know this because I have friends who aren’t afraid to speak about their feelings, and no one I know feels the way I do. I could be dragged out to every strip club in Montana and I wouldn’t even see the strippers, I wouldn’t even care to look, because now that I’ve seen you, no one compares. I can’t get you from my head. I can’t stop thinking about you. I can’t stop wanting to be with you.”

“You really feel this way?”

“I feel that and so much more, Brielle. You see, I think you were molded to fit perfectly in my arms. When I hold you, it’s as if I still can’t pull you close enough. I want to never let go. It’s not just about sex — though that’s fantastic,” he said with what she knew was a grin on his face. “It’s so much more than that. On paper we should be all wrong for each other, but the more I’m with you, the more I need to be with you. You have a distinct advantage over me, you know.”

“What’s that?” His words were doing for her what she hadn’t been able to do all day. They were filling her heart with warmth, and taking away her pain. He was giving her the gift of himself, and she wanted to keep him for as long as she could — forever, if that were possible.

“What advantage?” she asked, tilting her head and brushing her lips against his.

“You own me, Brielle.”

“Oh, Colt. I think you have it so backward.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

B
rielle, darling. We’ve
been waiting for you.”

Brielle nearly stumbled as she came around the corner of her house to find Bethel, Eileen, Maggie, and Martin sitting on her front porch at the small table in the corner, glasses of iced tea in front of them, and pie ready to be served.

The pie made her mouth water instantly, but she was so exhausted that she didn’t know if she’d be able to survive an interrogation from the terrible trio and their partner in crime, Martin Whitman.

As her stomach rumbled and her knees shook with fatigue, she decided she’d just have to do her best. She’d been up and working since dawn, and had spent the entire day with Joe as the poor kid had tried his best to teach her more about running a combine.

Colt had been teaching her, but today he’d been called away for another job, Tony said. It was a relief to have Joe help her with the huge machinery, because even after spending a couple of months with Colt, he still distracted her.

And when she was dealing with expensive machinery, she didn’t need any distractions. By the end of her lessons, though, Joe wasn’t looking too positive about her abilities with the combine. She would prove him wrong, though, because there was still a week until harvest time began, and she intended to spend time with the machine every single day up until then.

By the time those harvesters rolled out bright and early, she’d be a pro at cutting the beautiful wheat that filled her land.

“It’s wonderful to see you ladies, and you too, Martin,” she said as she dragged herself up the steps and sat at the table with the four of them. Her eyes went straight to the pie, which, if she wasn’t mistaken, was still warm.

“I just feel so bad that we haven’t been neighborly enough, dear, but you are a busy woman. The buzz around town is that you’re doing an excellent job with this farm,” Bethel said as she poured Brielle a glass of tea and passed it over.

No sweetener was needed, because it was fantastic. “I’m so happy to hear that,” Brielle said, “and yes, I’ve been keeping pretty busy. I never would have imagined how difficult it is to run a farm of this size, but to tell you the truth, most days I’m really enjoying it.” She couldn’t help but stare while Eileen sliced into the pie.

When a piece appeared in front of her, she nearly forgot her manners and scooped up a bite. But somehow she stopped herself and waited for all the others to get a piece. When Eileen set down the spatula and picked up her fork, that was Brielle’s green light to dive in.

“This is fantastic,” she said after swallowing.

“It’s my mother’s secret recipe,” Maggie said with pride. “Many people have tried to beg, borrow and steal it, but I keep it hidden in the best place of all,” she added with a grin while pointing to her head.

“Well, since I can’t cook worth a lick, you don’t have to worry that I’d try to take it.”

“I would be more than happy to give you some cooking lessons,” Maggie said eagerly.

“I may have to take you up on that, since living on TV dinners and chicken pot pies isn’t going to do anything good for my hips,” Brielle said.

“Ah, darling, you could use a few extra pounds on your hips,” Bethel told her.

Martin joined in with a snort, saying, “Ladies and their talk about weight…”

“Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy our conversations, Martin,” Eileen told him.

“That I do, Eileen, that I do,” he replied, sitting back after polishing off his piece of pie.

Brielle wasn’t far behind him in finishing her piece, and though she knew she’d probably regret it later, she didn’t turn down the second piece Eileen passed her way, knowing she wouldn’t have something this good for quite some time.

“We’re here to remind you about the midsummer party at my place on Saturday. You have to come,” Maggie said.

Brielle squirmed. She still didn’t know many of the townspeople and would feel like an intruder.

As if reading her mind, Bethel spoke up. “We won’t take no for an answer. So many of our neighbors are really looking forward to getting to know you.”

“It sounds like a very nice time,” Brielle finally said. She was surprised when she realized that what she’d heard actually did make it sound fun.

Joe had been speaking about the party all afternoon, saying there would be tons of food, live entertainment, activities and a firework show. Plus, he’d told her, the young ladies always dressed extra nice when they went to a good country party. He’d been more excited about that part than anything else.

