Beneath Montana Skies

by Mia Ross

  It was incredible to hear one of the lessons she’d tried so hard to teach her daughters coming from one of them, and Morgan felt a rush of motherly pride. That it was Allie who’d made the announcement gave it even more meaning.

  “Hey there,” Ty greeted them as he sauntered over from his truck. “How’re things over on this side of the fence today?”

  It was the neighbor’s greeting they’d been using with the Wilkinses since she could remember, and Dad smiled as they shook hands. “Sunny and warm. How ’bout you?”

  “Same.” Turning to Ben, he added, “Thanks for looking after Clyde while I’m gone. He’s pretty mellow, so you shouldn’t have a problem with him.”

  “Allie and Hannah are gonna help me, so he’ll get plenty of attention. I get to take him out on the trail, right?”

  “Sure, just be careful with him,” Ty cautioned. “He loves to run, but he’s not as young as he used to be.”

  “Got it.”

  Another round of hugs, and she and Ty were sitting in the cab of his pickup, headed for the highway. Morgan had a knot in her stomach, which only grew tighter as she ran down her mental checklist of all the things that could go wrong in the next three days, both at home and in Washington.

  When she realized the truck was resting at an angle, she glanced over at Ty, who was staring at her for some reason. “What?”

  “You okay?” he asked, concern darkening the green in his eyes.

  “Sure. Why?”

  “We’ve been driving for half an hour and you haven’t said more than a dozen words. Something wrong?”

  It irked her that even after all these years, he could still read her so well. But there was no point in denying her dread when he could see it clearly for himself, so she confided her misgivings to him.

  “I haven’t been gone a single night since I brought the twins home from the hospital when they were babies,” she added. Then, because it felt good to share her anxiety with someone, she went on. “And the idea of facing all those politicians scares me to death. What if I can’t make them understand how special Mustang Ridge is, and they decide not to help us?”

  “I get that, but you don’t have to do any of this by yourself. The girls are with your family, and Craig and I will be there when you speak to the committee. It’s your show, but we’ll be on hand if you need us.”

  “That’s sweet, but—” A slow grin began working across his tanned features, and she frowned. “What?”

  “You said I was sweet.”

  “Trying to make me feel better is sweet,” she clarified tersely. “I would’ve said that to anyone.”

  “But you said it to me,” he pointed out, shifting the truck into gear and pulling back onto the road. “I heard you.”

  “Whatever.” Morgan wished she could convince him that he’d misunderstood her, but she doubted she could manage it. He’d think what he wanted to think, and there wasn’t anything she could do about that. Unfortunately, a faint awareness in the back of her mind was pushing its way forward despite her efforts to keep it at bay.

  Her wayward cowboy was being thoughtful, and not only to her. His warmth and understanding with their daughters still amazed her, especially the unexpected bond he’d managed to form with Allie. She was habitually cautious around strangers, but he’d found a way to connect with her on her own terms, all while making Hannah feel just as important.

  To her great astonishment, Ty Wilkins was proving himself to be a really good dad. The man she’d once deemed “not father material” had matured into someone generous and patient, an engaged neighbor who Allie and Hannah grew fonder of every day. That didn’t make them the traditional big, happy family that she’d always prayed for, she realized, but it was a lot closer than some people got.

  “Y’know,” Ty broke into her reverie in a casual way that sounded forced. Flicking a glance her way, he focused back on the road before continuing. “I’ve been curious about your mom. She hasn’t been around, and no one talks about her. Is she okay?”

  “I’d imagine so. She’s living in Helena to be closer to her boyfriend.”

  It got so quiet, she could hear the hum of some mechanical flaw in the truck’s engine. After about a mile of that, her traveling companion seemed to regain his usual cool. “That’s awful, MJ. I’m sorry.”

