Sticking to Her Guns Read online

  “You’re engaged?”

  Tommy couldn’t help his shock. He felt gutted. She hadn’t been engaged the nights they’d spent together and that was only a couple of weeks ago, or had she? “Since when?”

  “It just happened,” Bella said, clearly avoiding his eyes.

  He shook his head, trying to make sense of this. If there’d been someone special in her life, she would have told him the weekend they were together, wouldn’t she? He thought they told each other everything. Or at least used to. “Who?”

  She cleared her throat before she spoke. He caught the slight tremor in her lips before she said, “Fitz.”

  He laughed and said, “That’s not even funny.” Of course she was joking. They’d grown up with Edwin Fitzgerald Mattson the Third. Or the turd, as they’d called him. Fitz had been two years older and the most obnoxious kid either of them had ever met.

  STICKING TO HER GUNS

  New York Times Bestselling Author

  B.J. Daniels

  B.J. Daniels is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of thirty-seven published short stories. She lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and three springer spaniels. When not writing, she quilts, boats and plays tennis. Contact her at bjdaniels.com, on Facebook or on Twitter, @bjdanielsauthor.

  Books by B.J. Daniels

  Harlequin Intrigue

  A Colt Brothers Investigation

  Murder Gone Cold

  Sticking to Her Guns

  Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy

  Steel Resolve

  Iron Will

  Ambush Before Sunrise

  Double Action Deputy

  Trouble in Big Timber

  Cold Case at Cardwell Ranch

  Whitehorse, Montana: The Clementine Sisters

  Hard Rustler

  Rogue Gunslinger

  Rugged Defender

  HQN

  Montana Justice

  Restless Hearts

  Heartbreaker

  Heart of Gold

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Tommy Colt—The former rodeo cowboy is ready to tell his best friend, Bella, how he feels about her and that he’s staying in Lonesome to join his brother in the PI business. But she has shocking news for him.

  Bella Worthington—She could see a future with Tommy Colt...until her father’s youngest business partner makes her an offer she can’t refuse.

  Edwin Fitzgerald Mattson III (Fitz)—He’s always gotten whatever he wanted. Now he wants Bella—any way he can get her.

  Nolan Worthington—He was the first to admit that he’d made a series of mistakes that now has put not only himself but his daughter in jeopardy.

  James Colt—The PI is delighted to have his brother join the detective business their father started and didn’t get to finish. But now Tommy needs his help to find out why the love of his life is about to marry the wrong man.

  Edwin Fitzgerald Mattson II—He wishes he could help Bella, but unfortunately he has his own problems.

  Ronan and Milo—The two thugs were hired to make sure that the wedding goes off without any trouble from Tommy Colt.

  Roberto—The cook loves making special meals for Bella...even if it means upsetting the man who hired him.

  This book is number 115! I dedicate it to all my loyal readers. Thank you so much for making it possible. I always wanted to write stories when I grew up. It took me a while to grow up, LOL, but this is what I love doing. What a joy it is that I can share these stories with you. I hope you enjoy this next Colt Brothers Investigation book. Welcome to Lonesome, Montana.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Excerpt from Foothills Field Search by Maggie Wells

  Chapter One

  Bella Worthington took a breath and, opening her eyes, finally faced her reflection in the full-length mirror. The wedding dress fit perfectly—just as he’d said it would. While accentuating her curves, the neckline was modest, the drape flattering. As much as she hated to admit it, Fitz had good taste.

  The sapphire-and-diamond necklace he’d given her last night gleamed at her throat, bringing out the blue-green of her eyes—also like he’d said it would. He’d thought of everything—right down to the huge pear-shaped diamond engagement ring on her finger. All of it would be sold off before the ink dried on the marriage license—if she let it go that far.

  As she studied her reflection though she realized this was exactly as he’d planned it. She looked the beautiful bride on her wedding day. No one would be the wiser.

  She could hear music and the murmur of voices downstairs. He’d invited the whole town of Lonesome, Montana. She’d watched from the upstairs window as the guests had arrived earlier. He’d wanted an audience for this and now he would have one.

  The knock at the door startled her, even though she’d been expecting it. “It’s time,” said a male voice on the other side. One of Fitz’s hired bodyguards, Ronan, was waiting. He would be carrying a weapon under his suit. Security, she’d been told, to keep her safe. A lie.

  She listened as Ronan unlocked her door and waited outside, his boss not taking any chances. He had made sure there was no possibility of escape short of shackling her to her bed. Fitz was determined that she find no way out of this. It didn’t appear that she had.

  In a few moments, she would be escorted downstairs to where her maid of honor and bridesmaids were waiting—all hand-chosen by her groom. If they’d questioned why they were down there and she was up here, they hadn’t asked. He wasn’t the kind of man women questioned. At least not more than once.

