Under the Midnight Stars (12 page)

A loving smile crossed his face. “Brielle, I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know I’m falling for you,” he replied huskily. He pulled her back to him and wrapped his arms tightly around her. “I think I’m falling in love with you. I don’t know how in the hell it happened so fast, or why, but one glimpse of you and I didn’t stand a chance.”

She gazed into his eyes. “Really? Is that what I’m feeling? That ache in my heart that grows stronger each time I see you. Each time we’re apart. Each time we make love. Is that what falling in love feels like?”

He gently placed his hands on either side of her face and drew her closer. “Yeah, Brielle, I think that’s exactly what falling in love feels like,” he whispered, engulfing her lips in a deep kiss.

At sunup, Colt and Brielle headed into town to rent a mid-sized moving truck. They drove to the next town up the road, to the furniture warehouse popular for their wholesale prices. They lounged on almost every couch, lay on almost every bed, and sat at almost every dining table, until Brielle had found exactly what looked and felt right for Colt. But he didn’t mind one bit. He’d just as soon sit on a futon, sleep on a futon, and eat on a futon, as long as he could prop his feet in front of a big screen television.

After he bought the furniture that Brielle had insisted suited him best, they pulled the truck around to the loading dock and filled it. When they were finished, they climbed back in the truck and pulled away.

“That didn’t take long.” Brielle checked the time on her silver bracelet watch. “It’s not even noon yet.”

“I thought maybe we’d stop at the electronics warehouse and grab some lunch before we head back. If that’s all right with you?” Colt suggested. He reached out and placed his hand on her bare thigh, just below the hem of her floral lavender summer dress. Just the sight of her bare legs, and knowing what awaited him under her dress, mere inches away from his fingertips, was driving him crazy.

She smiled at his loving gesture. She unbuckled her seatbelt and scooted to the middle seat next to him, before she quickly fastened the lap belt.

Colt welcomed her with an arm around her shoulder. He pulled her close.

“It’s perfectly fine with me.” She leaned her head on his shoulder.“As long as we don’t eat lunch
at
the electronics warehouse.” She giggled.

Colt chuckled slightly. “Very funny.” He kissed her on top of the head. He could hardly believe that after eleven long years he was happy again. Genuinely happy. He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve hitting rock bottom before rising to the top again, but whatever it was, he was glad it was over.

They made their stops and headed back to the farm. Jack was already there. He’d been there all day laying the last of the beige tile in the dining area, and then painting and mounting the baseboards.

They all helped to unload the truck. The dark brown leather couch was saved for last. It was centered in the middle of the living room with the back facing the staircase, leaving a few feet of walkway to access the hall, and the front facing the flat screen LCD along the wall. That way Colt could either watch TV, or sit back and stare out the oversized window overlooking the front of the property.

A matching oversized chair sat adjacent to the couch, facing the window, along with an end table on either side of it.

Jack slumped tiredly into the oversized chair.

Brielle and Colt flopped down on the couch.

“How’s your hand?” Colt eyed the white square gauze taped to the back of Jack’s left hand.

“Good.” Jack yawned, staring out of the window at the clear blue sky. “I am whupped!”

“Me too.” Brielle laid her head in Colt’s lap and curled her knees to her chest. She sighed with exhaustion.

Colt tensed, looking down at her wide-eyed.

Brielle didn’t notice. She was staring dreamily out the window.

Jack furrowed his brow, his mouth agape. “What in the hell are you doing?” he snapped.

Brielle bolted upright, cringing. She forced a nervous giggle. “Uhhhh, resting?”

Colt kept silent, deciding it best to let the siblings work it out themselves. He unlatched the recliner and sprawled back.

“Resting on the neighbor’s
lap?
”
Jack challenged angrily. “Have you finally lost your marbles? Do you think you can just boss yourself right into anyone’s life and do as you please? Or are y’all dating?”

“All of the above.” Colt couldn’t resist making light of the matter. He stifled a chuckle.

“Uh.” Brielle lightly smacked Colt’s thigh. “Yes, we’re dating. And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It just sort of happened.”

