wearing an impeccable tailored gray suit and holding two takeout cups of coffee. “Hi, gorgeous,” he said with a smile.
“I’m not gorgeous,” she muttered grumpily, as she ran her hands through her tangled hair. “I look like hell.”
“That’s a matter of opinion,” he said, as she accepted one of the coffees, mumbling her thanks.
She led the way into her living room. Colton took a seat on the sofa beside her.
“How’s the time off going?”
“Pretty good,” she answered, sipping her coffee. Cream, no sugar, exactly as she liked it. She told him about her visit to the ranch.
“Damn, I feel terrible,” he said. “I haven’t talked to Cord in over two weeks. I’ve been so busy I never seem to have time for anything except work. I knew Nicki wasn’t doing well, and I told Cord weeks ago that he should consult you. I never dreamed he’d take my advice.”
The Prescotts were not a close family, and Becca knew Blanche was the primary reason for that. She took a deep breath. “I’m planning to spend some time at the ranch, so I can try to help Nicki.”
“You are? That’s wonderful,” Colton said. “If anyone can help her, it’s you.”
“Thanks.” They talked about Nicki and about Colton’s business trip, but she was well aware that there was another conversation they had to have. She wasn’t quite sure how to bring it up.
“Colton?”
“Hmm?”
“We’re good friends, aren’t we?”
“The best.”
“Have you ever wished that our relationship had turned into…more?”
He moved uncomfortably. “Yeah, but I’ve always realized that you don’t have those feelings for me.”
“Oh, Colton.” She felt like crying.
“Don’t worry about it. Besides, I’m too old for you, anyway.” His eyes narrowed. “Why are you mentioning it now? Oh.” He answered his own question. “You’ve been listening to that crazy redhead.”
“Don’t call Ginger that!”
“She’s loony as a bat and always making nasty comments about our relationship.”
“She’s very outspoken,” Becca said in Ginger’s defense.
“Yeah.” He laughed sarcastically. “But our relationship is none of her business and she’d better keep her opinions to herself.”
“You’re getting angry for nothing,” Becca told him. “I just didn’t want you hoping that something was going to happen between us, because I’m not sure what I want and you’re too nice a person to keep baby-sitting me. You deserve a—” The doorbell interrupted her.
“Excuse me,” she said, and got up to open the door.
Ginger brushed past her. “Look at this,” she cried agitatedly. “Look at my hair! It’s one big fuzz ball. I can’t go to work like this.”
Ginger had naturally curly red hair, and on humid days it sprang into a mass of tight ringlets. During the sweltering Houston summers, Ginger was always in a panic about her hair.
“I looked in the car mirror and I couldn’t believe it! I just fixed it, and now I resemble the bride of Frankenstein. Your place is close to work, so I came here for emergency repairs. Can I use your curling iron?” Ginger turned and saw Colton. “You’re here awfully early.”
“Got something to say about it?” Colton asked in a hard tone.
“Had nails with your coffee, Prescott?” Ginger returned without skipping a beat, then swung toward the bathroom.
Becca shrugged. “That’s Ginger.”
Colton stood up, shaking his head. “I don’t know how you put up with her.”
“We’ve been friends for a very long time.”
Colton looked into her eyes. “Don’t worry about us. Don’t worry about anything.”
“Colton…”
He placed a finger over her lips. “I’ve got to get to work. I’ll call you later, and I’ll call Cord as soon as I get to the office.” He started for the door. “Thanks for doing this for my family. I know Cord will appreciate it.” Becca stared after him.
Ginger came back with her hair looking much better. “Stuffed Shirt gone?”
“Ginger, don’t.”
“I have to run, anyway.”
“Can you wait just a second?”
Ginger glanced at her watch. “That’s about all I’ve got.”
Becca told her about the visit to Triple Creek, about motherless Nicki and her father.
“Wow. What’s this Cord like?”
Becca groaned. “It’s not about Cord. It’s about Nicki.”
“If you say so.” Ginger sighed. “Now, I’ve really got to go.”
“Can you water my plants while I’m gone?”
“Sure,” Ginger called, hurrying out the door. “Phone me when you’re back in town.”
As Ginger left, Becca tried to ignore her words. Was she doing this for Nicki—or Cord? For both of them was her instant response, and she was getting tired of justifying her actions to everyone. She let out a long breath and went to make fresh coffee.
Fueled by the additional caffeine and new resolve, she called the Prescott ranch. Cord answered it on the second ring.
“Cord, it’s Becca.”
“Hi, how are you this morning?”
Her stomach trembled at the undertones in his voice, and she wondered why he had this effect on her and Colton didn’t. She swallowed.
“Fine. Where’s Nicki?”
“In her room.”
“Cord.” She couldn’t keep the frustration out of her voice.
“Della’s fixing her breakfast and I was about to go upstairs and get her. I’m not looking forward to this.”
“Crying and screaming won’t hurt her. Not eating will.”
There was a pause, then he asked, “When are you coming?”
“In about two hours.”
“Well, maybe I’ll wait and
