Chapter 5

Colton finished cleaning his hands and finger combed his hair back from his face. It’d taken longer than he’d anticipated to get the tractor running. Now he’d be able to mow the grass in the south pasture. He could have just hired out the mowing, or even broken down and gotten a new tractor, but he’d pretty much tapped out his reserves. An old Army buddy, Jed Nash had run into hard times so Colton and his brothers had pitched in to help. It was the right thing to do, and he didn’t regret it, but it made funds tight.

Besides he’d rather spend his ready cash to finish the restoration on the 1963 Thunderbird he’d picked up at an auction last week. He was planning on giving it to Anthony as a birthday present. Since they were kids, Anthony had talked about wanting one. With a new baby on the way, the chances of him being able to afford it were slim to none.

And Colton owed Anthony. He’d been there for Colton when Colton returned from the Middle East, retired after twenty years of military life, and saddled with memories that he was having a hard time shaking.

Anthony and his mother, Mirriam had provided him with a family, something he’d needed. But then they’d been family to Colton since he and Anthony met in elementary school.

Anthony’s father, John Tosta was Sicilian and a quiet man as far as Colton could remember. To say Anthony’s parents had been an odd match was an understatement. Descended from the Bedouin and flavored with a generous dose of Haitian and Spanish aristocracy, Mirriam was a breed of her own.

Which made Anthony a real mutt, but then most Americans were. And right now, Colton had better heed the call of his friend’s mother or there would be hell to pay. He stripped off the coveralls he wore while working on the tractor and decided against a shirt. It was a nice day, and the black t-shirt was presentable enough.

Grabbing the keys to the 1967 GTO from the desk in the house, he headed for the dance studio.

*****

“That was…amazing,” Memory grinned at Mirriam as the last of the class filed out of the studio, chattering among themselves. “You’re amazing. I’ve never seen anyone so graceful or…” As the memory of her dream came back to her she trailed off and stared at Mirriam in surprise. Mirriam was the woman from her dream! God, why had she not realized that earlier?

“Or?” Mirriam asked with a smile.

“Sorry. I just realized that you look just like someone from a dream.”

“A dream to some, a nightmare to others,” Mirriam laughed and looked behind Memory.

“I find that hard to believe.”

“Believe it.” A deep male voice said from behind her.

Memory saw the amused smile that lit Mirriam’s face and turned. Her heart gave one swift lurch then threatened to stop stone cold dead. This could not be happening! Facing her was the man from her dreams.

Clad in a tight black t-shirt that stretched across a broad chest and shoulders, jeans that were worn but clung snuggly to hip and thigh and an old pair of cowboy boots, he was even sexier than her dream.

Dark hair dusted with a touch of silver at the temples, glinted with the midnight indigo one would equate with a raven, his eyes were a twilight blue so dark that in the right light would appear nearly black. And just like the man in her dreams his face was the stuff of fantasy. Not pretty boy beautiful like so many of the models she’d photographed, but ruggedly handsome—the face of a real man. A real sexy-as-holy-sin man.

If that wasn’t enough to deal with, her crystal was sending off sparks of energy that were about to electrocute her. What the heck was going on? It was impossible not to reach up and place her hand over it, trapping it against her chest. That was a mistake. Energy sizzled through her hand and up her arm.

“Colton, darling, I need you to fix my new friend’s car.” Mirriam broke the awkward silence and diverted the man’s attention from Memory who was trying to break free from the spell he seemed to have cast and not get turned into a crispy critter by her suddenly possessed crystal.

Colton heard Mirriam, but her words didn’t register. His mind was torn between the alarming current pulsing from his crystal and disbelief. Standing before him was the woman from his dreams. Now he could remember, and it was definitely her. This couldn’t be possible.

Tall for a woman, at least five-nine, she was not one of those anorexic looking women with no meat on her bones. Full breasts and generous hips, with long legs encased in tight denim, her body was the kind that made a man want to explore every curve.

Her hair was long and dark, a tumble of waves and curls that didn’t appear to me coaxed into a style but natural. Full lips, elegant brows, and high cheekbones, she had an exotic face that appeared free of artifice.

