Hawk rolled down his window. “Mel’s all grown up. How do you feel about her marrying somebody else and building a life?”
A possessive edge cut through Colt and brought him up short. “Marry?”
“Sure. She’s a sweetie, and hot to boot. She’ll get married and settle down.”
Colton frowned, not liking the panic heating his blood. “Humph.”
“I figured you hadn’t thought it out.” Hawk leaned an elbow on the window. “You might want to do so.”
Colton’s mind spun. “I’ll give it some thought. For now, what do you think about Melanie working to oversee the construction of the gyms as her part of the start-up costs?”
“Great idea.” Hawk peered through the windshield as the sun finally appeared.
“She doesn’t have experience,” Colt said.
“So?”
Colton nodded. “She’ll look out for our interests, and the contractors I’ll hire will have experience.”
Hawk nodded solemnly. “I’d feel better with Melanie keeping an eye on things.”
Now that was a friend. “Me too. Um, I think something’s going on money-wise with her.”
“More than the ranch and her grandpop’s bills?”
“Yes.” Colton rubbed his eye. Melanie wouldn’t spend money frivolously or just lose it. Something had to be going on.
“Ask her.”
“I did.”
“Then give her some space. She’ll ask for help when she needs it.” Hawk wiped condensation off the window.
“Maybe.” Colton shook his head. He wasn’t great at giving space—never had been.
Hawk chuckled. “When are you breaking ground on your new house?”
Colton shrugged. He’d been planning to build a house on the other side of the ranch and was now living in one of the small cabins skirting the west side. It suited him as he got settled. “Not until we get the gyms going.” His plan made sense, and he’d stick with it.
“Do you think Mel will agree to supervise the construction?”
“Yes.” Now all Colton had to do was convince Mel she was needed, and she truly was. He needed her to stay healthy, relax, and make some money…and her watching over the construction would be an added bonus. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck,” Hawk drawled.
Colton ignored the amusement in his friend’s voice. He’d convince Melanie to oversee the construction, and they’d go back to being buddies like always.
How hard could it be?
…
Melanie bussed coffee cups from another table, her mind still spinning. She’d kissed Colton. He’d kissed her.
Boy, had he kissed her.
“Hi, Melanie,” a chipper voice said.
Melanie turned to see Colt’s young niece standing behind her. “Hi, Leila. I just cleared a table for you.”
Leila shook out her long hair. “I got a haircut. See?”
Melanie smiled and shared a look with Leila’s grandmother, Loni. “You look beautiful, sweetheart,” she said.
“Thanks.” Leila slipped into the nearest seat. “Uncle Colt is taking me to the movies tonight. Do you wanna go?”
Heat flushed through Mel until her cheeks ached. “I would, but I have plans.” Somewhat true. Since she had the night off, she planned on cleaning her house and catching up on laundry. Even watching a movie if she had time to rent one.
“You gotta date?” Leila asked.
“Nope.” Melanie straightened her back, her vertebra cracking. “What can I get you two?”
Loni reached out to brush a motherly hand across Melanie’s forehead. “You look flushed. Feeling okay?”
Sure. Except Loni’s youngest son had kissed Melanie senseless the night before. She forced a grin to the woman who’d stepped in years ago and taken Mel bra shopping when her grandfather had needed assistance. At that point, noticing how lonely the teenaged girl was, Loni had checked in often. “I’m fine. Just bustling around,” Mel said.
Loni’s black eyes sparkled in her pretty face, her Native American heritage creating an interesting combination of smooth angles. “Good. I’ve been worried about you working so much.”
Not for the first time, Melanie wondered about her own mother. What would it be like to have such concern for every hour of every day? She cleared her throat. “Hey, Loni. I wanted to say thanks.”
Loni lifted her head, dark eyes wise. “For what?”
Melanie shook her head. “For being there for me…always. I needed you, and you were there.”
Loni patted her hand. “Of course I was there…we’re family.”
