Rising Assets

Now that sounded like Hawk. Melanie slid the potatoes onto a plate. “How badly injured is he?”

  “Some internal bleeding, a broken arm, a head injury, and a generally pissed-off attitude,” Jake said, loping into the kitchen. “Apparently Hawk refused medical help until they transferred him to Montana, and the second he got there, he discharged himself. I finally got ahold of my buddy in Helena, and he gave me the information.”

  Melanie sighed, her mind whirling. “Can Hawk do that without getting in trouble with the military?”

  “Yep.” Jake snaked raw potato. “Hawk was honorably discharged three months ago.”

  “What?” Colt’s head jerked up.

  Jake nodded. “He went back as an independent contractor to assist his old unit with something. None of my contacts know what, but well…”

  It wasn’t a huge secret that Hawk was a sniper. Melanie swallowed. “So he didn’t tell us the truth.”

  “I’ll kick his ass.” Colton shoved a rough hand through his hair. “After he’s healthy.”

  “That seems fair,” Quinn mused.

  “So where the hell is he?” Colton growled, punching in numbers on his cell phone again. “He’s not picking up.”

  Quinn rubbed a hand over his eyes. “If I knew what he was driving, or who was driving him, I’d put out a BOLO. But right now, I have no clue.”

  Juliet wandered into the kitchen, carrying a covered dish. “Sophie is resting in the guest room, and I almost had to tie her down to get her to stay there.” Amusement lifted the redhead’s lips. “But she says she’s feeling better, and the doctor took her off bed rest starting tomorrow.”

  Melanie’s cell phone rang, and she glanced at the screen before excusing herself to the other room.

  “Hello, Mr. Carmichael.” The elderly man owned the ranch to her east and had been one of her grandfather’s best friends.

  “Hi, Mel.” He coughed for a moment. “I thought I should tell you that several of your Black Angus are wandering around the side of Shilly’s Mountain.”

  Dread slammed through her. “Are you sure?”

  “Yep. Used my new binoculars to make out the brand. It’s yours.” Carmichael coughed again. “Damn allergies, and spring isn’t even here yet. So be careful when you head out to fetch the cattle. That mountain ain’t safe for them with the coyotes, wolves, and bears.”

  “True. Thanks, Mr. Carmichael.” She ended the call, her mind spinning. At least five fences had to go down in order for those cows to end up in danger. The winter storms had it out for her.

  Colton poked his head out of the kitchen. “What’s up?”

  She turned. “My western pasture has all downed fences. The Black Angus I had settled there are roaming Shilly’s Mountain.”

  Colton lifted his chin and stepped into the room. “There are at least four fences between the pasture and the mountain.”

  “Five.”

  “How many head?” he asked.

  “About fifty from that pasture.” She took a deep breath. “I have to go.”

  He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. “What’s your plan?”

  “I’m contracting with Hawk’s crew, so I’ll give them a call.” Even though he’d been out of town, Hawk’s crew remained at work.

  Colton nodded. “I assumed you’d call in a crew. But what I’m asking is what the hell you’re planning on doing.”

  She frowned. “They’re my cattle. I’m heading out to round them up.”

  “All by yourself?” His voice dropped to a softness that would provide warning to anybody with a brain.

  She sighed. “You’re miffed I didn’t ask you to help?”

  “Miffed?” Fire lanced through his eyes, highlighting all the different hues of blue.

  She bit back a laugh. “I’ve asked you for help plenty of times, but I figured you’d be busy finding Hawk, and I didn’t want to pull you away from searching. We need to find him and make sure he’s okay.”

  Colton nodded. “I understand. So how about you stay here and help find Hawk, and I’ll head out and gather your cattle. The storm has messed with visibility big-time.”

  She gaped. “Listen, Colt—”

  He held up a hand. “There’s a big storm about to settle right over Shilly’s Mountain, and I’d rather you were safe here. There’s a chance you’re now pregnant with my child, and that’s how it’s going to be.”

