Page 65 of Colt
Brian let out a heavy sigh. “Chelsea comes along and suddenly the rules don’t apply anymore, at least, not to you. The rest of us would be fired immediately. If John and Kim were sneaking around, how can you fire them when you’re doing the same thing? You and Chelsea are sneaking around, but the rest of us would be fired,” he repeated.
“It’s no fooling around while at work,” Colt growled through gritted teeth.
“But yet, you did,” Brian retorted. “I know what went on in the hayloft.”
Colt ran a hand down his face and wondered where he’d lost control of the conversation. If he ever had it…
“You’re a damn good boss, Colt, but it shouldn’t be, do as I say, not as I do,” Brian stated firmly.
Colt stood. “You know, I don’t have to explain myself to you or anyone else.”
“Still, I bet if any of us were caught, even off the clock, we’d no longer have a job.”
“As long as it’s not on the ranch.”
“You were on the ranch, Colt. It doesn’t matter if you were off the clock or on the clock. You broke the rules, but you’re still here.” Brian shook his head. “How do you think Mr. Cotton would have dealt with you doing that?”
“You need to get out of here. Now.”
Brian narrowed his eyes at him, then left the room, leaving Colt to sit back in his chair and grapple with his conflicting emotions.
“Fuck,” Colt muttered under his breath, feeling the weight of responsibility bearing down on him.
As the clock struck quitting time, Colt stood up from his work and stretched out his sore muscles. He knew he needed to talk to Chelsea, even though he dreaded her reaction. But he couldn’t ignore the situation any longer.
With a heavy heart, he left the barn and made his way across the yard to her house. The crisp winter air nipped at his cheeks as he climbed the steps of her porch and knocked on her door.
When she opened it, he resisted the urge to pull her into his arms and instead spoke in a somber tone.
“I need to speak with you,” he said.
She crossed her arms defensively. “About what?”
“It’s too cold to talk out here. Can we go inside?”
Sighing, she opened the door wider and waved him in. Shaking off the chill, Colt removed his hat and coat before facing Chelsea. He motioned for her to take a seat.
As they both sat down at the kitchen table, Colt took a deep breath.
“This isn’t going to work with us,” he blurted out.
Her eyes widened in shock. “What? Why?”
“Because the men know about us, and they’re not happy. I’m breaking the same rule that got John and Kim fired.”
“That’s not true,” she argued.
“Oh, it’s very true. We had sex on the ranch. I was even on the clock…”
“It was a moment of passion, Colt. It wasn’t planned or premeditated.”
“Maybe not the time in the hayloft, but other times, it was. Maybe that’s what happened to John and Kim. That’s why I wanted to give them another chance. The rules are clear and I’ve broken them. With you.”
Chelsea stood up abruptly. “So, it’s my fault? You’re blaming me?”
“It’s my fault,” he replied firmly. “And I can’t expect my workers to follow the rules if I don’t lead by example.”
“You’re just going to end things like that?” she cried out in frustration.