You two know each other? Helen exclaimed, glancing from one to the other. Well, isnt that nice. I hate seeing anyone eat alone. Without fanfare, the older waitress plunked Summers two menus on the table opposite Colts coffee mug.
Im Rory, the boy piped up. Look, Mama. The man has a hat just like mine. Rory scrambled to the inside of the booth and laid down his smaller version of Colts Stetson. Are you gonna cowboy for us, Mr. Quinn? All our wranglers, cept men my dad, wear dorky straw hats. Daddy says ranch owners wear felt ones.
Rory! Come here. Excuse us, Mr. Quinn. Helen, theres been a misunderstanding. I met Mr. Quinn for the first time this morning. I wouldnt dream of horning in on his privacy.
Its Coltrane, or Colt, he cut in swiftly. Please, do join me. Helens absolutely right. Eating alone holds little appeal. The words had scarcely left his lips when Colt groaned inwardly, wondering what on earth had made his tongue run away with him? The notebook hed shoved beneath his hat sat inches away from Summer Marshs precocious son. A pad filled with notations on her ex-husband, and even a few on her.
Trying not to appear as panicky as he felt, Colt grabbed the binder and hat, and wedged them into the empty space on his bench seat. There, he said, almost too exuberantly, now you have room to spread out.
Summer stood there, still looking doubtful, even though Rory bounced up and down on the opposite seat, all the while informing Helen hed like fried chicken and a glass of milk.
Do you want the special, Summer? Helen dug out her order pad. Pot roast, loaded with carrots and browned potatoes. Elvin outdid himself tonight.
Capitulating with a sigh, Summer gingerly sank into the booth across from the man whod invaded her thoughts at inopportune times since their chance meeting. The special sounds great, Helen. And bring me a carafe of coffee. Strong and black, she added. Its been quite a day.
Colt let her finish ordering before he turned to Helen. Megan took my order already. Would you see if you can delay its arrival to match theirs, please? And a carafe of coffee sounds good to me, too.
We aim to please. Helen tittered, patting her hair in place before scurrying off to the kitchen. Summer realized Helen might have twenty years or more on her, but she was no less bowled over by Coltrane Quinns charms.
Folding her hands on the table, Summer decided not to be impressed, at least until she learned more about the man. After all, shed been duped by Franks seeming charm.
Sensing shed erected a wall, Colt concentrated on Rory Marsh. Have you seen the eagle your mother rescued this morning?
Yep. Virgil was putting her in one of our big cages when I went out to tell Mama something. The boy fiddled with the ribbon trim on his hat band, a guilty expression invading his light brown eyes. Virgil and Mama were gonna bring the eagle babies out of the gorge this afternoon. But Miss Robbins, my teacher, needed to talk with Mama and me, so the babies gotta stay in their nest alone tonight.
Theyll be fine for one night, Rory, Summer hastened to interject. Virgils too old to be climbing cliffs, anyway. Ill go fetch them after you leave for school.
Virgil said itll take two people.
Then Ill free up one of our wranglers.
Observing the tense byplay between mother and son, Colt wondered how many men the Forked Lightning employed. Itd take quite a few, he imagined, to run such a large spread. Frank, holding forth over at Whites Bar, gave the impression that he alone had run the ranch. While Colt had always had his doubts, until this minute hed had no proof Frank Marsh was telling whoppers.
Ill bet Dad could climb up to that nest in no time and get those baby eagles. After we eat, can we go ask him? The boys face was alight with hope, despite his quivering jaw.
Summer gazed at her sons upturned face, her own growing several shades paler. Rory, your father didnt He wouldnt I cant
Colt watched Summer Marsh struggle to find the right words. He also noticed how hard she rubbed the thumb and forefinger of her right hand around and around the third finger of her left hand. As if used to twisting a ringher wedding ring, probably. Now the finger was bare. A faint white band stood out from her small, tanned hand.
Rory, honey. Ive tried to explain that your dad is no longer involved with the ranch. You have to stop asking me to contact him for every little thing.
The boys dimpled chin dropped to his chest. Tears welled up and spilled over his lower lashes. Suddenly, he climbed to his knees and started pummeling his mothers arm with wildly swinging fists. Jenny Parks said Daddy told her pa its all your fault he went away. You made him go. Youre mean and I hate you, he sobbed, striking at Summer until Colt reached across the table and deflected his blows with a flat hand.
Summer, whod turned ashen, seemed frozen in place. Thats not true, she finally said in a barely discernible whisper. Twice she stretched imploring hands toward her son, and twice she pulled them back empty.
Colt wasnt sure if Rory heard her denial or not. Hed crossed his arms on the table and buried his face. His wiry frame shook with the force of his sobs.
Regaining control after an awkward moment, Summer glanced at the stranger who had intervened on her behalf. Mr. Quinn, Im sorry to subject you to what should be a private matter. Im, uh, recently divorced. Rorys having difficulty coming to grips with the separation. Grabbing her lower lip with her teeth, Summer placed her own trembling palms on the table and started to lever herself up.
Its Colt, remember, he urged gently, curling a hand around her wrist. He exerted just enough pressure to keep her seated. I see Megan heading toward us with our supper. Im sure you and Rory will both feel better after youve eaten.
Once Colt determined she wasnt going to bolt, he turned his attention to the boy, whose sobs had abated into shuddering hiccoughs. Listen, I know youre upset with your mom, but its time to dry your eyes and buck up. The waitress is bringing our food. No cowboy worth his salt lets hurt feelings come between him and hot grub. Come on, sit beside me if youd like. Ill move my stuff.
The boy raised his wheat-blond head and stared at Colt through his tears. Okay, he said, scrambling under the table so fast Colt almost didnt have time to transfer his things. He tossed them haphazardly into the space Rory vacated, trusting Summer Marsh had more on her mind than speculating about the contents of his notebook.
Megan did a double take when she approached the table and saw Rory Marsh snuggled up to a man shed flirted with earlier. Summer? I didnt see you come in. So? she asked coyly, is this handsome guy the Forked Lightnings new manager?
Summers head jerked up. I manage the Forked Lightning, Megan, and I plan to until Rory takes over. Has someone suggested otherwise?
The younger woman hiked a shoulder, and nearly lost a drumstick off Rorys plate as she set it in front of him. Darting an apologetic glance at Colt, she stammered, Th-those must be rumors floating around Whites. Er, but Franks been saying you need a man like him to run the ranch.
No, Megan. I ran the Forked Lightning before Frank Marsh ever came along. Summer dredged up a thin smile. Could I have horseradish for this roast beef, please?