Runaway Colton

by Karen Whiddon

  She dropped down to her knees with him. “Are you sure?” she asked, the sheen in her beautiful eyes warning him she might be about to cry.

  “More sure than I’ve ever been about anything.” His heart raced while he waited to hear her answer.

  “Then kiss me,” she breathed. “To seal the deal. Because my answer is yes. It’s always been yes.”

  Joy surging through him, he covered her mouth with his.

  *

  Piper packed up her belongings under Cord’s loving and indulgent eye. After his proposal and kiss, one thing had led to another and they’d ended up celebrating their engagement in her bed. Now, rumpled and feeling thoroughly loved, they were going back to Cord’s to find Renee and fill her in.

  Tossing the last item in her bag and zipping it, Piper turned to Cord. “I’m ready.”

  “Great.” He took the bag from her and hefted it on his shoulder. “Let’s go.”

  In the truck, she buckled up and shook her head. “Remember in the old days when pickups had bench seats? I would have snuggled right up next to you while you drove.”

  His sexy grin warmed her all the way to her toes.

  “Yeah, I remember. Sometimes it was damn hard to keep the truck on the road.”

  This made her laugh.

  “Renee’s going to be so excited,” he told her. “She was pretty upset when she found out I’d run you off.”

  “I know. She called me.” Carefully considering her next words, she glanced sideways at him. With his large hands draped casually over the steering wheel, he looked relaxed and sexy. “Did you and she talk about anything else besides me leaving?”

  “No, why?”

  “Just curious.”

  Her answer made him laugh. The richness of the sound made her heart feel full. “You’re not good at being evasive,” he commented.

  “I know. But it’s her news to tell. I’m sure she’ll mention it once she knows we worked things out.”

  With a quick shake of the head, he pulled the truck over to the shoulder of the road. “Is that the best description you could come up with?” he asked, his dark eyes glinting dangerously as he undid his seat belt. “‘Worked things out’ sounds so...clinical. Boring even. Nothing like this...”

  Reaching for her, he captured her mouth again, kissing her as if he meant to inhale her. When he finally lifted his head, she could barely breathe, never mind think.

  “Well?”

  Her body throbbing with desire, she stared up at him. “Well what?”

  “Give me a better phrase than ‘worked things out.’ Come on,” he teased. “That kiss was meant as inspiration.”

  Dazedly, she realized they still sat on the side of the road with cars driving past. “Oh, I can think of a few phrases. But none of them are something I’d say around your niece.”

  He laughed again. “Let me.” She loved the new tenderness in his voice and in his gaze when he looked at her. “I could admit my love and how I finally faced my insecurities.”

  “How about we keep it simple,” she said, unable to keep from smiling. “Just tell her you proposed and I accepted.”

  “Perfect!” he crowed, kissing her one last time before buckling back up and pulling out onto the road. “We also need to pop in and see Ms. Berens. She’s being moved into a rehabilitation facility tomorrow. She’ll be thrilled.”

  Touched, Piper nodded. “I really like her.”

  “She likes you, too.”

  “You know, I almost feel like pinching myself to make sure all this is real,” she told Cord. “And I’m not usually like that. But to be honest with you, I was confident with the way things were going before. You breaking it off came out of the blue. I can’t help but feel like it could happen again.”

  He reached over and put his hand on top of hers. “I promise you, I won’t make that mistake again. No one—not Fowler or Eldridge or anyone—can come between us.”

  His words released the last bit of tension she’d been carrying.

  When they pulled up to Cord’s place, Renee’s car was there. “She’s home,” Piper exclaimed. “I’m so glad. I didn’t want to wait to tell her.”

  They found her in the kitchen, hunched over her sketchbook, pencil in hand. She looked up and did a double take. “Piper?” she asked, looking from one to the other. “What’s going on?”

  She squealed when they told her. “Group hug!” she exclaimed, holding her arms out wide.

  As they moved in, she wrapped them tight and held on. Heart full, Piper knew this was where she belonged, forever and always.

  Hearing her voice, Truman came barreling around the corner, leaping at her, spinning circles and crying.

  “I swear he’s grinning,” Cord pointed out. “He’s been moping around here ever since you left.”

  “My sweet boy,” Piper crooned, dropping to her haunches to better love on the dog. “This is the second time I’ve disappeared on you. I promise you, I won’t do that again.”

  Truman let out a woof, as if he understood.

  Later, over a fresh baked pan of brownies topped with Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream, Renee finally shared her news with Cord.

  “That’s fabulous,” he said, jumping up to plant a kiss on the top of her head.

  “I know it won’t be easy to pay for this.” She bit her lip, a nervous gesture. “But I’ve been looking into grants and scholarships and I think I’ve figured out a way to help cover part of the cost.”

