One Hundred Choices (An Aspen Cove Novel Book 12)

by Kelly Collins

  Maisey brought their meals. “You two need anything else?”

  “We're good,” Trinity said. “Maybe pie after?” When Maisey walked away, she turned her attention back to Violet. “You’re wrong. I know exactly what you’re going through. I grew up on ranches. Only I had a father and two brothers but no mother. I see that shotgun sitting by the front door at your house. Imagine having three of them at the ready each time you left to go anywhere.”

  Her eyes grew saucer wide. “How did you survive?”

  She wondered if she had. “Your dad and your brother are trying to protect you. There are a lot of creepy men out there.” She thought about Tom. “Many men would take what you’re not offering. Several would accept what you are even when they know they shouldn’t. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

  “Yes. Men are idiots.”

  “Some, but not all.” Trinity took a bite of her meatloaf. “It’s important to stand back and look deeper than a man’s height, his broad shoulders, and his lips.”

  “You’re talking about Wyatt.”

  “Yes, but I’m only pointing out what attracted you to him.”

  Violet frowned. “How long did you know him before you kissed him?”

  There was no way Trinity would answer that question. “My relationship with Wyatt is irrelevant. We were talking about our fathers and brothers and how hard they can make dating or relationships.”

  “I’ll die a spinster.”

  Trinity almost spit out her bite of mashed potatoes. “No, you won’t. Let me tell you what not to do. Don’t sneak around. I did that, and it got me a bad reputation. One I didn’t deserve.”

  “Were you at a big ranch with lots of hotties?”

  “Yes, but I never dated anyone at the ranch where I lived. Don’t mix mattresses with money. I’d also add that you shouldn’t date people who work for competitors. That was my mistake.”

  She nodded. “Any more words of wisdom?”

  “I’ve got plenty. With men, go slow. They’ll respect you more, and it will give you time to decide if they’re worthy of you. Never let a man make you feel like you’re less. People lie, but you know the truth. It’s more important to respect yourself. I don’t know much about love. I’ve never been in love, but I have a feeling you don’t have to look for it, it often finds you. At least that’s how it worked for my brothers.”

  “You’re a lot nicer than I thought.” Violet moved her gravy around her plate. “I’m sorry I was bitchy to you.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I get why you didn’t like me.”

  “My mom would reach down from heaven and smack me upside the head if she could. She always said to not judge a book by its cover. It was important to look inside the pages to see what was really there.”

  Trinity pushed her plate aside. “Your mom sounds like she was a wonderful woman. Her lessons will always be there, whispering in your ear.”

  “I hear her all the time.”

  “You’re lucky. Listen to her counsel, and when you can’t hear her, listen to your gut. Believe what your heart tells you, not what others say.”

  “Good advice.” She paused for a second. “What happened to your mom?”

  The mention of her mother always made her sad. “I don’t really know, but according to my dad, she left because she didn’t like our way of life.”

  “Do you miss her?”

  “Can’t miss what you never had.”

  Maisey walked to the booth. “How about that pie?”

  Violet shook her head and patted her stomach. “Full as a tick. Can’t eat another bite.”

  They both looked at Trinity. “I’m tapping out too.” She paid their bill, and they walked outside. “I’ve got to go to work, but I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll show you how to tame a beast.”

  Trinity walked inside to find Sage behind the register. She’d only met her a few times but liked her.

  “Are you working with me tonight?” Trinity asked.

  “Not a chance. I’m only holding down the fort until Cannon gets back with pizza. We have an announcement. It will probably be a busy night because the first round is on us.”

  “Wow, that must be quite an announcement.” Trinity moved behind the bar and started filling bowls with bar mix. “Is Goldie coming in tonight too?”

  “To drink, maybe, but not to work. You’re on your own.”

  Trinity swallowed her disappointment. She sucked at cocktail waitressing. With a ten percent spill average, she was surprised she still had a job. The people of Aspen Cove were far too kind, but she imagined they had their limits. Luckily, she hadn’t reached the threshold to get canned yet.

