Under the Midnight Stars

by Shawna Gautier

  Billy’s jaw dropped. “Is this a joke?”

  Though a surge of emotions, mostly fear, had engulfed her when he’d entered the office, Brielle decided to push past her fears and her nausea, and deal with her attacker face-to-face. “Oh, it’s no joke, I assure you,” she replied in a controlled voice. She stood confidently, smiling.

  Billy clenched his jaw. “Then I quit!”

  Zeke was shocked. “What? You can’t quit!”

  “The hell I can’t!” He ripped his name tag off and threw it on the desk.

  Colt stood and looked down at Billy. “Good, that’ll save me from having to fire your ass.”

  Zeke stood, completely perplexed. “Colt? What in the hell is going on?”

  “Enjoy your lunch.” Brielle smiled smugly and sat back down.

  Billy stormed out of the office.

  Colt sat back down.

  Zeke threw his hands up. “He was my best mechanic. Someone mind filling me in?”

  Colt looked at Brielle.

  Brielle could tell by the way Colt was looking at her that he was silently asking her permission to fill Zeke in on the humiliating details. She was hesitant, but she knew Zeke deserved an honest explanation. She reluctantly nodded.

  “Billy tried to force himself on Brielle,” Colt said. “I broke his nose. That’s it.”

  She ashamedly averted her eyes, focusing in on the swirling stamped leather of Colt’s boot peeking from under the hem of his jeans.

  Zeke’s jaw dropped open.“He what? I wish I would’ve known sooner! I would’ve fired him days ago!”

  Colt placed a hand on Brielle’s thigh. The simple gesture was comforting.

  “As soon as his nose heals I’ll break it again!” Zeke said angrily.

  From the tone in his voice, she believed he would. “Thank you, Zeke. But I’m okay. Colt got there before anything…” She became uncomfortable. “I’m okay,” she finally managed before forcing a confident smile.

  “I’m glad to hear that, Gabby,” Zeke replied wholeheartedly. He looked at the both of them before he spoke again. “Your plan — I think it’ll work. I’m on board. And I’m grateful to y’all for your help. Eleanor will surely appreciate it too. We’ll have to have you over for dinner sometime when she’s better. And tell Jack I said thanks for opening his big mouth. No pun intended. A real genuine thanks.”

  “Will do, Zeke,” Colt assured. “I’ll set up an appointment for a business lawyer to draw up a contract, let’s say … sometime in the next couple of days?”

  “Sounds just fine,” he agreed.

  “All right then.” Colt stood and extended his hand to Zeke. “I guess that makes us partners?”

  Zeke grinned. He stood and shook Colt’s hand eagerly. “Partners.”

  Brielle stood and shook Zeke’s hand as well. “Partners.” She giggled.

  Just then the nausea became too overwhelming. She had no time to run to the privacy of the bathroom. Spotting a black plastic garbage can next to the desk, she yanked her hand out of Zeke’s grasp, fell to her knees, and heaved into it, over and over again.

  “Son of a bitch,” Colt said incredulously. He gathered her hair and held it back for her.

  Brielle finished heaving and sat back shakily.

  Zeke drew a paper cup of water from the five-gallon dispenser behind him and handed it to her, along with a couple of tissues from the blue box on his desk. “I think you should get her home to bed. A couple of guys here came down with the same bug last week. It’s been going around.”

  “Thanks, Zeke,” she replied shakily, clutching her queasy stomach. She grabbed the tissues first and wiped her mouth clean. Then she eagerly took the water from him and gulped it down. And as quickly as the fury of nausea had hit, it dissipated. “Huh.” She tossed the tissues and cup into the garbage. “I feel better now.”

  Colt helped her to her feet.

  “Are you sure?” Zeke asked. “You still look like you’re here to haunt the place rather than buy it.”

  “He’s right, Brielle,” Colt agreed worriedly. “We should get you home. You don’t look so good.”

  “I’m fine. Really. I just got a little carsick on the way over. I’m sure after I eat I’ll be good as new,” she said assuredly.

  Colt still looked worried. “All right, let’s get you something to eat. How does the diner sound?”

