Branded as Trouble (Rough Riders #6)(94)

“That’s good to know.”


“Although, you drive that motorcycle too damn fast.”


India flashed him a cheeky smile. “You’ll have to catch me first to prove that, copper.”


Cam laughed.


“So you’re keeping your torpedo launcher away from me…because you think I’m gonna keep Colt on the straight and narrow?”


“No. It’s Colt’s responsibility to stay on the straight and narrow, not yours. Despite the fact you two wage war over the dumbest shit, and fight just so you can make up, you’re good for him. You’re a good person, Indy. A lot of the people in his past haven’t been, including some people in his family. He deserves a woman who understands him. Who sees his past and doesn’t judge him for it. Who sees him as the man he is now, not who he used to be.”


“Amen. Maybe you oughta share that insight with your family.”


“Believe me, I’ve tried.”


The porch door banged and Colt stepped out. “Hey. What’re you doin’ out here without a coat on?”


“Just thinking.” She wouldn’t out Cam. If he wanted to pipe up, that was his business. “It got a little stuffy in there.”


“I understand that. You okay?”


No. I could use a big, stiff drink. “Of course.”


“Good. Come on, supper’s ready.”


Of course.


She’d never admit a fallacy. Instead, she’d just slap on a happy face even if she was bleeding on the inside.


India was like that in A.A. too. Willing to deal with other people’s issues, while skirting her own. Did she ever feel…overwhelmed? Did she ever have that urge to drink until she passed out?


Probably not. Of all the people Colt knew, India seemed to have the addiction thing whipped. She had total control of her demons and some days he wished he was as confident in his sobriety as she was.


No one noticed India’s quiet demeanor at the supper table. She smiled. Laughed in all the right places but that restrained laughter never reached her eyes.


The only time a portion of the mask slipped was when she watched his nephews. A wistful look would soften her features. The same look she got watching her nieces. But if Colt let on he’d noticed? He knew her back would snap straight. Directly followed by a determined lifting of that elfin chin.


It drove him insane she had to act so freakin’ tough all the time when he knew she wasn’t.


When the kids began to get restless and whiny, Colt took it as a sign for them to leave.


After five minutes of silence cruising down the gravel road, he said, “Sorry you had a sucky time.”


“I didn’t have a sucky time. Why’d you think that?”


“Because you were awful quiet.”


“It’s sort of hard to get a word in edgewise with your family, so you can hardly blame me.”


“Blame you? For what?” Colt slammed on the brakes and threw it into park in the middle of the gravel road. “For Christsake, India, will you at least be honest with me?”


“Hey! Do you mind giving warning next time so I can brace myself for whiplash?”


“Funny, I was just thinkin’ the neckline on that shirt makes it look like you’re already wearing a neck brace.”


“Since when do you critique my clothing?”