  “I’d start pulling pitchers right away and set them on the counter if I were you. That way, you’re ahead of the game.” Sage turned green and ran to the back before Trinity could ask about the announcement.

  She pulled pitchers as suggested until a rowdy bunch of construction workers came inside. It wasn’t the Coopers or the Lockharts. She’d met both groups of brothers and found them to be polite and charming. This was a crew subcontracted to one of Wes Covington’s companies, and they were an inch away from getting gelded each time they came into the place.

  “What will it be, guys?” She asked from a safe distance because if she got too close, they massaged her ass like a side of Kobe beef. She’d only put up with so much groping before noses bled, and eyes got blackened. The one good thing about growing up on a ranch full of men was learning how to fight dirty.

  “Two pitchers and you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Does that work at the other bars around?”

  “Works at Buttercups.” He pulled a stack of ones from his pocket. “If I shoved these down your pants, would I get a happy ending?”

  She shook her head. “You’d get an ending, but it would come with a tombstone and a eulogy.” She picked up the beer and glasses and set them on the table.

  The door opened and in walked Cannon, followed by a crowd. She hurried to the bar and filled up more pitchers. Within fifteen minutes, she was certain anyone within drinking age was around to hear whatever Cannon had to say. Doc and Agatha walked inside with a man who looked far too sophisticated to be a resident of Aspen Cove. They sat at the bar. Last to walk in was Wyatt. Each time she saw him, her heart had a conference with her head, telling her brain it was okay to love.

  He leaned over the bar and gave her a quick peck on the lips before he took a seat next to the stranger.

  Cannon jumped on a barstool and called Sage over. They were married, so a wedding wasn’t in the cards. With the way Sage clutched onto the empty white bucket and a package of Saltines, it could only be one thing.

  “Just a quick announcement.” Cannon looked down at his wife. “I wanted everyone to know that Sage and I are having a baby.” He smiled like a goofball. “She’s having the baby, but I put it there.” He pounded on his chest and smiled. “First round is on us.”

  The crowd erupted into hoots and hollers.

  “You want some help?” Wyatt asked. “You pour them, and I’ll deliver.”

  She knew she liked him. Not only was he a good kisser, but he wasn’t afraid of working.

  She filled up several pitchers, and he put them on tables. She turned to Doc, Agatha, and the stranger.

  “What can I get you? Beer is free.” She slid a pitcher and three glasses before they could answer.

  Agatha smiled. “I’m a wine drinker. Do you think you can sneak me a glass?”

  “No sneaking allowed, but I’ll get you a glass. Cannon said first round is on him. Even if it wasn’t, I’d put this one on my tab.” She leaned in toward the older woman. “Did you know you were the first person in town who was kind to me?”

  “I’m sure it was because you stopped into the pharmacy before going anywhere else.” Agatha turned to the man beside her. “This is Jake Powers. He’ll be hanging out in town for a while.”

  “Just a while?”

  The man eyed the ruckus behind
him. “Yes, I have some business to attend to, and then I’ll be on my way.”

  Trinity held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Jake Powers. I hope you change your mind. There’s something special about Aspen Cove.”

  In the corner, the rowdies held up a pitcher. She poured another, and Wyatt delivered. She could hear one man tell him to send her over because they wanted to renegotiate their lap dance.

  He laughed it off, but she knew he wasn’t happy. It showed in his stiff shoulders and cold stare.

  “Can I kick them out?” he asked as he took his stool at the bar.

  “Nope. Not your bar. Cannon’s here, so he’ll deal with them if they get out of hand.”

  Katie arrived with a box of muffins and a plate of brownies. The muffins were for Trinity. The brownies were for Sage, who had serious chocolate cravings.

  Katie sidled up to Trinity. “Who’s the new guy?” She nodded toward Jake.

  “His name is Jake Powers, but I don’t know why he’s in town. Seems to be cozy with Doc and Agatha.”

