The Man from Montana

by Julianna Morris

  “Just this and that.”

  * * *

  JILLIAN SHOOK HER HEAD. She knew Andy better than practically anyone and could tell he wasn’t acting like himself.

  “Did Mallory do something?” she asked.

  “No. Although it bothers me that she’s still hanging around. I keep expecting to get a letter from her lawyer, with a list of demands. It’s strange that she hasn’t taken action.”

  “I don’t think a custody agreement can be changed easily. Isn’t she the one who proposed the original arrangement?”

  “Yeah, money in exchange for full custody. She probably knows it wouldn’t look good in family court.”

  Jillian dried the pan that Andy had rinsed, lost in thought. She didn’t doubt that his ex was someone who skated on the edge of the law. Was it possible she’d skated over the edge once or twice?

  “What about a background check?” Jillian asked after putting the pan in the cupboard. “It might be interesting.”

  Andrew sighed. “My lawyer did one during the divorce negotiations. Found speeding tickets and other traffic violations, nothing more. Well, she was named as a person of interest in a pyramid scheme investigation before moving to Elk Point, but there was no arrest warrant. It wasn’t anything we could use.”

  “Maybe she’s more than a person of interest now.”

  Andrew handed her the lasagna dish he’d washed. “That’s possible. And there’s no telling what she’s been up to since the divorce. Getting all that money out of me could have made her cocky and careless.”

  Jillian put the casserole dish in the cupboard and tossed the damp dish towels into the hamper. “Exactly. I don’t relish the idea of getting Derry’s mother into trouble, but it’s in his best interests for him to be kept away from her. We thought Mallory would leave if she believed we were engaged, but she’s still here. So let’s do something about it.”

  “I’ll ask for another background check,” Andrew said as he rinsed the sink. “I can do an online search myself, but it’s best to go through the proper channels.”

  “Right.” Jillian took her phone from her pocket. “In the meantime, let’s get some selfies with the new ring. I didn’t want to take chances, so I’ve deleted the pictures I took that showed the other one.”

  “Sure.”

  Andy’s smile spoke volumes, she just didn’t know exactly what those volumes were all about. He put his arm around her waist and pulled her snugly against his chest.

  “Go ahead and take those photos,” he whispered in her ear, and a slow, delicious quiver crept through her body.

  Something had changed, and she liked it.

  * * *

  ON THE MORNING of the extended horseback trip, Tessa called her father’s cell phone. His face popped up on her screen.

  “Good morning, Tessa-bear.”

  The old nickname made her smile. “Hey, Dad. You’re cheerful this morning.”

  “You know how you keep saying I should stop drinking espresso all day?”

  She nodded. “Yes, along with the doctor and Mom.”

  “I finally did it a few days ago. Admittedly, I had the temper of a wet polecat while getting used to no caffeine, but I finally succeeded.”

  “That’s wonderful. What led to such a momentous decision?”

  “Your mom donated my espresso makers to an animal-rescue thrift shop. Both the espresso maker at home, and the one from work.”

  Tessa chuckled. “Direct action, leading to direct change. That’s her motto.”

  “Well, she expects me to be around for another forty or so years. It’s only right that I cooperate, seeing as she’s already put so much time into improving me.”

  “I think it was a team effort. Are the clients happy with the landscape designs I’ve been doing?”

  Her father’s head bobbed on the small phone screen. “Yes, though they’d rather have you here, overseeing everything. How much longer are you staying in Montana?”

  “As I told you, I don’t feel right leaving before the end of the season. Clay took a chance hiring me as a trainee guide.”

  “Hmm. Would I approve of this Carson fellow?”

  It was an unexpected question. “Um, yeah, I think so. He can be hard to figure out sometimes, but he’s a great guy. Responsible and hardworking. I know that Mom blames him for the accident, but that really isn’t fair.”

