Page 9 of Blame It On Midnight

“Any news on the Daisy Mae?” His father’s question was quiet.

Benton’s mouth tightened at the mention of his ex. “She’s determined to waste a lot of my money and time on something that’s not going to happen.”

“Do you think she’s changed?”

Anger flared inside him, and he turned to his father. “She’s an addict, Dad. That shit stays with you.”

“I’ve had issues with booze and pills my whole life. It took losing everything, and me wanting to live more than I wanted to die, to turn my life around. I’m not saying it’s an easy thing. There are days I wake up and the first thing I think about is whiskey. But it’s my actions after the thought that count.” He offered a small, sad smile. “I missed a lot with you kids and made more mistakes than I can count, but it’s what keeps me sober. Being here with all of you. Watching my granddaughter sass that lady and dive into the pool like she’s a little boss makes the work I put in worth it.”

Bent’s grip on the bottle was so tight, his fingers ached. He knew coming here was a mistake.

“Son?”

He took a beat and clamped down on the darkness. His father didn’t deserve a spiky tongue. “She’s going after full custody, Dad. She wants to move Nora out of state with that new man she’s got. And while I don’t have a problem with her having a relationship with our daughter, there’s no way in hell I’ll let her take her from me. I’ve raised her. I’ve been there for all of it and she…” He clamped his mouth shut because he told himself he wasn’t going to be the guy who badmouthed his child’s mother.

His father frowned. “I didn’t know. I thought she just wanted to see Nora more.”

“No,” Benton finished the beer and tossed the empty into the bin beside the table. “It’s war.”

Mood as ugly as the rain-heavy clouds over the mountains, Benton moved away from his father and strode past Mike Paul. He stopped by Vivian and asked her to keep an eye on Nora.

“Are you leaving?” she asked, clearly surprised.

“No. I have to take a call.” He grabbed his cell to emphasize his white lie and kept on going. His feet found a path that led to the outbuildings, and the stress and anger slowly left when he walked into the cool interior of the barn. The horses Cal owned were turned out in the paddock, and inside it was dark and quiet. He liked the shadows.

It was times like these he wished that he still smoked. He’d just about kill for a cigarette.

Benton heard a squeak and wandered over to the far end of the barn. There were several bales of hay piled there, and nestled on top of one of them were three kittens. He wasn’t sure where the mama was, but they looked healthy with sleepy eyes that told him their bellies were full.

He stared down at the little balls of fur as a memory pulled at him. His mother cradling a kitten while he and Calvin waited for their turn to hold it.

“Shit,” he muttered. It had been a long time since he’d thought of his mother. Since he’d seen her face in his mind. Usually, he took comfort in that sort of thing, but today it only added to the cloud that hung in his sky.

He turned back with a frown and spied someone standing just inside the barn doors. It was a female, someone—those long legs couldn’t belong to anything but. However, with sunlight pouring in behind her, Bent couldn’t quite make out the face.

“Afternoon,” he said slowly.

“Hello.” Her voice had a hint of rasp to it. “The kittens look small.”

“About three weeks is my guess.”

“That’s young.”

He didn’t reply. He was still wondering who in hell she was, because one thing was certain, she wasn’t from around these parts. It was plain and simple. Benton knew every soul that resided in Big Bend. He didn’t know this woman and wished he could see her better.

“I have friends who ride, but I never acquired the taste for it. Never been in a barn before.” She laughed, and he liked the sound of it.

“Well, this here isn’t your typical barn. My brother spent more money on this building than most folks spend on their houses. Even the floors are heated.”

“He must love horses.”

“We all do.” He paused for a moment, then thought, why the hell not ask the question percolating in his head? “Do I know you?” He took a step forward. There was something about the way she held her head.

She didn’t reply at first and took a hesitant step. Then, after a few silent moments, the woman squared her shoulders and walked toward him. The shadows slipped away, revealing a face he’d thought about for months.

“The fuck?” he all but growled, eyes wide as he took all of her in. She wore a simple white T-shirt tucked into a pair of jean shorts cut to mid-thigh. Same slip hips. Long legs. Nice round breasts. But it was the face that was arresting, with the kind of cheekbones and eyes and mouth a man couldn’t forget.

And Lord, but he’d tried to forget.

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