Colton Cowboy Jeopardy (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“We know the land and landmarks can change over time.”

He nodded. “Weather, usage, roads and development. Earthquakes.”

She rested a hand on his shoulder. “You won’t offend me if you disagree.”

He gave in and leaned into her comforting touch. “It’s worth a look.” He smiled, pulled out his cell phone and noted the position. He added a star to it, his reminder that the location was her suggestion. It was strange having help in this endeavor, a quest he’d relegated to white-whale status.

“I guess I have my marching orders,” he said. Sitting back in the chair, he moved the cursor over the Las Vegas tab, but he didn’t open it. “So tell me why you’re thinking of moving away.”

“An email came through earlier. It was an update on the college fund my dad and I set up for Silas. Someone closed the account. The money is gone.”

He knew Mia was thinking about her stepmother’s previous theft. “Who has access?” he asked.

“Only my father and me,” she said. “It has to be Regina. Either she convinced him to move the money or she managed to fake the signatures. Again.”

It was exactly what he’d been thinking. “Convincing your dad to move the money seems like a hard sell. Even if he’s upset with you, he wants what’s best for your son.”

She gave a low growl of frustration. The sound was far from intimate, but it slid under his skin, anyway. Made him wonder what kind of pleasured sounds he could draw out of her.

“Did you try to call?”

“As soon as I saw the email,” she said. “My calls went straight to voice mail. I sent text messages, but he hasn’t answered. Regina hasn’t answered for him, either.”

He knew she was thinking the worst, that Regina had finally attacked her father to draw her out. “Wouldn’t closing or moving an account like that have to be done in person?”

“It can be done online,” she said. “I don’t care about the money. That account was entirely a gift for Silas from Dad.”

The baby had dozed off in her arms and he hoped her distress wouldn’t wake him. One thing that struck him time and again was how down-to-earth Mia remained. Practical, kind and genuine.

“Online or in person, there has to be a record, whether it’s security cameras or electronic documentation. This is something Spencer can dig into. Let me loop him in,” Jarvis urged. “Your dad handles accounts for many high-profile people and businesses. If he’s being coerced, people need to know.”

“That’s true. Do it.”

He sent the information on to Spencer, then studied her profile. While talking about his search, she’d been animated and confident. Now she looked more defeated. “What’s also true is that moving away won’t guarantee your dad’s safety. Regina is greedy and conniving. That won’t change no matter what you do.”

He ignored the small voice in his head that whispered he was being selfish by urging her to stay. She needed a life, a full and vibrant life, and once Regina was under control, she could have it right here in Mustang Valley, where he could still see her around town. It wasn’t like they were destined for wedded bliss. He wasn’t the man who could keep her and Silas happy and content in the long term.

Carefully, so he wouldn’t wake the baby, he pushed back from the table. He stretched his arms overhead, then arched his back, easing the aches that affirmed an honest day’s work on the ranch.

“You really do love being a cowboy.” Her soft smile lit up her face and ignited something deep in his chest.

“You’re right.” Could she love him as a cowboy? He swallowed the question before it embarrassed them both. “I don’t see it changing.”

An operation this size always needed something, and each day was a slight variation on the last. Yet it was the constancy amid all of it that appealed. And like a fool, he kept wondering if she could be happy with an average cowboy rather than a slick, wealthy businessman. Even if his old career miraculously put him in the same financial league as Mia, he couldn’t go back to that life, not even for her.

“Will you stay again tonight?” She peered up at him through her lashes.

“Sure.” Of course he’d stay. It wasn’t just about keeping watch. He was too attached to her and her son. The smart move would be creating some distance before he spouted promises he couldn’t keep. “And with a little luck, tomorrow night I’ll be here with dinner and Herman’s box in hand,” he said lightly.

With Silas down for the night, they talked of other things, lighter topics until they were ready for bed, as well. Mia was a woman who deserved promises and a man who would keep them. Jarvis came from a long line of men who drank heavily and died early, leaving the people who dared to love them behind. He wasn’t an alcoholic, but that wasn’t enough to convince him he’d be different in the long run.

His siblings, the only two constants in his life, had found the courage to fall in love. That was great and fine for them. Jarvis couldn’t muster up the same faith in a happy ending for himself.

“Jarvis?” She twisted around to face him in

the bunk. “Will you be here for coffee?”

“I’ll probably need to get out of here early.” His mouth touched hers almost against his will. He needed that sweet taste of her to carry him through the night. She was warm, her lush lips tempting. His self-control fraying, he pulled her close, his fingertips caressing her generous curves.