  Holy crap. Amusement bubbled up so quickly she snorted. “That’s how it’s going to be.” Turning on her heel, she chuckled as she headed toward the front door. As much as a jackass as he was being, it shouldn’t have surprised her when he grabbed her arm. “Let go of me, or prepare to be a eunuch,” she said quietly.

  He turned her around, conflicting emotions chasing across his hard face. “What if I asked nicely?”

  What if she kicked him squarely in the balls? Man, this new status with Colton, whatever it was, took work. “There’s less than a five percent chance I’m pregnant. Even if I were pregnant, I can work my ranch for several months until I’d need to slow down. Considering we just had sex three nights ago, I think I’m safe riding a damn horse.” She yanked her arm free.

  His stubborn jaw set. “Fine.” Turning slightly, he raised his voice. “Anybody want to go on a cattle hunt?”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Three hours later, Melanie stretched her back atop the stallion, wincing as muscles protested. The snow had slashed down, cold and merciless, for at least an hour. Then the clouds had given the earth a break from the attack, while covering the sun. The world stood still and frozen.

  A new set of dark clouds began to roll over the mountain. Visibility sucked. She’d go to her grave before admitting she’d give almost anything to be back in the warm kitchen eating Loni’s breakfast delight.

  Water dripped from the brim of her hat to her gloves, and she shivered.

  Tom gave her the high sign from the other side of the valley entrance, and she nodded. She’d sent Hawk’s crew to finish rounding cattle from the nearby roads before heading into the final valley. At least five head had been lost, and she needed that money, damn it.

  A bellow echoed before the thunder of hooves ricocheted off the mountains. At least twenty head ran out, chased by Colton and his brothers. If any of the animals tried to veer out of the path, she and Tom needed to chase them back in line.

  But for now, all she could do was stare.

  Colton rode full bore, his stallion churning mud, his long coat flapping in the wind. The brim of his dark hat was pulled low, and meager light highlighted slanted features and dark hollows in his face.

  His chin remained down, his gaze focused on the cattle. The coat emphasized broad shoulders that narrowed to a tight waist. As he passed, the muscles in his thighs clenched the horse.

  On all that was holy, he was magnificent.

  There was nothing sexier than a cowboy riding through a storm, controlling a wild stallion.

  Sure, he was arousing in his suit with his sharp mind-making deals.

  But here, in nature, with him controlling everything wild around him? This was Colton in full force. The more primitive, baser part of his nature.

  He was everything she’d ever wanted.

  Lightning cracked across the mountain, and her mount jumped. In daydreaming, she’d let up on the reins.

  Tightening her legs, she tried to hold on as the horse reared up and then dropped his head.

  Almost in slow motion, she sailed over his head and held her breath until hitting the earth. Mud splashed around her a second before pain radiated down her arm.

  She shook her head, trying to get her bearings.

  As if laughing at her, the sky opened up, and rain began pelting down again.

  Colton reached her first, jumping from his stallion and sliding in the mud and snow on his knees. “Mel?” He leaned in close, studying her face.

  Heat roared through her cheeks. “Oh God,” she groaned.

  He slid his hands down her arms. “Wher
e are you hurt?”

  “I’m not.” Embarrassed as hell, but not hurt. She pushed to stand and winced. “I can’t believe I just fell off a horse.” Because she’d been daydreaming about Colton. God. She’d never live this down.

  “Is she okay?” Tom yelled from the other side.

  Colton nodded and waved him on. He clicked his horse into a trot and followed the other two so they could secure the cattle.

  Melanie wiped mud off her hands. “I’m sorry.”

  Colton eyed her, head to toe, leaving tingles in the wake. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

  “Besides mortification? I’m fine.” Her arm hurt, but it was just a bruise.

  He tilted his hat up in a dangerously sexy way. “It’s stormy, it’s dark, and we’re all tired. It could’ve happened to anybody.”

  Any other man would’ve given her a told you so that she should’ve stayed back at home when he’d asked. Not Colton. He tried to make her feel better even after she’d made such a rookie mistake. She sniffled.

  Alarm lightened his eyes. “Are you crying?”

  “No.” She sniffed again.

