The Man from Montana

by Julianna Morris

  “You have a fine son,” she said, embarrassed and pleased at the same time.

  Being part of the rescue gave her a good feeling, as if a little piece of something missing had been restored to the universe.

  “That’s right. Aiden did a great job of keeping his head in a tough spot,” Clay told them.

  “We’re proud. Except for him going off alone like that.”

  “Aw, Mom,” Aiden muttered. Skeeter’s forelegs were now across his lap and he gazed adoringly at his owner, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth.

  “Well, I wish everyone was that levelheaded in an emergency situation,” Clay interjected.

  “Gosh, Tessa, thanks for finding Skeeter,” Aiden said earnestly.

  “It was a joint effort with Clay, and it was Molly who caught his scent and led us to him,” she explained hastily.

  Clay took Skeeter’s bandana scarf from his pocket and gave it Aiden, who promptly put it around the Labrador retriever’s neck.

  Skeeter let out a happy yip. His world had righted itself very quickly with the reunion. The group chatted for another few minutes, but when Aiden began to look tired, Tessa nudged Clay and they said goodbye.

  “Nice family,” Clay murmured as he drove onto the road.

  “Yeah. Aiden’s sister and brother are flying in tomorrow, so they’ll have a full load going back to Seattle.”

  “Especially with Aiden’s leg in a cast and a year-old Labrador retriever along.”

  Tessa shrugged. “It’s okay, they have an SUV where the cargo area can be converted into extra seating.”

  “How did you find all of this out?” Clay asked, looking puzzled. “We weren’t there for very long.”

  “Just talking with his mom.”

  Warm satisfaction filled Tessa as they returned to the Carson Double C. She hadn’t been able to do anything for her sister, but she’d helped save Aiden’s life and been a part of finding his dog.

  Even if she never found any answers about Renee, it was something positive she could remember and hold on to.

  CHAPTER NINE

  JILLIAN GLARED AT her pretend fiancé and chucked the jewelry box at him. “I told you not to buy a different ring.”

  “It’s better this way. Try it on.”

  “No. Get your money back.”

  Andrew shook his head. “That isn’t going to happen. I drove to Helena to shop at a jewelry store where nobody was likely to know me. What’s wrong? You haven’t even looked at the thing.”

  “I didn’t want you to waste your money.”

  He gave her a mock wounded look. “Most fiancées wouldn’t consider it a waste. Are you going to be the kind of wife that pinches pennies on everything? I don’t care what you say, we’re serving more than potato chips and hot dogs at our wedding reception.”

  “Give me a break.” She glared at him again. They’d been having a nice time taking a scenic drive with Derry, and now Andrew was spoiling it.

  The outing had started well. Spirits at work were high. Clay and Tessa’s success at finding the hiker and then his dog had given everyone at Carson Outdoor Adventures a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

  Skeeter had seemed little worse for wear. Thinking his owner would feel more reassured if he wasn’t covered with dirt, Jillian had given him a quick warm-water wash and toweling. He’d loved every minute of the attention and a number of employees had come to give him some love, along with guests from the barbecue, who were excited that guides from the company had been involved in an actual rescue.

  Earlier this morning Jillian had been reading an article about Aiden’s rescue in the Elk Point Morning Star when Andrew had suggested they take Derry to the St. Ignatius Mission. They’d visited St. Ignatius before, but Andrew wanted his son to be familiar with the landmarks and history of Montana. She suspected it had something to do with his childhood, when his father’s long work hours had kept the family from doing anything together until his health forced him to spend restful weekends and vacations in Elk Point.

  “I don’t understand,” Jillian said to Andy, trying to calm down. “Why would you buy another ring when I told you not to?”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t feel comfortable having you use the one from Michael. I realize the gems aren’t as big as—”

  “You think that matters to me?” she asked incredulously. How could he believe she cared about how large the diamond or other stones might be? “Don’t be such a dolt.”

