9781631053566SpringsDelightBallNC (20 page)

Her eyes flew open, and her
mouth dropped. She was a fool to doubt him; he was as true blue as they came.
Her doubts came from within, and a lot of them had to do with that piece of
trash Billy. That jerk still had a hold on her.

Getting to her feet, she paced
in the tiny cell. Slowly as she walked, the last of her barriers melted away,
leaving her heart full. What a difference it made, getting Billy out of her head.
There was a sense of serenity she’d never known before. It wouldn’t have been
possible to get to this point without Colt.

Footsteps filled the hall, and
she expected to see the sheriff. To her delight, it was Colt walking a brisk
path to her cell.

“What are you doing back here?
Is this a jailbreak?” She gave him a cocky smile, much like the one he always
gave her.

“It looks like this cell and
the one right next to it are going to be needed.”

“Really?”

Colt unlocked the door and
unlocked her handcuffs. “I can’t believe he left these on you.”

“What’s going on?”

“Billy is going to take your
place. It appears he likes to steal cars, deal drugs, assault women and
murder.”

“Really?”

“I’ll explain more
later
.” He took her hand. “Let’s get you out of here.”

“Wait, who is the other cell
for?”

“Sheriff—or I should say
ex-Sheriff Brown will be in the other cell. The state police have been watching
him for a while, thanks to Diane. When they arrived a minute ago, they made the
double-arrest.”

Her head wanted to explode
with all the information. “Let’s go!”

All she wanted to do was head
home with her cowboy, but before she could go, she had to sit and give the
state police her statement. It felt like an eternity of sitting in a chair,
recounting her trials. Apparently, she wasn’t the first person Sheriff Brown
tried to railroad. He believed himself to be judge and jury. Officer
Tonas
of the State Police mentioned something about an old
high school grudge the sheriff had against
Summer
,
Jonas, Colt and a few others.

“I grew up here and old
Brownie wasn’t well liked. He was a bully then and he used his position as an
officer of the peace to keep bullying.”

“I’d like to see Billy if it’s
all right? I have a few things I need to say to him.”

Officer
Tonas
lifted his brow and gave her a puzzled look. “Are you sure you want to see
him?”

“I need to do this.”

He stood and escorted her to
the back, leading her to Billy’s cell. “I’ll be right outside the door, knock
when you’re ready to leave.

Spring nodded, and then gave
Billy her full attention. He didn’t look so cock sure of himself behind steel
bars. He stared at her with cold, angry eyes that would have frightened her in
the past.

“What are you doing here? You
know you’re just like every other female I’ve ever known—
good
for nothing.” His voice sounded menacing but she didn’t care.

“I thought you were my
protector, but I now see, you were my tormentor. Strong men don’t beat women
and they sure don’t kill them. You had me fooled for a long time, Billy, but my
eyes are wide open and I know better. I’m just glad I left when I did.”

“Well, you were just my whore.
You didn’t mean a thing to me. Now I suppose you’re O’Malley’s whore.”

If he were waiting for her to
flinch, he’d be disappointed. “I was never a whore,
Billy,
you just made me think I was. You know what? I’m not good for
nothing,
in fact I have great value in the work I do. I’m
not the ugly girl you made me believe I was. I’m glad to be rid of you and your
hatred of the world.” She watched as his nostrils flared and the veins in his
neck became visible.

“If I could I’d kill you,” he
sneered.

“I know you would. Good bye,
Billy.”

She walked to the door and
knocked. Billy swore to get her back and kill her and as soon as Officer
Tonas
opened the door, she rushed through it. A feeling of
strength and triumph ran through her and she sighed in relief.

Eagerly she made her way
toward the door and gave Diane, Holden, Stone and Jonas all hugs.

She walked to the truck hand
in hand with her handsome cowboy and smiled as he helped her in. As soon as she
got into Colt’s truck, she slumped back against the seat.

“Tired?”

Reaching out, she caressed his
strong jaw. “I can’t believe so much happened in one day. I love you, Colt. I
believe in you too.”

He swooped in for a
breathtaking kiss. “Hope you catch your second wind when we get home.”

Her cheeks burned but her
heart sang.

* * * *

It wasn’t her first time but
her nerves got to her while she waited in Colt’s bed still dressed. They were
kissing, and he announced he forgot to do something. He hadn’t left the house;
she didn’t hear the door open or close.

What if—No, no more doubts.
He loved her and that was
that.

She smiled when he came back
into the room holding a small box.

“I bought this a week ago in
hope. Well, here goes.” He sat on the bed facing her. “Spring Reed, will you do
me the honor of being my wife?” Opening the box, he revealed
a
gold
, sparkly, pear shaped, diamond engagement ring.

Surprised, she stared at him
then looked at the ring. She gasped, “It’s so beautiful you don’t have the
money for this ring.”

He frowned. “This was one of
the cheaper ones. I figured I could buy you a bigger one sometime down the
road.”

She nodded and he looked
confused. “Yes! I will marry you.”

Colt put the diamond ring on
her finger and smiled. “I was hoping you’d say yes.”

“Kiss me, cowboy.”

Colt leaned in for a kiss, a
deep passionate kiss. Soon he had her flat on her back as he kissed her neck.
“We need less clothes on,” he said, his voice husky.

“That’s easy enough to take
care of.” She pulled off her T-shirt and unhooked her navy blue bra. “Hey, quit
staring and get undressed.” She laughed as she teased him.

“Happy
to oblige ma’am.”

She took the opportunity to
watch as he took off his shirt, drooling at his hard chest and chiseled abs.
When he lowered his pants and finally his underwear, she gasped. “I—will it
fit?”

