Fortune's Heart

“Not at all,” Colton said. “I’m just saying she’s—assertive. Isn’t that what everyone is supposed to be these days?”

Stacey pressed her lips together, then let out a big laugh that filled him all the way up inside. “That sounds mighty close to calling my baby a brat.”

“She’s not a brat,” Colton said. “Not yet.”

Her eyebrows flew up to her hairline. “Not yet?” she echoed.

“Right,” he said. “She’s not even walking. She won’t turn bratty until she’s three.”

Stacey gave a slow nod. “Good to know.”

“Do you really disagree?” he asked.

“I just hope I do this parenting thing right. I don’t want to be too harsh or too permissive. It’s not as easy as it looks,” she said.

“You’re doing great,” he said, and put his hand over hers.

“Thanks,” she said, and her smile made his gut do strange things.

“Well, well,” a male voice said. “A new couple. What would Joe say?”

Colton glanced up to see Billy Hall, Joe’s best friend, sneering at Stacey and him.

“Hey, Billy. How are you doing?” Colton asked as politely as he could manage.

“I’m doing great. I just wonder what Joe would think if he found out one of his groomsmen was kissing his ex,” Billy said.

“Joe is history,” Stacey said. “He hasn’t been around for over a year.”

Billy pursed his lips. “Oooh, that’s harsh. He might not like that.”

“How would you know?” Colton asked.

“We talk every now and then,” Billy said.

“You ever tell him what a useless piece he was to leave Stacey and his child?”

Billy gave an awkward shrug. “Well, no. He’s my friend. I couldn’t call him names.” Billy paused. “But I could tell him his ex was taking revenge on him by getting involved with one of his best friends. How you like those leftovers?”

Without a pause, Colton rose and shook Billy hard.

Stunned, Billy stumbled backward. “What the—”

“Don’t insult Stacey again,” Colton said, clenching and unclenching his fist. “Ever.”

“Hey, I was just taking up for Joe,” Billy said.

“He doesn’t need you to take up for him. He’s doing fine,” Colton said. “He isn’t getting up in the middle of the night to take care of a baby. He’s not giving Stacey one dime of support.”

Billy’s eyes widened, and he lifted his hands. “Okay, okay. I get your message.” He turned toward Stacey. “Sorry,” he said and walked away, wiggling his shoulders as if he were trying to straighten out his spine.

His heart still slamming against his rib cage, he sat down and took another long sip of beer. “Sorry about that,” he said.

She pulled his hands into hers. “That was very nice of you. Not necessary, but—”

“Very necessary,” he said. “You don’t deserve that. Joe’s not here. He hasn’t done anything to redeem himself in this situation.”

She lifted his hand to her lips and kissed it. “I’m not thinking about Joe anymore.”

Colton felt a dozen emotions slamming through him, but the way she kissed his fist made his heart turn over like a tumbleweed. “You deserve better.”

“I’m getting better,” she told him.

They finished their drinks, and Colton drove Stacey home. What he wanted was to bring her to his bed and make love to her, but that wasn’t going to happen tonight. He stopped the car and she immediately unfastened her seat belt and pulled his face toward hers. She took his mouth in a kiss that blasted through him like a ball of fire. Sweet Stacey had somehow turned into a sexy tigress, and he was reaping the benefit.

She slid her hands over his chest down to his abdomen and lower. Colton was torn between telling her to stop and begging her to continue. At the same time, his hands moved of their own volition to her breasts. With her coat open, he tugged at her sweater and slid his hands upward.

She continued kissing him, devouring him with her delicious mouth. She reached to unbuckle his belt at the same time the floodlights spilled over the front yard of her parents’ home.

“Whoa,” he said, stilling her hands even though he was dying for her to continue. He could just imagine her mother or father coming out for a friendly chat.

“What? Why?” she asked, looking at him with such a sensual, needy gaze that he could hardly stand it.

“Lights came on,” he said gently and pulled her into an embrace.

Stacey gave a low growl of frustration. “This is ridiculous. We’re adults, not teenagers.”

