by Mary Leo
She touched Colt’s arm and could feel his tension. “Relax, I’ve got this.”
Colt let out a frustrated sigh as she hesitated behind the trailer making sure everything on the inside was in perfect order. Before she walked Tater up the ramp, she checked that all the windows were open, there was nothing loose or protruding from the walls, that Milo had dropped some of Tater’s favorite hay where he could get at it, which he had, and that the wooden floor looked good and solid.
“It’s brand-new,” Colt told her, looking all proud of his rig. “Had it installed just last week. Only the best for Tater. That’s a promise.”
“Thanks,” she told him and led Tater in on the left side behind the driver, his hooves clacking on the wood. Colt secured the butt strap and closed the back door while she gave Tater a kiss and left through the open forward escape door, securing it behind her after she exited.
She had planned on going with Colt to make sure Tater liked his new home, but when it came time for her to jump into the passenger seat, she couldn’t do it.
“Is it okay if I come over later?” she asked while looking at Colt sitting behind the wheel. “I’ll meet you at Pauline’s Pumpkin Patch. Will that be all right?”
“Sure. I’ll get him settled in. You take your time. I’ll take the boys on over around four-thirty. They take a long time to pick out their pumpkins,” he told her, looking sympathetic. “And don’t be worrying none about Tater. He’s going to love it on our ranch. It’ll be just like going home for him.”
“I know,” she said as Milo came up beside her.
“Take good care of that there horse,” Milo warned with a gruff voice as if Colt had better abide by his warning.
Colt nodded, turned the engine over and drove off the property with a plume of dust billowing up behind him.
Helen’s already queasy stomach tightened, her baby moved and she touched the spot on her large tummy, mentally telling her child how much she loved him...or her.
When Colt was gone from view, Milo turned to her, saying, “Now, you listen up, Helen Shaw.” She turned to face him, worried that he was going to lay into her for something or tell her once again how he could take care of Tater just fine.
“Be gentle,” she warned him. “I’m fragile and could easily break.”
“Not possible. You’re solid. Always have been. Always will be.”
“I’ll try and remember that when my hormones tell me I’m mush.”
“Hormones or not, this is what’s gonna happen. Are you ready?”
She took a deep breath, stood tall and waited for his best shot, fearing the ultimatum she was sure was coming. “Go for it.”
“You’re gonna open up that there riding school now instead of waiting until you retire, and I’m gonna help. I’ve been needin’ something to dig my teeth into, and reopening the Miltons’ school seems like just the thing for both of us. I don’t wanna hear no sass. Just give me some numbers on how much it’s gonna cost to get that M & M school up and running ’cause I’m ready to do some business and I’m not taking no for an answer. Do we have ourselves a deal?”
He stuck out his hand.
She gazed at her hulk of a cousin with the heart as big as the universe who always seemed to know exactly what she needed at any given moment and she grinned. Her sweet baby moved again as if spurring her on.
She paused to consider what Colt would think about this idea. Would he find a reason to counsel her against it, or better still she wondered if he’d like to be a part of it, help her run it?
Then reason returned and she knew without a doubt that the Granger ranch was in his blood, part of his DNA, and anything that might dilute that connection had no place in his life.
Helen had to think of her baby now, of making enough money to take care of herself and her child without having to depend on anyone.
Not even Colt.
Without any further hesitation she took Milo’s hefty hand in hers. “Cousin, we’ve got ourselves a deal.”
* * *
PAULINE’S PUMPKIN PATCH took up several acres of land about a mile north of town. It was the best and only place to find your perfect holiday pumpkin if you lived anywhere in the Teton Valley. Colt took in a deep breath as he sauntered through the colorful leaves that rolled along the ground. There were pumpkins everywhere—on top of stacks of hay, inside wheelbarrows, on tables and stacked on the ground. The air was crisp, the sun hung low in the sky and the trees had a sort of burnt orange glow that reflected off the surrounding barns and stables. What he liked best about Pauline’s Pumpkin Patch was that her family also harvested their own apple orchard and made the best cider around, which was served piping hot to everyone who stopped by. The whole experience of Pauline’s was one of those traditions that Colt enjoyed sharing with his family, which he hoped would include Helen and their baby in the coming years.
Colt loved this time of year. The crop was in, and it had been a good, profitable one, assuring that the ranch would thrive for yet another year thanks to all their hard work. The livestock was calving with few issues, and so far both mothers and calves seemed healthy, which meant Dodge would have a good showing to sell come next fall. Colt expected a loss during the harsh winter months, but with Travis running the show, and their capable ranch hands looking out for the animals, Colt felt certain most all the calves would survive.
Plus, after giving the consortium all the specifications and details on all the parcels of land he’d looked at, they’d decided to put an offer on the M & M Riding School for the new storage facility. Colt had to admit, he was feeling a little guilty about it after learning Helen’s feelings on that piece of property, but it was the best place to build the storage facility. He had to think about the practicality of the business deal and not Helen’s emotional ties to the place.
