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“And Noah’s five mil’ is motive enough.”
She gave a solemn nod. “Noah’s not safe until the legal forms are changed after my birthday.”
After a moment of silence, something unexpected occurred to him. “So, if you inherit all that money on your birthday, why are you working here at the ranch?”
She shrugged. “I left with nothing—stole money from a stranger—how else would I pay for anything?”
“In less than a week you’ll be worth millions…ever hear of a loan? You worked your hands raw that first week. I’ve never seen anyone put so much effort into doing a job that was so difficult for them. Why?”
He couldn’t keep the grudging admiration from his voice and she actually smiled.
“You tried to scare me away. When that didn’t work you told me point blank to go home.” Her brows rose. “Do you seriously think I would’ve given you the satisfaction?”
A reluctant grin tugged at his mouth. “Stubborn fool.”
“I don’t regret it,” she insisted, truth vibrant in her voice. “It feels good to know at the end of the day that I’ve actually done something worthwhile. And, I discovered how much I like horses.”
She was good with them, too. A natural once she’d gotten over her skittishness. Colton sat forward, elbows on his knees and hands clasped together. With this new information, the past month made so much more sense. He tilted his head slightly with a sideways glance. “Now I understand why Joel let you stay after showing up out of the blue. Though, I’m surprised he never said anything to me. I need to know stuff like this in case this jerk brother of yours shows up.”
A distinct flash of guilt darkened her eyes. When she couldn’t hold his gaze, suspicion formed a hard knot in his stomach. “You told me he knows about Robert.”
She winced. “He knows he’s my half-brother.”
“And the rest of it?”
Still avoiding his eyes, she slowly shook her head no.
“Why the hell not?” He didn’t bother to hide his anger. God, he should’ve come clean to Joel from the start. He never would’ve been able to forgive himself if something had happened. To her. Noah. Britt or the boys. Yeah, he was pissed. At her and himself.
“I was scared,” she said softly.
He refused to soften. He had a right to the anger, after all. No matter her reasons.
“You have to understand,” she rushed on. “I had no idea what Joel was like, so I told him the least amount possible. I was afraid he’d make us leave, and we had nowhere else to go. And then he and Brit were so great, I couldn’t admit I’d lied all this time. And after Britt told me he used to be an investigator, I knew if I told him, he would’ve gone to the cops—it would’ve gotten back to Robert—I can’t take that chance.”
Colton stood and started for the door. “We have to tell him.”
“No—wait!” Kendra skirted the table to rush after him.
He whirled around so fast she stumbled a step back.
“Let’s assume what happened this morning was Robert,” he started. “I understand you were scared, but Joel has to know, do you understand? He has a right to protect his family, Kendra. It could’ve been any one of us walking into that paddock. Joel, Britt—who’s pregnant, remember?—or Cody and Noah for one of their riding lessons.” He grasped her shoulders tight. “Lucky’s hooves came down within inches of your head. Inches.”
The extent of his concern hit, sucking the air from his lungs. Abruptly, he released her and yanked open the door. “It’s time you stopped being so selfish and faced all your lies.”
He hated himself for the harsh words, and the wounded look in her eyes. He’d spoken before getting his emotions fully under control, but couldn’t take them back now. He could’ve justified his words with the reasoning that she needed to fully understand how serious this was, but she’d kidnapped her little brother and run across the country and halfway back. She already knew.
Colton strode across the yard, Kendra so close on his heels he kept waiting for her to trip him. Joel, Britt, Cody and Dustin were sitting at the table when he burst into the kitchen. Britt looked up with surprise, and Joel’s brow rose until he met Colton’s gaze. Then he frowned.
“Boys, why don’t you go outside and play,” Joel suggested firmly.
“No!” Colton shot a glance toward Kendra.
“Noah!” she exclaimed, her eyes huge in her pale face. She spun for the door, but Colton caught her arm.
“I’ll go get him,” he said. “You start talking.”
“What’s going on?” he heard Britt ask as he made his way out the door.
