The Sinful 7 of Delite, Texas 7: Her Double Delite Angels (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (4 page)

* * * *

Colton leisurely rode his horse across the property. He was checking fences along with Everett, one of his hired workers. Everett was working on fixing a torn piece of fencing as Colton stared out across the land. It was so beautiful and wide open here. He watched the tree line, where a large, thick area of woods sat and expanded about a mile until it hit the tip of Farmer’s Pass. He couldn’t help but scan the surrounding area and verify that it was in fact secure. It was habit, after being in the service for so many years. The last month had blown by in a blur and now that he was relaxing and without a care in the world, he felt how truly tired he was. He also realized just how alone he had spent his life even though he had Evan and his troop of soldiers. Colton was always hard and difficult. The military straightened his ass out better than his father’s fists.

He shook his head. Where the fuck were these memories coming from? He hadn’t thought about his father in years. The old man was probably dead by now, from booze or stupidity. Chad and Michael hadn’t mentioned that Jeremiah Banks was still living outside of Delite. Hell, Colton wouldn’t even drive by their old house they grew up in. Too many sad memories there. Neither himself nor Evan could even look through their mom’s old things they stored in the house.

He shook his head and gave the reins a little tug as he tapped his heel into the side of the horse. The horse began to trot forward, and once again Colton’s mind was attacked by memories. Life growing up on the outskirts of Delite hadn’t been pleasant twenty years ago. He couldn’t wait to leave, but his mother and Evan were the only reasons he stuck around as long as he did. He didn’t want the kid to get hurt by their old man, and Colton knew that the only thing that kept his mother going was the smile on her face whenever he and Evan were around. He felt the tightness in his chest. The old man eventually killed her anyway.

She was dying of cancer and their father didn’t help at all. In fact, he disappeared and left her alone, so that he and Evan could deal with the pain and sickness. Evan and Colton cared for their dying mother, while their father got drunk and stayed out for days at a time. He probably had a mistress. The old man wasn’t faithful.

Colton felt his stomach clench. He would never treat a woman like that. Not ever. That was a time they would never forget, nor ever want to experience again. Colton figured it was also why he chose to remain alone and unattached to any woman. His only close relationship was with his brother and his good military buddies like Mason, Michael, Chad, Carl, and Richie. Even with his friends, though, there was still a good distance and separation. He’d feel sad and shed a tear if one of them passed, but his world wouldn’t end. If anything ever happened to Evan, life wasn’t worth living anymore. All they had was each other.

“Everything is good now, boss. You want me to go check the remainder of the perimeter?” Everett asked.

“I’ll go. You meet me once you get everything put back here.”

Everett was a nice guy, too. Colton was finding out pretty quickly that the town of Delite had changed immensely in the past twenty years. It even looked different. The town was built up, yet still maintained that small-town country feeling.

Colton wondered how Evan was making out in town with getting some more supplies. He should have been back by now, and Colton wondered what he was up to. He worried about Evan. Ever since Chelsea, he closed himself off and not just with women but in general. Many nights as they sat down for supper together, they hardly even talked. It wasn’t that they couldn’t talk or that there weren’t things to discuss. It was as if there was so much going on in their heads, they just missed the opportunity to talk.

Colton was somber, angry, and just downright negative about life, and if he was correct, so was Evan. The two of them were messed up good, and throw in their stints in the war along with their upbringing, and surely they were doomed for loneliness. Colton accepted that, but Evan had wanted more until his heart was broken and reality set him straight.

Colton whipped out his cell phone to see if he’d missed Evan’s call. When he didn’t see a message, he grew more concerned. Truth was, Evan had been very depressed lately, and the last few days, he really looked down. The concern was eating at Colton and he decided to let Everett finish up the mending while he headed closer toward the ranch to get a better signal. He hoped that Evan was okay.

* * * *

Evan had the truck packed up with the supplies he and Colton needed as he headed down the road through town. As he was passing the park, he immediately noticed the platinum blonde wearing a black sundress and heels. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as he slowed down, pulled into a parking spot, and watched her from the distance. It was that Dixie Chix from the other night. He felt his chest tighten when she collapsed onto the bench and covered her face with her hands. Was she crying? he wondered and he was surprised at how he reacted.

He was feeling pretty depressed lately. He knew that Colton was worried, but then Colton wasn’t a happy guy these days, either. He was downright mean and bossy most of the time, unable to leave his commander role from the military days out of his personality.

Evan thought about his own life and the loss of his baby. It didn’t matter what Colton said about Chelsea cheating and that the baby wasn’t even Evan’s. Evan had been willing to care for Chelsea and take responsibility for that child. He knew firsthand what it was like to not have a dad around. He wouldn’t wish that on any kid, never mind a baby. But she was gone and so was the baby, so it really didn’t matter.

He was going to drive away and ignore the pull to go check on the blonde. She had looked so classy and sophisticated the other night, and even today, she was dressed nicely. She was younger than him and Colton by at least eight years, so why was he getting out of his truck to go see her? He hadn’t a clue as he got out and looked around. He spotted the Delite Café and Diner and thought that maybe bringing over one of those fancy coffees most sophisticated women liked to drink might be the perfect icebreaker.

Five minutes later and he was carrying two paper cups with him as he slowly approached. He ignored the feeling of dislike for the latte beverage as the aroma filled his nostrils. He was a black coffee drinker. Plain and simple, a cowboy’s cup of wake-up in the morning. The closer he got, the tighter his chest felt, and damn it, his hands were shaking.

He was mere feet from her when he heard her sniffle then wipe her eyes with a tissue.

