Hidden Treasure(15)

“And now we know,” Maggie said, offering her own sly glance at Colt’s hand, which was resting just above Brielle’s hip.

As if finally getting clued in to what these women were up to, and where their eyes were, he untangled himself from Brielle and put a good three feet of space between them.

“Brielle didn’t have proper clothes for riding or ranching. We’ve just been shopping.” Colt’s cheeks seemed to gain instant color to match Brielle’s.

“That’s not what we’ve been hearing. Peggy said you were assisting Brielle in the changing room,” Bethel said.

Brielle was mortified to discover that people had been paying attention. Peggy hadn’t been anywhere in sight when Colt had slipped in there with her. But of course the woman knew what was happening in her own store. What had Brielle been thinking when she allowed that make-out session to go on in such a public place? Okay, maybe she wasn’t all that surprised at what she’d done. And she couldn’t regret it altogether. His kisses were that good.

She was, however, more than a little uncomfortable now that she was being examined under a high-powered microscope. Were these women finding her seriously lacking? They probably didn’t think her good enough for one of their own small-town cowboys.

That thought stung, though it shouldn’t have. She knew who she was and what she was worth. But that was just it. She didn’t really know who she was. She knew she was a Storm, but that didn’t mean anything anymore, and certainly nothing in this town. She felt as if she were floating on a cloud and she just didn’t know when it was going to start dropping rain, leaving a big hole for her to fall through.

“We don’t want to be a bother,” Maggie said. “We just wanted to meet Brielle and see what you’ve been up to, Colt. It seems you’ve been avoiding us lately.”

“Why would I ever avoid you three beautiful women?”

“Oh, don’t even try that on us, Colt Westbrook,” Bethel told him. “Or that ridiculous smile. We’re not some dumb young girls who can be fooled by your charm. If your mama was still alive, she’d be crying in her favorite front-porch rocking chair right about now, complaining about what a playboy you’ve become.”

“My mama raised me right, ladies,” he said, tipping his hat and looking around for a way out. When the doorbell rang and a man walked in, Colt’s face filled with relief. “I would love to keep chatting, but I need to speak to Hawk.” And he made a beeline for him, a man who didn’t know the minefield he was stepping into.

The new arrival made Brielle’s jaw drop. “Do they grow them all to be tall, dark and handsome here?” she couldn’t help asking.

“I think it’s something in the water,” Bethel replied with a laugh.

“Nah, it’s the sweet-corn whiskey,” Eileen argued.

“That’s my son, Hawk. He’s the local fire chief,” Maggie said, beaming. “It’s too bad Colt has already laid claim to you…”

For the zillionth time in the last hour, Brielle felt her cheeks grow warm. And then, to Brielle’s absolute horror, the two men began walking their way. She could barely form coherent sentences around Colt, let alone try to hold a conversation with two such hunks. Hell, she now lived on a cattle ranch; why not just call them beefcakes?

“Good afternoon, Mom.” Hawk leaned down and kissed Maggie on the cheek.

“Hello, son. How did that last call go?” she asked, giving him a quick hug.

Brielle was completely out of her element. The two seemed to have genuine affection for each other. Her family didn’t do hugs or kisses anymore. At one time they had, though — a long time ago.

“It was fine. Rick just hit a deer and messed up his truck’s bumper. The deer had to be put down, but you know that happens too often,” Hawk said.

“I know it does, Hawk, but it’s still unpleasant.”

Hawk nodded before turning Brielle’s way. “Who’s this beautiful woman with you, Mom?” he asked with a winning smile.

It was bright enough to make Brielle want to take a step backward. Or forward — she wasn’t sure.

“This is Brielle,” Colt said, stepping up beside her once again and wrapping his arm back around her. It seemed his fear of the meddling women was overruled by his desire to put his brand on Brielle before Hawk had a chance to get interested.

Not that Brielle realized that.

“Ah…I see,” Hawk said with a laugh. “Too bad,” he added with a wink at Brielle. “I’m Hawk. If your place is ever on fire, make sure and give me a call.”