Colters' Lady (Colters' Legacy #2)(33)

“I just met Dillon. There is an obvious attraction there, but I have to know. He has to know. We all have to know,” she added for emphasis. “You asked for a chance, and I agreed to give you that chance, but we all have to make sure this is right.”

Seth pulled her into his arms, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Way to turn my words back on me. I just worry. I want you safe.” He glanced sideways at his brother but there was no heat in his gaze. “Dillon’s a maniac. I don’t want him to get you killed.”

Dillon smirked and rolled his eyes. “C’mon, big brother. Let her go. You were the one preaching time and patience and how we need to do this and that. Time to walk the talk.”

Seth kissed her but relinquished her without further argument. “I’ll meet you at Michael’s later, okay?”

She nodded and smiled. Dillon looked over at her and then gestured toward his truck. “You ready?”

She took a deep breath and started toward Dillon’s flashy red Dodge truck. She glanced back at Seth and their gazes connected for one last moment before she slid into the passenger seat of Dillon’s vehicle.

Chapter Fifteen

Lily cast sideways glances at Dillon as they drove into town but never could figure out anything to say, so she remained silent.

She had that nervous, edgy feeling like people got on first dates, and she supposed for all practical purposes this was.

She kept expecting him to initiate conversation. She figured he had any number of questions about her. His brothers had to have filled him in on how they met her and the circumstances of her life. But he never said a word. She didn’t know if she was grateful or if she was annoyed he wasn’t more curious about her.

Then she had to stifle her laughter. No, she wasn’t ready to divulge the reasons why she’d been homeless, and she should be grateful they seemed willing to wait. They didn’t press, and maybe that’s why she was willing to venture down this unconventional path with them.

She’d been reassured after meeting the Colter family. She’d been wildly curious and apprehensive, knowing the dynamics of their relationship beforehand. But they’d made it seem so normal. So acceptable. It was obvious that the older Colter men adored Holly and that they were at ease with their relationship.

Maybe she’d expected tension. Jealousy. Something overt to signal disquiet with the arrangement. Instead she’d walked into a very normal household and been surrounded by the feeling of warmth and love. And happiness. True contentment, and maybe that was the biggest draw of all for her.

She was ready to move forward. Put away the awful guilt and grief that had been a daily battle for so long now. How much time had passed? She found that time had little meaning when the goal was just to survive another day on the streets.

But that wasn’t her life. It hadn’t been. It had been her choice to walk away even though at the time she hadn’t felt or wanted to feel any alternative.

It seemed silly to her now, and she was a little shamed by her willingness to simply give up. Could anyone possibly understand the impetus for her actions?

Maybe it was time to close that chapter on her life and open the door to another. All she could do was try.

Dillon drove down the main street of Clyde, passed his pub and turned onto a paved road that climbed above the town. It turned to dirt and rock after a mile or so, and she looked curiously around as they rode higher.

“You live up here?” she asked.

He nodded. “It’s not much, but it suits me.”

They rounded the bend and the road dead-ended into a clearing. She caught her breath as she saw the gorgeous cabin. There was maybe an acre of cleared grassy area broken up by rocks, but the area beyond was densely forested, a mixture of aspens and pine.

“Not much? It’s beautiful!”

He cast her a sideways smile. “Glad you like it. Want to have a look around before I pull the bike out?”

She nodded eagerly and opened her door. The first thing she became aware of was the silence. Only the occasional rustle of tree limbs from a gentle breeze disturbed the peace and tranquility that blanketed the area.

She inhaled deeply, enjoying the crisp pine-scented air. Not waiting for Dillon, she wandered forward, drawn to the cedar porch and the rocking chair that swayed gently every time a breeze blew through. As she got closer, she heard the light creaking noise the chair made. She paused at the steps and drank in the homey, rustic feel of the house, felt it wrap around her and draw her closer.

Dillon came to stand beside her and curled his arm around her waist. “This is it, home sweet home, or the bachelor pad as my mom calls it.”

“It’s awfully big to be a bachelor pad. I can’t wait to see the inside.”

He took her up the steps and opened the door then gestured for her to go ahead of him.

“You don’t lock your door?” she asked.

He smiled. “No reason here. No one comes up unless they’re here to visit. I’m the only person who lives on this road. I had to have the second half built for access.”

She glanced around the living room and was taken by the richness of the woodwork and the large stone fireplace that was the centerpiece of the cozy area.

“It all looks custom. Did you have it designed and built to spec?”

A hint of color dusted his cheeks. “I did it all myself. Well, the dads helped me, but I designed it and did most of the woodwork myself. Took me two years, but it’s exactly as I wanted it.”