by Jenna Mindel
“And learned the classics?”
Faith nodded. “Yes. I love classical music. Those notes have been around for centuries and they still have power to move the soul. I believe some of them were written as worship to God. A gift that keeps on giving to the rest of us.”
He shrugged. “I suppose.”
Faith tipped her head. “Don’t you believe in God?”
“Yes. In a general sense I suppose I do.”
“Well, God’s more about up close and personal. He wants what’s inside versus the outside rituals.”
Dale looked as if he wasn’t in the mood for a theological discussion. Or maybe it was the lack of sophistication in the topic. “Where’d you study music?”
“Montana State.”
“Why not out East? Julliard or Eastman. That’s where the prestigious schools are located.” Dale stepped away from petting Viv.
Faith cocked her head. “I don’t care about prestige. I have everything I want right here.”
Not a man to call my own. And not the man standing in front of her who was sorry he’d kissed her.
Dale looked at his hand and grimaced. “Maybe we should head back.”
“Why?”
He looked horrified. “Because my hands are filthy.”
Faith laughed out loud. “Come on, greenhorn. I’ll show you where you can wash them.”
Clothes didn’t make the man. No matter how many Montana barn coats Dale wore, he was no Montana man, complaining about dirty hands. He didn’t belong here. But could he? If he ever belonged to her?
Chapter Six Dale scrubbed his hands at the sink inside the spacious barn. The earthy scent of hay and leather assaulted his nose. There was something honest about it. Something simple, too. Unlike the sterile office-space air he breathed on a regular basis.
Hands dripping, he looked around for a towel.
“Sorry, you’re going to have to air dry.” Faith leaned against a stall and pointed at the empty paper-towel holder on the wall.
Dale shook his hands. He caught Faith giving him an odd look. “What?”
“Just wipe them on your jeans.”
“I’m not going to do that.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t ask you to jump off a bridge.”
“So, I’m a greenhorn and a neat one, at that. So what?” He stared at all the empty stalls. “Don’t you keep your horses inside the barn?”
“It’s better for them to be outside where they can stretch and run and breathe. We bring them in to saddle up and take care of their shoes, or if the weather turns bad.”
Dale nodded and then his phone vibrated in his pocket. He looked at the incoming call from his father. “Excuse me. I have to take this. It’ll only take a minute.”
“No problem. I’ll be outside.”
“Dale Massey.” He watched Faith slip out the door. He could see her breath make white smoke where she stood waiting for him.
“What reservations do you have on that property?” Julian asked. Never a greeting, never a how are you. Always business with his father. And that was all. Always.
Dale ran his hand through his hair. “Doesn’t feel right.”
“That place is perfect for Eric.”
“You didn’t see it.” Dale didn’t trust Eric to toe the company line. His half brother was apt to ski far more than work with an office like that. They’d waste time and money.
“I don’t have to. You’re my eyes. What else have you looked at?”
“I haven’t.” Dale never snowed his father. Julian would see right through it.
“Then what in the world are you doing out there?”
A pair of big blue eyes came to mind. “I’m staying at the mayor’s ranch with obligations to my host.”
Julian laughed. “So there’s a woman involved. Have your bit of fun, Dale, but I expect you to snatch up that offer before—”
The call ended. Dropped.
Again.
Dale growled.
Faith peeked her head inside the open door. “Everything okay?”
“Spotty cell coverage! How do you people live here?”
Faith’s eyes widened at his sharp tone, and then narrowed. “We live here just fine.”
“Of course you do.” He hadn’t meant to insult her. He checked his watch. “Look, it’s getting late and I’ve got work to do.”
Only nine o’clock, but he was tired. In New York, he’d rarely get to bed before midnight and then he’d be back in the office by seven. Montana time was only two hours behind the eastern time zone, so jet lag wasn’t an issue. Maybe all this fresh mountain air made him sleepy.
“What do you do besides work, talk and text on your cell phone, Dale Massey? What do you do for fun?” Faith stepped closer.
Simple fun? He couldn’t remember. Every activity had a purpose. Entertaining clients, entertaining women, entertaining his next move as heir to Massey International. “I play tennis, remember?”
Faith shook her head. “The way you play doesn’t sound fun at all.”
“I play to win. Winning is fun.”
She stared at him.
He stared back.
The overhead light bathed Faith in its glow, caressing her hair with shine where it wasn’t covered by the knitted hat she wore. Dressed in yoga pants and bulky boots, she looked young.
Too young for someone like him.
“How old are you?”
Faith laughed. “Slick guy like you should know that’s no question to ask a woman.”
Her hesitation hinted that she might be older than he thought. She’d graduated college, but when? He raised his eyebrow.
