Chapter Nine – Colt
Colt
I hadn’t been home long, but it finally felt like I was settling in nicely.
I’d moved into the small cabin that the little prick Ryan had lived in.
In addition to embezzling from my parents, he’d sold everything that he could from the cabin.
I swore if I ever got my hands on that motherfucker, I was going to kill him.
I came up with a story that I donated everything so my mother wouldn’t ask questions.
It made sense that I would want to update the cabin.
After giving it a good cleaning and letting my mother help me pick out furniture and decorate it, it was finally starting to feel like a home.
Or it would when the rest of the furniture arrived next week.
Right now, my bed was a pad on the floor and a sleeping bag.
It was one bedroom, one bath, with an eat-in kitchen and a small living room.
I still spent most of my time at my parents’ house, though, helping Mom look after my dad, so right now, the cabin was just a place to sleep.
Walking through the front door of their house, I could hear my parents talking in the kitchen.
“Hey, I’m here,” I called, making my way toward them. My mother turned around—and her hands flew to her cheeks.
“Oh, Colt, don’t you look handsome!”
Smiling, I held my arms out to my sides and looked down at the tux I was wearing. “It’s been a hot minute since I’ve been this dressed up.”
“I’m glad the Wildes moved the charity dinner to an earlier date. I know it was a lot for them to manage right around Christmas.”
“Do they still have the kids from the orphanage come on Christmas morning?” I asked.
“Oh, they changed that…what? Last year or so, Jacob?”
My father nodded. “Something like that. The good news is, there are fewer and fewer kids. The last time I talked to Levi, he told me they may move it to the orphanage this year and do it there.”
“That’s a good thing, though.”
Mom smiled. “It is. All those poor little souls without parents. It always breaks my heart when I volunteer.”
“Dad, you look nice. Are you sure you’re up for going?”
He was dressed in a tux, as well, and, for the first time since I’d been home, he looked truly healthy. His color was back, as was his energy.
“I’m feeling good.”
“It’s all that kale,” I said with a laugh.
“Do not joke like that,” my mother said, playfully hitting my arm. “I’m feeding him other things besides kale.”
“I know. I’m here every night eating it. I’ve lost five pounds since I’ve been home.”
Dad laughed, as Mom waved a hand to dismiss me.
“Mom, you look beautiful, by the way,” I said, as I kissed her cheek. She was dressed in a cream formal gown with flowing sleeves. Her hair was pulled up, and I loved seeing the red in her cheeks.
“Well, it’s not hard to feel pretty in a gown your son bought for you.”
“You deserve it.” I clapped my hands. “Shall we?”
Thirty minutes later, I pulled up to the event center, dropped my mother and father off by the door, then parked my truck. When I got out, another truck pulled in right next to me. As I started to walk toward the center, I heard my name.
“Colt? Colt Owens?”
Glancing over my shoulder, I stopped and smiled. “Jared?”
“What in the hell, man! When did you get back to town?”
My best friend from high school rushed over, his hand stretched out to shake.
He looked just like he did back in the day, just with a bit of gray streaked in his brown hair.
Approaching a bit slower was a pretty blonde who looked a few years younger than Jared.
She wore a royal blue dress that fell just below her knees and wrapped around her waist, accentuating her figure.
A diamond necklace hung around her neck, with diamond earrings to match.
I couldn’t help but wonder what Jared was doing these days, that allowed him to wrap his wife up in that kind of expensive jewelry. His parents hadn’t been poor, by any means, but neither were they well off.
“I got back a few weeks ago. My father had a heart attack and, well…I was past due for coming home.”
“I didn’t hear that about your father. I’m so sorry. Is he okay?”
I nodded. “He is, thank God.”
Seeming to notice he hadn’t introduced the woman next to him, Jared said, “Katie, this is Colt Owens.”
Smiling, she shook my hand. “Jared has told me stories about the two of you in high school.”
I laughed and winked. “I hope you didn’t believe any of them.”
“Oh, I most certainly did. I’ve been married to him for six years. I know exactly who he is.”
Jared laughed. “I met Katie when I was in the Army in Texas. We got married, and she moved back to River Falls with me.”
My brows raised. “Congratulations. Kids?”
Katie replied, “Two little girls. Five and two.”
“Wow.”
Jared beamed. “They’re my pride and joy. And Katie’s the love of my life. I’m not sure where I’d be right now if it hadn’t been for her.”
Gently patting his chest, she said, “Oh, stop that. We’d better get inside; it feels like the temperature’s dropping and I didn’t bring a wrap.”
“May we head in with you?” Jared asked.
