Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(105)

But they could all use a little levity. “So, do we give each other a big group hug now, or what?”


Cord said, “I vote for the ‘or what’ option.”


“Meaning?”


“Let’s dick with Cam. I’m beginnin’ to think our little brother feels left out of our family dramas.”


Colby scratched his chin. “You know, we have been treatin’ him with kid gloves since he settled back here. Maybe it’s time we…”


“What?”


“Take the gloves off,” Cord and Colby finished together.


Colt grinned. “I’m in.”


***


Colt returned home hours later to find the light on his answering machine flashing. Probably a telemarketer. Most everyone he wanted to talk to called his cell. He hit play anyway.


Two messages.


“Colt. It’s India. Look, I’m going to be really busy the next couple of days. I hope you understand it’d be best if we just did our own thing until the weekend. I’ll call you then.”


Beep.


He hit pause on the machine and dialed India’s cell. She picked up on the second ring. “Hello?”


“What the hell is this? You’re too busy to see me all week?”


“I explained in the message.”


“Like hell you did. What’s really going on, India?”


Silence.


“I know you’re there.”


“I need a break.”


“From me?”


“From you, from us, from this…”


“How long is this break gonna last? Or is it a permanent break?”


“No! God no. I swear to you, I just need some time alone to think.” She paused. “Don’t you ever need that?”


Yeah, he did. Didn’t mean he liked it. “So do you have an end date in mind for this moratorium on seein’ each other?”


“How about Thursday?”


He bit back a growl. “Fine.”


“I won’t be at the meeting tomorrow night either.”


There went that plan. “Can I at least call you?”


“No. Thursday is not that far away, Colt, I think you’ll survive not talking to me for two days.” Softly, she said, “I’ll miss you.


Take care,” and hung up.


“Goddammit.” He hated this. Especially since he didn’t know what’d sent her into full retreat.


His family? Maybe.


Or maybe…he’d spooked her by his intent to tell her he loved her last night, before she’d stopped him. Why would that scare her?


She had to know how he felt.


Guess he’d have to wait until Thursday to find out.


The message light still blinked. He hit play. “Hi, Colt, it’s Ginger Paulson. I don’t know if you remember me, but we met a couple weeks back at the community center? My son Hayden was in a class and we talked when I picked him up? Anyway, if you could call me back, I’d appreciate it. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.” She rattled off the number and he scrawled it on the scratch pad by the phone.



Yeah, he remembered her all right. The redhead. He dialed her number. “Ginger? It’s Colt McKay. What can I do for you?” He waited while she explained. A big grin broke out when she finished.