Page 52 of Colt
Colt clenched his jaw, feeling angry at Callaway for leaving his son alone on such an important holiday.
“Does he leave you home alone at your age?” he couldn’t help but ask, picturing wild parties going on.
“The housekeeper lives with us, but she goes to her daughter’s house for dinner. She usually brings me something back though,” Joey explained with a shrug.
“I see.” Colt forced out a polite tone. “Well, I’ll let you get back to work then.”
“Yes, sir.” Joey led the horse into a stall.
As the day went on, Colt couldn’t shake off thoughts of Joey being alone on Thanksgiving, just like he would be if Chelsea hadn’t invited him to her parents’ dinner. He hated the idea of anyone being alone on a holiday, especially a young kid like Joey.
Putting down his rake, Colt strode out of the barn and headed toward the house through the heavy snowfall. The icy flakes pelted his face and he had to lower his head to see. He knocked on the door and was greeted by Chelsea’s worried face.
“What are you doing out in this weather? Come inside before you freeze,” she scolded him. Colt removed his hat, wiped his feet on the mat, and entered the warm house. “Is everything okay?” Chelsea asked with concern.
“Yeah, I just have a question,” Colt replied.
“Okay. Do you want some coffee to warm up?”
“If it’s not too much trouble.”
Chelsea smiled at him. “It only takes a minute, Colt. I’m sure I can spare that for you.”
“I’m not sure how to take that,” he teased.
Chelsea laughed. “What’s on your mind?”
“Did you ask your mom about me coming to dinner?”
“I did, and she said she’d be happy to have you.”
“Great. Is it possible to add one more guest?”
“One more? Who?”
“Joey. I didn’t mention anything to him yet. I wanted to ask you first. He’ll be alone otherwise.”
“What? On Thanksgiving?”
“Yeah, his dad and sister are going skiing in Aspen,” Colt explained, feeling angry all over again.
“And he’s not going with them?”
“Nope, he hates snow.”
“That poor kid.”
“I know, it breaks my heart to think of him spending Thanksgiving alone. I know, if the Cottons still lived here, they’d invite him.” Colt sighed.
“Let me call my mom. I’m sure she won’t mind adding another person.” Chelsea grabbed her phone from the counter and dialed her mother’s number.
Colt turned to look outside and saw that the snow had become even heavier; he could barely make out the barn. He faced Chelsea when he heard her say goodbye on the phone and smiled at him.
“She said it’s fine. In her words, ‘the more the merrier’. Lorna is bringing her dad as well,” Chelsea informed him.
Colt couldn’t help but grin. “It’ll be a full house for sure. I should head back before the snow gets any worse. I’ll see you later.” He opened the door, stepped out into the freezing cold, and quickly made his way back to the barn, eager to share the good news with Joey.
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