by Layne, Lyssa
Montana recalled her days with Tom. College football fans had worshipped the running back to the point of practically canonizing him. They had not been able to go to dinner or a movie without someone stopping them to talk football, ask for an autograph, even touch him. Because his fans had practically stampeded over the top of her to get to him, she’d hated every second of public appearances.
“Being a celebrity would drive me crazy. People wanting a piece of me all the time,” she admitted.
Johnny stayed silent so long she turned in her saddle to look at him. Had she struck a nerve?
“Yeah. It’s something else.” His tone turned harsh. “It’s sometimes hard to separate the real thing from those who just want to use you.”
Like his wife had?
The question burned, but Montana bit it back. None of her business. A flicker of sympathy for him flared, but quickly died when she thought about the type of woman he’d chosen for his wife.
A groupie.
He’d gotten exactly what he deserved.
His words brought her attention back to him. “It’s not always a love fest. It’s kinda rough when the people hate something you’ve put out there. A wakeup call that you can lose it all in a heartbeat.”
She might not like who he married, or why, but she could relate to losing something he’d worked his butt off to build. “I get that. My father inherited this business from his father. Dad in turn gave it to me. If Joel hadn’t called and booked this trip, I would have been forced to sell off a huge chunk of my place. It would have killed me to lose what my grandfather and dad worked so hard for.”
He nodded. “We slaved like dogs—Keifer and me—to get where we are. I can’t understand why he threw it all away—”
“Your friend?”
A muscle in his jaw worked. “Former.”
Montana remembered from reports she’d read on the internet that Keifer had been Johnny’s best friend since middle school and was also the man with whom his wife had an affair. Ryan, Shannon and Rose had been Montana’s confidants since kindergarten. She could share her deepest secrets with them and know without a doubt they’d be safe. She didn’t know how she’d survive if one of them betrayed her.
“I’m sorry,” she finally said.
“Me, too.” He dropped the reins on Gunsmoke’s neck and turned to his saddlebags for the liquor he never seemed to be without. Withdrawing a bottle of peach brandy, he unscrewed the top and took a deep swig. He held it toward her. “Want some?”
“No thanks. I’m good.” She blanched. Her stomach couldn’t handle booze at ten a.m.
“Suit yourself.” He took another deep slug.
“If you fall off your horse today, I’m leaving you where you land.”
His constant need for liquor confounded her. She liked an occasional drink, but not every single day. Did he have an alcohol problem? Drugs, too? She hadn’t seen him use, but that didn’t mean anything. Drug users could be sneaky.
He shrugged, screwed the lid back on the bottle and stowed it in the saddlebags. “You’re a hard, hard woman, Montana Weaver.”
“You have no idea,” she shot back.
~*~
Johnny had only been half-kidding when he called Montana hard. Tough was a better description, although he had a feeling she was a lot softer than she pretended to be. He’d never met a woman like her. Self-sufficient, strong.
Most women he knew demanded everything from him: money, validation. Fame.
Montana swore she didn’t want fame and he almost believed her. Who helped her? Just Ryan and Shannon? If she had a family, she’d never said much about them other than brief mentions of her father. She’d never said a word about her mother or siblings.
Maybe she was an only child like him.
Keifer had been his blood brother. They fought, then within the next half hour they forgot whatever they’d argued about. They’d always loved each other. At least they had until Keifer started fucking Johnny’s wife.
He wished for another drink to wash the bitter taste out of his mouth. But something held him back from reaching again for the brandy in his saddlebags…maybe the look of disgust in Montana’s eyes when he’d offered her a taste. It had been brief, but he’d caught the flicker of contempt before she masked her disdain.
She hadn’t said so out loud, but her body language came across loud and clear—she thought him drinking before noon repulsive.
Her reaction shocked him.
Johnny Cortez wasn’t used to women questioning anything he did. Most found his antics hilarious. The drunker he got, the better bitches liked him. He couldn’t remember a time when a chick turned down sharing a drink with him. There had been very few who hadn’t given him exactly what he wanted.
Certainly one had never criticized his choices.
He should stick with that type and forget about the leggy blonde who made him examine his life choices. Stay with what he knew.
Like Teal?
Blonde, with big tits, wild and wicked like him, she’d been everything he thought he wanted. Yet, his little voice whispered, she’d almost destroyed him. Not only his emotional wellbeing, but his career took a dive because of her.
Double damn.
Why was he even thinking about this? It wasn’t as if he planned to ever get married again. The idea was repugnant. God knew he didn’t need a wedding ring to get laid, and children had never been something he wanted. In fact, he’d always gone to great lengths to avoid that particular trap. The life of a rock’n’roller wasn’t any place for a kid.
Picking child-phobic women hadn’t been an accident. Strippers, lingerie models and the party girls who ran with the band weren’t mommy wannabes. They all understood the rules— play hard, keep it casual and nobody got hurt.
When Stoney had misjudged and slept with the wrong woman, it had caught him in hell. A one night stand had resulted in a daughter he worshipped, but couldn’t see. When the girl he knocked up realized he wasn’t offering up a wedding ring, she turned rabid, refusing to let him see his child.
