Page 7 of Christmas with Three Cowboys

“Because details matter, at least to me they do.”

He nods slowly, never taking his eyes off me. Something in his gaze is enticing and makes me want to know more about him. The spark of a youthful soul is wrapped in the hardened body of a man in his mid-forties who has likely seen his share of hardships. Darla said they were deployed. So, military men, all three of them. That means they’re disciplined and strong-willed, unlike like my usual choice in men.

For once, I’m drawn to someone who isn’t an emotional disaster and in need of fixing. Not that I could fix anyone. That was the biggest mistake of my life, imagining I could fix Jake Miller, thattrue love would change him. Boy, was I wrong…

“So, you were in possession and you intended to distribute, but you weren’t actually distributing,” Colton says, picking apart my statement.

Suddenly, I feel anxious and I take a few deep, calming breaths. I can’t fall apart now; I’ve come too far, and tomorrow marks my first day on the job. I cannot appear troubled in any way.

“I was in possession, yes, but I wasn’t distributing. The judge decided differently,” I reply.

Colton stops me in my tracks. “You don’t agree with his verdict.”

“There’s a lot I don’t agree with, but I can’t change the past. All I can do is look forward.” I offer a faint smile. “Darla said you guys were deployed?”

“You’re not much for changing the subject, but I’ll give you a free pass.” He laughs lightly, then leads me along the banks of the creek.

“I mean, if you’re worried about me and any potential criminal activities, please don’t,” I say. “I have absolutely no intention of dealing drugs. Never did, never will.”

“So, then what were you doing with – how much did they find in your possession again?”

“Four kilos.” I say absently, trying hard not to dwell on the worst night of my life. “But it’s a long story and I’d rather not get into it.”

“Alright, alright, I get it,” Colton says. “It’s about building trust. Yes, we were deployed. Ethan, Mitch, and I served in the same unit for about twelve years.”

“That’s a long time. How many tours is that?”

“Five. But we changed locations.”

“Marines?”

“Even better,” he chuckles softly, and his gorgeous smile makes my skin tingle all over. “Rangers. Leading the way.”

We move downstream, then take a right along one of the many paths in the pasture. It leads us back to the ranch house just as the sun vanishes beyond the hills.

“Can I ask you something?” I say after a long silence.

“Sure.”

“Darla said she can’t cook for you anymore. She has a condition…”

“That is correct. The doctors are still running tests and monitoring her on a monthly basis, trying to figure out what syndrome they’re dealing with, but it’s definitely something neurological,” Colton says. “Her bloodwork is fine, and her blood pressure puts the rest of us to shame. Darla’s a strong woman, and there’s a good chance she’ll outlive us all.”

I smile. “Yeah, she’s a dynamo.”

Colton grins. “We could handle the cooking ourselves, but we have other work to do. We could potentially do the cooking during the winter, but if a blizzard hits, we’ve all go to pitch in to make sure we don’t lose any cattle. And when summer comes, we’re busy most of the day, which leaves no time to cook. I barely manage to whip up a few eggs for myself in the morning, let alone breakfast for the whole crew.”

“I understand why you need a cook.”

“Yeah, the last time Darla tried to handle our breakfast, it went sideways.”

I give him a curious look, further intrigued by the amused look in his blue eyes and the way he smiles, revealing two rows of perfectly white teeth. Damn, this man turns me on, and I’m not sure that’s a good thing.

“We still kid her about that particular incident just to rile her up once in a while. You know, I should mention…” He gets in front of me again, but this time he’s closer. Much closer. So close, in fact, that I smell in his musky scent and briefly imagine myself wrapped in his strong arms. “Darla might come across as a hard woman, but she’s a softie on the inside.”

“I know she doesn’t trust me,” I say, lowering my gaze.

But Colton gently clasps my chin between his thumb and index finger, causing me to look up at him. His touch reverberates across every inch of my skin, and it quickly becomes evident that I am not imagining any of this. He is close. He is touching me. His lips are dangerously close to mine.

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