I gestured them along. “Please do.” As we began walking, I asked Jared, “How long have you been back in River Falls?”
“Two years. Katie started a law practice in Granby.”
“You’re a lawyer?” I asked her.
She smiled. “I am.”
“Do you mind if I ask what kind?”
“My firm handles criminal justice and family law.”
I gave her a look. “Katie, you and I need to set up a meeting.”
She stopped walking and turned to study me. “I’m intrigued.”
“My father hired someone to help out on our small family ranch. He slipped a piece of paper into a stack of things for my father to sign, giving him permission to be added to his bank account. Then he withdrew every cent and left. I’ve hired a private investigator to find the guy.
I want him to pay for what he did to my father. ”
I swore Katie’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Swing by my office on Monday and I’ll be happy to represent you. I’m available all day, since I was supposed to be off, but plans changed.” She handed me a business card from her small purse.
Smiling, I replied, “Thank you, and I’ll stop by first thing.”
Once we stepped inside the transformed event center, I glanced around to find my parents. They hadn’t made it very far before stopping to speak with someone.
Turning to my friend, I said, “It was so great seeing you, Jared. And nice to meet you, Katie.”
“Let’s catch up sometime soon,” Jared said, handing me a card, as well. “It’s got my cell on there.”
I glanced at the card. Jared owned his own excavation company. I smiled and said, “Sounds good. I’ll give you a call soon.”
Katie quickly swept Jared away to go talk to someone I didn’t recognize. Turning, I made my way over to my parents. They were talking to Gus and Nellie Wilde.
The moment Gus saw me, his eyes lit up. “What is this I see in front of me? Colt! You haven’t changed a single bit, son!”
Smiling, I shook his hand, then bent down and kissed Nellie on the cheek. “It’s wonderful to see you both. How’ve you been?”
“Retirement has been blissful,” Gus stated with a wide grin.
Nellie nodded. “It has been nice. We’re going on a cruise next week.”
My mother added, “Oh, I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise. I think Alaska.”
“That’s the cruise we’re going on! You and Jacob should see if there’s still availability.”
My mother waved off the suggestion. “I wish we could. Right now it’s not in the cards, as we have medical bills coming in.”
Gus and Nellie both nodded their understanding.
I, on the other hand, wasn’t about to let it go. “Mom, if Dad can get clearance to go, I’d be happy to buy your tickets.”
“No, Colt, you’ve done enough already,” my father added quickly.
Instead of arguing with him, especially here at the charity dinner, I simply nodded—giving Gus a wink when my father wasn’t looking. He gave me a small nod, clearly aware I wasn’t done trying to convince them.
“Jacob! Lynn!”
We all turned to see Vivianne Wilde approaching. She was an older version of Ensley. Just as beautiful, with the same stunning smile that lit up a room. Her blonde hair was pulled back, and she wore a lovely cream gown that flowed freely at the skirt.
“How are you feeling, Jacob?” Vivianne asked, as she kissed both of my parents on the cheek.
“I’m feeling good.”
She gave him a once-over. “You look amazing. I’m sure it helps having Colt back at home.”
Turning to me, she drew me into a hug. I thought for sure she wouldn’t pay me the time of day for the way I’d treated her daughter.
“Welcome home, Colt.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Wilde.”
She shook her head. “Do not ‘Mrs. Wilde’ me. It’s Vivianne. How are you settling in?”
“Pretty good. Glad to be back home.”
Smiling, she said, “Well, I’m sure Lynn and Jacob are just as happy.”
My mother nodded. “We are.”
“Please mingle around for a bit. Dinner will be served in about thirty minutes. Colt, I’m sure there are a lot of people who’ll be happy to see you.”
I smiled, deciding not to mention I highly doubted her daughter was one of them.
Before another word could be said, Vivianne was off and greeting other attendees.
“I’m so glad I’m finished being the hostess,” Nellie said with a small laugh. “Come on, Gus, let’s go find our seats. My dogs are killing me!”
“It was nice seeing you both again,” I said, before they moved on.
Gus put a hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Same to you, son. Don’t be a stranger, and stop by the ranch sometime.”
“I will, thank you, sir. Enjoy your evening.”
Turning to my parents, I asked, “Did you want to find your table? Dad, are you feeling tired?”
“I’m feeling just fine, but I think it might be a good idea to find our table, just in case I do need to sit down.”
Holding my arm out for my mother, I escorted her, as my father walked on her other side. We quickly found their table, but before they could sit down, Ralph and Rachel Mitchel walked over. They owned a ranch near the Wilde family.
“Jacob, how are you feeling? Did you get our basket we sent to the house?” Rachel asked, as she hugged my mother, then my father.