Chapter 8
“Mom, you booked your flight to Kansas months ago and Aunt Linda is expecting you.” Her ankle in a cast, and wearing sweatpants, Marlee sat in the wheelchair ready to be wheeled through the hospital where they would deposit her and her crutches at the curb. “I’ll be fine.”
“You won’t be able to get around. You have your front porch stairs to deal with and even more stairs to the second floor.” Ann’s frown matched Marlee’s. “I need to cancel the trip and you can stay with me.”
Marlee opened her mouth to argue when Colt cleared his throat from the doorway. “Excuse me, ladies.”
Both Marlee and Ann turned their gazes on Colt, who had just shown up. He had a yellowing black eye from where Ben had punched him, along with cuts and scrapes from the accident. He’d never looked sexier.
He gave a quirky grin. “You can stay with me.” As Marlee’s jaw dropped, he continued, “No stairs, no carpet to trip you up, and I’ll put away the rugs. Lots of room to get around with one of those scooters.”
“I—” Marlee was at a loss for words.
“That sounds perfect.” Ann smiled as she looked from Colt to Marlee. “I won’t have to worry about you falling down your stairs or something else dreadful where there’s no one to help you.”
Colt grinned. “And you can enjoy your trip, Ann.”
“Honestly, I have really been looking forward to seeing my sister,” Ann said, “but Marlee’s wellbeing is first and foremost right now.”
Marlee’s sense of independence surged, and she almost declined his offer. But then she knew her mom would feel like she had to stay, and she wouldn’t get to visit Linda.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you, Colt. If it will get Mom on that plane, I’ll take you up on your offer.”
Colt’s grin broadened. “It’s settled then.”
Despite all her aches and pains, the one place that didn’t hurt was the part of her deep inside that felt a thrill at the thought of being close to Colt. She had a hard time relying on anyone, but if his home was roomy and there were no stairs, she could get around on her own, and maybe find a way to help, too.
“I’ll make you homecooked meals.” Marlee gave an impish grin. “And I promise no spiders or skeleton balls.”
“Skeleton balls?” Ann gave a mock look of horror. “What in the world?”
Marlee couldn’t help a giggle as she thought of Colt’s face when she mentioned skeleton balls the first time. “I fixed Colt Halloween dinner when he came over to help me pass candy out to the trick-or-treaters.”
Colt shook his head. “Sorry you asked?”
Ann laughed. “That’s my daughter for you.”
“Deal on you cooking.” Colt turned his grin on Marlee. “Once you’re up and able to.”
“Sooner rather than later,” she said.
Nurse Maria returned to the room. “Ready to go home?”
Marlee started to nod, but the pain in her neck stilled her. She had to be more cautious. She smiled. “I’m ready to get out of here.”
The nurse grasped the wheelchair handles before Colt could offer. “Then let’s get you downstairs and on your way.”
Maria pushed Marlee out of the room and toward the bank of elevators, Colt and Ann following. Marlee couldn’t wait to get away from the hospital’s antiseptic smell and the constant beeping of monitors.
Once they reached street level, Maria wheeled Marlee to the curb. Her head still ached from the concussion, and she winced in the sunlight. Colt left to bring around his truck while the nurse remained with the wheelchair until he returned.
Marlee rubbed her palms on the pink sweatpants she wore that her mom had fetched from the house. She needed something that would be easy to slide over her cast.
Ann held onto the crutches in one arm. She settled her opposite hand on Marlee’s shoulder. “Colt grew into a fine man.”
She couldn’t help a smile. “He certainly did.”
Colt pulled up in a new sunflower yellow king cab truck with temporary plates. He strode around from the driver’s side.
“I like your new ride.” Marlee looked the truck over. “You didn’t waste time once you left the hospital yesterday.”
“Can’t afford to.” Colt reached her side. “Have a ranch to run.”
“True.” She smiled at him. “But it can’t hurt to get something flashy while you’re at it.”
Colt gave a laugh as he helped Marlee to her good foot. “Not at all.”
Her injured right ankle meant she wouldn’t be driving for quite a while, which annoyed her to no end.
She started to take the crutches from her mom, but Colt carefully swept her into his arms, taking her by surprise, but in a way that didn’t cause her more pain. “Colt.”
