Operation: Endeavor (When The Mission Ends) (25 page)

Okay, maybe letting Chris drink a few too many beers wasn’t his brightest idea. He’d been hoping it would help him relax, not make him even more morose. God, he really didn’t know what kind of advice to offer here, but a thought occurred to him. He looked at Chris thoughtfully and decided now was probably as good a time as any to breach this bridge.

Colton spoke quietly. “Chris, do you think maybe the issue isn’t so much related to an injury as it is related to a specific person?”

Chris became perfectly still and looked up at Colton with eyes that had suddenly become guarded. Bingo.

He spoke very low and Colton could hear the edge of dread in his voice. “What are you talking about?” Chris said, rubbing his left thigh.

“I’ve noticed something the last few days.” He took a deep breath before proceeding into this very touchy minefield. “Something happened between you and Julie, didn’t it?”

There was no imagining the stark pain that flashed through Chris’s eyes before he shut them and lowered his head into his hands. He ran both of them through his hair in agitation.

Colton watched as he clenched his jaw over and over again. Finally he seemed to have control and he looked back up at Colton with his eyes blazing in determination. When he spoke, his voice was firm and harsh. “No. She’s with Aaron and they’re good together. I died. She met Aaron. End of story.”

“That’s not the end of the story, because you didn’t die, Chris.”

Chris shook his head in denial. “In this, I might as well have. There’s no discussion here Colt. Drop it, okay?”

Colton couldn’t argue against those hurting, pleading eyes. “Okay, but think about what I said.”

Chris gave a clipped nod.  “Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah, let’s head back to Cassie’s.”

* * *

The next morning, Colton was still troubled by Chris’s reaction. Penelope was asleep in his bed when he got home. She settled into his arms as soon as he crawled into bed and it made his heart ache for Chris. Chris needed this in his life, but from everything Colton could see, he’d completely given up on the idea of love.

He scowled into his coffee cup.

“Hey, what did that coffee ever do to you?”

He looked up surprised to see her. He hadn’t even heard her walk in. “What?”

She picked up her own cup and leaned against the counter. She tilted her head to the side as she asked him, “Is everything okay?”

He shook his head to clear the cobwebs. “Yeah. Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind. Hey listen, was Julie dating or serious about anyone before she met Aaron? Like maybe last year around this time?”

The surprise showed on her face before she shook her head. “No, not anyone I know of. Why? Are you already thinking about dumping me?” She gave a light chuckle. “Because I’m thinking things between her and Aaron are getting pretty tight. He’s asked her to move in with him.”

“Really?” Well damn, that wasn’t good news for Chris’s prospects.

“Yeah, but she’s debating telling him no. She thinks things are moving too fast between them and isn’t ready for that yet. I think there may be more to the story, but Julie’s pretty tight-lipped about these things.”

She sidled up behind him at the breakfast bar and nuzzled the back of his neck. “So why are we talking about Julie’s love life when our own is so much more exciting?”

He turned on the barstool and tucked her body in between his legs to give her a thorough kiss. “I have no idea.” There was a knock at the door. “Hold that thought.”

There was a kid at the door holding a clipboard and package, looking bored. “Are you Colton Robertson?”

“Yes.”

“Kay. Sign here.” Colton signed and the kid handed him the small package. Colton sighed in relief. Finally.

He shut the door and moved into the kitchen. He wasn’t going anywhere until he was sure what this package held. He ignored Penelope’s curious look while he cut open the tape. Inside was a small velvet bag. Opening it, he poured out the ring into his palm. He released the breath he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding.

“I wasn’t sure I’d ever see this again.” He was surprised to hear how gruff his voice sounded.

“What is it?”

He looked up at her and smiled. He knew his relief showed through. He finally had it back and that little thing made his mom feel closer. He closed his eyes for a moment and tightened his fist over it. He had it back. “My mom’s wedding ring. Dianna was supposed to return it in my stuff, but she didn’t. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see it again.”

