9781631053566SpringsDelightBallNC (14 page)

Spring shrugged and gave him a
half smile. “I don’t trust most people, and I never learned the art of making
friends. I was too busy trying to stay under the radar. I tried to be as invisible
as possible because I didn’t want any trouble. Don’t get me wrong, I fought
back plenty of times. Didn’t win much but I fought back. Then when I was
fifteen, Billy came into the picture, and he protected me from the bullies.”
Chuckling, she shook her head. “I still didn’t make any friends, people were
too afraid of Billy. I guess my secret wish had always been to have a friend
and a little affection. That must be why I never noticed how cruel Billy really
was. He asked how my day was and acted interested in what I said. I even shared
my hopes and dreams with him.”

Colt put his arm around her
shoulder and gave it a squeeze. His heart ached for her but he knew better than
to show any type of pity.

“The little girl inside me
kept waiting for Peggy Jo to get her act together and take me home with her. I
kept thinking if I was good enough, she’d come and we’d do all the things real
moms and daughters did. We’d go shopping and get ice cream, she’d come to
school functions and help me with my homework and she’d hug me.”

“Spring—”

“Don’t feel sorry for me,
Colt. I’ve had enough of being that sad little girl. I have my fate in my own
hands now, and I’m striving to be happy.”

Colt guided her head onto his
shoulder. “Honey, I wasn’t going to say I feel sorry for you. You are a ray of
sunshine around here, and you came just when you were needed most. I’d turned
into a shell of myself since Caleb’s death. So many people reached out to me
but I refused to accept their help. You changed all that, and I’m glad you’re
here.”

The comfort of his warmth
soothed her. She snuggled against his shoulder and didn’t say anything more.
Not long after, her even breathing told him she had fallen asleep.

With great care, he lifted her
into his arms and carried her to bed. He finally managed to get her under the
covers and was damn surprised she didn’t wake. His heart ached for her as he
stared at her lovely face. They were just two people trying to find their way,
and there was no telling how it would all end up.

* * * *

Morning sunlight poured into
her room as she stretched her arms above her. Her brow wrinkled as she noticed
her shoes were still on.

How in the world?
She bit back a laugh; Colt must have
put her to bed. At least he hadn’t taken her clothes off, but shoes? Maybe it
was a guy thing, or maybe just a Colt thing.

Talking about her past had
been soul-healing. There was a sense of peace around her she’d never
experienced before, and it felt great. With Peggy Jo around, it wouldn’t last
long, so she might as well enjoy it while she could.

While getting ready, she
glanced at the mirror. Colt called her lovely. She turned her head to the right
then to the left, examining her face. Maybe she wasn’t as ugly as Billy told
her. Her bright red hair was awful. Autumn’s was a nice shade of auburn while
hers was too flashy. It had been a curse her whole life. It made her stand out
when all she wanted was to go unnoticed. She did have nice skin but she
certainly wasn’t lovely. Maybe Colt was only trying to make her feel better.

Downstairs Colt already had
the coffee on, and he leaned against the counter, mug in hand. She couldn’t
help but size him up. His hips were slim and his legs
well
muscled
. Her face grew warm as she realized she was staring. When she
quickly glanced at Colt’s face, he gave her a knowing look. Her face flamed
redder.

“Good morning,
Spring
.
Coffee?”

“I’d love some. Funny thing, I
woke up with my shoes still on.”

Colt poured her coffee and
grinned as he handed it to her. Damn, she hated that cocky grin. It was contagious.

“I guess someone found my
shoulder a comfy pillow last night. I carried you to bed and tucked you in all
without waking you.”

“You seem awfully proud of
yourself,” she teased. “But shoes on in bed?”

“Hell woman, I didn’t want to
wake you. You looked too damn cute sleeping.”

Her smile disappeared. “You
don’t have to say nice things about how I look.”

He cocked his right brow.

“I mean I know I’m plain
except for the cursed red hair. I’d rather hear the truth and not some polite
compliments.”

Colt put his mug down on the
counter and stared at her. “I love your red hair, who told you it was a curse?”

She sat at the kitchen table,
staring at her coffee cup. “One place I lived they all called me a redheaded,
freckled faced dog. Billy told me I was nothing to look at. I even remember
Peggy Jo bemoaning the fact I had red hair. No one in her family had red hair.”

“Do you know who your father
is?”

“No, I’m not sure Peggy Jo
really knew either.”

“It was probably the man with
red hair.”

She grabbed the towel from
table and threw it at him. “Wow, you should have been a detective!”

Colt’s deep rumble filled the
kitchen as he bent over to retrieve the towel. “Glad to help.”

“What’s all that?” She nodded
toward a disarray of papers, mail and a laptop.

“My bookkeeping.
I’ll
have you know I took a course at the local college.”

Her eyes narrowed.
“Really?
Did they mention organization or are stacks of
paper and mail just your style?” She laughed and was heartened at Colt’s grin.

“This is my own personal
style. I’ll have you know it has taken years to perfect it. Now I’ll show all
you need to know, and you can create your own style. Let’s grab our coffee and
sit. Do you know what a computer is?”

Shaking her head, she sat at
the table next to him. “I’m not sure.”

He straightened and turned his
computer on. “It takes some getting used to. See all the icons- the pictures-
on the left hand side? We will be using these programs to enter the numbers.
Now, this little part is the mouse, I know it’s a strange name and I still
wonder about it. We use the mouse to move the little arrow thing around.”

“Oh.”

“Exactly, we’ll take it slow.
Don’t get over whelmed.”

It took everything she had not
to laugh. Afraid to open her mouth she nodded. It was nice to sit next to Colt.
He smelled soap clean with a mix of coffee and leather. She leaned toward him
and got as close to him as she could without sitting on his lap.

