Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(108)

“Look, India. That might’ve come off sounding a little harsh. I like you. I always have. I just want you to understand not to take it personally when Colt—”


“What? Moves on? Decides he’d prefer a sturdy, native Wyoming ranch woman to a tattooed, pierced freakshow like me?”


India leaned across the counter. “That way of thinking is exactly why he’s distanced himself from your family. None of you know him anymore, nor have you taken the time to get to know him. And that is just plain sad.”


“How are we supposed to get to know him if he’s with you all the time?”


“Who Colt chooses to spend his time with is his business. Is that what this is about? He’s choosing me over you?”


A startled look darted across Carolyn’s face. Her eyes teared up.


“But the thing is, he’s not always choosing me. He has a life you don’t even know about. A life that has nothing to do with the ranch.”


Carolyn’s mouth opened to protest. India stopped it with a wave of her hand.


“Did you know Colt plays in a charity basketball tournament a couple times a year? Did any of you bother going to cheer him on?


No. Did you know he takes boys in the Little Buddies program horseback riding on his land? So he can talk to them one on one about staying away from drugs and alcohol? No. And he did go to a dance, a community dance. For charity. Were any of the McKays, besides Colt and Buck—”


“Are you talking about the dance Colt brought a date to? A nice girl who he embarrassed when he was found in a janitor’s closet with…you? Trust me, we heard all about that one. Just like we’ve heard about all the rest of his sexual escapades for the last twenty years.”


India felt all the blood drain from her face.


Carolyn’s eyes went wide as if she were surprised she’d spoken out loud. “I’m sorry, that didn’t come out right. I’m just frustrated.


None of my boys are talking to each other or to me. And I thought…”


“If you warned me to stay away from Colt it might fix your family problems?”


“Heavens no. I’m warning you to expect that type of response and attitude from people around here, who always expect the worst from the wild McKays. I’m afraid there’s more than a little trouble that’ll come your way if you are involved with my son.”


“I welcome it.” She pushed back from the counter. “If you’ll excuse me, Mrs. McKay, I have a tattoo customer scheduled that I need to get ready for.”


India spun on her heel and managed to walk to the backroom with dignity she didn’t feel.


***


A whispered voice pierced the silence and darkness.


“You ready?”


“Ready for what? What’s happening?”


“You know.”


“No, I don’t. What’s going on? Where am I? Indy? Is this some kind of sex game, sugar? Because I can’t see it to enjoy it.”


A slice of awareness glimmered on the edges of his subconscious.



Colt couldn’t move. It felt like a thick rope was wound around his body from his shoulders to his knees.


Where was he? At the ranch? He heard laughter. Smelled dust and coffee. He stomped his feet. It wasn’t dirt beneath his boots but concrete.


Strong hands grabbed him by the arms and dragged him. His heart nearly beat out of his chest. “Okay, enough of the rough stuff.