“It’s faster this way.” He carried her to the truck door. “And we can make sure you don’t accidentally hurt your ankle, fresh out of the hospital.”
Ann stood beside the door as Colt slid Marlee into the passenger seat. “Do you need help getting your things together to take to Colt’s?”
Colt turned back to her. “I’ll help Marlee get whatever she needs.”
“Thank you.” Ann kissed Colt on the cheek. She moved to the passenger door. “Anything you need before I leave, Marlee?”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine, Mom. Have a good time with Aunt Linda. Give her a big hug for me.”
“I always have a great time with my sister.” Ann looked excited when talking about her sibling. “It’s been too long since we last got together.”
Marlee leaned down to hug her mom the best she could from the truck. Ann gave a little wave and walked toward the parking garage. Colt closed the passenger door and strode around to the driver’s side and climbed in.
When he put the truck into gear, Marlee’s stomach flipped. She gripped her seat tightly and her fingers ached, reminding her of how she’d dug them into her seat before the truck had rolled.
Colt put his hand over hers. “Are you okay?”
She blew out her breath. “I’ll be fine.”
He leaned over and brushed his lips over hers before straightening and putting the truck into gear.
They’d been in a Mesa hospital, and it was an hour drive back to King Creek. Marlee remained tense the entire time, which did nothing to make her aches and pains any better. Whenever a large truck came alongside them, her heart pounded a little faster and her mouth grew dry. Sometimes she would see the paneled truck in her mind as it slammed into them, and her stomach would bottom out.
Relax, Marlee, she told herself. Everything is going to be fine.
Not soon enough, they reached King Creek and her home.
She started to open her door, but Colt put his hand on her arm. “What do you think you’re doing?”
With a frustrated sigh, she plopped back against the seat. “This is going to be so hard, Colt.”
“I get it.” He squeezed her arm. “I’d have a hard time with it too.”
When he opened the passenger door, he scooped her into his arms before she could say anything. “This will be easier, for both of us,” he said.
Colt carried her inside. She wanted to do things herself, but it was an exercise in frustration. She couldn’t put weight on her ankle, and she couldn’t get around without Colt’s help.
Instead, she directed him on what she would need. “There’s so much, but I can’t take everything.”
“Get all you need.” Colt gathered her laptop. “You can use my printer and my desktop computer, too. I can set you up in my home office.”
“Thank you.” She looked at him gratefully. “If you have a recliner, I can use that as my office away from home. I don’t require a lot since everything is electronic.”
When they finished downstairs, she said “I need to pack some things myself.”
He carefully picked her up. “Direct away.”
When they made it into her room, he looked around. “This room is you.” He gestured to a crazy quilt wall hanging. “Is that your work? It’s beautiful.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
He studied the work of art. “There’s so much to see. It’s the kind of thing where every time you look at it, you see something you didn’t notice before.”
“That reminds me.” She pointed to a big, covered basket. “That’s my quilting basket. Can you grab that, too? I need my creative outlet every morning.”
At her direction, he set her near her dresser, where she balanced on one foot and pulled underthings out and tossed them in a suitcase he had set on the floor for her. She had no idea how long she would be staying with him, so she’d picked out her biggest case.
When they had more than she probably needed, he carried her and everything out to his new truck. He locked up for her and then they were on their way.
Several miles outside of town, he pulled off the highway and onto a dirt road.
Marlee watched the scenery as it scrolled by. Mesquites, cacti, and then acres of rangeland. “I’ve never been to your ranch. It’s beautiful.”
“Nothing like being home.” He gestured ahead. “I had my home built a couple of years ago. Had to live in a single-wide when they tore down my old place and built the new one.”
“It’s huge.” She grinned at him. “Nothing like a little house on the prairie.”
He laughed. “Not at all.”
When they pulled up front, a Border collie ran from the house, barking. The dog continued to bark until he saw Colt. When he did, he bounded around the vehicle, making happy barks and yips.
Colt looked at Marlee. “First time Ranger has seen my new truck.” He gave her a pointed look. “Stay put until I go around and get you.”
She saluted. “Yes, sir.”