“I’ve never had any complaints,” Maggie said. “My two boys and my daughter will all be home, too, which is always wonderful.”

“In that case, I wouldn’t dream of turning you down,” Brielle said, knowing when she was beaten.

“I’m hoping our good friend Joseph Anderson makes it out this year, but he’s been busy with his growing family lately,” Martin said with just a hint of jealousy, which Brielle didn’t understand.

“Yes, that man has hordes of grandchildren and great-nieces and -nephews now,” Bethel said with the same envious look in her eyes as Martin was sporting. “My little Sage has been so busy with school that I’m beginning to think the girl will never settle down.”

“Now, Bethel, you know it won’t be long,” Eileen said, patting Bethel’s hand.

“You guys really love babies, don’t you?”

The four elderly meddlers turned toward Brielle. Maggie was the one who spoke up. “When you reach a certain age, darling, babies are what you have to look forward, too. Imagine how empty life could be if you were all alone in this big old house with no one running through the halls or calling your name.”

She said those words as if they were a fate too unbearable to even think about. Brielle had never really thought about it before, thought about growing old all alone. But as she did, the thought wasn’t appealing, not at all.

Didn’t everyone need a perfect match, and a forever family to lean on? Maybe not everyone needed that, but Brielle had grown up in a large family. Though times hadn’t always been great, she had enough good memories from her childhood to know that having a family of her own to raise sounded pretty appealing. A son and daughter with beautiful hazel eyes looking back at her sounded pretty much perfect.

Her company stayed another half an hour, and despite her physical exhaustion, Brielle found herself a bit sad to see them leave. Yes, they liked to gossip, and they wanted to know every little detail of her life, but they were also warm and caring, and she was growing quite fond of the meddling trio and their partner, Martin.

As she climbed upstairs to fall into bed before the sun was even setting, she felt contentment with her life, contentment with this community, and contentment in knowing that it wouldn’t be long before Colt joined her and warded of the chill of the night.

Chapter Twenty-Five

B
rielle had been
to a lot of parties in her day, but she could honestly say she’d never been to anything quite like this. Kids were chasing each other with bandanas on their heads and water guns in their hands, and were falling down dramatically when a stream of water hit them.

Laughter could be heard spilling from the mesh walls of several inflatable castles set up on the grounds. There was even a dunk tank proudly displayed; a line of females stretched out for what looked like a mile, all of them waiting just to see the shirtless men who were taking part. Helium balloons were flying, and a bottle of beer seemed to be in everyone’s hands.

Open tents were placed strategically around the huge yard to offer shade to those who wanted to get out of the sun, and a live band was playing upbeat music. The longer Brielle was in Sterling, the more she realized that country life had its upsides. When Colt handed her a beer, she accepted it without complaint.

She usually didn’t like the taste, but the day was hot and everyone else seemed to enjoy the stuff, so she took a pull from her Corona. Not half bad. As she and Colt neared the dunk tank, her eyes widened when she recognized the man who was taunting the teenager with the dunk-determining ball.

“Come on, Danny boy, you throw like my grandma!”

“She’s here, ya know, Hawk. I think someone should go and get her to see how well she throws,” someone hollered, and the words were met with widespread laughter.

Just then, Danny’s ball hit the bull’s-eye and Hawk splashed down into the water. As he climbed back up onto the bench with water dripping from his fine abs, Brielle figured out why all the girls were in line cackling.

“I owe Hawk a dunk or two,” Colt said, stepping up to the front of the line and sweet-talking the girl standing there.

Men. Did they ever get past adolescence? Not that females were much better. Brielle couldn’t help but smile as the teenager giggled, blushed and then let Colt cut in.

“He tends to have that effect on girls,” Brielle said with a wink that made the girl grin at her.

“Yeah, I’ve had a crush on him since I think I was five,” she replied shyly as she watched Colt draw back his arm and pitch.

The first ball missed, and Hawk wasn’t going to let that one go.

“Yeah, Colt, that looks like the throw you pitched at our homecoming game senior year.”

Colt gave him an evil smile before grabbing ball number two. “Just testing the wind,” he said and then threw right on the mark, sending Hawk into the tank, and the cheers went up again.

As Hawk climbed back up, he returned Colt’s evil smile. “Did I forget to mention that you’re up next?”

Colt released the ball, but it went way off the mark. “I didn’t sign up this year.”

“Yeah, but Spence couldn’t make it here. Called in to perform emergency surgery. So I knew you wouldn’t have a problem filling in for him. The funds go to charity, you know.”

Colt turned to Brielle. “Sorry. If I refuse, the guys will tie me to the seat of the dunk tank regardless.”

She brightened up. “No problem, Colt.” She couldn’t wait to see him in that tank.

