Page 19 of Blame It On Midnight

“He’s got a lot of baggage.” Jo’s face softened. “His ex is making waves.”

“Nora’s mom.”

Jo nodded. “I’m not from Big Bend, so I don’t know her well, but working in a bar, you hear things.”

“What kind of things?” Collins was curious. She didn’t know much about the situation.

“I don’t like to gossip, so all I’ll say is that if you’ve got your cap set on Benton, you need to be real careful. They have a lot of history, and her having a boyfriend doesn’t mean much. I think she’d drop him in a hot minute if Benton would take her back.”

Collins had never shied away from competition, but even she knew that as the mother of Benton’s child, this woman had an edge.

“And Michaela?”

Jo walked around the bar and stood a few inches from Collins. “Michaela Dawson grew up on a ranch outside of town and moved back a few months ago. She and her husband split, and she and her kids are home with her folks for the time being. She’s a nice girl, and she’s had a thing for Benton since high school. But I don’t think you have to worry about her.”

“Why is that?”

Collins thought of the way the woman had touched Bent, like she’d declared him her property or something.

“Because Benton would never kiss another woman if he had his eye on someone else. And honey, you were thoroughly kissed.”

“He thinks I’m too young for him.”

“Sounds cliche, but age is just a number. My grandma was twenty when she married my gramps, and he was forty-two. They had four kids and were happily married right up until the day he died. Never met a couple more in love and suited to each other.” Jo moved past Collins. “On that note, we can lock up. The cleaners come in the morning, and I’ll get the bar set up tomorrow.”

Collins followed Jo out to the parking lot. “I’ll see you Wednesday night.”

Jo held her gaze and then slowly nodded. “Okay. See you then.”

Collins drove back to Duffer’s Place. She washed off her makeup, brushed her teeth, and pulled on her favorite Sponge Bob pajamas. She climbed into bed and retrieved her phone, eyes on the messages waiting for a response. Kip was pissed so she’d deal with him in the morning. Her agent was annoyed, she’d deal with her in the morning. Her mom sent a reminder for the Lafferty Foundation Ball on the Saturday before Labor Day weekend. There were other group chats with a few work colleagues—models she’d done campaigns with and a photographer she loved.

All of it could wait.

She rolled over and grabbed a pillow, then closed her eyes. She was tired. Jeg lagged. And lonely. So. Fucking. Lonely.

Collins Lafferty was the highest-paid model in the world, and she shared her bed with no one. Even though she knew most folks would scoff at the notion, she was most definitely in love with a man who would fight her at every turn, and there was a high probability he’d break her heart. But the moments she’d spent with Benton were the most real moments she’d had in her life. She’d felt truly alive, and there was beauty in that.

If a broken heart was the risk she’d take to be with him, then so be it.

Chapter Seven

Sundays without Nora were quiet, though Benton had no problem keeping himself busy. The Triple B was a working ranch, and there was always something that needed looking after; it didn’t matter if it was the Lord’s day or not.

Dawn had barely broken when he’d saddled up and ridden to the south pasture with a couple of his men to repair the fencing before they moved the cattle over later in the week. Glad for an early start in the cool mountain air,, they got busy because the July sun was relentless. And while repairing a fence line wasn’t exactly rocket science, he welcomed the distraction. He’d slept like shit and it was Collins fault. Or his fault. Who the fuck knew.

Christ, he could still smell her.

Benton grabbed his water bottle and took a couple of swigs, then glanced over to Haimish. A new hire a few months back, the young man had proven to be a great addition to the Triple B family.

“I think we’re done, boss.” Haimish wiped sweat from his brow and leaned against the fence post. “I’ll take Joe and ride the rest of the line, but I’m pretty sure we’ve plugged all the holes.”

“Was thinking the same thing.” Benton was about a thirty-minute ride from Dallas and Vivian’s place. Figured he’d drop in since the empty house wasn’t exactly appealing. He gave a nod to his men. “I’ll see you boys back at the bunkhouse.”

He hopped onto his horse, Mack, and got him up to a trot in no time. The fresh air, the sun, and the scenery went a long way in soothing his mind, and by the time he reached his sister’s place, he felt better about things. At least, that’s what he told himself.

At least I can’t smell her anymore.

Once he got Mack looked after, he shook off the dust and headed up to the house. Benton knocked once, let himself inside, then walked through to the back yard where he found Vivian asleep in a hammock strung between two trees, and Dallas sprawled out on the deck with one of the most unfortunate-looking animals he’d ever seen on his lap. Lily, Vivian’s dog. The furball was old, her fur shot through with grey. She was missing half an ear and most of her teeth, and on a good day, would scare any child who crossed her path. She was ornery and didn’t smell great, but for some reason, his sister had taken a shine to the dog, and now it appeared as if Dallas had caught the bug.

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