  For another moment, Bella stared at the stranger in the mirror. She didn’t have to wonder how she’d gotten to this point in her life. Unfortunately, she knew too well. She’d just never thought Fitz would go this far. Her mistake. He, however, had no idea how far she was willing to go to make sure the wedding never happened.

  Taking a breath, she picked up her bouquet from her favorite local flower shop. The bouquet had been a special order delivered earlier. Her hand barely trembled as she lifted the blossoms to her nose for a moment, taking in the sweet scent of the tiny white roses—also his choice. Carefully, she separated the tiny buds afraid it wouldn’t be there.

  It took her a few moments to find the long slim silver blade hidden among the roses and stems. The blade was sharp, and lethal if used correctly. She knew exactly how to use it. She slid it back into the bouquet out of sight. He wouldn’t think to check it. She hoped. He’d anticipated her every move and attacked with one of his own. Did she really think he wouldn’t be ready for anything?

 
Making sure the door was still closed, she checked her garter. What she’d tucked under it was still there, safe, at least for the moment.

  Another knock at the door. Fitz would be getting impatient and no one wanted that. “Everyone’s waiting,” Ronan said, tension in his tone. If this didn’t go as meticulously planned there would be hell to pay from his boss. Something else they all knew.

  She stepped to the door and opened it, lifting her chin and straightening her spine. Ronan’s eyes swept over her with a lusty gaze, but he stepped back as if not all that sure of her. Clearly he’d been warned to be wary of her. Probably just as she’d been warned what would happen if she refused to come down—or worse, made a scene in front of the guests.

  At the bottom of the stairs, the room opened and she saw Fitz waiting for her with the person he’d hired to officiate.

  He was so confident that he’d backed her into a corner with no way out. He’d always underestimated her. Today would be no different. But he didn’t know her as well as he thought. He’d held her prisoner, threatened her, forced her into this dress and this ruse.

  But that didn’t mean she was going to marry him.

  She would kill him first.

  Chapter Two

  Three weeks earlier

  Bella smiled to herself. She’d just enjoyed the best long weekend of her life. Now sitting in a coffee shop with her closest friend, Whitney Burgess, she blurted out the words she hadn’t even let herself voice before this moment.

  “I’m in love.”

  Whitney blinked. They’d just been talking about Bella’s new online furnishings business she’d started. “You’re in love?” her friend repeated. “With the new line?”

  Bella shook her head. “With a man. The man I want to spend the rest of my life with.” This was a first so Bella was sure it came as a surprise.

  “Love? Marriage?” Whitney laughed. “Seriously? Anyone I know?”

  “Maybe. I just spent a long weekend with him in that luxurious hotel downtown. It was amazing.”

  Her friend shook her head. “And you aren’t going to tell me his name?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Well, at least tell me about your weekend,” Whitney said, dropping her voice and leaning closer. “Don’t leave out a thing.”

  “We watched old Westerns, made popcorn, ate ice cream, ordered the most wonderful breakfasts in the mornings and had hamburgers and fries at night.”

  “Wait, you skipped the best part,” her friend joked.

  “We didn’t even kiss.” Bella laughed. “It was the most fun I’ve had on a date in forever.”

  Whitney sat back. “Sorry, you didn’t even kiss? So you didn’t...for a whole long weekend together?” she asked incredulously.

  Bella shook her head. “It was perfect.”

  “Not my idea of the perfect date, but clearly it has you glowing. Come on, who is this amazing man?”

  Bella hesitated. “Tommy Colt.”

  “That wild boy your father ran off the ranch with a shotgun when you two were teenagers?” her friend asked in surprise.

  Laughing, Bella nodded. “I think I’ve been in love with Tommy for years, but I never admitted it, even to myself, until now. We were inseparable from about the time we were five, always sneaking away to see each other. Our ranches are adjacent so it was just a matter of cutting through the woods.” She smiled at the memories. “We built a tree house together at ten. That’s about the same time we became blood brothers, so to speak.” She held out her finger and touched the tiny scar.

  Whitney was shaking her head. “You’re really serious?”

  “I am. It feels right,” she said. “I wanted to wait before I said anything.”

  “Wait. He doesn’t know how you feel about him?”

  “Not yet,” Bella admitted. “But I think he might suspect. Maybe.”

  Her friend laughed again. “Why didn’t you tell him?”

  “I’m waiting for the right time, but I will soon. My dad called. I have to go back to Lonesome. I told Tommy that if he was around...”

  Whitney was shaking her head again. “You amaze me. When it comes to business, you don’t hesitate. But when it comes to love...”

  “I’m cautious.”

  “No,” her friend said. “You’re scared. And truthfully, I didn’t think anything scared you. Are you worried he doesn’t feel the same?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Tell him! He’s a rodeo cowboy, right?”

