Cowboys Mine

by Stacey Espino

  Mrs. Ford spotted them first. She rushed over and wrapped an arm around Colton’s waist. “Where have you two been hiding?”

  “Just busy,” said North, when Colton didn’t reply.

  “Well, stop being strangers. It doesn’t feel natural with the two of you not underfoot. And too much food is going to waste.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he said.

  Colton looked pale. He knew his brother was worried about disappointing Mr. and Mrs. Ford. No matter how hard he tried to replicate disinterest, he couldn’t hide his real feelings from North.

  “You ready to shuck?” She smiled up at both of them. He had a feeling she knew something was up, but she didn’t push for more information. Today was supposed to be a fun day.

  They found two wooden stools and got straight to work. There was a mountain of corn to prepare. Colton kept quiet. North just wanted the day to be over with.

  Over an hour passed, and they managed not to speak to each other. North was lost in thought most of the time.

  “Howdy, strangers.” Mr. Ford approached them from the barn. He coiled a length of rope around his hand and elbow.

  “Afternoon,” said North.

  He paced the area, watching them shuck, not talking. North swallowed hard, wondering if Eva had said anything yet. There was an unspoken tension in the air.

  “There’re a lot of people coming,” he finally said. “It seems Eva’s invited half the town…including the Blackwood sisters.” He chuckled, swinging the coiled rope over his shoulder.

  Neither of them said a word.

  “You’re both quiet. Something you want to tell me, Colton?”

  Shit. Mr. Ford was like a lion, sensing weakness in his brother. Would Colt break under the pressure?

  “No, sir,” said Colton.

  “Eva’s been quiet, too. Either of you know anything about that?”

  Mr. Ford was suspicious. He always did tend to sense their moods or when something was amiss. He was about to give Mr. Ford an excuse, something to take the heat off them and Eva until she decided to tell him herself.

  But Colton decided to speak up. “A lot happened on the trip. We started—”

  He elbowed his brother hard in the side. “Look, there she is!”

  Colton would ruin everything, no doubt putting his foot in his mouth and making the situation harder than it needed to be. Eva approached them, hooking her arm around her father’s arm.

  “Thanks for coming,” she said.

  “Our pleasure.” North stared up at her from his stool. She’d fancied herself up for the corn roast, her long blonde loose down her back rather than in a pigtail. It was odd watching her from afar. Normally she’d run into his arms with a smile. He didn’t like the distance growing between them.

  A truck honked several times. Three pickup trucks pulled in.

  “We’ll talk later,” said Mr. Ford. “It looks like your surprise is here, Eva.”

  They walked away, Eva looking back once. He couldn’t look away. She was so beautiful.

  He turned to Colton. “Next time keep your big mouth shut,” said North. “Eva needs to tell him herself.”

  “Well, I ain’t going to lie to him. He’s more than a father to me, and I won’t ruin that trust.”

  “You’ll ruin a lot more than that if you don’t keep quiet.”

  He peeled the corn, tossing the ready ones in an oversized cooking pot. The entire time he kept his focus on Mr. Ford and Eva greeting their guests. The cars and trucks flooded in now, a new one parking every few minutes.

  “I’m skipping out when we’re done,” said Colton.

  “You think the Fords won’t notice?”

  That’s when he saw Luke Weston and his family chatting them up. Mr. Ford seemed overly enthusiastic, even putting his arm around Luke and motioning Eva to come closer.

  “What’s going on over there,” Colt asked, finally showing interest. He dropped a corn into the pot with a thud and stood up to get a better look.

  “Can’t know for sure.”

  Luke Weston was twenty-three and the heir to a thriving cattle operation just outside of town. He was what they called a pretty-boy, sitting back while hired hands did all the dirty work.

  When Eva and Luke strolled off alone together, North’s hackles went up. They never let men near Eva, and it felt immeasurable worse doing nothing now that his feelings for her had changed. He wanted to toss the shucking job and ask Luke what the fuck his problem was.

