His Montana Homecoming

by Jenna Mindel

  “We’re trying to raise money, but haven’t gotten close to what’s needed for renovation. My brother Cord is on the town council and leading the charge. But, because my father would rather see it torn down, some folks side with him. Kinda funny that the time capsule was found near the bridge, considering the ruckus over it.” She shrugged. “Jasper Gulch needs to grow regardless.”

  “Tax base drying up?”

  Faith nodded. “Some businesses think they can’t make it here with so few people. So, it’s a vicious cycle. Kids leave for college or whatever and don’t come back. That’s why this centennial celebration is so important. It puts Jasper Gulch on the tourist map. Hopefully.”

  “With only one long way in and out, this town will get overlooked by tourists.”

  Again, Faith nodded. “One of the reasons for last month’s Old-Tyme Wedding. Other than giving me a new brother-in-law and sister-in-law, the event gave folks a glimpse of what we have here. Hopefully more exposure to tourists than a website or looking at a map. The Bozeman TV spot got picked up nationally.”

  “I didn’t see it.”

  Faith increased speed on the open stretch of road. “Fifty couples got married at once. Cord’s got a copy of the ceremony. I can show you.”

  Dale’s eyelids lowered with distaste. “That’s okay.”

  Faith chewed her bottom lip. She must sound like a real bumpkin going on and on about her little town.

  She glanced at Dale again.

  He checked his phone, snorted and shoved it back in his pocket.

  “No coverage out here. Probably none till we get to Lone Peak. I’m sure the resort has Wi-Fi.” Why was he meeting someone way out here anyway?

  Dale stared out the window. “This is desolate country.”

  Faith didn’t think so. “I’ve always thought of it as vibrant and teeming with life.”

  “You want vibrant? Come to New York.” Pride rang in his voice.

  “No, thank you.” Faith shook her head. “I tried city life once. It wasn’t for me.”

  “Where?” His voice challenged.

  “Seattle.”

  “Hmm. Cool city. Artsy.”

  She’d managed to impress him. A little.

  Faith had discovered the ugly side of the arts and men who took advantage. Not willing to sell her soul, she packed up and came home. She’d never felt more like a naive country bumpkin than when she fell for her mentor in Seattle while trying to make something of her music. “Parts of it.”

  “What lured you there?” He gave her a slanted smile. “A man?”

  “No.” Faith laughed. “A job, but it didn’t work out.”

  Dale gave her a long look but didn’t dig. “For a girl who doesn’t drink coffee, Seattle must have been a scary place.”

  “What makes you think I don’t drink coffee?” They were in the mountains now, and Faith concentrated on the winding road.

  “You only drank orange juice this morning.”

  “A small thing to notice.” Faith shrugged.

  “I’m in the business of noticing small things.”

  Faith’s heartbeat picked up speed. So, the guy paid attention to details. But something about the silky softness of his voice made her wonder if she was the small thing he noticed.

  Part of her hoped so.

  And part of her didn’t.

  “Well, I drink coffee, but I’d had my fill before breakfast.” She had to remember that she was safe.

  It dawned on her that safe meant no threat of serious entanglement. She wasn’t worth pursuit of anything more than flirtation. Not in the life of Dale Massey.

  She shouldn’t be surprised. She’d summed him up pretty good yesterday. And really, she wanted no part of a guy like him. The world was littered with them. So, why the nugget of hurt lodged in her heart?

  *

  Dale stared at the snow-covered mountains filled with people skiing, getting an early jump on the holiday. One of several resorts in the Big Sky area, this place shone like a gem in the warm Montana sunshine. This was the kind of place he was used to, and no doubt perfect for Eric to set up shop. Maybe then the kid would finally ease his way into the Massey real estate business. But Dale had his doubts.

  He got out of the car and stretched his legs. The mayor had been right. His rental never would have made the drive here, not the way Faith had taken them, plus she’d shaved a good half hour in drive time going through the mountains instead of around them on the interstates.