“You’d better have an extra pair of shorts here, Hawk.”

“Of course we do,” Hawk said right before the next person in line sank him, this time while he wasn’t ready. He leapt out of the water, coughing as he tried to catch his breath.

“What color did you say your panties were?” Colt asked.

“Just wait,” Hawk replied. “You’re up in five minutes.”

“My turn should only take half an hour,” Colt told Brielle. “There’s tons for you to do in the meantime.” After he leaned down to give her a lingering kiss, the pink on her cheeks had nothing to do with the hot sun beating down on them.

“Awww, don’t worry about it, darling. All the single ladies are wishing they were you right now.”

Brielle turned to find Bethel and Martin standing beside her. “I…uh…”

“Yeah, Colt tends to make the ladies a little tongue-tied. Come with me, darlin’, and I’ll introduce you to a few more men who are bound to make you speechless.”

And just like that, Brielle felt herself being dragged around and introduced to so many people at the party that she’d have no hope of remembering even half of their names. Heck, she’d be lucky to remember a single one.

When twenty minutes had passed, Brielle looked longingly toward the water tank, and tried to get a word in with Bethel. She was itching to go back over there and see Colt dripping wet with the sun pouring down on him. That time she’d sprayed him with the hose in her front yard, she’d been in too much shock to really appreciate the view.

She was now more than willing to stare all she wanted, because she had no doubt that he wanted her, and no doubt that he wouldn’t mind if she took her fill. Sadly, all she was able to do was catch a glimpse before Bethel carted her off to another group of people.

“Have you met the new owner of the Ponderosa Pines Ranch?” Bethel asked an attractive couple.

The woman was a few months pregnant, at least to judge by the adorable bump on her otherwise slim body. Brielle wasn’t going to make a comment about it, though — she’d learned the hard way that sometimes what looked like a baby bump wasn’t one at all.

“You must be Brielle Storm. It’s such a pleasure to meet you,” the woman said before stepping forward and giving Brielle a startling hug. Yes, Brielle was used to the friendly people in this town, but she still wasn’t used to getting a hug instead of a handshake.

The woman stepped back and said, “I’m Misty, and this is my husband, Bryson Winchester.”

“Wait. Winchester? That name’s familiar.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ve met his brother, Hawk,” Misty said with a laugh. “All the single women around here make sure to meet him.”

“That’s right,” Brielle said. How had she not noticed the resemblance?

“It’s too bad you’re taken already. Hawk and Bryson’s mother has been itching for Hawk to settle down, especially since Bryson and I got married last year, and now we have a baby on the way.” Misty’s cheeks glowed as she ran her hand over her stomach.

“How far along are you?” Now she could ask, Brielle thought with relief.

“Only five months. The baby is due in November.”

“Congratulations,” she told Misty with a smile. “It was so good to meet you. I hope we run into each other again.”

When Bethel’s attention was diverted, Brielle practically sprinted back over to the water tank. She arrived just in time to see a shirtless Colt pushing himself out of the water and up onto the bench, the sun glinting off his hard pecs and rippling down his washboard abs. Hunger sat low and heavy in her stomach — how she wanted to climb right in the tank with him and…

That was so not the appropriate place for her mind to wander while in the midst of so many people, especially with the sound of children’s laughter all around her. What had Colt turned her into? When he looked up and their eyes met, his smile increased in wattage, and she felt her knees grow shaky.

“Come on, Brielle,” Colt called out, “give it a shot. But I seriously doubt you could hit the target even if you were standing three feet away.”

“Oh, Colt, Colt. That was the wrong thing to say.” Brielle stepped to the front of the line, and the boy who was about to throw gladly handed over the ball.

“Don’t throw like a girl,” Colt taunted her.

She fluttered her eyelashes at him, then looked at the target, wound her arm back, and released. The ball flew fast and straight and sank him on the first throw. When he popped back up from the water, his eyes held a look of amazement.

“I’m proud I throw like a girl, Colt. I did tell you that I have four brothers, didn’t I? I’ve been throwing since I took my first steps. I pitched on our softball team in high school, and I was beyond pissed off when they wouldn’t let me play baseball. The girls won the district playoffs and went to state my senior year.”

“I never would have taken you for a ball player, Princess.” This time,
princess
was spoken with reverence.

“There’s still a lot you don’t know about me, cowboy.” She threw another ball and sank him again, wearing a huge grin while she did so.

After Colt’s turn in the tank was over, she gave him a longing smile when he stepped from the changing tent, his hair wet, his cheeks glowing, and his shirt hugging his damp body. Neither of them said a word as he rushed to her, lifted her in his arms and gave her an explosive kiss.

“We can either sneak off into the woods or go out on the dance floor,” he whispered.

“The woods, please. After seeing you all slick and wet, I’m burning up.”

That was all Colt needed to hear. Grabbing her hand, he led her away to a much more private place.