Chapter Eight
Colton
Sam and I luckily dodged whatever sickness the girls had, and after four days, Lily’s finally on the mend. I’ve kept an eye on them in between working at my desk and going to the Branch Haven. Whatever they caught has run through their systems.
“Hey, Colt.” Amelia peeks her head into my office. “Sorry to bother you. Do you have a minute?”
“Of course. C’mon in.” I close my laptop and give her my undivided attention. Her blonde hair’s pulled up into a ponytail, exposing her bare neck, once painted with my marks. “Doin’ okay?”
“Yeah, much better. But I lost track of the days and forgot to mention I have my online night class at six. And I hate to ask considerin’ how much you’ve already done, but would you be able to watch the kids for me? Raven usually comes over, but she’s obviously two hours away, so—”
“Amelia,” I say firmly, hoping to grab her attention so she’ll stop rambling. “It’s not a problem. Take as much time as you need.”
“Are you sure? It’ll be for two hours.”
“We’ll be fine. I’ll make dinner, we’ll play poker and smoke some cigs, then I’ll get them ready for bed.”
She licks her lips and leans against the door frame with her arms crossed, fighting her amusement. “Okay, but only one cig. Wouldn’t wanna spoil ’em.”
“Deal.” I wink.
She lowers her face to hide the blush covering her cheeks, and I wish she’d stop acting like we’re strangers to each other’s bodies.
We spent hours together—talking, drinking, and dancing, then learning every inch of her with my tongue.
After what Sam told me about her talking with Raven about our night together, I can’t help but wonder if she’s thinking about it too.
“Any luck with Sam’s memory?” I ask, snapping myself out of my haze.
When she asked him a couple nights ago, he first said no, then changed his mind to yes, before admitting he couldn’t remember.
Amelia sent Wilder a description of the DMV guy to relay to the sheriff, but so far, no one recognizes it. He could be from any of the surrounding small towns.
Sheriff Wagner spoke to the grocery store manager and found a couple witnesses who were there at the time of the incident, but neither had seen the man’s face.
She blows out a defeated breath. “Nope. I was hopin’ a good night’s sleep would help, but he still says he can’t remember whether they were the same man. When I asked about his age range, he just said, ‘he’s old like you.’”
I snort when she frowns. “So that could mean anywhere from twenty-five to livin’ in a nursin’ home.”
“Pretty much. Didn’t realize I’d already be grouped in with the senior citizens before I turned thirty.”
“Time to get out your crochet kit and compression socks. You can sit on the porch with my mom and Aunt JoJo while they complain about the weather and drink herbal tea.”
That finally gets a genuine laugh out of her. “That doesn’t sound half bad.”
“Especially if these mountains are the view.”
Her face contorts, and it’s hard to know if it’s with fear or regret.
“They’re gonna find him, Amelia,” I say, hoping she hears the sincerity in my voice. “Whoever he is will eventually show himself or slip up and get caught.”
Wilder and Maddox moved her car to various parking lots, and then Delilah wore a blonde wig while she drove, but they hadn’t seen anyone following. They’ve kept a closer eye on the ranch hand duplexes and set up cameras in case he returned. But so far, nothing.
Either the guy got spooked after Sam woke up and screamed or he’s taking the time to plan something else.
“Even if that’s true, I’m not sure how comfortable I am bringin’ my kids back to the same house. I think we gotta move. Not sure where we’d go, but it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to figure things out in a pinch.”
There’s a lot I don’t know about her past, but I can tell she’s been through it.
“I’m sure there’s another option,” I tell her. “Maybe they can add a security fence ’round the duplex property? Make it where there’s a gate code or somethin’ so no one unauthorized gets in.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Her shoulders lift before sagging. “But that seems extreme for one incident.”
“Hardly,” I disagree. “Whoever this is puts everyone who lives there at risk. And before you say anythin’, it’s not your fault. The Hollises would do it rather than you movin’ away because you don’t feel safe.”
“I know, and that makes it worse, which is why it makes the most sense to find another place. Maybe even a different town.” She shrugs again, and I hate that she’s feeling this way.
“You underestimate their loyalty and determination. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re already workin’ on somethin’ so you can return without worryin’.”
“Not sure I’ll ever stop when it comes to my kids. They’re all I have, and I’m all they have as a parent.”
Although I don’t have kids of my own, I understand how protective she is of them.
“What ’bout school? Could you continue if you moved?”
“Yeah, it’s all online, but not sure I’d be able to finish if I’m not workin’ at The Lodge.”
