Page 18 of Roaring Fork Rockstar (Roaring Fork Ranch #3)

Holt took a sip of his coffee, those blue eyes watching me over the rim of his mug. “Last night was nice.”

“It was,” I agreed, feeling my cheeks warm. “But there are things you should know. Things I should have told you before…”

He set his mug down and moved closer. “I’m listening.”

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for a conversation I’d avoided for years. “You figured out I worked for CB Rice as a sound engineer.”

“Ben mentioned it.”

“And you probably figured out that Luna’s father is?—”

“Remi Gilbert,” he finished quietly. “Yeah, I put that together.”

Relief and anxiety tangled in my chest at having it out in the open. “It happened during the European tour five years ago when I was twenty-two. I was young, flattered by his attention, and thought I was in love.”

Holt remained silent, giving me space to continue.

“We were together for three months. When I told him I was pregnant, he denied the baby was his and had me replaced on the tour that same day.”

“Jesus,” Holt muttered, his jaw tightening. “I knew he was an asshole, but that’s beyond?—”

“I flew home to my dad’s place in New Mexico and stayed with him until Luna was born,” I continued, pushing past the old hurt. “I haven’t seen Remi since, and as far as I know, he has no idea Luna exists.”

“You saw him on your street the other day,” Holt observed softly.

I closed my eyes briefly, the panic of that moment washing over me again. “I never thought he’d be here, in Crested Butte, of all places. God, what if he sees Luna? Puts two and two together?”

“That’s not going to happen,” Holt said with unexpected fierceness. “I won’t let it.”

“You can’t promise that,” I whispered, though his certainty was oddly comforting.

“I can.” He took my hands in his, our coffee forgotten. “Keltie, I know we haven’t known each other long, but I care about you, and I care about Luna. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. “Why? Why would you take this on?”

“Because from the moment I met Luna, I knew she was special. And from the moment I met you…” He paused, his thumbs tracing circles on my hands. “I’ve never felt for anyone what I feel for you.”

My heart hammered in my chest, a mix of hope and fear making it difficult to think clearly. “Holt, there’s something else. Luna’s appointment in Denver?—”

“Mommy!” Luna’s voice interrupted as she bounded into the kitchen. “I finished setting up Sparkles’ new home! Mr. Holt, you have to come see!”

Holt released my hands, though reluctance flashed across his face. “Lead the way, Unicorn Girl.”

Luna grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the stairs, leaving me standing in the kitchen trying to stop my head from whirling after hearing him say he’d never felt for anyone what he felt for me. If I’d had the chance, I would’ve confessed the same thing.

When they returned to the kitchen, Luna was practically beaming with pride. “Mr. Holt says Sparkles has the best home he’s ever seen!”

“High praise, indeed,” I said, forcing a smile despite the seriousness of our interrupted conversation.

“When will we see you again?” Luna asked Holt, her question direct in the way only children can manage.

Holt crouched down to her level. “Well, I haven’t forgotten our pizza date. Have you?”

“No, but…I promised Sparkles and Bunny that we could play a while first.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m still full from breakfast, Luna-bug.” While she hadn’t eaten her pancakes, we both ate far more in the last two days than we usually did.

“Maybe we could have pizza for dinner, instead?” She looked at Holt with wide eyes.

“I think that could be arranged. I’m playing music at your mom’s bar. And probably a few more times this week.”

Luna turned to me with pleading eyes. “Mommy, we can have pizza with Mr. Holt tonight, then tomorrow, you could make him dinner.”

I glanced at Holt, whose expression divulged nothing. “If Mr. Holt wants to come for dinner, he’s welcome anytime.”

“I’d like that,” he said softly, his gaze holding mine.

Luna clapped her hands in delight. “Good! Because Sparkles already told me you were going to be our new best friend.”

Holt chuckled, ruffling her curls. “Smart unicorn you’ve got there.”

As he prepared to leave, I remembered something. “About tonight—you said you need to play three times a week at local establishments, right? For the trust?”

“That’s right.”

“You’re already scheduled to play Thursdays and Saturdays. If there’s another night you want to add, you have your pick,” I offered.

Surprise and gratitude flashed across his face. He leaned close enough to feel the warmth of his breath on my neck. “Not sure I’ll be able to stay away any night, Keltie.”

My cheeks flushed. “You’re always welcome.”

His lips brushed my cheek. “Glad to hear it.”

Luna insisted on one more hug before he left, wrapping her small arms around his neck tightly enough that it looked like she was strangling him. I walked him to the door, feeling awkward now that our time together was ending.

“Thank you for everything,” I said. “Christmas, the rides, the medication run…all of it.”

Holt’s eyes searched mine. “See you later?”

“Yes,” I promised. “And about the Goat tonight—what time will you be in?”

“Eight?” he suggested. “Unless that’s too late.”

“Eight is perfect. Luna will be with Mrs. Lopez tonight.”

He hesitated at the threshold, clearly debating something. Then, with a quick glance to make sure Luna wasn’t watching, he leaned forward. His kiss felt soft on my lips. “All night?”

It took me a minute to figure out what he meant. “Oh, Mrs. Lopez? Err, no, not all night, but…”

He winked. “See you soon, darlin’.”

I stood at the door long after his truck disappeared down the street, my fingers absently touching the pendant at my throat.

Relief at finally sharing my past with him mingled with the apprehension about what was developing between us.

Everything was happening so quickly—the connection, the trust, the feelings I couldn’t deny.

And looming over it all was Luna’s appointment four days from now, in Denver.