by Jackie Olson
***
Colt Malone stood inside Helena Regional Airport. He jiggled his truck keys impatiently against his thigh. Joelle’s flight had been delayed. And while he was many things, patient was not one of them. It was a trait that had never come easily to him. Mainly because he rarely liked to be idle.
Nearly every woman that walked past him, smiled. Women had always noticed him. But it had been a long time since one had shared his life or his bed. Not since Ashlyn. They had grown up together. He chased her from the moment he was big enough to run. He couldn’t recall a moment of his life that he didn’t love her. She had been his best friend and then his lover. But Ashlyn wanted to chase something of her own. Her dreams had taken her far from Montana and far from him. She was in California now. He used to think they’d get married and build a life together. He used to think love matter more than anything. Now he knew better. Love broke you in ways that would never heal. And he didn’t intend to ever give someone that kind of power over him again.
He made the ranch his whole life. His father had died three years prior, and he had no other family. When his father died, the ranch and all the responsibility of it became his. It was a huge undertaking. The ranch was financially in bad shape. It was burden his father had never shared with him, but something he inherited just the same.
Things still weren’t great. He worked from sun up to sun down, but the ranch was still in jeopardy. He had to lay off most of the staff. He had taken out new loans to pay off old ones. But the ranch was still in debt. He knew he didn’t have time to be angry but he was. He was angry that his father hadn’t been a better businessman. He was angry at his mother for leaving when he was young. He was angry at the hand life and love had dealt him.
He couldn’t say what came over him the night he went online and found the mail order bride website. He guessed it was his loneliness. He wanted to come home to a hot meal and a warm body. He didn’t want someone to fall in love with but he did want a partner. Someone to share his burdens and his life. Joelle’s ad had stood out to him. She was beautiful but haunted. Long, dark hair and big expressive eyes. She looked like a painting from another time and place. She seemed like a woman that could possess a man and make him beg at her feet, and yet gave him the sense that she didn’t want to possess anyone. What she wanted was security. A place in the world that belonged to her. He could give her that, even if he could never give her his heart.
The gate opened, and a rush of people came toward him. Cole scanned the crowd looking for her. He had looked at her picture a dozen times. He had stared into her hazel eyes and memorized the color of her lips and the curve of her neck. His finger had traced each wave of her long, raven hair. But that picture had in no way prepared him for the real-life version.
He called her name and she walked toward him, her cheeks flush and her hair slightly tangled. She was smiling, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Colt?”
“Hello,” he said. His voice came out slightly gruff.
“Hi.” She hesitated for a moment, but then sat down her bag and leaned into him.
He didn’t think, he just put his arms around her and closed his eyes. He felt his whole body respond to hers, full and warm against him. She smelled of a lavender and citrus. And when she pulled back to look up at him, he felt breathless for the first time in a long time. Yep, she could awaken a hunger in a man and he was in no way immune; and it was a hunger he had almost forgotten was there. His pulse quickened, and this animal desire to ravage her was stirring inside. He swallowed, and took a long, shaky breath.
“I’m glad I’m here,” she said softly.
“So am I.”
They stood for a moment, still half in each other’s arm. He took another breath and steadied himself.
“We should get going Do you have more bags?” he asked.
She smiled again in a sad sort of way. He saw something in her eyes for the briefest of moments, but then it was gone.
“This is all I have.” She gestured toward the bag at her feet. “I meant it when I said I was looking forward to a fresh start.”
He picked up the bag for her. “My trucks just outside then,” he said. “We have an appointment at the courthouse in less than an hour.”
She nodded. They had done the paperwork online, and obtain their marriage license. He had told her he didn’t see any reason to put things off, and so he made an appointment at the courthouse for them to be married that afternoon. She didn’t seem to want to wait either.
They exited the airport and Joelle’s breath hitched as she took in the landscape. The blue sky was cloudless and seemed to have no end. The land before them was flat and rugged until your eyes found the mountains jutting into the heavens.
“It’s so beautiful,” she said softly.
“It is,” he agreed. He had never strayed far from home. The soul of him came from the land and those mountains.
They reached his pickup truck, and he tossed her bag into the bed of it. The truck was painted a fire engine red and it was well loved and taken care of.
“After you.” He opened the passenger side door, and then without thinking he reached down and touched her cheek. This made her lips part slightly.
An invitation?
Her lips were as red as his truck and he couldn’t seem to look away. Slowly he bent down, letting his own lips graze her’s. His hands fell to her waist, and he pulled her body to his. He kissed her, tasting the sweetness of her. She didn’t respond to him at first. But he felt the exact moment when she let go. She molded herself to him, and her body hummed. She made a sexy, breathy sound and it about did him in. Somehow he knew she had the same kind of demons that he did. She buried things too. Maybe like him, she still held out hope that one day she’d find redemption.
She pulled away first. She stared at him, her breath ragged.
“Colt, I didn’t come here to fall for you.”
Trying to regain his composure he said, “I didn’t bring you here to fall in love.”
“Before we do this, I need you to promise me again. Love is not part of the agreement.”
