Page 85

“No problem. I’ve missed having kids around.”

“They’ll be back before you know it.” Colt slapped a hand on Ridge’s shoulder. “See you next week.”

“Tell Remi to call me or Cheyenne if she needs anything while you’re gone next week.”

“Will do.”

Colt turned and headed toward the truck where the kids were bouncing in the thin layer of snow.

“I see flowers!” Abby shouted.

Colt unlocked the door and opened the back seat for the kids to climb in. “Surprise! Flowers for Abby and Remi and a sweet treat for Ben.” Colt held up a finger. “Not to be consumed until after dinner.”

“What does consumed mean?” Abby asked.

He should have seen that one coming. “Eaten. Find your seats and plant your behinds in them.”

When everyone was settled, Ben leaned forward, looking in the front seat. “Where’s mine?”

Colt handed a box over the seat. “No touchy until after dinner. And they’re to share.”

“Whoa. Cupcakes!”

Abby named off every color in the flower arrangements on the way home, and Colt tried his best to recall the flower names. The only ones he was sure of were roses and tulips.

Colt parked in front of the cabin and killed the engine. “Nobody move. We have to have a chat first. Remi isn’t home yet, but let’s surprise her with the flowers.” He held up a finger in front of his lips. “No telling until the big reveal.”

Abby bounced in her seat and laughed. Ben nodded, agreeing to aid in the surprise.

Ben jumped out of the truck and made a beeline for the door. Abby scrambled out and did her best to keep up. Carrying both vases and the tray of cupcakes, Colt was slow getting to the porch. He set the gifts down and checked his pockets for the house key. He patted one pocket, then the other. No key.

“Hold up. I’ve gotta find the key.” He went back to the truck and rummaged in the console. Nothing in the cupholder. He stopped and tried to think back over his day. Slapping a hand to his forehead, he remembered giving the set of keys that included his house key and the storage shed key to Brett.

Closing up the truck, he fired off a text to Brett. He was probably still out on a trail ride.

“Looks like we’re locked out, kids.”

“Oh no! How are we gonna get in?” Abby asked.

Colt rubbed his chin and looked around. “Do either of you remember if Remi opened the bathroom window last night?” She had a habit of cracking the window to let out the steam, since the small bathroom didn’t have a vent.

“She did,” Abby confirmed.

“Good. How do you feel about sliding in through the window?”

Abby’s mouth dropped open. “Really? I can?”

“I’m asking you to do it. Take one for the team.”

“What does that mean?” Abby asked with a scrunched nose.

“It means you’ll be the hero today. Or heroine. Whatever.”

With fists lifted above her head, Abby darted off the porch and around the side of the cabin. “Yes!”

The back of the cabin didn’t have a porch, and the bathroom window was up higher than Colt had expected. “Do you think you can do it? I’ll keep my hands on you until you get in.”

Abby looked up at the window and shrank the slightest bit. “It’s high.”