  The two disappeared in the growing crowd. His chest tightened around his heart. As soon as they were out of sight, Colt leapt to his feet and rushed after them.

  “Colt, wait!” He followed his brother. “You can’t do anything.”

  “Watch me.”

  At least his twin wasn’t lying to himself anymore. He wanted Eva, and denying it didn’t change the fact. When they reached the edge of the white brick house, Mr. Ford blocked their way.

  “Where you going, boys?”

  Colton’s quiet brooding was apparently over. He tried to look past Mr. Ford. “I saw Luke leading Eva this way.”

  “I know you’re used to protecting her, and that’s good, but she’s getting older now. She wants to grow up in hurry, find a husband, and start her own life. The least I could do was steer her in the right direction. You have nothing to worry about where Luke is concerned.”

  Holy shit, Mr. Ford was setting Eva up with that counterfeit cowboy. And they couldn’t do anything about it without telling him they were both hot and bothered for his only daughter.

  “You sure that’s what Eva wants?” asked Colton.

  “She told me she wanted to go to Chester to prove she was an independent woman. She wants the freedom to plan her own future,” said Mr. Ford. “I suppose she’s ready to know what love’s all about.”

  “Why Luke?”

  “He’s a good boy from a good family. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

  “Right.” Colton rocked on his feet. “I mean, I’m sure he’s great. Eva deserves the best.”

  “Just give her some space. I’m sure she’ll be better for it.”

  “Sure. Yeah. No problem.”

  A swarm of family and friends gave them the chance to slip away. Colton walked so fast that North could barely keep up.

  “Wait up,” called North.

  Colt whirled around once they were alone near the barn. “Can you believe this shit?” He paced in a circle, his anger and frustration palpable. “He’s from a good family. Did you hear him, North? And what are we, worthless castoffs?” He punched a hand into his fist.

  “That’s not what he meant. He doesn’t even have a clue we love Eva.”

  “Don’t matter. That’s his reasoning, so we have no hope of making this work. Maybe he’s right. No, I know damn well he’s right, which is why I pushed her away to start with.”

  “Lower your voice, Mrs. Ford’s coming this way.”

  Eva’s mother came straight for them, a smile on her face. She handed them each a shortbread biscuit. He missed her home cooking. “It’s time to gather ‘round the bonfire,” she said.

  North narrowed his eyes. “What bonfire?”

  She put her hands on her hips, and he finally caught on. They had always been the ones to shuck the corn, set up the bonfire, and help keep the day running smoothly. His mind was elsewhere. In fact, Colt’s idea of skipping out was a tempting prospect with his emotions on his sleeve.

  ****

  After getting the bonfire roaring, Colton stepped back to admire his handiwork. They had a few hours of daylight left, but the fire would stave off the chill and it was a focal point for the guests of the corn roast. Children ran by, forcing him to arch his back to keep out of their way. He should be happy, and the event usually put him in good spirits, but he needed more than corn, booze, and friends. Colt needed Eva.

  North had grabbed a table for them on the periphery. There were a lot of families and groups of cowboys waiting for Mr. Ford to give his annual
speech. He’d give thanks to God for the harvest, his family, and friends. He’d make his predictions for next spring’s weather, and he’d tell funny stories involving locals everyone knew well. He’d surely mention Eva and Bessie’s blue ribbon. Maybe he’d throw in something about Eva tying the knot with Luke Weston. He ground his teeth together just imagining her with another man.

  Colton wanted to be the one Mr. Ford spoke about with pride. He wanted to be good enough for Eva. But those were fantasies, not unlike the ones he had as a boy when he wished for someone to save him from the hell at home. Nobody ever came.