The family lawyer had drawn up the necessary paperwork and everyone had signed it. All that was left to do was to present it to the Miltons, which he would do in the next few days. The way Colt had it figured, next year at this time, the facility would be up and running, and he could rest easy.
Everyone in the Granger family was now hunting for their perfect pumpkin, even Helen. Then later that night, they’d carve their picks at the main house on the Granger ranch. The kids always loved it, but Colt knew the truth of the matter.
The adults loved it even more.
They held a contest, and the best kid’s pumpkin carving would get their pumpkin displayed in a prime location on the ranch house porch. The best adult’s pumpkin would be showcased in the front window. Dodge had started the tradition when Colt and his brothers were no more than ankle high to a June bug and this years’ competition would be no exception.
But at the moment, Colt had a difficult time caring about anything as long as he held Helen in his arms.
“How about if you and me sneak off for about an hour?” Colt whispered in Helen’s ear.
His boys had run off to scope out their pumpkins, leaving him and Helen alone for a moment standing in the middle of a field of hundreds of bright orange pumpkins. The blue ribbon winner of the largest pumpkin in the county sat in the back of Pauline’s sixty-year-old pink pickup truck parked directly in front of them. This year Pauline’s winning pumpkin had weighed in at just over five hundred pounds and drew in fans from as far away as Cody, Wyoming, just to see it.
He pulled her in close. The scent of her ruby hair mingled with the clean scent of the fall air and more than anything Colt wanted to load her up in his SUV, drive home and make love to her slow and easy, all night long.
He was falling hard for this woman who knew exactly how to comfort Joey when he was sick, who could keep up with his boys at a piglet race, who didn’t get riled when Gavin was caught in a claw machine, who refused to give up on her dreams and who could make the best hot cocoa this side of the Rockies. Falling f
or the way she cried for just about anything, and falling for the way she gave herself to him in bed, as if he was the only man in the world she wanted to be with.
She gave him a sly little grin. “You’re bad. We can’t leave. What about your boys, and your dad and Granger tradition? Aren’t we supposed to be picking out pumpkins?”
“Let’s you and me start our own tradition. Besides, I think Dodge is too caught up in Edith to care about traditions.”
They glanced over at Dodge as he poured hot cider in a paper cup for Edith, completely smitten by the woman, hardly paying attention to anyone or anything else.
“What do you say, babe? My place is only a few minutes from here.”
It was the first time he’d called her babe. It felt good. He felt good, good about her, their baby, his boys and life in general. Maybe it was because she’d trusted him with Tater and he felt as though some barrier between them had lifted. That she could depend on him to help her and he’d be there for her. He knew that was a big step for Helen, who prided herself on her independence.
“Colt, I’ve got something I want to run past you first.”
“No need to run past me, darling, I’m standing right here.”
A luscious warm smile creased her lips. “This is important, Colt. I want to tell you what I’ve decided to do. It’s something I think will benefit both of us, and your boys, and our baby.”
“Can it wait until later?” He brushed her lips with a kiss. She tasted sweet and he wanted more, but she pulled back and he let go of his hold on her.
“Are you this persistent with all your other girlfriends?”
“There are no other girlfriends, only you.”
“What about Lana, and Jenny Pickens?”
He looked into her eyes. “You can’t be serious? You know those women don’t mean anything to me. They were dates my brothers worked up for me. Nothing more. I only want to be with you. You’re the only one I care about.”
She moved away from him, but kept holding his hand. “You sound serious.”
“I am.”
She shifted from one leg to the other as he waited for her to tell him she was serious, as well. That she was ready to take their relationship to the next level. He leaned in closer so he could easily kiss her when she told him how much she cared about him.
He waited to hear the words.
Closed his eyes in anticipation.
Then she said, “Colt, I’ve got to find the ladies’ room.”
And she ran off to Pauline’s Inn, a soft yellow, two-story Victorian nestled in the midst of the pumpkin patch. He watched as she made her way up the front steps. She wore a long blue dress that hit her Justin boots exactly right and showed off her baby bump. Her hair was pulled back off her face and caressed her shoulders and back. She looked prettier than a full moon in a black sky, especially with her sweet belly filling out the front of her dress.
He had to admit that he loved watching her, loved the curve of her face, and the way that ruby hair of hers looked like crimson silk in the sun’s evening glow. He loved the lilt of her voice, the smile on her lips, but most of all he loved her fiery ways. He recalled how when they were in first grade together, on one exceptionally cold day when he was trying his best to keep warm out in the school yard, she’d flung a snowball at him that nearly knocked him silly. All his friends made fun of him for not lobbing one back, but he knew even then he’d never win the battle. She always could take aim and hit her mark, probably why she was so dang good at shooting while on horseback.
Back then, he’d admired her arm.
Now he admired her downright audacity.
* * *
WHEN HELEN ENTERED the cinnamon-scented lobby she spotted Travis and Gavin in the dining room, mulling around a long table set with fine china and white linen. She hesitated near the oak front desk, speculating about what they were doing inside the inn instead of picking pumpkins with everyone else.