  “We’ll do it together,” Cord promised fiercely. “I don’t want you to worry about that. I’ve been getting my business back together and Piper’s going to start her own. Between the two of us, we’ll manage.”

  Piper stared. “I... How... I mean, yes, I had planned to eventually open a store and sell my repurposed furniture, but I...”

  “No excuses.” Moving around the table to her, he kissed her on the lips. He tasted of brownie and vanilla ice cream. “We’re going for the gusto, aren’t we?”

  “Well, yes. But—”

  “No buts.” Then he sweetened the deal. “You can even take Truman to work with you every day. He’ll love that.”

  Truman woofed again, staring up at Piper with adoration shining from his big brown eyes.

  Piper laughed and held up her hand. “I surrender. But I was trying to tell you I thought I’d help out in your office until you could afford to hire someone.”

  “Were you?” He winked, grinning. “But that’s going to be Renee’s job, at least until she goes away to college.”

  “What?” Renee’s mouth fell open. “But I bartend.”

  “And you still can, at night. I only need someone part-time, a few hours a day. Do you think you’d be up for that?”

  Watching, Piper loved Cord even more. She hoped Renee understood this was his way of making an effort to include her in more of his life.

  “I think that’d be fun,” Renee said, still hesitant. “But I don’t have any office experience.”

  “I’ll teach you,” Piper put in. “It’s mostly answering the phones and handling billing, I’d think.”

  “And filing,” Cord added. “You can’t forget about the filing. There’s quite a bit of filing that’s piled up.”

  Renee nodded. “I’m sure I can file with the best of them.”

  Cord glanced at his watch. “We’d better get going,” he said. “I nearly forgot we were going to swing by the hospital and visit Ms. Berens.”

  Renee gasped. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve got to get ready for work.” Jumping up, she dashed to her room.

  “Let’s go.” Reed took Piper’s arm. “Tomorrow we’ll head into Dallas and pick you out a ring.”

  “Nothing extravagant,” she said. “I’m not much for big and flashy. My tastes run to more bohemian and quirky.”

  Grinning, he kissed her, leaving her breathless. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  At the hospital, they found Ms. Berens sitting up in bed, watching TV. “Well, lookie what t
he wind blew in,” she exclaimed, muting the volume. “I’m so happy to see you both came this time.”

  “We did, and we have some news. She and I are engaged to be married.”

  “How delightful!” She beckoned Piper closer, holding out her hand. “Where’s your ring, honey?”

  Piper grinned. “We’re going to pick one out tomorrow.”

  They chatted with the elderly woman for a few minutes. The effort to make conversation clearly wore her out, and when her eyes began drifting closed, they said good-night and left. Of course she made them promise to come see her in “the rehab place,” as she called it.

  Full darkness had fallen when they walked outside.

  “What now?” Cord asked. “The night’s still young. Do you want to go somewhere and have a drink?”

  “Sounds great. I don’t care where. Just someplace relatively quiet.”

  As they drove around downtown Terrell, Piper went pensive, amazed how so much could change in such a short period of time. “I can’t believe we’re actually engaged,” she said, speaking her thoughts out loud.

  “Are you going to tell your family?” Cord asked, appearing only mildly curious. “As far as I’m concerned, our life would be better without the whole lot of them.”

  “Cord!” Piper protested. “As crazy as they might be, they’re the only family I have. And I love them. Of course we’re going to tell them.”

  “When?” he asked. “How about now?” She flashed him a grin. “Instead of getting a drink, let’s swing by the ranch. I double dog dare you.”

  To her surprise, he called her bluff. “Let’s go.”

  She thought about confessing the truth—that she’d only been teasing. She wasn’t actually ready, but then, when would she ever be? “Might as well get it over with.”

  “My sentiments exactly.”

  The closer they got to Colton Valley Ranch, the more anxious she got. When they turned into the long drive, Cord glanced at her. “Where should I park?”

  “There’s a circular drive. Anywhere there’s a space is fine.”

  Once he’d parked and killed the engine, he smiled at her. “Nervous?”

  She nodded.

  “Don’t be.” He hauled her up against him and kissed her thoroughly. When they finally broke apart, she had to catch her breath.

  Once she’d gotten out of the truck, he took her hand.

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Piper asked, unable to keep from smiling, drawing strength from his touch. As long as he had her hand clasped securely in his, she thought she could face anyone, even Marceline, Whitney and Fowler.

  At the front door, Piper wasn’t sure whether to knock or simply walk in, as she’d done when she’d lived there. Deciding, she turned the ornate handle, unsurprised to find it unlocked. “Here we go,” she said.

  Inside, their footsteps echoed on the marble floor. The two-sided, impressively curved staircase that led up to the second floor was also empty.

  “Is anyone home?” Cord asked quietly. “At the very least, I expected to see a bunch of servants bustling around.”

  Piper laughed. “Oh, they are, just not out here. Let’s go to the kitchen. If we can’t find anyone there, I’ll call and let Whitney know I’m home.”

