Montana Born and Bred

by Hildie McQueen

The wood under his hand was smooth, the divots and lumps in the surface of the desk just right under his palm as he ran his hand over it. . Everyone should have such a place; somewhere where coming home is more than a saying, more like a sense of belonging.

  He opened the desk and reached for a notepad. He began to write words that came to him as he sat in the place where his ancestors once lived out a very different life.

  Moments later, the aroma of food made his stomach grumble. The cheese and wine were apparently not enough for his fast metabolism.

  A sketch over the bed got his attention, the shades of black and gray gave the space a relaxing feel. He neared the picture only to be surprised to see it was by his cousin, Regina.

  He and Sully had two sisters, but he was closer to Regina than he’d ever been to them. Although they fought and argued like cats and dogs, she was fiercely loyal. He laughed knowing this was Regina’s way of apologizing for fighting and winning the largest portion of land when she, Sully and he had first inherited the property.

  It was really a moot point, as neither he nor Regina really needed so many acres. Of all of them, it was Sully who’d grow a productive ranch and need more land.

  His cell rang and he groaned before picking it up. A very irate manager’s voice was loud and clear. “I want you on the next plane to Milwaukee.”

  Nineteen

  Jenna could only hear part of the conversation as Bennett paced the living room while speaking on the phone. From the sound of it, the man he spoke to was furious at him. He’d repeated, “Don’t yell or I’m hanging up,” several times.

  After a soft rapt on the door, Regina, Bennett’s cousin, walked in. Her smile disappeared at his scowl and she went to the kitchen where Jenna tossed a salad.

  “What’s going on with Ben?”

  “Not sure.” Jenna pointed to the wine bottle. “Help yourself.”

  They’d made a quick friendship as Regina seemed to have more time than work to do and was always out and about between Elle’s house and hers. With long auburn hair and eyes a striking blue that seemed to run in the family, Regina was attractive.

  Noticing them in the kitchen talking, Bennett went out to the back porch only to be jumped on by four eager dogs that assumed he’d come to play with them. Regina giggled. “What did he say about the dogs?”

  “Oh goodness, I almost freaked out when I walked out and saw him surrounded by them.” Jenna picked up her wine and sipped. “But he was pretty nice about it. I should have asked him. He’s my boss after all.”

  They watched as Bennett slipped the phone into his pocket and began roughhousing with the dogs.

  “This is exactly what my cousin needs. He works way too much and is constantly being pulled in so many directions. I’m not sure why he’s here, but I have a feeling about all this.”

  Regina stalked to the back door. “That’s right, get the dogs all loud and riled up. It’s too damn noisy out here.” She placed her hands on her hips and glared down at the country singer who lay on his back with a dog pushing down on his stomach with both paws.

  “Oomph! Stop dog!” Bennett laughed in between grunts, pushing the happy black lab away, only for another to take its place. “Shut up, Regina. Who asked you to come and get on the last nerve I have left?”

  “I came to visit my friend. If I’d known you’d be here to ruin my visit, I would have stayed home.”

  “Ha! Like you ever stay there. You need to give me that house. Now that Amberly has gone off to college, you don’t need all that space.”

  “Why the hell would I do that? You’re never here.”

  It was an interesting exchange. As the cousins bantered, it was clear Bennett relaxed more by the minute. By the lift to the corners of his mouth, between the banter and the happy dogs, he was having the time of his life.

  With Regina there, dinner was not as awkward as Jenna had expected. It was obvious something still bothered Bennett, but he participated in the conversation when discussing the upcoming work and the list of people vying for a position there at the training stables.

  “I’m glad you found Jenna, otherwise you’d be in a world of hurt trying to do this,” Regina told her cousin.

  His gaze went from Regina to Jenna. “I am lucky.”

  At his regard, Jenna fought not to squirm. Something about the man affected her like no one had in a long time. Just a look from him and she wanted to slide off the chair into a puddle of goo.

  “Anybody home?” Elle walked in with an older woman who rushed to Bennett and hugged him tight.

