Chapter 3

Sam

The gentle sway of the clothesline draws my eye as I pin up freshly laundered shirts, their worn cotton soft beneath my fingers. A warm breeze carries the scent of sun-warmed leather and horses, the symphony of ranch life playing in the distance—hooves clopping, cattle lowing, the creak of a saddle.

I feel his gaze before I see him. A tingle goes down my spine.

Colton .

He's by the barn, those piercing blue eyes watching me from under the brim of his hat before he turns away, shoulders straight as an arrow as he strides towards the corrals. The air feels charged when he's near, like the heavy stillness before a thunderstorm.

Sighing, I gather the empty laundry basket and head inside the rustic ranch house that still doesn't quite feel like home. In the kitchen, late afternoon light slants in, illuminating the yellow gingham curtains. I start preparing supper, the simple rituals of chopping vegetables and kneading dough grounding me.

It’s clear that my role here is to tend to the house while he does all the hard work outside.

Where we are completely separate.

I sigh and go about my tasks, and my mind inevitably wanders to Dad.

Lost in thought, a tear slips down my cheek before I even realize I'm crying. Memories of cooking with Dad flood my mind—his booming laugh, strong hands guiding mine, the way he'd sneak bites when he thought I wasn't looking. God I miss him, an ache so deep in my chest I can hardly breathe.

The creak of a floorboard startles me, and I turn to find Colton frozen in the doorway, hat in hand, an unreadable expression on his rugged face. "You alright there darlin'?" His deep gravelly drawl sends a shiver through me.

Hastily, I wipe at my cheeks. "I'm fine, I just...I recently lost my dad…" My voice cracks and I swallow hard.

Two strides and he's in front of me, calloused thumb tentatively brushing away a tear. "It's okay, I understand." His blue eyes are soft, almost tender. "Grief has a way of sneaking up on you."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. Slowly, giving me time to pull away, he folds me into his strong arms. I stiffen for a heartbeat before melting into his solid warmth, breathing in the scent of him—leather, horses, and something uniquely Colton.

"When I lost my Pa, felt like the ground dropped out from under me. Still does some days." His deep rumble vibrates through me where my cheek presses to his chest. My arms tighten around his waist. "You're not alone Sam. I'm here."

Hope blooms fragile and bright in my chest, his quiet words wrapping around my bruised heart like a balm. Maybe, just maybe, I've found a safe harbor after the storms. In the shelter of Colton's embrace, for the first time since Dad died, I feel the tiniest spark of something that might be home.

A shuddering breath escapes me as I cling to Colton, this man who is still a stranger yet feels like a lifeline in the tempest of my grief. His hand rubs soothing circles on my back, calluses catching on the worn fabric of my dress. Time seems to still, narrowing down to the two of us, the golden late-day light, the hush of our mingled breathing.

Slowly, reluctantly, I lift my head from the solid strength of his chest, my eyes finding his. The blue depths hold understanding, empathy, and a flicker of something heated that sends a flush crawling up my neck. Awareness prickles over my skin, the air suddenly thick, charged with a tension I can't name.

Colton's gaze drops to my mouth, his own parting slightly. Rough thumbs brush my cheekbones, tilting my face up to his. I feel the ghost of his breath on my lips, the rasp of his stubble. My pulse kicks into a gallop. The look on his face…I don’t know what it means, but it has me tied all up in knots.

His scent intoxicates me—leather, sweat, and something wild and untamed that speaks to a primal part of me. The rough pads of his thumbs caress my tear-stained cheeks with a gentleness that belies their strength. I'm drowning in the fathomless blue of his eyes, falling into their stormy depths.

Time stretches taut between us, the very air seeming to hold its breath. Colton's callused palm slides to the nape of my neck, his touch igniting sparks beneath my skin. He leans in, his lips so close to mine.

Oh my god. He’s going to kiss me.

I let out a shaky breath, and then as quickly as it almost happened, it stops.

Colton releases me, takes off his hat and runs a hand through his hair, ruffling it as he looks down, mumbles something about having to get back to work and turns swiftly on his heel and leaves.

Only when he’s gone do I realize I’m trembling, though with what I don’t know.