Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
F or someone who’d spent most of the night making love to a man with an insatiable thirst, Collins was surprisingly refreshed when she finally opened her eyes. She stared up at the dove gray ceiling and smiled. She couldn’t help herself. There was so much happiness inside her, she could barely contain it. The window was open, and a slight breeze stirred the hair on her pillow, bringing with it the fresh scent of grass and flowers.
She didn’t have to turn over to know she was alone. She felt Benton’s absence like a physical thing. A glance at the old digital clock on the dresser told her that it was nearly eight o’clock in the morning. She rolled out of bed and winced. She had pains and sore muscles in places she didn’t know existed. Screw Pilates, she thought with a grin. Sex did more work for the body. Bonus points, because it was a hell of a lot more fun.
There was a pile of clothes on the pillow beside her. Jean shorts (cutoffs with frayed edges) and a large T-shirt with a bronco on the front and Taz Pulman’s face on the back. The shorts were men’s, though on the small side. They weren’t Benton’s, and she figured they might have been an old pair that belonged to his youngest brother, Ryland. Either way, it didn’t matter. They were clean, a little large in the waist, which meant they hung low, but the T-shirt kept things respectable. She hopped in the shower, kept her head away from the spray, and was out in less than two minutes. She hadn’t had the foresight to bring an overnight bag, so she went commando on the bottom.
A new toothbrush sat on the sink in the bathroom, and she quickly brushed her teeth, then splashed water on her face. Despite all the exercise and bedroom antics, her hair looked decent. She gave it a quick detangle with her fingers and headed for the stairs.
She smelled bacon and eggs, and when she walked into the kitchen, Nora greeted her excitedly. “Daddy said you were too tired to go home last night and slept in the spare bedroom. I’m glad you’re here. We’re going to go fishing, right, Dad?”
She eyed the man who was casually turning over sausages in a pan while wearing nothing but a pair of jeans and his moccasins. Something bloomed in her chest, her heart no doubt, and she murmured a good morning before helping herself to a cup of coffee.
“Sleep well?” Benton asked, sitting down across from her.
“I did.” She tried to keep the smile from her face, but wasn’t sure she was successful. “The mattress is delightful.”
“Good to know. No one ever sleeps on it.”
That comment pleased her.
He passed her a plate loaded up with food. “You’re probably hungry.”
“I am.” She glanced over the top of the mug. “You?”
“Famished.”
“Sore at all?” He was enjoying himself and making no effort to hide it.
“A bit.”
“You guys are talking weird.” Nora looked from Benton to Collins, then back to her father.
“Sorry, sweets. I guess we don’t have many overnight guests around here, and maybe I’ve forgotten how to make polite conversation.”
“Just Angel sometimes.”
Collins’ belly did a weird flip. “Angel?”
The little girl poked at her eggs and shoved as much as she could into her mouth, while holding onto her kitten.
Benton nodded. “Right, I forgot about Angel. She’s a girl I’ve known my whole life. Trains and rescues horses. She does work here from time to time, and on occasion, instead of a late drive home, she sleeps in the house.”
“She’s pretty like you. And she wouldn’t like the bunkie,” Nora piped in.
“Bunkie?” Collins looked at Benton.
“Bunkhouse.”
Nora made a face. “It smells like farts in there.”
Collins laughed, though she made a mental note about this Angel person. She’d ask Jo about her. As it was, she didn’t have time to ponder sleeping arrangements or overnight guests.
The three of them spent the morning out at the creek where the fishing was good. Benton insisted he had no ranch business that couldn’t be put off, despite a young man called Haimish who’d ridden over more than once to confer with him. They’d packed a picnic, caught some fish (though they tossed them back in the river), and lazed around in the sun.
Haimish appeared yet again, this time leading a second horse with no rider. By now, it was mid to late afternoon, and clearly, something was up. Benton dropped a kiss on Nora’s cheek and glanced at Collins. “I’ve got this situation. A pack of wild horses has found its way down, and the stallion is causing trouble.”
