Colt shifted uncomfortably and looked away, but when he glanced back, the child’s attention was still planted on him. She bounced in her dad’s hold and yelped.
Dominic leaned back and smiled. “You want to visit with Colt a minute?”
Aw, hell. Colt didn’t know the first thing about holding a baby. He froze as Grace’s tiny hand stretched toward him, her fingers grasping for his arm.
“How ’bout it, Colt?” Dominic asked, leaning with Grace as she reached for him.
Colt held up a hand and shook his head. “Nah. I don’t want—”
Grace cut him off, yelping in frustration and straining harder to grab his arm. Her face contorted.
Colt cringed. He knew that look. Temper tantrum time.
“Come on, man,” Dominic said, laughing. “She just wants to get to know you, that’s all.”
Grace held her breath, her cheeks almost turning purple.
“All right,” Colt grunted. “But just for a minute.”
Dominic transferred Grace to Colt’s arms, the toddler’s bottom settling in the crook of his elbow, her hands grabbing hunks of his shirt.
She stared at him again. Silently. Her rapid breaths puffing in and out of her rosebud mouth.
“Hey,” Colt whispered.
Grace smiled, baby teeth on full display.
“Say hi to Mr. Colt,” Dominic directed, grinning.
“Hi, Col’,” Grace said.
Colt’s mouth twitched as Grace released his shirt then patted his cheeks. She leaned in and hugged his neck, the light scent of baby shampoo releasing with her movements.
A wave of warmth flooded Colt’s chest and he squeezed her gently in return.
Grace lifted her head and chortled up at him, her bright eyes shining.
“She’s got a beautiful laugh,” Colt said.
A hand clapped his back. “Just one of those makes all the struggles of being a parent worth it,” Dominic said. “As soon as you hear it, you forget whatever frustrations came before. That’s another benefit to hanging around here. You’re able to spend quality time with people you care about. Time that’s not squeezed in between eight-second intervals and weeks of driving.”
Grace bounced and babbled, jostling Colt’s arms and pointing.
Colt smiled as he wound a finger in one of her raven curls, the softness of it reminding him so much of Margaret’s. “What is it?”
“I think she wants me,” Jen said, her long legs carrying her gracefully to his side.
Colt swallowed hard. I can understand that. He tore his eyes from Jen’s shapely figure and caught a glimpse of Diamond being led off by a stable hand. “You finished for the day?” he asked, his hopes resurfacing.
Maybe there’d still be a chance for him to coax her into a talk, after all.
She shrugged and drew closer, rubbing a hand over Grace’s back. “I had a lot more planned, but someone,” she teased, tapping the little girl’s nose, “broke our concentration.”
Grace babbled in a high-pitched voice and threw her arms out, grabbing for Jen.
Jen tugged her gently from Colt’s arms, then settled the baby on her hip. “Just what are we gonna do with you, gorgeous?” She shook her head. “You’re a handful and a half.”
“Tell me about it,” Dominic said, his voice tinged with amusement.
Jen lifted Grace in the air and blew raspberries against her belly, causing the baby’s laughter to escalate into breathless squeals.
“Oh, I forgive you,” Jen said, settling her back on her hip and kissing her rosy cheeks.
Colt’s smile slipped. It was a breathtaking sight, Jen cradling Grace in her arms, pressing light kisses to her face, the spring breeze billowing her hair out in fiery waves around them.
A tingle started in Colt’s middle and traveled upward, heating his chest and making his eyes heavy.
He’d never imagined it before. What a child would look like in Jen’s arms.
Oh, he’d known it’d be a given one day. Jen was a keeper. The kind of woman you married and stayed committed to for a lifetime. And a man would be a fool if he didn’t want her carrying his baby at some point along the way.
But the thought of Jen having another man’s child hit Colt hard in the gut, causing him to suck in a breath between clenched teeth. For some reason, the possibility no longer sat right with him, and it sure as hell didn’t fit the images he had in his mind. The ones that had formed the moment Jen bent to cuddle Grace.
