Page 45 of Soldier Cowboy
“They are. It’s for Bonnie Lee. She and Sean are finally getting hitched.”
“I heard all about it. Is that the only reason you’re back?” She came closer and it was as if she’d forgotten what had happened between them.
Like she’d forgotten she dumped him for his best friend when he was thousands of miles away in the desert missing home and family. When he’d felt abandoned for the countless time in his life.
“Not the only reason, but yeah.”
“I always hoped you’d come home.”
Colton snorted. “Yeah. Well, myfiancéesure likes it here.”
He’d never taken such pleasure in lying. Had he been more calculating about all this, he would have realized that coming home with a beautiful wife, one ten times more appealing than Cherisse, would let her know he’d clearly moved on. Was it shallow and childish? Yeah, maybe. But he couldn’t wait for her to see Jennifer.
Cherisse blinked and registered utter surprise. “Yourfiancée?”
“That’s right. She’s inside right now with Bonnie Lee and Winona and the rest of them.”
“Isn’t this rather sudden? When did you have time to get yourself a fiancée? Can she speak English?”
“Yep.” Colton lowered his shades and smirked. “She’s fluent.”
“That’s nice. I’m sure even a foreigner could settle into Stone Ridge. Eventually.”
“Yeah, she’s from Los Angeles.”
“Oh.” Cherisse crossed her arms, meeting his own defensive stance. “You’ll probably hear about this sooner or later, but Taylor and I are recently separated.”
“Sorry to hear it.”
“That’s why I was in San Antonio. He’s moved there and it’s his weekend with the boys.”
Colton couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be to handle a divorce with children. Given their town’s unique situation, it wasn’t too surprising that Taylor was the one to relocate. At least Colton wouldn’t have to deal with him.
He didn’t say anything, so Cherisse continued. “It was never going to work between us. We tried because I got pregnant with Dallas.”
“You named your kidDallas?”
Colton always had the impression this was something people notfromTexas did.
“Yes, why?”
He shrugged. “Austin is better, or maybe Tyler. Both great names and equally great cities.”
She frowned a little. “I also have an Austin and a Tyler, my youngest.”
“Of course, you do.”
So, Colton had once been in love with the least imaginative woman in all of Texas, apparently. The thought his children could have been named after cities sent a shiver through him.
“Anyway, we tried to make it work. But Taylor…he just never believed I loved him. You know? Never believed he could take your place in my heart. First love and all. Finally, he got fed up and left.”
“Did you cheat on him?” Colton appreciated the thought. No one would have deserved it more.
“No, I didn’t!” She sighed and batted her eyelashes. “I don’t know, I guess one doesn’t ever really get over their first love.”
“A common misconception. Some people do just fine with that. Try a little harder.”
She smiled, that conniving evil one that reminded him of Cruella DeVille. The one that said:nice try, but I’m not convinced.