“Go,” she said. “Nora and I will be fine. We’ll walk back to the ranch in a bit.”
She wanted to jump into his arms and make him remember some of the things they’d done the night before, but with Nora and Hamish standing by, she gave a small wave instead.
Benton left them, and not more than half an hour later, she and Nora decided to walk back. The little girl was hungry, and Collins could do with a pick-me-up. She half listened to Nora’s chatter while enjoying the beauty of Montana. It truly was God’s country, and she’d never felt so small. The mountains seemed to touch the sky, and from this vantage point, she could see down into the valley. It was enormous. Filled with forests and tall grass. Made for ranching, it was a slice of heaven, and she understood why Benton’s forbearers never left.
When they reached the main house, she followed Nora inside, then perched on a chair near the island to watch the youngster bottle feed the kitten. “Do you want to try?” Nora asked, surprising Collins.
“I would,” she said softly. “If that’s all right.”
Nora nodded, her face solemn. She handed Collins the kitten and disappeared. A few minutes later, she returned with a small white bottle that held about four ounces of formula. “Daddy says he needs to eat at least two ounces.”
Collins cradled the little purring animal and was surprised at how aggressive the little thing was while it ate. Two paws held the bottle as tightly as Collins’ hands, and when the kitten was done, it looked up at her, blue eyes big and shiny, obviously full. The little furball purred so loud its body vibrated.
“You did a good job,” Nora said, sounding like an adult.
“She sure did.”
Collins’ smile was chased away when she glanced up and spied Daisy Mae standing just inside the kitchen. Her hair was freshly done, falling down her back in the kind of waves that are manipulated to look carefree. Her eyes were smoky, her lips glossed over, and her small, petite frame was clothed in a dress that clung to her body and showed off toned, tanned legs.
She was a doll. A beautiful, porcelain doll with eyes made of ice.
“Mommy, Collins helped me feed my new kitten. His name is Hero.”
“Is that so?” Daisy Mae wandered over to the island. She moved casually, her limbs fluid. She stood next to the little girl she’d made with Benton and dropped a kiss onto her daughter’s cheek. “How long y’all been here?” Her question was for Collins.
“Not long,” Collins replied, unsure how much to give away.
“I don’t want to leave,” Nora said, pouting at her mother.
“Well, your daddy knows that it’s Monday and you get to sleep at my house tonight.”
“But can I bring Hero?”
Daisy Mae made a face. “Absolutely not. You know I’m allergic.”
“Oh.” Nora’s face fell, and clearly unhappy, she slipped from her chair. “I don’t want to go.” She lifted her chin. “I want to stay here with Daddy and Collins.” Nora looked her way. “Can I, Collins? Please?”
Shit. Collins took a step back. She was uncomfortable and wishing like hell that Benton was here. How was she supposed to navigate this?
“Collins is not your mother, sweetie. Now get your butt in gear and pack a bag.” The soft voice held more than a hint of steel.
“But…”
“No buts. Now git up there and make sure you bring your toothbrush.”
Nora looked as if she was going to take a stand, but luckily thought better of it. With an exaggerated sigh, she disappeared from the kitchen, and a few seconds later, Collins heard her heavy, slow steps on the stairs.
“What are you doing?”
The question was full of sharp edges, and Collins, who hated any kind of confrontation, took a moment to collect her thoughts. She told herself that it was normal, natural even, for Daisy Mae to come across as aggressive. It had to be weird to see another woman in her daughter’s life. Not that she was in Nora’s life exactly. She was just…she didn’t know what she was. A friend. Maybe.
“Daisy, I don’t want you to think?—”
“My name is Daisy Mae. Use it properly or don’t use it at all.”
Okay. Feeling threatened was one thing. But there was no need for the woman to be rude. Still, this was new territory for Collins, and it wasn’t her home, and she didn’t want to make an enemy of the woman Benton shared a child with.
