“I thought maybe you weren’t going to get here today.” Isabella said.
“I was finally able to get away from the shelter. By the way, there’s a new dog that you’d love.” Patsy laughed. She’d moved to Dry River to be close to her friend. Patsy worked at the local animal hospital, and volunteered at the shelter.
“Good Lord, Patsy. I have five dogs now.”
“Yeah, so what’s one more?” Patsy laughed.
Isabella shook her head at her and looped her arm through hers. “Let’s go in and I’ll make us lunch.”
Patsy looked around. “You’ve made this place even more beautiful. The flowers will be blooming soon.”
“I know. I can’t wait to see them in bloom,” Isabella said with pride, glancing around the yard. “It’s hard to believe I’ve been here eight months already and that it’s been almost a year since…”
Isabella noted the worry in Patsy’s eyes, so she mustered up a small smile, hooked her arm through her friend’s and together they headed inside. She made them some sandwiches and they had a leisurely lunch. Patsy showed Isabella pictures of the new dog at the shelter.
“Oh, Patsy, she’s so pretty. Is she a full-blooded Rottweiler?”
“Yes, and she’s already house trained. She’s very smart too. She’d fit right in out here.”
Isabella narrowed her eyes at her, and then laughed because she knew Patsy had shown her the beautiful dog knowing she couldn’t resist her.
“I’ll think about it.”
Patsy grinned, gathered up her pictures, leaving one on the table, and told her she needed to get going. “I’m so close to getting my vet degree. I want to help out more at the animal hospital.”
“You’re such a softie.” Isabella wanted the best for her best friend.
“Yeah, and you’re not?” Patsy sarcastically teased her back.
Both women laughed, and after walking Patsy to her car, she hugged her tight. She was so happy to have her living close. Patsy drove off, and Isabella returned to the stables.
A few minutes passed and she heard a car come up the drive. Chuckling to herself, she told the horses that Patsy must have forgotten something. Walking back into the sunshine with a smile on her face and a sarcastic tease on her lips, she stopped dead in her tracks when she saw a man with black hair standing by his car, staring at the house.
Wondering who he was and what he wanted, she cautiously moved closer. When he turned to face her, she gasped so loud, she nearly choked. She shook her head, thinking she was seeing things.
“Colt?”
* * * *
Mont stared at her with tears in his eyes, and then strolled toward her, wanting only to wrap his arms around her and never let go.
“Yeah, Bella, it’s me.”
He caught Isabella in his arms right before she hit the ground. “Shit!”
Carrying her to the back door, he hoped it was unlocked. Finding it was, he opened the door. Five dogs greeted him with ferocious growls.
“Give it to me later, guys. Your mistress has fainted on me.”
He headed through a doorway, only to end up in the dining room. Cursing under his breath and with the dogs following him, he turned in another direction, which led him to the foyer.
“God damn it! Where the hell is the living room?” he groaned, looking to the dogs as if they’d tell him.
Finally, he found the living room and laid her on the couch. He looked her over, taking in every inch of her. God, he’d missed her so much. He patted her cheek lightly in an attempt to wake her gently. Isabella moaned and slowly opened her eyes. She blinked her eyes, widening them as she looked up at him.
“Am I dreaming?” she whispered.
He grinned happily. “No, darlin’. It’s me.”
Isabella sat up and slapped him across the face.
“What the fuck was that for?” he yelled, rubbing his stinging cheek.
“Are you serious? You’re dead!” she screamed at him.
“Well, obviously I’m not.” Mont stood, spreading his arms and glared down at her. Then he realized his appearance must be a shock to her since she thought him dead. He dropped his arms and gave her an apologetic grin. “Princess, it’s a long story. If you’ll listen without hitting me, I’ll explain.”
Isabella continued to stare at him. He knew she was having trouble comprehending the fact he was standing in her living room. He watched her eyes fill with tears.
“Colt, I don’t understand? Why…how?”
