In Colton's Custody

by Dana Nussio

  He opened his mouth to say something, but she couldn’t give him the chance to reject her until she’d said everything in her heart.

  “Maybe we never should have met. We wouldn’t have, if not for a pair of grifters. You’re a Colton, for goodness’ sake.” She chuckled, but tears filled her eyes. “I’m not sorry. And I won’t be no matter what happens. Luna and I will be okay, but I did this for me. Loving you... It was worth it.”

  She stared down at her hands and waited, a lump forming in her throat. It was so quiet in the tent that the sound of her own tight breathing filled her ears. Her heart squeezed. Well, at least she’d taken her shot. She’d had to know the truth.

  “We were interrupted the night of the fire, too.”

  She swallowed. “Yeah, I guess we were.”

  “I told you I wanted you.”

  “I remember that.” She recalled how much it hurt, too.

  “Well, I was trying to say that I want you. All of you.”

  He leaned forward and took her clasped hands between his. “Willow, I’m in love with you, too.”

  She wasn’t sure which one of them moved first, but suddenly his lips were on hers, and she was melting into him. Her fingers slid from between his hands, and they snaked up over his shoulders to nestle in the hair at his nape.

  Gentle, warm kisses deepened, and she found herself trying to climb into him, both coming up on their knees. This was what she’d always been looking for. Him. She fit herself to him, wanting more, needing more and losing her ability to care that they were inside a play tent.

  Finally, he sat back again. “I don’t know about you, but my knees are killing me. And since I was about to peel your clothes off in a place where our daughters might one day have tea parties together...”

  She chuckled as she sat back, this time stretching out her sore legs. “Yeah, me, too.”

  Again, he reached for her hands.

  “I know I’ve asked you this before.” He hesitated, clearing his throat. “Twice. And then I took the offer back when you said yes. But there’s a question I’d like to ask.”

  “Go ahead.” She wasn’t sure how she’d even pushed the words past the lump clogging her throat. This was what she’d waited for, and it was finally here.

  “Marry me, Willow. Not because it makes sense that we should be together to raise our beautiful girls, though it absolutely does. And not because we’re so compatible in bed.”

  Asher paused to trace his gaze over her like a caress that began at her scalp and ended at her pointed toes. When she shivered, he grinned.

  “Though that’s true, too. We know the difference between real and fake now, and what we have is real. Be my wife because you love me as much as I love you.” He licked his lips and stared into her eyes. “Well?”

  “Yes. And don’t you ever take that offer back.”

  She leaned in and kissed him again and again.

  He gasped for breath. “I want to adopt Luna, too, and, if you’re willing, I’d like you to adopt Harper.”

  “I want to do that, too. I’ll love your daughter as if she’s my own.”

  He started to kiss her again.

  “Wait. I want you to know that I don’t mind if you choose to keep your last name since I know you’ve had a problem with mine. Do whatever makes you happy.”

  “You make me happy, and I now associate that name with you, so I’ll be happy to be a Colton.”

  A smile spread on his lips.

  “Oh. One more thing. There were two more times when you were interrupted. After the fire and at the hospital. Both times, I think you were talking about me, and each time you said ‘my’ and stopped. What did you almost say?”

  She smiled. “Oh, that’s easy. Both times, it was the same, but I wasn’t ready to say it yet. My love.”

  His eyes appeared extra shiny before they closed, so he could press his lips to hers once more.

  Someone outside the tent cleared her throat.

  “Speaking of interruptions.”

  He pulled away and then backed out of the tent. She followed him out.

  Her cheeks burned as she found Genevieve and Marlowe sitting on the outdoor sofa, holding Asher’s daughter and hers. The tray of lemonade had been relocated to the table next to where they sat. The two women tittered, possessors of an inside joke.

  “It’s good to see you both again.”

  Marlowe patted her own hair in a hint that Willow might need to check hers. She could only imagine what her mouth looked like when her lips tingled, having been thoroughly kissed.

  “How long have you two been out here?” Asher wanted to know.

  “Long enough to go to the safe and bring back this.” Genevieve held out a tiny jewelry box.

  Willow didn’t even want to think about what else her future in-laws had overheard.

  “Great-grandma Mays’s ring?” He tilted his head to the side. “Wait. You never gave that to me when I asked...”

  He didn’t mention Nora’s name, but his mother still shook her head.

  “She wasn’t The One.”

  Asher rolled his lips inward and nodded before crossing to his mother, leaning over to accept the box from her hand and kiss her cheek. Then he carried it back to Willow but didn’t open it.

  “My mother’s parents weren’t wealthy, but since I’m Mom’s oldest son, the ring was supposed to come to me. You don’t have to wear this if you don’t want to, though. We can ride downtown and pick out a different stone for you. As big as you want.” He made as if to put the box in his jeans pocket.

  “Am I going to get to see it?”

  “Oh. Right.”

  He held the box out to her and flipped it open. A small solitaire diamond in a white-gold setting with tiny twin baguettes on either side stared up at her.

  “It’s perfect.”

