Chapter Fourteen

The last thing Colton expected to spot on his drive to the ranch was Gus, walking down the road, her blue truck a small dot in the distance. Judging by the way she favored one side, her boots were not made for walking.

He pulled his SUV to the side of the road, and got out, his back stiff. It had been a long two-day drive from California to Montana, but he wanted to bring some of his possessions back with him along with his vehicle.

Her blond head was held high as he got out of his truck, and her hands were planted on her hips.

The look she shot him was steely, and a straight-up challenge.

“What on this damn planet are you doing here?” she called before he could even cross the worn pavement. The scent of asphalt mixed with the summer grass greeted his nose, and he inhaled deeply.

It felt good to be back.

“I’m heading home. What are you doing walking down a highway?”

“What am I doing?” She blinked at him, squeezing her eyes tight each time before peering at him again. “I live here. Didn’t you abandon ship to go back to California?”

“Gus, I told you weeks ago I would help decorate for the dance. Isn’t that tonight?”

Gus stared at him, mouth slightly ajar.

A long, uncomfortable moment passed as Gus stared at him like she was seeing a mirage.

“Please say something.” He held out his hands.

“You’re here to decorate for the dance?” she repeated warily. She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Yes,” he said patiently. “You said if I was serious about this relationship, I’d help decorate for the dance. I was going to drop my stuff off and head over. I hadn’t forgotten.”

Her arms dropped to her sides, but she didn’t move closer. “I didn’t think you were coming back.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you I was leaving,” he started as she continued to look at him with her brow furrowed, her dark eyes wary. “I tried to call, and I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier, but I was panicking, and I wasn’t thinking straight. After Jace told me Jordan was embezzling, all I could think about was saving my company.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I just assumed—” She broke off, rubbing her arm. “It doesn’t matter. I thought you were gone forever.”

He shook his head. “No. I thought I had made it clear, but maybe not. I have zero plans to leave you again. Wherever you are, I’m with you. And since you plan to stay in Garnet Valley, I’m here.”

Gus tilted her head. “Really?”

He nodded, a little sliver of hope cracking through the thoughts that she wanted nothing to do with him. “Yes. I tried to call and tell you I was coming back, but each time it went to voicemail, I didn’t know how to say it in a message. I kept hoping that you would answer.”

The wind began to pick up, and Gus wrapped her arms around herself, goose bumps standing up on her arms. “I thought you were calling to end what we had.”

“Dammit, Gus. I was calling because I love you.” The second the plane took off from the Bozeman tarmac, he knew beyond a single doubt that he was in love with her. “I’m sticking around as long as it takes for you to realize that. Montana is my home, and I want you to be a part of it.”

She stepped closer to him. “You love me?”

“Of course I love you. And I don’t care if you want to take it slow and build your trust. Or even if you decide it’s time to walk away, I’m here. For good.” But every inch of him hoped that she loved him as much as he suspected.

He held his hands out to her, open palms, offering all he could.

She moved closer to him. Hopefully, that was a good sign. Because a life without Gus would not be as rich.

“What if Ty doesn’t let you back on the ranch? He was pretty pissed when I left.”

He tried to laugh, but it came out as a quick rush of air. “Yeah, I know. I’ve talked with him, though. He’ll let me back on the ranch eventually. But my prime focus is you and doing whatever it takes to make you happy.”

“And your company?”

He smiled. “Better than ever now that Jordan is fired. I hired an accountant, and we are working to get every penny back. It turns out that we were doing quite well. In fact, I’m thinking of hiring a head of operations for California so that I can branch out and focus on expanding to an operation in Montana.”

She stepped closer still. The sun was setting, and the golden rays lit up her hair, creating a warm halo around her.

He wanted to touch her.

“So you’re staying?”

He smiled at the hope in her voice. “I’m staying. Besides, I don’t think I can leave for more than a week for the rest of the year. Hopefully, it will give me enough time to hire the new operations manager.”

Now she was close enough that he could touch her, and try as he might, he couldn’t resist. He lightly gripped her hips, as though he could anchor her next to him.

A soft laugh escaped her, and she pushed her hair back.

“So should we look at your truck?” he asked, giving her an out if she wanted it.

“Not yet. I want you to kiss me.” Gus looped her hand behind his neck and pulled his head down to hers.

Her lips were heaven against his, reminding him of every inch of her he missed. Her spiced vanilla scent surrounded him, and his body hardened as she molded her soft curves against him. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“Well, now you have to make it up to me.” She laughed and nipped at his lower lip.

“I never want to be away from you for that long ever again.” He set her down, sliding her body against his, letting her know just how much he wanted her in the moment.

Gus pressed her head against his chest. “I would love to run home and have my way with you, but I need to get to the park to decorate. I have too much on the line, and my truck won’t start.”

“Let’s get you over there.” He gave her a quick kiss.

They got his truck loaded in record time. Gus climbed into the passenger seat, two boxes in her lap.

She leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you.”

He could have basked in her scent and her taste forever, and he had every intention of doing just that after this dance was over. “Anything for you.”

Gus called Steph the second they had service and told her they would meet her there.

