Freedom Ranch

Chapter 12

Colt set aside a plate of warm breakfast for Dakota and a cup of coffee. She was sleeping in longer than usual this morning which he suspected she needed after last night. He also wanted to slip outside and start working before she woke up. He wasn't oblivious to her wandering eyes last night or her tank top that hugged her in all the right places.

He shook his head and focused on what he needed to do. He stepped out of the warm house and picked up the snow shovel he had set by the door last night. He worked his way across the wrap around porch before taking on the big plow jobs that required the truck. As he finished the driveway, a vibration in his coat pocket made him throw the truck in park. He pulled out his cell phone assuming Dakota had woken up and texted him. He groaned when he saw who it really was. 

"Regina," he mumbled, not even looking at the text message. 

He shoved the cell phone back in his pocket wanting to work more than ever to busy his mind. He finished plowing before wandered down to the horses to check on them. Dakota was shuffling from one pen to the next already. He walked past her and into the barn, wanting to keep some distance between them for now. The disorganized tools and equipment towards the back of the barn seemed to be the logical task to take on. He rummaged through the various metal and wood, making neat piles in the process.

"Thank you for breakfast, Colt."

Colt raised his head so quickly it was a miracle he didn't knock himself out with the low lying shelf above him. He turned to see Dakota standing at the doorway of the storage room. 

"And, thank you for last night. I don't think I said that when I should have," she said quietly.

"Your welcome on both parts."

They both stared silently at one another for a moment. 

"How did you sleep afterward?" asked Colt, breaking the awkward tension.

"Actually, pretty good. You?"

"Great," lied Colt.

He could never tell Dakota the truth. He had made a few excuses in the night to pass by her room. Just to make sure he could hear her sleep peacefully. In fact, he heard her snore at one time which he thought was cute. 

"Well, I'm going to head back to feed the horses. I'll see you inside when you're done I suppose."

As Colt watched Dakota turn to leave, he felt his pocket vibrate again. He didn't even bother pulling out his cell phone this time. Veronica went through these phases of texting him excessively. He didn't want to deal with her drama today. He had enough to worry about between work and Dakota's ex in town. He went back to organizing the tools in front of him when his phone started to ring. Colt pulled out his phone to see he had missed seven text messages and one other phone call. All from the same person.

"Yes," he answered with a sigh. 

"I was worried something had happened to you when you didn't respond," said Regina's voice on the other line. 

Colt rolled his eyes and went straight to the point, "What do you want?"

"Rob left me."

He snorted, hoping she could hear his reply through the phone. She droned on and on the whole story. As always, it wasn't her fault. It was always the other man. He had heard this story before being on the receiving end of it years ago. He continued to work as she rattled on about all of Rob's faults. The conversation soon grew into a pity session, as always. Her and her son was struggling. This is why she always called. 

"So you need money? That's why you called," said Colt irritably.

"We have a history. You can't deny that."

"I never have denied it. It's history. It stays in the past where it belongs."

"What about Gabriel?"

"I haven't heard from you in almost two years and you are going to pull the kid into this? He's not even mine. I only stayed with you when I thought he was."

"You raised him!"

"And, how many other men have over the years? I haven't even spoken to him in almost a decade. Look, Regina, I don't have time for this. I've got work to do before more snow moves in."

"Snow? Where are you? You mean you aren't in Texas anymore? You aren't close to home?"

"No. I'm not. Call your Mom. She always helps you out."

"But, she won't understand."

"Neither do I but your Mom should always be your first call. Not me. Goodbye."

Colt hung up not wanting her to eat up another hour of his time arguing. He turned off his phone before she could call back or send him any other long messages of pity. He was sure this wasn't the end of it but he had work to do. 

*****

Colt dragged his feet up the porch and started to shell off his coat when the back door opened. 

"I made some lunch if you're hungry," said Dakota with a smile.

"Starving," replied Colt as he kicked his boots to the side.