“My name’s not Colt Raines, it’s actually Montgomery Bradford.”
He took a seat beside her and pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her red hair and reveling in her scent. He relaxed and closed his eyes in bliss when he felt her arms go around him. They sat there not moving for a few minutes until Isabella pulled back to stare up at him.
Her hands moved over his face as if affirming it was really him. A tear slid down her cheek. He leaned forward and kissed it away. His gaze fell on her lips and he slowly lowered his head, pressing his lips to hers, softly at first, and then the kiss went deeper and harder.
It had been far too long, but when her arms snaked around his neck, he grinned against her lips as she kissed him back. Leaning back, she pulled him with her as she lay back on the couch. He stretched out on top of her, and soon they’d shed their clothes in an aroused frenzy. When Mont slid into her, they both groaned. His lips never left hers. Isabella’s hands roamed all over him and his did the same to her. Mont set a rhythm and when her legs encircled him, he almost lost it. He picked up the pace and her hips moved with his. He felt her inner muscles clenching around him as her head went back and she groaned deep in her throat as she came. He put his face in her neck, growled out her name, and then collapsed on top of her. Her hands moved up and down his back. When he finally raised his head to gaze down at her, she was smiling. He kissed the tip of her nose.
“I love you, Bella. I always will,” he told her meaning every word.
“I love you so much, Colt…uh…Montgomery. I still can’t believe you’re really here,” she said, her voice dropping in volume as she ran her fingers over his face. “You really are here, aren’t you? I’m not dreaming.”
“Yes, princess. I’m really here and I need to explain.” He sat up, reached for his jeans, and handed hers to her. They dressed and sat back on the couch with her cradled in his arms.
“I’m not one of the bad guys…”
“I know you’re not. Not really,” Isabella interjected pressing a kiss to his lips.
He chuckled. “No, Bella. I mean I’m really not a bad guy. I’m an FBI Agent. I was undercover.”
Isabella pulled away, sat up, and glared at him. “And you didn’t tell me?”
“I couldn’t. Micah and I both decided it would change your demeanor if you knew. You’d be thinking you were safe and Barkley would catch it. It was too risky.”
“Why didn’t Micah tell me when I thought you were dead?”
Mont shrugged. “He did what he thought was best—for you.”
“You better start explaining then, and fast, Montgomery Bradford.”
He hid a grin and pulled her back into his arms.
“At the cabin where we were meeting your father, well, it wasn’t going like we planned. Dayton…you remember him?” She nodded. “He started a fight with me outside. He was supposed to be in the cabin so we could get both, he and Barkley, together. When I saw he wasn’t, I started looking for him and that’s when he jumped me. We fought and I had to kill him.” Mont groaned, thinking about taking the man’s life. “When Barkley yelled for him and he didn’t show, Barkley called for me to come inside the cabin.” He shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut as the scene played out in his memory. “Bad idea. You see, the agents outside didn’t want me to go inside, but I had to or Barkley would’ve known something was up.”
“But, where have you been?” Isabella asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
“I’ll
get to that. Just let me tell you what happened. Please.”
Isabella nodded, and he went on. “I went inside and watched Barkley toy with your father. I couldn’t do anything. I was still undercover. Even your father didn’t know I was an agent.”
“But, you were in prison.”
Mont gave a short nod. “I went into prison to get in tight with Barkley. He thought I was a rogue agent. It’s what we wanted him to think. We knew he’d probably have his men check me out, and if they did, the record would show they’d thrown me out of the FBI and I’d turned to the wrong side of the law. I spent over three long months in that cell next to that bastard.” He frowned remembering Barkley. “I finally got him to trust me and I told him I could get us out of jail. He just didn’t know it was the FBI behind getting us out. In addition to Barkley, we needed to connect the men he had working on the outside and take them down too. The day you beat poor Micah over the head, Barkley finally introduced me to them. They’re the ones who were doing the kidnappings for him while he was behind bars. Now all of them, except one, are behind bars. Luckily, the boy and woman who they kidnapped are fine. The FBI hasn’t found Stewart Rodgers yet, but his partner, idiot that he is, fell for the fake story we put out that Barkley had escaped. Jack Lewis came looking for Barkley, thinking if he offered him the money they’d taken off with, he’d be accepted back. Hell, Barkley would’ve killed him, so he’s lucky the FBI was waiting instead of Barkley. He’s in jail now, but one of Barkley’s men is still missing.”