By using his dick indiscriminately, Stoney had found himself in custody battle hell.
Johnny had no intention of ever going down that path. Watching Stoney drown in misery was bad enough.
Joel had warned him that Montana was a nice girl. A white wedding, a pack of kids and a picket fence were probably all dreams she held dear.
Things Johnny would never offer.
Up until now, he’d been determined to taste her, to screw her, but suddenly his drive to do so vanished. Almost as if he’d stood in a cold mountain rain, he could feel his desire vanish. He’d spend the next few days with her, hunt elk like he’d come to Colorado to do and leave her virtue intact.
Better for both of them.
No risk of her getting attached to him.
No threat to his way of life and the freedom he craved.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Late in the afternoon, when the mountains began throwing shadows over the valleys, Montana reined in and turned toward Johnny. Although they’d spotted several herds of elk during the day, including numerous trophy bulls, he hadn’t taken a shot. He seemed distracted and not into hunting.
“It’s getting late. We better head for the cabin.”
He nodded. “Sounds good. I’m beat.”
She shot him a sharp glance. Was he showing signs of altitude sickness? He looked a little pale, but not obviously ill like Adrian. “You okay?”
“Fine. Just didn’t sleep great last night.”
Her rest hadn’t been all that peaceful either. Her dreams played erotic pictures of a certain rock star making love to her all night long. She’d woken up cranky and restless. Needy.
Shoving thoughts of Johnny out of her head, she spoke. “I know a place not too far from here that’s out of the wind. We can take a quick break, have some coffee and warm up a little before we head down.”
Johnny turned up the collar on his black duster. Although he wore a neon oran
ge beanie and vest, he looked so much like a sexy movie cowboy that her mouth went dry. Never in her life would she have expected to be so attracted to someone like him. Her taste had always run toward cowboys and athletes.
But her pull to him was unmistakable.
She guided them off the ridge into the trees. They had about an hour and a half before nightfall, but here in the pines, dusk had already arrived. Montana trusted the horses and mule not to stumble—they could see a lot better than humans in the dark. Besides, all of them had been here before and knew the way.
In a small meadow, she stopped and dismounted. “Let’s stretch our legs and have a bit of coffee.”
Johnny dismounted. “How far to this cabin?”
“Less than an hour.” She tied the horse and mule, then pulled her thermos and two tin cups out of her saddlebags. Pouring tepid coffee in both, she handed one to him.
To her surprise, he didn’t top it off with brandy. She took another long look into his face to see if he appeared sick. Other than a little pale, he seemed normal. She restrained the urge to reach out and touch his skin. Something ate at him, but until he wanted to share, she’d leave him alone.
“You know what sounds good?” he asked.
“Hmm?”
“A hot tub. I’m using muscles that haven’t been stretched in years.” He drained the cup. “I’m enjoying the hell out of myself, but I’m a little stiff.”
She shot him a sideways glance to see if his words had a double meaning, but he didn’t wink, smile or smirk.
“I know what will help with that,” she told him. “A nice long soak.”
“There’s a hot tub at this cabin?”
“Better. A natural hot springs.”
“I didn’t bring trunks,” he said.
“You don’t need them,” she said. “No one around but us.”
He smiled then. “Montana-girl, this vacation just gets better and better.”
Did he think she’d just suggested more than soaking aching muscles? Although used to riding, her body could also stand a nice steep in the hot springs. She took the cup from him with a shaking hand. “Let’s go.”
Once mounted, she urged Sunflower toward the cabin. As they rode, Montana’s stomach churned and her shoulders ached with tension. When had an ordinary elk hunt turned into this constant push-pull of emotions that had her all jittery and uncertain?
The day Johnny Cortez’s agent booked a trip, her world had turned upside down… and she didn’t know how to right it.
By the time they broke out of the trees along a ridge overlooking a small bowl, the last of the rays had slipped behind the peaks. Still light enough to see, but dark enough to make the last short descent into the valley a little hairy. The snow-covered trail zigzagged down a steep shale hillside.
With tiny, mincing steps, the animals carried them safely down the rockslide. Montana petted Sunflower’s neck. “Good boy.”
Because she’d been concentrating on the trail, Montana didn’t immediately notice the light in the cabin window or the pungent scent of wood smoke in the air. Only when they drew close, and Sunflower stopped dead and snorted, did she see the horses in the rope corral.
“Damn.”
“What?”
She looked over her shoulder. “Someone’s here.”
“Do we have to go back to camp?” He sounded discouraged by the prospect.
“Not until we see who’s here.” She nudged Sunflower with her heels. “Depending on who it is, there’s probably room for us.”
Not sure if she was relieved or disappointed by the prospect of company, she dismounted and tied the horses to a hitch rail planted there for that purpose. She and Johnny tramped toward the small cabin, the scent of wood smoke strong now.
Climbing three steps to the small stone structure, she lifted her hand and rapped on the door. The door opened and before she knew it, Montana was enveloped in a bear hug. Pulling free, she looked into the round, smiling face of Evan Marsh. His plump body and bright, carrot-colored hair, mustache and scruff on his cheeks always made her think of a pumpkin.
