Page 76 of Colt

“Me too,” he replied, his tone matching her own.

“What changed your mind?”

“Jett.”

“Jett? What did he do?” Chelsea asked, curious about what could have caused such a shift in Colt’s perspective.

She listened intently as he recounted the conversation with Jett, feeling grateful that he had helped bring them together.

“You were working at the Coleman ranch?”

“Yes, they’d been after me for years to work for them.” Colt chuckled. “I worked there two weeks, and told them I was leaving.”

“Were they angry?”

“No. I explained the situation and they told me to go.”

“So, it was only Brian who was upset.”

“Yeah, and I’m not going to hide what I feel for you,” Colt declared firmly.

Chelsea sat up and looked at him, taking in his handsome features in the moonlight.

“And what is that?” she couldn’t resist asking, biting her lip nervously.

In response, Colt sat up as well and encircled her nape with his hand before leaning in to kiss her deeply.

“I love you, Chelsea,” he whispered against her lips.

“You do?” she gasped, surprised and thrilled by his confession.

“Yes,” he confirmed, gazing into her eyes with sincerity.

“I love you too,” she said breathlessly, beaming at him with all the love bursting in her heart.

“That makes me very happy, baby,” he murmured before pulling her back down to lie beside him. “You know, I never wanted to get married. I was content with my single life. But then you came along and changed everything. I want to marry you.”

“Oh, Colt,” Chelsea breathed out in wonder. “I want to marry you too.”

“Good,” he said, a hint of relief in his voice.

“Colt? Can you tell me why you didn’t want to spend Christmas with me at my parents’ house?” She nibbled on her bottom lip.

Colt sighed. “It’s always been for families and I never had one growing up. Any foster home I was in, was just another day for us kids. The last couple I was with, the same ones who stole my money, would buy gifts for themselves and their biological kids, but not the foster kids. I remember the three of us sitting in a bedroom, crying because we didn’t get anything from Santa because the foster parents told us Christmas was just for families.” He kissed the top of her head. “It devastated us.”

“I can’t imagine feeling that as a young child.”

“It took me a long time to get past it but I did with Walt and Tricia’s help, but it stills sticks in my mind, that since I don’t have a family, I shouldn’t celebrate Christmas.” He shrugged. “I know some won’t understand, but that’s how I feel.”

“But you did with Walt and Tricia, right?”

“Yes, and that still bothered me. It was so instilled in my brain about family, that I had trouble celebrating the holiday.”

“Well, I am going to get you past that. It’s not just for family, Colt. Christmas brings out the good in most people, and I know you’re a good man. You deserve to have happiness on Christmas too. Not just by gifts, but by being surrounded by those who love you.”

“You’re right, but we’ll talk about that later. Right now, I just need some sleep.”

“Me too,” she agreed with a yawn.

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