  “Oh my God, he’s probably the new owner of the dry goods store. Find out what you can.” Katie spun around and joined her husband, Bowie, who sat with Dalton and Samantha. Trinity wondered if Cannon’s father was a mercenary or an assassin given the names of his children. Maybe baking at Katie’s and cooking at Maisey’s was his cover.

  Trinity wasn’t a fan of beating around the bush so she approached him and said, “You must be the new owner of the dry goods store. Care to say what you’re putting in?”

  Jake looked at Agatha and Doc. They both shook their heads.

  “Nope, it’s a secret.” He put a ten on the counter and slid from his seat. “I’ve got to get going. Nice to meet you, Trinity.” He held her hand a moment too long.

  She watched Wyatt’s eyes turn feral, and his expression possessive.

  “You too.”

  By ten o’clock, the bar was nearly empty except the rowdies who’d eaten enough pizza to sober them up for round two.

  Trinity leaned over the bar to talk to Wyatt, who was fading. “You should go home. You can’t babysit me all the time.”

  “I’m not leaving you here alone with them.”

  She glanced around. She wasn’t alone. She had Mike the one-eyed cat and a couple of Dalton’s biker friends. They looked like murderers, but they were harmless.

  “I can take care of myself.”

  Wyatt shook his head.

  A guy from the trouble table raised several twenties into the air.

  “Looks like they’re on their way out.”

  He spun around to watch as she walked to the group.

  “Are you ready to go?” she asked when she approached.

  He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into his lap. She fisted up to hit when Wyatt yanked her free. It all happened so fast. The first fist split the air, and before she knew it, a bar brawl broke out. By the time Sheriff Cooper arrived, the rowdies were crumbled in a heap on the floor, two chairs were broken, and Cannon was staring at her with a look she knew all too well. It was the same look Mr. McKinley had given her the day he asked her to leave the ranch.

  She threw up her hands. “I know. I’m fired.”

  Cannon frowned. “Trinity, I’m not firing you.”

  “Okay, well then, I quit.”

  She picked up her purse and walked out the back to her SUV.

  “Three, wait up.”

  She spun around and held up her hand. “No. You don’t get to say you’re sorry.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not. Those guys had it coming. He touched what was mine.”

  Her mouth dropped open. “What are you, a dog, and I’m your bone?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Yeah, I do. You’re as big an idiot as they were. I told you I could take care of myself. If you would have given me ten more seconds, it would have been fine.”

  “He was pawing you.”

  She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. “He was an asshole, and I was handling it.”

  He marched forward until he stood toe to toe with her. “No, he was handling you, and I don’t share.”

  “Newsflash, Wyatt. I don’t belong to anyone. I belong to me.” She pounded her fist against her chest. “You just cost me my job and the respect of everyone in this town. Rumor had it, I was trouble. You’ve just proven I am.”

  She climbed into her SUV and took off toward home.

  Chapter Fourteen

  One miserable week had passed. Each day he waited in his truck, hoping she’d hop inside and tell him he was forgiven, but all he’d received was the silent treatment.

  This morning he found her at Cade’s stable. He’d recently expanded it with the help of the Coopers. They donated the kit and the labor because it was the first earth-friendly stable they’d erected.

  “Trinity. Please talk to me.”

  She ignored him and continued to hang the tack in the supply room.

  “We live together. Eventually, you’ll have to say something.”

  She huffed and turned around. “I don’t have much to say, Wyatt, but I have a lot of work to do.” She brushed past him and took Sable from the stable to saddle her.

  “You riding your brother’s horse today? You know, Red misses you.”

  She placed the saddle blanket, hoisted the saddle to Sable’s back and cinched it tight. “Give him a carrot for me. I don’t have any reason to be on the Dawsons’ ranch.”

  “Violet is asking about you. You’ve made an impression on her. What do I tell her?”

  She stuck her foot in the stirrup. “Tell her to call me.” She lifted herself into the saddle.

