Page 78 of Colton’s Inferno

After lunch, she went to the ranch. As it turned out, Aiden was able to help her, after all. He got his foster brother, Ted, to make a few calls. When Bryant Bros. Carnivals heard from the mayor, they expedited the ten-thousand-dollar payment. Lucy received the check within days—and not weeks. With the extra money, she was able to hire several temporary workers to manage the livestock and do the necessary chores. Whenever she was on the property, a sheriff’s deputy was parked nearby. The protection was thanks to Aiden as well. His brother Callum had arranged for the extra security.

In the evening, she went back to Aiden’s apartment. He made dinner. Afterward, they watched TV. Sometimes a documentary. Other times a rom-com. Then, they went to bed where they had sex—careful to always use a condom. Then, she slept in Aiden’s arms, happy and exhausted.

A traffic light changed from yellow to red. Lucy dropped her foot onto the brake and stopped at the intersection. As she waited, she pressed a hand onto her middle. Could she feel a baby bump? After only one week, would she even notice a difference?

It wasn’t as if she’d missed a cycle—or was even late.

But what if she was? What then?

Well, Lucy had enough to worry about without adding to her concerns with something that might not be an issue. She gripped the steering wheel with both hands.

The turn arrow appeared, and she eased through the intersection. Main Street unfurled in front of her. She exhaled and relaxed in her seat. There was The Eatery. A group was gathered near the front door. Several people, dressed in suits and skirts, walked toward Prime. The bookstore was closed, as was Pixies. But a good crowd was still downtown.

Red Grove wasn’t the ranch. It wasn’t home. And yet, she was happy to be living in the middle of the hustle.

She found a spot next to the curb and parked. After turning the key in the ignition, she stilled the engine. She opened the door and stepped onto the road. At the same moment, the door to the apartment building opened. Aiden stepped onto the sidewalk. Dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans, he gave her that smile—the one with the dimple. Her pulse quickened.

“I saw you from the window,” he said. “I thought maybe we could go out for dinner tonight. The Eatery will start putting up missing person posters if I don’t stop by soon,” he joked.

“I just spent all day going through the accounts,” she said. “So, I don’t smell like a horse. We can go now, if you want.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.” He reached for her hand. His touch still sent a spark up her arm. “And for the record, I’d go anywhere with you—even if you did smell like a horse.”

The evening air was cool, and she was thankful for Aiden’s warm hand wrapped around hers. The sky was pink on the horizon, and lights from the businesses spilled onto the sidewalk.

“So,” Aiden began. “How was your day?”

The Eatery was on the opposite side of Main Street. They stood on the curb as a line of cars passed. The pause gave her a moment to organize her thoughts. But there was so much on her mind. The Five Steers Ranch. Grandpa Rusty. The threats to her life. Her future—that was if she had one. The possibility that she was pregnant.

“You know,” she said, as the last vehicle drove past. “The same.”

They jogged to the opposite sidewalk and approached the restaurant. Aiden held open the door for Lucy as she entered. Several of the tables were filled with diners. She recognized a group of students who got on the bus every morning at a booth in the back.

“Let’s sit here,” suggested Aiden, walking to the booth next to the students.

She slid onto the bench, and he took a seat opposite.

Menus were stacked at the back of the table. Lucy picked up one and scanned the offerings. Before she could decide, Ruth came up to the table filled with students. With a tray balanced on her arm, she said, “Here you go.” Setting down several plates, the server asked, “How are classes?”

“I’m thinking about changing majors,” said one of the students. “But I need to decide before drop-add ends next Friday.”

Lucy sucked in a breath. She hadn’t gone to college, but she could figure out that drop-add was a period where people could change their classes. Could someone, like her, still enroll?

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

Had he somehow read her mind?

Lucy’s gaze snapped up. Ruth stood next to the table, a pen and order pad in hand.

“Oh, my order.” She closed the menu and set it at the back of the table. “I’ll take the Aiden Colton special and a water.”

“Make that two,” he said, “and bring me a coffee.”

“I don’t even have to write down anything,” said Ruth, teasing. “Be right back with your drinks.”

Once she was gone, Aiden reached across the table. She placed her palms in his. “Are you sure everything was okay today? You seem, I don’t know, distracted.”

Maybe he could read her mind. Should she tell him that she was worried about being pregnant? And if she did, what then? What would she do if he freaked out? No, better to wait until she knew.