The vision of a little boy with red hair just as bright and vibrant as Jen’s, his personality as charming and feisty as hers, and blue eyes the same shade as—
Colt stilled, the realization fully forming. Blue eyes the same shade as his own. The child’s entire makeup a perfect blend of his and Jen’s best attributes, inside and out.
“Ah, here come the rest of the rascals now,” Dominic said, tipping his chin toward the driveway. “Told you everything was fine.”
Colt tore his eyes away from Jen, grateful for the distraction.
A large truck traveled slowly up the driveway, the rotating tires kicking up dust until it pulled to a stop in front of them. The passenger door opened and Kayden and Jayden sprang out of the backseat of the crew cab. Margaret exited next and her eyes were as bright as her smile.
“Guess what, Mr. Colt?” Kayden asked, bounding to his side. “The Grangers had a basketball hoop so it was a pool and basketball party.” He paused, rubbing at his eyes as the dusty wind pushed him back on his heels for a moment. “We did one of those scrummage things.”
“You mean scrimmage?” Colt asked, biting back a laugh.
“Yeah, that.” Kayden waved away the correction, then punctuated the air with his hand. “But the thing is, it was mostly boys, right? ’Cause—”
“’Cause the girls didn’t want to play,” Jayden said, moving to his brother’s side.
“Yeah, the girls didn’t want to play,” Kayden added. “None of ’em except—”
“Margaret,” Jayden said. “Margaret was the only girl at the pool party that played—”
“Oh, hush up, Jayden.” Kayden stamped his foot. “I’m telling it, okay?”
“All right, all right.” His twin made a face, then bounded off toward the front of the truck.
Kayden smirked, shaking his head. “Anyways, Margaret was the only girl that played. And guess what?” He paused for emphasis, brows raising and mouth widening. “She made every shot she took and whopped every one of the boys.” He hesitated, frowning, then straightened. “’Cept for me and Jayden. She didn’t beat us.”
“Yes, I did,” Margaret said, her smile stretching from ear to ear. “I scored seventeen more points than both of you.”
Kayden rolled his eyes and shrugged. “All right. She made more baskets than us. But she wasn’t as fast as we were. And she didn’t steal the ball as much as we did.”
Margaret cocked her head to the side. “That’s true.”
Colt laughed and squeezed his sister’s shoulder. “That’s fantastic, Margaret. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” She blushed, then skipped past him to greet Jen and coo up at Grace.
A door slammed on the truck and Logan ambled around to the other side, Jayden following close at his heels.
“So can we, Uncle Logan?” the boy pleaded. “It’s windy enough today.”
“Well, I suppose one early birthday gift wouldn’t hurt,” Logan said, grinning.
A tall, raven-haired woman slid out from the front passenger seat and ruffled Jayden’s blond hair. “The kites were supposed to be a surprise. I bought them in town for the boys’ birthday before we went to pick them up, and thought I’d hidden them pretty well.” She laughed, glancing at Colt. “But I guess I didn’t do as good a job as I thought.”
“Their birthday’s tomorrow, babe,” Logan said, kissing his wife’s neck as he eased around her to reach into the cab. “And today’s as good a day as any.”
“Oh, all right.” Amy’s expression warmed as Logan emerged from the cab with a dark-haired baby in his arms.
Colt smiled. Dominic had told him that Logan and Amy had reconciled some time ago after a prolonged separation, and had had a child. Judging from the warm glances they exchanged over the smiling boy in Logan’s arms, and the closeness they’d displayed since Colt’s arrival, he could tell they were happy and very much in love.
They’d created the same kind of strong family Dominic and Cissy had made. The kind Colt found himself admiring more with each passing day at Raintree.
“Well,” Logan said, cupping a broad palm against the baby’s cheek to block the wind. “If we’re gonna do this, we better get this show on the road while the breeze is still blowing.”
Margaret, Kayden and Jayden squealed. They huddled together and pointed to various areas of a nearby field, each laying claim to a corner. Colt lowered the tailgate of the truck and he and Dominic unpacked the kites.
