by Jennie Marts
She reached for her skates, but he grabbed them first. “I’ll take care of these. Then I’ll take you home.”
“I’ll wait by the door.” She walked away, trying to hold her head up, but feeling the weight of shame and embarrassment digging into her shoulders. She had to fight to keep them from slumping in defeat.
In the truck, on the way to her house, he tried again. “Look, Chloe…”
She shook her head. “Please don’t. You don’t have to say anything. I shouldn’t have done that. I got caught up in the moment. I’m sorry. It was a mistake.”
“I know,” he said not quite under his breath.
But she’d heard it, felt it, like a stab to the heart. He’d known it was a mistake as well and was just too nice to say anything more. He was probably just as embarrassed. How humiliating it must have been to have her throw herself at him!
But she’d really thought he liked her, thought he was flirting with her.
Thought he was different.
He had seemed special—not just because he was crazy cute and the little dimple in the side of his cheek made her want to swoon, but because he was also sweet and kind and helped others, and because when he looked at her, she could forget for a moment that chunky girl nobody wanted. She could almost imagine all he saw was her. The Chloe she was now, who could almost pass for attractive.
But that’s all it was, all this whole thing between them was—in her imagination. Colt didn’t desire her, didn’t dream of kissing her. Sure, he’d kissed her back for a few seconds, but that was probably just a reflex. Or maybe he didn’t want her to feel too embarrassed. Too late. If a giant hole appeared in the floor of this truck, she’d happily sink right through it.
They pulled up in front of her house, and she opened the door and slipped out as soon as he’d put the truck in park. “Thanks for the skating lessons. Bye, Colt.” She slammed the door and hurried up the sidewalk and into her house before he had a chance to say anything more.
Thanks for the skating lessons? Really? She might have fled his truck in mortification, but she was still going to be polite as she left.
She let herself into the house and kicked off her boots before padding into her living room. Agatha slept curled on the recliner but opened one eye, then stretched out a paw to acknowledge her.
Chloe swallowed against the burn in her throat. She flung herself onto the sofa and pressed her face into the cushion as she let out a frustrated scream.
* * *
The next morning, she took extra care with her hair and makeup. She dabbed concealer on the dark circles under her eyes, telltale signs of the sleepless night she’d had. Colton James didn’t need to know she’d lost an ounce of shut-eye due to him.
She glanced at the clock as the hands inched closer to seven. She had no idea if he’d even pick her up this morning, but if he did, her plan was to act like the night before had never happened. She would be cordial and polite. Maybe she could thank him for teaching her how to skate again. Head slap. But she in no way, shape, or form would let on that the previous night’s kiss had affected her or their “friendship.”
Status quo. That’s what she was going for. She might be riddled with embarrassment, but she didn’t want to never see the guy again. Friendship was enough for her. If he still wanted to be her friend.
She could do this. The sound of an engine pulling up in front of her house had her hands clenching into fists, her fingernails digging into the skin of her palms.
She was wrong. She changed her mind. She couldn’t do this.
Stop it. It wasn’t that bad. It was just a kiss. It wasn’t like she’d stripped naked and done a Blades of Glory–style ice-skating striptease. Now that would have been embarrassing.
She took a deep breath, unclenched her fists, and pasted on a smile before opening the door to face him.
Except that it wasn’t him sitting in the cab of the SUV. It was Quinn.
The day had started off so beautiful, the bright sun glinting off what was left of the snow, but Chloe felt like a cloud had just passed over the sun, her insides going as dark and gloomy as a thunderstorm. She’d been nervous about seeing Colt and how she was going to act, but she hadn’t expected this. Hadn’t expected him not to show up at all.
He was still Colt, after all—the guy everyone could count on to come through for them, everyone’s friend. Except now apparently not hers. She’d had her doubts, but in her heart, she’d been sure he’d show up, which was probably why she hadn’t arranged another ride home for herself. But maybe this was his way of saying he didn’t really want to be her friend.
She gulped and tried to keep her smile in place as she gathered her things and walked to the curb. Max waved happily to her from the back seat.
Quinn’s window slid down, and she stuck her head through. “Colt had an issue at the farm, and he asked me to pick you up this morning. Hope that’s okay.”
“It’s great. I really appreciate it.” She needed to get her own car back. And soon. She’d make some calls on her break today to price how much a rental would be. Even if insurance wasn’t covering it, having her own transportation would be worth it. It had been different when Colt was giving her a ride, and it felt like he was doing it because he wanted to see her. But now accepting a ride just felt like an imposition.
Quinn looked gorgeous, as usual. Even with her long, blond hair pulled up in a messy bun and wearing an oversize, faded brown Carhartt jacket that probably belonged to Rock, she still looked like a model. She lowered her aviator sunglasses and darted a glance at the house next door. “Any more passengers for the Quinn-Tank Taxi?”
As if on cue, the front door of the Johnson house opened, and Maddie, Jake, and Charlie tumbled out, a mass of coats and backpacks as they raced toward the car. “Can we get a ride?” Maddie asked breathlessly, her hand already reaching for the back door.
Her brothers waited for Quinn to nod before they piled in the back after their sister.