  “I’m not,” she snapped defensively, as she’d done so many times when someone had the gall to bring up her absent mother. “She’s been gone a year, so we’ve all had time to adjust. If she doesn’t want to be here, that’s her choice. We’re doing just fine without her.”

  He absorbed that calmly, then quietly said, “She just left, didn’t she? No warning, no explanation.”

  “Yes. That’s how cowards do things.”

  “Cowards like me, you mean?”

  She hadn’t been talking about him, but now that he mentioned it, that was how she’d felt back then. Not anymore, though, she realized with sudden clarity. Once he’d explained the reason behind his betrayal, her icy view of him had gradually thawed until she was able to imagine herself completely forgiving him someday. “I suppose so. But you were a lot younger, and we weren’t married, so it was different.”

  “If I’d known you were pregnant, I would’ve stayed.”

  “But not for me,” she commented, oddly without bitterness. It was more a statement of fact, but it felt good to say it out loud. “I wasn’t enough for you.”

  “You were way more than enough for me,” he corrected her with a grimace. “That was the problem. When my parents split up, they were horrible to each other. I loved you so much, it actually frightened me. I couldn’t stand the thought that if something happened with us, you’d hate me the way they hated each other.”

  “I always thought you weren’t afraid of anything.”

  “That’s what I wanted everyone to think.” His sheepish manner was so rare, she had a tough time believing he was the same brash guy who lived next door. “I guess I figured it was easier that way. No one bugs you if they believe you can handle anything that comes along.”

  Something in his tone hit home with her, and she realized it was the first time in the twenty-plus years they’d known each other that they’d ever had a conversation like this. “Were you scared after your accident?”

  “Terrified. One doctor wasn’t sure I’d ever walk again.” Ty glanced over, the gold in his eyes glinting mischievously. “I fired him.”

  “Good for you,” she approved immediately. “No one on this earth has a right to tell you what you’re capable of except for you.”

  That earned her the bright, boyish grin she’d always adored. “That’s how I felt about it, too. The next one—who happened to be a woman, by the way—gave me a better opinion and when I was ready, she set me up with a top-notch rehab team. It was tough, and it seemed to take forever, but I’m upright on my own two feet, so it worked.”

  “But you’re still riding, even though she told you not to. Are you sure that’s the best idea?”

  “Long as I stay in the saddle, I’ll be okay.” Now the grin took on some of its old arrogance. “I didn’t earn all those fancy trophies by being easy to throw.”

  “You’re an idiot,” she announced, laughing at him. “But I get it. What’s the point of having a life if you don’t get to live it your way?”

  “That’s what I like most about you. You get me, even when no one else does.”

  “Is that a compliment?” she teased. “It’s hard to tell.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Unless it made you mad, then I take it back.”

  Over the past few weeks, they’d gradually started bantering with each other the way they used to. Tentatively, as if they were leery of upsetting the delicate balance of their renewed friendship. This was how they used to talk, she acknowledged sadly, but until now they’d been careful not to push it too far.

 
For the first time since their unexpected reunion, the cold bitterness she’d been carrying for him warmed to the point where she could actually think about him and smile. She wasn’t sure how to tell him that, so she reached over and rubbed his shoulder. “It didn’t make me mad.”

  Sighing, he sent her a relieved look. “That’s good, ’cause I’m runnin’ outta ways to say I’m sorry.”

  His confession made her realize that he’d been doing exactly that for nearly two months now, in one form or another. Maybe it was the beautiful day, or the fact that she was headed off on her first adventure since discovering she was pregnant seven years ago. Whatever the reason, it seemed like the right time to finally put their troubled past into a box and tie a ribbon on it.

  “Ty?”

  He glanced over at her. “Yeah?”

  “You can stop apologizing to me. I forgive you.”

  “For?”

  “Everything. You’ve been great ever since you got back, and you’ve convinced me that you never meant to hurt me.”

  After a moment, he took a deep breath, as if bracing himself for something he’d rather not do. “Does that mean you don’t hate me anymore?”

