What doesn’t feel right is saying goodbye in a few short months.
I’ve had my heart broken before, but this one will be the worst.
But as Colt said before, we need to take risks and live without regret. I’d regret it more if I didn’t enjoy this time with him.
And that’s the thought that finally shuts off my brain and allows me to drift off in his arms.
My eyes flutteropen as light streams through a crack in the bedroom curtain. I guess I missed the sunrise, but at least the sun is shining and the rain has stopped.
After pulling out some clothes and dressing, I wander to the kitchen. Colt sits at his kitchen table with the paint supplies he set aside from last night. His reading glasses are a surprise, and when I enter the room, he sets them aside with a shy grin.
“Hey, you’re awake. Have a seat, and I’ll make the coffee I promised.”
Colt moves to the small coffee maker and quickly sets it up to brew a fresh pot.
“What are you painting?” Immediately, it hits me. “Shit. What time is it? This is Saturday, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. It’s 9:15. Why?”
“Oh, thank god.” I pat my chest in relief that I didn’t miss it. “I, uh, I signed up for a paint thing at the library that day I ran into you.”
“After you tied the fly with Chris?” Colt’s lips twitch.
“Yeah. That day. I thought it would be fun to do something at the library, like most of the town seems to do, to see if I—” I snap my mouth shut. I can’t tell him I wanted to fit in here by joining a class. “I thought it might be a fun way to spend a few hours. Get me away from the laptop.”
Colt hums as he leans against the counter. “You thought you missed it?”
“Yeah. It’s not until?—”
“11:30,” Colt finishes.
“Are you going too?”
He dips his head. “Oh, I’ll be there. Don’t expect special treatment from the teacher, though.”
“Wait. You’re teaching it?”
He nods as he reaches for a mug in the cupboard. “I ask for one Saturday off each month so I can volunteer in town. A paint day is always popular since a lot of the older folks don’t like to go to a paint evening.”
“Oh, lord,” I groan. “Will I be the youngest one there?”
Colt laughs as he pours me a coffee and adds cream and one sugar before handing it to me. “Probably not, but you’ll definitely have some of them asking you questions.”
“I can’t believe you’re the teacher.”
“It’s just watercolor, and I’m nothing special, but it’s a few hours working with my hands in a way I don’t usually. It’s soothing.”
“I can’t draw stick people, Colt. I don’t know about watercolor.”
“Good thing I’m an excellent teacher, then.” He winks, and it’s a direct line to my libido. How is my gentleman cowboy winking at me with so much promise in his kitchen right now? I feel like he’s been in disguise all along, and maybe he’s not so shy.
“You’re full of secrets, Colt Beckworth.”
His playful grin is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
“Not secrets. Just things you don’t know about me yet.” He takes the mug from my hand and sets it on the counter before drawing me closer. “Do you eat breakfast or just live on coffee?” He kisses me gently before pulling out a chair and placing my mug back in front of me. My mind is still stuck on Colt teaching me to paint and what questions the people will ask me.
“Uh, cereal is fine.”
