I reluctantly hugged Dad. I was still mad, but I knew it would be a long time before I saw him again. Considering his recent heart attack, I wasn’t adding another regret to my list. “I love you, but I’m never going to work for you.”
“Don’t say never.”
“Dad. I’ll always be your daughter, but I’ll never be your employee.”
He held me close. “I love you, Mallory. I may not show it a lot but I’m so proud of you.”
I stepped back. “I hope you can continue to be proud of me no matter what decisions I make.”
He nodded. “I will.”
“I’ll call you on Christmas.” I grabbed my bag, releasing it when my dad tugged on the handle. He helped me load it in the truck.
“Bye, sweetie.”
“Bye, Dad.” I pulled out of his ornate driveway, back toward my much simpler one at home, although I’d be making one stop first.
***
I knocked on the Waters’ door. It was after midnight, but I wanted to surprise Colt. The words I needed to say couldn’t be said over the phone.
His mother opened the door. “Mallory? Is everything okay?”
“Is Colton home?”
“Yeah. He’s up in his room.” She looked at her watch. “When did you get back in town?”
“Just now.”
“Okay, go on up, honey.”
I slipped off my shoes and hurried up the carpeted stairs to his room. I knocked on his door.
“Yeah?” He called out over some low music.
“It’s me.”
“Mallory?” The door flew open and Colton had me in his arms before I could register it. “Is everything okay? You’re home early.” He closed the door, put me down on his bed and sat down next to me. I liked that his concern was for me and not us. He had enough confidence in our relationship to know I wasn’t trying to break up with him or anything.
“I decided to come back early.”
“Awesome! I could pretend to be disappointed that your visit with your dad didn’t go as planned, but my excitement at seeing you wins out.”
I smiled. “Good.”
His face got serious. “Did something happen?”
“Yeah. Lots. The bottom line is that I don’t need him to approve of my life. What matters is how I feel, and I know where I’m happiest, and who I’m happiest with.”
“Is it with anyone I know?” He brushed some hair away from my face.
“I love you, Colton.” The words tumbled out.
His face lit up. “I love you, Mallory. I thought I was in love with you before, but now I know that was nothing. This though is love.” He touched the place over my heart. “What we’ve become these past few months.”
“I know.” The tears started, and I couldn’t stop them.
His answer was to kiss me, and it worked better than anything else ever could have. His lips moved against mine as his arms wrapped around me. Before long, I was lying down on his bed with him hovering over me.
“We can’t do this here.”
“I know. Not with my mom home. I have an idea.” He moved off me and grabbed my hand. He rushed me downstairs.
“Mom, we’re going out.”
“Okay. Is Rob going to mind?” She looked at me worriedly. Rob’s protectiveness was really notorious in town.
“Yeah, it’s fine.” He didn’t even know I was back so we were safe.
“Okay, then have fun.”
“We will.” Colton squeezed my hand as he led me out to his truck.
“I don’t need to ask where we’re going, do I?”
“Nope. My guess is you’re thinking the same thing.”
The barn was just as empty as last time, but this time there were no cars and trucks parked outside or kids drinking in the field. Colt led me up the hayloft stairs and laid me down in the hay the same way he had that first night.
His hands and lips roamed my body as he undressed us slowly, savoring the experience as though it were the first time.
I reached out to touch his chest once he shed his shirt. I’d never get tired of feeling those muscular planes.
We moved together beautifully, perfectly. I knew with every grain of my body that I never wanted anyone else. He pushed me over the edge before reaching his own release, and he stayed on top of me afterward. Neither one of us wanted to separate. “I love you, Mallory.” He looked right in my eyes as he spoke.
“I love you, Colt.”
A bright light pulled me from my blissful haze. There were headlights outside. I moved to get dressed, but before I could do anything, the car moved away. Whoever it was decided walking in on us wasn’t worth the trouble.
“I’m going to take that as a sign.” Colt ran his hand down my arm.
“A sign of what?”
“That we’re meant to be doing this. I mean we weren’t even busted.”
I laughed. “It would have been really funny if we were.”
“Really funny? Would it have been funny when Rob had me arrested?”
“What’s he going to get you arrested for? We’re both consenting adults. Annie’s uncle could arrest us for trespassing, but you know he wouldn’t.”
“This is our spot now.”
“Our spot?”
“Yeah. The spot we should come to every time we need a recharge.”
“A recharge?” I asked.
“I figure every few years we’ll get into a fight and crave really good make-up sex.”
“Every few years? You’re really looking far ahead now.”
“I’m looking at forever, Mallory.”
“Forever?” I nuzzled into his side.
“Forever. I promise it’s going to be a good ride.”
“I’m sure it will be.” I moved out of his arms, and he started to protest until he realized what I was doing.
“I’m really excited about the ride, but right now I just want to ride my Colt.”
He laughed. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you this year, but I love it.”
“You. You’re what’s gotten into me. You’ve changed me in the most amazing ways.”
“You’ve done the same to me.” He reached up and pulled me down to lie on top of him. “As much as I’d love for you to take me for a ride, right now I just want to hold you.”
“Being held sounds pretty good too.”
“Good, because I plan on holding you for a very long time.”