  “I never hated you,” she admitted, as much to herself as to him. “It would’ve been easier if I did.”

  “I would’ve hated me.”

  “Well, you’re not me.”

  “No, I’m not,” he agreed in the humble tone she’d heard a lot more of lately. “Thanks, MJ. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

  “You’re welcome,” she told him, then added, “and quit calling me MJ.”

  Laughing, he signaled for the airport exit. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Once they found a parking spot in the airport’s crowded lot, the nice thing was that Ty carried her bag for her. The not-so-nice thing was the huge line at Security.

  “I checked in online,” she grumbled, leaning to the side to see why the mass of passengers was moving so slowly. “That’s supposed to save you time at the airport.”

  “It does.” Nodding back toward the ticket counters, he said, “Those folks all have bags to check, and they’ll be waiting another half hour at least.”

  “At this rate, we could drive to DC quicker.”

  “Tell you what?” Grinning, he dangled his keys in front of her. “You take my truck and get started. I’ll see you sometime next week.”

  His lighthearted comeback settled her nerves a bit, and she grudgingly smiled. “I wouldn’t really drive all that way.”

  “Yeah,” he agreed, putting the keys in his pocket. “You’re smarter than that.”

  Feeling foolish, she felt she owed him an explanation for her childish behavior. “I really don’t like planes.”

  “I remember. It’s just about time for lunch at the ranch. Why don’t you call the girls and see what they’re up to?”

  It was the perfect distraction for her, she realized as she pulled up the speed dial for home. It didn’t escape her that he’d been the one to think of it. She put the phone on speaker so they could both hear about how Skye had taken off with Ben’s roast beef sandwich and buried it under a rosebush in the backyard. Matilda had somehow gotten up into the rafters of Dad’s office and was howling like a banshee although she refused to come down.

  “Headin’ out to get an extension ladder from the barn,” Ryan grumbled. “Have a good flight.”

  “We will,” Morgan replied, laughing as she sent air kisses to her girls before hanging up. The time lapse had moved the line along, and they were up next. Setting her phone in a plastic tub, she slipped off her shoes and gave Ty her very best smile. “That was a great idea. Thanks.”

  “Anytime.”

  They grabbed some lunch at the food court and then found the gate for their flight, which was listed as delayed. Rather than get upset about it, she decided it was best to follow Ty’s easygoing example and not let it get to her. Lounging beside her in the hard plastic seat, he stretched out his long, denim-clad legs and crossed his boots in a comfortable-looking pose. Then he tipped his signature cowboy hat down over his eyes and quickly dozed off.

  The scene reminded her of trips they’d taken in the past, heading from one rodeo venue to another. Parking their pickups in massive truck stop lots, taking care of the horses before going into some diner or another for a meal. Hopscotching across the country had been fun, and she wouldn’t trade those days for anything. They helped her appreciate what she had now that much more.

  It was interesting how life worked out, she mused as she opened the mystery novel that Jessie had given her for Christmas two years ago. It had been a bestseller then, but she’d never found time to read it.

  Now seemed like the perfect time. For a lot of things.

  What a view.

  Ty stood at the window of his hotel room, looking out over the bustling capital of the country in the waning light of day. Cars and pedestrians rushed past iconic buildings, hurrying by historical treasures on their way to wherever they were going. Their flight had been delayed twice, so the sightseeing tour they’d planned on would have to wait for another time.

  Maybe they could bring Allie and Hannah with them, he thought, tucking his hands into the front pockets of his suit trousers while he envisioned the four of them hiking around the city, pausing to admire whatever interested the girls most. The Smithsonian had a section dedicated to children. It would make sense to start there. As much as that idea appealed to him, another element of his meandering thoughts intrigued him even more.

  If it came to pass, it would be their first adventure as a family. One of many, he hoped, although he recognized that Morgan would have to go along with anything he proposed if it was going to move from dream to reality. And if he’d learned anything in the many years he’d known her, it was that the slender blonde with the incredible eyes was also rock stubborn when she made up her mind about something.

