20. Chapter 20
Chapter 20
Colt
I was in the barn mucking stalls when Whitney radioed saying there was someone here to see me. No one should be here to see me. Seeing as how no one really knows that I work here. I pull off my gloves, wipe the sweat from my brow, and make my way up to the main house.
The sun is absolutely sweltering today. My t-shirt is soaked with sweat, which means I stink already, and I have only been working for a couple of hours. I hope nothing is wrong with the herd, and that is why I am being called back up to the house. At least I can cool off in the air conditioning and get some cold water.
I stomp as much dirt and hay that I can from my boots and make my way inside to the kitchen. I see Whitney, Brynn, and a brunette sitting at the kitchen table. Wait, a damn minute. I know that brunette.
"Callie? "
"Uncle Colt!" A flurry of wild blonde curls comes running at me as I step further into the kitchen. Millie jumps into my arms and squeezes me as hard as she can. "Yuck! You stink, Uncle Colt!" She tries to wiggle out of my grasp.
"What are you guys doing here?" I ask Callie, she looks okay. A little thin, and why the hell is she in long sleeves when it is this hot outside.
"Can't I just come and visit my brother?"
"You could, but you never have before," I say with a pointed look. "What is going on, Cal?"
I watch as my sister wrings her hands together. "Cal, are you in trouble?" I whisper as I watch her reaction.
She looks up at me and nods. "Hey, Whit. Do you mind taking Millie to the barn and showing her the horses?"
"Sure thing. Ready to go see some horses?" Whitney asks as she kneels in front of Millie.
"Mommy, is it okay?"
"Yes honey. Listen to Miss Whitney and do as she says." While Callie is reminding Millie to use her manners and behave, I look to Brynn.
"Has she said anything to you?" I whisper.
"No, nothing. Hell, we didn't even know you had a sister. She did know my name, though." Brynn raises one perfect eyebrow .
"I was sure to tell her if I was murdered it was by you." I grab a bottled water out of the refrigerator and take a long drink.
Whitney and Millie leave, and it is just me, Callie, and Brynn standing in the kitchen. "I'll just go and let you guys talk." Brynn thumbs toward the stairs.
"This is your ranch, right?" Callie asks.
"It is a family ranch, but I don't actually work here," Brynn says as she goes to walk up the stairs.
"I would like it if you stayed, this could affect you."
"Callie, what the fuck is going on?" I all but growl at my little sister.
She then pulls off her long-sleeved shirt and I see the red marks and bruises all over her chest and arms. Brynn gasps, and I see red. "Who the fuck did this and where are they?"
"I haven't been completely honest with you about the divorce. I thought once I got away, it would all be fine," Callie says quietly, refusing to look at me.
"You mean Ken did this to you? I will fucking kill him!" I start to pace, not believing what I am seeing. "Callie, has he hurt Millie?" I ask, not even recognizing my own voice.
"No, he has never once laid a hand on her. I have made sure of it." Callie has tears running down her face.
I see Brynn out of the corner of my eye, she is crying, hand covering her sobs. Fuck. Now I think I know what her story might entail .
"I just wanted to leave him. The divorce is final, I have full custody. But…but he won't leave me alone. He keeps showing up at the house, following me around the grocery store. He has shown up at my work. He even got into an argument with one of the farm hands and threatened him," Callie says. "I had nowhere else to go." Her tears coming faster. "I am so sorry I didn't tell you. I just. I didn't want you to do something you would regret. I know how protective you are."
"Protective? Fuck yes, I am. For good reason, look at you, Callie. How long has this been going on?"
"It started not long after Millie was born."
"Millie is FOUR!" I yell. I can't keep calm at this point. I am like a caged animal, ready to be released.
Brynn comes over and puts a hand on my forearm, "Yelling is not helping Colt. Calm down." It is not a warning; it is a demand. "Callie, are you safe?"
"He doesn't know where I am. I left in the middle of the night."
"Did you rent a car, or is that one yours?" Brynn asks.
"It's mine. It is the one thing that was not in his name."
Brynn looks at me and pulls her phone out of her pocket. "We need the sheriff. If he can do all this, he will have put a tracker on your car."
Callie falls into a kitchen chair. "What if she is right? I could've just royally fucked up. "
"Don't worry. We will handle this. I'm going to call Blake," Brynn says as she walks toward the living room.
"Callie. You should've come to me sooner. I could've helped you. I shouldn't have left," I say shaking my head.
"Colt. Stop. This is not your fault, don't even try to take blame here. This is Ken's fault. He did everything. No one but him can be blamed. He did all of this." She motions to her bruises.
"Has Millie seen these? Has Millie seen him hurt you?" I'm completely afraid of her answer.
"No. She was always asleep or at daycare when it would happen. I have been vigilant that she hasn't even seen the bruises." Callie pulls her shirt back on, and Brynn walks back in the room.
"Okay, the sheriff is on the way. Don't worry, he is a great guy. I grew up with him and he is one of the best people I know here." Brynn pats Callie's hand. "Can I get you anything?"
"Some water would be nice. I have been too nervous to eat anything. I only stopped once for gas on the way here."
"Coming right up. Lunch is going to be served soon, and this place is going to be crawling with dirty, sweaty ranch hands." Brynn retrieves a bottled water out of the refrigerator and hands it over to Callie.
"Cowboys don't bother me," Callie says before she takes a sip of water. "I'm around them, all day every day. "
"What do you do?" Brynn asks as she takes a seat beside Callie at the table.
"I am a horse trainer. I used to train a lot more than I do now. After I had Millie, Ken said I could stay home and not work. That was really when things started to be strained between us. He expected me to be able to care for a newborn and keep myself ready for him and the house spotless. I was supposed to have dinner on the table when he got home." She starts to sniff.
"Okay, let's see what the sheriff says, and we can be sure you and Millie are safe. I will make sure of it." I give my sister a hug.
"You are gross. Go shower."
"I can't. I've got more work to do."
"You aren't going anywhere Colt." Blake's voice rings out through the main house. He steps into the kitchen. "I hear you have a family issue. Go to your place, shower and come back for lunch."
I look at Callie, who is staring at Blake. "Are you going to be okay? Do you want to come to the cottage with me?"
Silence. It is like she is not even listening to me. I hear Brynn giggle. "We got her. Go clean up."
Callie finally comes out of the trance and shakes her head. "I'm fine. Promise."
"Whitney was waiting for me to radio that it is okay to bring your daughter back. Is it okay? "
"Yes, that would be good. Thank you so much. You have all been so welcoming." Callie smiles up at Blake and I don't miss his intake of breath when she does.
He clears his throat, "I'll let Whit know." He heads into the family room, and I hear the crackle of the radio.
A few minutes later, Whitney and Millie are meeting me on the porch as I am going to my cottage. "I'll be back in a few minutes. I am going to shower."
"That's good, Uncle Colt, because you smell even more stinky now," Millie says as she holds her nose between her thumb and index finger.
"C'mon little one, let's get your hands washed and get you some food." Whitney motions for Millie to go inside. "Everything okay?"
"No. But I am going to make damn sure it ends up that way." I practically run to my truck and head to the cottage. I gotta get my head on straight and get cleaned up and back to the main house before the sheriff shows up.