Yet they weren’t. Not really. “I know.” Melanie smoothed down Leila’s dark hair. The eight-year-old had inherited her grandmother’s delicate build and thick hair.
Leila grinned. “When are we gonna have another Grease marathon at your place?”
Melanie laughed. “Any time, and you know it. This time we can sing along loudly because I bought the karaoke system we found on the internet. Now, what can I get you two?”
The outside door clanged, and the air changed. Not in a perceptible way, but with a way that raised the hair on Melanie’s arm. She knew who’d walked in before she turned around.
Her heart dropped to her knees.
Colton walked in dressed in a full blue suit with striped power tie.
She gulped, her hands clutching on the rag. They’d known each other their entire lives, and she’d never seen him in a full suit. Even for school dances, he’d looked more cowboy than savant.
Today he looked like exactly what he’d become: one of the most influential and powerful financial geniuses in the Pacific Northwest. His hair was ruffled, enhancing the perfect angles of his handsome face. A powerful build filled out a suit costing more than her beat-up pickup.
His ideal mate definitely wore designer heels and not scuffed cowboy boots. The chick probably even spoke French. Or Italian. Or some fancy language that educated people knew.
His gaze warmed when it raked her. “Morning, Mel.”
Shivers cascaded through her stomach. “Mornin’.” Why the hell was she looking at him so differently? One kiss, one that was a colossal mistake, shouldn’t change anything.
The kiss hadn’t changed anything, damn it.
He nodded at Kurt behind the counter. “To go today, thanks.”
Kurt tipped his bushy head and ducked to steam some milk.
Colton pressed a kiss to his mom’s cheek and reached to drag Leila up for a hug. “How’s my favorite girl today? Ready for our date?”
Leila smacked him noisily on the nose. “Maybe.”
Colt’s eyebrows lifted. “Maybe?”
Leila pouted. “I don’t know.”
Mel cleared her throat, and when Colton glanced her way, she tugged on her hair.
Colt grinned and snuggled his niece closer. “But you have such a new pretty haircut. We have to go out and show it off.”
Leila gasped in delight. “You noticed.”
“Of course—you look all grown up.” He settled her back in her seat and mouthed a thank you to Mel.
A pang shot through Melanie. Someday Colton would have kids and a life of his own, and she’d be relegated to the status of old friend. A surprising hurt spiraled through her.
“You okay?” Colton asked.
“Sure.” Melanie smiled as Kurt sauntered over to hand Colton his drink.
“Good.” Colton slid cash to Kurt and kept his focus on Melanie. “Because I was wondering if you’d mind driving into Billings to the office today—perhaps for lunch? I have a business proposition for you.”
“What a lovely idea,” Loni said with a smile.
Melanie narrowed her gaze. Loni and Leila being in the coffee shop simultaneously with Colton was no accident. The manipulative man had arranged the situation. “Oh, I—”
“I already know you have the night off, and I sent one of our crews to take care of your downed fences today.” The smile Colton flashed was filled fu
ll of dare. “So I think you have time.”
Irritation slivered across her skin, but she couldn’t very well let him have it in front of his mother. “But I—”
“Oh,” Loni exclaimed, digging into her purse. “Since you’re going into Billings, would you do me a huge favor and return this brooch to Jillison’s jewelry store? I would go, but I’m not up to par today, and today is the last day I can return the piece for full value.”
Melanie faltered as she accepted the high-end bag and took a good look at Loni.
She looked great. Fantastic, even. Bright eyes, good color, sweet smile.
Even so, there was no way Melanie could refuse. “Of course. I’m happy to help.” She’d planned to go into the city at the end of the week for an appointment, so maybe she could change the day, anyway. She shot Colton a look promising retribution, and his smile widened.
“It’s a lunch date, then.” Amusement twinkled in his blue eyes. “I will see you ladies later.”
Melanie forced a smile as he loped from the coffee shop. She had just been expertly maneuvered by the best. And…had he said date?