Twenty minutes later, he pulled up to the park. They were late, yes, but she had made it.

“You guys made it!” Steph opened the passenger door and pulled the gift basket off Gus’s lap. “We were just about ready to send out a search party before you called. We’re so happy you’re here.”

“Are you ready to decorate?” Gus asked, doing a little dance of excitement that made him laugh. She grabbed her plans and headed to the nearest picnic table where she rolled out the oversize pages.

“These are beautiful,” one woman murmured, pushing her reading glasses up her nose as the group crowded around her. “I had no idea you were this creative.”

The group agreed, and he felt a swell of pride as Gus glowed in response.

After reviewing details, and making some modifications, the group started setting up tables and chairs. The tablecloths, silverware, and dishes were quickly set up.

Lights were strung from the fence and trees, plants and flowers strategically arranged to make the park look even more like a lost paradise. The DJ stopped by for his own setup, and his jaw dropped as he took in the group’s hard work.

Gus hummed next to him as they set up the up lighting on a nearby tree for when the sun set.

“You nailed it, girl!” Steph ran over and kissed her on the cheek. “And you, cowboy,” Steph added, turning to him, “I’m surprised to see you. Thanks for showing up.”

“Anytime,” he said with a quick nod, but his eyes were entirely on Gus.

“Are you going to stick around?” Gus grabbed his arm.

He looked down at her and knew he was a goner. “I need to settle a couple things with Ty first.”

Emotion flickered across Gus’s face. “You’ll still be here for the dance?”

“I promise to be here before the music even starts. I’ll bring Ty and Jace as well.”

He leaned down and kissed her, and Gus laughed, her cheeks growing pink.

“I’m holding you to it, cowboy.”

Colton headed back to the Rocking H, going five over the speed limit. Before he could enjoy his time with Gus, he needed to set the record straight with his brothers.

He took the left turn onto the dirt road that lead to the ranch, and on the side of the road, he spotted a truck and two men in one of the pastures. Ty and Jace were feeding the livestock.

Colton pulled up next to the haystack and got out.

Ty had the pickup truck loaded with bales and was tossing flakes of hay as Jace went around checking the salt blocks.

His younger brother stopped and scowled as Colton drew nearer, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jace straighten.

“Are you coming?” he called to Jace.

Jace held up his hands. “I’m not getting involved—”

“You’re our brother. Get over here.”

“Right.” Jace headed closer.

“You’re back.” Ty’s voice was tinged with annoyance.

“Indeed. I plan to stay as well.” Colton pulled a bale near the end of the tailgate, cut the strings with his pocketknife in one smooth motion, and grabbed a few flakes. “I’ve got everything resolved with my company, and I’m looking to expand to Montana.”

“The lawyer came by a while back, asking where you were.” Ty placed his hands on his hips, squaring off with him.

“I know. I’ve talked with the lawyer and got it straightened out. I’m within the time limit still, and he seemed to think it was an extenuating circumstance.”

“Good for you.” Ty turned back to the hay and started tossing flakes like he was an NFL quarterback.

“Ty.” Colton moved his whole body to block the bale Ty was ripping apart in rapid succession. “I’m sorry I left.”

Ty froze, hands on the small remainder of hay left in the truck.

He moved closer to his brother. “We both know why I left, but I am sorry if it felt like I abandoned you.”

Ty’s shoulders slumped, and one of the cows came over to push at the remaining hay. “It was hard without you. I felt like I had to handle everything on my own—Mom, Dad and this ranch, my own life. I could have used you here.”

“I know. But I was too focused on my own issues and didn’t think of you.”

Ty pulled on the brim of his hat. “I get why you did, though. Dad was impossible.”

“Nothing was ever good enough for him. But he did leave us this.” Colton motioned to the land surrounding them. “You were right from the get-go. It is our legacy. Ours. Something that can’t be taken from us, and it’s something I’m committed to sticking around for.”

Ty pressed his lips together and huffed out a sharp breath from his nose—a sign he was thinking the words over.

“Look,” Colton added, “I’ve realized that I will never be able to make amends with Dad, but I can make amends with you. This ranch is important, and you are even more important to me.”

Ty braced his arms against the tailgate. “What happened with your company in the big city?”

Colton smiled. “I fired Jordan, and I am slowly getting everything on track. I came back because I think I can wrap up everything from here. And I was gone long enough. I wanted to come home.”

“Alright then.” Ty started tossing out the last portion of the bale. His head was down, but his body language was more relaxed than when he first approached.

Colton put his hand on his brother’s shoulder, and to his relief, Ty didn’t shift away. “I’m not sure what is going to happen after we get the ranch fixed up. I’m not sure if it’s a viable operation yet. But let’s work through this year, and we can reassess, okay?”

Ty sighed and his shoulders heaved. “Fine. As long as you promise not to leave without notice again.”

“Fair deal. Though to be completely transparent, I don’t plan to leave anytime soon. I think Gus would have my head.” He clapped his hands together. “So, dance starts in an hour, and I promised Gus I would be there with you guys in tow.”

He was going back to her, just like he promised.