Montana Cowboy

by Jillian Hart

  “He shooed me out. Wouldn’t take no for an answer.” What he could say was how hard it had been. He’d barely slept last night, fearing the phone would ring with even worse news. Hunter, bless him, had stayed behind to sit with Lil.

  “My big brothers are the best.” Colbie lifted her head, her prayer done. Tears stood in her eyes. “How was Mom looking?”

  “Okay.” He couldn’t make himself say how pale she’d been and how groggy and confused when the nurses had come in to tend her.

  “I’ve got to go.” Colbie bopped to her feet.

  “Of course you do.” Honor stood to move out of her way. “Give Lil a hug from me.”

  “You know I will. Thanks.” Colbie blinked back tears, too tough to let them fall.

  “Have you eaten?” he asked, remembering how she’d refused the breakfast Brooke had brought her. Too upset to eat, she’d said. “Maybe we can get you—”

  “No. What if Mom needs me? I’ve got to be there for her.” Colbie shook her head, shouldering into the aisle. “I’ll eat something at the hospital later.”

  “Promise, or I’ll hunt you down.” He winked.

  “Sure, sure.” She took a step, not watching where she was going and smashed straight into someone in the aisle. Her Bible went flying.

  “Excuse me,” said a deep voice. “Are you all right?”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was—” Colbie stopped, obviously startled. “—going. Aren’t you the district—”

  “—attorney,” Bree finished, bopping into the aisle. “Hi, Austin. Did you enjoy the service?”

  “I did.” The tall man knelt to fetch Colbie’s Bible. “It’s good to see the McKaslin family again.”

  “Austin’s been looking for a new church,” Bree explained. She’d gotten to know the district attorney and his staff when she’d been a primary witness on a murder trial a few months back. “I thought he might like it here.”

  “I do.” His granite face softened with kindness when he looked at Colbie. He handed her the Bible. “I heard about your mother. Will she be all right?”

  “Absolutely. Mom will pull out of this just fine.” Her chin lifted, as if she refused to consider any other outcome. “Thanks.”

  “I’ll keep her in my prayers.”

  “That’s nice of you.” She blushed, not making eye contact. “It was good seeing you again. As for the rest of you, I’ll catch you all later.”

  “Count on it.” Luke noticed the district attorney watched Colbie as she dashed down the crowded aisle, quickly disappearing from sight.

  Interesting. But chances were one hundred percent that Austin Quinn would never do more than look. Not many men would want to take on a woman who had the sole responsibility for her ill mother.

  Austin left with a nod of farewell.

  “Okay, everyone has their to-do lists?” Brooke asked as she tumbled into the aisle.

  “Yes.” Bree held up a small sheet of paper.

  “Me, too!” Brandi held up hers.

  “Then let’s get at it.” Brooke speared him with a look. “You’ll pick up lunch for everyone, right?”

  “I printed off the email you sent early this morning.” He patted his shirt pocket. “I’ve got my assignments and fully intend to execute them.”

  “Hey, what about me? I didn’t get a list.” Honor looked unhappy about that. “My computer is in my room above the Lamberts’ garage, so I could have gotten one, but how would I know, as I didn’t go home last night?”

  “Well, that explanation is simple. You don’t have a list because I didn’t make one for you,” Brooke offered gently. “You’re a guest, remember?”

  “I was hoping I was a friend.”

  Why a lump lodged in his throat, he couldn’t say. He didn’t want to be touched by Honor’s caring. She liked his family. He knew she did. But her giving up her day off to help his family, that got to him.

  Big time.

  “You’re a good friend,” Broke corrected, her eyes swimming with gratitude. “Okay, you talked me into it. I’ll give you a few things off my list. How’s that?”

  “Perfect.” She waited for Brooke to tear off the bottom items from her list and accepted the scrap gladly. “You have my cell. If you need anything else, just call.”

  “Will do.” Brooke headed backwards down the aisle. “See you back at the hospital around noonish.”