He caught the flash of tenderness and her slight sniffle. “Is that why you guys have been fighting?”

He gave a terse nod. “She refused to give it back, but it’s my mom’s.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “It’s one of the few things I have that belonged to her. I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to see it again.” His emotions were getting the better of him and he didn’t want to break down in front of Penelope. “Let me go put it away and then we can get back to our discussion.”

When he came back into the room, he nuzzled up behind her neck and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Now where were we?”

“Hmm, I like what you’re thinking, but unfortunately I have someplace I have to be today. Want to give me a ride?”

“Sure. Where are we headed?” He leaned back to look over her tight worn jeans, cowboy boots, and long-sleeved tee. She had her hair done in a low ponytail and carried a baseball hat. Hmm, a bit sedate for Penelope’s normal free-styling look.

She shrugged on her leather jacket and gave him a teasing look as they walked out the front door. “I think that should be a surprise.”

“That’s gonna be kind of tough since I’m driving,” he said as he handed her the helmet out of the saddlebags on the bike.

She simply smiled at him. “Just head out toward Buffalo Springs Lake and I’ll direct you from there.”

“You do like to give directions, don’t you?”

Her jade eyes suddenly started to smolder. Oh yeah, she definitely liked giving directions. They weren’t even on the damn bike yet and he was hard again. Damn. He couldn’t resist. He pulled her into his arms and dove into her mouth, but instead of those luscious breasts pressed up against him, he felt something hard and pointed.

He pulled back. “What the hell?” He reached into her jacket and pulled out a book from her interior breast pocket.

She giggled. “Sorry about that. It’s my emergency reading. Do you mind if I put it in the saddlebags?”

He smiled at her indulgently. “Be my guest.” He undid the buckle for her. “Still worried you’re going to get bored with me?”

“Never, but it’s like a security blanket for me. I don’t go anywhere without a book, or two, or ten.”

He closed the saddlebag and gave her a hand so she could settle onto the motorcycle behind him. “Whatever keeps you happy, sweetheart.”

* * *

When they drove onto a ranch, Colton glanced back at Penelope to give her a puzzled look. She just smiled at him and gestured him to go on down the road.

The ranch itself was about 35 miles east of Lubbock where the caprock dropped off and the landscape drastically changed from the flat plains surrounding the city. Out here, the land ebbed and rolled in gentle hills. There was also a drastic change in the plant life. Around Lubbock, there were miles and miles of cotton fields. On the ranch, there were bushes, wildlife, and even real trees. That was something they rarely got to see in Lubbock.

When she’d first made contact with the family, there was an instant attraction between her and the second to youngest boy, Thomas. They’d connected through their mutual issues with their parents. Thomas’s mother died when he was younger and he blamed his father for that loss. It made things rather touchy for him since he had to work with his father. But Thomas loved the ranch and couldn’t give that up even with the conflict between the two of them.

They’d dated for about six weeks before their romance fizzled out. In that time though, Penelope became part of the family and the ranch. Still all these years later, she came out to help exercise the horses at least once or twice a month, more in the summer when she helped out with the summer camps. She loved it out here.

As they rode up on Colton’s Harley, Thomas came out to greet them. He was a great looking guy, even if he wasn’t the guy for her. He had on a straw cowboy hat and she could already see his ice blue eyes peering in curiosity out from under the brim. He had about two days’ worth of scruff and he looked worn out. He’d obviously been working hard today. His worn boots were dusty, as were his threadbare jeans and t-shirt. She could see the sweat stains from where he’d been working out in the hot sun.

She wished she knew a girl who was perfect for him. He was, flat out, too nice of a guy to be alone and he desperately wanted a wife and family. That was a lot of the reason why they hadn’t lasted. Back then, she hadn’t wanted that for her life. As she looked over at Colton, suddenly she questioned all the convictions she’d held for so long. Was this what love did to a girl?

