Montana Cowboy

by Jillian Hart

  Maybe, if he tried hard enough, he could talk himself into believing it.

  “Has the match started?” She rushed toward him, with the wide expanse of green lawn and Frisbee players between them. He couldn’t hear her voice, but he could read her lips.

  He nodded, hardly aware of his feet on the ground as he dodged a dog barreling after a tennis ball. “They took a break because of the heat.”

  “Over a hundred degrees.” She dodged a Frisbee and suddenly she was before him, her long golden hair gleaming in the sun, her smile of welcome lighting him up. “Aren’t you melting?”

  “I came straight from the milking parlor.” He hadn’t taken time to change out of jeans and a T-shirt, although shorts and a tank would have been cooler.

  She looked effortlessly beautiful in a teal tank edged with lace and simple denim shorts. Flip-flops snapped against her heels as she fell into stride beside him.

  “You made good time considering the tractor.”

  “Thanks to a daring passing maneuver that I have to say was really impressive. I had to, because there I was creeping along at fifteen miles an hour. At that rate, by the time I actually showed, it would have been too late. Everyone would have finished up and gone home.”

  “I would have waited for you.” It was easy to keep his tone light. Just friends.

  “Good to know for next time.”

  “So you plan on making the trip again?”

  “I’m negotiating for the entire day off Sunday, so I can attend the service here. Colbie’s idea. If I show up on time and if you wouldn’t mind the company?”

  “I could probably be talked into it.”

  “Good. I was wondering who took my place on the team.” Honor gestured toward the game, which had resumed. “I owe Bree big-time for filling in for me.”

  Bree chose that moment to turn around, spot Honor and wave. Colbie turned to see what had distracted Bree and waved, too. Brooke, getting ready to serve, cast her sisters a frowning look. “Honestly, you two, pay attention.”

  “But it’s Honor!” Bree clasped her hands together. “You made it. Thank you! Come take my place.”

  “Okay, as you look desperate.”

  “I am! Save me.”

  Honor dove onto a spare corner of a picnic table bench, kicked off her flip-flops and dug out socks and athletic shoes from the big bag around her shoulder. On the field, Brooke pounded the ball, it streaked expertly over the net, the opposing church team scrambled but missed. He hardly noticed. Honor bounded up from the bench and shoved her things at him. “You look like the keeper of the stuff.”

  “Glad I’m useful for something.” He took her bag. “Have fun.”

  “Oh, I intend to. Poor Bree.” She loped off, unaware she left him standing alone with an emptiness he refused to examine. The women embraced, Honor trotted over to fill in the empty space alongside Brooke and Bree punched the air, victorious.

  “I love to play, but honestly, I’m so not that good.” Bree bounced toward him, long blond ponytail swinging. She reminded him of the girl she used to be, bright and sparkling and funny. That was before the armed robbery in the restaurant she’d worked at, when she’d been nearly fatally shot. She’d survived, but the ordeal had left its mark. Ever since the trial, where the gunmen were found guilty, she’d become more and more herself.

  Lord, I thank You for that healing. It heartened him to see her skipping toward him. “I didn’t think you were so bad.”

  “Ha! I’m alright in a family game, but some of these women could be pros. Yikes. Besides, look at Brooke. She rocks.”

  Their sister leaped at that moment, aggressively hammering the ball over the net. Another score. Her team cheered. He couldn’t help watching Honor who high-fived Brooke and took possession of the ball, one-handed.

  “Oh, she’s good, too.” Bree fell in beside him, leaning against the picnic table as Honor’s serve rocketed through the air. “I noticed that when we played at the reception. Do you think there’s a chance she’ll stick around when her job is over?”

  “Nope. Not the slightest.” If he were far from home, missing those he was closest to, he wouldn’t stay around a second longer than necessary. Not unless he had strong feelings for someone.

  But face it, he was the only one with strong feelings.

  “That’s too bad. I like her.” Bree gave her ponytail a toss and lifted her face toward the sun, drinking in its brightness. “I think she likes you, too.”

