Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“With your college fund.”

She nodded. “And her marriage vows. I’m not sure she expected to deal with Dad for decades. As far as I know, she only has control of her accounts, not his. And I’m pretty sure she hasn’t convinced him to cut me out of the will, though she is his primary beneficiary. After this incident, though, if she can keep me away and spin it right, there’s no reason to keep him around.”

“Mia.”

The tenderness in his voice nearly broke her. Serious talks in the wee hours were perilous. Worse were the questions she burned to ask him about his past, his choices, and if he might be willing to have an affair with her. Nothing permanent. No obligations.

“I really should get some sleep before he wakes up again,” she said.

“Yeah. I’ll be out of here by sunrise.” He waited for her to crawl into the bunk, with Silas in his seat tucked between her and the wall. Then he turned out the light and stretched out on the bunk opposite hers.

For the longest time, she listened to his breath, imagining how it would be to have all that strength wrapped around her. Sleeping alone had been the biggest adjustment when she’d left Roderick. It had been such a strange sensation not having his solid body to curl into, to reach for in the night.

Thank goodness the bunks were narrow or she might have embarrassed herself by asking Jarvis to spoon her. Her imagination took over and she shifted restlessly, willing herself to sleep.

“Mia?”

“Mmm?” It was nice to know he wasn’t asleep, either. Could it be because he wanted her, too?

“Why did you marry Roderick?”

Her sex-fantasy bubble burst. “Love.” That had only been part of the equation. “Love and money,” she admitted. She rolled over to face him, her back pressed close to the hard side of the car seat. “I’m not ashamed of that.”

“I wouldn’t say you should be.”

“We had an understanding about life and goals. He was a good match for me in several areas—we were both ambitious. And he was hot,” she joked.

“Obviously.” Jarvis chuckled softly. “You were a stunning couple.”

She groaned. “I hate the internet.” She didn’t, really. It was one more tool she’d used to her advantage even after her prime modeling years. “I mean, thanks.”

His bunk c

reaked as he shook with smothered laughter. “You should sleep,” he whispered when he caught his breath.

“Same goes, my friend,” she replied. “Thank you for everything today,” she said quietly. “If we’re not up when you leave, have a good day tomorrow.”

“You, too. Remember to call me if there’s trouble.”

“There won’t be,” she said. She was too cozy, too safe here in this moment for any trouble to touch her.

“I’ll bring out a truck and some dinner tomorrow night.”

“Mmm. Sounds good.”

She shouldn’t let him keep helping her, but she enjoyed his company. He gave her something wonderful to anticipate, a happy thought that shot like a sunbeam through the clouds of uncertainty and fear in her mind.

Chapter 5

When his phone beeped with the morning alarm, Jarvis rolled out of the bunk, more rested than he expected after the short night. As quietly and quickly as possible, he made use of the tidy bathroom and dressed again in the same clothes from yesterday.

The baby and Mia slept through it all. Her dark hair spilled across the pillow and one hand was tucked next to her son’s knee while he slept in the car seat. He hoped they had a much better day today.

It was all he could do not to kiss her goodbye before leaving the bunkhouse in search of strong coffee. If she needed to stay on, needed more time to make a plan, it would be smart to keep an overnight bag here. Not that he was so eager to move in, but so it was less obvious he was spending nights away from the ranch.

Early sunlight washed over the paddocks near the main stable and filled him up with positive energy. Maybe that energized feeling was more about Mia than the clear day, but either way, he’d take it. Gladly. He picked up his task list for the day, more than a little relieved there weren’t any work orders at Selina’s place.

He needed to find a way to talk to Mia about the party. Selina had texted him a couple of pictures late last night in various dresses. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do with the information and he responded as vaguely as possible. Whatever she wore, he’d be in his best suit. Coordinating colors seemed more suited to a high school prom than an adult occasion, but maybe her social set put more stock into that kind of thing.