Chapter Four
Colt shoved a stack of manila file folders to the side of his desk, his mind on emerging markets. He’d invested the family holdings heavily in a start-up green science company out of Seattle, and six months ago, he’d been convinced it was a good idea. It had fit his grand plan perfectly.
Now he wasn’t so sure, although the owner was a buddy from college. Had Colton invested too much? He’d been so confident—maybe to the point of cockiness?
Colton had still been in school, although he’d unofficially taken over for his father as CEO of the company long ago. Now his dad took care of the main ranch and enjoyed semi-retirement with Loni.
Colton pressed both hands against the heavy wooden desk. How many times had he played around it while his father had worked deals sitting in the very chair Colton sat in? How many school reports had he finished in the office, always enjoying the dealing and financial aspects?
His dad and Jake and Quinn’s dad had been business partners long ago. In fact, the desk had originally belonged to the boys’ father. He’d died in a snowmobile accident when the boys were young, and after a couple of years, Tom and Loni had fallen in love, gotten married, and had two more kids—Colton and Dawn.
They’d combined the ranches and family business into one. One that rested on Colton’s shoulders. For now. In a couple of months, Dawn would graduate with yet another degree, this one in business. She planned on studying overseas for one more year, and then she was coming on board. Their little sister loved school.
A blond head poked inside his door. “Mr. Freeze? Your sisters-in-law are here to see you.”
Colton glanced up at his new secretary with a grin. They had to be about the same age, and the formality had to go. “Thanks, Anne. And please…call me Colton. The mister makes me feel old and decrepit.”
Anne smiled. “Fair enough. I’ll send them in.” She disappeared from view.
Sophie, Jake’s wife, was the first through the door, all energy, even in her fifth month of pregnancy. “Hey, bro. We were in town shopping, and I thought I’d drag you to lunch since Juliet has to get back to the art gallery.” Her wispy blond hair feathered around a cute, pixie face.
Juliet followed gracefully behind Sophie, her red hair curling around her shoulders. She’d married Quinn last year, and her calm nature made the sheriff relax in a way he hadn’t in eons. She glanced around the stately office. “Are you going to decorate more to your tastes?”
Colton frowned and looked around at the paintings that had adorned the walls for decades. “Probably not. Although…I’m thinking of moving headquarters to Mineral Lake.”
Sophie clapped her hands together. “Great idea.”
Juliet pursed her lips. “With the internet and so many people working from home, there’s no reason you’d have to drive to the city. When are you thinking about moving?”
He shrugged. “I wanted to talk to the family first, but I was thinking within the year.”
“That’s a great plan.” Sophie bounced up on the balls of her feet. “Now come feed a starving pregnant lady, would you?”
He grinned and crossed around the desk. “Melanie should be here in a few moments, so why don’t we wait for her?” Then he could butter Mel up with good food before hitting her with his business proposal.
Sophie’s eyebrows lifted. “Mel’s coming into town?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” Sophie slipped an arm through Juliet’s. “Well, now. In that case, I’ll just grab something on the way home.” She started dragging Juliet from the office. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”
Colton hustled to follow them to the doorway. “You’re not imposing.” Not that Sophie had any problem inserting herself in any situation if she deemed it appropriate. “Mel should be here any minute.”
“No, no, no.” Sophie waved as they reached the outside door.
Juliet halted their progress and looked down several inches at Sophie. “You have a day this week in the town pool, don’t you?”
Sophie snorted. “Of course not.”
Juliet glanced toward Colt, her eyes sparkling. “I think we should accompany them to lunch.”
“Nah.” Sophie tugged harder. “I know you have sometime in next month for their get-together date.”
Juliet’s eyes widened. “I most certainly do not.”
Sophie laughed. “When you lie, you sound like a countess.”
Colton shot them both a hard stare. “Please tell me you’re not in on some Maverick County bet that involves me.”
“Nope,” they said in unison.
Sophie won the struggle and yanked open the door. “The bet only involves the town of Mineral Lake and not the whole county. Bye, Colt. I’ll talk to you later.” The door closed behind them.