  “Sure. We’re great friends.” For the ten billionth time.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that. She drove two hours to see you.”

  “Because she misses her friends back home and she’s lonely. Can’t blame her there.”

  “I don’t think that’s the whole story. Whatever the reason, she’s here. Make the most of it.” Bree jabbed him affectionately with her elbow. “You’re a good catch, Luke. Trust me. She’s looking at you.”

  Sure, he knew that, since his heart stopped beating. He sent Honor a crooked grin, one he hoped said, hey there, friend.

  She smiled back to him the same way. Not that his hopes were up, he was too practical for that. But a little piece of hope tumbled, anyway, disappointed.

  You’ve got to stop dreamin’, buddy, he told himself as Colbie shouted Honor’s name. Her head whipped back to the game and she jumped, sending the ball streaking over the net for another score.

  * * *

  “Whew, all this fun is addictive.” Honor accepted the water bottle Luke handed her. “I could do more of this.”

  “Great,” Brooke spoke up. “I’ll keep you in mind if Terry’s wrist isn’t better by next week.”

  “You should hang with us more often,” Bree added. “We know how to have lots of fun.”

  “I’ve noticed.” It was nice being wanted and she adored the McKaslin sisters. Honestly, what wasn’t to like? “You all have brightened things up for me lately.”

  “Then maybe you want to hang around now that the match is over and adequately won.” Colbie rubbed a towel over her damp head. “We’re heading over to the bakery.”

  “Brandi’s working tonight,” Luke managed to get a word in edgewise as he secured the lid on the cooler. “She was the smart one.”

  “Yeah, staying in the air-conditioning,” Brooke agreed, heading toward the parking lot. “Smart.”

  “Brilliant, as I’m melting.” Bree pressed the cold water bottle against her forehead. “I’m thinking an iced mocha and a big scoop of ice cream.”

  “Ooh, I’m thinking two scoops.” Brooke led the way toward the parking lot. “You’re coming, right, Honor?”

  “I came all this way. I might as well make the most of it.” As the sisters’ voiced their pleasure, she caught Luke’s eye. The warmth of his smile made her palms go damp.

  Or, maybe that was just the hundred-plus temps. Yes, that was probably it.

  “You can follow me if you want.” Luke sidled in as the sisters broke apart, each heading for their own vehicles. “Or you can ride with me, and I’ll bring you back to your car.”

  “Ride with him,” Colbie called as she unlocked her SUV. “It’ll be easier finding the highway north from here. Once you get into downtown, it’s a little confusing.”

  “I guess that settles it.” She left her keys in her purse and headed toward Luke’s shining white pickup.

  “Great. See ya there!” Colbie bobbed into her vehicle. Bree tooted her horn as she backed out of her spot. Brooke waved as she waited for Bree to drive off so she could back up.

  “Guess you’re stuck with me.” Luke opened the door for her.

  “I think I can survive it.” She hopped onto the seat. Those dimples of his were absolutely to die for. Did he know how handsome he was? The bigger question was, why hadn’t some woman snatched him
up?

  “Good. How’s Jerrod doing?”

  “He’s doing okay, considering the last thing a teenage boy wants to do with his summer is study for a test he doesn’t want to take.” She hadn’t driven like a madwoman for one hundred and thirty-eight miles to bore him with the details. “How are your girls?”

  “My cows are nothing but trouble. It’s all I can do to keep the upper hand.”

  “I’m so not fooled.” Why her eyeballs drifted downward to study his steel shoulders was a complete mystery. “You have them in the palm of your hand.”

  “They are sweet on me.”

  I’m sure, she thought. Muscles rippled under his white T-shirt as he closed her door and circled in front of the truck. Who wouldn’t be sweet on him?

  She certainly wasn’t.

  Luke’s door yanked open, he hopped in and plugged his key in the ignition. “I can’t imagine having a different job or living a different life.”

  “It suits you. Did you always know you wanted to run a dairy?”