  He poked his head back into the interior. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be, where do you want to meet?”

  Faith shrugged. “Right here is fine.”

  “You’re not going to stay in your car.”

  “I’ve got a good book, and the sun’s shining. I’ll be fine.”

  Dale shook his head and pulled out his wallet. “Take my credit card and buy whatever you want.”

  Her expressive eyes widened and she held up her hand. “Put that away. I am not using your card.”

  He’d offended her. “You let me buy the gas.”

  “That was different.”

  He tipped his head. What did she think he offered? “You should be compensated for your time. I’m taking up a good chunk of your day.”

  Faith shook her head and pulled out her book. “Forget it.”

  Letting the argument slide, he handed her his business card. “Here’s my cell if you need to get a hold of me.”

  “I won’t.” She took the business card though, and then buried her nose in the pages of a paperback.

  Dale chuckled as he walked away. He’d managed to ruffle Miss Shaw’s pretty feathers. Women were fickle that way. Finding insult when he merely wanted to repay her for her time. If he’d wanted a more interesting transaction between them, he would have been candid. Dale didn’t play games. Faith Shaw struck him as honest, too, but in a pure and simple sort of way. She wasn’t the kind of girl for anything more than a pleasant flirtation.

  *

  By the time Dale finished touring the office space for sale, he knew it was technically perfect for their needs and exactly what his father had wanted. But Dale didn’t jump on the offer. A gut feeling prevented him from purchasing the property—something he didn’t know what to name other than a profound sense of dissatisfaction with the whole deal.

  Instincts were a big part of what he did, so he knew when to listen. Today, he’d stand down and wait. He shook the guy’s hand, promised to get back to him and walked away.

  And then he called the office. “Jeannie, where are we with those closings scheduled for next week? On task? Good, put me through to my father’s voice mail.” Dale waited for the connection. Julian was on his way halfway across the world, but he’d still want an update. “Not confident on this property. I think we can do better.”

  Dale scanned the surrounding high-end shops. Faith had been correct in her assessment that he’d overdressed. There was money here, big money, but the atmosphere remained casual. Relaxed. Typical of a vacation resort.

  Maybe she’d help him pick up a few things while they were here. Some jeans. He’d talk her into something for herself, too. He wouldn’t mind seeing her dressed for an evening out. His stomach growled.

  Lunch first, then shopping.

  As he approached Faith’s SUV, he found himself smiling. The driver’s seat reclined and the window was open a crack for air, and Faith slept in the surprisingly warm sunshine. The paperback novel—a romance, he realized—lay open on her midsection. Her long auburn hair draped the headrest, exposing a pretty expanse of white neck. He thought about kissing that skin. How could he not?

  He nearly laughed when he thought of her indignant reaction when he’d offered her his credit card. What would she do if he kissed her? It might be worth it to find out.

  With a soft creak of metal, he slowly opened her door, shaking his head that she’d left it unlocked. But his amusing idea died the moment he really looked at her. She was beautiful in a natural way, like raw sug
ar. Unrefined and sweet. Vulnerable. She was the mayor’s daughter. His host. Making her pretty much off limits.

  She sighed and shifted. Her lips were certainly tempting. Maybe too tempting.

  Dale shook her shoulder instead. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”

  Her eyes opened and Faith looked dreamy and soft. The corners of her wide mouth curled into a sleepy smile. “What time is it?”

  “Time for lunch.” His voice sounded oddly tender to his ears. He wanted to push back her hair but rested his hand on the car’s roof. “Did I interrupt a good dream?”

  Her blue eyes focused and she sat up with a start. Her book fell to ground.

  Dale picked it up and handed it back to her.

  Faith tossed the book in the backseat. “Sorry. The sun was so warm, I fell asleep.”

  He chuckled. “I noticed.”

  She blushed.

  He held the door for her, liking this girl. Sure, she’d talked his ear off, but there was something open about her. Nothing disguised or put on. “Come on. The least I can do is buy you lunch.”