“Colton?” Mirriam’s voice filtered in making him wonder just how long he’d been standing there gawking at the woman.

“Yes?” He forced himself to focus on Mirriam, which helped pull him back from whatever force had turned him into the equivalent of a gawking teenaged boy.

“Memory’s car needs attention, my dear.”

“Yes.” He replied automatically then paused. “Memory?”

“My new friend, Memory Wells,” Mirriam gestured gracefully toward the stunning brunette.

Colton smiled and took a step closer, extending his hand to Memory. “Colton Marsh, Ms. Wells. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She placed her hand in his and immediately jerked it back. So did he. Sparks literally flew at the touch. Mirriam chuckled. “My, we are electric today, aren’t we? Now, Colton, Memory’s car is on the street. You can’t miss it. It’s very big and red.”

“’59 Eldorado?” Colton asked.

Memory nodded with a smile.

“Sweet,” he returned the smile. “So, tell me what happened.”

“It just stopped running.”

“Choked, spewed, stuttered, coughed?”

“A little of all of it. It doesn’t make sense. I had it serviced about a month ago and it’s been running like a dream until now.”

“You sure you wouldn’t feel more confident having your regular mechanic take care of it?”

“Well, since he’s in California, no. Besides, Mirriam tells me you’re a regular magician with cars.”

“Yes, well, she can exaggerate at times.”

Memory looked at Mirriam, who simply smiled. “I have a feeling she wouldn’t lie. You think you have time to take a look?”

“That’s why I’m here.”

“Okay, great.” Memory turned to Mirriam. “Would it be okay if I left my stuff here while I show Mr. —”

“Colton.” Mirriam and Colton both interrupted at the same time then laughed.

“Okay, thanks. While I show Colton the car?” Memory asked with a smile.

“Absolutely. Take your time.”

Memory looked up at Colton. “It’s just across the street and down a little ways.”

“Yes, I saw it on the way in. After you.” He stepped aside for her to precede him and plucked his hat from a table by the door.

Once on the sidewalk, Colton clapped his hat on his head, and they fell into step beside one another. “So, you’re from California? Are you here visiting family or just passing through?”

“Neither.” She looked up at him as she answered and he was struck once again with a blast of energy, but this time not from the crystal. “I’m sort of on walk-about.”

“Walk about?”

“It sounds better than saying I’m running away from home. I’m a little too old to pull that off.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Colton decided it would be wise not to comment on why she was running, or what she might be running from. Those were things you could talk to a friend about. Not a complete stranger.

She looked up at him again and stopped dead in her tracks at almost the same moment another sizzle of energy ripped through him.

“Okay, look, I know we don’t know each other,” she said. “But something really bizarre is going on here and I have to know if it’s just me that’s feeling these weird energy spikes.”

That was the last thing he expected to hear her say. He wouldn’t have had the courage to bring it up and thought she had a hell of a lot of spunk. “No, I feel it. I just don’t know what the hell it is.”

Memory blew out her breath in relief. She wasn’t good at keeping things in, and when something was gnawing at her she had to get it out or go nuts. Sometimes it landed her in trouble, but that was the way of things. This time it was easier to focus on the strange energy surges than the all too powerful effect Colton had on her hormones.

She smiled up at him “Well, at least I know that if I’m losing my mind, I’ve got company. Are we near a power plant or sub-station or something?”

“No.”

“And you’re not carrying some kind of science fiction electric zappy thing in your pocket?”

“Nope.” He grinned.

“Then what the hell is it?”

“I don’t know.”

She resumed walking. “Have you ever experienced anything like this before?”

“Nope.”

“Neither have I. Any ideas on what it is?”

When he stopped, she walked past him and had to stop and turn around. The look on his face had her breath hitching in her throat. It was a look of raw hunger and need, a look that mirrored the sensations rioting through her.

She wondered if he had any clue the picture he presented. Here was a man that could epitomize masculine sexuality. Exotic cowboy with a body to die for and a face that made a woman’s mind turn to thoughts of sweat-slicked skin and long low moans.