As they got off the motorcycle, Thomas walked forward looking confused, but friendly. It wasn’t until she removed her motorcycle helmet that he realized who she was. When he did, his stride faltered a bit before he flashed her his trademark smile.

“Well, hey there, Penny.” He scooped her up into a full-on Texas hug, which meant he lifted her off the ground and swung her around a time or two before putting her down. By that time, Colton was scowling heavily. “I didn’t expect you out for at least another week. Is your wrist feeling better?”

“Hiya, Thomas. It’s feeling better and healed much faster than I thought it would. I thought we’d come out and exercise some of the horses for you, if that’s okay?”

“You know it is. We always love having your help and the horses have missed you. Is this your archeologist friend?”

She shook her head.

Colton stepped up and presented Thomas with his hand. “I’m Colton Robertson, Penny’s
boyfriend
.” He emphasized that last half in such a way that Penelope knew she was in trouble.

“Thomas Martin.” As Thomas shook his hand, he looked back over at Penelope with curiosity. “Your boyfriend, hmmm? I didn’t think you let any guy close enough to claim that title.”

As Penelope reached around Colton to draw him closer. “I never thought it would happen, but I guess I just needed to meet the right guy.”

“Ouch,” he exclaimed, but the good humor in his eyes belied his words. “Hell, Penny that hurts.”

She just grinned at him. “Aw, don’t pretend I broke your heart. You and I both know that’s not true.” She just shook her head at him. “Is anyone else around? I’d like them to meet Colton.”

“Dad’s in the barn doctoring Lucy with Ethan.”

“What’s wrong with her? Is she okay?” Lucy was one of her favorite horses. She was sweet-natured and a wonder to ride, but that darn horse was always getting herself into mischief and trouble.

“Yeah, she just got into something and cut her chest up, so he’s applying some antibiotic to it. She should be fine in a few days. Matthew and Scott are out working the north pasture fencing. You’ll see them if you’re planning to go riding. Andrew’s in town doing some work for the Rangers. Maybe he’ll make it back before you leave. The horses have missed you.” He looked over at Colton. “Do you have much experience riding?”

“It’s been a few years, but yeah, I used to ride pretty regularly.”

“Okay, well in that case,” he turned back toward Penelope, “why don’t you put him on Thunder to start with?”

Penelope nodded. Thunder was an older gelding. He was a huge black horse that once upon a time was probably more than a handful, but he’d mellowed with age and would be a good ride for Colt. He still had enough spirit in him to be fun to ride and he could easily handle Colton’s size.

“Thanks, Thomas. We’ll probably see you again before we leave.” She led Colton toward the barn.

As they walked, he grabbed her around the waist and tugged her toward him. “You’re just full of surprises, aren’t you Penny? Who would have guessed that within that VW Bus hid a tried and true cowgirl?”

“It’s definitely not my natural state of being, but I’ve learned to love it out here.”

As they entered the barn, Penelope inhaled the musty smell of hay, leather, horses, and old wood. She laughed at the pure joy of it and sharing it with Colton. She pulled him further into the dark interior as she called out, “Michael, Ethan, are you guys in here?”

“Back here,” a voice called from the back corner. “Penny, is that you?”

They rounded the corner of the horse stalls and there he was coming at them, the original Marlboro Man, without the cigarettes. Michael was in his late fifty’s with salt and pepper hair. He’d worked the ranch his entire life and had the physique that showed it, regardless of his age. His wife died in a car wreck when Thomas was young, so Michael basically raised all four of his boys by himself. “Hello, Michael.”

Immediately he picked her up into a big hug just like Thomas had, but without the extra swing. “Well, hey there, girly. We’ve missed you.”

When he put her down, she pulled him over to Colton. “Michael, I’d like to introduce you to Colton, my boyfriend. Colt, this is the patriarch of the Martin clan and the Rocking M ranch.”