Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
COLE
I wake up with one purpose: win the heart of Reine Rockwell and, if possible, her battle-hardened grandma. Okay, two purposes. I rush through a cold shower, hoping the icy water will wake me the fuck up, then pull on my flannel shirt and jeans.
I pull up at The Rolling R Ranch and knock on the kitchen door.
“Come in,” Louise calls, and I step into the warm kitchen.
The smell of bacon hits me before I turn the corner, and my stomach growls even though I just fucking ate.
Reine and Louise are sitting at the table, forks scraping the last of their breakfast.
Reine’s hair is a little wild, and she’s got syrup on her cheek. Damn if I don’t want to lick it off, but I play it cool.
Louise gives me a look, not unfriendly but sharp, like she’s still making up her mind about me. “Hungry, Cole? There’s plenty left.”
I shake my head and flash my best smile.
“Appreciate it, but I swung by The Chik’n’Shack in town on my way over.
I didn’t want to show up late and miss any of the action.
” When Reine grins at me behind her coffee cup, I barely resist the urge to drag her into my arms for a kiss.
God, I can’t stop thinking about last night.
Her hair wild, her lips pink and swollen from my mouth, the way she screamed my name as I pumped her full of my come.
I might be a fucking maniac, but the only thing I care about right now is making her smile.
And maybe getting her alone for a little dessert before lunch.
Louise glares at me, but I don’t flinch.
Instead, I snag the seat next to Reine, reaching around her to grab a napkin.
I brush the syrup off her cheek, letting my thumb linger for half a second longer than necessary.
Her eyes go wide, and her jaw drops a little, like she can’t believe I just did that in front of her grandmother.
Best decision of the day. I love seeing how she reacts to my touch.
“Missed a spot,” I murmur, letting my Texas drawl drip slow and thick. Reine’s cheeks go bright red, but she doesn’t move away. God, I love that I can get to her like this. I want her blushing and soaked and totally fucking mine twenty-four-seven.
I let my thumb trail a little lower, just to tease, but then I force myself to behave because Louise is right there watching me like a hawk. She doesn’t miss a thing—not the way Reine leans into my touch, not the way my hand lingers on her skin.
Louise clears her throat. “You planning to help with chores today, or just distract my granddaughter until she can’t remember her own name?”
I flash her my best “I’m harmless, trust me” grin, even though I’ve got every intention of bending Reine over the nearest flat surface as soon as I get her alone. “I’m happy to do whatever Reine needs.”
“We need to discuss Thunderbolt’s transfer today.” My girl’s pain-laced words throw a bucket of ice water on the situation. For a second, it’s dead silent. I fucking hate seeing that gut-punched, braced-for-impact look in Reine’s eyes.
“First, I want to know why you had to sell him in the first place.” Hudson sent me a copy of the investigation report he had prepared on The Rolling R Ranch, but I haven’t read it. I want to find out from Reine.
My girl sits back and stares into my eyes. “It’s a long story.”
“I have all the time in the world.” And I’m not going anywhere. Ever. Now, I just need to convince her of that fact.
Louise gives me a look that could freeze whiskey, then levels her gaze at me, daring me to interrupt.
“I’ll tell him,” she grits out, jaw tight with eyes going sharp as knives.
“Reine’s daddy, Jacob, died in a car wreck when she was in grade school.
Damn near broke us all. Anne Marie, my daughter-in-law, tried to hold things together for Reine, but it wasn’t easy.
” Louise’s hand is rock-steady on her coffee mug.
“About ten years later, Anne Marie got sick with brain cancer. The kind no one survives.”
Fucking hell. My heart breaks for Reine and all she’s been through.
“Anne Marie fought like hell. But just before the end, she married a man named Chet Hayes. Shady bastard. He was a nurse at the cancer clinic where Anne Marie got her treatments, and he wormed his way right into her life when she could barely remember her own name. Didn’t give two shits about my daughter-in-law, just wanted a payday,” Louise growls, and I’m so goddamn incensed, I could murder the bastard who did this to my girl and her grandmother.
Louise takes a sip of her coffee before continuing.
“We hadn’t even buried her before he was trying to sell Anne Marie’s third of the ranch. ”
Motherfucker. I grip the edge of the table so hard my knuckles pop. The urge to break something is almost too much. All I can picture is that asshole Chet Hayes counting his blood money while my girl and her grandmother barely had a chance to grieve. “And I take it he finally managed to sell it.”
Louise nods, her lips pressed so tight I’m surprised they don’t disappear.
“Sold it to some fly-by-night investment outfit. Not a rancher among them. They just wanted a quick flip, probably to break up the land and sell it off in chunks.” Her glare could burn through granite.