“I don’t mean to offend you, Daisy Mae.”
“Oh, you offend me, all right,” the woman said, walking over to Collins. “Everything about you offends me. You think this is some kind of real thing?” She made a dismissive motion with her hands. “Whatever this is between you and Benton?” She lifted her chin, and the steel in that little slip of a woman’s eyes was impressive. Collins thought she could cut through kryptonite if she tried. “Whatever this is, is nothing. He’s a man, and he needs a woman from time to time. It’s just sex. So if you think some young thing like you, a girl who makes her money standing in front of a camera, batting her eyelashes and showing off her tits is enough for a man like Benton, well, you’re wrong. You’re a passing fancy, is all. A little bit of tail he can boast over.” She laughed. It wasn’t a nice sound. “You don’t think he and the boys in the bunkhouse haven’t already discussed all the things you let him do to you last night?”
Unbidden, an image of Benton and Haimish talking and laughing only a few hours earlier settled in her mind and her heart. She dismissed it just as quick because Benton wasn’t like that.
But how can I be sure? I’ve practically thrown myself at him.
“See?” Daisy Mae shrugged. “You know I’m right. Just like you know, he will never invite you into this family because I am the mother of his child. I made that little girl with him. That matters. I matter. Not you. You’re not even from here. You’re a city girl and don’t belong in Montana. You have a career that takes you all over the world. This is play time for you, isn’t it? I mean, you’re not actually thinking of making Big Bend some kind of permanent home.”
Her face fell, and Daisy Mae chuckled. “Oh my, you let your feelings get involved. Sweetie, don’t think you’re the first woman he’s been with since he and I split. I mean, look at him. He’s hot as hell, and his needs are impressive. I should know. But there’s been a lot of women, and when he’s done with you, when he’s had his fun and used up all the bright shiny pieces you’re saving for him, he’ll come back to me.” Daisy Mae smiled. “He always does. And the next time, I’ll be ready for him. I’ll be the woman he wants.”
Nora appeared, saving Collins from further humiliation. “Will you promise to look after Hero until I come home?” The little girl handed over the kitten.
“I’ll give him to your father,” she responded quietly.
“Let’s go.” Daisy Mae herded her daughter out of the room, Collins already forgotten. That smarted just as much as the fierce verbal smackdown.
It wasn’t long after, that Benton finally showed up. He strolled into the house, all long limbs and easy manner. A smile on his face that would make the angels weep.
“Hey,” he said, moving toward her.
“Nora left with Daisy Mae.”
“Shit, I forgot she was coming out to the ranch. How was it?” He seemed genuinely concerned.
“Awkward.”
“Sorry about that. She can be a lot.”
Collins was ready to leave. Had her things tossed into a bag she’d found tucked away in one of the drawers in the kitchen.
“I’m going to go.” Collins kept her voice light and handed Benton the cat. Felt like a fool because she was on the verge of tears and didn’t know why exactly. It was more than Daisy Mae. More than the words, the woman had tossed her way. In that moment, she realized just how far out on a limb she’d crawled, and the branch wasn’t exactly stable.
“Thought you’d stay another night.” His voice was warm and husky, and my God, her body reacted instantly. She wanted to stay. She just didn’t think she should.
“No.” She answered quickly. Abruptly. She needed some space. Some clarity.
“Are we good?” He frowned, clearly puzzled by her behavior.
God, I’m acting like a goddamn teen.
“We are.” Collins pasted a smile to her face. She reached up and pressed her lips against his, and when he would have deepened the kiss, she pulled back. “Thank you for…” All the sex. The cuddles. The laughs. The warm and fuzzies . “Everything. Talk tomorrow?”
“Sure.” His frown deepened, but she grabbed her bag and headed out to her rental. Collins gunned it and sailed down the lane. She was embarrassed and scared, and confused. Not a great combination. She was headed back to Big Bend, but she’d left her heart at the Triple B.
What the hell was she going to do about that?