  Once the speeches were through, everyone began to talk, eat, and socialize. The music was pumped through the portable speakers bringing a sense of carefree abandon to the event. Colton sat back and watched all the partygoers, his eyes continually roving about for Eva or Luke. He’d grabbed a couple beers from the cooler, and he wondered how many he’d have to drink to ease the pain. The pain of watching Eva fall in love with the man her father chose for her.

  “Look who’s coming,” said North, nudging him in the ribs.

  It was Lorna and Katie Blackwood. The sight should have made his cock hard. They wore short shorts despite the cool temperature, but they were known around town for their flirtatiousness. Colton used to play along, and normally he wouldn’t be against fucking either of them behind the barn.

  Now he wasn’t so sure.

  “Why are you two sitting over here all by yourselves?” asked Lorna. She fluffed up her hair and sat next to him.

  “Just taking a breather.”

  “You don’t mind if we keep you company?” asked Katie.

  “Suit yourself,” said Colton. This was what Mr. Ford expected of him. He was only good for one thing, making a complete ass of himself. Why didn’t Eva’s father think of him when setting her up? Why was he only good enough for the town tramps?

  “I heard you went to Chester,” said Lorna. “I’ve always wanted to go there. How was it?”

  Colton eyed the bonfire, the shadow of Eva appearing behind the flames. He stood up to get a better look. “North…”

  His brother joined him, standing and looking off into the distance.

  “Colton?” Lorna’s voice grated on his nerves.

  “We should get a closer look,” said North.

  He mentally scolded himself. “No, this is her choice, like Mr. Ford said. I ain’t going to force myself on her.”

  “Who are you looking at?” asked Katie.

  He turned to the women, trying to keep his manners while wishing they were gone. “Nobody.”

  When Eva began to walk in their direction, he scrambled to get in his seat and appear nonchalant. He didn’t want her to know how much he was pining over her.

  She looked so fucking pretty, her blonde hair fluttering softly behind her. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, and drown in her sweetness. God, he missed her.

  “Hi,” she said. Where had her smile gone? Was he the one to chase it away? Eva stood in front of their table, her face solemn. Just hearing her voice settled something inside of him. She was the key to his sanity. “Can I talk to both of you for a minute?”

  “Where’s Luke?” He couldn’t help himself. His jealously had been brewing since he first saw her walk off with the other man.

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  He leaned over his knees, his beer bottle dangling from one hand. Lorna’s hand travelled up and down his back, and Eva watched the motion. “I mean Luke Weston, the great guy with your daddy’s blessing.”

  “That’s not fair,” she said. “Can I please talk to you in private?”

  The sky had dimmed a degree and the sunset wouldn’t be far off with the shorter autumn days. Country music hummed in the air, enhancing his volatile emotions. Why couldn’t he catch a break? Did God hate him that much? It seemed like he’d been treading water his entire life, never able to reach his goals.

  North rose to his feet.

  “Fine,” he said, standing next to his brother. Before walking away, he turned to the Blackwood sisters and tipped his Stetson in farewell.

  They followed Eva through the bustling yard, weaving in and out of groups of people. Colton knew most of them, and not one turned a head as the three of them passed. They’d been a trio for over a decade, and the Ford house was their second home. Only he couldn’t go back to seeing Eva as the little girl next door—no matter how hard he wanted to.

  When they turned the corner around the large livestock barn, Eva shoved him against the wooden wall boards. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her breathing heavy.

  “Why are you doing this to me?” She pressed her hands to his chest to keep him in place. “You have no right!”

  “You think you can overpower me?”

  “Whatever, Colt. I just want you to talk to me. You’re acting like a stranger.”

  He stared at her for a long moment. “Maybe it’s better that way.”

  Tears slipped down her cheek and she choked on her words. “You’re supposed to love me!”

  Colton took a deep breath. How could he keep feigning disinterest when she looked up at him with such vulnerability in her eyes? He was hardwired to look out for her and keep her happy. All he’d done since coming home was make a mess of everything.

  “I’ve been waiting for you to tell your dad about us, but you keep putting it off. Now I guess I know why,” said Colton.