  “Whatever you do, don’t forget lunch, Luke,” Brandi called out.

  “Yeah, cuz we’ll be hungry,” Bree gave a finger wave as she disappeared out the door.

  The new wave of worshippers for the second service began to trickle in. There was no time or privacy to say the things on his mind, so he gave Honor his best attempt at a smile. “Let’s see what Brooke gave you.”

  “I have no gardening skills whatsoever.” She held up her list. “Do you think I can keep Lil’s roses alive for one day?”

  “I have faith in you.” He skimmed the few items in Brooke’s tidy script. “The house key is in a ceramic ladybug in the flower bed next to the front steps. You can’t miss it. Madge from next door might come over to see what you’re up to. She’s a nice lady.”

  “Good. Maybe she can offer advice on my watering skills.” She tucked the list in the pocket of what looked like a dress borrowed from the twins. “Guess I’ll see you at the hospital.”

  “I’ll be the one with the sandwiches.”

  “What about those little bags of chips?” She backed down the aisle, into the fall of the stained glass sunlight.

  “Do you like baked or regular chips?”

  “Barbecue.” She shook her head. “You have a lot to learn about me, Luke McKaslin.”

  “Most of our interactions have been on the computer, where I haven’t witnessed your chip-eating preferences.”

  “I sort of like this real-time thing we’re doing.”

  “So do I.”

  “I’m sorry about the circumstances, but I’m glad I’m here.” The words popped out, unedited and honest, weighing with more meaning than she’d intended. What would Luke think if he knew her feelings toward him were changing?

  “It’s not a hardship having you around.” The tone in his voice and the warmth in his eyes could be saying more than friendship.

  Wasn’t that a scary thought? But likely it was only her imagination, she decided, as Luke held up a hand in farewell.

  “Call if you have any problems,” he invited, standing strong and solid. Her pulse skipped three beats.

  “Right.” Rattled, she banged her shoulder against the door frame, bounced off it and tripped on the top step. Good thing there was a railing for her to grab or she would have tumbled all the way down. For a moment, she’d almost let herself believe Luke’s feelings changing for her, too.

  She joined the mob in the parking lot. Kids shouted, conversations rang and engines rolled over as she crossed the blazing hot pavement. A beep, beep of a horn caught her attention. Bree’s little white pickup zipped by, two rows over. Both twins waved at her.

  She waved back.

  Now, where had she parked? She couldn’t see her car anywhere. Why? Because her brains had suddenly scrambled. What could the only rational reason be for that?

  Because I’m falling for him, that’s why. Which was totally crazy. Completely inconvenient. She stumbled to the first row of cars, oblivious to the comings and goings around her. She didn’t want to be vulnerable. Not again. That was like walking through a mine field waiting for an explosive device to go off and take your heart with it.

  Her cell rang. She scooped it out of her handbag and didn’t look at the screen. The instant she heard his voice, calm spread through her. The sun brightened.

  “Hey, I forgot to ask what kind of sandwich you like.” His voic
e had to be her new most favorite sound.

  “Turkey is fine.” She felt a tingle on the back of her neck and spun around.

  “Turkey it is. Mayo? You like mustard, right?”

  “Right.”

  On the top church step, the sunlight found him, bronzing him with light. As if saying, here, what about this one?

  I’m not looking, she wanted to say. Remember Kip? Love and romance are such a bad idea.

  “Okay, I wanted to make sure. Besides, it gave me a reason to call.” His smile held enough magnetism to hold her, even across the length of the parking lot. She felt trapped like the moon to the earth, unable to move away as the wind ruffled his sandy hair.

  No one had ever been so dear to her.

  The blast of a car horn rocked her out of her thoughts. She blinked, realizing she stood in front of a minivan waiting to pull out.

  “Sorry.” She hopped out of the way, listening to the rumble of Luke’s chuckle in her ear.

  “It’s crazy out there. I should let you go.”