  As if saying the name had summoned her, Whitney Colton appeared at the top of the landing. “Piper!” she squealed. Rushing down the stairs, her high heels clattering, she made a beeline for Piper, wrapping her in a strong perfume-scented hug. “Darling, I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you.”

  To Piper’s surprise, her own eyes misted up a bit. Once Whitney released her, she patted down her perfectly coiffed blond hair. Narrowing her eyes, she looked Piper over. “What on earth did you do to your hair?” Without waiting for an answer, she turned to Cord, batting her false eyelashes. “And you are?”

  Piper answered instead. “Whitney, this is Cord Maxwell, my fiancé.”

  “Your what?” Dangling diamond earrings swinging, she turned from Piper to Cord, then back again. “When did this happen?”

  “Fairly recently,” Cord put in smoothly. “We wanted to come by and tell you the news ourselves.”

  “And I’m very thankful that you did, young man. First Fowler and Tiffany get engaged, and now you. Maybe we can make the engagement party a combination celebration.”

  Fowler would hate that. “No, that’s okay. We don’t really need a party,” Piper said.

  Pursing her red painted lips, Whitney sighed. “At least promise me you’ll invite the family to the wedding.”

  “If we don’t elope—which is a very real possibility—we definitely will invite everyone.” Piper winked at Cord behind Whitney’s back. “Is anyone else home?”

  For a second Whitney appeared confused, frowning as if she didn’t understand the question. Then, she sighed. “No one is here but me. Fowler and Tiffany went out, Reid’s off somewhere with his friends, and I’m not sure about the others. Lately, they’ve all been making it a habit to disappear at night. They don’t understand how lost I am without my Dridgey-pooh.”

  Somehow, Piper refrained from wincing. “I’m sorry.”

  “But you’re here.” Whitney brightened. “Come into the study and have a drink. We need to visit so I can catch you up on everything.”

  “I wish we could,” Piper replied quickly. “But we have to run. Tell everyone our news and we’ll catch up with them later, okay?”

  As Whitney opened her mouth to respond, her cell phone rang. “It’s Marceline,” she said. “Just wait until I tell her your news. She’s going to be so jealous. Drive safely.” Answering the call, she wiggled her fingers in a goodbye wave.

  Once outside, Piper exhaled. “Whew. Saved by the phone. I’m glad that’s over.”

  “She really didn’t seem to mind that we were leaving,” Cord commented.

  “Nope. She was more interested in stirring things up with Marceline.”

  “You’re not really going to let Whitney tell everyone you’re engaged, are you? I think your siblings need to hear it from you.”

  “And they will. I’m going to start making calls while you drive.” Raising up on her toes, she kissed him. “Take me home, my love. I need to have a chat with Truman.”

  He laughed. “You and that dog.”

  “I have to tell him I’m never leaving him again. He was very upset with me after I was gone so long.”

  “As was I,” he said, pulling her close. “One more kiss before we get on the road.”

  Putting her arms around his neck, she gave him all she had. When they broke apart, both breathing hard and grinning like fools, he unlocked the truck. “Let’s go. And before you start making those calls, I wouldn’t mind hearing what exactly you’re planning to say to my dog.”

  After climbing up in her seat and securing her seat belt, she faced him and smiled. “Just the same thing I told his owner. I love you and I promise to stay with you until death do us part.”

  She swore his eyes got a bit shiny hearing that. “Right back atcha, my love,” he said. “Right back atcha.”

  *

  Don’t miss the final book in

  THE COLTONS OF TEXAS series,

  COLTON CHRISTMAS PROTECTOR

  by Beth Cornelison,

  available December 2016

  from Harlequin Romantic Suspense.

  And if you loved this novel,

  don’t miss the other thrilling titles in

  THE COLTONS OF TEXAS miniseries,

  available now from Harlequin Romantic Suspense!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from OPERATION SOLDIER NEXT DOOR by Justine Davis

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  Operation Soldier Next Door

  by Justine Davis

  Chapter 1

  Hayley Foxworth lay in the darkness of a quiet night, considering waking her husband after a particularly heated dream. The bedside clock read 4:00 a.m. This time of year, late spring, the sun would soon begin to brighten the sky, and then it would clear the Cascades and spill golden light across the waters of Puget Sound. And he would wake on his own. He never could sleep much past sunrise, anyway, whatever time of year it was.

  She didn’t mind. Quinn was a complex man, but the core of him never changed; he loved her, and he would always do what he thought was right. Not much more a woman could ask for, she thought as she turned on her side to snuggle up behind him, savoring his heat even on this relatively warm night. He—

  A blast shattered the quiet.

  Two things happened simultaneously. Her husband bolted upright, instantly awake and alert. And their dog, Cutter, did the same, erupting into a cacophony of barking.