by Aliyah Burke
* * * *
“What are you intentions toward my daughter, Larkin?” Patrick Townsend asked as he lit his pipe.
Taking a seat after Aspen’s father did, Colt placed one booted foot on his knee. “I’m in love with her. I would like your permission to marry your daughter.” His words were straightforward and without any hesitation.
Leaning back in his chair, Patrick took stock of the man across from him. He wasn’t blind and saw the looks, touches, and silent messages that had passed from Colt to his daughter over dinner. “What makes you think you’re good enough for her?”
“I don’t know that I am. All I know is that my soul is complete when I am with her. I will do everything in my power to make her happy, if she will let me.” Colt wiped his palms on his jeans, suddenly very nervous.
“And if she decides to go back to California?”
Colt swallowed; Aspen hadn’t even mentioned that to him yet. “Then we will go together,” he affirmed.
Patrick watched Colt. He remembered the young man who had hung around with his son, Ashton. Even then, he had caught many glances from this man to his baby girl. Puffing on the pipe, he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his thighs. “You have my permission and my blessing. Just keep her happy, Colt Larkin.”
“Thank you and I promise I will do just that.”
Aspen hurried into the room, glancing between the two men. “What are you two talking about in here?”
“Man talk, Pumpkin. That’s all. Don’t worry.” Her father leaned back in his chair again.
She gazed at Colt and arched a brow. But he just smiled, tugged her down beside him on the couch and settling his arm across her shoulders.
A few hours later, Colt and Aspen climbed into his vehicle and headed back to her house. “What were you and Daddy talking about?”
“This and that. baby, don’t worry about it. Your father treated me fine.”
Muttering under her breath about stubborn men, Aspen dropped the subject.
That night, while more snow fell, Colt took his woman to a world where the temperature was perfect. As his body slipped between her thighs and he listened to her cries of pleasure, he knew he was done with his search. This was the woman for him. Now and forever. One last thrust and he came deep within her body only to collapse beside her, done in, and fall into an exhausted sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
“Where’s the number, Colt?” Aspen yelled to him. She was in the living room, searching for the piece of paper he had asked her to grab for him.
“It should be in my wallet,” he hollered down the stairs to her. He was in her office on the phone and needed the numbers that were on that piece of paper.
Opening the brown leather wallet, Aspen searched through it. A picture caught her eye as she looked. Pulling it out, she felt her eyes grow wide as she saw a picture of her in school. Her sophomore year, the year he kissed her. Coke-bottle glasses and all.
The picture was faded and worn like it had been held many times. “I can’t believe he kept my picture,” she spoke softly.
“Aspen?” he shouted down.
“Found it, I’m coming.” She grabbed the piece of paper that had a bunch of numbers on it and took it up to him. Handing it to him, she placed a kiss on his cheek before she set the old picture of her next to his hand.
His eyes were so tender as he caressed the side of her face. Aspen left him there and went back downstairs to finish baking. It was two days before the Christmas party and Aspen had some brownies left to make.
It had been three days since she and Colt had dinner at her parents’ house and they spent as much time together as they could. But today she was expecting Julian to stop by and so she was at least trying to get the brownies in the oven by the time he showed up.
Spreading the mixture into the pan, Aspen glanced up as she felt Colt walk into the room. “Why do you have my picture?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked, swiping his finger along the edge of the bowl and licking it clean.
“Where’d you get it?”
“Ash.” Colt bent over and kissed her on the cheek as he trailed his hand lovingly over her derriere. “I have one of you in college as well, but that’s at home, in my bag.”
Aspen shook her head. “I see. Can you put this in the oven? I have to get all this cleaned up before Julian gets here.”
Argent eyes narrowed. “Why exactly is he coming here?”
“Put this in the oven. Julian is coming over to get some information he needs to do some research.”
“Aspen.” Colt grabbed hold of her arms and forced an eye connection.
“What, Colt?” She couldn’t get a read on his expression.
“Is there anything you want to tell me?”
One black brow arched in silent question. “About what?”
“Anything. Anything at all.” About this job offer you have for California, perhaps. That you love me.
“No, and you’re scaring me, Colt. What’s going on?”
He dropped her arms, picked up the pan of uncooked brownies, and put them in the warm oven. “Nothing. You just seem a bit distracted and I was wondering if you wanted to share any of what was on your mind with me.”
He acts as if he knows about my job offer. Should I tell him or let it go because I already made up my mind? “Well, maybe there is one thing I want to share with you, but since Julian is due to arrive any moment, I’ll tell you later on.” Aspen gave him a gentle smile.
“Okay.” Colt looked at the woman who held the key to his heart. “I’m going to run home for a bit—give you and Julian some privacy—and I will be back for dinner.”
Aspen nodded. “Okay, that sounds like a plan.” She ran her fingers up the sleeve of his shirt. “Julian won’t be here very long, if you want to come back before dinner,” she offered.
Closing his eyes against the emotions this woman caused in his soul, Colt wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to her temple. “I’ll do that. I have to go and get some things done. See you later, Baby.”
“Bye, Colt.”