  She thought she’d be repulsed by the thought, but it actually sounded delicious. Especially the country-fried chicken smothered in homemade gravy with mashed potatoes. She smiled at the thought.

  “I guess you hit it on the nail, Colt.” Zeke chuckled slightly.

  “Yes, the diner. It sounds delicious. Let’s go.” She bent down to fetch the tainted plastic bag from the garbage can.

  “Don’t you worry about that. I’ll take care of it,” Zeke insisted. “It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. I have to go out back to the dumpster anyhow to see how much junk I have to get rid of.”

  “Good, the faster we get food in her belly the better,” Colt said with satisfaction.

  Brielle didn’t feel comfortable just leaving her mess of bodily fluids for someone else to dispose of. “No, Zeke, it’ll just take a minute.”

  She reached for the bag, but Colt grabbed her hand and led her toward the door before she had a chance to touch it. “But…” She pointed to the can as she hurried her pace to keep up with Colt.

  “Thanks, Zeke,” Colt said over his shoulder. “We’ll see you in a couple of days.”

  “Colt.” Brielle tried to pull her hand from his, but he wouldn’t release his grip.

  “I’ll carry you out of here if I have to,” he warned as he led the way out of the garage. “You need to eat before you get sick again.”

  Zeke chuckled as he exited the office behind them, garbage can in tow. “Don’t you worry, Gabby. It’s taken care of. Just eat and get better.”

  She smiled and waved, and let Colt lead her across the parking lot.

  THIRTEEN

  “One country-fried chicken and one Cowboy Burger.” Mimi smiled as she set the plates of food down on the table. “Anything else?”

  “Mmm.” Brielle’s eyes lit up. “No, thank you, Mimi.”

  “You’re welcome, honey.” Mimi smiled warmly. “You’ve had such a rough time of it lately. Glad to see you’re feeling better. Holler if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.” Colt gave a quick nod and a tip of the brim of his hat before Mimi headed back to the counter.

  Brielle wasted no time digging into her hearty meal smothered in extra gravy. She even rolled her corn on the cob into the rich mixture and savored every last kernel.

  Colt ate slowly, eyeing her every move.“Are you sure you’re feeling up to such a greasy meal?”

  “Sure.” She beamed. “Why not? I was just carsick is all. I promise I’m fine.”

  He smiled uneasily. “It’s just … are you sure you were carsick?”

  “It’s either that or the flu.” She continued to eat.

  “Hello there,” said a woman standing at the edge of their booth.

  Brielle recognized the shoulder-length hair, crystal-blue eyes, and charismatic smile of the woman who stood before her. She’d seen the petite woman in the diner off and on throughout the years, but she had never become acquainted with her. She didn’t even know her name. All she knew was that this woman was a little older than her, strikingly beautiful, and blessed with an ample bosom. Brielle wondered how she kept her breasts tucked into such a tight tank top.

  Colt’s jaw dropped when he recognized the woman. A genuine ear-to-ear smile crossed his face. “I’ll be damned!” He stood and embraced her.

  Brielle exhaled nervously, watching the woman beam merrily as she hugged him back.

  He took a step back and looked at Brielle. “Brielle, this is Miranda Briggs. Miranda, Brielle Sinclair.”

  Brielle immediately remembered the name on Colt’s to-do list. Gulping warily, she forced a polite smile and extended her ha
nd. “Hello. It’s nice to officially meet you.”

  “Likewise.” Miranda shook her hand and quickly turned her attention back to Colt. “I heard you were in town. How have you been?”

  “Good. Just got the farm back into shape. What about you? How have you been? Life’s treated you good, I hope?”

  Brielle saw a twinkle in Colt’s eyes. She had a gut feeling that they had been more than just friends. She sat quietly, smiling pleasantly, trying to ignore the jealousy heating her blood.

  Miranda’s smile faded. “Life’s been interesting. But I’m hanging in there.” She smiled again.

  “Mom, can we go now?” A boy with brown hair and hazel eyes walked up and stood next to Miranda.

  “Yes, we can.” Miranda smiled. She put her arm around the boy’s shoulder. “Junior, I’d like you to meet someone. This is Colt Tayler.” She motioned toward Colt.