“But, where have you been?” When her voice cracked, he hugged her tighter.
“I’ll get to that. I have to tell you your father stood up to Barkley. I was impressed. He didn’t back down at all, and your dad got in a few good punches before Barkley shot him in the leg. That was when the agents who were outside came busting in. Any gunfire was the signal. Someone pushed me to my knees, and they were about to handcuff me when one of the other agents told him I was an agent too. When I looked up to see who the agent was, I discovered he was one of the outside men I’d met with Barkley. He was also the one who threatened to kill me. Dylan Long was also FBI undercover.”
“What about Micah? Did you always know who the other really was?”
“Yeah, we did. I brought Micah in. I told Barkley he could trust him, and he did. Anyway, when I glanced up at Dylan, I saw Barkley moving on the floor. He was raising his gun at your father so I jumped up and tried to protect your dad. Just as I got to him, I heard the gun go off then felt the bullet hit me.”
Isabella gasped and immediately paled. “You—you were shot?”
Mont pulled her tight against him.
“I was shot in the back of the head, and no one expected me to live, not even the doctors.” He glanced down at her. She was staring up at him with wide moist eyes. “No one, princess. My mother was told I wouldn’t live and the FBI was told I wouldn’t live. I believe that’s the reason why Micah didn’t tell you I was in a coma. He thought I was going to die and he didn’t want to put you through watching it happen.” He wiped tears from her cheeks and kissed her forehead.
“I know it wasn’t better telling you I was dead but in all fairness to Micah, he thought I was going to die. It seems my mother agreed with the decision not to tell you. Micah told her about you, and she told me it was the hardest thing she’d ever done, sitting there and just waiting for me to die. She didn’t want you to have to do that.”
“How long?” Isabella asked through her tears.
“Was I in the coma?” She nodded.
“Eight months. These last two months, I’ve been in physical therapy getting my strength back. I wanted to call you, but I wanted to be…whole again, before I came to you.”
Isabella climbed into his lap, and rested her head against his.
“It wouldn’t have mattered to me. I’ve grieved your death for almost a year. I would’ve been more than happy just to know you were alive.”
“I understand that, princess, but I wasn’t easy to live with these past two months. Even Micah couldn’t stand being around me.”
“Micah knew all this time. When he said he didn’t know anything—that he couldn’t tell me. He knew.” Mont smiled at her outrage.
“Don’t blame him. I told him not to tell you.” Mont kissed her.
He’d looked forward to this for the last two months. It was what had kept him going. According to his doctors, he should be dead but he survived, and they were sure it was pure willpower on his part. Mont had to agree because he knew it was the thought of seeing Isabella again that kept him going. While he was in the coma, he swore he had heard Micah talking to him about Isabella, how much she loved him, and how she was waiting for him. He never asked Micah for fear he’d think he was crazy, but some day he would.
“I don’t blame Micah, not really. He’s a close friend to you, isn’t he?”
Mont laughed. “He’s one of my best friends. We went through the Academy together, graduated together, and became agents together.”
“I thought so. You see, after he brought me home, he left, but when he returned he was sad. I asked about you, and all he could do was shake his head. I took that as meaning you’d been killed when Barkley was.”
“He must’ve gone back to the cabin to check things out. I’m not sure. We didn’t talk about it. He knew that once I woke up, I’d want to get to you. I almost didn’t.” He chuckled and she looked at him, her eyebrows pulling together in a scowl.