  He brushed a kiss across her forehead. “We’ve all been thrown. It happens. At least you didn’t land on your butt and break your tailbone like Jake did. Remember?”

  Her grin came naturally. Jake had been showing off for some girls in high school. “Yes, I remember.”

  “Good.” Colton pressed a proprietary hand to her lower back, steering her to his horse. “Looks like we ride double until we fetch your horse. Keep your hands to yourself, Jacoby.”

  Now that might be tougher than he thought. After seeing him in full action, she wanted nothing more than to get her hands on him.

  His cell phone buzzed, and he yanked it from his back pocket. “What?” Then he stiffened. “Okay. Thanks.” Ending the call, he glanced at Melanie. “They found Hawk passed out in the driver’s seat of a rented SUV on I-90. He’s at Maverick County Hospital right now.”

  …

  Colton paced the tiled hallway, his thoughts churning. Every once in a while, he glanced at Melanie as she sat quietly by his mom in the orange waiting chairs of the hospital. Sophie and Juliet took up the other two chairs, while Jake and their dad stood like anchors near the doorway.

  Mel was too pale, and she kept favoring her right side.

  When she’d been thrown, Colton’s life had flown before his eyes. While he’d always thought that was a stupid cliché, it turns out it really happened.

  He knew any baby in her hadn’t even formed baby parts yet, so there was no way a tumble from a horse could’ve hurt the forming cells. If there were forming cells. Chances weren’t good.

  But Mel could’ve broken her neck.

  Sure, she’d been thrown before. They all had. But now he wanted to smother her in bubble-wrap to keep safe.

  This new caring about somebody he was sleeping with wasn’t nearly as fun as he’d expected.

  The doctor finally came into sight down the long hallway, and Colton met him halfway. “Well?” Colton asked.

  “Your friend hasn’t regained consciousness,” the doctor said, gray eyes tired. “We’ve requested his medical records from the VA hospital and should know more as soon as they arrive.”

  Frustration heated Colt’s esophagus. “Why hasn’t he regained consciousness?”

  “I don’t know.” The doctor rubbed his neck. “Until I see his records, I don’t even know what the underlying injury was. I’d like to do an MRI but need to make sure he doesn’t have any metal in his body. Thus, the need for his records to get here first.”

  “I’ll make sure you have them within the hour,” Jake said, grabbing his cell phone and heading toward the door.

  Loni stood and hurried toward the doctor. “How about Hawk’s other injuries?”

  The doctor nodded. “Your son said Hawk might have internal injuries, and we haven’t seen any evidence of that, so that’s good news. The arm is broken and has been properly set in a cast.”

  Loni slid an arm around Colton’s waist. “The head injury is the main concern, then?”

  “Yes.” The doctor sighed. “As soon as I have an idea of what we’re dealing with, we can figure out a plan of action. Whether to transfer him or seek an expert here. For now, all we can do is wait.”

  Colton nodded. “Great. Also, would you mind checking out my girlfriend’s arm? I think she hurt it when she fell from a horse earlier.”

  All eyes immediately turned his way.

  Melanie paled and then stood.

  Colton frowned. “What?”

  “Did you say girlfriend?” Tom asked with a grin.

  God, had he? Without answering, he turned and followed Melanie from the waiting area, placing a hand on her lower back in support. She stiffened but kept walking.

  “You don’t need to come with me,” she muttered under her breath.

  “Sure, I do.” He propelled her along, not liking how she continued to favor her right side.

  “You don’t trust me to tell you what the doctor says?” she asked.

  “Nope.” Something in him felt guilty for allowing her to get hurt on his watch, which made no sense whatsoever. If Hawk had taken a tumble, Colt wouldn’t feel responsible. But things were different with Mel now, and she was his to protect. If he told her that, she’d rightfully punch him in the face.

  So he steered her into the examining room, hoping nothing was broken.

  She sat on the crinkly paper and gave him a look. “I have to take my shirt off.”

  He grinned. “Why do you think I came?”

  His smart-ass reply had the desired effect of making her smile. “You’re such a perv.”

  “So you already told me.”