  The older woman looked around the table without losing her hold on Bennett, whose face was comically squished between her breasts. Her shrewd gaze took in Jenna. “Hello there. I’m Aunt Janet.”

  Jenna smiled in return. “Nice to meet you finally. I’ve heard many good things about you.”

  “I have the instincts of a buzzard over a road kill, can smell a good party a mile away,” Aunt Janet said. She gazed at their drinks.

  “Like a party is the only reason you’re here.” Elle gave them an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Sully told Aunt Janet that Bennett was here and I couldn’t stop her from running over.”

  Aunt Janet gave her niece a droll look. “I haven’t run since nineteen eighty-five when I accidentally set my bedroom on fire.” She finally released a red-faced Bennett. “Sorry sweetheart, I didn’t mean to cut off your air flow.” She fanned his face with both hands. “There you go, breathe in.”

  Within moments, everyone was sitting around the table talking mostly about Bennett’s upcoming tour in the northwest and the women planning a road trip to see him in concert. Jenna remained noncommittal, not daring to assume she was invited, nor did she want to put anyone in the awkward position of inviting her. However, Aunt Janet didn’t get the memo.

  “Hey Jenna, you’re planning to go right? Maybe we can use the new truck Elle just bought herself.”

  “I’m not sure.” Jenna changed the conversation to the dogs and, immediately, everyone began extoling the qualities of each dog. Much to her relief, the dogs behaved perfectly.

  She had to admit, the way the day had turned out was as enjoyable as the evening with her parents. There was a reason she was back in Montana.

  Hopefully, she would build a new life there in Alder Gulch, get to know the people and maybe, in the near future, meet someone and settle down.

  At thinking of a man in her future, she looked to Bennett who, once again, argued with his cousin. He must have sensed her gaze because he looked over. Jenna could not pull her eyes away but before she could make a total fool of herself by drooling, Regina punched him in the shoulder. “Don’t think by ignoring me I’ll let this subject drop.”

  Bennett grimaced and rubbed the spot. “Damn it, Regina, you still have the boniest knuckles. That hurt. I told you, I’m not dating Miranda.”

  “Yeah well, that’s not what I saw on Entertainment News,” his cousin insisted. “Fess up, home boy.”

  “Well, there was this one time...”

  Everyone began laughing and Jenna was glad the line of conversation didn’t continue. She wasn’t interest in any particulars of him with someone.

  Not that it should’ve mattered.

  Jenna had fallen asleep to the strums of a guitar and a deep voice singing on and off. Several times, she'd fought to stay awake to continue to listen. Bennett's voice was amazing. Whatever song he played flowed over the space with an easy rhythm. It was not quite a happy tune, but not sorrowful either.

  The music and strumming of the guitar had the feel of a nightly routine, something he must have done often to unwind after a day. From what he'd told her, between the travel and the damage done to his truck, the day had been stressful. Then later, there had been the telephone call from his agent who'd demanded Bennett return for appearances.

  It was not surprising that someone of his talent and popularity shirked commitments to get away. At least to some point, Jenna understood it.

  Bennett
had livened up while bantering with his cousin, his shoulders down and relaxed during the meal with family and friends.

  Something everyone needed.

  Morning light brightened her room and one of the dogs whimpered. She'd allowed two to spend the night in her room. It was a mistake to do so and if she weren’t careful, she'd end up with the entire herd in her bed. Jenna smiled and scratched the scruffy head that nudged at her. "Fine, I'm getting up. Don’t be so pushy."

  Trudging out to the living room, she ran her fingers through her curls before giving up. The dogs on her heels, she went to the back screened in room to let the rest of the dogs out.

  She stopped when spotting a shirtless Bennett just outside. Hands on his hips, he looked away from her as the other two dogs ran in circles, tongues lolling and tails wagging.

  The two with Jenna raced off to join the games and he turned to face her. "Good morning. I didn't wake you, did I?"