  Asher grinned, his cheeks filling with color, as he withdrew the slim ring from the box. “If it doesn’t fit or you don’t like it when you have it on—”

  “Asher, can we try it already?”

  He nodded and held it to the tip of her finger. “Last chance. Still want to marry me?”

  “Absolutely. Now put it on me before you try to take back your offer again.”

  He slid it over her knuckle, and both were surprised to find that it fit perfectly. She stared down at her hand.

  “I love it.”

  Asher put his arm around her and faced his mother, sister and the two infants. “I would like to present my fiancée, Willow Merrill.”

  The two women clapped, and to everyone’s surprise, Luna clapped twice, as well. Harper looked over at the infant who was soon to be her sister, and she mimicked her action, touching her hands together three times.

  Asher and Willow stared at each other.

  “Guess all that practice with patty-cake paid off,” he said. “Those two will probably always be competing to see who reaches each milestone first.”

  Genevieve stood up from the sofa and carried Luna over to them. “That will be a lot of fun for the both of you when these beautiful girls of yours want to start dating.”

  Asher’s hands immediately went to his head. “Oh. Don’t tell me that.”

  The women on the porch got a laugh out of that one at his expense. The two babies, who’d just learned a new skill, laughed, too, and kept right on clapping. Their mom and dad were going to make them a family, after all.

  Chapter 28

  Asher couldn’t stop smiling as he forked an ear of corn on the cob at his family’s picnic beneath the retractable awning on the mansion’s deck. He passed the tray to Willow. His fiancée. He liked the sound of that. Behind his left shoulder and behind Willow’s right one at the long wood table, they’d parked high chairs where Luna and Harper sat pushing Os cereal around on the trays. Their daughters. He liked the sound of
that, too.

  Ainsley stood and lifted her wineglass. “Here’s to these soon-to-be Coltons, Willow and Luna.”

  “Welcome, Willow and Luna,” the others said in unison. They all clinked their glasses, some filled with wine, some with water or apple juice.

  Willow lifted her glass again. “Thanks for the welcome.”

  The table was more crowded than usual, with all his siblings in attendance, plus brides-and grooms-to-be for all those who’d become engaged. Bowie was there with Marlowe, Kerry with Rafe and Savannah with Grayson. Hazel and little Evie were attending with Callum.

  Payne’s absence was still deeply felt and marked with his empty chair, despite a tight fit around the rest of the table, but Ace’s absence hurt more that day, as well. How easily they’d all been willing to replace him with someone who possibly shared their DNA. Asher decided he would have to remember to call him.

  “Do you guys always eat like this?” Willow asked as she added a small serving of potato salad next to her kabob and baked beans. “I’ve barely taken a bite, and I’m wishing I had an elastic waistband on my shorts.”

  “Are you picking on Dulcie’s cooking?” Grayson said. “I’d definitely try it first.”

  Willow took a bite of the secret-recipe potato salad and then closed her eyes while she chewed. After she swallowed, she opened her eyes and wiped her mouth on a napkin.

  Bowie pointed to her plate. “Well?”

  Willow grinned. “Looks like I’d better buy some bigger pants because this stuff is worth every bite.”

  A phone rang at the table again, and this time Marlowe lifted her hands to announce her innocence. Finally, Asher pulled his cell from his pocket.

  “Sorry, Mom, but I have to take this one. It’s Spencer.”

  Ainsley leaned forward over the table. “He’s calling you now. I thought he was supposed to come to me first.”

  He shrugged. “It’s probably about the plan I told you all about. Just give me a minute. I’ll let you know what he has to say.”

  Asher hurried down the deck steps and had a short conversation with his cousin. Then he returned to the table.

  Callum was the first to speak up.

  “All right. Give it to us. We’re a family. We can handle it together.”

  “Yeah, tell us,” Marlowe called out.

  Asher held up his hands before they all chimed in. “The plan is a go. Spencer said the trail has gone cold, so he’s given the go-ahead to flush the suspect out.”

  Rafe nodded. “Maybe this is the right thing to do. If the shooter thinks Payne is showing signs of recovery, he’ll have to come after him.”

  “And then he’s ours.” Grayson held his hands wide. “I mean the decoy cop’s.”

  Ainsley leaned on her elbows. “When does this thing go down?”

  “The first week of June,” Asher told them.

  Willow cleared her throat. “Are you okay with all this, Genevieve?”

  Immediately, they all glanced to the far end of the table, where Genevieve sat, hugging herself as if she was freezing.

  “Are you, Mom?” Asher said. “We’ve already talked about this. You agreed.”

  Genevieve shook her head. “What if I was wrong? What if we all were?”

  “He’ll be safe, Mom,” Callum assured her. “We promise. He won’t even be there.”

  “Well, remember, he might be your father, but Payne is my life. If something happens to him...” She blew out a breath. “We can’t let anything happen to him.”

  Genevieve excused herself, and the party fizzled soon after.

