Page 46 of Soldier Cowboy
“You look good, Colton. Very good.”
The door flew open, and Colton stepped aside.
“Yep, he’s still here,” Maybelle called out, then noticed Cherisse. “Oh, hey there, Cher.”
“Howdy.” She finger waved.
Colton stepped toward the door. “May I see my fiancée now?”
“You’ll be glad to know we’ve taken pity on you, child.” She waved him inside. “Come in now and have some cake and punch. Yourfiancéeis waiting for you.”
“With pleasure.”
Colton stepped inside and shut the door to his past. And if he had the key to this door, he would lock it.
CHAPTER12
The punch was definitely spiked.
Unfortunately, Jennifer didn’t realize this until she was three cups in. No one had warned her, in fact even now no one raised a single eyebrow. It tasted so good, a cherry sweet flavor but with a nice bite to keeping it from being too syrupy. And before she knew it, everyone was super nice and Jennifer was so,sohappy. She didn’t want to stop indulging in the delicious drink. Ever.
Conversations were held all around her as everyone dived into the cookies, cake, and punch. It was tough to think of anything to contribute so Jennifer stayed near the punch bowl.
When they’d allowed him in, Colton ate a piece of cake, didn’t touch the punch, and generally scowled the entire time. He chatted with Bonnie Lee, admiring the quilt when she held it up for him.
“That was Cherisse outside talking with Colton,” Maybelle whispered from behind Jennifer. “Can you just imagine the nerve.”
“Talkingto Colton? Acting like she hasn’t done anything wrong?” Clementine said. “For shame!”
“What happened with Cherisse?” Jennifer turned toward the ladies.
She knew about the email breakup but maybe there was more. Instinct told her someone was about to spill the tea on everything Colton.
“Oh honey, don’t you know she ran off with Colton’s best friend, that’s what!” Maybelle said. “It broke his poor little heart. Here he is off fighting awarfor hiscountry, and she takes up with his friend, that Taylor.”
Poor, poor, sweet little Colton. Okay, he wasn’t little anymore but still.
“Don’t worry.” Maybelle patted Jennifer’s back. “Colton barely gave her the time of day. I’m sure he was just speaking with her to be kind. You’re the best thing to ever happen to him.”
“Oh. Thank you.”
Jennifer helped herself to another glass of punch and took a seat. She swayed a little bit, and it was hard not to cry because Colton had been betrayed and abandoned by not one but two people. Oh, damn. And she thought she had problems.
“How many of these have you had?”
The voice was sharp and brisk and startled her. Colton stood above her, arms crossed, looking handsome and hot and…sad. Or mad. Hard to tell.
“Um…”
Colton turned away. “Ladies, who spiked the punch and why didn’t you tell Jennifer?”
Beulah ran over, followed by Winona and Bonnie Lee close behind.
“It’s usually fine and there’s barely any rum in there.”
Jennifer nodded. “It’ssogood.”
Bonnie Lee poured a glass and took a sip. “Good grief, Clementine, did you follow the recipe?”