  He laughed. “That’s the woman I know and love.”

  Jillian didn’t think it was amusing. Any of it. And she didn’t know why she was angry. Andrew was a great guy. Normally she enjoyed joking around with him, but maybe all the good wishes from friends were getting to her. Since only a few people knew the truth, she was having to pretend an excitement and anticipation she didn’t feel. It brought back echoes of those first wonderful days after she and Michael had gotten engaged.

  Problem was, she also kept remembering her life falling apart soon after.

  And, while it was giving her father something to think about aside from recovering from his tumble from the foaling barn roof, her mother kept hinting that she and Andrew might genuinely fall in love if they just gave it a chance. Jillian was already tired of reminding her that they were best friends and nothing more. Not that a best friend wasn’t one of the greatest things in the world; Andrew had supported her through all the skinned knees and broken hearts of her youth and early adulthood.

  Jillian glanced over at Derry, who was napping on a blanket under a shade tree. He was lying there with complete abandon, lost in sleep, a chocolate smear on his cheek from the cake Jillian’s mother had sent with them. She ascribed to the old adage that the way to a man’s heart was through his stomach.

  “Come on, take a look,” Andy said, holding out the ring box. “It’s an antique, found by a construction crew while doing restoration on an old Victorian house. I figured you’d appreciate the romance and history.”

  “Fine.” Jillian grabbed the box. Inside she saw red gold shining against white velvet. Four rubies were set around a small diamond in a beautifully detailed setting. “Andy, it’s...”

  “Not a complete disaster?” he asked hopefully. “They buffed the gold so it’s bright and shiny.”

  She lightly punched him in the shoulder. “It’s beautiful, but I’m still unhappy you spent the money.”

  “Sad. Our first fight as an engaged couple. At least now we can kiss and make up.”

  “Stop talking like that, especially around my mother. You’re giving her ideas,” Jillian scolded. “And how could you consult her about a picnic before asking me to go? I expect better of you.”

  “It wasn’t like that. Not exactly. When I came over this morning and you weren’t at the house, I asked about your plans for the day. I mentioned hoping we could take a drive, so your mom offered to put a picnic together. And what do you mean that I’m giving her ideas?”

  “Mom wants grandkids. My brothers aren’t obliging and she sees Derry as an instant grandchild.”

  A fond smile crossed Andrew’s face. “Evelyn would be a terrific grandmother. Derry already sees her that way. I think my own mother is envious because she can’t be up here as much as she’d prefer.”

  “That isn’t the point. It’ll be a huge letdown when Mom realizes nothing is going to happen.” Jillian pursed her lips. “Maybe I can get Tyler to come for a visit. He’d be the perfect distraction.”

  “Your brother annoys the heck out of your mother.”

  “That’s the point. He’s an architect who abandoned a successful career to run a dive shop in the Channel Islands. If he’s around, she’ll forget about me and focus on his choices.”

  “That’s why he won’t come.”

  “Maybe. But I can be very convincing.” Jillian fanned herself and fastened her hair into a po
nytail for coolness. “Will the jewelry store give you the money back when this mess is over?”

  They were sitting on the tailgate of Andrew’s truck and he stretched out his legs. “I’m not returning it. Anyway, it wasn’t that expensive. See if the size is right.”

  She slid the circlet onto her finger, hoping the spirit of the previous owner was pleased that the lost ring was being appreciated again. As rings went, it was one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry that Jillian had ever seen. Andy’s choice was unexpectedly perfect; it was just too bad he’d screwed up in other ways.

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  “It fits. All right, I’ll wear the ring whenever I’m not working with the horses. You can give it to your aunt or mother after everything is settled.”

  “Or you can keep it as a thank-you.”

  Andy yawned and Jillian regretted giving him a hard time. He had circles beneath his eyes and lines around his mouth that hadn’t been there before his ex-wife’s return to Montana. For the most part, he was a happy guy, easygoing and fun to be around. The way Mallory had taken advantage of him had infuriated all of his friends, but everyone had their blind spots.