  As the brothers, sisters and their significant others worked together to clear away the meal, Asher couldn’t help watching them. This was his family, the people he loved. Someone was targeting all of them, not just their father. Until they figured out who was behind the shooting and all the mysteries, none of them would ever be safe. None would ever be able to live their lives without looking over their shoulders.

  Was it the wrong time for him to invite Willow and Luna into the murky mix of their lives? Probably. But he could no more live his life without her than his mother could give up hope that his dad would awaken soon and come back to her.

  His whole family was sick of living in fear. Whoever was coming after them would not be allowed to win. They were the Coltons, and they were ready to fight back.

  * * *

  Don’t miss the next book in

  the Coltons of Mustang Valley miniseries—

  Colton Manhunt by Jane Godman.

  Available now from

  Harlequin Romantic Suspense!

  And catch up on the previous installments in the series:

  Colton First Responder by Linda O. Johnston

  Colton Family Bodyguard by Jennifer Morey

  Colton’s Lethal Reunion by Tara Taylor Quinn

  Colton Baby Conspiracy by Marie Ferrarella

  Be sure to read the next two volumes

  Colton’s Deadly Disguise by Geri Krotow

  Colton Cowboy Jeopardy by Regan Black

  Both available in April 2020!

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Colton Manhunt by Jane Godman.

  WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM

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  Colton Manhunt

  by Jane Godman

  Chapter 1

  The last ten minutes of every puppy class was off-leash time. The dogs, who were all three months old, had spent almost an hour involved in an intense training session. Now was their chance to release some energy and socialize.

  Katrina Perry, owner and head trainer at the Look Who’s Walking dog-training center, knew this informal period would be more stressful for the human clients than the canines. Let their precious babies go free around these other dogs? What if they ran away, got scared, or were bitten by the class bully? Since this was the first session in an eight-week program, she outlined a few rules.

  “I need you to remain seated at all times while the pups interact. If you see your pet engaging in something that looks like aggression, don’t be alarmed. Play fighting is a natural behavior and the way they engage with the world.” She gestured to Suzie Calles, her assistant trainer. “If there is a genuine problem, one of us will intervene. If your pup, or any other one, appears shy around the others and comes to you, please don’t pet them or pick them up. The aim is to get them to relate to the other animals, not the humans.”

  There were eight dogs in class today, and Katrina had already figured out what would happen. The vocal German shepherd would fall silent the instant another pup approached him. The hyperactive rottweiler would tear around the training ground without even noticing the other dogs. The timid Siberian husky would find somewhere to hide. The others would make some noise before starting to play.

  She had been working with dogs since she had volunteered at the local kennels in high school. Initially, her only qualification had been her love of animals but, as her skills had increased, she’d known that this was the only career for her. Yes, she had an intuition where her canine clients were concerned, but she also had years of experience to back up her instincts. Her business had a good name and that had been built on trust.

  There was only one pup she had any worries about, and her concern centered more on his looks than his behavior. The little mutt reminded Katrina of another dog she knew, one she hadn’t seen for a while.

  “Hey, the brown-and-white one looks just like—”

  “I know.” Cutting off Suzie in midsentence made her feel mean, but she didn’t want to have this conversation in the middle of a workday. If she started to have the conversation Suzie
wanted, she’d inevitably get upset. The little dog she was thinking of and its owner meant too much to her, and, anyway... “Whoa. Bulldog emergency.” Katrina was glad of the distraction.

  Drummond, the English bulldog, unable to keep up with his speedier classmates, had decided to slow them down by sitting on them.

  “After a count of three,” Katrina said, then she and Suzie lifted the muscle-bound little guy. Their actions released a Yorkshire terrier and a bichon frise, both of whom barked delightedly and tried to encourage Drummond into a repeat performance of sitting on them. As if wounded by the affront to his dignity, the bulldog ignored them and strutted away to gnaw on a fence post.

  Minutes later, Katrina brought the session to a close. As they cleared the training ground and set up for the advanced obedience class after lunch, she was conscious of Suzie sending troubled sidelong glances in her direction.

  Eventually, she sighed. “You’re right. The little brown-and-white mutt reminded me of Dobby.”

  She sensed Suzie relax slightly. They’d worked together for nearly four years and had become good friends. Until now, there had never been any tension between them. And Katrina didn’t have enough friends to let it become an issue. “Have you heard from Eliza recently?” Suzie asked.

  “That obvious, huh?” Katrina asked. “I thought I was doing a good job of covering up how worried I am about my troubled twin.”

  “Maybe someone who doesn’t know you well wouldn’t have noticed,” Suzie said. “But you don’t usually check your cell phone every two minutes. And, now and then, I’ve had to call your name twice because you’ve been lost in your own world. But your reaction to the Dobby look-alike was what clinched it for me.”

  “Poor Dobby.” Katrina managed a smile. “With looks like his, I always found it doubly sad that he had such a fondness for the ladies.”

  Dobby was her twin sister’s dog. With his big, floppy ears, sparse hair and lopsided jaw, he would never win a beauty contest. What he lacked in looks, he made up for in charm. Dobby was the happiest, most self-confident dog Katrina had ever known. But Dobby wasn’t the problem...