“Still no Jesse?” Chloe asked the boys as she slipped into the passenger seat and closed the door.
Charlie shook his head. “He started hanging out with this new kid, and he’s been staying over at his house. Mom isn’t happy about it, but at least he’s texting her and telling her where he is now. Which is better than him not showing up and her not knowing where he is at all.”
“True.”
“It’s okay with me,” Jake said. “Last time he came home, he stunk up the whole room. He smelled like a skunk with BO.”
Max made a disgusted face, but worry snaked through Chloe. She didn’t like the sound of this new kid. Or the fact that Jesse apparently wasn’t showering and was smoking pot. She might be naive about taking drugs herself, but she lived in Colorado and knew that the scent surrounding someone who had recently smoked marijuana often smelled similar to the spray of a skunk. Jesse had always been a good kid. He might have complained about the extra responsibilities of his siblings, but he’d always put their well-being first and hadn’t ever shirked on making sure they were taken care of. She might need to chat with Tina this weekend.
“Sorry, I know I’m not the James you were expecting,” Quinn said, leaning toward her.
“You’re fine. I’m glad to see you.” The other woman might not be Colt, but Chloe truly was glad to see her. She really liked Quinn. They’d made some tentative attempts at friendship, and she could use a female friend.
“I’m still not quite used to calling myself a James.” Quinn smiled and lowered her voice as she put the car in gear. “Even though I am technically a James now, I know I’m no substitute for a six-foot-four cute cowboy named Colt.”
Heat flared in Chloe’s cheeks at just hearing his name. “Really. It’s fine. He’s not my personal taxi.” She tried to keep the emotion out of her voice, but her words cracked the slightest, and Quinn gave her a concerned look.
&nbs
p; “Everything okay? Did something happen between you two?”
“No. Of course not,” she stammered. “Did he say something happened?”
Quinn arched an eyebrow. “No. He just asked me to give you and the kids a ride to school. Was there something for him to say?”
“No. I’m sorry.” Chloe waved her hand at the other woman. “I’m just tired. It’s been a long week, and I’m ready for my Friday to be over and the weekend to be here. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m actually glad I’m getting a chance to see you. I desperately need a girls’ night out, and I was wondering if you’d like to join me and Tessa for a drink. You remember Tess from the hockey game? Mason’s girlfriend?”
“Sure.” She’d met Tess when she’d helped the James family run the snack bar at the alumni hockey game earlier that summer. The other woman had just started dating Colt’s brother Mason, but Chloe had seen her around town several times since then. They’d chatted amicably every time they’d run into each other and always left with a promise to get together for lunch or dinner sometime soon.
“It wouldn’t be anything fancy. Just a chance to get a little dressed up and go out for some Mexican food. And by Mexican food, I mean street tacos and frozen margaritas. You look a little like you could use a marg and some girl time.”
Chloe wouldn’t know. She’d never had a marg and some girl time before. But she was up for it. In fact, it sounded like a great way to get her mind off a certain cowboy. “It sounds great. Count me in.”
“Good. Rock’s got a meeting in Denver this week, and The Creed has a Taco Tuesday night, so I thought we’d shoot for going then.”
“Sounds good.”
“It’ll be fun. Just a group of cool twentysomethings going out on the town.”
Chloe’s shoulders fell. “Are you sure you want to invite me? I hate to break it to you, but I am neither cool nor a twentysomething. Not after my birthday last year.”
“Really? I thought you were younger than me.” Quinn waved her hand through the air. “But it doesn’t matter. I was just teasing about that. And I’m right behind you anyway. Plus, I’m the mother of a third-grade boy, so my ‘cool’ status is highly questionable as well.”
Not hardly. Quinn might be a year younger, but she had a family and had just taken one of Denver’s most sought-after bad-boy bachelors off the market. Her life seemed pretty perfect to Chloe. It was different for her. She had all the makings of a cliché spinster—unmarried schoolteacher with an obsessive knitting habit and a cat.
Ugh. She looked down at her khaki pants and the comfortable but far from fashionable boots she wore. No wonder Colt had pulled away when she’d thrown herself at him the night before.
What a fool she’d been to imagine a guy like him would be interested in a frizzy-haired, former fat-club frump like her.
Quinn pulled the car up to the curb. “I’m not sure who will come in this afternoon to pick up Max, but one of us will be able to give you all a ride home.”
“We don’t need one,” Charlie told them as he climbed out of the car. “Our mom said she’s picking us up after school. She gets paid today, and we’re going out for hamburgers, then coming to watch Maddie’s first hockey practice.”
Chloe held in a groan. What was she supposed to do about hockey practice? Would Colt still want her there? Did it matter? She couldn’t very well back out now. Maddie needed her to be there, and she couldn’t let the little girl down. She applauded her bravery and gumption for wanting to play hockey, and she certainly didn’t want to stand in the way of that or mess up Maddie’s chances of being able to play. Maybe she could go tonight and try to find a mom who might be willing to help.
She waved to Quinn. “You don’t have to worry about me either. It’s nice today, and I have a few errands in town, so I’ll just walk home.” In her unfashionable but sturdy boots.