“When? You guys just met.” His eyes shot to Colt. “Did you sleep with my sister?”

“What?” Brielle asked in shock.

“Whoa, Jack!” Colt reset the recliner upright and stood. “It’s really none of your business. Your sister’s a grown woman.”

Jack jumped to his feet, about to blow his lid. “She was a
virgin,
asshole! And how can y’all be dating? You haven’t even lived here long enough to take her
out
on a date!”

Colt eyed the disgruntled brother for a second. He admired Jack’s honorable intentions concerning Brielle, yet he couldn’t help but see the situation as humorous. He pursed his lips, trying to hide his smirk, before he answered. “I tried to take her to dinner last night but you sort of messed that up with the stitches and all.” A slight chuckle escaped.

Jack fumed. “Oh yeah, ha ha! This is real funny, Colt!”

Brielle pushed Colt aside and came within inches of Jack’s face. “He’s right, Jack — it’s none of your business! Besides, did you date Mandy Johnson before you slept with her?”

“No, that was different,” Jack said, defending himself. “She didn’t wanna be dated. She was just as ready as I was.”

“Exactly!” Brielle poked his chest with her finger. “So quit being a hypocrite! I like Colt, and he likes me, and that’s all there is to it. I thought you liked him too.” She crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently.

“I do.” Jack’s tone was more subdued, but was still filled with animosity. He looked at Colt.“I know you’re a good guy, Colt. Especially compared to all the jackasses in town. And…” He looked at Brielle.“I guess I just freaked out a little seeing you lay your head on his junk is all.”

“Uh.” She smacked him in the arm. “I didn’t lay my head on his
junk.
Anyway, get used to it.” She turned and planted her lips on Colt’s, holding his head firmly in place.

“Eww, gross! You are such a brat!” Jack stormed past them to the front door. “See you tomorrow, Colt,” he said grudgingly. “I’m telling Dad!” he taunted before quickly shutting the door behind him and bolting down the driveway.

Brielle pushed Colt aside and ran after him. “You better not, Jack!”

Colt shook his head and chuckled slightly, amused by the squabbling brother and sister. As a child, he’d often wished for brothers and sisters. He walked out onto the front porch and sat down on the step to watch Brielle run up the driveway and jump on her brother’s back.

“I’ll tell Dad when I’m ready!” she said angrily, not letting go.

“Get off me!” Jack chuckled lightly while trying to shake her off.

She hopped to the ground and dusted her hands. “Besides, you know how Dad would react,” she added calmly. “You can’t do that to Colt.”

“Okay, okay, I won’t say anything. I wasn’t gonna anyway. Geesh, you take things so literal, ya big baby.”

“That’s what I thought.” She smiled smugly.

“See ya later — brat.” Jack quickly climbed into his car. The engine roared to life, and he backed out of the driveway.

Brielle made her way back to the front porch and sat down next to Colt.

“That was entertaining.” Colt grinned.

“Uh huh,” Brielle replied in a neutral tone.

Colt turned to Brielle with lust in his eyes.

She giggled and leaned forward to kiss him, but her actions were cut short by the ringing of her cell phone. Sighing heavily, she pushed the green button and placed the phone to her ear. “Hello?”

“Hello Gabby, it’s Amy.”

Colt could hear every word Amy said through the silence.

“Hi Amy. Is everything okay?”

“I know you’re on personal time, but I was wondering if you might be able to cover my shift just for tonight? I’m not feeling so good.”

Colt tensed. He wondered if Billy had anything to do with Amy’s malaise.

“Uhhh.” Brielle glanced at Colt and frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m just not feeling good is all. Just sick to my stomach. I tried to call in, but Emmit said he’d have my job if I didn’t show. Mimi already called in before me. He’s shorthanded.”
Her quivering explanation held a desperate undertone.

“Okay. What time?”

“I was supposed to be there an hour ago. He told me to rest and come in a little late — before the dinner rush.”