  While it seemed almost certain Mallory couldn’t win a court battle against Andrew, it was still a concern. There was no justice in having to fight this battle another time. If only his ex would go back to where she’d come from, everything could return to normal.

  “Were you really, truly angry at me?” Andy asked after a minute. “It seemed like you might be.”

  She hunched one shoulder. “A little.”

  “But why? I didn’t get a huge diamond or other stone, and you were upset before you even looked inside the box.”

  Jillian scrunched her nose. “I suppose because it finally seemed as if Michael’s ring could be used to do some good. Lately I’ve wondered why I keep it with me if it makes me sad, and then suddenly there was a great reason.”

  * * *

  ANDREW SIGHED.

  He hadn’t thought about it that way, but Jillian was usually a few steps ahead of him when it came to figuring things out. Even now he didn’t understand why he hadn’t wanted his pretend fiancée wearing another man’s ring. The idea had bothered him more and more until he’d gone shopping for a different one.

  It had been an unexpected stab of male ego when it came to Jillian, because even as a teenager he’d never seen her in a romantic light.

  Or maybe he’d chosen not to see her that way because romance came and went, but friendship lasted. It was a lesson he’d learned quickly in adolescence.

  Not that Jillian wasn’t pretty. She had long, dark brown hair with gold and red highlights, sparkling green eyes and a figure that could make a man feel glad to be alive, simply for the pleasure of looking at her. She also was intelligent and loving and had a great sense of humor. And her gift with animals was unrivalled, no matter what species.

  “Andy?” Jillian prompted in the silence.

  “It seemed better for you to wear a ring from me,” he muttered, unwilling to admit his other thoughts. “Besides, I figured you were uncomfortable about using Michael’s ring, which is why you keep forgetting to put it on.”

  “I’m not used to wearing jewelry, that’s all.”

  Andrew wasn’t convinced. “Having a different ring is just as well. Even though it’s been a while, somebody could recognize the other one and start asking questions. I wouldn’t want that getting back to Mallory.”

  “I suppose, but it isn’t as if I flaunted my ring when I was engaged for real.”

  He suspected she was still annoyed. That was new, too. Over the years they’d argued, especially as kids, but everything had always blown over quickly. He was determined to keep his son, but he didn’t want to lose his best friend, either.

  “Let’s stop talking about it,” Andrew suggested. “I think it’s making us both uptight.”

  “I wasn’t uptight until you showed me this.” Jillian waved her left hand in the air and light flashed off the gold and gems. “Not that much, at least.”

  Ironically, he’d been pleased to find a ring that seemed to suit her, but maybe he should have explained ahead of time what he planned to do. After all, Jillian didn’t like surprises.

  He should have remembered that.

  * * *

  TESSA HADN’T EXPECTED to be particularly tired the day after their return with Skeeter, but when she woke up in the morning, she blinked at the time on her phone.

  It wasn’t morning any longer, it was afternoon.

  Drat.

  She yawned. Last night Clay had said she wouldn’t be assigned to a trip for a couple of days. In a way, she was disappointed, yet she knew they both needed time to process the change in their relationship. Although relationship was a strong word to describe their uneasy connection. And now that she was a contractor rather than an employee, her position on the ranch was even more nebulous.

  Kissing him hadn’t helped, either.

  Tessa turned over and put her arm under her neck, wondering what Clay was telling his brother about her, along with everyone else on the ranch. Carson Outdoor Adventures employees were fiercely loyal to both him and his brother. Depending on how he explained the situation, they might be hostile.

  It was too bad. She’d enjoyed the camaraderie on the Carson Double C, but it was Clay’s decision.

  Tessa got dressed, then baked a batch of corn bread and made a pot of chili, unsure of what else to do with her day. It was different in Montana than back home, where she had her garden and friends and could always go out to see her grandparents at the Agua Hermosa.