  “Yes, before I create a traffic jam,” she agreed, as two vehicles attempted to scoot into the spot vacated by the minivan. She was definitely in the way again as a station wagon idled, waiting for her to cross in front of it. “If I can just find my—”

  “—car?” He finished. “I see it. One row over. Two cars toward the church.”

  “Thanks.” Had she gone blind? She cut between parked cars, stuffing her phone into her bag. Love messed with your common sense. It ruined your judgment. It was a land mine waiting to go off. But did that stop her heart?

  No way. She glanced over her shoulder just in time to see Luke striding back inside the church. She gave a little sigh as she leaned against her car.

  And if she had to fall, why did it have to be for a Montana cowboy?

  “Why?” She tilted her head back to ask God. The blue sky didn’t answer, so she opened her door and dropped behind the wheel. This was not going according to her plan. She jammed her key into the ignition, forced her mind to the matter at hand and realized she didn’t have directions to Colbie’s place.

  Wasn’t it just too bad she’d have to call Luke one more time?

  * * *

  “Well, as long as Colbie says it’s all right.” The neighbor, Madge, adjusted her gardening gloves. “We keep a pretty close eye on what goes on around here. Keeps troublemakers away.”

  “I don’t intend to make trouble.” Honor unwound the hose across the front lawn. “Although I can’t guarantee there won’t be any.”

  “Do you know what you’re doing, missy?” The older lady picked up her clippers. “You’re going to ruin those shoes.”

  “They are the only ones I have.” She’d left the borrowed heels and dress folded neatly inside Colbie’s home, where she’d changed into shorts and a summery top. “I could go barefoot.”

  “I recommend it.” Madge turned her attention to pruning her flowers, but she kept an obvious eye on the proceedings next door.

  Okay, she was new to yard work, having nothing more than two flower pots on her apartment balcony to worry about, which were Kelsey’s, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t figure this out. How hard could it be? She slipped off her shoes, tossed them onto the porch and plunked the sprinkler in the middle of the grass. Her cell chimed.

  Missing U! Kelsey’s text flashed on the screen. We’re brunching after church. Guess where?

  Surfs? Her favorite waterside restaurant. It was easy to picture the whole gang seated around a table.

  It’s not the same without U. Kelsey answered. Can’t wait until U come home. Just wait ‘til U hear.

  There’s news, Anna Louise’s text popped up to say. Big-time, won’t believe it news.

  Tell me. Squinting in the direct sun, Honor hit send and squished across the spongy lawn, the blades of grass tickling the bottoms of her feet. What were the chances California schools were suddenly doing massive rehiring?

  I’m ENGAGED.

  Engaged? Honor dropped her phone. It plummeted into a rhododendron bush and disappeared. She felt a little dizzy when she dove in after it. With trembling hands, she typed, hardly able to contain her happiness. When? Why? Who?

  Yesterday. I love him. Tom Jenkins, Anna Louise answered.

  Why did that name sound familiar? She flicked a smudge of dirt off the screen as she thought about it. Is that the piano guy who came to tune the school pianos?

  Yes! He fixed Mom’s piano last month, I dropped by while he was there and the rest is history.

  Definitely unbelievable. And fast! But when true love hit, what was a girl to do? She changed her life for it, that’s what.

  Awesome, she typed back. Ginormous congrats.

  Thanx!

  Honor leaned in beside the rhododendron bush, turned on the faucet and waited for the sprinkler to sprinkle.

  It didn’t. It sat there motionless. Not one drop of water shot into the air.

  Okay, that was a small hiccup. Something was clearly wrong, but she could figure it out. She checked the hose connection, fine. She trailed it through the flower bed. Fine. She eyed the length of it across the front lawn. There was the problem. A kink in the hose.

  So we’ve got a wedding to plan, Kelsey’s text arrived next. We’re gonna be bridesmaids!

  Is that wise? Honor texted back with a smile. She stalked across the grass and gave the hose a tug.

  Nothing. The kink remained.

