Page 74 of Colt

“No. I wanted to talk to you. You are a hard man to track down.” Jett grinned.

Colt pulled off his work gloves and stuck them in his back pocket.

“What did you want to talk to me about?”

“My balls feel like they’re frozen,” Jett joked.

“Is that what you wanted to talk about?” Colt chuckled.

Jett laughed. “No. I wish you’d come back. I’m not manager material. You are.”

“I lost your respect, Jett. Steve’s too. I can’t expect you to work with someone you can’t respect. It’s best that I left.”

“For whom? You love it there. Hell, you’ve been there longer than I’ve been alive.”

“Thanks a hell of a lot for that, Jett,” Colt said with a grin.

“You know what I mean. The Cotton ranch has been your home. It’s not just your work place. It’s your home.”

“I know, but what Chelsea and I did was wrong. She fired Kim and John for doing what we did. It’s not right.” Colt shook his head. “I can’t play by my own rules. I have to abide by the ranch rules too, and I always did… until Chelsea.”

“Well, doesn’t that tell you that you belong together? I don’t have a problem with you and Chelsea being together. Shit happens, and if you two are happy, that’s all that matters.” Jett shrugged.

“Thanks Jett, but it’s not that simple. I expected everyone except me to follow the rules.” Colt sighed. “How is that fair?”

“Rules are meant to be broken sometimes. Brian was mad because he wanted to ask Christine out. Then he found out about you and Chelsea.” Jett shook his head. “It really set him off.”

Colt nodded in understanding. “I’m sure it did, and he had every right to be mad.”

“I don’t agree with that. He threw a fit like a little kid. He’s a grown man, he should have acted like it. Besides, he could have asked her out as long as they didn’t do anything on the property.” Jett sighed. “Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I don’t have a problem with it, and neither does Steve. Even Christine said it didn’t bother her. You would never lose our respect. We’d love to have you as a boss again.”

“Thanks Jett, I appreciate it.”

Jett glanced around. “Do you like it here?”

“The Coleman’s are great people.”

“That didn’t answer my question. No offense man, but you look like hell.”

Colt grinned. “Loving a woman will do that to you.”

“Well, if you really love her and you’re miserable without her, what does that say about where you need to be?”

“Where I need to be is back at work. I appreciate you stopping by.”

“Sure. Have a good evening.” Jett stared at him for a few seconds. “Think about it.” Then he walked out of the barn.

Colt sighed. It appeared that only Brian had an issue with him and Chelsea being together. After putting the wheelbarrow away, Colt left the barn to head home to the apartment he was renting until he knew what to do. He had some thinking to do.

After grabbing a hot shower, he decided he needed to see Chelsea. He wasn’t sure how the conversation would go, but he missed her too much not to see if they could make it work.

The next day, he pulled up to the house and stared at it. Taking a deep breath, he stepped from his truck. The wind was still blowing forcefully, causing him to tilt his head down as he marched toward the house.

He walked up the steps to the door, wiped his feet, and rapped his knuckles against it. The door opened, and he strode into the warm kitchen, closing it behind him.

“Colt? What are you doing here? Is there something wrong?” Chelsea’s voice trembled with concern.

“Yes,” he replied firmly.

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