by Linda Warren
Becca’s eyes shifted to the old black truck driving up to the barn. A big man got out, tall and heavyset, and staggered toward them.
“Cord Prescott,” he shouted, his words slurred. The man was obviously drunk.
“Get off my property, Bates,” Cord shouted back.
Gus immediately got between the two men. Luckily Nicki was busy riding. “You’d better get outta here, Joe,” Gus said.
“Not until I say what I come to say,” the man snarled.
“I spent six months in jail because of you, Prescott, and it’s time you got what’s comin’ to you.”
Cord walked closer. “You spent time in jail because you rustled Triple Creek cattle. That was your decision, not mine.”
“You didn’t have to press charges. I’d have paid you back.”
“With what?” Cord muttered. “You were down on your luck because of your gambling and drinking. Besides, a cattle rustler is a disease to ranchers and you got what you deserved. Now get off this property before I call the sheriff.”
“You bastard,” the man yelled, stumbling to his truck. “I’ll get even, Cord. I swear. You’ll get what you deserve. Just wait and see.”
“Is that a threat?”
The man laughed as he got into the truck and fired the engine. In a second he was roaring away from the barn.
“Forget it,” Gus said. “He’s just drunk.”
Cord gazed after the truck. “Maybe, but I’ll still let the sheriff know he was here.” He shrugged. “If nothing else, he should be taken off the road, drunk as he is.”
“Daddy, Daddy, watch me,” Nicki called then, and Cord turned back to his daughter.
“Who was that?” Becca asked Della.
“Joe Bates,” Della replied. “He used to work here until Cord caught him stealing cattle at night. I didn’t know he was out of jail.”
“He seems…dangerous,” Becca said, rubbing the goose bumps on her arms.
“He is, and I hope the sheriff keeps him away from here.”
THE REST OF THE DAY was spent watching Nicki ride. Cord didn’t offer to teach Becca, and when he and Nicki went farther into the pasture, she walked back to the house feeling oddly left out. She thought maybe it was time to go home to Houston. She’d done everything she could here; Nicki would be fine without her. That thought did not make her happy.
She called her parents and talked to them and Scotty. Then she called Rose and Owen and Grandpa George. Her parents were planning a family trip to Rockport and wanted her to go, but she hesitated. She needed more time. Time for what, she had no idea. But it felt good to talk to everyone. The conversations confirmed that this was what she needed—time away to appreciate everything she had.
Becca sat on the patio reading medical journals she’d put aside. Her eyes kept straying to the valley below hoping for a glimpse of Cord and Nicki. She was glad Nicki was spending this morning with Cord. She just wished she didn’t feel so alone. She thought about Joe Bates and wondered if he meant to harm Cord. The mere possibility sent chills through her body, and she knew her feelings for Cord were getting stronger and stronger. She didn’t understand it, since he rebuffed her at every turn.
That evening, they all had supper in the kitchen. It was the meal they should’ve had last night. Everyone was laughing and talking, and Nicki was the center of attention, chatting on and on about her day. No one seemed to care that Blanche wasn’t with them. But Becca did. She was part of this family and needed to be there. Becca knew that was strictly her own opinion. Blanche would not thank her for interfering, so she decided to stay out of it. Besides, she planned to leave soon, and it didn’t concern her.
Later, Cord and Gus retired to the den, and Becca could hear them talking about the price of cattle, the delivery of grain and a pasture of coastal that needed cutting. After she, Della and Edie had cleaned up the kitchen, they joined the men. Nicki was curled up in Cord’s lap, listening as if she understood every word.
Cord tried to focus on what Gus was saying, but he was having a hard time, since all he wanted to do was turn to Becca and apologize. The day had been dreadful without her, especially since every other word out of Nicki’s mouth was Becca. He should’ve saddled a horse for her and taught her the rudiments of riding. But he couldn’t. That would mean he’d have to be close to her, and he had to keep his distance. He’d made that decision last night and he’d had no sleep as a result. No matter how he tried, he could still feel her hands on his body. And that look on her face—God, he couldn’t get it out of his mind. But he had to remind himself that she didn’t need someone like him in her life. She was intelligent and beautiful and she had a high-powered career in Houston.
A flash of light from the entry caught everyone’s attention.
“Who could that be?” Della said.
Cord immediately thought of Joe Bates and his spine stiffened. The guns were in the gun cabinet, not far away. But he didn’t want anything to happen with Nicki in the room. He had to get her upstairs, then he’d deal with Bates.
Before Cord could move, Colton strolled in from the kitchen. “Hey, I wondered where everyone was.”
Cord relaxed. With all of today’s events, he’d forgotten that he had invited Colton out for a visit.
Becca was surprised to see him, and she jumped up excitedly and hugged him. He kissed her cheek. “Hi, gorgeous.”
Gus stood and shook his hand. “Glad to have you home, boy.”
Everyone else said hi, but Becca noticed that no one made a move to hug or kiss him, not even Nicki. What was wrong with this family?
Edie patted him on the shoulder and said, “Good to see you. Now I’m off to bed.”