  Colt smiled at the boy and extended his hand.

  “Really? Cool!” Junior shook Colt’s hand. “That’s my name too. My real name. Everyone just calls me Junior though.”

  Colt’s smile instantly fell.

  Brielle tensed. Her eyes widened in shock. She looked at the boy, placing his age at around ten.

  Colt retracted his hand slowly and tipped his hat back. “Colt?” He eyed Miranda questioningly. “Are you ten?” he asked the boy.

  Junior grinned. “Yeah, how’d you know?”

  Miranda nodded and bit the corner of her lip. “Junior honey, why don’t you go wait for me in the car? I’ll be right there.”

  “All right, but hurry. I’m gonna be late for practice.” Junior turned and walked away.

  Miranda placed her hands in the back pocket of her jeans.

  Colt and Brielle stared at her blankly. Both were in utter shock.

  “I named him after his daddy,” Miranda announced nervously. “He’s your son.”

  The blood drained from Colt’s face. He carefully sat on the edge of the booth, bracing himself with his hands as he sat, as if he were dipping his body into a piping-hot whirlpool bath.

  Brielle closed her eyes as pain filled her heart. A sudden wave of nausea engulfed her. She jumped up from the booth, nudged past Miranda with her hands over her mouth, and headed straight for the restroom. She bolted into the first stall and expelled her lunch in the toilet.

  The bathroom door creaked open.

  Brielle quickly slammed the stall door shut and locked it. Another wave of nausea hit. She leaned forward and heaved repeatedly until her stomach was empty. Her throat burned. Uncontrolled tears stained her cheeks.

  “Brielle?” Colt’s called softly from the other side of the stall door.“Are you all right, baby?”

  The bathroom door opened again.“Colt, I’m sorry if I caused any trouble. Is she okay?” Miranda’s voice filled the room.

  Brielle leaned against the stall breathlessly, wiping away the tears. “Can you both please get out and give me some privacy?” Her voice quivered.

  She bit her lip to keep from sobbing. It was too good to be true. All of it. It didn’t matter now how much she and Colt loved each other. He had a duty to be a father to his son now. And it was obvious that he was still smitten by his son’s mother, and she by him. It’d be just a matter of time before they were married and raising their son together. She heard the bathroom door squeak open, and then close. Feeling completely alone, she covered her face with her hands and cried.

  Colt stood in the dimly lit wood-paneled hall outside the ladies room, staring in disbelief at Miranda. Though the shock of having had a son for the past decade without the slightest hint was still overwhelming, anger slowly began to take over.

  “Why in the hell did you wait eleven years to tell me that I had a child?”

  Miranda sighed regretfully. “I’m sorry, Colt. I just didn’t see how it would’ve done any good to tell you. You lived in Dallas. You didn’t love me anymore. Plus, you were only sixteen — I didn’t want to burden you with a child.”

  He clenched his jaw. It took every ounce of control to get his point across without raising his voice from a whisper. “What in the hell does not loving you or living in another town have to do with me being a father? It was my right to know! I can’t believe I missed out on ten years of my son’s life because I didn’t love you! He’s my son too — I think.”

  Her eyes turned to angry slits at the insinuation. She too, maintained an angry whisper to keep from shouting. “He is your son! Don’t tell me you don’t see the resemblance!”

  “All I see is that you kept something of the utmost importance from me for over a decade. You lied to me. How in the hell am I supposed to trust anything you say?”

  “I didn’t lie! I just didn’t want to burden you. You had your whole busy life in the big city to live. And I was just … ashamed. I was sixteen, for crying out loud. And how was I even gonna tell you? You didn’t give me an address or even a phone number. You just completely cut me out of your world.” Her eyes swelled with bitter tears.

  Colt sighed to ease his irritation. He felt like a jackass. It was obvious by the unshed tears in her eyes that Miranda Briggs still had feelings for him. And why wouldn’t she? She had given birth to his child and had raised a part of him for the past eleven years.

