Somehow they were back to discussing Colton’s life. “Acoustic guitar. I won’t make it on stage, but I love it.”
“I bet you’re not as bad as you say,” Zach said, still smiling. “Can I hear you play sometime?”
Sometime? That sounded like Zach meant to stick around. “Oh, I’m not any good. I play for me, not for others to hear me. But I’d pay to listen to you every day.”
That was too much, wasn’t it? Zach, however, glanced at him like he hung the moon.
“I love it.” He shifted as if he were getting ready to play. “Some of the other guys don’t. They treat it like a job.”
Little wonder Zach was the star of the show. “It's special, what you got. I mean, for real. That’s a once-in-a-blue-moon sort of gift.”
“Tell me you’ll play with me.” Zach’s cheeks were pink as hell. “Jam, I mean. I want us to play music together.”
Colton wanted to do tons of other things too, but playing with Zach—playing music—would be pretty great. “If we have time, sure. I’d love to. I mean, I don’t know if I’ll embarrass myself, but I’d completely try.”
“Cool.” Zach reached over, putting a hand on Colton’s leg, just a gentle touch, but it almost made him drive off the road.
He felt that, from his knee to his balls. Good lord and biscuits. He needed to focus.
The drive to the ranch ended too soon. He checked the clock and it was twenty-nine minutes. It just felt faster. “I bet you could use a shower. Let’s get your stuff inside, and I’ll show you where everything is.”
God, he sounded like a dipshit. A lovesick, wants to see Zach naked, dipshit.
The ranch was a big family spread. The enormous house was the original building, built by his grandfather. Momma’s house was on the property, a quick drive up the road. Greg had a little double-wide behind the main house. Colton’s property was just at the edge of the ranch. His house was in the dry, with only the finish work left to complete.
But the ranch had been his home for a long while. His uncle was gruff, but he’d taken Colton in when no one else would even give him the time of day. Then, when he’d come home from his enlistment, Ted gave him a job. He owed the man a lot.
“Thanks. Am I near you?”
Thankfully, not. Zach would be a temptation too big to ignore. “Not exactly. You’ll need to stay in the big house – that’s where Uncle Ted, Aunt Nanette and my grandparents live. My house is still under construction, so until then, I’m staying with Momma. Her house is on the family property, so we’re not too far from each other.”
“Oh,” Zach sounded disappointed and maybe a bit scared.
Colton opened the door after he knocked. “Aunt Nanette? Uncle call you?”
Aunt Nanette appeared, all smiles and nods. “He did. The grandbabies and Granny are all asleep, so keep it low. I’m Nanette.”
Zach’s hands were full of bag and violin. He dropped the bag and held out his hand. “Zachariah Baxter, ma’am.Pleased to meet you. Sorry to be such an inconvenience.”
Nanette waved away his concern before shaking his hand. “Nonsense. We have plenty of room. I’m babysitting while Wally and Skye went to Missoula for a concert. Come on in.”
Everything about Nanette was as joyful as the house. This was a place for dogs and cats and kids, for movies and music and huge suppers around the table. Part of Colton missed it, but he also enjoyed his freedom. Or he would once he moved into his own house.
“Zach had a harsh day. Uncle thought it was better for him to stay here than at Momma’s.”
“He’s right,” she said, giving him a look that made his ears burn with shame. “We have room, and it will be less crazy, even with all the grands.”
“Okay.” Zach seemed a little worried, but that was how it was.
Putting aside his obvious attraction to Zach—something Uncle Ted must’ve told Aunt Nanette—Colton couldn’t let Zach stay with him at Momma’s. She wasn’t a particular comfort. “You’ll be happier here. Trust me.”
“If you say so. I trust you.” Zach was like a deer in the headlights, but he did his best to be brave. “Is it okay if I take a shower before bed? It’s been a day.”
“Of course, dear,” Nanette said, shifting into full-on mother mode. “Colton, take him to your Momma’s old room. It’s flowery,” she said to Zach, “but it’s quieter and next to the bathroom. You’ll be happier there.”
“Thank you for your kindness, ma’am,” Zach said softly. “I appreciate everything you and your family have done for me.”
“Think nothing of it.” She waved them inside. “I’ll see you in the morning. Sleep well, Zach.”