Why didn’t she stay and talk? She probably hadn’t seen Colton in months.
On impulse, Becca hugged Edie. “’Night.”
Edie was startled and it showed in her eyes. “Yes, well…good night, all.” Nervously she left the room.
“Della and me are gonna mosey over to our house,” Gus said. “My easy chair is calling me.”
Becca hugged both of them and there was silence for a moment, then Della said, “See you in the morning.”
As they left, Cord carefully got to his feet, holding his daughter. “This one’s falling asleep, so I’d better get her to bed.” If Becca hugged him, he didn’t know what he’d do, but he knew there was no way he could get out of this room without her hugging Nicki. Nicki was half-asleep, so maybe he—
“Becca,” Nicki whimpered, and that small hope died.
“Right here, sweetie,” Becca said, and walked over to kiss her cheek. Nicki reached for her and they hugged tightly. Cord could smell the scent of her hair, and her breasts were pressed into his arm as he maintained a grip on Nicki. God, he had to get out of here.
“’Night,” Becca and Nicki chorused.
“Talk to you later, Colton,” Cord murmured, and quickly left.
Colton raised his eyebrows. “Do I know how to clear a room or what?”
Becca sat on the sofa and Colton followed. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
“Wanted to see how you were getting on?”
“Your family lives here. Didn’t you want to see them, too?”
“We’re not your typical family.”
“So I gather. Still, aren’t you glad to see them? As mad as I’ve been at Rose, I’m always glad to see her.”
“That’s because you have a strong family bond. We don’t have that.”
“Colton.” She sighed.
“Let me tell you what it was like in the Prescott house at Christmas. Edie and Pa would wake us up, and we’d come downstairs and open our gifts. Then we’d have breakfast and play with our toys. Blanche made an appearance when dinner was served because Pa insisted. She always had on a fancy negligée and inquired what we’d gotten for Christmas. After that, she spent her time snapping at Edie until a full-blown argument erupted. Believe me, we were glad to get that day over with.”
“Your mother is very
…unconventional, but Edie was always there for you. Why don’t you have any affection for her?”
“We do, but we just don’t show it.”
“Why not, for heaven’s sake?”
“Because we weren’t raised that way.” He glanced at her with blue eyes so like Blanche’s. “What’s this about, Becca?”
“It’s about Nicki. She should be surrounded by a loving family. She needs that now.”
“I’m hardly ever here.”
“But just now, you didn’t even hug her.”
He squirmed uncomfortably. “You may have noticed, I’m not a demonstrative person.”
“You hug me.”
“Mainly because you hug me first. You’ve always been like that. You’re not afraid to show your emotions.”
She was completely dumbfounded. Over the years, had Colton taken her openness and friendliness as something more? No, she was sure he hadn’t, but she had to be certain.
She curled her feet beneath her and turned to face him. “Your mother and Cord are under the impression that we have a sexual relationship.”
“Really? Where would they get an idea like that?”
“Evidently when you see them you talk about me a lot.”
He shifted again. “So? That doesn’t mean anything.”
“We talked about this in my apartment, and you told me not to worry, but I can’t help it.”
His eyes met hers. “I know you don’t love me.”
She touched his arm, still looking into his eyes. “But do you love me?”
“Becca,” he sounded aggrieved.
“Tell me the truth.”
“I could have,” he admitted. “Probably very deeply, but do you remember that time we kissed under the mistletoe at your parents’ house?”
“Yes,” she replied, remembering it quite well. She’d thought that if Colton kissed her passionately, all the other feelings would follow, but it hadn’t happened that way. There was only a comfortable warmth between them.
“That spark, the explosion of the senses, wasn’t there, and I knew you didn’t have those kinds of emotions for me, nor I for you.” He leaned his head against the sofa. “Why don’t we feel that way about each other?”
“Because we’re not the half that makes the other whole. That’s what true love is. When you can’t stop thinking about the other person, when you want to be with him in the worst way, when your heart beats faster at just the sight of him and when you’d do anything to make him happy.”
His eyes narrowed. “Sounds as if you’ve…” He sat up straight. “You haven’t fallen for Cord, have you?”
“Colton, I—”
“Cord’s not the man for you,” he told her swiftly. “His life is so screwed up. Anette hurt him so much, he’ll never be the same. I know you’re helping Nicki, but leave it at that. Don’t—”
“Don’t tell me what to do.” She stopped him, her voice sounding angry.
“I’m not. I just want you to be happy.”
“I will, but I have to find that happiness on my own. I hope you understand.”
“Sure,” he said slowly.
“And I hope you find a woman who makes you so silly-giddy in love that you can’t think straight.”
He grunted. “I don’t think that’s gonna happen. I always think straight.”
“About business, yeah, but you just wait.”
“Luckily, I don’t have the silly-giddy capability.”
“Life is not all about business.”
“I haven’t found that out yet.”
