Page 34 of Colt

“How old are you?” he asked.

Christine laughed. “You know you should never ask a woman that question? But I’ll tell you. I’m thirty.”

“Well, that’s too young for me. Thirteen years is a big age difference in my book.”

She ran her fingers through the hair on his forearm.

“I happen to like older men.”

Colt shook his head. “Sorry. Have a good evening. See you tomorrow.” He left the stable and headed toward the center barn, but then changed direction and walked across the yard toward the house. He climbed the steps and knocked on the door.

Chelsea opened it and gave him a confused look.

“What do you want, Colt? Is Christine busy?” She waved him inside and he removed his hat before stepping inside the house, then hung it on the hook by the door.

He chuckled. “She doesn’t have to be busy for me to stay away from her.”

“What?”

“Chelsea, I don’t know why you think I’m interested in Christine. I’m not, so maybe try being a little nicer to her.”

The tension hung thick in the air as Colt and Chelsea stood facing each other. The soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the window, casting a warm golden light on their faces.

“She wants you,” Chelsea said, her voice trembling with frustration.

“So?” Colt replied coolly, shrugging. “You think I don’t know that? I told her I wasn’t interested,” he added, his eyes holding hers.

“Why not?”

“I’m just not,” he repeated, his gaze turning to the window.

“But she’s beautiful,” Chelsea persisted.

“So are you,” Colt murmured, his eyes lingering on her lips before meeting her gaze again.

“I thought you wanted her.”

“Chelsea, I don’t want her,” he replied firmly.

“You don’t want me either,” she whispered, and he could hear the pain in her voice.

But then he smirked. “That’s where you’re wrong. I do want you. I want you every minute of every day, but you’re my boss. We’ve been over this. It wouldn’t work.”

“You’re not even interested in seeing if it could?” Chelsea shook her head in disbelief. “I would think when two people are attracted to each other, they see where a relationship could go. Why can’t you take a chance?”

“I told you. I don’t want to lose my job,” Colt explained.

“I see,” Chelsea replied quietly.

“Chelsea, this job, this place, it’s all I have, and I will not lose it. This is the only home I’ve ever known,” he added, desperation creeping into his voice.

“I get that, but—” Chelsea started to say before being cut off by Colt’s sigh.

“You have no idea how much I’d love to see if we could have something, but what if we don’t?” he asked, his voice pleading.

“Do you think I’m not scared to try too? If it came down to you ending it, what would I do if you left here? You run this place, Colt. Mr. Cotton trusted you, and I do too. I have no idea what I’d do without you, but I’m willing to take a chance. Why can’t you?” Chelsea’s eyes bored into his as she spoke passionately.

He stared at her for a long moment before finally speaking.

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