His heart slamming into his chest at what felt like a hundred miles an hour, he took a deep breath. “I’ll figure something out.”

She sighed, then leaned her forehead against his chest. “Pretty crazy. Who would have thought I would be taking a cold shower because my best friend’s brother is making me too hot?”

“You were hot before I came around,” he said.

“You didn’t notice before,” she reminded him.

“I wasn’t supposed to notice,” he told her, rubbing her soft cheek with his hand. “You belonged to somebody else,” he said, thinking of Joe. Joe, who hadn’t stood by her when he should have.

* * *

After her date with Colton, Stacey felt as if she had a little more bounce in her step. Although she was still juggling her household commitments and taking care of Piper, she was thrilled to book her first tutoring session on Thursday afternoon. A mom with an elementary-school-age boy named Frasier brought her son to the ranch for Stacey to work some magic on him by helping him with math.

Stacey injected as much enthusiasm into the session as possible, but Frasier seemed quite listless. At one point he even laid his head down on the kitchen table. Concerned that he might be sick, Stacey mentioned the boy’s condition to his mother. She felt a little guilty accepting the money from Frasier’s parent, but made a mental note to perhaps give him an extended or free session in the future.

As soon as the boy left, Piper awakened from her nap. Stacey changed the baby, then carried her into the kitchen. “What a good girl to sleep all the way through my tutoring session. You’re the best, aren’t you?” she said to Piper as she gave her daughter a bottle. Piper sucked down her bottle in no time, and Stacey patted her back to help counter air bubbles.

“There my girls are,” her mother said as she entered the house with bags of groceries. “Let me help you with those,” Stacey said and pulled out a quilt for Piper. “Looks like you bought out the store.”

Her mother laughed. “This was my big trip. I went to Vicker’s Corners. Of course, if you add in gas, it may be a wash. But the grocery store there has a much better selection, and the prices are a little better.”

Stacey rushed to her mother’s sedan to help bring in the rest of the bags of groceries. “I see that you picked up some baby formula and baby food. I can reimburse you for that since I had my first tutoring session,” Stacey said proudly.

Her mother smiled at her. “I forgot about that. How did it go?”

“Okay, except I hope that little boy wasn’t sick. He sure didn’t act like he felt well. I hope it will go better next time,” she said.

“Oh, dear,” her mother said. “I’ve heard there are a couple things going around. One is a quick but nasty stomach virus. Make sure you wash your hands.”

“Good point. And I’ll wipe down the table,” she said. Stacey cleaned her hands and the table and helped put the groceries away as quickly as possible. She knew Piper would be wanting some food. Sure enough, just as Stacey unloaded the last bag, Piper let out a squawk.

“You go ahead and get her. I can take care of the rest,” Mama Jeanne said.

Stacey put the baby in her high chair and pulled out a jar of pureed green beans. “Yum, yum,” Stacey said. “Green vegetables.”

Not Piper’s favorite, but she must have been hungry because she eagerly consumed the first few bites. “She looks like a little bird when she eats from the spoon.”

“She’ll be reaching for that spoon any time now, and every mealtime will turn into a mess. Mark my words,” her mother said.

“No problem. I’ll just need a washcloth or paper towel. Oh, I meant to tell you that Piper and I will be riding with Colton to the Rothwell wedding on Saturday. The Rothwells are lucky that the Jergens offered them the use of their heated barn for their reception. I’m sure that’s why they were able to invite so many people.”

“Seems as if you and Colton are spending more and more time together,” her mother said.

Stacey hesitated, then glanced at her mother. “You may as well offer your opinion on it, since everyone else has.”

“Well, I wouldn’t dream of interfering,” her mother said. “Colton is a fine, fine young man. I just hope you two won’t rush into, well, the physical aspect of a relationship. After all, you have a young baby.”

Stacey gaped at her mother. “Mama, do you really think I would turn around and get pregnant again?”

