Katie's Heart ~~ Part One of the Montana Series

~Chapter Nine~

May 6, 2016

Colten sighed. He was tired and hungry. Sleeping in the bunkhouse wasn't so bad as long as Alex didn't snore. Last night they'd all been so exhausted from dealing with the calves that Alex had snored and he had snored loudly. Colten knew better than to complain though. He looked over at Katie who was helping Justin get out of the truck to eat lunch with the cowboys. She looked beyond exhausted but Justin looked awful. He was getting so thin, his skin was looking so pale. He had a big bruise on his arm from his latest round of blood work. Watching them together, the pure sadness and grief in Katie's eyes and the acceptance in Justin's, Colten knew he had no business to complain about anything.

"Here ma'am, let me help." Colten watched as Sam jumped up to help Katie. He couldn't help but feel slightly jealous at their interaction. While everything they did was straightforward and honest, Katie smiled at Sam more than anyone else on the ranch. Colten watched as he held Justin's arm slowly leading him to the table. The other cowboys all nodded and waited for the boss to be seated before smiling and engaging him in conversation about the mornings work.

"All right, dinner's ready," a soft feminine voice Colten had never heard before exclaimed. He turned to see who was talking and was surprised to see a short red haired woman carrying a large platter of roast with all the trimmings towards the table. There was something about her that was familiar but Colten couldn't seem to place it.

"Here Penny, let me help." Katie finished arranging Justin's oxygen tank and moved to help the smaller woman. Colten took the time to study the newcomer. She was small, maybe standing at only five foot. Her red hair was braided and hung to the middle of her back. He noted her skin was dusted with freckles. Her eyes were a light brown with a gold rim to them. She was heavier than he was used to seeing on a woman, but her size didn't appear to bother her and surprisingly he enjoyed seeing that thickness on her. He was so used to women looking anorexic that he found himself enjoying the expansive curves of this petite woman. What intrigued him the most was the way she favored her left leg. She moved it cautiously and slowly, almost as if it hurt her to lift it and walk.

"Thanks Katie," Penny responded with a bright smile. "You unload the boys, I'll get someone to help me with the food."

Colten watched as Katie nodded in thanks and then head off to get her and Justin's boys. He stood and walked towards the woman whom had piqued his interest.

"I can help.  What do you need?"

Penny smiled, looking up at the good looking movie star in front of her. She would be lying if she didn't admit that her heart fluttered rapidly in her chest. This was, after all, Colten Haynes the Hollywood movie star. He looked so good in the movies, but nothing could prepare her for the way he looked when he was dressed as a real working cowboy. He was dressed like the rest of the cowboys around him, snug wranglers, a western style blue chambray shirt, and boots with spurs.  He was also covered in as much mud and cow mess as all the cowboys were. Yet, to Penny, that only made him more attractive.

"Thanks," Penny almost whispered, feeling suddenly shy and embarrassed in front of him. "If you could help carry the drinks, I can get the cake and dinner rolls."

"Yes ma'am, my pleasure."  Colten followed behind the woman, his breath catching as he watched her hips sway in her tight jeans. He found himself struggling to keep his emotions at bay. He'd never had a woman affect him this way. Not even Katie and Ava could compare to the racing his heart was feeling. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your leg?"

"I don't mind. It's a long story." Penny answered on a sigh. "So yeah, the short story is I was in a bad horse wreck in Vegas when I was barrel racing. It broke my back and smashed my leg. I have good days and bad days. Today's a good day."