And most definitely a man she would like to take for a very long, very hard ride.

“Since you seem to be a woman who’s upfront, I’m going to say it straight out.” He interrupted her lascivious thoughts. “Crazy as it sounds, this…thing, this energy. Maybe it’s an attraction thing.”

“An attraction thing?”

“Yeah. I was instantly attracted to you so…”

It had been longer than she wanted to remember since anything had excited her as much as those words. Colton was nothing like any man she’d ever been with. He wasn’t polished, waxed, plucked, and primped. His clothes hadn’t come off the latest designer racks and his hair had not been styled to artfully fall one way or another to maximize his eyes or jaw line or strong cheekbones. He wasn’t toned from hours at the gym to have the perfect model physique or schooled to make sure he kept his best side to people.

He wasn’t any of that and put every man she’d ever seen to shame with his raw good looks, muscular build, and natural manner. And he was, without a doubt, the sexiest thing she’d ever laid eyes on.

He was also probably horribly wrong for her, and it would probably be a monumental mistake to be honest with him. But the attraction she felt was far stronger than her good sense.

“Same here.”

He stared at her for a few seconds then slowly approached. She couldn’t help thinking how like a sleek beast he seemed, his stride powerful but smooth, his eyes locked to hers like two laser beams, holding her captive without a touch.

“So, what are we going to do about it, Memory Wells?”

“Well…” Despite the warning her better sense was screaming, the sexual energy arcing between them was too strong to smother her inclination to flirt. “First, you’re going to take a look at my land yacht and tell me if you think you can get her running. Then I’m going to need a ride back to the B&B where I’m staying. After that…well, let me just say that I really hope I’m not going to make any mistakes with you, Colton Marsh.”

“What kind of mistakes could you make?”

“Multiple and diverse.”

“Hate to say it but I kinda like the sound of that, sugar.”

“Oh, you’re a bad one, aren’t you?”

“I guess that’s something else you’ll have to find out.”

“I guess it is. So, you ready to check out my ride?”

“That I am.”

Feeling suddenly full of excitement and the thrill of possibility, Memory turned and headed for her car. When she cut a look over her shoulder and saw Colton watching her ass, another bolt of energy passed through her. For the first time in years, she couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

“Here she is,” Memory stopped beside the car, running her hand over its hood.

Colton whistled appreciatively. “I think I’m in love.”

“Watch it, big guy. She’s spoken for,” Memory teased as Colton opened the door, adjusted the seat and slid in behind the wheel.

He tried starting the car. Nothing happened. His brow furrowed then he got up and popped the hood.

“Oh, yeah,” his voice was almost a croon. A sexy, deep sound that had shivers dancing down Memory’s spine.

“Cadillac V8.”

“Q,” Memory added as she stepped up beside him. “Dual barrel carb.”

“Air suspension.” Colton looked down at her, his eyes a smoldering accompaniment to his seductive tone.

“Electric door locks,” Memory whispered. “Fog lamps.”

“Power seats.” It suddenly dawned on her that even though they were reciting merits of the car, what was really happening was sex talk. Strange sex talk, but sex talk, nonetheless. She was about as worked up as she’d ever been, standing there with the heat of his body radiating out to warm her and his voice sliding over her like a soft kiss.

“Big spacious power seats.” He murmured, leaning down a bit closer.

“Really big,” she breathed.

“Yo, Colton!!”

The sudden yell from the sidewalk had both of them jumping. A thin, handsome black man jogged up to them. “What’s up brother?”

“Hey, Anthony,” Colton said with a grin. “This is Memory. She’s visiting and her boat broke down. Memory this is Anthony.”

“Nice to meet you,” Memory stuck out her hand.

“Likewise,” Anthony said and clasped her hand.

Without warning she had a flash. A woman screaming and the sound of voices telling her to push just once more. She blinked and the vision faded.

“So, where’re you visiting from?” Anthony asked.

“California.”

“You navigated this yacht across the country? Cool. How long are you staying?”

