Page 92 of Soldier Cowboy
Jennifer gaped at him. Words failed her, particularly because she didn’t want to say the wrong ones.
“I don’t understand it, either,” Colton said. “Now, look at you. You’re a good-looking guy. Tall, thin, clean shaven and I bet you dress well.”
“The best money can buy.”
“My favorite flannel shirt has a hole in it.” Colton shrugged. “Go figure.”
“No accounting for taste.” Dan eyed Colton suspiciously. “I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this but the woman we both love is unfaithful.”
Colton covered his eyes with his hand. “Man, I had hoped that would never happen to me again.”
Dan blinked. “Again?”
“Yeah, my last ex cheated on me while I was overseas. Broke my heart.”
Dan scratched his temple with the gun’s muzzle, making Jennifer cringe.
“How did she do it? Did she tell you she was too busy to see you and then found someone new right away?”
“She took up with my best friend.” Colton cleared his throat. “Formerbest friend.”
Now, Dan gaped. “That’s just…evil.”
“It was a tough way to lose a friend, that’s for sure.” Colton moved a little closer to Jennifer while Dan seemed distracted by the truth bomb.
Newsflash: even handsome cowboys got cheated on.
“It…it’s happened to me before, too.”
“Yeah?”
Dan stared off into space. “We were about to get married. Invitations were sent out, everything was perfect. She changed her mind. And that was the end of it. Nothing I could do to make it better. It isn’t fair.”
Jennifer’s heart dropped to her feet. She should have known it might be something like this that sent Dan off the edge. It was even reasonable to assume he’d have a difficult time accepting this. It was so…human.
“I’m so sorry,” Jennifer blurted out.
Colton sent her another sharp look. He had a plan that apparently didn’t involve drawing any sympathy from her.
“Women.” Colton snorted. “Can’t make up their minds. They want to get married, then they don’t want to get married.”
But the distraction didn’t work, and Dan zeroed in on Jennifer again. At that point he noticed how much closer Colton had moved in her direction.
“Hey, get away from her,” Dan said, waving the gun. “She’sjust like my ex-fiancée. I started listening to podcasts to relax and what do you know I came upon one by a woman who soundedjustlike my ex. At first, I thought it really was her, messing with my head by taking on a new identity and trying to trick me. But I’d moved to LA after the break-up, so it seemed unlikely. Then I saw Jennifer’s photo and I knew it couldn’t be Rachel. Rachel has beautiful blonde hair. Long, down to her back.”
The wig took on new significance and Jennifer bristled.
“Long hair is great. Blond, even better,” Colton said, blocking Jennifer again.
He now stood between them.
Jennifer had to say something, however, and Colton wouldn’t stop her. “You should have said something, Dan. I didn’t know you were in such pain.”
“Why?” He snorted. “Women don’t like weak men.”
“It’s not weak to be hurting. It’s real. Women love it when men reveal they’re hurting just like the rest of us are. Don’t fall for that alpha macho crap. Don’t do it!”
Dan ignored her and turned his focus back to Colton, his new best friend. “It’s her voice that got to me. The smooth velvety sound. It used to put me to sleep every night. Then when she stopped the podcast, it was like she waspunishingme.”