“Are you sure?” Quinn peered at Chloe over the top of her sunglasses.
“Positive.”
“Okay. I’ll text you about Tuesday, and I’ll probably see you at Max’s practice. Colt told me you were helping him coach. I think that’s awesome. My brother, Logan, is helping with the team too. You all are going to have a lot of fun.” Her impish grin gave away how much fun she thought coaching a bunch of little kids would be. She waved and pushed her sunglasses back up her nose. “See you tonight.”
Chloe focused all her energy on forming her lips into a bright smile. “Yep. Can’t wait. See you tonight.”
* * *
The scent of Vivi’s famous fried chicken filled the air as Colt dropped into a chair in his mom’s kitchen for lunch that day. His mouth watered as she set a steaming bowl of creamy mashed potatoes on the table next to the platter of chicken.
Meals tended to be larger and more substantial on the ranch. Vivi knew she had several hungry men who had already put in numerous hours of physical labor, and she did an amazing job of providing a great spread for their crew. It was hard to know who would come in for the noonday meal, but Vivi always had plenty to share.
Today’s attendance was fairly light, with only his mom, his brothers, one ranch hand, and Quinn. Which was fine by Colt since that meant more chicken for him. And the anticipation of fried chicken and mashed potatoes covered in his mom’s country gravy had been the highlight of his day so far.
The heavy snowfall earlier in the week had caused a few problems on the ranch, and Mason had dropped by the cabin that morning to say he really needed Colt’s help. A huge section of fence line had been downed by broken and fallen tree limbs and the chicken coop’s roof had sprung a leak.
There was always something to do around the ranch, always something to fix or change or check on or feed. And the weather or the health of an animal or herd could ruin any number of well-laid plans. Like the ones he’d made for how he was going to talk to Chloe when he picked her up that morning.
He couldn’t get the kiss out of his head. His sheets had been a tangled mess this morning because he’d tossed and turned the night before, unable to sleep for thinking about her warm lips and her soft body pressed against his. Even though kissing and touching her had been all he could think about during the entire skating lesson, she’d still taken him by surprise when she’d planted one on him.
It hadn’t seemed real. But her lips against his had been real, and she’d felt amazing. He’d wrapped her in his arms and pulled her close, the needs and wants of his body overriding any rational thoughts his mind might have tried to interject. Everything else fell away, and all he could focus on was Chloe and the way she’d fit perfectly against him like she were the other piece of his puzzle.
Her mouth was soft and yielding, and she’d kissed him with a hunger and desire that he hadn’t felt in a long time. But it was the enormity of his feelings for her, the need to touch and taste and the crazy impulse to strip off her jeans and take her against the boards that had him pulling back to regroup and catch his breath.
Colt couldn’t remember the last time he’d wanted anything so much or felt the tight grip he usually kept on his feelings loosening. It had scared the daylights out of him. He hadn’t wanted to stop. He’d just needed to catch his breath, to take it down a notch before he did something he regretted, like getting naked on a sheet of ice wearing hockey skates.
But he knew the second he pulled away, knew the instant he saw the shift in her expression go from sex kitten to deer in the headlights that he’d made a terrible mistake.
Because that subtle shift in expression told him all he needed to know—that he wasn’t the only one who’d made a mistake, and Chloe had just realized hers. Hell, she even admitted it. First words out of her mouth before she ran—or stumble-skated off—were “Sorry” and “This was a mistake.”
He’d tried to talk to her, but he didn’t know what to say, and she’d made it quite clear she didn’t want to talk. She’d seemed
embarrassed, and who could blame her? She was whip smart, college-educated, and so pretty. Why would she be interested in a guy like him? She probably thought he was an idiot, hanging out at her house the whole night before, and making those cupcakes… What a dope.
He never should have brought that wine. It was obvious she was an inexperienced drinker. She’d even admitted the wine had made her do it.
Up until that moment, he’d thought things were going so well. She had to know he was flirting with her. And the way she would blush, then playfully tease him back made him think she was really interested too.
But the words This was a mistake kept ringing in his ears, and he knew the curse was alive. Things had been going too well. He was really starting to like this woman. They had fun together, and she made him laugh. Already, in the few short weeks he’d known her and especially in the last few days, she’d awoken something in him, some part of him that had been shut up tight and sealed off, a dream he didn’t think could ever be his—a dream of having a real relationship, of a woman to love.
He figured he’d give her a night to think about it and to recover from the strawberry wine. When he picked her up this morning, he’d planned to charm her into smiling and talking to him again. But nothing about his day had gone as planned.
He bowed his head as Rock said grace, then filled his plate as the food was passed around. Trying to sound casual, like it didn’t matter to him one way or the other, he tipped his chin to Quinn. “Thanks for picking Chloe and the kids up today. I appreciate it.”
“It was no problem. I was glad to get to see her. I’ve been wanting to touch base with her about getting together for a girls’ night out anyway, and this gave us a chance to plan something.”
“Oh, yeah. Good. That sounds fun. So…did she seem okay?”
“I’m not sure what you mean by ‘okay.’ I think she was a little flustered that I showed up instead of you. I don’t think I’m a great substitute for a tall, hunky cowboy.”