  At his reminder of the afternoon in Seattle, a pretty blush wandered across her face. He watched, fascinated. “You have the prettiest skin, Mel.”

  She laughed and then winced. “Stop flirting with me. I’m in pain.”

  He instantly sobered and reached to help with her shirt. “How much pain?”

  “Not enough to have a doctor take a look,” she said.

  Colton took a glance at her arm and stilled. “Holy shit.”

  She looked down. “I told you I was just bruised.”

  Yes, but the bruise extended from her shoulder and down her entire arm in a range of different purples. He gently pulled her arm away from her body to run his fingers along her ribs. They seemed fine.

  The doctor came into the room, and Colton turned around. “She’s just bruised. But if she’s pregnant, would this injury harm a baby?”

  The doctor looked up from a chart to focus on Mel. “How far along?”

  She gripped her hands together. “A few days.”

  The doctor finally cut a smile. “Ah, no. You’re safe.” He leaned in and examined the bruise, as well as her shoulder and ribs. “The bruise is a doozy, but nothing is broken. I recommend rest, aspirin, and a cold compass.” He straightened. “Hawk is still unconscious, but you can take turns sitting with him now.”

  Colt’s gaze met Mel’s worried one. Hawk had to wake up.

  Mel nodded toward the doorway. “You can go first.”

  “Thanks.” He slipped her shirt back over her head and gingerly slid her arm through the slot. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Following the doctor, he forced his face into casual lines in case Hawk had awakened.

  He hadn’t.

  Hawk overwhelmed the hospital bed, all ripped muscle, his eyes closed and his breathing even. Electrodes attached lines from machines to his body, and the beep, beep, beep of the machines continued in a rhythmic cadence.

  Mottled bruises covered every exposed area of his tanned skin. Bruises from fists and what appeared to be a bat.

  Fury spiraled through Colton so fast he nearly swayed. The helicopter story was a fucking lie. He knew a good beating when he saw one, and somebody had beaten the absolute shit out of his oldest friend. As soon as Hawk woke up, they’d go s
eeking justice.

  …

  Melanie studied the soda machine at the hospital’s break room, her mind spinning and her arm aching. Colt had called her his girlfriend to his family. She had seriously mixed feelings about the statement.

  Well, once the thrill of hearing the words had dissipated. Girlfriend. Yeah. That meant they were dating and not just having sex. But girlfriends in Colton’s life had expiration dates on their time with him.

  From the second she’d realized she was in love with him, caution had kicked in. The guy went through women pretty regularly, and she didn’t want any awkwardness with her friends or family when they ended.

  Well, if they ended.

  What if they didn’t end? Her mind could easily spin with daydreams of happily ever after with Colton. He wasn’t an easy guy, but if he gave his heart, it’d be once and it’d be completely.

  A rustle sounded by the doorway, and Sheriff Quinn Lodge strode inside. His black hat was pulled low over his handsome face, and he still wore the long coat from riding earlier. “What are you doing in here?”

  She shrugged and looked at the closest person she had to an older brother. “Trying to figure out how to make Colton fall in love with me.”

  Quinn lifted both eyebrows. “I’d bet he’s already in love with you. Who wouldn’t be?”

  Melanie grinned. “You’re biased.”

  “Of course I am.” Quinn smiled. “Jake said Colton called you his girlfriend out there. Want me to beat him up for making the assumption?”

  What a sweet offer. “Nah. If he needs a beating, I’ll take care of it.” She sighed. “I just don’t want everything to change.”

  “Change is good, Mel.” Quinn tossed his hat on a nearby table. “Usually. Any word on Hawk?”

  “No.”

  Quinn frowned, worry lining his face. He had his mama’s dark eyes and hair, but his large build must’ve been from his daddy. “Hawk is tough. He’ll be okay.”

  “I know.”

  Quinn leaned and peered at the machine. “Do you have a dollar I can borrow?”

  She snorted and dropped quarters in his hand so he could buy a Pepsi. “Thanks for everything, Quinn.”

  He headed for the door and turned around to shoot her a quick grin after fetching his wet hat from the table. “I’m just getting started.” Then he disappeared from sight.