LITMIR.BIZ

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left the arena and made their way to the parking lot, leaving only rodeo participants behind.

      Colt waited until his stomach hardened and the feeling in his limbs vanished. Until there was no feeling left anywhere. Numb was a damned sight better than breaking down right now. He had to stay in control to make the long drive home. And he was a world away from Atlanta’s Tuxedo Park.

      * * *

      “COLT?”

      Jen took a few hesitant steps forward, her boots whispering over the grass as she approached him. He didn’t answer. Just stood there, motionless as he stared straight ahead at the paddock, fists at his sides.

      The crowd outside the Silver Spurs Arena had dwindled to a few rodeo riders, every one of them eager to find the next party and unwind. All except Colt. One phone call had extinguished his flirtatious demeanor.

      Jen’s skin prickled at the unusually tight set of his broad shoulders. She stopped, fiddled with the soggy label on her beer and tried again.

      “Colt. What’s wrong?”

      A crack of laughter rang out. Jen glanced over her shoulder to find Tammy and Karla sauntering through the exit and sharing a joke.

      Tammy’s eyes brightened as they landed on Colt. “Well, finally. We’ve been waiting for you for forever. You won. They’ve got your check...”

      Her steps faltered at his lack of response and she shot a look at Jen.

      Jen shook her head.

      “Who was on the phone, Colt?” Tammy moved to his side and placed a hand on the small of his back, releasing a small laugh. “Come on. You’re scaring us. Who was it?”

      A muscle in his jaw ticked. “My father’s secretary.”

      “Bad news?” Tammy asked.

      He nodded.

      “Well, wha—”

      “My father’s dead.”

      Tammy gasped and wrapped her hand around his upper arm. “Oh, no.”

      Jen froze, her fingers clutching the beer bottle hard. Karla made a sound of dismay at her side.

      “He and my stepmom.” His brow furrowed. “Their jet crashed.”

      The words were flat. Emotionless. His blue eyes were empty and his expression remained stoic.

      Jen’s vision blurred. “I’m so sorry, Colt,” she whispered, unsure what else to say.

      They rarely spoke of family. His, Tammy’s or hers. Just made vague comments when necessary. He and Tammy were close and that was about as much as she knew.

      Colt’s features hardened and he shrugged away from Tammy’s touch. “They always flew on a private jet.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “It’s faster and my father says it’s safer. At least that’s what he used to say.” A sneer crossed his face. “Truth was, he thought he was too good to fly commercial with common people. Both of them did.” His voice weakened. “Death doesn’t discriminate, though, does it?”

      Jen’s heart squeezed at the shadows in his eyes. She glanced at Tammy, her throat closing at the tears streaming down her friend’s cheeks. Jen crossed to her side and squeezed her hand.

      Colt planted his back to them, saying, “My sister’s alone.”

      “You have a sister?” Jen asked.

      Colt nodded and thrust his hands in his pockets. “Meg. My half sister. She’s around nine now. I haven’t seen her since she was two.”

      Jen hesitated. “Surely a family member’s with her—”

      “What family?” Scorn tinged his words. He spun around to face her. “My father’s work was his family. It’s not surprising that his secretary was the one to give me the news.” He hesitated, his sculpted mouth opening, then closing as he eyed his cousin. “Tammy, I need to go home. Just for the weekend. For the funeral and to see Meg.”

      “Of course.” Tammy pulled her hand free from Jen’s and wiped her cheeks. “I’ll go with you. We can have the horses loaded in no time.”

      “No.” Colt held up a hand. “I’m going alone. You have a race to win.”

      Tammy’s jaw fell. “Screw the race, Colt. I’m not—”

      “You are.” He shook his head, jaw clenching. “You know what it’s like back there. And I’m not staying for any longer than the...” He stopped, looking away before continuing. “I’m not staying any longer than necessary.”

      Jen ached at the bleak tone in his voice. She longed to wrap her arms around Colt and comfort him but knew he wouldn’t accept it.

      “Colt.” Tammy’s tone turned hard. “There’s no way I’m letting you go alo—”

      “You don’t have to let me do anything. This is how I want it.” Colt’s chest lifted on a rough breath. “You knew what he was like. He never gave a shit about me. Or you. Or anyone for that matter. I’m not letting you blow your chance at success for that—”

      His voice cracked. He spun on his heel to leave.

      Tammy grabbed his arm and jerked him to a stop. “Colt. This is ridiculous.” She stepped close, her face pleading. “You can’t expect me to waltz off to a race while you’re dealing with this.”

      “You think I’d want you going back there? Ever?” Colt took her shoulders and peered down at her. “Do you want to go back, Tammy?”

      Jen studied her friend. Tammy looked down, hands twisting and face paling.

      Colt’s chin trembled. He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip. “You weren’t welcome there before he died. You think you’ll be more welcome now? Take my word for it that whoever he left in charge of that place will be just as cold and hateful as he was. I’m not letting you go through that again.”

      “Colt, please. You can’t...” A sob broke from Tammy.

      Colt tugged her close and tucked her head under his chin, his voice strained. “You’ll go to Davie and you’ll win. And I’ll be back before you know it.”

      Jen closed her eyes, her heart still clenching at the mixture of pain and tenderness in Colt’s face.

      “Then let Jen go with you.”

      Jen’s eyes sprang open at Tammy’s words. “What? Tammy—”

      Tammy spun to face her, expression fierce. “I can’t let him go alone, Jen. And you’ll be fine without competing at Davie.”

      “No,” Colt stated, stepping back.

      Tammy followed and grabbed Colt’s vest. “Let her go with you. If for no other reason than to make sure you get there and back safely. There’s no way I’ll be able to focus tomorrow night knowing you’re dealing with this on your own.” She jerked her chin at Karla. “You traveling to Davie alone?”

      Karla nodded.

      “You mind me and Razz catching a ride with you? That way Jen can take Diamond with Colt. I’ll pitch in for gas and expenses.”

      “Of course,” Karla said. “I’d be happy to help.”

      Jen shook her head. “Tammy, this is not a good idea.”

      “Jen’s right. I’ll be fine on my own.” Colt pulled free of Tammy and walked back into the arena.

      Tammy hesitated, staring after Colt for a moment. Then she rushed to Jen, taking her forearms, hard and desperate. “You’ve got to do this for me, Jen. I’ll talk to him. He’ll be fine with it.”

      “I know you’re worried,” she said gently. “But you heard him. He wants to go alone.”

      “Colt

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