“Right.” Brielle pursed her lips. “All right, Amy. I hope you feel better.”

“Thank you, Gabby! I’ll make it up to you! I’ll work your first shift next week. I’m off that night.”

“All right. I’ll have Emmit change the schedule. Take care.” Brielle pressed the red button on her phone. She looked at Colt apologetically. “I have to work tonight. Amy’s not feeling up to it.”

“I know, I heard. I think your volume’s up too loud on your phone.”

“Oh.” Brielle smiled. She pushed the volume button on her cell phone a few times to lower it. “She says her stomach’s sick, but I don’t know if I believe her…” Her voice trailed off.

“Why?” he urged.

“I don’t know.” She sighed, shaking her head. “She sounded more distraught than anything. I think the upset stomach was a cover for something else.”

Colt’s gut wrenched. He was sure Billy was the cause of Amy’s distress, but he decided to keep his concerns to himself. “Huh. When do you have to go in?”

“Now.” She pouted.

“All right. I’ll take you home to get ready. Then I’ll take you to work and pick you up tonight.” He didn’t want her to be out and about at night by herself — especially not after what Roger had told him in the bar.

She smiled, a look of surprise crossing her face. “You don’t have to do that.”

“From the look on your face, I’d say you’re happy about it.” He reached for her hand and led the way to his truck. Then he took her home to get ready, and reluctantly drove her to the diner afterward.

Standing in each others’ arms in the middle of the parking lot, Colt gave Brielle one last long fiery kiss. Then with a wink and a charming smile, he watched as she hurried through the front door of the diner.

He climbed back into his truck and headed for Zeke’s garage, hoping he was still at work. Luckily he was. He didn’t quite know how to finagle the information from Zeke without raising any eyebrows, but he needed to find out where Amy lived. He was sure Zeke knew where most of the townspeople resided.

He parked his truck out front and hurried into Zeke’s office. “Hello, Zeke.”

Zeke grinned. “Colt. How’s the farm coming along?”

“Good. Aside from the remodeling, the house is habitable now.” He gnawed on the corner of his lip, trying to come up with a viable excuse to get Amy’s address.

Billy entered the office. His jaw dropped open when he saw Colt.

“Finally outta here?” Zeke asked Billy.

Colt’s cold eyes bore into Billy’s. He wanted to pound him senseless right then and there. It took all of his willpower to refrain himself.

“Uh, yeah.” Billy drew his shocked gaze from Colt, back to Zeke.

“Alrighty then. I’ll see ya bright and early. Don’t let Amy keep you out too late this time,” Zeke teased.

“I won’t. See you tomorrow, Zeke.” Without another glance at Colt, Billy strutted away.

Zeke sighed. “So, you give any more thought to taking over the business?”

“Still seriously pondering the idea, Zeke. I’ll give you an answer soon though.” Nonchalantly, he glanced out the window and saw Billy climbing into his truck. If Billy were headed for Amy’s, his best bet would be to simply follow him.

“It’s a big decision. Take your time,” Zeke replied.

“Well, I’ll let you get back to closing up shop. I was just passing by and thought I’d let you know that I’ll drop the tractor off at your place tomorrow, if that’s all right.”

“Sure. My wife’ll be there. She’ll show you where to park it.”

“Thanks, Zeke. I’ll let you know what I decide soon.” Colt headed for the door.

“See ya, Colt.”

Colt rushed to his truck just in time to see which way Billy had turned out of the parking lot. Staying a safe distance back, hidden behind other vehicles, he followed Billy across the other side of town to a community of single- and double-wide trailers, each on its own parcel. Most stood on a good acre, some more than an acre.

Hiding behind a row of hedges lining the road Billy had just turned onto, Colt inched forward, just enough to see Billy pull into a driveway at the dead end. Billy continued on along the long driveway, to the lone trailer sitting on a number of acres atop a hill.

Colt drove past the road a ways and turned around, finding a desolate place to pull over and watch. He didn’t have to wait long. After only fifteen minutes Billy’s truck emerged at the crossroads and headed back into town.