  “She asked me if I had been an idiot.”

  “Did you tell her, yes?”

  “I did, and she told me to speak to your heart.”

  She nudged the horse forward. “That will be impossible. It’s not that I’m heartless, but I’m listening to my heart less.”

  He chased after her and found her walking the horse toward Tom. “You’re working with him?”

  She stopped and turned around. “I don’t have much choice if I want a roof over my head and a meal in my stomach. The one thing I hate the most is not having choices.” She shook her head. “Actually, it’s having them limited by others.”

  She took off toward Tom, and his heart sank. Because of him, she was forced to spend her days in the saddle beside a man worse than the ones at the bar. He’d turned her life from awful to horrific.

  The next morning, he waited in the kitchen with bacon and eggs. She thanked him and left. The following day he made her pancakes.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked.

  “Because I screwed up.”

  Tom rushed by and grabbed a pancake from her plate. “Thanks for breakfast, asshole.” He shoved it in his mouth and rushed out the door.

  “Are you still working with him?”

  “Still need a roof over my head.”

  “I’ll take care of you.” He hated the way Tom had turned smug over the last few days. How he tortured him with talk about how he spent the day riding with Trinity‚ how nice her ass looked in the saddle.

  Each time Tom goaded him, he fisted up but kept his hands tight to his sides. Any fight on the Mosier Ranch would get him booted, and he needed a place to sleep too.

  “I promised my brother I’d help. Thank you for teaching me how to move cattle. At least I bring some value to this ranch.”

  He moved closer. All he wanted was to pull her into his arms. To press his lips against her and melt into a kiss. “You’re not useless. You’re everything, Trinity. Don’t let any man make you feel less. You’re so much more.”

  “I know.” She put her half-eaten plate in the sink. “I’ve got to go, or Tom will complain to Cade. Thanks for breakfast.”

  “Trinity, you know I’d give you anything.”

  Her lips stretched into a tight line. “Why? What do you want from me?”

  “Everything
.” He moved to her side and cupped her cheek. “I don’t get many good things in my life, and you’re the one good thing that I want.” He risked a kiss and stepped away. “Be safe out there. It’s supposed to storm this afternoon.”

  She walked to the door. Instead of stepping out, she looked over her shoulder. “You be safe too. I’ll see you later.”

  As soon as she closed the door, he thanked the heavens. At least she was talking to him. That first week of silence was pure torture. She’d opened the door a tiny bit, and he wanted to squeeze himself inside.

  When he got to Lloyd’s, he was feeling confident and happy until he saw an older man in the stable.

  “Can I help you?” He walked over. The gray hair and leathered skin of the guy said he’d spent years in the saddle.

  “I’m Jimmy. You must be Wyatt.”

  “I am. Is there something you need?”

  “I guess a tour, and a place to put my tack.”

  Wyatt’s mind whirled. Was he being replaced? He knew his head had been elsewhere these past few weeks, but he’d finished his work. He didn’t believe in giving anything less than a hundred percent.

  “Are you joining the team?”

  He nodded. “Yep, I needed a job, and Lloyd told me to come on over. We go back a long way. I’ve been at the Sutter ranch for years, but they’re closing down.”

  That blew Wyatt’s mind. The Sutters had been in the cattle business since Moses parted the Red Sea.

  “That’s crazy.”

  “Sign of the times. You don’t raise cattle if you want to get rich.”

  “But nothing satisfies like a bone-in ribeye.” He pointed to the door at the end of the stable. “Find a place anywhere inside.” He turned to find the paint mare in the end stall. “I see you found an empty stall for your horse.” If the man brought his horse and tack, he was staying, which didn’t bode well long-term for Wyatt. He already knew he’d never be the foreman of the Big D Ranch, but he didn’t expect to keep tumbling down the food chain. “I was going to check the fence. You want to ride along?” Unlike Cade, Lloyd didn’t have his property surrounded by galvanized steel. He was working on one pasture at a time.