~Chapter Twelve~

June 10, 2016

Colten sighed. He has missed this, sitting on top of a horse, staring out over the beauty of the K Rocker. He knew his time here was coming to an end, but he felt himself not wanting to leave. He had made the mistake of leaving ten years ago and he didn't want to make the same mistake. Here, in Montana, is where he felt whole.

His mind drifted back to the funeral and how strong Katie had been. Penny was right, not one tear had been shed by her. Even when her father attacked her character, her eyes remained dry. She took the abuse as if she deserved it, something Colten didn't understand at all. It was in that moment he saw who Katie really was. She was a strong, beautiful, loving woman who deserved so much more than him, than the cruelty life seemingly continued to throw at her. His thoughts drifted to Katie as she had sat in Ted's office and listened to the will Justin had left. She had just nodded and thanked Ted for everything, promising to stop and see Mary Beth and the girls soon.

Colten knew she was worth so much more than he could ever give her. He had seen it as she cared for Justin and acted with so much dignity since Justin's death. He also knew that here in Montana was where his heart was. Maybe it wasn't with Katie as he had selfishly thought, but it was here, tied with the land. Colten was so lost in his thoughts he didn't hear the other horse and rider approach until they were right upon him. Glancing over his shoulder he saw Sam riding up on a huge black horse.

"Hey," Sam offered a greeting. "Beautiful day isn't it?"

"Yeah, it really is. I'm going to miss this."

Sam cocked his head and looked at the other man. He studied him for a few minutes before he finally spoke.

"You know how proud of you Justin was, right?"  Colten went to interrupt him, but Sam shook his head and continued.   "No, he really was. He had a few of your movies and he d watch them all the time. He'd brag on you too. He never blamed you for anything. He always told people that you gave him his greatest treasures, Katie and the boys."

"I didn't know that," Colten said not looking at Sam as he felt tears swell in his eyes. He didn't want to cry anymore about his past and all of his many mistakes. He sighed before looking at Sam. "I don't think I want to go back."

Sam wasn't expecting that from Colten. He was Hollywood through and through. Sam was willing to admit that he'd seen a different side of him with the calf roundup and the funeral. Watching the young man next to him intently Sam realized he was in many ways a little boy still looking for approval from others.

Colten watched Sam closely, feeling the older man's scrutiny as he always felt Justin's all those many years ago. Colten was expecting a lecture or even a snide comment. What he didn't expect was the one word question the ranch foreman asked him.

"Why?"

"Excuse me?" Colten asked clearly startled.

"Why don't you want to go back?"

Colten sighed and rubbed the back of his neck and stared out over the ranch. "Hollywood is different. No one wants to know who I really am. It fake, all of it."

"So it has nothing to do with Katie and how you think you're in love with her?"

Colten froze and turned in the saddle to look at Sam. In many ways he was a lot like Justin. Sam's clear blue eyes stared at him unflinchingly. Finally Colten sighed.

"I thought I was, a long time ago. But then, when I got here this year it was different. She never looked at me the way she looked at Justin. I was jealous. I've never had that." Colten finished on a whisper.

"Mmmm," Sam responded looking back at the ranch. "I've never had it either. What Justin and Katie had was special. She deserves the best."

Colten just nodded and both men sat in silence looking at the natural beauty of Montana that surrounded them. It was not an awkward silence but a comfortable one. Colten turned his head as he heard Sam clear his throat.

"Old Man Whitiker's son died in Iraq four years ago. He has no other children and is talking about selling his ranch. It's not as big as the K Rocker, but it's here." Sam finally broke the silence.

"Really?" Colten questioned then paused. "Why don't you buy it?"

Sam shrugged. "My credits shot. I'm still paying off Allie's  funeral and medical bills. No bank would loan me the money. Justin knew that. It's one reason he set things up the way he did."

Colten just nodded, not sure what to say. In the will, Justin provided Sam with 50 acres and a small house on the east end of the ranch.  It had been used as a bunkhouse in the early 20's by cowboys moving cattle to the railroad. Now that the ranch had grown the bunkhouse and sat unused since the 70's. Sam knew it had good bones but would need a lot of work. Still it was touching his friend had though of him.

"Was Allie your wife?" Colten finally asked.

"My daughter. She was three. Leukemia."

"Wow," was all Colten said and Sam was grateful for that. "Okay then. I'll think about that other ranch."