“Colt, which program are you
using for accounting?”

“See this picture? We use
that.”

“Do you think I could touch
your computer?” She smiled and blinked at him.

“Sure.” He moved it so it sat
in front of her.

She quickly opened his
accounting program. “Do you pay your bills online or by check?”

“Online.”

“See here? This is an alert of
bills outstanding.” She clicked the folder. “Dang, Colt, when was the last time
you did your bookkeeping?”

His jaw dropped. “You know how
to use a computer?”

“Yes, and I took an accounting
class in high school. I know the basics.” She gave him a wide smile. “You do
know it’s the twenty-first century don’t you?”

He stared at her and shook his
head. “This whole time I’m explaining pictures you knew. Why did you let me go
on and on?” He huffed in annoyance.

“I like sitting here next to
you, and I wanted to prolong it.”

“Oh—”

Bibbs walked into the house
and smiled. “Hey, I met a woman in town that says she’s your mother.
A real nice lady.
She asked for directions to the ranch.”

All laughter and smiles
disappeared. “You didn’t give them to her, did you?” Spring asked.

Bibbs shook his head. “I did one
better, I brought her here. I’ll get her.”

The door opened, and there
stood Peggy Jo, all smiles. Her frizzy bleached hair hung to her shoulders, and
she wore skintight jeans with a very low cut top.

Spring cringed. No wonder
Bibbs was so willing to give her a ride.

“Colt, dear, your ranch is
enchanting.” She sauntered toward them. “Spring, honey you must love it here.
Reminds me of the place we used to live in. Remember baby?”

Her eyes widened. “No, I don’t
remember. I do remember rat infested apartments.”

“Spring!
How
could you say that? I always did my best by you. You’ve landed on your own two
feet with a rugged, handsome man, what more do you want?”

Colt cleared his throat.
“Spring works for me. Right now, she works for her room and board. Times are
tough, and I don’t have much, but in a few months, I should be able to pay her
a good, living wage. She won’t have to rely on me to give her a roof over her
head.”

“I hope that includes back
pay. My baby doesn’t work for free.” She flipped her hair behind her shoulder.

Spring closed her eyes and
bowed her head hoping when she reopened them, Peggy Jo would be gone. “Peggy
Jo, this is between Colt and me. I knew what the terms of employment were
before I left Texas. It’s none of your business.”

Peggy Jo blinked a few times
and stared at
Spring
in astonishment. “You knew? Hey,
I didn’t raise you to be stupid.”

Colt stepped forward. “It’s
time for you to leave. Bibbs take her back to town.”

Peggy Jo put her hands on her
hips, her eyes flaring. “Oh no, I’m not going anywhere. I came to Montana to
live with my daughter and that is what I intend to do. I’ve been a bit down on
my luck lately, and I was hoping for a helping hand.”

“No way in
hell
are
you getting one cent from Colt. Just leave.” Spring jumped up and
began ushering Peggy Jo to the door.

“Let go of me, you have no
right. I am your mother!” Peggy Jo screeched.

“Come on, ma’am,
it’s
best I take you home. Emotions are running too high,
and the boss wants you gone.” Bibbs opened the door and waited for Peggy Jo to
precede him outside. He shot an apologetic expression at
Spring
,
and then closed the door.

The moment that woman was out
of sight,
Spring
slumped into her chair, all of her
energy drained. What was Peggy Jo thinking coming here? Didn’t they make it
clear to her she wasn’t welcome?

Colt sat down next to her. “I’m
sorry, Bibbs didn’t know.”

“Of course he didn’t. Peggy Jo
can talk people into anything. She has a knack for manipulation. I just hope
she never comes back, but the truth of the matter is she never learns. I have a
bad feeling she will be back again since it’s obvious she thinks you have
money. I’m so sorry, Colt, I just bring bad things to your doorstep.”

He reached out, took her small
hand in his large work worn one and gave it a quick squeeze. “Don’t you
worry.
I’m pretty sure she got the message this time. I have
to admit she has balls coming out here.”

“She audaciously pushes
through life and surprisingly she gets her way a lot. Well, she won’t be back
today at least. I just hope she isn’t chewing Bibbs’ ears off.”

“How about we get your mind
off her? The paperwork can wait. It’s a beautiful day out, and I was thinking
that it’s time that you learned to ride a horse.”

“Ride one? They’re actually
very tall. Have you ever fallen off?”

Colt chuckled. “Of course I
have. It’s a part of riding. It depends on the horse’s temperament. Some are as
gentle as a lamb; others are feisty as all get out. Heidi will be your mount.”

“How do you know she’s a good
horse to ride? I know she’s a good mother but…”

“Don’t
worry,
I’ve been working with her, just for you.”

Her face heated.
“Really?
For me?
That’s the
sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. She’s so tall! I’ll never be able to get up on
her.”

“That’s where the handy
step-stool comes in.”

“Sounds
easy enough.”

“It’ll be fine, and I really
think you’ll enjoy it.”

“Okay, I’m game. Let’s go now
before I chicken out.”

Colt laughed and stood up
pulling her up with him.
“After you.”

She walked straight to the
barn, not allowing herself to change her mind. Colt would keep her safe, so
what could happen? She could fall off, but she was tough enough to take it. It
probably would be fun. “How long will we be gone?”

“Maybe
an hour.
I’m going to keep us pretty close to the house for
your first ride.”

She nodded. She could do an
hour. She watched as Colt saddled Heavy Duty and Heidi. There was a lot of work
involved just getting the horses ready. Colt led them both outside and she
followed.