Jen_C’s Reviews > Loving Colt > Status Update

“Well, where are all the hot cowboys? I’m ready to enjoy the view.” Harper’s voice echoing from the side of the house made me smile. “Or you could just take off that shirt of yours and flex for me, Colt. Either way, I’m happy.” Colt’s chuckle followed by Jett telling her to zip it made the girls smile.

“She’s scared and jumpy. She doesn’t eat, barely sleeps. I find her staring off at nothing, like she is lost in her own head. When I try talking to her, she shuts herself down. It’s a repeat cycle every day, and I feel like I’m losing her.” My chest was tight and my stomach churned with uneasiness.

Everything around me disappeared, and Alex was my only concern. I moved in closer, lightly brushing my hand over her cheek. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry I wasn’t here sooner.” I was falling apart on the inside, knowing that I could have prevented this if I hadn’t stopped for flowers. “It’s not your fault.”

Once Harper had finished groping his arms, he made his way to me. He skimmed his lips over my cheek, just catching the side of my mouth. “Keep little Miss Handsy away. I don’t like being felt up by anyone, unless of course you want to do it.” He wagged his eyebrows up and down, and I smiled at his playfulness. “I might take you up on that, cowboy.”

“Just don’t hurt her, please. She doesn’t deserve any more heartache than she has already had.” “Thank you,” I said as I stood from the chair. I held my hand out to him as he stood from the desk. “You have my word that I will do everything I can to make her feel adored every day. Both she and Maddison deserve to feel safe, and they will always be safe with me.”

“Colt, Colton, whatever.” Just the mention of his name made me smile. “He is a good man. I knew it the moment I saw him with his mom. He’s older, but the love in him is written all over his face. He has a kind heart, and I ran from it.” A single tear ran down my cheek at the thought of what I had thrown away.

Over the last week, every morning I woke to a rose just outside my bedroom door. Colt would stop by every morning and leave it along with a note. They were short and sweet: Good morning, beautiful. Have a great day, sweetheart. Think of me.

“Alex, I’m not gonna hurt you. No one is gonna hurt you. You’re safe here.” She shook her head without looking up, and my chest tightened even more. Just thinking about what this beautiful girl had gone through felt as if it was gutting me slowly. “I’m not safe. I’m an idiot. I did this. I put us in this situation. It’s not going to change. It won’t go away.” She whispered through her sobs.

“Mommy, your tummy is growling.” Maddi looked up at me as I continued to guide her toward the back. “No, baby. Mommy ate this morning. I’m good,” I assured her. I had decided when we left San Diego that I would only allow myself one meal a day. Even though I would kill for a juicy burger and fries, I had to use my head. The money had to last until I found a source of income.