  “I wanted to own my land and make a living raising animals. I grew up on a cattle ranch and I loved trailing my dad around. When he actually worked, that is.” He checked his mirrors, waiting for another car to pull out first. “It’s the only life I’ve ever wanted.”

  “It’s a blessing to do what you love for a living.” She pulled down the visor to block the sun and caught her reflection in the mirror. Yikes.

  “After I graduated high school, Hunter got me a job working for Wilson’s Dairy, just around the corner from where we are now.” The coast was clear, so he angled the truck out of its spot. “We worked ten years saving every penny until we could come up with a down payment for our place.”

  “You’re a Montana man through and through.”

  “You know it.” The truck lumbered through the lot. “So, how about you? Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher?”

  “No. When I was little I wanted to be a princess.” She finger combed her hair, but it wouldn’t stop sticking straight up. Figures. “I was taken in by the tiara thing. Then I wanted to be a ballerina. It was the tutu, so frilly and pink, but those things didn’t work out for some reason.”

  “Imagine that.” He hit the blinker and turned onto the street.

  “When I hit kindergarten, I became much more practical. I wanted to work with Big Bird.”

  “Who wouldn’t?”

  “In high school, I volunteered for a program that helped kids with challenges with their homework. I was paired up with a seventh grader who was struggling with remedial reading, and that experience changed my life. I pray that I changed hers, too.”

  “I’m sure you did.”

  “It was rewarding and I was hooked. My parents wanted me to go into something more lucrative, but I refused. Life isn’t about how much money you make.”

  “Amen to that.” He eased his foot off the gas, slowing at a red light. “Do you have anything lined up next?”

  “I’m still putting in applications, but it’s tough competition with so many cutbacks. I’ll probably wind up substituting next year.”

  “Have you thought about moving out of the area? Maybe someplace outside of L.A.?”

  “No. I’m not that desperate. Yet.” The light changed, the truck accelerated through the intersection and she couldn’t help thinking that if she needed anymore confirmation, this was proof enough. She and Luke were two very different people, wanting different things in life.

  “Jerrod is a good kid,” Luke said. “You must like teaching him.”

  “I do. He’s going through a tough time, so I understand. My parents divorced when I was his age. They get along all right now and have remarried. But it was rocky for a while.”

  “Been there. My dad left when I was a kid. Tough times, watching our family come apart. He cheated on Mom. He cheated on us.”

  “It affects you.”

  “It does. That’s why I’m leery of females.”

  “Even me?”

  “Especially you.” A dash of humor sparkled in his eyes. “You are big trouble.”

  “The biggest,” she agreed. “The truth is, when you see a marriage come apart, you look at romance differently after that.”

  “You know it can end. That if you put your faith in someone, they let you down completely.”

  Honor remembered something Brooke had said. That Luke’s last girlfriend had led him on and then let him down.

  “That’s why I’m single.” He hit his blinker and turned left. “You wouldn’t want to date me, not that you’re interested. I break hearts right and left.”

  “Sure, I noticed that right off. Me, too, by the way. I leave a long string of broke hearts behind me wherever I go.” Not even close to the truth. And Luke was too kind to ever have broken anyone’s heart. To ever let anyone down intentionally at all.

  It was very hard not to like that.

  After two more quick turns, Luke pulled into a large parking lot rimmed by stores. One of them was an adorable bakery with a striped awning and a long front wall of glass.

  “Honor!” Her door was wrenched open the moment the truck stopped. Bree grinned up at her, platnium hair dancing in the wind. “I hope you like chocolate.”

  “Like it? Oh, no, like is too mild of a word.” She took a moment to soak in one last sight of Luke’s grin before grabbing her bag and hopping to the blacktop. “Love? Still too mild. It’s an obsession, at least. Maybe an addiction?”

  “Me, too!” Bree took her hand.

  “Me, three!” Colbie took her other hand.

  “I’m not going to say me, four. That’s just too cheesy.” Brooke shut the truck door and the group of them arrowed straight toward the bakery.