He had to find out more about this stupid town pool. Colton cut a look at Anne. “That was interesting.”
Anne smiled, all professional. “Your sister-in-law has a lot of energy.”
Now that was the truth. Scratching his head, Colton turned back toward the stacks of work on his desk. “When Melanie Jacoby gets here, please send her in. Thanks.”
The entire town of Mineral Lake needed to get the heck out of his business.
…
Melanie wiped damp palms along her faded jeans. She should’ve worn a dress, but jeans were her normal look. Yet as she entered the stately brick building that housed Lodge-Freeze Enterprises, she wished for a different style.
One that fit with a gazillionaire like Colton.
Then she shook her head. Man. They’d been friends since preschool, and he knew everything about her. Well, almost. He didn’t give one hoot how she dressed.
She pushed open the door and stopped short.
“Hi,” said a gorgeous blonde from behind an antique desk.
Yeah. Melanie’s biggest nightmare skirted the desk in a pretty pink suit, green eyes sparkling, hair perfectly styled. Colton’s exact type, right down to the plus-sized boobs.
“You must be Melanie,” the stunning woman said.
“Yes.” She held out a hand to shake. The woman’s manicure matched the smooth suit. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too. I’m Anne, the office manager slash secretary slash receptionist.” The woman gestured Melanie toward a plush chair in a stylish waiting room. “Colt said to send you right in, but he’s on the phone with a broker from Taiwan—something about emerging markets—so how about I give you a heads-up when he’s finished?” The smile was genuine and the tone gentle.
“Thanks.” Melanie tried not to leave boot marks in the thick carpet as she crossed to take a seat. Next to Anne’s style, Mel looked like a cousin from the freakin’ boonies. From that branch of the family tree.
“I love your boots.” Anne leaned over for a better look. “Where did you get them?”
Mel glanced down at the Lucchese hand-tool
ed boots. “My grandfather gave them to me for my birthday a few years back.”
Anne smiled. “They’re amazing.”
Yeah, they were. Melanie smiled her thanks. What the heck? The perfect blonde who was lucky enough to work with Colt all day needed to be snotty or arrogant, not nice. Melanie wanted to dislike her. A lot. Instead, she was very much afraid she’d just made another friend.
The outer door opened and a miniature bundle of pure energy ran inside. “Mama!”
Anne stood, her eyes widening. “Tyler. What’s going on?”
A robust woman followed through the doorway, a kid’s backpack over one shoulder, a stack of haphazard papers in her hands. “I’m so sorry, Anne, but my daughter was in a car accident, and I need to go to Seattle. Immediately.” The woman dropped the bag on Anne’s desk and turned back to the door. “I’m so sorry.”
Anne gulped. “It’s okay. Let me know how your daughter is.”
The woman left.
Anne swallowed, turning pale. Her lips faltered as she smiled. “So it’s you and me today, baby.”
Tyler smiled and nodded before zeroing in on Melanie. “I’m Tyler. I’m three.”
Melanie grinned at the little cherub. He had his mom’s green eyes and spiky, crazy blond hair. Pudgy cheeks showed a couple of dimples. “I’m Mel.”
Colton’s door opened and he stepped outside.
Anne hurried around the desk. “Mr. Freeze, I’m so sorry, but my day care lady had an emergency.” She brushed hair from her face. “I know this isn’t a place for kids—”
“Tyler,” Colton said with a grin. “Dude. How’s it going?”
Tyler launched himself at Colt, who swung him up in a wide arc. “Good. I ate goldfish.”
“Yum.” Colton tucked the toddler more securely into his side. “Tell your mama to call me Colt, and tell her you can work here any day. Always.”
The moment hit Melanie square in the abdomen. Colton was a natural with kids; in fact, he was a natural with this one.
Anne fluttered her hands. “It’s just that—”
Colt rolled his eyes and set Tyler on the desk. “Stop sweating the small stuff, Anne. Kids have always run amuck in this office, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”