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Colton remained calm, his mind clearly working on a solution. His brows furrowed in concentration, and while I normally would have been panicking, I found myself oddly comforted by his determination.
He walked back to the truck, retrieving his phone from the center console. As he returned to stand next to me and type a message, I leaned over, trying to catch a glimpse of what he was doing, but he blocked my view.
I felt utterly useless, the need to help gnawing at me. Watching him so composed while I was slightly on edge only added to my frustration.
“What do we do?” I asked, trying to mask the rising anxiety in my voice.
“I reached out to a local towing company. They’ll come get us, drop us off at a motel, and take the truck to the shop. We should be back on the road by morning.”
“Wow, that was quick,” I replied. Colton spun on his heels and walked back to the driver’s seat without a response or even a grunt in recognition. I scrambled to climb in too, not wanting to be left standing alone on the side of the road.
When we were both settled inside and a few beats of silence passed, Colton spoke.
“I have connections,” he said, leaning his head against the headrest, his eyes fixed on the windshield.
“Out here? I don’t even know where the hell we are.” I glanced around, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. Now that I thought about it, Colton had gotten us this far without even using a GPS.
“Yup.” He turned his head toward me and his blue gaze locked onto mine, pulling me under his spell. The quiet, stranded moment made his presence even more magnetic. “I’ve made this trip a lot and usually stay at a motel a few miles from here. It’s right off the next exit.”
I nodded. “Do you stay there every time you drive through?”
“Yeah, usually. I hadn’t planned to this time since I had you with me. Something told me it wasn’t up to your standards. It’s old and a bit rundown. But now we don’t have much of a choice.”
His words stung, insinuating I was too good for a place like he was describing. The assumption cut deep, stirring up memories I didn’t care to relive. Growing up, it had been just my dad and me, scraping by on one income, most of it spent on things that weren’t necessities.
“You and I aren’t that different, Colton,” I hissed, anger lacing my voice. “I worked hard for what I have. Luxury wasn’t an option for me growing up.” His gaze flicked between my eyes, his lips parting slightly as if my words had surprised him. “Most of my childhood, we didn’t have food or electricity because my dad cared more about his next beer than providing for me. So, a motel is perfectly fine with me.”
I turned away, focusing my gaze out the window, unwilling to give him any more explanation. He’d hit a nerve, poked at a vulnerability I didn’t often expose.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered, his voice low and oddly sincere.
If I weren’t so stubborn, I might have turned back, let his rare apology soften me. But instead, I stoned my gaze, refusing to let him see how much his words had affected me.
Chapter 16
Colton
THE TOW TRUCK didn’t take long to arrive, not surprising given how little happened in this quiet town. It was a place I frequented whenever I made the long trips between my ranches. I preferred driving over flying—the road gave me space to clear my head, a welcome solitude that wasn’t at the mercy of flight schedules or crowded airports.
On one trip, exhaustion had caught up with me, and this motel was the only option for hours. The older woman behind the counter, with her kind eyes and welcoming smile, reminded me of the woman who had taken a chance on me. The motel was empty then, the parking lot deserted. Instead of booking just one room, I booked them all.
As we pulled up now, the place looked much the same—run down with faded yellow paint peeling from the brick exterior. The flower beds, though, were well-tended, adorned with light pink blossoms that added a touch of care to the worn outside. Most travelers might pass it by without a second glance, but I knew better. The heart behind this place, the passion and care, was what kept drawing me back.
Eleanor hadn’t spoken since I made that comment about her standards and the motel. The silence between us was thick, heavy with unspoken words and lingering tension. I didn’t know why I’d said it, and I certainly hadn’t meant it as evil as it sounded.
She had been right—we were more alike than different. She had the bite that countered my own, a balance I was starting to welcome. Maybe that was what fueled the intensity, the competitive edge that sparked whenever we were in each other’s presence. She could match my energy, challenge me in ways few people could. And I liked that more than I cared to admit.
Eleanor followed close behind me as we walked down the sidewalk and into the office of the motel, her steps slowed like she was hesitant, but she kept her chin held high. I’d decided to leave our bags in the truck for now, knowing it was easier to grab them after we checked in.
Just as I’d expected, Janice stood behind the counter, her short, curly gray hair and oversized glasses making her instantly recognizable.
The soft ding of the bell above the door drew her attention, her eyes lighting up as they met mine. A broad smile spread across her face, growing even wider when she realized it was me.
“Colton!” she exclaimed, her voice warm with happiness.
I couldn’t help but return her smile, a soft one that rarely found its way onto my face these days. It had been far too long since my last visit.
Janice came around the counter, wrapping me in a tight hug that required me to bend down. Her familiar embrace and the affectionate kiss she planted on my cheek brought a rare comfort. When we pulled apart, she held my face in her hands, her eyes twinkling like a grandmother doting on her grandson.