He stepped down from his truck. “Hi, boy.” He rubbed the dog behind his ears. “I hear you’ve been a big help while I was gone.”
Marlee smiled. Colt talked with his dog like he would a child. Not for the first time, she thought about how he’d make a good dad.
Marlee, she admonished herself. Don’t go there. At least not yet.
He reached her door and helped her out of the vehicle. When she stood on one foot, he introduced her to the Border collie. “Marlee, this is Ranger. Ranger, this is Marlee.”
The dog raised his paw and Marlee took it in her hand. “Aww. It’s good to meet you, Ranger.”
She released his paw, and he gave what sounded to her like a pleased bark.
Colt scooped her up and started carrying her to the house.
She sighed. “I need to get along by myself at some point.”
He gave her a look. “That day is not today, Marlee Fox.”
“Yes, Mr. McLeod.” She said it in a serious manner then smiled at him.
Colt managed to hold her and unlock the front door at the same time. He was one heck of a strong man.
Sexy, handsome, strong, great personality—what more could a woman ask for?
He kicked the door shut behind him and held her in the entryway. Heat burned through her as he looked down into her eyes. “Welcome to my home, Marlee.”
It felt like he wanted to say more, but he kissed her instead. His kisses made every one of her aches and pains vanish in those moments.
A minute later, he carried her through a big open living room and straight to a recliner with a swivel base.
“Thanks for taking care of me.” She settled into the big, comfy chair. “Mom wasn’t about to leave me to fend on my own. You volunteering to let me stay with you allowed her to feel like it was okay to leave town to visit her sister. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”
Colt pulled up an ottoman beside her chair and sat on it. “You’re important to me. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “Anything?”
“Anything.” He rested his hand on her thigh. “I’ll even make a chocolate run for you.”
Marlee smiled. “That makes you a man worth holding onto.”
“I’ve got Pepsi and 7-Up, and I’m going to make a pitcher of iced tea.” Colt stood. “Which would you like?”
“Iced tea would be great.” She sank into the recliner. “This chair is so comfortable. I may just fall asleep.”
He set his hand on her shoulder. “Go right on ahead.”
Colt left the room, and Marlee closed her eyes. Her head hurt and her body ached, and she just needed to rest. She felt herself drifting off, and soon she was fast asleep.
The day was waning as Colt unloaded Marlee’s things from the truck and put them into one of three guest bedrooms, with the exception of her purse and crutches, which he left in the living room, close to her chair.
His was a big house built for a big family, but Colt had thought of it as a place to spread out and make his own. Considering he hadn’t thought he’d settle down, maybe something inside him had known that was exactly what he needed to do.
Now, the sounds of Marlee’s laughter and images of kids running around the huge home filled his mind. The guestrooms would become bedrooms for the kids—three would be perfect. His game room would become a place with things for kids to do, too, and his man cave would transform into a family room. There was so much that could be done to his home so that it was no longer a bachelor’s place.
When he finished bringing in Marlee’s things, he paused in the living room to watch her sleeping. She looked so beautiful, but the bandaged head wound, scratches, and scrapes all over her face and arms made his gut hurt. She could have been killed. He’d been terrified for her when he’d woken in the hospital. Even though the nurses assured him she was fine, he hadn’t been satisfied until he’d seen her for himself.
And even then, his heart had ached at the sight of her connected to monitors, an IV in her arm, bandages over her head and eyes, and her ankle in a cast. He’d never been so terrified in his life as he had been for her. It had made him rethink his life and realize she was the woman he was meant to spend the rest of his life with.
Colt’s own body twinged with pain from cuts and bruises he’d sustained in the accident, and he had to keep moving to keep from getting too stiff and sore. Considering how his seatbelt had broken when the truck rolled, it was a wonder he came off with a mild concussion and so little in the way of injuries.
He studied Marlee. He could picture himself waking up in the morning with her at his side and watching her sleep.
He returned to the kitchen and made a pile of roast beef sandwiches along with a pitcher of iced tea from the tea he’d just brewed. He checked Ranger’s bowl of water and gave the appreciative dog a treat.
Colt peeked into the living room and saw that Marlee was awake. “Hi, sleepyhead.”
She looked tired but smiled at him when he walked in. “I guess I needed that.”