  It took a couple seconds to find her ability to talk. Immediately, pictures of him fully nude flashed through her mind. "No, I was rudely awakened by Mowgli. She wanted out, must have heard these guys outside."

  "Yeah, I came down early and figured they'd want out. Didn't realize two had slept with you."

  When his gaze skimmed over her thin tank and pajama shorts, Jenna wanted to curse at not grabbing a robe. With the slight chill in the air, there was no doubt her nipples were at full salute.

  "It's a bad habit. I shouldn't get them used to it.” She fought not to fidget and, instead, looked past him. "I'm getting coffee. Would you like some?"

  The corners of his mouth lifted into an easy grin and before she could stop it, a sigh escaped. "No thanks. I'll get a cup later. Already had two."

  Sure he'd watched her walk inside, it was all she could do not to run into the house. "Damn it. He needs to go back to his concert stuff," Jenna mumbled.

  Later that morning, dressed in jeans and a graphic t-shirt, she waited for Bennett so they could walk to where the stables were being built.

  The day was perfect. Although the sun shined brightly, there was enough of a breeze to keep it from being too hot. Jenna looked across the land, which reminded her of her family’s ranch.

  "Why don't you work for your parents?"

  The question brought her out of her musings. It wasn’t a surprise that he asked the question. It was natural to wonder why she didn’t work at the family ranch.

  "While in The Gambia, I decided to get away from the family fold and work on my own. It's a complicated situation."

  "Family is always complicated, but it somehow seems strange you're doing work for me that I'm sure you could do there. Maybe it’s none of my business, but I hope you and your family are in good standing."

  She smiled at him. "Yep. I spent the other weekend over there watching zombie shows with Dad and eating too many cookies. Dinner on TV trays while watching gory shows was interesting. It's a silly tradition we've done forever on Saturday nights.” She shook her head. “The TV trays, not the gory shows.”

  He watched her for a bit, as if trying to decipher anything hidden in her statement. An easy smile curved his lips. "Good. I'm glad. I just hope you don't end up changing your mind about working for me and leave me high and dry."

  A chuckle burst and before she could stop it, she said the dumbest thing ever. "If I leave, I'll make sure you're low and wet."

  Her eyes rounded and mouth fell open. "Oh...I didn't mean that the way it sounded."

  "Too bad.” He turned away when the construction foreman walked over to them.

  While the men discussed the structure and timetables, they looked to her several times for input.

  Her mind raced with a way to take her words back. The last thing she wanted was for Bennett to think she'd become another groupie and would welcome romantic advances. Any kind of entanglement was a recipe to ruin things. Not only would it force her to quit, but also if her father found out she was out of work, he'd insist she return to the ranch to work for him immediately.

  "Jenna?"

  She blinked at realizing Bennett had asked her a question. "I'm sorry?"

  "What do you think about adding a corral behind the stables to separate more high-spirited horses?"

  "The idea has merit. However, those horses sometimes calm when in the presence of others.” She walked with them to behind the stables where the corral would be finished as soon as they finished discussing the idea.

  Bennett would be leaving that evening or the next morning. Although his being there was unsettling to her for whatever reason, she didn't want him to go. There was so much to be done and his being away made decisions harder.

  "Would you like to go for a ride?” He walked over, placing a Stetson on his head. "I want to take Harvey out for a bit."

  She looked up at the sky. Clouds were gathering. "Yes, of course. We need to go sooner rather than later. Rain is in the forecast for this afternoon."

  "How about now?” He motioned with his head for her to walk with him towards where a Jeep was parked. "Good thing I kept this old guy. Otherwise I'd be without a vehicle until my truck gets fixed."

  They drove to his brother's stables. The conversation regarding the current construction did not ebb until they reached Sully's stables.

  As they rode side by side, something shifted. Later, Jenna would think about the tension returning in Bennett, the change in his mood turning from easy-going to troubled. Yet at the same time, being around him was comfortable and Jenna wondered how it came to be after only being around him a few times.