“We’re a very fertile family,” her mother said. “Colton is likely quite the virile male and—”

Stacey covered her ears. “I don’t want to discuss this anymore,” she said. “It’s not like Colton and I have lots of opportunities, between him living at his parents’ house and me living at mine. Add in a baby and, oh, my gosh—”

“It’s not that I don’t approve of Colton because I very much do,” her mother continued as if Stacey hadn’t spoken. “I just don’t want you to get into a situation where—”

“Stop,” Stacey said. “Stop, stop, stop. Please.”

Her mother pressed her lips together. “I like Colton,” her mother said. “I like him better than I ever liked Joe. Your father does, too.”

“Did you run into anyone interesting at the store?” Stacey asked because she had to change the subject, and it seemed that her mother knew everyone within a thirty-mile radius.

“As a matter of fact I did,” her mother said. “Laurel Fortune was buying avocados in the produce department when I was there. She’s such a sweet girl. Gave me a hug right away. I asked her how married life was, and she said the married part was great, but that she and Sawyer are very upset about the recent accident at their flight school.”

“Oh, that’s right. Did she say how Orlando is doing?” Stacey asked.

“He’s still in the hospital, but they think he will recover. It may take a long time. She said how thankful she and Sawyer were that you were able to come and help stabilize Orlando until the paramedics arrived.”

“I was glad I could help, but I was very concerned when I left,” Stacey said.

“Don’t dare tell anyone, but Laurel confided in me that the investigation has just started, but she and Sawyer are worried that it may not have been an accident.”

Stacey gasped. “Oh, no. That would have been horrible. She thinks someone may have deliberately done something to cause the crash?”

“They don’t know, but they’re suspicious. Not everyone is happy about Fortunes coming to Horseback Hollow,” her mother said, a worried expression on her face.

“Oh, that’s ridiculous. It’s not as if the Fortunes are trying to take over the whole town. And why would they? They’re all about making money, and there’s not that much money to be made in Horseback Hollow.”

“The Fortunes aren’t all about money,” her mother corrected her. “They’ve made the best from their opportunities and profited from them. Don’t forget they are very active in charitable causes.” Her mother took a breath. “And there’s the fact that my brother James tried to give me a huge sum of money, although I probably shouldn’t bring that up because the whole subject can get some people worked up.”

Stacey couldn’t help thinking of her brother Chris, who was still upset that her mother hadn’t accepted the Fortune money; but she didn’t say it aloud because she didn’t want to add to her mother’s misery.

“Stacey, are you angry that I turned down that money?” her mother asked in a quiet voice.

Surprised that her mother would ask her, Stacey shook her head. “You did what you thought was right. Do I wish I had the financial assurance to make sure that Piper will always have what she needs? Sure, but I know I can take care of that. Maybe not right now, but I’ll make it happen. In the meantime, Piper and I both have something much more important than money. We have your love and support, and that’s worth far more than money.”

Her mother sniffed and walked across the room to hug her daughter. Stacey closed her eyes at the sensation of her mother’s loving arms around her. This, more than anything, was what she wanted to be able to give Piper the rest of her life.

“It makes me so proud to know what a good heart and soul you have. It makes me feel as if your father and I did something right,” Jeanne said.

“Mama, I can assure you that I’ll make plenty of mistakes, but you gave me a good heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. I also appreciate the value of hard work. Piper and I will be fine,” she said, thrilled because she was finally starting to believe it.

* * *

Colton put on his tie and jacket and took one last glance in the mirror. This would be his first planned, semiformal evening with Stacey and Piper. He wanted it to go as well as possible. He hoped Piper was in a good mood because that could make a big difference.

He strode toward the front door.

“Woo-hoo, you look great,” his mother called.

Colton smiled and turned to meet her gaze. “Thanks, Mom. You look great yourself.”

“Well, thank you, sweetheart,” she said, and moved toward him to give him a kiss on his cheek. “You going to pick up Stacey and her baby?”

“I am,” he said. “I’ll see you at the wedding and reception.”

“You look good,” his mother said. “She’s a lucky girl.”

“Thanks,” he said. I’m a lucky guy.

He drove to the Joneses’ ranch and knocked on the door. He waited a couple moments, and Stacey finally answered the door.

“Sorry,” she said. “I haven’t been feeling great, and it took extra time to get Piper ready. The great news is she seems to be in a good mood.”