“I do. And I’ll keep my promise.” He nodded toward the open truck door and ran his fingers through his hair. She was holding his gaze, searching.
“So will I,” she said and got up into the truck. They were on the road a moment later, heading for the courthouse on the other side of town.
***
Joelle tried to stop her hands from shaking. She and Colt had arrived at the courthouse, and she could hear the Judge and Colt talking. But all she could think of was that moment she spotted him in the airport. He had on a pair of Wrangler’s that fit him well and a button-down shirt. Cowboy boots of course and she had spotted a matching cowboy hat in the truck. He was also sporting a five o’clock shadow even though it was only noon. He wore it well. Too well. He was quite possibly the most handsome man she had even laid eyes on. His auburn hair that curled at the ends and those smoky eyes rimmed with lashes that went on for days. And when he kissed her…
“We’re ready.” Colt touched her arm lightly. The Judge was just beside him.
“But are you ready my dear?” he asked. He had a soft voice and a kindly face.
“I do – I mean I am,” she stammered. They both smiled at her and she laughed nervously. Colt had her undone and that was not part of the plan.
The simple ceremony took less than ten minutes. When it concluded, Colt leaned in and kissed her again. This kiss was softer and sweeter. It held a promise instead of passion. It told her he would be there and he would take care of her.
“Let’s go home,” he said.
It was a good twenty minutes before they reached the ranch. Colt turned down a rocky drive. Lone Moon Ranch sat a mile off the main road with rolling hills on either side. The main house was average in size, painted red with a white a trim. A barn sat directly to the left of the house, and acres of pasture and field to the right. She breathed in the smell of cut grass and w
atched as hundreds of dandelions danced in the late afternoon breeze. She spotted several cows in the pasture, and could make out the sound of horses nearby.
He put the car in park right in front of the house. He got out and came around to open the door for her. They stood in the driveway for a long time in silence. He was letting her take everything in. She had never seen so much land and beauty in all her life. She felt like she had been dropped in the middle of nowhere, and the middle of nowhere looked a lot like paradise.
“Hello!” A middle-aged woman came down the front porch steps. She was drying her hands on the apron she wore. Her graying hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she had a big smile on her face. She came toward Joelle, and pulled her into a tight hug.
“My goodness, you are gorgeous.” She pulled back, holding Joelle at arm’s length. Then she leaned in and hugged her again. “We are so happy to have you. And congratulations to you both!” She turned to him then, and he bent so she could kiss his cheek. She looked at him with such affection that it made Joelle smile.
“This is Minnie,” Colt said. “Minnie, this is Joelle.”
“You can call me Jo.”
Minnie turned back and hugged her again.
“Minnie is a dear friend,” he explained. “She comes by once or twice a week to help tidy up or cook one of her delicious meals. I don’t deserve her at all, but I honestly don’t know what I would do without her.”
“Oh shush.” She slapped him playfully on the arm. “I love you like my own son. And how I wish I could do more for you, love.” Her eyes got misty. “But here you are now.” She turned back to Joelle. “I am just so happy that Colt has found someone to love again.”
Colt cleared his throat uncomfortably and she got the impression that Minnie had no idea how they had met. And maybe she would be a bit taken aback if she knew he had basically gone online and ordered up a bride.
“Well, I am happy to be here. So happy,” Joelle said. “Colt has just stolen my heart and I don’t ever want it back.”
Minnie clapped her hands in delight, smiling brightly at them. He was giving her a look, and she gave him a sideways smile.
“Well, come on in. You must be tired and famished. I have dinner all ready.” She directed them inside, like a shepherd herding her flock.
Once inside the house, she took a moment to look around her new home. All the rooms were big and open, with high ceilings and lots of windows. The living room was to her left, and a large stone fireplace stood against the back wall. He didn’t have a whole lot of furniture, a leather couch, and two big chairs.
She made her way to the kitchen, which was also airy and full of lots of natural light. A large island sat in the center and a small breakfast nook in the corner. The dining room sat off to the right, and both rooms blended well together.
“There’s a roast warming in the oven. And biscuits on the table,” Minnie said. “You’ve outdone yourself again,” he told her.
“Oh, don’t fuss on me. You sit down and enjoy your dinner. I’ll be around tomorrow, Jo, to help you settle in.”
“Thank you – so much,” she said.
Minnie smiled and touched her cheek. “You’re going to be very happy here,” she promised and then she was gone.
He glanced toward the dining room table. “Shall we?” he asked.
She nodded, her stomach rumbling at the thought. She hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch that day. In fact, she hadn’t eaten much at all lately. Certainly, nothing that resembled a home cooked meal.
They ate in silence for several minutes. She savored the biscuits dipped in honey. She glanced up at him, the late afternoon sun poured in through a window, and she could see the flecks of red in his hair.
“I’m sorry you didn’t have any family or friends here today,” he said.
“I don’t have a family. None that speak to me anyway. And no real friends either,” she told him. “It’s just me.”
“Why doesn’t your family speak to you?” he asked.
