Page 14 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

“S tay put.” Colton’s gruff command pushes my brattiest buttons.

I pop open the passenger door, swinging my legs over the bench seat. My boots hit the dirt and I breathe a sigh of relief. The drop from the truck is no joke, especially for lil’ ol’ me. It’s like sliding off a very tall horse.

My jailer’s grunt reaches me on the ground. “Can’t listen, huh?”

“Just following the trend.” And with that free fall out of the way, I get a good look at the scenery. “This isn’t a barrel race.”

Unless the property owner has an arena hidden behind the quaint little farmhouse or equally charming barn.

There isn’t any noise either. It’s quiet and peaceful.

I can hear birds in the large oak trees to the right.

A rope swing hangs down from a thick branch.

The wooden seat sways in the breeze as if beckoning me.

I get a similar vibe from the oversized windmill, squeaking slightly as the blades pick up speed.

Ripe apples perfume the autumn season. The cluster of trees is on the left near a pasture gate.

Rows of lilac bushes are planted along the fence, ready to perfume the air in spring.

Flower gardens frame stone paths that cut across the lawn.

Upon closer inspection, these colorful blooms are a variety of daisies.

They’re my favorite—Mom’s too—and I’m struck by the sight.

The whole package is endearing. I find myself being pulled in as if I’m home. It’s a natural comfort welcoming me, like I’ve been here before. This is the type of place where a young couple plants roots and watches their love expand over the years.

Colton appears at my side. Bandit and Luna flank him, their lead ropes looped in his hands. He must’ve unloaded them while I was admiring the view.

“Figured we’d unpack and get settled before you decide what to do,” he drawls.

I peek up at him, finding his gaze already on me. “Why would we do that?”

“You can stretch your back. Two hours in the same position can lock up even the most pliant muscles. I don’t want you to get sore.”

A furrow creases my forehead while I study his expression. That’s another thoughtful gesture. A dull ache had started brewing in my hips and lower back, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. That doesn’t mean the break isn’t appreciated.

Colton would make a considerate boyfriend—minus the light stalking and abduction.

For days, I’ve been chewing on that heated comment he breathed across my lips at Camp Cloverleaf.

They’re not you. The raw passion in his voice had curled my toes and spiked a fever.

It’s almost like he’s caught feelings, which sounds crazy to my own ears.

I didn’t get a chance to pry before he backed off. Now we’re at odds again.

Do I think the grumpy jerk is attractive? Sure. Did I suggest we sleep together on more than one occasion? Shamelessly guilty. Does that mean I forgive him for his many offenses against me? Not a chance and I’m getting off track.

I rip my gaze from his backward baseball cap, shifting my sights to the large shed in front of us. “Where are we?”

He took us west rather than south. I stopped paying attention to the map after we blew past New Ulm. It was all unrecognizable country fields beyond that.

His gaze roams over the grassy land that extends in every direction. “Middle of nowhere.”

“Care to be more specific?”

“Morgan is the closest town, if you can even call it that.”

“And we just stopped for a quick reprieve or…?” I lift my brows, willing him to chat me up for a change.

“There are several competitions in this part of the state until mid-November. The Redwood Rodeo starts tomorrow if you’re interested. Or you can relax until next weekend.” That’s a decent string of sentences for the man of few words, but it doesn’t make sense.

“You’re planning on us staying here?” I gesture to the rustic paradise surrounding us to avoid confusion.

“Would you prefer camping in the trailer? I thought you wanted space.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

Colton narrows his eyes, the blue appearing lighter in the afternoon sun. “Where were you headed when you tried to skip town?”

The shift in topic gives me pause. “Didn’t have a specific location in mind.”

“You did,” he insists.

“No, I didn’t. I just wanted to go… somewhere else.

” I toss my hands up, exhaling heavily. “Away from Cloverleaf Meadows and the expectations of my last name. The rodeo circuit can be suffocating too. It’s a rich person problem and I know that, but the pressure of being a Benson is exhausting.

Especially after my mom died. I wanted a break.

It actually felt like a need. That’s why I decided to take that trip to Europe on a whim, which didn’t go as planned.

The next time, I figured I’d just drive and see where the road took me. ”

It probably would’ve led me to a spot exactly like this if I’m being honest.

His nod acts like he heard me. “Does your restless spirit approve?”

“Restless spirit,” I scoff. “That’s what you got out of my speech?”

“Do you prefer a different term?” He grunts when I don’t answer. “That’s what I thought. Nobody knows you out here. You can even pretend to be someone else.”

“But there’s no hiding from you,” I retort.

“Am I that bad?”

“You represent what I’m trying to escape. I don’t actually get peace while you’re hovering over me.”

“It’s not safe for you to be alone.” He stands with the horses on either side of him, forming a defensive guard against any attack.

“What’s going to get me?” I spin in a slow circle. “There’s probably nothing for miles.”

Colton dips his head. “The property sits on four hundred acres of land. Only eighty are fenced in. That’s as much space as you’re going to get.”

Fire burns in my veins. “I hate you.”

“And I deserve it. Doesn’t change the facts. This is the best I can do. Run free. Go buck wild. Ditch your elite reputation. Blend in and be normal.” He’s really expanding his vocal cords today.

“Fine. Whatever.” Another argument lost—go figure. My attention wanders to the house, wondering what’s waiting inside. “Did the owners owe you one or is this a random rental?”

