Page 66 of Soldier Cowboy
“Yes, and before you say anything, I’ve got my own money to invest in this operation. I’ve saved for years, and I’ve done the research.”
“Yeah, I figured you were saving since you never sent any money home all those years you were gone.”
The words sliced through Colton with their bitterness. “It’s not like I made a hell of a lot of money as a soldier, even in Special Forces.”
“I’m aware, but for a while there, we were struggling.”
“And you don’t seem to be struggling any longer.”
Colton glanced around the room at all the leather and classic furniture like the desk Riggs sat behind. Window treatments. Framed photos—obviously professionally taken—of Riggs, Winona, and the children covered the walls.
“That’s my wife’s doing. I just happened to marry a wealthy woman, but we were doing okay before I met her. For years, though, we struggled. After Dad died, it was rough.”
“I know.”
“I’m not saying we needed your salary. What we needed wasyou. Instead, I had to hire help. Help at the time we could barely afford. It was just me and Sean running this ranch while you were gone.”
While it was refreshing for once not to have someone thank him for his service, in this particular case he’d appreciate a little gratitude from his brother.
“Riggs, I wasn’t out of the country havingfun.”
“I know, I know!” He tossed up his hands. “And maybe I sound like a jerk, like I’m ungrateful for your contribution to our country, but damn it, I worried every day you’d be killed over there. So did Sean. It killed me to watch him twisted up in knots every time we heard of another bomb going off. It’s just that you’ve been gone for years, and this operation has been self-sustaining for all that time. We’re doing okay except for drought years.”
“Is okay good enough?”
“We don’t need to change anything or reinvent the wheel. I don’t want you trying to rearrange everything when…” Riggs stared off into space as if he’d just come upon a bear in the woods.
“When I’m leaving anyway?”
“I didn’tsaythat.”
“Well, you were thinking it. But I didn’t just come home for Sean’s wedding. I came home to stay.”
But clearly no matter what Colton said or did, even pretending to be engaged, Riggs expected he’d leave. Expected he’d get itchy feet and want to see the world. Colton hadn’t given him any reason to believe otherwise and based on past experience, he understood Riggs’s point. He didn’t know what he could do to convince him, other thanshowhim. And showing would take time. Colton simply had to be patient. It was a lesson the army had taught him well.
Colton stood. “Have it your way.”
He strode out of the house, nearly getting lost in the process. Going out the way he came in, he crossed the kitchen and went out the front door, noting Riggs hadn’t said a word. He was also not following Colton. It was fine. He didn’t expect his set-in-his-ways, traditional cowboy of a brother to understand why it might be good to expand their operation. To think ahead and not simply cling to the old ways but move forward toward the future.
He understood, too, why Riggs doubted Colton. A fiancée, especially one fromLos Angeles, didn’t inspire enough confidence either. So, Colton would find another way, by making himself indispensable around here, by patiently contributing and waiting for the right moment. Eventually, given time, it would become evident he wasn’t going anywhere.
Colton had closed the front door when it opened again and Riggs stood there, looking tired and angry. His big brother now had salt-and-pepper sideburns and wrinkles that he hadn’t owned a few years ago lining his face. Colton wondered how many of those worry lines he’d given him, and regret pulsed through him.
Why hadn’t he listened to Riggs in the first place? Why had he had this burning need to be a hero?
“If it helps any, I regret every day I left this ranch and signed up. But once I made that commitment, I couldn’t back away.That’swhat service taught me and it’s what I’m going to give you now and for the rest of my life. Loyalty and devotion. I’m committed and I don’t walk away when things get tough. And I know they will.”
Riggs didn’t say another word. He just took two steps toward Colton and hauled him into his arms.
“Forget everything I said. Whatever you want. Let’s do it.”
CHAPTER17
The morning passed quickly because Jennifer sought ways to keep busy and contribute. She needed distractions from last night and the mortification she’d felt at being turned down. Colton didn’t want to have sex with her because he was obviously still pining away for his ex. His loyalty was inspiring even if he’d appeared to be at least a little tempted. Or a lot. His body, let’s just say, had responded. But he definitely had a type and facts were, Jennifer couldn’t look any more different from Cherisse if she tried. Cherisse was the petal; Jennifer was the stem. But that was okay because Lord knew some men found her attractive. Including obsessive ones, apparently. Just her luck.
Trying to find things to do and ways to take her mind off Colton, she realized this place could use a deep cleaning. She went back to her roots. Her father, among other things, taught his children how to keep a clean house.
“Make that bed again. Tight corners. There’s no excuse for your barrac—yourbedroom—to be in any kind of disarray.”