"You do that," Sam said with a smile. "Those six boys need family close. And even if she won't admit it, Katie needs family close. You saw how her dad treats her."

Colten just nodded, his thoughts racing. Sam watched him for a minute before turning his horse and slowly riding off. Colten appreciated what Sam had said. He was seriously thinking about the ranch that Sam had mentioned. He knew he needed to call Jerry and talk to him about it. Since his last movie and the divorce from Ava, LA was no longer felt like home. Spending time with Justin before his death had changed him.

Colten rode the ranch until sundown when he finally returned to the house. He walked in the back door and four little voices pointed st his feet and simultaneously hollered, "BOOTS!"  Colten promptly turned and took his boots off on the back porch.

Katie and Penny watched the boys interaction with Colten. Katie had tears well up in her eyes, no doubt remembering the way the boys would tell Justin the same thing. Penny just chuckled and offered him a radiant smile that caught him off guard. Watching her putter around the kitchen with Katie, Colten felt himself want to stay in Montana even more. He wasn't sure why he was feeling this way. This woman was nothing like what he was normally attracted to. While she was kind, she was also brutally honest and had no qualms putting anyone in their place. Watching her and Katie he could see why they were friends.

"Did you enjoy your ride?" Katie asked as she finished helping Gussy get situated in his high chair.

"I did," he responded with a smile as he ruffled Xander's hair. The boy brushed his hand away in annoyance.

"That's good," Katie said offering him a smile as she sat at the table. "So, I don't mean to press, but."  Katie's voice fell off when Penny interrupted.

"How long are you staying for Colten?" Penny interjected passing him the hamburger platter. Colten just chuckled as he watched the two women exchange glances.

"I thought maybe another week if that okay. Something has been brought to my attention and I need to check it out."

"Oh?" Katie asked quietly as she helped Jackson drown his hamburger patty in ketchup.  She glanced up and saw Penny chuckling at her.

"Yeah, is er, is that okay?"

Katie shrugged. "I don't mind. But we've got some crews coming in to work on the east side of the ranch. There will be four more men in the bunkhouse."

"I'm fine with that. Thank you for letting me stay," Colten responded sincerely. Turning towards Penny, he offered her his signature heart stopping smile. "Will you be staying on too?"

Penny felt her palms getting sweaty. She hadn't responded like this to any man since little Bobby Kinney had asked her to prom senior year. "I'll be here some, I've got some physical therapy to do soon though."

Colten just nodded and smiled at her again. Katie watched Penny and Colten interact with each other and couldn't help the gleam in her eyes.  Whether he knew it or not, Colten Haynes had met his match in Penny Simmons.

After their supper, Colten excused himself and went to call Jerry his assistant. He needed to prepare to go back for some interviews and Jerry had a few scripts some people wanted him to see. More than that he wanted Jerry to look into the ranch. If Jerry was surprised that Colten wanted to move back to Montana, he kept his thoughts to himself.

Colten returned to the family room and found Katie, Sam, and the boys watching a cartoon movie. Katie smiled at him and patted the seat next to her. Colten was surprised, Katie hadn't really reached out to him before. Slowly he walked over and sat down next to her. Katie didn't look at him or acknowledge him, she just held Gus close. When Penny came in carrying some snacks, Katie jumped up and offered Penny her seat. She smiled at them before walking off to change Gus' diaper.

"How are you doing?" Penny asked as she handed Colten a small bowl of ice cream.

"I'm fine, thanks," Colten smiled as he turned towards the TV and laughed with the boys at the antics of Megamind. Penny didn't move, she enjoyed being close to Colten. Finally he turned towards her. "Are you working here permanently now?"

"No.  I'm not working here at all. Katie tried paying me, but she and Justin covered some of my medical bills. I'm just here helping a friend out. I'm going home tomorrow."

"Oh, I didn't know that."

"Not many people do. Justin was a good man and Katie is a great friend. I owe them a lot, so if  it helps her for me to cook," Penny shrugged, "I'll cook."

"Oh," Colten said and smiled at her. "You're one of a kind, Penny."

Penny arched her eyebrow at him. The look caught Colten off guard for a minute. Penny was looking at him in a purely playful manner. She fluttered her eyelashes and placed her head on her heart.

"Why I do declare sir," Penny began in a bad southern accent. "That's right nice of ya to say."

In that moment, Colten knew he had to stay in Montana. He knew that he had to get to know Penny. He felt himself loosing his heart to her.