  Then again, he added as he turned away from the window, so was he.

  Strolling from the room, he went down the hallway and knocked on Morgan’s door. After a few seconds, she opened it, and he felt his jaw hit the carpet. “Wow.”

  To his knowledge, she owned two dresses, which she alternated for Sundays at church. This one had to be new, and thanks to its feminine Western details, it was stunning. Made of some swirly peach-colored fabric, the buttoned-up bodice followed her curves perfectly, from lace-trimmed neckline to trim waist. The best part was that it accented the brilliant blue of her eyes, making them a color he’d never seen before.

  Giving him a little smirk, she twirled for him in a very un-Morgan-like move. “Is this nice enough for that fancy restaurant Craig recommended?”

  “And then some. I’m glad I’ve got a tie, or I’d be way underdressed.” Fishing it out of his jacket pocket, he grinned. “Can you help me out?”

  “When will you ever learn how to do that for yourself?”

  “Well, I don’t wear ’em much,” he explained as he followed her into her room. “And I figure the last one’ll get done up by the undertaker, so I won’t care.”

  “You’ll need one for our meeting tomorrow.”

  Always one step ahead of him, he thought with honest admiration. He’d dated plenty of beautiful women, but none of them had half her brains. “I’ll just loosen this one and then tighten it back up in the morning.”

  “Okay, but what about all the formal occasions that are coming up?” she pressed, deftly whipping the knot together for him.

  “Like what?”

  “Weddings, other people’s funerals, things like that.”

  She was getting at something, but he couldn’t figure out what it was, so he shrugged. “I’ll figure it out then, I guess.”

  “Same old Ty,” she lamented, shaking her head. “Still winging your way through life.”

  Now he got it, and he chuckled. �
�Mostly, yeah. Keeps things interesting.”

  “Or chaotic,” she corrected him primly, picking up a small ivory-colored purse from the desk.

  Angling a look at her, he couldn’t keep back a grin. “Does that purse match your shoes?”

  “Of course.”

  She’d made it sound as if it made perfect sense, and as he opened the door, he couldn’t resist teasing her. “Seeing as you went to church one morning with two unmatched shoes, I’m impressed that you’d think of it.”

  Groaning, she rolled those gorgeous baby blues. “Don’t remind me. Jessie brought that up when she insisted on helping me shop for this outfit. If I look put-together, it’s because of her.”

  “‘Cause your idea of a fashion statement is when your boots match your saddle.”

  That got him the kind of sassy grin that he hadn’t seen nearly enough of lately. “Exactly. So, where are we going for dinner?”

  As they made their way to the glass elevator, he said, “Believe it or not, it doesn’t have a name, only a number—100.”

  “The number of people in the Senate,” she commented with a nod. “Clever.”

  “Huh. I didn’t think of that. You always were smarter than me.”

  The elevator doors opened, and she glanced up at him. “You really think so?”

  “Always did.”

  She didn’t say anything as they walked out the front door and onto the sidewalk. The restaurant was only a block away, and the warm evening air was a pleasant change after being cooped up in airports and planes most of the day. The maître d’ had a table for them, which he informed them had been reserved and paid for by Craig.

  “Cool,” Ty said as he looked over the large, tasseled menu. “When I saw how swanky this place is, I was worried I’d be washing dishes or something.”

  Morgan laughed, and he grinned over at her. “Anyone ever tell you you’ve got the greatest laugh?”

  “Not recently,” she admitted, almost shyly. “I guess folks don’t hear it all that much.”

  It wasn’t like her to be so open about her emotions, and he wondered what had brought on the sudden confession. But he didn’t want to spoil the evening by asking a lot of questions she probably wouldn’t want to answer, so he opted for another approach. “If you have more fun, you’ll laugh more.”