Colt frowned. “You and Billy
were together, weren’t you?”

“Yes, but it was… well. Never
mind. Forget it. Let’s not ruin the moment.” She shimmied out of the rest of
her clothes and was rewarded with an appreciative look.

“You are so damn sexy.” Colt
laid her on her back and started at her toes, kissing his way up her thighs. He
stopped at the juncture of her thighs, making her squirm with his mouth.

“Oh, I didn’t know…”

Colt glanced at her face.
“Really?
He sounds like a selfish bastard. Don’t you worry I’ll
make your body hum.”

She raised her right eyebrow.
“Oh, yeah?”

Instead of answering, he
continued his assault with his tongue until she cried out in pleasure. Wave
after wave of a feeling so intense she had no words for it.

Kissing the insides of her
thighs again, he gazed at her with his cocky grin. Slowly he moved from her
thighs, to her navel, and he played homage to her breasts. He suckled one
nipple than the other, and the need to have him inside her was all-consuming.
It seemed to take him forever to make his way up to her neck.

Shivering she ran her hands
through his hair, guiding his sensual lips to hers. She opened her mouth to deepen
the kiss. Kissing him was pure joy, and her body hummed.

She opened her legs at his
prompting, and he entered her in one stroke.

Her eyes widened in surprise.
He filled her beyond capacity and she loved it. When he pulled all the way out,
she felt bereft but then he plunged into her again and again until she couldn’t
think. Her nails dug into his back but he didn’t seem to notice. He went on and
on until she cried out again, and then he threw his head back groaning.
Shuddering, he moved within her a few more times and just before he swooped
down for another kiss, she saw his love shining in his eyes. His lips were so
tender as was the kiss and it filled her heart.

“I love you,” he whispered
against her lips.

Stunned and basking in the
aftermath of pleasure, she was speechless. Instead, she grabbed him around the
neck and kissed him with every ounce of love she had, laughing as he turned
them over until he was on his back. He lifted her until she was astride him.
“Again?” she asked.

“Hold on tight, honey. You’re
in for a long ride.”

Epilogue

A year later…

Spring drove home quickly. She
couldn’t wait to talk to Colt, and she knew he’d be as excited as she was. They’d
been married just about eight months now, and it had finally happened. Her
heart filled knowing she was giving her husband the one thing he craved, a
family.

They were so happy together
but he still had his bouts of missing Caleb. She didn’t think the pain ever
went away. Some didn’t recover from a loss like that.

Colt stood in the drive
waiting for her when she pulled up. He hurried and opened the car door for her.
“Pop the trunk, and I’ll get the packages.”

Standing, she smiled. “There
aren’t any packages, Colt. Well at least not in the trunk.”

Colt frowned as he stared at
her. “You didn’t buy anything?”

“No. I have a much better
present for you.”

“Aw, honey, you didn’t have to
get me anything.”

Laughing, she wrapped her arms
around his waist. “We are going to have a package delivered in about eight
months.”

The look of awareness spreading
across his face was priceless. He gave her a sexy, smile. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I was just at the doctor’s
office. It’s official, we’re pregnant!”

Pulling her closer, he buried
his face in her hair then he pulled back enough to see her face. “You are so
amazing.”

Her face heated. “I had some
help you know.”

“Good, fun, wholesome help. Is
it a boy? Oh, wow another cowboy. What should we name him?”

“Why do men automatically
assume it will be a boy? A girl would be just as nice.”

Colt kissed her lips then
swung her up into his brawny arms. “A girl would be just as nice. Truthfully, I
feel so blessed right now. Let’s get you inside and lying down.” He carried her
across the drive, up the porch steps and into the house. “Bed or couch?”

Shaking her head, she laughed.
“On my feet would be best. I don’t have to lie down. I’m perfectly healthy.”

He set her on the couch and
sat next to her. “We’ll make a schedule. I’ll watch you most of the time, and
Shady and Bibbs can help. We’ve done it before we can do it again.”

“Colt, be serious.”

“Do you want me to hire some
live-in help?”

God love him, the concern on
his face was endearing, but if she didn’t set him straight right from the
start, she’d have to wrestle control from him. “You know I love you right?”

“Of course and I love you
too.”

“When you watched me before, I
was in danger. Billy is serving life in prison without possibility of parole.

“I’m glad the lug admitted to
killing that girl for stealing your ring. For someone who acted so tough, he
sure did crumble under questioning.
Tonas
said, as
soon as Billy opened his mouth he couldn’t seem to stop incriminating himself.
”

“So, we can agree the danger
is gone, right?”

“What are you getting at?”

“I know you mean well but if
you guys watch me I swear I’ll hit you all up the side of your heads with an
iron skillet.”

Colt stared at her in surprise
and then started to laugh. “Too overbearing? I just want to take care of you.”

Leaning over, she gave him a
deep loving kiss before sitting herself on his lap. She began to squirm against
him as she kissed him.

“I know what you’re doing.”

“And what would that be, my
big, handsome cowboy?”

“You’re trying to distract
me.”

“Well, is it working?” She
stared into his passion-filled chocolate eyes.

“What do you think?” He stroked
her cheek tenderly.

“I hope
it’s
working. I want to celebrate.” She batted her eyelashes at him.

“Is it safe with the baby and
all?”

“I’m going to the bookstore
tomorrow. There must be a book for clueless fathers to be.”

“I’m a genius in the bedroom.”
He winked at her.

“Come on, cowboy, and show me
that intellectual side.”

Spring laughed as Colt stood
with her in his arms.

“Bedroom?”
Colt asked.

“You know it cowboy. By the
way, I love you.”

Colt stopped and smiled at
her. “I love you too.”

*The End*