  Looking deliciously tousled, Faith slid out of the car and finger combed her hair. “Lunch, yeah. I could eat.”

  Dale couldn’t ignore the avalanche of awareness coursing through him, making him light-headed. Hunger did that to a person. Despite not being a big morning eater, he shouldn’t have skipped breakfast. These unsettling feelings were nothing more than hunger. Plain and simple.

  *

  Faith stifled a yawn as she slipped into the chair held out for her by the restaurant host. “Thank you.”

  The host nodded but didn’t look impressed, with a pinched nose and thin smile.

  Faith looked around. A casual place when it came to customer dress, but everything about it screamed expensive. A fancy wine collection covered one of the brick walls. White linen tablecloths complete with fresh flowers graced the tables. Yup, expensive.

  Dale checked his phone and texted, oblivious to the disdainful looks he received from the maître d’. Dale accepted the menu without a word. He was used to being waited on, probably in places even nicer than this.

  “How’d your meeting go?” Faith couldn’t take the silence, or the uncomfortable feeling that she’d crashed someone else’s party.

  He pocketed his phone. “Went well.”

  By the tight look on his face, she’d guess it didn’t. “You don’t look happy.”

  He flashed a smile, signaling a change of subject. “What do you say we do some shopping after we eat? You were right, I need casual clothes.”

  She frowned. He didn’t want to talk business, and that was okay by her as long as they talked about something. Anything to keep her mind off the dream she’d had of him while sleeping in the car. “What are you looking to buy?”

  “Jeans. Maybe some boots, so I don’t have to use your brother’s. There are quite a few shops here.”

  Faith snorted. “You’ll pay through the nose.”

  He cocked an arrogant eyebrow. Money wasn’t an issue.

  Faith gulped her water. Then she looked him straight in his handsome face. “Can I ask a favor?”

  “Name it.”

  She took a deep breath. “Would you shop in Jasper Gulch instead?”

  “I didn’t see a clothing store.”

  Faith grinned. “Our hardware store has a clothing section. Boots, jeans, socks, shirts. Anything you might need for the outdoors or casual rugged living.” She quoted their advertisement and then added. “The Walkers could really use the patronage.”

  Faith knew they’d increased their inventory because of the centennial celebrations, hoping to appeal to shoppers and increase business.

  He narrowed his gaze, zeroing in on her again. “Sure. On our way back.”

  She twisted her napkin in her lap. “Great, thanks.”

  His green eyes softened. “You’re welcome.”

  Faith shifted her attention to the menu, but the words blurred out of focus. She felt his gaze still on her. “What?”

  “You really care about your town, don’t you?”

  Silly question. “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”

  “But you genuinely care. It’s your nature, isn’t it? Caring.”

  What was he getting at? And why did he look at her as if she was an interesting new toy? A plaything. Dale Massey probably discarded new toys as a kid once the novelty wore off and his interest waned. She wouldn’t be surprised if he did the same thing as an adult.

  Faith pulled out the big guns with ammo she knew from experience had the power to dampen a man’s ardor in a hurry. “The Bible says love thy neighbor as thyself. In Jasper Gulch, that isn’t too hard to do. Most of the time.”

  Dale’s brow furrowed and then he laughed. It was a deep, belly-rolling sound she’d never have expected to come out of a New York prince. “Nice move, Faith.”

  She stared at him.

  “I’m trying to figure you out and you quote scripture. Good blocking maneuver.”

  No sense denying it. “Well, quit trying to figure me out.”

  “Why?”

  Because you make me uncomfortable and my heart races when you smile. Because I dreamed of kissing you.

  Faith didn’t voice her thoughts. She didn’t have to because the waiter dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants chose that moment to arrive and take their orders.

  Without hesitation, she asked for a well-done cheeseburger, fries and a pop. Dale did the same. Smiling at her with that secret-sharing smile all because they’d ordered the same thing. It made her stomach flutter. Ridiculous man! He poured on the charm a little too thick.