  “Sweetheart, she doesn’t blame Mr. Carson, and neither do I. We wish we knew why Renee went up there, but that wasn’t his fault. It’s just that he’s so close to what happened. You said they weren’t dating. Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” Tessa shifted uncomfortably and cleared her throat. “I finally got into Renee’s email account the other day and found a string of messages. She wanted to get back with Neil.”

  “What?”

  “She wanted to reconcile. He didn’t.”

  “Our poor baby. She was too good for him,” Chuck Alderman said roundly. “What did he say?”

  “Just that he couldn’t return to spending his life with someone who refused to take any risks, along with a few other things. Basically, it was the same old stuff from their divorce.”

  Her father’s face saddened. “They were a poor mix.”

  “Maybe coming to Montana was her way of proving she could change,” Tessa said slowly. “His email before she left for Montana said if she’d been a little more like her sister, they might have been able to work things out. You know, Clay has asked a couple of times if Renee could have been trying to compete with me in some way or another. Now I wonder if it’s true.”

  Her guilt had intensified upon reading the email message from her former brother-in-law. Yet it had also confused her. Neil wasn’t a bad guy, so why would he say something hurtful? The divorce had been amicable. And the money Neil had given Renee beyond the community property division suggested he’d cared enough about her to provide financial security.

  “Tessa-bear, you aren’t responsible for any of this,” Chuck said gently. “From the very beginning Renee was a shy baby, while you were endlessly curious about the world and everything in it. Just two very different personalities. When Renee became passionate about Renaissance art, we hoped the academic world would be the right place for her. And she really seemed to blossom there.”

  “I remember. Look, I called to tell you I’m going on a four-night horseback trip. We leave this morning. I’ve sent the codes on the GPS tracker I carry. Also Clay’s satellite phone number, but please don’t use it except in an absolute emergency.”

  “We understand. Oh, and that horse in the picture? What a beautiful animal. I hope he’s the one you’re riding on the trip.”

  She grinned, feeling more relaxed. “Yes, I am. Coal Dust is wonderful. I absolutely adore him.”

  “Then I’ll see if Mr. Carson is willing to sell one of his horses. Your grandparents would be happy to keep Coal Dust at the Agua Hermosa.”

  Tessa wished she could hug him—a virtual hug just wasn’t the same as an old-fashioned bear hug. “Dad, I adore you, but I’m not seven years old any longer and you can’t buy me everything I admire. I’ll hate leaving Coal Dust behind, but he’s better off in Montana.”

  Her father looked disappointed. “But I want you to be happy.”

  And I want you to come home.

  The unspoken words hung in the air, as clearly as if he’d said them aloud.

  A sigh welled from Tessa. “I am happy. I just want to find a few more answers. Look, I love you both, and we’ll talk again when I get back from the trip. Right now I need to pack the rest of my gear, I don’t want to be late.”

  “All right. Be sa—” Chuck stopped. “Just have a good time. We love you.”

  Be safe.

  It was what her father had started to say, and she appreciated him holding his tongue. They’d worried more about
her since Renee’s accident, but at least they hadn’t fought her going to Montana. Partly because they wanted answers, too.

  Tessa ended the call and packed the remainder of her gear into a duffel. She put some basic items in her daypack, unsure whether she’d wear it, or put everything in Coal Dust’s saddlebags. The last thing she grabbed was the GPS tracker. She should get a similar device for her solitary rides in the desert.

  The bottom of Tessa’s stomach dropped at the thought.

  As much as she missed home and her parents, leaving Clay was going to hurt terribly. For the first time in her life she was falling in love, and it was with a man who was totally wrong for her.

  * * *

  CLAY WAS WORKING in the staging area, but his mind was elsewhere. He was sure something was bothering Tessa more than usual. Ever since the rafting trip she’d been quiet and withdrawn. The silent horseback ride they’d taken afterward had eased some of the pain in her face, but she wasn’t talking to him nearly as much.

  The irony of missing those intimate discussions didn’t escape him—after all, he was a guy who’d never enjoyed heart-to-hearts.