“But they need the other two-thirds, so they’re resorting to underhanded means to get us to sell. ”
The second the words leave Louise’s mouth, I’m ready to torch the earth. No one fucks with my girl, or her family, and walks away breathing easily. My jaw is clenched so tight I’m surprised it doesn’t crack.
Reine’s hand is shaking where it grips her mug, but she tries to hide it. She’s so tough, always putting herself last. Makes me want to wrap her up and never let anyone touch her again.
“Who are these assholes?” I growl, my voice low enough to rumble the porcelain. “The investment firm. Names, numbers, threats, whatever you got—I want it all.”
Louise narrows her eyes. “We’re not afraid of a fight,” she finally says, “but those bastards are persistent.”
I lock eyes with Louise, letting her see just how little I give a shit about persistent assholes. “They’re about to meet someone a hell of a lot more persistent,” I growl, and my Texas drawl emerges. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”
Louise doesn’t blink, but her mouth twitches like she’s fighting a grin. “That’s a bold promise, Mr. Carrington.”
“Never made a promise I didn’t keep, ma’am.” I toss a wink at Reine, just to see the flush climb her neck. Not only do I plan on making sure these shady fuckers leave the Rockwell women alone, but I’m going to put a hurting on Chet Hayes that he never forgets.
“What about Thunderbolt?” Louise asks.
I turn to Reine and wrap my hand around the back of her neck, gentle but firm, and give her a light squeeze.
“There isn’t going to be a transfer.” My thumb brushes her pulse, savoring the wild beat fluttering there.
“Thunderbolt will stay here on The Rolling R Ranch. Reine and I jointly own him.” I plan on staying here with Thunderbolt, too, but I don’t think Reine is ready to hear all my plans just yet.
Both Rockwell women stare at me in shock for several moments before Louise finally smacks Reine’s hand. “I told you this boy is a keeper.” Well, it looks like I’ve convinced one of them.
Reine nibbles on her bottom lip. “When did you decide this?”
“The first moment I saw you with him. I instantly knew how much you love that horse, and I’d never hurt you by taking him away,” I explain.
“What about your brothers? Are they just going to let you spend Carrington money on a horse and then leave it?” She sits back and stares at me.
I shrug, leaning back in my chair. "I called Hudson last night. Told him I'd buy Thunderbolt myself, with my own money. He's fine with it as long as I don't sell breeding rights to other ranches without running it by him first."
Louise levels me with a stare that could cut through solid steel. “That’s some serious money to put on the line for a horse, Cole.”
I grin. “It’s not about the money. Thunderbolt’s worth it, and so is your granddaughter.” I glance at Reine, loving the stunned look on her gorgeous face. “I only want the best for both.”
Reine’s jaw drops a little, her cheeks about the color of a ripe tomato. “You’re insane.”
“Only for you, Montana.” I say it low, just for her, and drag my knuckles over her knee under the table. She nearly jumps out of her seat.
Louise snorts, but I catch the edge of a smile. “It’s going to be hard to maintain a long-distance relationship.”
“That’s something else I decided.” I was planning to bring up this subject slowly, but it looks like now’s the right time. “I’m going to stay here in Montana with Reine.” Both of them look shocked as I continue. “I kinda like it here.”
The silence that follows is fucking priceless. Even Louise, who probably hasn’t been surprised by anything since the Carter administration, just sits there blinking at me for a solid five seconds.
Reine’s the first one to speak. “You’re staying? In Montana?” Her mouth drops open, and now all I can think about is what else she could fit in that perfect mouth.
I fight the urge to haul her into my lap and kiss her senseless.
“That’s right. I’ve got no reason to head back to Texas now that I’ve found what I’ve been looking for my entire life.
” I drop my hand to her thigh under the table, squeezing just above her knee, loving the way she nearly launches out of her chair.
“I figure we can maybe spend a few of the coldest months every year at our place in Silver Spoon Falls, if you want.” I don’t even bother holding back a grin.
“Think of it as a change of scenery when the Montana winters start getting mean.”
Reine stares at me like she can’t decide if I’m screwing with her or legitimately insane. “You’re just… moving here. For me.”
“That’s right.” I squeeze her thigh and watch her pulse jump in her neck. “Ranch work, cold weather, whatever you want. You got me. And you’re not getting rid of me easily, so don’t even try.”
Louise narrows her eyes, but I see the edge of satisfaction there, like she’s just been waiting for someone to lay it all out this clearly. “Tonight, we’re going to celebrate. I’ll cook my famous beef stew for dinner.”
I shoot her a wink. “Sounds like a plan to me.”