I furrow my brows, leaning forward in my chair. “Why’s that?”
“Mrs. Hollis pays for my tuition so I can get my graphic design degree. After I created a new logo for the ranch and retreat, she had me update their website with all new brandin’.
Although I was rusty since it’d been a while since I’d worked in Photoshop, she was so impressed with the work that she encouraged me to go to school for it so I could learn more and do some freelance work.
It was such a great opportunity, and somethin’ I’ve always wanted to do, so I couldn’t pass it up. ”
“Aunt Dena wouldn’t go back on her word just ’cause y’all moved away. If anythin’, she’d send you off with a huge gift basket of necessities and goodies and do whatever it takes to make sure you graduate.”
She chews the inside of her cheek as if she’s too afraid to admit there are people in her life who love her and are cheering for her success. Makes me even more curious to know about her past before meeting Wilder and Delilah.
“Yeah, that sounds like her,” she admits, chuckling softly.
“Hope you don’t mind me askin’ and don’t feel obligated to answer, but are you in contact with your parents?”
Her spine straightens. “No, not since they kicked me out when I got pregnant at twenty.”
Dinner isn’t done by the time Amelia has class, so I bring it into my office, where I told her she could take her class and quietly hand her a plate of Salisbury steak and mashed potatoes.
“Thank you,” she mouths.
“Let me know if you need anythin’ else,” I whisper, setting down a glass of sweet tea.
Before closing the French doors, her gaze softens and finds mine over her laptop, looking raw and vulnerable. I’m tempted to ask what’s wrong, but then she lowers them back to her screen and dives into her food.
While I eat with the kids, Sam talks about wanting to go fishing again this weekend, but I suggest other things to experience while he’s here.
“Maybe we can go horseback ridin’ if it’s okay with your mom. Or swimmin’ in the river. That’s always fun in the summertime. You’re probably too young to cliff jump, but we can still go to the waterfall.”
“Can’t we fish in the mornin’ first and then do that stuff?” he asks, hopeful.
“We’ll see, okay?”
I’d love to sleep in at least one day this week since I’ve barely gotten any this week, but since I don’t know how long they’ll be here, I don’t want to disappoint him either.
Once I load the dishwasher and clean the kitchen, I meet the kids and Remy in the living room. As soon as I sit on the couch, Lily hands me one of her dolls.
“That’s you.” She points to it, smiling.
“Me, huh?” Said doll has red hair and breasts.
Sam grabs his Nintendo Switch in between amusing his sister with the doll she handed him.
We play for almost an hour before I remind Sam he needs to shower before bed. He groans for a solid five minutes before I give him my best “better do it before your mom comes out here” look.
“Don’t forget to wash everythin’…” I remind him. “With the body wash.”
He whines again, dragging his feet as he goes. Remy’s quick to follow, never letting him out of his sight for too long.
Amelia informed me he’ll take a quick three-minute shower without using any soap and thinks she won’t notice he still smells.
Not sure how my mom managed three boys who lived on a ranch, because we tried the same thing on her.
“How was class?” I ask Amelia when she returns.
“Pretty borin’…but fine. How’re things out here?” She kneels next to Lily, kissing the top of her head.
“Great.” I hold up my doll. “I’ve been to the mall, then we went to the beach and made an apple pie.”
“Really? Wow, all of that in a couple hours. You must be exhausted,” she quips.
“Was cherry pie!” Lily corrects.
“Oh, my bad. Cherry pie.” I wink at Amelia, and she smirks.
“It’s time for your bath,” she tells Lily once Sam’s out of the bathroom. “And then bedtime.”
“No,” she whines, aggressively shaking her head.
“Yes, ma’am.” Amelia stands, holding out her hand.
“Can you read me a story?” Lily asks me.
“Sure, sweetheart. Pick one out, and I’ll come in once you’re ready for bed.”
“Yeah!” she squeals, grabbing her mom’s hand.
Amelia leads them out, but before they’re out of view, she glances over her shoulder. There’s a warmth in her eyes that wasn’t there before, and when I smile, she does too.
I pick up the living room, putting all the dolls and accessories together so Remy doesn’t use them as chew toys, then put the crayons and markers back in the boxes where they belong.
The kids stayed busy playing most of the day, and between everything they packed and all the stuff Bellamy brought over, there were a lot of options.
Lily comes out to tell me she’s ready, so I follow her to the bedroom, where Sam’s already tucked in and waiting.
“This one.” Lily hands me a blue book before getting under the covers.
I beam when I read the title. “Rainbow Fish. Good pick.”