  “He’s on the circuit right now. I think he has a ride in Texas coming up.”

  “You could meet him there, surprise him,” Whitney suggested, clearly getting into this.

  “I could.” Bella smiled, the idea appealing to her. “I definitely could.” Her smile faded. “But first I have to go to the ranch and see what my father wants.” She didn’t add that there had been something in his tone that worried her. She just hoped this wasn’t another ploy to try to get her to join his business partnership. She didn’t trust his other two partners, Edwin Fitzgerald Mattson senior and his son, Fitz.

  “I am going to tell Tommy how I feel about him,” she said, the decision made. “I’m glad we got together today. I think I’ll surprise him in Austin.” She just hoped he felt the same way about her.

  * * *

  TOMMY COULDN’T BELIEVE he was home in Lonesome—and for good.

  “Okay, Davey and Willie are gone,” his brother James said after the others had cleared out. The four brothers had gotten together for the weekend, but now Davey and Willie were headed back to the rodeo circuit, leaving Tommy and James alone.

  “Why are you really here, Tommy?”

  They were in the upstairs office of Colt Investigations, what would soon be Colt Brothers Investigations, if Tommy had his way.

  Before answering, he walked to the second-story window and looked out on the small Western town of Lonesome, Montana. It was surrounded by pines and mountains and a river to the east. He’d grown up here but had been gone for years on the rodeo circuit.

  “I told you. I’m done with the rodeo and living my life on the road. I want to join you in our father’s private eye business and stick around here.”

  “What’s her name?”

  Tommy laughed and turned to smile at his older brother. “So like you to think it has something to do with a woman. Speaking of women, how is Lorelei?” Lori, as they all called her, was his brother’s fiancée. They were in the process of having a home built for them on the Colt Ranch.

  “Lori’s fine. Don’t try to change the subject.” James leaned back in the old high-backed leather chair behind the marred oak desk. Four years ago it would have been their father sitting there. James looked enough like Del that it still gave Tommy a start. They all had the thick dark hair, the same classic good looks and a dark sense of humor. They all had loved rodeo for as long as they could remember.

  Thinking of their father, Tommy felt the loss heart deep. They’d lost their father way too soon. Worse, none of them believed Del’s death had been an accident. Tommy had known that coming back here would be painful.

  “I want to be part of the business,” he said. “I can do this. I know I can.”

  “You don’t know anything about being a private investigator.”

  “Neither did you,” Tommy said. Everything about this room reminded him of their father and the Colt legacy. “But look at you now. A major cold case solved and business picking up.”

  James shook his head. “I never thought you’d ever quit the rodeo. Not you.”

  He could feel his brother’s gaze on him as he moved around the room. “I used to dream of following in our ancestors’ footsteps,” Tommy admitted as he studied an old Hollywood poster featuring his great-grandfather Ransom Del Colt. Ransom had been a famous movie star back in the forties and early fifties when Westerns had be
en so popular.

  Their grandfather, RD Colt Jr., had followed in Ransom’s footprints for a while before starting his own Wild West show. RD had traveled the world ropin’ and ridin’. Tommy and his brothers had grown up on the stories.

  He could see himself in their faces as well as his father’s and his brothers’. They shared more than looks. They were all most comfortable on the back of a horse—even when it was bucking.

  “So what happened?” James asked.

  Tommy shook his head. “Recently rodeoing just didn’t have that hold on me anymore.”

  “Uh-huh,” his brother said. “You going to tell me about her or not?”

  He smiled and continued around the room, looking at all the photographs and posters. The Colts had a rich cowboy history, one to be proud of, his father always told them. And yet their father, Del Colt, had broken the mold. After being a rodeo cowboy, he’d had to quit when he got injured badly.

  Del, who’d loved Westerns and mystery movies, had gotten his PI license and opened Colt Investigations, while he’d encouraged them to follow their hearts. He’d taught his sons to ride a horse before they could walk. Their hearts had led them straight to the rodeo—just as it had Del and the Colt men before them.

  Tommy had thought that he would never stop living and breathing rodeo. That love had been in his soul as well as his genes. But he didn’t need to get hurt like his father and brother to quit as it turned out. He was home—following his heart.

  He was the third-oldest behind Willy and James, and like his brothers he had enjoyed life on the road and made enough money to put quite a bit away. But for a while now he’d been feeling the need to grow roots. It had made him restless. When James had taken over their father’s business back here in Lonesome, Tommy had felt the pull.

  But that wasn’t what had made the decision for him, James was right about that. He turned to face his brother. “Did you hear that Bella is back?”

  James swore. “I thought you’d lost your nerve bronc riding in the rodeo,” he joked. “Instead, you’ve lost your mind. Not Bella Worthington?”