“I’m glad you got some rest,” he said. “Are you hungry?” He gave a nod in the direction of the kitchen. “I made a simple dinner. Roast beef sandwiches.”
“That sounds great.” She held her hand to her belly. “You must have heard my stomach rumbling.
He grinned and started for the kitchen. “I’ll be right back.”
Colt returned with glasses of iced tea and handed one for Marlee before setting his own on an end table. He followed up with the plate of sandwiches, a couple of empty plates, and a package of double-stuffed Oreos.
“My favorites.” She took a roast beef sandwich from him on a paper plate with Oreo cookies on the side. “Double-stuffed are the best.”
“I remembered that from high school.” He sat on an overstuffed chair close to her. “My favorite, too.”
She finished chewing the bite she’d taken. “That’s right. We used to fight over the last cookie with Rock-Paper-Scissors. I always won.”
He laughed. “That’s not how I remember it.”
“Then you have a poor memory.” She took another big bite. “I think I may have let you win once or twice.”
He snorted. “How can you let someone win at that game? It’s random.”
“Not if you’re really good at it,” she teased. “Like me.”
Colt couldn’t help a grin. “You were a champion.”
When she finished her sandwich and cookies, she looked around the spacious living room. “From what I’ve seen of your home, it’s really nice.”
“I’ll show you the rest of it.” He put his plate and glass on the coffee table and took hers.
“That means you’ll think you have to carry me.” She put her hands up. “But no. Where are my crutches? I should learn how to use them.”
“They’re right here.” He grabbed the crutches from where they rested against the wall just behind and to the right of her chair. He waited for her to sit on the edge of her seat. “These will take some getting used to,” he said. “I broke my leg in middle school, so I speak from experience.”
“I remember that.” She let him help her to her feet. “Middle school football, wasn’t it?”
“You have a good memory.” He helped her grasp the crutches, position them, and change the size of each to fit her height. He explained the best way to use them.
She put the crutches to a test drive and wobbled. “Yikes. This is hard.”
“Yeah, it’s harder than it looks.” He gave her a few pointers. “Now try.”
She started off and made it down the hallway toward the kitchen. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so awkward in my life.”
“You’re doing great.” He followed her to where she’d come to a stop.
“Wow, this is nice.” She took in the kitchen as she turned her head. “It’s huge. Makes mine look like a dime next to a fifty-cent piece.”
“Yours is great,” he said. “Like the rest of your house, it’s cozy and inviting.”
“Thanks.” She hopped up to the island and ran her palm over the surface. “I’ve never felt a textured countertop like this.”
“It’s granite,” he said. “Not your typical kind with shiny surfaces.”
“I really like the texture.” She looked around the rest of the kitchen. “You have a wonderful window over the sink. I didn’t realize it’s so dark outside.”
“The day has flown by,” he said.
“Everything in here is so shiny and new-looking.” She glanced at him. “I take it your ranch hands don’t eat breakfast and lunch here?”
He shook his head. “I have a chow hall back aways from the house. It came with the ranch when I bought it. I kept it and once the ranch started turning a good profit, I upgraded it.”
She looked around again. “Do you actually use your kitchen?”
“For cooking, not really.” He shrugged. “Being a bachelor with no talent for cooking means making canned beans and sandwiches a whole lot.”
“While I’m here, I’ll have to change that.” She used the crutches to get herself to the pantry and peeked in at the almost bare shelves. “Uh-oh.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. “This is not a good omen.” She made her way to the fridge, opened the door, and saw he had a loaf of bread, a couple of packages of lunchmeat, half a brick of cheese, a partial six-pack of beer and the pitcher of iced tea. She made a horrified expression when she looked at him again. “How are you not thin as a rail?”
He smiled at the cute look on her face. “Tell you what. Make me a list and I’ll go shopping, and I’ll get whatever you need.”
“I’m apparently going to need a lot.” She used her crutches to get to the island and sagged against it. “I never realized using crutches would be so tiring.”
“It’s a lot of work.” He leaned against the island beside her. “We need to get you a knee scooter, so you can get around easier. I’ll order one for you.”
“I’ll order it so that I can use my credit card,” she said. “I think a knee scooter sounds like a really good idea. I’ll pick one out tomorrow, when I have a chance to peruse the Internet.”