“I bought it.” Colton states that as if he’s telling me the sky is blue.

My lips part on a shocked exhale. “When?”

His voice is unusually soft when he says, “Middle of July.”

A lump instantly clogs my throat. Mom passed earlier that month. The timing seems too purposeful. I search his bottomless ocean stare for answers that never surface.

“Why?” It’s more of a croak than a question.

“Figured I should get my own house. It was long overdue.”

“And you chose somewhere hours away from the office?”

“Consider it more of a vacation home.”

My brows leap to the barn roof. “Is that a joke?”

“If you want it to be.”

“What’s the real reason?”

Colton stares deep into my soul, trying to convey a message. “Maybe I was planning ahead.”

“For what?”

“The urge to skip town.” His casual tone suggests he’s repeating the obvious.

“Do you have a restless spirit too? Or did you do this for mine?” Just asking makes me sound like a presumptuous brat.

But then he dips his chin. “It’s for us. We can come out here whenever the mood strikes.”

Hysterical laughter bubbles from the depths of my shock. “Take it easy, Cowboy. This is a temporary arrangement. Gosh, you make it sound like we’re permanently attached at the hip.”

“However long it takes.” The words are uttered under his breath, but I hear the desire in them.

“Ah, right.” My humor simmers to a breathy exhale. “You’re hiding me from your father.”

Colton glares into the distance. “Until Brody and your dad deal with him.”

“What’re they gonna do? Flex their dominance?” I snort at the visual.

“Essentially.”

“They aren’t violent people.”

“They don’t have to be,” he argues. “Dealing with a threat doesn’t have to involve pain. There are more creative ways to make a man back off. Your brother has every resource available. He’ll use them as necessary.”

The dots aren’t connecting. “So, why are we hiding?”

“My father’s crew is a speck of dirt compared to your family. He doesn’t stand a chance and he knows it. That could push him to do something really drastic. I won’t risk your safety.” That reason is beginning to sound like an excuse.

Which leads me to regurgitate an overused line of my own. “This is just a job. Why do you care so much?”

“Princess,” Colton sighs. “Do I really need to answer that?”

“I wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”

His eyes burn into mine, hot coals on a smoldering fire. “You’re not ready.”

I blink to escape the snare of his intensity. “More secrets?”

“Always.”

A sigh wheezes from me when I bump into another blockade. He’s calm and relatively chatty. Meanwhile, my emotions are running on high alert. His father is a bad man. There’s dangerous drama surrounding me. Colton is talking in riddles. I’m clueless as to what’s happening behind the scenes.

“Just for the record, I don’t appreciate being left in the dark.”

“I’ll share any updates I receive.”

“And keep me trapped here until the coast is clear.” Frustration threatens to rise again, but I swallow the urge to scream.

“You’re not a prisoner. We can leave whenever you want,” my jailer reassures.

“But we can’t go home.”

“Not until my father fucks off for good. Whoever replaces him won’t try to drag me back into the fold.”

My stomach squeezes at the finality in his tone. “You’re not planning to see him before he…?”

“Already did. Made my peace with our situation long before now. There’s nothing left to say.”

“Um, okay.” I allow a lull to slip between us while I ponder the vast differences in our family dynamics.

The way he speaks about his father reveals a detachment.

His childhood probably lacked everything I received in abundance.

Heat pricks my eyes as I imagine young Colton in desperate need of a hug, but getting ignored instead.

There’s no warmth or fond memories. Grief won’t hold him hostage. Maybe it’s better that way.

My lashes bat away the unshed tears. “Will you let me stay here on my own?”

His extended pause reveals the truth. “Maybe.”

“Liar.” But it’s a step in the right direction.

“Invite Paisley or some other friend if you need better company.” Colton’s hand roams the length of Bandit’s glossy neck.

My heart absolutely doesn’t soften to him petting my horse with affection. “I already told her that you changed course and took me in the opposite direction against my will. She didn’t seem all that surprised.”

“You didn’t either. I was expecting more of a fight.”

“After the initial burst of shock, I realized this”—I wave at the makeshift safe house—“should be expected. Why waste my energy trying to escape? Short of smothering you with a pillow, I’m not getting away.”

“Glad to hear you’re finally seeing reason.”

My eyes narrow at his smug tone. I should probably be more upset, but it won’t do me any favors.

If he wants to pretend this situation is normal, I can play along.

That doesn’t mean I accept it. I’m just trying to rationalize his extreme protective instincts while waiting for the storm to pass. Otherwise, I will actually lose it.

“I’m going to let Bandit and Luna graze for a bit before finding a trail to explore.” My fingers reach for the lead ropes.

But Colton doesn’t give. “I’ve got ‘em. You can check out the house. It’s a keypad entry. The code is zero-four-two-seven. Master bedroom is all yours. Unpack and change. Then we’ll go for a ride.”

“That’s my birthday,” I whisper.

“I’m aware.”

“Why is the code my birthday?”

He chews on his answer for a moment. “It’s a combination neither of us will forget.”

Which sounds more like a meaningful decision rather than strictly for convenience.

My head is spinning again, but I focus on the other part of his statement. “ We’re going for a ride?”

“If that’s all right with you.”

I squint at his nonchalance. “Are you planning on hoofin’ it?”

“Sure, Princess.” Colton’s stubbled cheek twitches as if he’s about to smirk. “I’ll eat your dust and enjoy the view.”