  The guests loved her, so she must be talking with them, at the very least. She’d taken three groups on half-day hikes this week, and even though they had encountered a black bear the previous afternoon, she’d kept everybody from overreacting.

  Tessa is wonderful, one of the men had exclaimed to Clay during the ranch barbecue. She had bear spray ready, but she knew it was only bluffing. She had us wave our arms over our heads and stomp and yell. That huge bear left and didn’t even look back.

  Clay hadn’t gotten an opportunity to compliment Tessa, because while she’d eaten a small meal with her group at the barbecue, she had quickly left. He’d wanted to follow her and ask what was wrong, but had decided it might be best to give her some space.

  It was better that way.

  Then this morning, while heading to the staging area, he’d spotted a delicate metal sculpture framed by the grasses that Tessa had put in the planters around the office. It was a winged fairy, blowing on a dandelion head as the seeds trailed away. The whimsy would delight people who enjoyed that sort of thing, yet was subtle enough that more practical guests could ignore its presence. It was such a great choice, he’d have to say something.

  “Good morning. What can I do?” Tessa asked from behind him.

  Clay turned and measured her expression. He’d thought she was resolving some of her torn feelings over Renee’s death, but at the moment she looked more troubled than he’d ever seen her. He didn’t know if he should keep getting deeper involved, yet his chest ached at the pain in her eyes.

  “The wranglers pack everyone’s gear,” he explained, unsure of what to do or say. “They’ll also fetch and stow the food from the kitchen. One of them will take the pack animals up to the first camping site, using a more direct trail. So right now we’re mostly waiting for everyone to arrive.”

  “I saw Grace and Nadia here yesterday morning. Are they on the payroll again?”

  Clay shook his head. “No, but they apologized, and sent an apology to you, as well. They seemed too embarrassed to ask if I’d reconsider their employment.” He sat on the edge of one of the tables. “By the way, your group couldn’t stop raving about how you handled that bear.”

  “Oh.” Tessa blinked as if she’d forgotten about the encounter. “It was just a young, curious male. He was easily discouraged, but everybody felt as if they’d conquered Mount Everest when he ambled away with an aw-shucks look in his eyes.”

  “Bear encounters are rare and each one is different. From what I’ve heard, you dealt with the situation exceptionally well.”

  “Thank you.”

  Silence fell until Clay cleared his throat. “You must have gone out early this morning to put up that fairy-and-dandelion thing.”

  Tessa smiled faintly. “It’s a woodland sprite. The surface is artificially aged, but the patina will continue to develop over time so it’ll blend in even more. I got it from a local sculptor. She’s quite talented.”

  “I’m usually not in to that sort of thing, but I like it. Let me know the cost and I’ll reimburse you.”

  Tessa shook her head. “It’s a gift. I was going to the sheriff’s office yesterday morning and got sidetracked.”

  Clay’s nerves went on alert. “The sheriff’s office?”

  The unhappiness in Tessa’s eyes seemed to deepen. “To ask about the accident report again. I’ve realized more than one guide was on Renee’s rafting trip, but Sheriff Maitland was very clear when I talked to him after the accident that your company and the equipment weren’t at fault. So I don’t understand why he’s dragging his feet about letting me see the report.”

  Clay felt as if a war was being waged inside his head.

  Spencer Maitland didn’t want Tessa or her family to be hurt unnecessarily, and his own feelings aside, Clay had agreed until this moment. But if it was making things harder for Tessa and raising more doubts, then she and her family would have to know the whole story. And he could explain it more gently than a cold official document.

  “This isn’t the right place to talk about it, but we might get some time on the trip,” Clay said. “If not, when we get back to the ranch. Reports like that are upsetting for families to read, which is why Spencer has been reluctant to show it to you. He’s had experience with this kind of thing. So at least let me tell you what’s in it first.”

  Tessa nodded and some of the distress seemed to ease from her face. “All right.”