  She’d already finished preliminary landscape designs for the clients in Arizona and had sent them to her team, but maybe she could do something about the Carson Outdoor Adventures office. While the area was clean and neatly trimmed, there was nothing to make the place visually attractive. A number of half barrels and other planters were around, filled with dirt, but no flowers or plants were growing in them. Not even weeds. Those could be dealt with at the very least, perhaps with a mix of native grasses and flowers. She was sketching her ideas when a knock on the door broke her concentration.

  It was Clay.

  “Sorry to bother you,” he said, “but a reporter from the Elk Point Morning Star wants an interview with the two of us. The Morning Star is our town newspaper.”

  Tessa tensed. “I don’t want... That is, you aren’t going to tell them about Renee or that she’s my sister, are you?”

  “I haven’t told anyone yet. It’s complicated.”

  “The newspaper doesn’t have to know. Anyway, the story should be about you and Aiden. I shouldn’t even be a part of it. You’re an official volunteer with the Elk County Search and Rescue organization, I’m not.”

  Clay’s expression turned curious. “You helped find Aiden and you’re the reason we found Skeeter. I give credit where credit is due. Is there any reason you don’t want your name out there? Because it’s too late to keep under wraps. You aren’t in the witness protection program or something like that, right?”

  Tessa rolled her eyes. “Hardly. The thing is, I truly don’t want to cause problems, and you never know how the media might interpret my being here. That is, if they care enough to connect the dots and that isn’t...”

  She stopped, unsure of what she was saying.

  Renee’s death had devastated her family, but it couldn’t have been more than a sad event to most everyone in town, presuming they even remembered her.

  At the same time, Clay’s reaction suggested something different. Tessa didn’t know how the situation could impact Andrew’s custody of his son, but it was the only reason she could think of that might worry the Carsons. Well, unless Clay was concerned about a lawsuit, which her family had no intention of filing. There wasn’t any basis for legal action. The sheriff had stated in no unce
rtain terms that the guides and equipment weren’t at fault; the bit of information she’d found online had said the same thing.

  It briefly crossed her mind that the sheriff might be trying to protect his friend, but she immediately dismissed the notion. Clay was so careful, it was difficult to imagine him being negligent in any way.

  He was looking at her inquisitively. “You seem a million miles away.”

  “Sorry, my mind was drifting. I couldn’t get to sleep last night, then I slept late for the first time in forever. I’m normally up before dawn, since that’s the coolest time to work or ride outside. I don’t think I’m fully awake yet. Did you say something else?”

  “No, but having you duck the interview is more likely to rouse curiosity than appease it. We aren’t talking dozens of paparazzi with their cameras in your face—it’s Ruby Jenkins, who runs a travel agency when she isn’t writing human interest pieces for the newspaper. Very low-key.”

  “I suppose that would be... Drat!” Tessa exclaimed when a burning smell caught her attention. She spun and rushed to the bunkhouse kitchen. Luckily, it was just the chili boiling over and scorching on the burner. She turned off the stove and gave the contents a stir.

  “I thought the building was on fire from the way you reacted, but that smells good,” Clay said from behind her. “Beneath the smoke.”

  “It’s white bean chili with chicken and Hatch green chiles. I was homesick for the flavors of home, so I ordered a batch of roasted peppers while I was working in the office. They come packed in dry ice, but this is the first chance I’ve had to use any. You’re welcome to a bowl. It only scorched on the outside of the pot. I took a shortcut with canned beans, which would appall my mother. She believes in making everything from scratch.”

  * * *

  “I WOULDN’T MIND a taste.” Clay’s stomach let out a loud rumble, making Tessa laugh.

  She gave him a generous serving, accompanied by a square of corn bread and a warning that he might find the mixture spicy. “The warning is because the food I’ve encountered in Montana is tame compared to what I’m accustomed to eating,” she said.