The women chatted and laughed, Cissy and Gwen having joined the group, and it wasn’t long before Jen held baby Ethan on her hip with one arm and wrapped the other one around Grace, who clung to her leg. The babies giggled and bounced in Jen’s embrace, basking in her attention.
Colt’s eyes hovered on Jen, that warm buzz returning to his middle and heating his face. The feeling, though pleasant, unsettled him. He’d never imagined being this at ease surrounded by babies and kids. But the comforting family atmosphere made him long for children of his own and led him to imagine new possibilities. Ones that would allow him to provide the support Margaret needed but also enable him to build a real relationship with Jen.
The notion made him reconsider Dominic’s offer. And it also spurred thoughts of a different kind of partnership.
One that had nothing to do with Dominic’s business venture but everything to do with Jen.
* * *
“DON’T LET IT get away!”
A laugh burst from Jen’s chest, her lungs aching as she gasped for air and kept her eyes glued to the white string flicking through the lush blades of grass. She pumped her legs harder, running faster across the field and casting occasional looks at the colorful parafoil kite whisking higher into the blue sky. Colt’s and Margaret’s boots made swishing sounds through the grass behind her as they struggled to catch the runaway toy.
“We can’t let it get away,” Margaret squealed again.
Her voice faded more with each of Jen’s sprinting steps. Jen pried her attention away from the string long enough to glance back at Colt. He nipped at her heels, but his breath wasn’t coming half as fast as hers. And his grin had a smug tilt to it.
She faced forward again and sped up, ignoring the desire pooling in her belly, and focusing on the burning sensation in her thighs instead.
“Watch out, Jen!”
Colt’s concerned tone swept across her neck, raising goose bumps that chased each other down her spine. She swung her arms faster, quickened her pace and kept tabs on the escaping kite.
“Jen.”
“Wha—”
Her heel hit a gopher hole, twisting her ankle and stealing her balance.
Colt’s caught her upper arm and pulled her, keeping her from slamming to the ground. But his feet tangled with hers and they fell, anyway, Colt landing on his back with her clutched to his side.
Jen lay winded for a moment, gasping for breath. The thin string snaked away with a whisper and the kite soared above the tree line. Each flap of its tie-dyed wings beat in time with the pounding of Colt’s heart beneath her palm, and the hard length of his thigh against hers sent a wave of heat through her.
A round of cheers echoed across the field and Jen shifted her head to the side, her cheek pressing against the grass. The Slade family waved from their position on the far side, where the boys were trying to outrun each other, their kites flapping behind them, and the adults were helping the younger ones hold on to their strings. They were all smiles and good-natured teasing.
Laughter escaped Jen. She looked back at Colt, his sexy smile shooting a delicious thrill through her. “Seems we’re the entertainment for the afternoon. And all because you were too slow.”
Colt’s broad chest shook with deep chuckles. “Now, don’t blame it on me. You’re the one that caused the wreck.” His laughter dissolved and his blue eyes darkened as they dropped to her mouth. “Jen. I wanted to—”
A strong oof erupted from Colt’s lips as a small body landed on his middle.
Margaret giggled breathlessly as she lay on him, blinking up at both of them with laughing eyes before she stated the obvious. “It got away.”
Jen’s breath stuck in her lungs at the surprised happiness on Colt’s face.
He lifted his big hands and swept his sister’s hair away from her fluttering lashes and laughing mouth. “It sure did.”
Margaret propped her chin on Colt’s chest and smiled. “Guess what? Mrs. Cissy said I can help cook supper tonight if I want to. They’re making biscuits from scratch and she said they put honey butter on them after they come out of the oven.” She glanced at Jen excitedly. “You’d like those, wouldn’t you, Ms. Jen?”
Jen nodded and avoided Colt’s eyes, the diversion coming at just the right time. “They sound delicious.”
“Will you come help make them, too?”
“Sure.” Jen held up a hand and wiggled it. “But you’re gonna have to help me up first.”