  Clay hoped he was making the right decision. Ultimately, the sheriff probably couldn’t prevent the Alderman family from seeing the accident report, but most people didn’t push to know the unpleasant details. Spencer just hadn’t realized how determined Tessa would be.

  Neither of them had.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  JILLIAN LAUGHED AS she and Andy squirted each other with hoses. She’d offered to help wash down the staging area with him and things were getting out of hand.

  “It’s good that Clay can’t see us now,” she said, hitting Andy with another stream of water and dodging the retaliatory spray.

  “Because he’d think we were too immature to work for him?” Andy grinned. “My brother is too serious. What’s life without a little play? It’s okay to be silly sometimes—that’s one of the things fatherhood has taught me.”

  Jillian swept a drip from her chin and giggled, unable to remember the last time she’d carried on like this. She’d avoided some of the deluge, but was still wet in a number of places, including her shirt.

  Andy seemed to have noticed, too.

  She took a deliberately deep breath and his eyes glazed. It was immensely satisfying. The past few days had been fun. Something had changed the night they’d taken pictures of them with her new ring. They hadn’t talked about it, but she liked what was happening.

  The funny thing was, they’d always been committed to each other as friends. There was nobody she trusted the way she trusted Andrew. She just wished he’d stop kicking himself so much because of Mallory, though he seemed to be improving when it came to self-blame. He’d even joked about the predicament with his ex-wife a couple of times lately, which was major progress.

  The concern about Mallory remained, but the longer she waited to take any action, the more they wondered if she had something to hide. Maybe she hoped to simply scare them into paying her to go away, or was watching to see if the engagement was real, or to find another weakness. But Andrew was an amazing dad and the Sutters provided a platinum-standard level of childcare. Paying Mallory again would be like paying a blackmail demand when nobody had anything to hide.

  He’d be better off going to family court and presenting all the evidence against his ex-wife. If Mallory was even willing to go that far, which seemed doubtful.

  “Have you talked to
your lawyer?” Jillian asked after they’d rolled the hoses and brought them back to the storage room by the picnic area.

  “Yes. Gordon had already started an intensive background check. Some of the online databases aren’t always complete, so it can take a long time to be sure. He’s also checking variations of Mallory’s name, including nicknames and alternate dates of birth. He did that before, but now he’s widening the search.”

  She nodded. “Seems like you both have it covered. That’s good. I feel bad, because if she’s had a true change of heart, this has to be hard on her. But you can’t take chances with Derry’s safety.”

  “Do you have plans for dinner?” Andrew asked. “I thought we could go to the Taste of Sicily café. I already talked to Aunt Emma to let her know I was asking you.”

  Jillian cocked her head. “Not pizza, then? We usually go out for pizza and have to talk them into making it half-cheese for Derry’s sake. I don’t get what’s so complicated about half-cheese. We don’t ask for a discount.”

  “I guess when you’re the only pizza parlor in town, you don’t appreciate special orders. But I meant just the two of us going. You know, like a date. Would you rather have pizza?”

  Just the two of them sounded nice.

  “I’d rather go to the Taste of Sicily. I’ve been craving scampi. We don’t risk preparing seafood at home because Dad is so allergic to it. Even a trace amount can make him sick.”

  “Then I suppose crab puffs and shrimp cocktails are no-no’s on the hors d’oeuvres list for our wedding reception.”

  “I suppose.” Jillian pressed her lips together, fighting a smile. Having Andrew joke around about their mythical wedding no longer annoyed her. Instead she felt a sense of longing. She’d come a long way since she had first announced their fake engagement, though it had mostly started bothering her when her mom suggested they might fall in love for real.

  Strangely enough, Jillian knew the pretense of being engaged had forced her to move forward. Or maybe it was Andy who’d done that. One thing was sure—she no longer felt as if she was living in some kind of limbo. She still didn’t know what the future held, but it was exciting to think about the possibilities.