She walked with him to the door and he gave her a lingering kiss before slipping out into the winter afternoon. Julian was on his way up the steps and the two men exchanged greetings.
Aspen waved Julian in and took one last look at Colt who stood by his Jeep watching her. His hair blowing in the cold wind, the expression on his face was unreadable as he observed Julian beside her. He inclined his head and got in his vehicle and drove away.
* * * *
Colt stood on her porch. He had been gone for five hours and it seemed like a lifetime to him. He noticed Julian’s Lexus still sat in the driveway and that made him uncomfortable. Aspen hadn’t said she was dating anyone and that included him. And that was a revelation Colt didn’t like in the slightest.
The dogs were at his side as he reached out and knocked on the door. “Come in, it’s open,” her voice yelled.
Walking into the house, Colt took in that the tree was lit and the place smelled like chicken and dumplings. His dogs ran past him and off to find Aspen. Shutting the door behind him, he took off his coat and hung it up on the coat rack.
Aspen stuck her head around the corner. “Hey,” she said with a smile. “Was wondering where you were. Dinner’s just about ready.”
“Julian’s still here?”
“Just about to leave. He is gathering up some more books. It’d be kinda nice if you helped him out to his vehicle with everything.” She gestured to the pile that was beside the door. Three boxes already.
“Sure,” he agreed. Anything to get him out of there faster.
“Thanks.” Her eyes darkened as they ran over his physique. “I missed you.”
That warmed him straight through to the core. “I missed you too, baby.”
Julian walked into view carrying another box. “I think this will do it, Aspen. I will go over what you did and get back to you ASAP on what I find.” He stopped as he spotted Colt. �
��Hey, Colt. How’re you?”
“Fine, Julian. Let me give you a hand with this stuff.”
“Great, thanks.”
Within moments the boxes were loaded and Julian was driving away, leaving Aspen alone with Colt and his dogs. The moment he was back in the house, Colt kissed her.
Pulling away, he cupped her cheek and questioned, “What did you want to tell me?”
“I’ll tell you over dinner.”
As they sat across from each other, Colt kept his eyes on her. Finally he encouraged her to tell him. “Well?”
“I was offered a job in California. I work with hybrid synergy and developing new and more improved ways of making it work. But I have also been offered a different position with the company that I work for now. One that would let me work out of my home here.”
Colt ate a dumpling and tried to control the beating of his heart. There was a chance! “And have you decided on what to do?”
“I don’t know. There are perks to both of the jobs. But my mind is so conflicted and torn right now, I’m not sure I will be picking the right one. Daddy says wait until after Christmas to make a decision.”
Yes! “Your father is right. You need to be able to think it through, without working on the Christmas party or anything else. Give it ‘till the New Year. I’m sure you will make the perfect decision.”
Why am I sad he doesn’t seem to want me to stay around? “You’re probably right.”
“I’ve been thinking about job offers myself. I have been asked to teach bull and bronc riding.”
“Wow! That’s great.” Aspen smiled. “Is that what you did when you checked out that job proposal a few days back?”
“Yep. I did. But, like you, I am waiting until the New Year to make my final decision.”
“Good idea,” she mumbled. Her decision which at one time seemed so perfect suddenly didn’t look so good anymore.
Colt cleared the table and together they took a walk outside, holding hands, simply enjoying their time together. Once back in the house, Colt took her back upstairs to the bedroom and they made love all through the night.
* * * *
Aspen smiled as she danced with her father. The town’s Christmas party never failed to have a huge turnout. People were dancing, talking, and having a wonderful time.
“You look beautiful, pumpkin,” her father said as they walked over to the numerous tables where the food was laid out.
Aspen wore a rich violet dress. It had a scalloped neck and fit her torso exquisitely, flaring out at the waist and stopping just below the knees. Her tattoo was covered and her hair was gathered in a simple and elegant coif, with a few strands hanging free at each temple.
“Thank you, Daddy. You are looking very handsome yourself.” Her father wore a nice dark gray suit with pale pink accents, which complimented his wife’s pink dress.
“I’m glad you are here this year, Pumpkin.” He took a seat next to his daughter.
“Me, too.” After a bit, Aspen got up. “Excuse me, Daddy. I have to go put out some more cookies.” She walked off after giving him a kiss on the cheek.
Stepping through a doorway, Aspen was stopped by a hand on her arm. Colt. “Hey, baby,” he whispered as his eyes roved over her figure. “You look gorgeous.”
She felt fluttering in her belly. “Thank you. Where’ve you been? The party started a while ago.”
“I had something to take care of.” He pulled her in closer. “Look up,” he commanded in a seductively smooth voice.
A smile crossed her face as she looked up at a sprig of mistletoe. “Humph. Probably the same one that was there twenty years ago.”
“Well, I’m not on a dare and I sure as hell ain’t leaving your side. But I am going to kiss you.”
He did just that. The kiss was as gentle as the one he gave her years ago and the reaction was the same: intense heat. Aspen looped her arms around his neck, pulling herself closer to him, but he moved away.
“Colt,” she protested with a whimper.
“I thought you were getting more cookies.” He murmured in her ear, even as his tongue traced the outer edge.
