I own absolutely nothing

Sure I think about you now and then
But it's been a long, long time
I've got a good life now, I've moved on
So when you cross my mind
I try not to think about what might have been

-What Might Have Been by Little Texas

Chapter Three

"Maria, beer me. "Colt said plopping down on the first bar stool he came across. Maria blinked at him and reached underneath the bar placing the cheapest beer in the bar in front of him.

"That will be six dollars," the waitress deadpanned.

"Six dollars! C'mon Maria my brother runs the bar," the ex-football star whined. Maria gave him an uncaring look and crossed her arms. When he realized that Maria wasn't going to relent Colt grumbled and started digging in his pockets. "Here take it," he placed the wadded-up bills on the bar and reaching for the bottle. Hopefully Abby would be there soon. "Where is Rooster anyways?"

"He and Mary went somewhere about an hour ago," Hank supplied from his stool.

"Thanks Hank."

Colt took a long pull of his beer and turned around in his seat taking in the bar's surroundings. All the usual's were there. Except for the new girl. "Hey, Hank" he called to the bar's number one patron. "What's with the kid?"

"What kid?" Hank asked nodding.

"Table over there. Red hair, curly, maybe about five or six. Coloring."

"Oh, her. Her father or whatever came in with her to eat. He asked Maria if it was okay for her to be in here. Maria said it was okay so long as they didn't sit at the bar and left as soon as they were done."

Colt looked at the table the girl was sitting at coloring away. She was by herself there wasn't an adult with her right now. "Well she's alone now. I'm going to go find out what's going on. "

Colt got up from his stool and walked over to where the little color was coloring. "Hey there little girl," he said approaching the table. The little red head looked up at him with clear blue eyes. "Where's your adult at?"

The little girl ignored him and went back to coloring in her book.

"What are you coloring?" Colt asked looking down at the book. "Oh, animals on the farm that's cool. "

"My mommy said I'm not supposed to talk to strangers." The little girl said entirely focused on coloring a horse a rusty color.

"Well your mommy is very smart."

"She also said to start screaming if a stranger started talking to me and wouldn't go away if I ignored him."

"No. No don't scream," Colt said alarmed sitting down in the chair opposite her. "I'm not a stranger my name's Colt Bennett I used to play football here in Garrison." Colt told her. "What's your name?" He asked hoping if he learned her name he could figure out who her parents were.

"Look buddy, I'm with my uncle. He stepped outside for a minute to talk to my mommy on the phone because he couldn't hear her in here. He'll be back in any minute." She snapped looking up from her book.

Colt nodded at her words. He hadn't seen anyone outside on the phone. He would stay at the table for a just a couple more minutes before he asked Maria if she knew what was going on.

"Hey buddy!" A large man said stomping towards their table. "I don't know what you think you're doing—Colt Bennett?" He asked stopping short.

Colt Bennett took in the man's large frame and auburn hair. "Danny Morgan!" Colt said sounding delighted jumping up from his seat at the table and giving the other man a one-armed hug. "Long time no see man. Is she yours?" He asked inclining his head toward the girl.

Danny laughed. "No, no she's not mine. I mean she is. She's my niece."

Colt looked hard at the girl. "She's Katie's! I should have known she looks just like her!"

Katie's daughter looked up from her coloring book. "I'm glad you're here Uncle Danny. I almost started screaming."

"I wouldn't doubt it kiddo," Danny laughed ruffling the little girl's hair. "He's strange. But he's not a stranger. Me, him, and your mom all grew up together."

"It's he, your mom, and I all grew up together," the little girl corrected glancing up at Colt. "I know who you are now. There's a picture of you and mom on our wall at home. She said you were one of her good friends growing up."

"Aww." Colt said. "I'm blushing."

"I'm Elizabeth Abigail Morgan," she said holding out her hand for Colt to shake. "But I'm mostly called- "

"Ellie?" Abby asked walking up to the table beside Colt.

"Aunt Abby!" Ellie cried jumping up from her chair and running into Abby's arms.

"Oomph," Abby said taking a step back from the sudden impact. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm hanging out with Uncle Danny today. Because mommy went with Grandpa to the doctor today." Ellie explained. "But mommy said we were all having a girl's day tomorrow."

"I know and I'm so excited." Abby said smiling at the girl. "Is this really the best place for you guys to hang out?" She asked looking up at Danny.

"We were just eating." Danny explained. "We're about to leave. I stepped outside for a minute because Katie called whom I assured that we were not in a bar."

"Okay! So, let me get this straight," Colt said interrupting. "That is Katie's daughter Ellie," he said pointing at the little girl and then looked at Abby. "And you know Katie's daughter?"

"She's my goddaughter." Abby explained.

"And Katie's in town."

"Yes Colt." A new voice said walking up behind the group. "I'm in town." Colt turned around and looked at the woman that was supposed to be his sister-in-law. Still as tiny as ever. Long, straight, red hair, and kind brown eyes stared back at him.

"Katie!" He cried picking her up and spinning her around. "I've missed you!"

Katie laughed. "I've missed you too Colt. Now put me down."

Colt complied sitting her back on solid ground. "How long are you in town for? I thought you were a vet in Denver."

"I am a vet in Denver. Dr. Katherine Morgan at you service." She said smiling. "And we'll be in town for a little while," she informed him looking up at her brother.

"Does Rooster know?" Colt asked.

"I don't think so," Katie said confused for a moment.

"Oo. Can I tell him?" Colt asked giddily. "I love ruffling his feathers."

Katie laughed nervously. "Colt I don't think Rooster will care if I'm in town."

Colt took another sip of his beer. Thinking about what to say he was pretty sure as far as Katie was concerned Rooster would always care. She was the one that got away.

"Colt! Stop drinking all my beer!" Rooster shouted walking through the door with Mary right behind him. Rooster laughed when Colt choked on some of his beer.

Well no time like the present. Colt thought stepping to the side a bit, so Rooster could get a clear shot.

Rooster's laughter died when he spotted her. "Katie," he breathed.

"Rooster." Katie said quietly. Katie took her red-haired mini-me by the hand and walked out the door and right past him.