Becca realized why she and Colton had never worked as a couple. His mind was constantly on business. There wasn’t room for anything else. He was right when he said he didn’t have a silly-giddy side. He had a dead-serious personality. Someday the right woman would awaken the other part of him. But that woman wasn’t her.
The silence stretched between them, and Becca tried to think of something to say to ease the tension. Her mind drifted to her apartment and her plants. She hadn’t even thought about them and she wondered if Gin had.
“Have you seen Gin lately?” she asked suddenly.
“The crazy redhead? Of course not. I avoid her at all costs.”
“I haven’t talked to her since I got here. She’s supposed to be watering my plants in the apartment.”
“Consider those plants dead.”
She tapped him on the shoulder. “Gin’s not like that. She’s very responsible.”
“Yeah, right. This is the same woman who’s lost her car keys four times that I know of and the same woman who—”
“Okay, she’s a scatterbrain, but that’s why she’s so much fun.”
“More like a nightmare.”
“You should get to know her. You have a lot in common.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Like what?”
“You both have very unconventional mothers.”
“Yeah, now there’s something I’d enjoy talking about on a regular basis,” he said facetiously, then added, “but I’ll check on your plants if you want me to.”
“Gin has the key, so just call and remind her.” Becca knew she could call Gin herself, but it wouldn’t hurt them to get better acquainted. Maybe then they’d stop saying mean things about each other.
Colton groaned dramatically. “I’d rather buy you new plants.”
She tapped him on the shoulder again, and they settled into easy conversation like they always did. He told her how he and Scotty were working on a new computer game and how he was thinking of going to Rockport with her parents. Colton was so involved with her family. He needed to be involved with the Prescott family—or was that completely outside the realm of possibility?
CORD PACED in his room. He wouldn’t go down. He wouldn’t. Colton had come to see Becca, and he wouldn’t interrupt. He’d give them some time alone. He sat on the bed. Becca said they didn’t have that kind of relationship, but she seemed eager enough to see Colton. What were they doing? Kissing, touching… He stood, unable to tolerate the images in his head. It was what he wanted, wasn’t it? For Becca and Colton to… Without even realizing what he was doing, he found himself opening the door and hurrying downstairs.
They were sitting on the sofa talking, and his heart slowed. He moved to go back upstairs, but Becca saw him.
“Is Nicki asleep?” she asked in a concerned voice that turned his insides into a quivering mass.
“Yeah, she’s out for the night,” he answered stiffly. “I was just on my way to the kitchen.”
“Why don’t you talk to Colton?” she said. “You two haven’t seen each other in a while, and I’m sure you have a lot of catching up to do. I’m off to bed.” She stood, stretching. “’Night.”
Cord watched her leave with a confused look on his face.
“So how’s the ranching business?” Colton asked.
Cord collected his thoughts and sat down. “Busy.”
“Yeah, that’s how the computer business is.”
Silence.
“Computer working okay?”
“Yeah, thanks,” Cord answered absently. “Keeps track of everything, just like you said it would. It’s difficult making time to feed it the information, though. There’s so much work to be done on the ranch.”
“Have you ever thought of letting the cowboys handle the work and you take care of the business end?”
“The outdoor work is what I enjoy.”
“Pa used to say if you were on a horse and had a rope in your hand, you were in hog heaven. I guess that hasn’t changed.”
“No.”
Silence again.
“Heard from Clay lately?” Colton asked abruptly.
“No. Since he moved to Alaska, we don’t get to talk much.”
“We’re a pathetic family. I haven’t even seen Clay’s girls. They’re seven and four, I think. He didn’t even bring them to Anette’s funeral.”
“I guess he felt it wasn’t appropriate.”
“Hell, we’re fam
ily. When is it appropriate?”
Cord wondered what this was about—and then he knew. Becca. Becca was working her magic. She just didn’t understand that the Prescotts weren’t like other families.
“Becca’s been talking to you,” he said quietly.
“Yes, and she’s right. We need to be closer.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Yeah, what am I thinking? We have Blanche for a mother.”
They smiled at each other. Cord rested his forearms on his knees. “Can I ask you a personal question?”
“Sure.”
“What kind of relationship do you have with Becca?”
Colton rubbed the palms of his hands over his slacks. “That’s hard to explain, but I can see it’s important to you.” He paused, then went on. “Since I’m in the computer business with her father, I’ve gotten to know her quite well. I’ve seen her go through the depths of hell and come out smiling. She has that ability—to take what life shoves at her and make the best of it. I admire that in her. She’s intelligent, beautiful and strong. From time to time, I’ve wished our relationship would deepen into something else—but we’re just friends.” His eyes pierced Cord. “And I don’t want to see her get hurt.”
“Sounds like a warning.” Cord met his look squarely.
“It is. Don’t hurt her. She doesn’t deserve that.”
“I will never hurt Becca,” Cord said quietly. “She’s worked wonders with Nicki, and I will always be grateful for that.”
“Come on, Cord, who are you trying to kid? You’re not asking about Becca because of Nicki. You’re asking for yourself. You’re interested in her.”
Cord stood. “I am, but I’m too old for her.”