Page 53 of Blame It On Midnight

Benton left them, and not more than half an hour later, she and Nora decided to walk back. The little girl was hungry, and Collins could do with a pick-me-up. She half listened to Nora’s chatter while enjoying the beauty of Montana. It truly was God’s country, and she’d never felt so small. The mountains seemed to touch the sky, and from this vantage point, she could see down into the valley. It was enormous. Filled with forests and tall grass. Made for ranching, it was a slice of heaven, and she understood why Benton’s forbearers never left.

When they reached the main house, she followed Nora inside, then perched on a chair near the island to watch the youngster bottle feed the kitten. “Do you want to try?” Nora asked, surprising Collins.

“I would,” she said softly. “If that’s all right.”

Nora nodded, her face solemn. She handed Collins the kitten and disappeared. A few minutes later, she returned with a small white bottle that held about four ounces of formula. “Daddy says he needs to eat at least two ounces.”

Collins cradled the little purring animal and was surprised at how aggressive the little thing was while it ate. Two paws held the bottle as tightly as Collins’ hands, and when the kitten was done, it looked up at her, blue eyes big and shiny, obviously full. The little furball purred so loud its body vibrated.

“You did a good job,” Nora said, sounding like an adult.

“She sure did.”

Collins’ smile was chased away when she glanced up and spied Daisy Mae standing just inside the kitchen. Her hair was freshly done, falling down her back in the kind of waves that are manipulated to look carefree. Her eyes were smoky, her lips glossed over, and her small, petite frame was clothed in a dress that clung to her body and showed off toned, tanned legs.

She was a doll. A beautiful, porcelain doll with eyes made of ice.

“Mommy, Collins helped me feed my new kitten. His name is Hero.”

“Is that so?” Daisy Mae wandered over to the island. She moved casually, her limbs fluid. She stood next to the little girl she’d made with Benton and dropped a kiss onto her daughter’s cheek. “How long y’all been here?” Her question was for Collins.

“Not long,” Collins replied, unsure how much to give away.

“I don’t want to leave,” Nora said, pouting at her mother.

“Well, your daddy knows that it’s Monday and you get to sleep at my house tonight.”

“But can I bring Hero?”

Daisy Mae made a face. “Absolutely not. You know I’m allergic.”

“Oh.” Nora’s face fell, and clearly unhappy, she slipped from her chair. “I don’t want to go.” She lifted her chin. “I want to stay here with Daddy and Collins.” Nora looked her way. “Can I, Collins? Please?”

Shit. Collins took a step back. She was uncomfortable and wishing like hell that Benton was here. How was she supposed to navigate this?

“Collins is not your mother, sweetie. Now get your butt in gear and pack a bag.” The soft voice held more than a hint of steel.

“But…”

“No buts. Now git up there and make sure you bring your toothbrush.”

Nora looked as if she was going to take a stand, but luckily thought better of it. With an exaggerated sigh, she disappeared from the kitchen, and a few seconds later, Collins heard her heavy, slow steps on the stairs.

“What are you doing?”

The question was full of sharp edges, and Collins, who hated any kind of confrontation, took a moment to collect her thoughts. She told herself that it was normal, natural even, for Daisy Mae to come across as aggressive. It had to be weird to see another woman in her daughter’s life. Not that she was in Nora’s life exactly. She was just…she didn’t know what she was. A friend. Maybe.

“Daisy, I don’t want you to think?—”

“My name is Daisy Mae. Use it properly or don’t use it at all.”

Okay. Feeling threatened was one thing. But there was no need for the woman to be rude. Still, this was new territory for Collins, and it wasn’t her home, and she didn’t want to make an enemy of the woman Benton shared a child with.

“I don’t mean to offend you, Daisy Mae.”

“Oh, you offend me, all right,” the woman said, walking over to Collins. “Everything about you offends me. You think this is some kind of real thing?” She made a dismissive motion with her hands. “Whatever this is between you and Benton?” She lifted her chin, and the steel in that little slip of a woman’s eyes was impressive. Collins thought she could cut through kryptonite if she tried. “Whatever this is, is nothing. He’s a man, and he needs a woman from time to time. It’s just sex. So if you think some young thing like you, a girl who makes her money standing in front of a camera, batting her eyelashes and showing off her tits is enough for a man like Benton, well, you’re wrong. You’re a passing fancy, is all. A little bit of tail he can boast over.” She laughed. It wasn’t a nice sound. “You don’t think he and the boys in the bunkhouse haven’t already discussed all the things you let him do to you last night?”

Unbidden, an image of Benton and Haimish talking and laughing only a few hours earlier settled in her mind and her heart. She dismissed it just as quick because Benton wasn’t like that.

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