June Butler, Pauline’s oldest daughter, looked up from behind the desk and smiled, revealing her beautifully whitened teeth. She figured those pearly whites must be due to Colt’s brother Doc Blake and his expert hands. He was the town’s only pediatric dentist but most grown women didn’t want to give him up just because they were over eighteen. They’d get a crush on him when they were young, and couldn’t seem to get over it when they grew into women.
“Did you need something, Helen?” she asked in a sweet, helpful voice.
“Yes, a bathroom.”
June pointed the way and Helen took care of business. Ten minutes later, she was coming back through the lobby when Gavin ran out of the empty dining room, boots pounding across the wooden floor, weaving in between the overstuffed chairs and sofa, hair combed neatly to one side, wearing new jeans and a crisp green shirt while he smiled from ear to ear. It was the first time she’d seen him so animated in days.
“Are you in on the secret, too?” he asked, his breath hitching with excitement.
He caught her completely off guard and she didn’t quite know how to react. “I, um, no, but if you tell me what it is, I won’t tell anyone.”
Travis came wandering out of the dining room behind him, grinning at Helen. Gavin turned to his uncle. “Can I tell her, please? I’m all itchy and I can’t stand it.”
He scratched his belly and his neck and wiggled his lower body. He looked so cute Helen wanted to take him in her arms and give him a tight hug. Despite knowing he was a handful, she’d grown to love this little guy. She loved all three of Colt’s boys more than she ever thought possible.
“Sure. It won’t be a secret for very long now, anyway,” Travis said as he nodded and gazed at Helen. He wore one of those sly little grins all the Granger brothers shared.
“I’ll go check on the family,” he said and moseyed out the front door, leaving her alone with Gavin.
“Grandpa asked Mrs. Abernathy to marry him, and she said yes. Now we’re having a party to celebrate it right over there in that room.” He turned and pointed, then turned back to Helen. “The dessert looks like a great big pumpkin, but don’t let it fool ya, ’cause Pauline told me it has chocolate cake inside. She didn’t tell me how she got it in there, but it looks real good.”
Helen was taken by complete surprise. Edith and Dodge were getting married? She had no clue about that one. She wondered how they ever managed to keep it a secret.
“And I suppose the party is starting soon?”
He nodded. “Just as soon as Grandpa can round everybody up.”
“That may take a while. Did you pick out your pumpkin?”
“Not yet. I can’t find the one I want. Did you pick yours?”
She shook her head. “No. Maybe we could look for them together after the dinner.”
“You’d do that with me?”
“Of course I would. Why would you think I wouldn’t?”
He gazed down at the floor. “Because I get into a lot of trouble all the time. I don’t mean to, honest.” He shrugged. “It just sorta happens.”
“Let me tell you a secret. When I was your age I used to get into a lot of trouble, as well.”
“You did?”
“Yes. One time I accidentally spilled a whole bottle of bleach into the washer with all my school clothes and they were ruined. My mom had to buy me an entire new wardrobe.”
“I bet she was real mad.”
“She was, but something good came out of it. I didn’t like those other clothes anyway. They belonged to some of my cousins and they were all too big.”
“Did some of them belong to Milo?”
She laughed. “As a matter of fact, yes, some of them did.”
He leaned in closer. “I would’ve spilled the bleach, too.”
She tickled his belly. “You’re such a little rascal.”
/> And she couldn’t help but laugh some more.
“I’m glad you’re going to be our new mother. You’re fun.”
The statement took Helen by surprise.
“Whatever gave you that idea? Your dad and I aren’t getting married.”
His little face wrinkled. “Why? Did he do something bad?”
With his question, her heart broke into a million pieces. “Your dad could never do anything bad. He’s the nicest, most honest man I know.”
“Then why won’t you marry him?”
“We’re not ready to get married. Besides, he hasn’t asked me to.”
He was clearly thinking about that as he tilted his head to one side and said, “But if he asked, would you?”
“Getting married is a big step. I’d have to think about it first.”
“Could you think fast?”
Helen believed she and Colt weren’t anywhere near seriously thinking about getting married, so she was pretty safe answering Gavin’s question.
“Sure. If your dad asks me to marry him, I’ll give him an answer right away.”
“Sweet!”
“But all this talk of marriage has to be our secret, okay?”
“I won’t tell anybody, I promise. But he better ask you pretty soon, ’cause I can’t be trusted with a secret for too long. It makes me itchy.”
And as he said it, the double doors opened and the entire Granger clan walked in sounding as if the party had already begun. Their voices filled the room as the kids squealed and ran into the dining room, boots pounding on the wooden floor and reverberating off the walls. The Grangers certainly were a dominant presence and she was thrilled she would soon be part of the family.
Helen spotted Colt in the back of the group, holding on to Scout’s hand. Blake, Maggie, Dodge and Mrs. Abernathy filed past Helen in a rush of excitement. When Colt let go of Scout, the girl hurried into the dining room in an explosion of excitement, her pink cowgirl boots clicking on the floor. Scout rarely went anywhere without her pink boots. Helen preferred tan, black or grey, even for a child, especially a girl. She never could understand the attraction some little girls had to pink. When she was a kid, she liked black or maybe a touch of purple, but never pink.