  “I’m sorry. I know you weren’t being malicious. I’m sure you had your reasons. I just wish I would’ve known. It was a huge shock to know that I’ve had a son all this time. It still is. I had a right to know.” His voice was much more calm and subdued. “But I’m going to have to request a paternity test. It’s the logical thing to do.”

  She nodded and crossed her arms. “I can’t say that I’m not offended, but I understand.”

  “Mom, are we going?” Junior entered the hallway, exasperated. “It’s hot out in the car.”

  Miranda looked at Colt and shook her head ever so slightly. “Not now, please.”

  Colt nodded his agreement. He looked at the boy, seeing bits of similarity. He definitely had his mother’s darker shade of brown hair, but retained Colt’s eyes and smile. He was sure if they were standing side by side, there’d be no doubt.

  “Nice to meet you again, Junior. Sorry I kept your mom so long. We’re old friends.”

  “It’s all right.” Junior smiled. He looked at his mom.

  “Okay.” She ruffled Junior’s hair. “I’m in the phonebook, Colt.”

  “I was in the phonebook too,” Colt added casually.

  Miranda paused as her eyes bore into Colt’s. Without another word she lowered her head and walked away with Junior.

  “Dammit!” Colt whispered through clenched teeth as he watched them disappear around the corner. Colt, you are such a dumbass! He shook his head at himself and opened the bathroom door.

  Brielle was at the sink. She popped a breath mint into her mouth and splashed cold water on her swollen eyes.

  Colt pulled a paper towel from the dispenser and handed it to her.

  Her chin began to quiver. She bit her lip and took the paper towel. “I know — you still love her and you have to give your relationship a chance for the sake of your son.” She sucked in an unsteady breath.

  Colt felt awful for leading her to believe that he could so easily toss her aside. He quickly closed the gap between them and gently guided her shoulders to face him. He wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “No, Brielle,” he whispered incredulously. “I love you.” He gazed deeply into her pink swollen eyes, feeling like a jackass for having caused her so much undue pain.

  “You do?” she whispered while trying to suppress another hiccup of a sob.

  He placed both hands on either sides of her face and softly brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “With all my heart, baby,” he whispered and enveloped her in a secure hug.

  She squeezed him tightly.

  He released her to see if the pain was gone from her eyes. “How do you feel?”

  “Much better.” She smiled slightly.

  The door opened and a plum
p elderly woman walked in. Her eyes widened when she saw Colt. “My word!” she gasped and hurried out of the bathroom.

  Brielle snickered through pursed lips.

  Colt chuckled lightly. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He wrapped his hand around hers and led her back into the diner.

  They ignored the prying eyes around them. He fished two twenties out of his wallet and handed them to Mimi as they passed by her.

  “No.” Mimi shook her head. “Lunch is on me.”

  “Thank you, Mimi.” Colt shoved the money into his pocket and wasted no time in leaving the diner. For him, telling Brielle how much he loved her wasn’t enough this time. He led her straight to his truck and drove her home.

  The drive home seemed to last longer than usual. The morning’s events had taken an emotional toll on Brielle — Colt could see it in the darkness surrounding her eyes. That, and she was unusually silent.

  “You haven’t said much. Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

  “I’m okay. I guess I’m just trying to absorb what just happened.” Mouth closed, she gave him a quick smile.

  She wasn’t fooling him. He could see the sorrow in her eyes. Hell, he was still in shock over the whole situation himself. It would take more than an explanation and saying I love you to mend her heart this time. “I understand. I’m still trying to absorb everything too … And I’m sorry to put you through all this. The last thing I wanna do is hurt you, Brielle.”

  “I know, Colt. I’m okay. Really. I don’t even feel sick anymore.” She turned her head to stare out of her window.

  He didn’t believe her. But he welcomed the quiet this time. It lowered the chance of an argument erupting before he had an opportunity to make things right again in the only way he knew how at the moment.

  As soon as he parked his truck in his driveway, he got out and hurried to open her door for her. Then he scooped her into his arms and headed for the front door.

  “Colt, what are you doing? I can walk, you know.”

  “I know.” He gazed into her eyes and planted a tender kiss on her lips.

  Her melancholy suddenly extinguished, she welcomed his loving kiss.