  Probably not, Anna Louise commented. It’s a risk I’m willing to take. When U come home, we’ll start planning.

  Can’t wait. She hit Send, picturing the fun her friends were having chatting away and sending texts while talking to one another. Yes, it would be great to be with them again. To hang with some of the people who mattered most.

  So why did heaviness wrap around her like a damp blanket? Could it be she wasn’t as excited about heading home as she’d once been?

  Warning. There’s gonna B lotsa shopping, Kelsey texted back. Can’t wait. Miss U.

  Miss U 2. Congrats again, Anna Louise. She tucked her phone in her back pocket so both hands would be free, hunkered over the kink in the hose and gave it a good twist. Twelve more days. Tomorrow would be eleven.

  Cold water shot out of the sprinkler and pummeled her like torrential rain. It sluiced down her face, blinding her. It soaked her hair, it soaked her shirt. With a gasp, she leaped out of the stream only to have the sprinkler revolve and slam into her again.

  “Bravo.” Applause rang out as she finally jumped clear and rubbed water out of her eyes.

  “I had counted on it shooting in the other direction.” Dripping water, she tracked across the lawn on the safe side of the sprinkler. “What are you doing here?”

  “I thought I’d swing by on my way to the sandwich shop to check on you. Make sure you weren’t running into any problems. I’m too late.”

  “Why would you say that? There are no problems here.” She shook her head like a dog. Water droplets scattered. “I’ve checked on the house, watered the houseplants, picked up the paper, watered all the beds. Just the lawns left to do.”

  “Maybe I’d better take over.”

  “I’ve got it. Go fetch your sandwiches.”

  “I’m going to lend a hand. End of story.” Luke tucked his keys into his pocket, rocked off his truck’s fender he’d been leaning against and stalked toward her. His shadow fell across her as big and bold as the man, and her breath caught sideways in her chest. A touch of panic and wishing melded together, freezing her in place—even as she heard the tick of the revolving sprinkler head and the patter of approaching water.

  “C’mon here.” His hand roped her wrist, tugged her out of the way at the last second and into the sanctuary of his strong arms. She breathed in the faint scent of fabric softene
r as her cheek came to rest against his cotton shirt. He was iron-strong man and cozy comfort.

  Wow. The earth stopped spinning. Time ceased moving and in that frozen moment between one breath and the next, between one heartbeat and the next, she felt her world shift inexorably. Irrevocably. This was one place she wanted to stay forever, safe in the circle of his arms.

  “That was a close one.” As if he wasn’t affected, not even the slightest bit, Luke stepped back, breaking the contact, putting distance between them. His easygoing grin, framed by dimples, didn’t hold a trace of the amazement filling her.

  “I can’t believe you aren’t thanking me. Your back could be as wet as your front.” He winked, casual, friendly, everything she used to want him to be. That is, when she’d been lonely in her room above the Lamberts’ garage missing home so much it hurt, his friendship had been the balm she’d needed.

  Now it was far short of what she hoped for, far short of what she felt.

  “Oh, I wasn’t thinking. I got you wet.” She winced at his damp silk tie and his dress shirt sporting wet splotches, thanks to her.

  “No problem. I’ll dry. You, on the other hand, are going to have to stand in the sun for a bit.”

  “I know. Look at me.” Sagging hair, drooping clothes and water dripping from her chin. “I’m a total mess.”

  “No argument here.” His fingertips grazed her cheek as he swept a shank of hair from her face. His gaze turned luminous and soft as if with affection, but it was hard to tell with the sun blazing in her eyes. When she blinked, the look was gone.

  Just wishful thinking. Again.

  “Luke?” A voice called from the neighbor’s flower bed. “How is Lil doing this morning?”

  “Improved.” He turned away, the closeness between them gone.

  Wait, correct that. Their imagined closeness.

  “The doctors are cautiously optimistic.” Luke ambled through the gravel toward the older lady. “The drug they gave her seemed to do its job.”