She looked up, meeting his gaze. “My parents died last year. It was a car accident. That sent my spiraling a bit. I didn’t always make the best decisions. My brother and sister are both older than me. I guess they handle things better than I do. She has two kids and he owns his own business. I’m the black sheep and they finally threw in the towel.”
“Doesn’t seem fair,” he said. “You’re family. They shouldn’t just turn their backs on you.”
“I don’t blame them,” she replied honestly. “I hurt them a lot. They felt like they needed to protect themselves.”
He sat back in his chair, holding her gaze across the table. “Is that why you left? Why you married me?”
“I don’t have anything, Colt. I’m embarrassed to say that, but it’s the truth. But now I’m your wife. And here we are together, and I want this to work. I want this ranch to be as much mine as it is yours. I want us to take care of it together.”
“And you mean that?”
“I do.”
“You know, it’s just me, too. Sure – I have friends. Wonderful friends. But no family. This ranch is all I have, and I work every day to hold on to it for me… For us.” He paused still watching her. “And I’m sorry about your parents. I never knew my mother, but my daddy passed away three years ago. So, I mean it – I am sorry.”
“It’s been over a year. You would think it would hurt a little less by now.”
“It won’t ever hurt any less. You just learn to live with it.”
They took their time finishing dinner. She liked talking to him and he seemed to like to listen. She talked a lot about Boston. It was her first love after all. They also talked about the ranch, and she asked him questions about his life growing up.
When they finished, he stood and pushed his chair back heavily. “I get up at five. We should go to bed.”
Bed?
His eyes had turned to smolder. Slowly, she stood as well.
“Okay.”
“Jo, listen - I’ve never had a woman in my bed who didn’t want to be there,” he began. “But it’s been a long time. So, I am hoping you will join me in it tonight.” With that, he stepped around the table and walked past her. She listened to the echo of his boots as he went upstairs.
She felt rooted in place for several seconds, twisting her dinner napkin back and forth in her hands. The attraction she felt toward him was undeniable. And even hours later, she could still remember the taste of his lips on hers. A slight tremor went through her at the memory. It had been a long time for her as well. And he was her husband…
He was sitting on the bed in the first bedroom. There was a large bay window to the left with a window seat. The setting sun painted the room a dusty rose color.
“I don’t sleep in the master bedroom,” he explained. He watched her as she scanned the bedroom, taking it all in.
“Why?” she asked softly.
“It’s not mine. Never was, and I don’t see how it could ever be. Is that a problem?”
She shook her head no. She was still standing in the doorway, and they watched each other across the room. She could see his chest rise and fall with each breath. He seemed to be tracing her whole body with his eyes.
“Come to bed,” he told her. His voice was a husky whisper.
Again, a tremor went through her. She felt an ache and longing deep inside. She had not just been alone; she had been lonely. And she had been that way long before Nick got arrested.
“Colt.” She came to him, straddling his waist and pushing him down on the bed. She leaned over, creating a canopy with her hair. It blocked out the world, so all that was left was the two of them. They held on to each other. Some moments thrashing against the night and all the loneliness that had held them captive. They were iron and lace, colliding in moments of raw, insatiable need. And in other moments, they were soft and gentle and warm like a summer breeze. Their bodies lifting and swaying like waves to the shore.
PART TWO
Joel
le rolled over in bed, pulling the covers around her. She opened her eyes to see that the sun was making its way across the sky. She sighed happily. Her whole body felt sated and relaxed. She smiled, thinking of the night before. She could feel her insides vibrate and stir. She wasn’t sure any man had ever made her feel that way. She was literally humming from the inside out. She was more than satisfied, yet the hunger for him lingered.
“Jo.”
She jumped slightly, then turned back over in bed. Colt was standing over her, completely dressed. He was clean shaven and he smelled wonderful. She reached out, her hand caressing his.
“Come back to bed,” she told him.
“Back to bed?” he repeated. “You need to get up.”
She blinked and sat up. She wasn’t dressed, so she pulled the sheet up around her.
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s no breakfast made. And I am heading out. There is housework to be done. I thought we discussed all this.”
“Colt…”
“I need a partner, Jo.”
“I know that.” She blinked several more times, pushing back tears that suddenly burned her eyes. “We were partners last night,” she said softly.
“I have to start my day. I’ll eat some biscuits left over from last night. But I’ll be back at noon, and I’d like something hot waiting for me.” He turned then and stalked out of the bedroom.
She smacks away a few tears that had managed to escape. She got out of bed, pulling the sheet along with her. She needed a shower and she needed coffee. And she needed to get herself in check. She couldn’t lay in bed daydreaming about him all day. He was a business decision, nothing more.
She padded down the hall, the floor cold against her bare feet. Her clothes were still in her suitcase which she’d left in the foyer. The house was silent as she made her way carefully down the winding staircase. Just as she reached the landing, the front door swung open.
A man stood there looking like John Wayne come back to life. He was most likely in his forties. But a life working under the sun had leathered his skin, and it made him appear older.