Page 24 of Save A Horse (Texas Rose Ranch #1)

Daisy

I let the warm water run down my body as I thought about what had just unfolded between Colt and me.

I never thought something like this would happen.

After all this time, I didn’t think that coming back here would change anything, especially not in this way.

I had just stopped talking to Colt once my mom died.

I shut everyone out after that. I was a little surprised at how Colt was trying to reconnect a little at the start of my stay here, and thinking about how that little girl once could only dream of being with him made my eyes swell.

To that little girl, this was a dream come true.

Now, we just had to keep pretending like we were friends, keeping our relationship a secret from Walt.

It was my idea, but it was the only thing I could think of to keep us together.

That was all that mattered to me at this moment.

Maybe keeping this relationship hidden from Walt would give an exhilarating edge to it.

I rubbed over my body with my hands, trying to wash away all the stickiness. I felt like someone was watching me, and I kind of hoped it was Colt out there. Just the thought of him standing out there, wondering what it would be like to join me in this shower, gave me a rush .

I stepped out of the shower, the steam moving around me and fogging up the mirror.

I wiped it off with a towel, then wrapped it around my body.

As I felt thefabric against me, I wished it were a pair of rough, calloused hands instead.

Those were what I longed to touch me. I could smell the scents of my shampoo, but I could also smell something savory, and I knew it must be whatever Colt had started making in the kitchen.

Glancing into the mirror, I brushed my hair back, then I headed toward the kitchen to see what Colt was up to.

I could hear something sizzling and some pots and pans clanking.

I found Colt standing at the stove, his back facing me.

I stood there, taking him in for a moment.

He was so focused as he moved his hands to flip the steaks.

His muscles flexed with each movement, bringing a smile to my face.

These discreet moments were myfavorite.

I loved when I could steal a quick admire without him noticing.

“Need a hand?” Colt turned swiftly, a grin spreading across his face.

“Yeah. Could you grab the seasoning from the cabinet? It’s the one with the black lid.

” I nodded, moving toward where he had pointed.

I grabbed the seasoning, my fingers brushing against the cool metal of the container.

I turned back to Colt, catching a glimpse of him peaking at me.

I quickly shook my head, focusing on the task at hand.

“Here you go, cowboy.” I could still call him that since his dad wasn’t here yet. That nickname would never grow old. He was stuck with it forever. “Anything else I can help you with?”

“I’m about ready, but if you could set the table, that would be helpful.”

As I pulled out the plates from the cabinet and arranged them on the table, one for each of us, I thought about how hard it would be to contain myself at dinner.

What if I smiled or laughed or even stared too long at Colt?

Would Walt notice? I brushed those thoughts away, placing the last fork down.

I looked out the window, hearing the sounds of tires against gravel. Walt was home. My heart sank a little.

“Colt, your dad’s here.” He brought over the food, looking out the window as he walked over to the table.

“Great timing.” His brow furrowed and his hand grazed my arm just as quickly as he pulled it away. “Just act natural. Everything’s okay.” I nodded, feeling the nerves of the situation. That was a lot easier said than done.

“Hey, dad.” Colt held his casual tone, and I was alittle envious of how he could flip a switch so perfectly.

“Smells good in here. What are you cooking?” Walt’s eyes scanned the kitchen. I was already sitting at the table, waiting for the men to join.

“Just made some steaks and sautéed some veggies. Daisy helped a bit.” Walt glanced at me as he sat in his chair at the table.

“Is that so?” He looked around at the food again, enough time for Colt to have a seat.

“Looks like you two did a fine job. Hope it tastes as good as it smells. I could just about smell that when I got out of my truck.” I chuckled.

I appreciated this light-heartedness from Walt.

It eased me a little. “Well, I’m glad Colt wasn’t too bad of company while I was gone. ”

Colt and I exchanged a quick glance. Walt had no idea what kind of company his son had been while he was away at my dad’s ranch.

The flashbacks raced through my mind, the images of whipped cream, ice cream, and the ever so tasty chocolate syrup danced around, as did the way we cleaned each other.