She pushed a plate closer to him on the island before going back to shoveling food in her mouth. He smirked as he watched her unapologetically eat to her heart's content. He liked that about her. No fussing over how she looked or acted. What you see is what you get. That was definitely Dakota Taylor. The thrown back hair, beaten cowboy boots, and working hands were just the opposite of what he picked up at the bar. 

"I tried to call you earlier to let you know food was on the table but it went straight to voicemail," said Dakota as she put her empty plate in the sink.

"Sorry about that. I was tired of Regina bothering me."

"Oh, one of the many girls you take home from the bar?"

"Just the opposite. A girl I should have never taken home."

Dakota gave a confused look trying to decipher Colt's words. He sighed and replied, "My ex wife many years ago."

"Oh," said Dakota as her face dropped.

"Don't worry. I'll turn my phone back on. I just needed a break from her for awhile."

He could see that Dakota wanted to ask questions but didn't voice them. The landline phone on the wall interrupted his thoughts as it started ringing. 

"That thing actually works?" asked Colt in bewilderment.

Dakota rolled her eyes and answered the phone with a small smirk playing on her lips. Colt turned to leave but stopped in mid-stride when he heard her voice change tone.

"Are you sure? It was him?"

Colt sat down on the bar stool and listened intently as he watched her body language change. Her shoulders grew stiffer as she continued to talk on the phone in a strained voice. 

"Thank you for calling. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Yes. Colt is here too."

She paused a moment as she listened. Her eyes went to the ceiling in annoyance as she groaned, "Yes, I'll tell him. Thank you again for calling.". 

She put the phone on the receiver before turning to Colt. He could see she was struggling not to roll her eyes again which made him smirk in response.

"One of my dad's friends," she mumbled.

"About Colin?" 

Dakota nodded in response.

"Anything I need to know?"

"He was seen in town asking around for me. I guess it's a good thing I'm never in town," she replied as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall next to her.

"Maybe I should try to scare him off. It's better than sitting around here waiting for something to happen."

"He thought so too. That is what I was suppose to tell you. But, I promise, I'm fine. No one, especially not a man, needs to think they can save me."

"What about a friend that wants to help?"

Dakota paused for a moment. He could see she was surprised as her eyes softened for a moment as she considered his words. 

"I guess," she mumbled.

"Great. Tonight put your good boots on. We are going out!."

Dakota's mouth dropped in surprise. Colt didn't even bother trying to hold back his excitement. He could feel his cheeks grow tighter as the Cheshire Cat smile continued to grow. 

"I don't go out, Colt. Last time you saw me, that was a rare occasion when I knew the bar was dead."

"I can't go out and risk something happening to you while I'm gone. You can sit in a dark, secluded corner with no one around."

"Sure. I'll do that here with locked doors and my guns. I'm safer here. Besides, this is last minute plans. I'm not ready."

"Didn't you already get all your chores done? We worked hard yesterday to prepare for this. Is there anything else you need to do?"

Dakota moved from one leg to another, clearly uncomfortable to admit Colt was right.

"You have plenty of time to get ready. And, I'm going with you. It's not like you are going alone."

After a long pause, Dakota asked, "Where are we going? How should I dress?".

"We are going to town to hit up a few bars. I might be able to catch him there."

"What if he sees me?"

"I'll knock him clear to Texas if he tries anything."

Dakota raised an eyebrow. He could see a glimmer of appreciation even if she didn't want to admit it. 

"Fine. I guess I'll get all dressed up then," she mumbled as she escaped to her room.

Colt waited until she shut the bedroom door before punching the air in excitement. He had been wanting to go out without worrying about her since he got here. This was his chance. He retreated to his room and stopped in mid-stride to the closet. 

Was he ecstatic about going out worry free or going out with her? He groaned to himself as he pushed the latter part out of his mind. He couldn't be thinking about that. Especially when it came to his boss, who was a decade younger than him, and made it known she didn't need a man to complete her. He couldn't blame her after what the last one did to her.