“Excuse me, miss.” She didn’t quite turn toward him. She was probably trying to hide her tears. He noticed her shoulders stiffened and her posture changed.

“The lady in the café made this extra cup of coffee. It’s some latte something or other and I’m just a plain ‘black with a little sugar’ type of guy. I saw you sitting here and thought you might like it.”

She wiped her eyes again then turned to look up at him.

He nearly dropped the small carrier. She was stunning, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life, and despite her red eyes and slightly red nose, she looked like an angel.

His expression changed instantly as her olive-green eyes widened and then looked at the tray.

“I think we met the other night at Dixie Chix. I’m a friend of Chad and Michael’s.”

“Yes, I remember you,” was all she said as she stared at him and then the coffee.

He stepped closer and moved toward the front of the bench. Her long, gorgeous legs remained crossed, and the heels she wore were missing the fronts which showed off her painted red toes. She even wore a gold ankle bracelet on her right ankle.

They stared at one another, and then she shyly lowered her eyes. He was struck by her everything. He didn’t know what drew him to her more. Was it her gorgeous olive-green eyes, that platinum-blonde hair that flowed down her back, or was it her classiness and femininity? Many of the other young women her age were walking around wearing short skirts or very short shorts, showing off their bodies. This woman was conservative and lovely.

“Is that hazelnut I smell?” she asked, and he snapped out of his stare, embarrassed by his behavior.

He couldn’t help but wonder what she had been crying about. He hoped it wasn’t over a man or someone breaking her heart. A very jealous and possessive feeling encroached upon his shell against feeling emotions. A woman like her would surely divide and conquer the walls he had built up over his heart. He swallowed hard and nodded his head like some mute as he handed her the coffee cup. She held it between dainty hands, her red nails matching her toes as she inhaled near the cover of the cup.

“Oh, this smells fantastic. That was very nice of you to share with me.”

He took a seat next to her.

“No problem. I was just getting some supplies for the ranch. My brother Colton and I have been working on it since we moved back here two months ago.”

“Your brother? He’s the big guy with the dark crew-cut hair from the other night, and what did you say your name was?”

“Oh God, I’m sorry, my name is Evan Banks.” He reached his hand out toward hers as she smiled, revealing perfect white teeth.

“Ava,” she whispered as their hands touched.
Hot damn
. He felt an instant attraction, and by the look on her face and the way her cheeks turned pink, she felt it, too.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered as he stared at her. She pulled her hand from his and lowered it to her lap then took a sip of the coffee.

He shook his head. He was acting like a teenager with a crush instead of a thirty-three-year-old man.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to embarrass you or to blurt that out. You probably think I’m lame.”

She looked up at him and smiled.

“Not at all, Evan. That was very sweet of you.”

She began to get up and he did the same thing.

“I appreciate the coffee. I owe you one.” She grabbed her bag off of the bench.

“You’re welcome, Ava.” He loved the sound of her name as it left his lips.

“Have a good day and maybe I’ll see you around again,” he told her.

“Sure thing, or maybe at Dixie Chix.” She began to walk away from him. He watched her, the way her hips swayed and the dress tapped against the back of her thighs. She had a gorgeous figure. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her and then she turned as if to check to see if he was watching her still, and when he smiled then waved, she smiled wide and lowered her head as she continued to walk toward the parking lot.

“That woman is perfect.” He imagined her belonging to him. Then the memories came crashing back. He was scared of getting hurt again.

But if he ever had a chance with a woman like Ava, he wouldn’t let her go and would make sure he did everything in his power to make her love him. He shook his head at his own thoughts.
You didn’t learn your lesson after Chelsea. Women can’t be trusted. I’ll never give my heart to some woman again.

Ava returned to the house after her procedure at the hospital. Her breast was sore, and she felt sick to her stomach, most likely from the anesthesia. She wanted to go up to her room to lie down, but as she pulled into the driveway, she saw BJ’s sheriff’s truck and knew that company was over. She would say hello then make an excuse to disappear for a few hours.

As she got out of the car, she bumped her arm against her breast and cringed from the pain. Dr. Nickles was probably right about the bruising and needing some painkillers. She was grateful that she wasn’t drowsy so she was able to drive herself to and from the appointment. Now, walking into the house and seeing Susanna made her feel guilty for not telling anyone about what was going on. She just didn’t want to put a damper on their happiness.

“Hey, where did you go so early this morning?” Susanna asked as she made a sandwich for BJ. He was sitting at the counter in his uniform, looking intimidating as usual.

“I had an appointment. Nothing big and I just wanted to get things started early.”

“Would you like a sandwich?” Susanna asked, and Ava felt a little queasy at the mention of food.

“No, thank you. I grabbed a quick bite in town.”

“I didn’t see you in town,” BJ said as he looked her over.

Damn, did that man know when someone was lying or what?

“You didn’t?” she replied then looked away and took a seat at the table. She figured it was best to face the questions instead of run away from them.

“Hey, are you feeling okay? You look a little pale,” Susanna said in that motherly tone that came so natural to her. Ava wondered when Susanna would start a family with her men. That thought brought tears to her eyes. Ava felt like an emotional mess right now.

“I guess I am feeling a little tired. Maybe I should go lie down for a while.” Ava stood up. She cringed from her achiness, and Susanna and BJ scrunched their eyebrows at her.

“What’s going on?” BJ asked firmly, and she was shocked by the tone of his question.

She stared at him a moment.

“Nothing, BJ. I’m fine. Thank you. I’ll see you later.” Ava turned and headed out of the kitchen.

* * * *

“Something is wrong,” Susanna said as she handed BJ his sandwich.