  After the waiter left and returned with their soft drinks, Dale leaned forward. “Why don’t you date your young minister? He seems like a nice guy.”

  “He is.” Faith sipped her pop. “But he’s not my type.”

  “What’s your type?” The flirtatious glint was back in his eyes.

  And that was a good thing. It meant she was safe. Scripture always came to the rescue when needed. Faith tipped her head and raised her glass. “I’ll let you know when I meet him.”

  Dale’s smile grew wider.

  And Faith’s stomach dropped. She had a bad feeling she may have misspoken, because Dale Massey was exactly her type.

  Chapter Four

  Dale couldn’t remember a time when he’d enjoyed a meal with a woman more. For one thing, Faith ate her food instead of picking at it. He didn’t know where she put it all, but the girl could eat. If he had a dollar for every woman he’d been out with who ordered salad and then left it unfinished, he’d be an even richer man.

  Faith was real. And rather charming, too, in an honest, chatterbox sort of way. A bright spot in an otherwise inconvenient errand.

  “You sure you don’t want to have a look around the stores while we’re here?” Women loved to shop, right?

  Faith shook her head. “No, no. I’m fine.”

  He glanced at her. She’d slipped out of her puffy jacket. She wore jeans and a sweater. A band of silver wrapped around her index finger and a watch encircled her wrist. “You’re not much into frills, are you?”

  Faith shrugged. “I like a nice dress now and then.”

  She wasn’t giving anything away, but Faith Shaw was not playing hard to get. He’d seen that role before and this wasn’t it. Dale knew he impressed most people, women in particular. So why was this woman indifferent to who he was but not what he was? He could tell she found him attractive. No surprise there. He found her attractive, too.

  After the check had been paid and they walked side by side to the parking lot, Dale held out his hand. “Would you like me to drive?”

  “Sure.” Faith hesitated only a moment before handing over her keys.

  “To the Jasper Gulch hardware store.” He held the passenger-side door open for her.

  She slipped in and buckled up. “Thanks.”

  He leaned toward her. “My pleasure.”

  She shook her head and l
aughed, making him want to try harder. Faith Shaw had poise, and a guard higher than most. Well, he was pretty good at scaling walls.

  With one last glimpse of the mountains surrounding them, Dale tossed his cashmere coat over the backseat and then slid into the driver’s side, adjusting the seat to accommodate the length of his legs. “Do you ever ski here?”

  “I’m not much of a downhill skier, but I like cross-country and snowshoeing. I paddle my way around the ranch when we get a good snow, but I’ve been to Lone Peak before. There are beautiful trails here.”

  Dale imagined that was true. Although desolate, the scenery was postcard pretty. He pulled out onto the road mulling over what Faith had told him. Cross-country and snowshoes made sense. Faith Shaw kept her feet firmly planted on the ground.

  Halfway to Jasper Gulch on the back road Faith had taken, Dale noticed an odd vibration in the steering wheel, followed by a consistent thump that grew louder. “Hear that?”

  Faith’s eyes widened. “You should pull over.”

  He did so, on a level stretch of road—if it could be called that. The entire pathway was white with packed snow. Evergreen trees lined the sides and they were dusted with the same. Clouds had crowded out the sun, making it feel much colder than before. And they hadn’t seen another vehicle since leaving the resort. There was no one in sight.

  Dale got out and looked at the car, recognizing the problem right away. “Flat tire.”

  Faith came around the front of the SUV to stand next to him. “Wonder why.”

  “Does it matter?” Dale pulled his phone out of his suit-coat pocket and tried looking up the nearest tow truck. His internet connection churned sluggishly.

  “You won’t get coverage here.” Faith headed for the back of the vehicle. She opened the hatch and reached in, pulling out the spare tire and then the jack.

  Dale watched her, phone in hand. “What are you doing?

  “I’m going to change the tire.”

  “What about a tow truck?” He looked around the road. “Aren’t there any emergency phones out here?”