Page 81 of Soldier Cowboy
“I believe so. She’s been worried about the podcast.”
Colton swallowed at the thought of Jennifer leaving him. But he should have been ready for this all along. This also meant it would soon be time to tell his family the truth if he didn’t want them to think he’d been abandoned. And he didn’t. It seemed too cruel. By now hopefully he’d convinced Riggs he’d stay with or without Jennifer. This was his home, and he wouldn’t ever leave here again.
Horace muttered, “I’m still not sure she should continue, because it’s so public. Even from a distance, what if he continues to harass her? She’ll have no peace of mind.”
“If the podcast is what she wants to do, she can’t let him stop her. Safety measures can be put in place.”
“Maybe you’re right. I can’t thank you enough. I’ve had nightmares of what could have happened if she’d stayed in that apartment. Alone. Eventually, he would have gotten inside. The stories…well, I’m sure you’ve heard them, too.”
“Should I put her on a plane back to LA?” The thought made his stomach roil and pitch, but it needed to be asked.
Her life was waiting for her in the city. Even if she’d made the best of everything here with him, he couldn’t fool himself into thinking this was the kind of life she wanted. Far from it. Her family, her friends, her fans, and the life she’d built were in LA and not here. The dreams she had were there and not in his small town. He couldn’t and wouldn’t ask her to give anything up. If she wanted to stay, she’d have to get to that realization on her own with no pressure from him.
“Anytime you’re both ready,” Horace said.
“I’ll talk to her tonight.”
“Thank you again, son. I’ll never be able to properly repay you.”
“You don’t have to. It was my honor to help you both.”
Colton hung up and, in order to give Jennifer and Eve more time, he crossed Main Street to the Shady Grind. He hadn’t been inside in ages. Way before Jackson owned it, this place used to be a haunt for him, his brothers, and friends. Friends like Taylor. Truth be told, Colton missed him far more than he ever missed Cherisse. He and Taylor had been friends since third grade, and it was difficult to acknowledge they’d let a woman come between them. This, of course, happened far too often in their town. With Colton’s long absences, he could almost understand what Taylor had done. He and Cherisse had both been lonely. But it also meant Cherisse had never loved Colton. That’s not how love worked.
He understood real love now.
Jennifer knew how to love and she’d taught him how.
Colton knew without a doubt that he wouldn’t be seeking comfort forhisloneliness anytime soon. What he’d want to do after Jennifer left is simply be alone for a long while. Stew in his own misery. Keep busy with the ranch and his horse. He couldn’t even think about letting anyone else into his heart again. His heart already felt too raw and whipped.
He stood, hands in his pockets, staring at the announcement outside the door.
JACKSON CARVER and the Outlaws
Performing live tonight
Debuting new single
“Texas Time”
How about that.
Sounded like a date night.
Colton would take Jennifer to dinner at the Shady Grind and throw in a concert. Dancing. After that, maybe later tonight, he’d tell her it was safe to go home. But first he’d talk up the town, sell it hard with all the progress they were making, and mention that he was going to miss the hell out of her.
He wouldn’t talk about love. He wouldn’t ask for anything more than what they already had. A good friendship and a smokin’-hot sex life.
Then, he could only hope she wouldn’t be in any hurry to get back to LA.
An hour later, as they both sat inside the Shady Grind, Jennifer said, “These are almost as good asyourburgers.”
Colton smiled, remembering the night they’d raced each other to finish eating so they could get back to bed.
“The Shady Burger isn’t bad, especially with the sweet potato fries on the side.”
Jennifer dabbed at her mouth and reached for his hand. “Thank you for suggesting I talk to Eve.”
“Did it help?”