“I’m all for Piper being in a good mood,” he said, and studied Stacey for a moment. “You look a little pale. Are you sure you want to go?”

“I’m sure,” she said. “This will pass. I probably haven’t had enough water. I’ve been busy all day long.”

“If you’re sure,” he said.

“I’m sure,” she said and smiled. “Let’s go.”

Colton helped Stacey and Piper into Stacey’s car, then got behind the wheel. He drove down the driveway of the Joneses’ ranch and turned onto the main road. Stacey’s silence bothered him. He drove a few miles down the road.

“I need you to stop,” Stacey said. “I feel sick.”

Colton immediately pulled to the side of the road. Stacey stumbled out of the car and got sick on the side of the road. He wasn’t sure if he should comfort her or leave her alone. After a few moments, she got back in the car.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I should go to the wedding. I think I caught a stomach virus from the little boy I was tutoring. Please take me back home,” she said, and leaned her head against the headrest.

“Right away,” he said, and made a gentle U-turn in the middle of the road. He took a quick glance at her and saw that she was taking deep breaths. He pushed the button to lower the passenger window.

“Thank you,” she said.

Colton pulled into the driveway and stopped in front of the house. Stacey flew out of the car. “I’m sorry. I’ll get Piper in a couple minutes,” she said, and raced through the front door of the house.

Colton sat in the car, staring after her. Piper squirmed and cooed. It wasn’t an unhappy sound, just an acknowledgment that the car had stopped. He took a deep breath but didn’t glance back at the baby. He suspected that if he looked at her, she might start squawking.

He waited two more minutes, but there was no sign of Stacey. Well, darn, he was going to have to take Princess Piper inside. Stepping out of the driver’s seat, he turned to the backseat and searched for the release of the safety seat. Piper squirmed, but she didn’t yell at him. He finally found it and pulled her into his arms. Slamming the door behind him, he trudged up the steps to the house and walked inside to complete silence in the house.

Hearing the flush of a commode from the back of the house, he walked farther inside. “Stacey?” he called, once, twice, but there was no answer.

Colton sighed and looked at Piper. “Looks like it’s me and you kid,” he said. He suddenly realized he’d left the magic bag in the car and returned to retrieve it. The second time Colton entered the house, he decided not to call out to Stacey. She was clearly ill. That left him with one task, taking care of Piper.

“So, how’s your diaper? Can you give me a little warning if you’re going to do a complete blowout?” he said. “I’ll need a whole box of those wipe things.”

Piper looked at him and lifted her finger to his mouth.

“Is that your way of saying shut up? I thought women wanted men to talk more,” he said.

Piper made garbled baby language, but it wasn’t fussy, so Colton had hope. “You know, this isn’t that much different than talking with most women. Most of the time I don’t understand what they’re saying.”

Piper continued with her baby talk.

“I wonder if you know what you’re saying,” he said. “I should probably check your diaper, even though I don’t want to.”

Colton gave a peek and a touch. “Just wet,” he said, excited in a way that he could never explain to a bunch of guys at the bar. “No poo. I can do this,” he said, and put her down on the sofa and changed her diaper.

“Time for a bottle?” he asked and pulled one out of the magic bag.

Piper reached for it. He sank down on the couch while she sucked down the formula. When she was finished, she looked as if she were in a stupor. He propped her up on his leg. She let out a belch that would rival that of a trucker’s.

“Whoa, that was impressive,” he said and patted her on the back.

Piper let out another loud, extremely unfeminine belch.

“Way to go,” he said.

Piper looked up at him and gave him a milky smile. That smile melted his heart. She was a sweetheart. In some dark part of his mind, he couldn’t help wondering how Joe could have left her. How could he give up the opportunity to be a father to this sweet little girl?

Chapter Ten

Piper spit up a little on his suit’s pant leg. Colton bit his lip, remembering the blowout at the festival. Could be worse, he thought, and removed his coat and tie. If Piper ruined his shirt, he could wash it. The tie and coat were more problematic. He lifted her in his arms and walked around the kitchen.

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