  “Are you suggesting I have a have a flame burning for Luke?” She’d raised her voice, the hurt in her tone making him feel like a jackass. “I don’t care how much money he has or how perfect his family is, because that’s what you’re thinking, Colton McReed. I know you too well.”

  “Your daddy sure approves.”

  “I don’t want Luke!”

  “Well you’ve got me at a loss then, Eva. What is it you want?”

  She fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. Her hair fell to the sides of her face when she looked down. “Do you really have to ask?”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The annual corn roast carried on long into the night. By the time things started wrapping up the moon was out and the brisk wind had the partygoers pulling on sweaters and blankets. Although it had been an exciting day overall, it wasn’t the same as other years. Eva could feel the tension between her the twins like winter molasses.

  Eva took Colt and North by the hand and led them away from the festivities. Her father had some crazy idea that she needed help planning out her own life. She knew he meant well, but he couldn’t inspire her to love Luke Weston. Her whole heart belonged to the McReed brothers, and he’d have to accept that once she told him.

  She needed to get them alone, away from her father and all other prying eyes. She craved intimacy, that unique connection they shared in Chester.

  “Where we going?” asked North. They walked through the tall grass to the back of the house and then down the slope to the old hay barn. It was pitch black when they turned the corner, the distant flood lights at the front of the property blocked out.

  “It’s a secret.”

  When they got to the barn, she climbed up the wooden ladder to the loft. She used to play up here when she was a kid, so it brought back fond memories when she saw nothing had changed. Eva used the quilt she’d been holding around her shoulders and set in on the ground in her favorite spot. She settled on her back and looked up through the exposed roof boards. In all these years, her father hadn’t repaired the damage caused from the big ice storm that pummelled their outbuildings. She was glad for it.

  “You can see the stars,” she said. Once her eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, the moon and stars gave the loft a wash of light.

  Colt squatted next to her, looking at her like she was a puzzle to solve.

  She pointed up. “Look, it’s the big dipper.”

  When she turned her head to the side, Colton was staring at her rather than the sky. “I can’t do this, Eva. I’m sorry, baby girl, I’ve fucked up everything.”
<
br />   His shaggy blond hair fell down over his eyes as he settled next to her. He was stunning, the moonlight highlighting the masculine planes of his face. She knew he was hurting, and not just because of her. All she wanted to do was make everything right.

  She touched his face, wishing he’d kiss her. “I want to belong to both of you. In every way.” Eva had been obsessing over the brothers during the long lonely nights at home. She kept wishing they’d knock on her window, but they never came. “I’ve been dreaming about our night in Chester.”

  Colton’s jaw clenched.

  “What if your father doesn’t approve after you tell him?” asked North. “Will you forget about us then?” He was still standing up, leaning against a support beam. His dark features blended with the shadows, but the faint lighting reflected off the metal of his belt buckle.

  “I’m a grown woman. If he doesn’t accept the men I love, then he doesn’t accept me.”

  North walked around the barren loft, each step punctuated with a hollow echo and occasional creek in the wood. “That would be a big sacrifice. Maybe too big.”

  “Some things are worth fighting for,” she said.

  The McReed brothers had literally been fighting for her all their lives. They protected her, coddled her, and made her feel safe in every way. How could she walk away from them now that her love burned hotter than the sun?

  North peeked in the burlap sacks in the corner. “What’s all this?”

  “We couldn’t fit everything in the cellar.” There were apples, carrots, potatoes, turnip, ginger, and garlic. Some they’d grown, others were used as trades for beef or other crops.

  North pulled out a pocket knife from his back pocket, flicking it open. The blade gleamed in the moonlight. He grabbed an apple and carved off a slice to eat.

  Colt dropped to his back, his arms behind his head as a makeshift pillow. His sweater rose up, exposing the lower half of his ripped abs and the dark trail of hair disappearing into his Wranglers.