“Evan. What are you doing here?”
“Same as you, I imagine. Hunting.” He stepped aside. “Come in, come in.”
Montana led the way inside. A small stove heated the space, making her too warm. She unbuttoned her vest and coat. Standing by the fire were two men. Both looked up as she and Johnny drew near.
The first, another carrot top, was Evan’s younger brother Charlie. He smiled broadly when he saw her. “Montana, hi.”
“Hey, Charlie.” She couldn’t keep slight disappointment from her voice.
He moved aside and she got a good look at the last man. Tall, broad shoulders. Chiseled cheekbones that had millions of female football fans swooning.
Tom Kerrigan.
Her stomach clenched.
She hadn’t seen him since the day she’d told him they were through. Although they’d both attended C.U., the campus was big enough that she’d managed to avoid him until she graduated. At one time she’d thought she’d spend the rest of her life with him. Staring into his blue eyes now, she felt nothing.
Surprise rocketed across his face before he smiled. “Montana. Long time no see.”
She found her voice. “Tom.”
He stepped forward and hugged her. She remained stiff in his arms and he quickly released her.
A cough behind her reminded her they weren’t alone. She turned and motioned Johnny forward.
“I’d like you to meet—”
“I know who you are. Cowboy. Rock star.” Tom held out his hand. “Tom Kerrigan.”
Johnny raised an eyebrow. “The running back for Denver?”
“The same.”
“Good to meet you.” Johnny didn’t sound enthused.
They shook hands, sizing one another up like a couple of bull elk. Fearing they were about to lock horns, Montana spoke. “Johnny, meet my friends, Evan and Charlie Marsh.”
This time he smiled when they shook hands. “Good to know you.”
“I love your music,” Charlie said.
“Thanks, buddy.”
Evan indicated a pot of chili on the stove. “We’re just about to eat. You hungry?”
“Thanks,” Montana said. “We were hoping to stay here tonight.”
“Love to have you,” Evan said immediately. He indicated bunk beds along three of the four walls. “Plenty of room.”
“Thanks,” Montana said. “I didn’t expect anyone to be here.” She wasn’t crazy about being alone with four men, but two of them she’d known since she’d been in diapers. One of them she’d planned to marry and the fourth was better to not be alone with.
“I called at the last minute, had a couple days off, and thought, what better way to spend it than with my old buddies?” Tom sounded cheerful but his eyes belied the truth. He wasn’t any happier about Montana and Johnny being there than she was to find him in the cabin.
“Aren’t you in the middle of the football season?” Johnny voiced what she wondered.
“Coach thought it might be a good idea for me to take this week off and reflect on a few things.” Tom sounded bitter.
“A suspension?” Johnny asked point blank.
“Yeah. It’s some fucked up shit,” Tom said. “Some chick’s lies—”
Montana spun toward the door. “I need to see about my horses.”
“I’ll help.” Johnny followed her outside. “I take it you know these guys?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry they’re here. They’re the Marsh brothers, my neighbors. Evan was in my class. Charlie’s a bit younger. The cabin belongs to their family. I have a key and permission to use it whenever I want…”
He eyed her. “And the football player?”
“I know him,” she said reluctantly, hoping he’d drop it.
“How well?” Did she catch a hint of jealousy in his voice?
“We were engaged for two years.”
He staggered and hooked a thum
b over his shoulder. “To that guy? That hulk in there?”
“Yeah. Tom Kerrigan.” She frowned at his surprise. “What? You don’t think a big football star could fall for a girl like me?”
“I think you can have any guy you want. What I’m wondering is what you ever saw in a fool like him.”
Warmed by the compliment, she shared more than she normally would. “I thought I loved him once upon a time. Before I found out—never mind.”
No need to air all her dirty laundry. She’d already told him an ex was a cheater. No need to rake over every detail. They untacked the horses, hobbled them and turned them loose in the meadow.
“Before he what?”
“Nothing. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.” She hoisted her sleeping bag and rifle.
Clearly still curious, but letting it go, Johnny picked up his gear and the food Shannon had packed for them and accompanied Montana back inside the cabin.
In his usual chipper way, Evan invited them to sit at the table.
Montana joined Tom and Charlie, making sure to leave a place between her and Tom. Johnny immediately took the place to her left.
A pot of simmering chili, blocks of Colby, cheddar and pepper Jack cheese, and saltine crackers sat on the table.
Evan offered beer and Johnny didn’t refuse the alcohol.
Montana accepted a beer, too. She dished a bowl full of chili and cut a hunk of Colby cheese. She dug into her meal with gusto, glad she hadn’t had to cook. More tired than she’d realized, she slowly relaxed. Regret filled her that she would not be able to soak in the hot springs. Not possible with all these men.
She hadn’t packed a swimsuit and she wasn’t about to skinny dip with four guys and no other girls.
She’d been planning to swim with Johnny.
Possibly more.
Better the way things worked out.
Turning her head, she glanced at him. Apparently feeling her gaze on him, he met her eyes. Did she see regret there, too? Or was she imagining things?
“Good chow,” he said.
“It’s just chili,” Charlie said. “You must eat in some real fancy joints.”