“How about a movie?” he asked. “I do have a bag of chips and beer.”
“Sure.” She fell in beside him on her crutches.
“I have to warn you.” He glanced at her. “My man cave isn’t fancy.”
She brushed it off. “Who needs fancy?”
Colt like that about Marlee. She was so unassuming and down-to-earth. The All-American girl next door.
He got her comfortable on the couch and set her crutches aside, then put her broken ankle up on an ottoman.
“I have Netflix, HBO, Disney Plus, Prime, Apple TV, and Hulu,” he said. “I do have cable, but that’s because it’s the only place I can get all the sports I want.”
Marlee smiled. “We’re bound to find something good with all those options.”
Colt showed her how to use the remote for his TV and the list of apps for her to choose from. She was intent on clicking through HBO when he left to get the chips and beer.
Colt dumped the bag of chips into a large bowl, grabbed a church key and the two bottles of bear, along with the rest of the package of Oreos, then headed back to his man cave. He opened the beer bottles and passed one to her. Ranger positioned himself near the couch as she accepted the beer and Colt sat next to her with the bowl of chips and package of cookies on the coffee table.
Her body felt so warm and soft next to his as he settled next to her on the couch. He felt a tug in his gut at being so close to her and breathed in her vanilla and jasmine scent.
He looked at her as she held the remote and flipped through the TV options. “Any candidates?”
“I think so.” She came to a stop at the latest action thriller. “How about this one?”
“Looks good to me.” He took a swig of beer as she clicked on the movie and the intro started.
He watched her with amusement as she got into the action. That was until the scene involving a car accident and a SUV rolling across a median. She turned pale as it played out.
Colt took the remote from her and paused the TV. “Are you all right, Marlee?”
She didn’t look at him for a moment and he could see by the rise and fall of her chest that she was breathing hard. She finally turned to him. “There are always car chases and accidents in action movies. It didn’t even occur to me, or that I might have a reaction. It was like I experienced it all over again.”
He grasped her hand in his. “Do you want to find a different one?” He gave her a soft smile. “We could pick out a chick flick or a comedy.”
Marlee blew out her breath and smiled. “I think I can make it through to the end. I just needed to pull myself back to reality for a few moments.”
He studied her. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “It’s like getting back in a vehicle again. It was hard driving home today, but it got easier as we went.”
Colt gave the remote back to Marlee so that she’d have control.
She flashed him a smile. “So, you’re not a man who hogs the remote.”
“I have a feeling you’re not a woman to put up with a man monopolizing it.” He smiled. “I’m smart enough to know that.”
“Yes, you are one intelligent man.” She took the controller from him and hit play. She settled back in the seat and leaned her head against his shoulder.
The simple act of her resting against him took his breath away. He eased his arm around her shoulders, holding her even closer. She sighed and snuggled in his embrace.
During a quieter moment in the movie, he could hear Marlee’s deep, even breathing, telling him she’d fallen asleep. He carefully shifted her onto his lap, then rose with her in his arms. She didn’t even wake as he carried her down the hall to the guestroom that he had put all her things in.
He rested her on one side of the bed and looked down at her. She looked so peaceful in sleep.
Should he leave her fully dressed? Find her nightgown and change her out of the clothing she now wore?
He went to the big suitcase, where she had put most of her clothes. He couldn’t find a nightgown, so he left to grab one of his T-shirts. He returned and carefully removed the sweatpants that easily slid over her cast, before removing her T-shirt.
Marlee made an adorable little snore for a moment that made him smile. He left her bra and panties on, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, like he’d done more than he should have. He slid his T-shirt over her head and smiled at how big it was on her. She looked sweet in sleep, and he wished he could take her in his arms again.
He pulled back the quilt and sheet on the opposite side of the bed, then moved her to that side and covered her. He left an extra quilt next to her in case the house got too cool. She’d have something handy if she needed it.
When he had her settled, he switched off the bedside light and rose. He paused in the doorway, the light shining through and illuminating her. She shifted on the bed, but continued to sleep.
His heart ached for her, and he blew out his breath. He was in so much trouble. He was madly in love with Marlee. He’d never stopped loving her.