  The first plop of rain splattered on her nose and she squealed; of all the days to wear extra coats of mascara. Before long, she’d resembled a raccoon on horseback. "I'm going under those trees. It’s raining."

  Bennett held one hand palm up. "It's just a sprinkle. It's not going to rain hard for a bit.” He followed her toward the grouping of trees. "Probably can make it back without getting too wet."

  Jenna looked over her shoulder toward the stables. Too far. "I don't think we'll make it.” Sure enough, as soon as they reached the harbor of the trees' branches, the rain became heavy. Even under the thick, leaf-laden branches, raindrops trickled through.

  Unperturbed, the horses began grazing on the green grasses. "I didn't think it would rain this bad," Bennett said, shaking his head. "I have to catch a plane this evening."

  "I thought you were staying until tomorrow.” Jenna looked to him only to realize how close he'd moved. She swallowed. "Are you packed yet?"

  His stunning blue gaze met hers for a long moment. "I'm packed. But that's not what is troubling."

  "No?"

  "No.” He leaned and his lips touched hers. Jenna couldn't stop it, she wanted more. His mouth covered hers and he brought her against him, flush against his hard chest. Jenna clung to his shoulders and she allowed him to hug her close.

  Thunder sounded and alarm bells rung for several seconds in her brain until she realized they both struggled to breathe.

  With all the strength she could muster, Jenna pushed him away. "Oh my God. Bad idea. Bad idea.” She walked in a circle covering her mouth, not daring to look at him. "We are going to pretend this never happened."

  Twenty

  He wasn't about to pretend as if the best kiss of his life did not happen. However, admittedly, he'd made a big mistake by pushing his luck at this point. And of course, her being his employee, she could quit. He’d kick himself one hundred times for it, if she did.

  "You can if you wish. I, however, prefer not to.” He neared almost laughing out loud when she leaped backwards.

  She extended an arm. "I think the rain is slowing."

  It continued to pour.

  "I won't try anything again, I promise," Bennett said holding his hand up like a Boy Scout. "We have to wait a bit more."

  "We should probably discuss this.” She motioned between them, her pretty hazel gaze meeting his. "It was a mistake and if I invited you to think I'd welcome it, then I didn't mean to
."

  "You didn't. I've been thinking about kissing you since the first time we met."

  She held back a chuckle, by the lips twitching. "When you were butt naked?"

  "That, we should pretend didn't happen.” He smiled in return.

  "However," she stated her brow crinkling. "I'm sure you have your choice of women who'd not hesitate to be at your beck and call. I work for you as your property manager and it’s against policy for any kind of personal relationship."

  She stood straight with both hands on her hips, her chin up in challenge.

  "Policy? What policy?"

  "The policy I'm about to write into our contract. An addendum."

  "Hmm," he turned away to hide his mirth. She was serious and he had to respect it. However, she'd given in to the kiss. It had not only been him affected by it. He'd not bring it up, not yet.

  After touring and upon his return, however, every tool in his arsenal would be used to convince her to be his.

  "I think we should head back.” She walked to her horse and he followed behind enjoying the view of her pert bottom in tight jeans. Although not as enticing as seeing her braless and in pajama shorts, there was much to admire about this woman.

  "Can I ask something of you?" He reached for her arm. "Invite you somewhere?"

  Her gaze lifted to his face slowly. "Where?"

  "Will you come to my concert? With Elle, Regina and Aunt Janet?"

  She blinked and, finally, her lips curved. "Sure, that would be fun."

  "Good.” He lost his ability to breathe at her stunning face. "Lacey, my assistant tour manager, will meet you at my tour bus. Elle knows where and when."

  Jenna nodded. Her eyes downcast, she bit her bottom lip. "I feel uncomfortable right now. Why did you kiss me?”

  "I shouldn't have done it without asking you first.” He chuckled. "Didn't want to take a chance you'd say no."

  She gave him a droll look. "That's not the point and you know it."

  "There's a point?” he teased, waiting for her reaction.