Memory looked over at Colton. “That depends on how long it takes the big guy to get my baby up and running.”

“Pressure’s on, bro,” Anthony said with a laugh.

Colton smiled. “I’ll call Mike and have him tow her down to the ranch and get started on her in the morning. I should know something by mid-day.”

“The ranch? I thought you were a mechanic?”

“Only out of passion. I can call one of the local fellas if you’d prefer.”

“No. Mirriam said you were good, so I’ll trust her.”

“Then I’ll see about getting Mike to tow it.”

“Great. Now, if one of you could tell me the nearest place to rent a car? I need a way back to the B&B where I’m staying.”

“I’d be happy to give you a ride,” Anthony offered.

“I’ll give you a ride,” Colton said at the same moment then looked at Anthony. “And you’ll go home to your very pregnant wife.”

Another flash went through Memory’s mind, one that brought a smile to her face. “Have you picked out his name yet?”

“His?” Anthony asked. “What makes you think it’s a he?”

She shrugged. “Women’s intuition?”

“Well, from your mouth to god’s ears—naw, not really. I’ll just be happy if it’s healthy and has all its fingers and toes.”

“I’m sure it will,” she said then added. “Thanks for the offer, Anthony. It was really nice to meet you.”

“You too. Colton, I’ll catch you later, man.”

“Yeah. Say hi to Gretchen.”

“Will do.”

Memory watched Anthony walk away then looked at Colton as he slammed the hood. “So, what now?”

“You want to go over and get your things from Mirriam? I’m parked around behind her place. I just need to call Mike and make sure he can get your car. I wouldn’t want to leave it on the street, so we’ll need to wait on him.”

“Okay.”

They made their way back to Mirriam’s with little conversation. Memory wondered why her crystal had not given her any more jolts. And what exactly did that energy signify?

It’d been a long time since she’d given the crystal much thought. Since the night before she’d left the orphanage and Angela, the woman who’d cared for her as long as she could remember had put it on her. She’d never had anything unusual happen—no energy surges, strange dreams and thankfully no appearances of anything resembling a demon. So why had it suddenly now awakened?

The question was put aside when Colton stopped to open the door to Mirriam’s school for her. The heat from his body had her stopping to look up at him. The hunger she saw in his eyes had her ready to say to hell with the car. All she really wanted was to get her hands on him. Along with her lips and teeth and a few other body parts.

“Maybe I can get Mirriam to keep an eye on the car until Mike gets here,” he suggested in a low sexy growl that had her body temperature rising several degrees.

“Fine by me.”

“Mama?” He yelled as he followed Memory inside.

“Mama?” Memory asked.

“She’s Anthony’s mother. We grew up together and I’ve called her Mama since I was seven.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, darling?” Mirriam’s voice came from the next room.

“Would you call Mike and tell him to come tow Memory’s car? And keep an eye on it until he gets here? I’m going to give her a ride to the bed and breakfast.”

Mirriam appeared at the door to the studio, startling Memory with her silent approach. “Of course, darling. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks,” Colton leaned down to kiss her cheek.

“Thanks,” Memory echoed. “For everything. I hope I see you again. Oh, I guess I will. I have to get you prints of the photos I took.”

“That would be lovely,” Mirriam replied and enveloped Memory in a hug. “Now off with you.”

“Yes ma’am.” Colton waited for Memory to gather up her things then led her to the rear exit.

“Oh, baby, love at first sight,” she breathed as she got a look at the 1968 GTO. “I bet this bad boy flies.”

“Indeed, it does,” he grinned and opened the passenger door for her.

She slid inside, admiring the interior as Colton rounded the car and climbed in behind the wheel. “Oh yeah,” she said with enthusiasm as the engine roared to life. “Now I know I’m in love.”

“I get the feeling you have a thing for powerful engines.”

“You have no idea,” she replied and glanced over at him. “Top end or off the line.”

“Sudden thrust or staying power.”

His comment and tone left no doubt that he was no more talking about cars than she was.

Memory grinned. “Just how fast can you get us to the B&B?”

“In a hurry?”

“You have no idea.”