“I forgot about that.” Aspen stepped away from him and looked at him. He still had his thick coat on. “See you later?”
“I’ll be here until the party ends,” he promised.
“Maybe you should take your coat off, then. It’s warm in here.”
“You have no idea. Baby, that outfit of yours is hot enough that I could wear shorts around outside and not feel cold.” One hand reached out and traced over her cheekbone and down to her shoulder. “See you later.” Then he slipped away.
Aspen was standing behind the tables, chatting with some of the women when the music turned off. Everyone looked up on the stage in the big gym. The mayor was standing up there by the microphone.
“Sorry folks, to turn off the music, but we have some announcements.” He gestured to his left, where there were a few people standing to make their announcements.
People laughed and nodded as they were made. Aspen listened with half an ear as she rearranged cookies on a platter. When Colt’s voice curled around her like a velour blanket, she stopped and gave him her full attention.
Her eyes grew wide as she looked at him. Standing on the stage, Colt Larkin wore a tailor made tuxedo. His hair was cropped short, exposing more of his lean good looks. “I know everyone wants to get back to the party and so I won’t take up much time,” he said in his drawling voice.
His silver eyes scanned the crowd and seemed to latch onto her face. “Twenty years ago, at this town’s party, I was dared to kiss a girl whom I had wanted to kiss for the longest time. The only problem was her extremely overprotective older brother. So I took the dare and kissed her. I kissed her in this building, under some mistletoe.”
Faint murmurs ran through the crowd. The whole town had heard the story and knew just who he was talking about. The women next to Aspen nudged her with their shoulders. Aspen was frozen solid to her spot.
“I was in love with her then.” He moved to one set of steps and holding the microphone, began to walk down them. “Coke-bottle glasses and all.” People chuckled at the memory. “Tonight, I kissed that same gorgeous woman again, under some more mistletoe. However, unlike last time, I’m not running away from my feelings. Twenty years later and I am still in love with her.” People parted, making it a clear shot for Colt to reach Aspen.
His tone changed and everyone knew he was now talking not to them, but solely to Aspen. “For twenty years, baby, your kiss has been with me. I’ve carried your picture around with me everywhere I went. I loved you then and I love you still.” He stopped in front of the table she was standing behind. With one hand he took hers and led her around the table so they were on the same side.
“I love you, Aspen Lajoia Townsend.” He had set the microphone down, but his words still carried with conviction and intense emotion.
Blinking back tears, Aspen just stood there. It was the first time he had said those words and they were in front of the whole town. “I…I…I…”
Colt gave her a gentle smile. “I don’t care which job you choose; all I know is I want to be by your side. Ashton saw what was between us years ago and I know he would be happy with us together.”
Covering her eyes, Aspen opened them as people gasped. Colt got down on one knee before her. “You are the healing balm for my wounded soul, baby. With you beside me, anything is possible. I don’t want to spend another twenty years without you. Aspen, will you marry me?”
Staring down into the melted mercury eyes of Colt Larkin, Aspen felt the whisper of approval from her brother brush over her. “I’ve loved you all this time as well. So my answer is yes. Yes, I will marry you, Colton Mercer Larkin.”
Colt slid the diamond ring onto her finger, kissed it, and rose up to kiss the lips of his fiancée. The room erupted in cheers, but none of that registered to the couple who were kissing. All that mattered was each other.
; * * * *
One year later…
Colt stood near his wife at the town’s Christmas party. A tender smile filled his handsome face as he watched her. She stood behind the refreshment tables refilling the plates while chatting with the women beside her.
He had taken a job nearby, teaching bronc and bull riding to up-and-coming rodeo stars. Aspen had taken the job that allowed her to stay in Wisconsin. She was working hard and effecting a big change in the company.
His gaze roamed over her body, which was slightly rounded now with the telltale signs of her pregnancy. A child—he was going to be a father. It was a great Christmas. He watched his sister dance with Julian. Lizzy had gotten divorced from her abusive husband and moved into Colt’s old house. He and Aspen lived in the house she had been given by Ashton.
Walking over to her, he took her off to the side. “Hello, Baby. How’re you feeling?”
“I’m fine, Colt. Why?” she asked as they kissed.
“I don’t want you doing too much.”
Rolling her eyes, she laughed. “All I’m doing is putting cookies on a tray. Nothing too strenuous there.” Growing serious, she met his gaze. “How are you doing?”
“Perfect.”
“Well, I am a bit tired,” she hinted as her hands moved across his chiseled chest.
“We’re leaving.”
They said their goodbyes and went home. After making love, Colt held his wife tightly as she slept. With silent thanks to the man upstairs, he, too, closed his eyes and began to drift off to sleep.
The road they had traveled to get back to one another had been long. A sharp chuckle burst from Colt as he realized that all he had really needed to do to get his woman was…add a little mistletoe.
About the Author
Aliyah Burke loves to read and write. She loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at [email protected], [email protected], or feel free to apply to join her yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aliyah_burke.
She is married to a career military man, and they have two German Shepherds and a DSH cat. Her days are spent sharing her time between work, writing, and dog training.