  How fun was this? She glanced over her shoulder at the man bringing up the rear. Luke shrugged back, slipping his truck keys in his jeans pocket. What a handsome picture he made with his rugged good looks, athletic gait and easy going kindness.

  That’s not my heart swooping, she told herself firmly. She had no interest in going through the wringer of romance anytime soon. What were the chances what she felt was heartburn?

  “You’ve got to have the triple chocolate, chocolate chip cupcake.” Bree opened the door.

  “It’s to die for,” Colbie agreed, tugging her into the shop. Honor stumbled after her, breathing in the aroma of an amazing condition of sugar, chocolate, cinnamon and a whiff of hazelnut as she approached the glass case.

  Everything delicious stared back at her—glazed pastries, frosted cinnamon rolls, colorfully decorated cookies and cupcakes with funny icing faces.

  “Hey!” Brandi sauntered up to the counter in a yellow T-shirt, jeans and a ruffly apron. “How did the game go? You all look victorious.”

  “That’s cuz we are.” Colbie punched the air. “At the last minute.”

  “Due to me,” Bree admitted. “I was the weak link.”

  “Weak? How about the worst?” Brooke lovingly wrapped an arm around Bree’s shoulder. “But we were glad to have you on the starting lineup. It was a lot of fun, right?”

  “Oh, tons of fun.” Bree shook her head, mouthing, not fun. “But sadly now that you have Honor, I’ll just have to stay on the sidelines.”

  “Or not even show up at all.” Brandi waggled her eyebrows. “Am I smart, or what?”

  “Waaay smart,” Bree agreed and the twins laughed, two peas in a pod. Nothing could be cuter.

  This is what I’ve been missing, Honor realized. The bond of friends and the fun of sisters. Home seemed a million miles away.

  “We’ll have five triple chocolate monster cupcakes.” Colbie pointed at the display case. “With big scoops of lavender ice cream. I don’t know about you all, but I’m having an iced mocha.”

  “Me, too,” Honor spo
ke up, eyeing the size of the cupcakes. She would have to take up jogging to burn off all those calories, but nothing had ever looked more indulgent.

  “My treat.” Luke sidled up next to her, pulling out his wallet.

  There went that funny feeling in her chest again, but it would be smart to keep on denying it. There were too many reasons why Luke McKaslin could not be anything more than a friend.

  Chapter Seven

  “…and then Luke climbed back down the tree.” Colbie scraped the bowl with her spoon for the last of the ice cream.

  “Climbed? I slid more than climbed and then I fell.” He polished off his iced decaf latte. “It was humiliating. I looked like an idiot.”

  “A heroic idiot,” Brooke corrected affectionately. “You were such a good guy going up there to rescue Fluffy.”

  He shook his head, wishing he could shake away the conversation as easily. But nothing would stop his sisters from extolling what they thought of as his virtues in front of Honor. Rescuing Colbie’s neighbor’s newly adopted cat was apparently one of them. All because he hadn’t been able to take Madge’s worried sobs as she gazed up at her kitty in the high branches of the maple.

  “It was nothing.” He shrugged, aware of Honor across the table, watching him with a curious look on her face. Probably thinking he was a sentimental sap. He’d always been a softy. It wasn’t a quality that had single women lining up to run after him. He straightened his shoulders and cleared his voice, hoping to sound tougher. “How is the cat doing?”

  “Fine. He wasn’t the one who hit the ground on his back after an eight-foot fall.” Brooke just had to say it, didn’t she? “Honor, Luke did it on purpose. I watched him twist in midair so that he would land hard and keep Fluffy safe in his arms.”

  Honestly. Heat stained his face. Could his sister be anymore obvious? A while ago, he never should have admitted to her he was sweet on a lady he’d met online. No doubt, Brooke figured out he’d meant Honor.

  If only he could derail the conversation. His efforts didn’t seem to work, but he couldn’t let that stop him from keeping at it. Persistence was the key to most successes. “Is Fluffy adjusting to life with Madge?”