“Micah and I had an argument about you, and it took me a while to convince him to find out where you were. He finally gave in. I have to say it was a bit of a shock when I learned you’d moved here, to Dry River.”
“I did it because I thought I’d feel close to you here. After I moved here, I asked all around town if anyone knew you but no one did.” She chuckled. “Now I know why. I didn’t have the right name.” Isabella blinked tears back from her eyes. “I wanted to visit your grave but I didn’t know where it was,” she said with a big smile.
“Oh, baby, I’m so sorry.” He kissed her mouth tasting salty tears. “I’ll be more than happy to introduce you to my friends. You’ll love them just like I do.”
“So, you like the house, huh? I’m glad because you’ll be living here, right?”
Mont chuckled. “Only if you’ll marry me.”
Isabella laughed, kissed, and then hugged him. “Of course, of course I will, but you’d better come with me first. I want to show you something.”
She climbed off his lap, holding onto his hand, she half-pulled him to stand. Mont got to his feet but didn’t move forward because five dogs were growling at him again.
“You need to teach these dogs to love me, princess.”
Isabella giggled. “Don’t worry! They’ll love you like I do. Come on.”
She tugged on his hand and he followed her up the stairs. He ran his free hand along her backside as she climbed the stairs in front of him.
“Are you taking me to your bedroom, darlin’?” he asked with a sly grin.
Isabella laughed at him. When they reached the upper floor, she led him to a door, opened it softly, and quietly stepped inside. Mont followed, but when she stopped just inside the room putting her finger to her lips, he glanced around the room. His heart nearly stopped when he saw two baby cribs. He glanced at her, standing in the middle of the floor smiling, and then back to the cribs.
“Bella?” The question in his voice erupted in a cracked whisper.
Isabella rocked on her heels. “If you remember correctly, we never used condoms.”
Tears stung the backs of his eyes. “Boys or girls?”
“One of each, Daddy.”
Mont quietly walked over to the cribs looking down onto, first his son, and then his daughter. He fell to his knees between the cribs, and Isabella was immediately at his side. He grabbed her and pulled her close, burying his face into her belly.
“I’m so sorry…so, so sorry, Bella. You had to go through having these babies all by y
ourself.”
“Not really. My parents were great about it and my best friend Patsy, she helped me a lot. Those babies were what kept me going. They’re a part of you.” Isabella fell down to her knees and wrapped her arms around him as he wept against her neck. She pulled back, cupping his face in her hands and softly kissed him. “You’ll be here the next time,” she said with a bright smile.
“And the next one after that, and the next—”
“Whoa!” Isabella laughed, quickly hushing both her and then him when he laughed too.
Mont pushed to his feet, pulling her up into his arms. He glanced toward the sleeping babies and smiled. “Can I hold them?”
“Of course you can. Go sit in the rocking chair and I’ll bring them to you.”
Mont eagerly sat in the rocking chair and watched her pick up his son. Isabella handed the baby boy to him, and then got their daughter out and handed her to him. He had a baby in each arm and was happier than ever in his life. He looked down at their beautiful little faces, and then gazed up at Isabella. He felt a tear slip down his cheek.
“They’re so beautiful. I can’t get over how much hair they have. How old are they? Two months old?” Isabella nodded. “What are their names?”
“Since I thought your name was Colt, I named our son Colton.” Mont noted how Isabella raised one eyebrow in question. She wanted to know if he approved. He did and gave her a nod of the head. He heard her let out a relieved breath. “Your daughter’s name is Miranda, but I call her Randi—after a very good friend.” He heard a profound sadness in her voice. “Her family was the one Barkley had murdered. I haven’t lost hope one day I’ll see her again.”
Mont knew it hurt her not to see her friend. If she was like him, friends meant the world.
“By the way, there was a blonde woman with you at the governor’s mansion after it was all over and you thought I was dead. Who was she?”
Isabella looked at him strangely and probably wondered how he knew about her.
Montgomery Page 14