The best thing, though, was Colt telling me he would beg.

I jumped back in to listen to the conversation and to eat. Colt served the food.

“So, Colt…these steaks taste pretty good. How’d you make them? ”

“I used that seasoning in the cabinet with the black lid. Just don’t tell anyone my secret recipe.”

“It’ll be our little secret.”

Walt winked at me and Colt, and the two of us exchanged another glance. My heart was racing but I knew there was no way he could have found out about the two of us, could he have? No. There was no way Walt knew about the deeper connection Colt and I had rekindled since I had been here.

We continued eating, the conversation flowing easily. Walt recalled a memory of us when we were kids one summer here on the ranch. It was one of those funny stories that never got old about when Colt had tried to build a treehouse, but he ended up managing to get stuck inside.

? ? ?

Colt did have an adventurous side, but it couldn’t compare to mine.

It didn’t even come close. On a summer afternoon at the ranch, Colt had decided to build a treehouse.

He had so many ideas and I remember listening to him tell his mom and dad all about his plans.

He was so excited. Colt gathered his supplies with his parents' help.

They let him work on it with little assistance since he was eleven and had been helping his dad on the ranch for a few years now.

I had been on the ranch that day, but Colt had that look in his eyes that said he was on a mission so I didn’t bother him.

Colt climbed up the tree. I watched him from around the ranch while I was walking with my mom and listening to her talk to Rose.

Colt looked about ten feet high and I was a little scared for him, but I knew he could do it.

He had told me that he wanted to fill the treehouse with little treasures and that it would be our little, secret hideout.

I liked that idea, and I liked that he was including me.

Colt was hammering away. As he worked, I could see how focused he was. The day was halfway over and he seemed to have a lot of it already constructed. He finally took a break to come inside and eat a sandwich with me, but not before he took a second to look at his craftsmanship .

“How’s it coming along?”

“It is going so good, Daisy! Soon, we will be able to play in it! I will let you know when it’s finished so you can come up and see it.”

Before long, Colt was back outside and continuing to work. He was about finished, and that is when he found a small problem. Colt hadn’t made himself anything that he could use to get down. He was stuck. He decided to finish the work on the platform and then make a roof to help keep the sun out.

Then, things took a turn. He reached for another branch but lost his balance, ending up wedged between two thick limbs. Panic set in. We were all outside on the porch when it happened.

“Help!” We heard his scream and went running toward him. “Daisy! Mom! Dad! Help me! I’m stuck!” His voice echoed. The sun was getting lower and he was scared. He looked down and saw all of us. He must have been so relieved.

“Colt, are you okay?” His mom asked, worried.

“Yeah. I’m just stuck.”

“Don’t worry, son. We’ll get you down.” Walt turned toward us. “I’ll go grab a ladder.”

“I’ll come with you.” Both our dads took off toward the barn.

“Daisy?”

“Yes, Colt? I’m here. You were too adventurous today. You know, everyone can’t be like me.” I saw him let out a small laugh. Laughter was the best medicine.

They brought back the ladder and pulled it out near the tree.

“I’m coming up.” I watched as Walt climbed to the top. “Try to swing your legs over to me.” Colt was hesitant and I could tell he was still afraid.

“Come on, Colt! I want some ice cream and we can’t go get any unless you’re down here!” I was looking for any way to distract and ease his mind a little .

Colt followed Walt’s directions, managing to get himself unstuck between the two branches. Slowly but surely, he climbed down the ladder, holding onto his dad.

“Are you good?” His mom hugged him.

“Yeah, I’m good.” I looked over at him.

“Next time you’re going to do something like that, maybe think about how you’re going to get down before you climb so high up.”

? ? ?

“I like that story.” I smiled, remembering that day so clearly.

“Yeah. It’s too bad that the storm a few years back tore it down. I thought that thing was going to last forever up in that tree.”

“It survived that long?”

“Sure did.” The conversation continued for a few more minutes, then Walt decided to head to bed.