Margaret sprang to her feet and tugged at Jen until she stood. “Will you come, too, Colt?”
He sat up and brushed at the grass on his jeans. “Yep. Just as soon as I help pack up the kites.”
Margaret hesitated. “Want us to wait for you?”
“Nah.” Colt waved a hand. “Go ahead, Margaret. I’ll catch up.”
“Meg’s okay,” Margaret said.
Colt’s hand stilled over his pant leg as he glanced up. “What?”
“You know.” His sister bit her lip, her cheeks flushing. The breeze shifted a wispy curl across her face and she pushed it back. “If you still want to call me Meg, that’d be okay.”
The warmth in Colt’s blue eyes and Margaret’s shy grin caused Jen’s heart to turn over in her chest. And for a moment, she didn’t want to go inside. Or anywhere else.
She had a strong desire to remain standing in the green field between Colt and Margaret, skin heating beneath the glow of the sun and chest humming with the sweetness of the moment they shared.
Colt’s chest rose on a deep breath. “I’d like that very much, Meg,” he murmured.
Margaret’s smile returned full blast and she grabbed Jen’s hand and pulled. “Come on, Ms. Jen. Let’s go make some biscuits.”
It took about twenty minutes to gather the ingredients and mix the dough, and an additional half hour to cook them. But the frequent laughter and comforting warmth of the kitchen had Jen and Margaret staying for a lot longer. They dived into the preparations for the other dinner dishes, following the head chef’s directions to the letter. Betty, Amy’s mother, was the best cook in a ten-state radius and ran an organized kitchen. She was also a jubilant lady who gave snug hugs and kind praise for all their efforts.
It wasn’t long before Cissy, Amy and Amy’s younger sister, Traci, joined them. In two hours, they’d whipped up a spread worthy of a banquet. And by the time everyone was seated, the dining room was packed. The clink of ice in glasses and silverware against plates was steady. And so were the smiles.
The kids cha
tted nonstop about the boys’ birthday and Logan told them he’d planned an outdoor movie night to celebrate the occasion. The kids approved, releasing delighted cheers and immediately talking about preparations.
The moment was welcoming and warm, but the family atmosphere settling over the table stirred an ache in Jen’s chest. An ache that throbbed long after dinner was over and must’ve shown on her face, causing Colt’s eyes to find her several times.
After helping Betty clear the table, Jen excused herself and headed for the door. The warm night air cradled her bare arms as she made her way down the steps, the crickets’ and cicadas’ rhythmic chirps pulsing around her. She hesitated, slipping her hand in her pocket and running her thumb over the edge of her cell phone.
“Taking a walk?”
Jen glanced over her shoulder. Colt stood on the front porch, brow creasing with concern.
“Yeah,” she said, rubbing her palms over her jeans. “Thought I’d check out the old barn on the back lot. Cissy said there’s a good view from the hayloft.”
His features relaxed and he rocked back on his heels. “That sounds like a plan. Mind if I join you?” He nodded toward the house. “I’m gonna check on Meg and make sure she’s settled. Then I could grab us a beer on the way out.”
Jen smiled slightly at the way his voice lingered over Margaret’s nickname. He’d repeated it all night when he’d spoken to her, as though holding the syllable on his tongue to savor it.
“It’d give us a chance to talk.” He hesitated, voice lowering. “I was wrong about the way I left things between us and I want to hear what you think. See if we can work out a way to move forward together. I’d really like to talk, Jen.”
Jen bit her lip hard, but nodded. “Okay.” Her voice caught and she cleared her throat. “I’m gonna go ahead.”
The worried glint returned to his blue eyes, but he turned, heading back into the house and saying over his shoulder, “I’ll be right behind you.”
Jen took her time navigating the winding trail to the old barn. The moon was full and its white glow lit up the wide fields and spilled over the dirt path.
She spotted the large barn at the end of the trail, its angular shape outlined against the backdrop of stars. The spring sun had set, but the bright night sky highlighted the building and surrounding grounds with soft light.
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