“I’m twenty-seven. How old are you?”
“Thirty.”
Faith clicked her tongue. “Old enough to know that all work and no play makes Dale a dull boy.”
“You think I’m dull?”
She’d be the only woman to think so. His daily schedule made most people’s head spin. Yet this slip of a girl made him feel incomplete. Like something was missing.
Her gaze softened. “You don’t really want to know what I think.”
He stepped toward her. “I do.”
She gripped her mittened hands in front of her. Was that to keep from touching him?
They were close enough that one more step would bring them together. Dale slammed his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her. No way would he repeat today’s kiss. They might not make it out of this barn and that wasn’t Dale’s style.
“Honestly, you seem a little lost to me.”
He searched her eyes. What made her think that? Lost? He knew exactly where he was going. His future was laid out nice and clear in front of him. But that road suddenly looked cold and lonely.
“Lost, huh? Well, right now I’m charting my way back inside. I’m beat.”
“Yeah, sure.” Faith looked away. “Let’s go.”
What did she want from him? Whatever it was, he couldn’t go there. Faith deserved a good man who would love her forever. A loyal, committed man.
That man wasn’t him.
They made their way back along the driveway, walking the rest of the way in silent darkness, save for the lights shining from inside Shaw Ranch.
*
“Good night, Dale.” Faith hesitated at the doorway of his room.
She wanted to kiss him again but knew better. He was used to women throwing themselves at him. She didn’t want to be one more. How embarrassing.
“Why do you think I’m lost?”
She fixed his barn-coat collar, which had turned under. “I get the feeling that you go through the motions without passion.”
His eyebrows rose and he gave her a look that challenged that statement.
She let loose a nervous giggle. “Dale…”
“I’m good at what I do.” His voice sounded whisper soft.
“I’m sure you are, but is it enough?”
“Good night, Faith.” His eyes dismissed her. Guarded again. Then he went i
nside and closed the door.
Faith stared at his closed door a few seconds before making her feet move. She headed for her own room and met her brother Adam in the hallway.
“How’s loverboy?” Adam wrapped his arms around himself and made mock-kissing sounds.
Faith punched his arm. “How old are you?”
“Not much more than you.” Adam laughed and scooped her up over his shoulder like a sack of grain. He trotted down the hall. “Dad wants you.”
Faith bounced against his shoulder and paddled her brother’s backside with both hands. “Put me down.”
He laughed and kept going, ignoring her plea.
Ranger joined in the fun by jumping against Adam’s legs and barking.
Faith spotted Dale coming back out of his room, looking surprised at the ruckus.
“Help!”
He smiled. “I don’t interfere with family matters.”
“Coward,” she yelled, bouncing all the way down the stairs hanging over Adam’s shoulder.
Dale followed them with an amused look on his face.
And Faith didn’t want to be embarrassed. Ha! Draped over her brother’s shoulder was a real nice start. “Adam, put me down. Dale might need something.”
“I’m sure he does.” Her brother didn’t comply, though.
Their mom intervened and scooped up the dog. “Adam, put your sister down.”
“Aw, Mom.” Adam finally set her on her feet and gave her a shove, to boot.
Faith wobbled.
“Your father wants to talk to you about tomorrow’s homecoming. I’ll help Dale.”
Faith glanced up at Dale, fearing her face was redder than a Christmas bow. He looked amused as he gestured for a phone. Her mom stepped in, and Dale followed her to their landline.
Faith wasn’t needed and took off after Adam. She body slammed her brother into the wall and then ducked into her father’s home office before Adam could retaliate.
Her father looked up. “Really, Faith?”
She giggled. “He started it.”
Her father shook his head. “I’m heading to town early in the morning but want to make sure you’re ready for tomorrow’s event. Dale needs to be there by eleven for photos.”
“Yeah, I know. Wait, why not tell him this?”
“I want you to drive him there.” Her father gave her a look that brooked no argument.
“He can make it on his own, don’t you think?”
Her father nodded. “You’ve spent a lot of time with our Mr. Massey today.”
“So?” She’d followed her father’s orders to cart Dale around but didn’t dare let on that she’d enjoyed it.
“So? Why not give him a reason to stay for Thanksgiving? The town is counting on having a Massey in the parade, and having someone of Dale’s status might be a good media draw.”
Faith ignored the butterflies in her stomach. “Dale said he has business in New York.”
“You can convince him to stay if you put your mind to it.”
He eyes widened. “Dad!”
Her father smiled innocently. “What? You two made eyes at each other all through dinner.”
“We did not!” Faith had avoided looking at Dale. She didn’t want to make any big moves that might scare the man completely away after that devastating kiss.
“Weather might get dicey by midmorning. Forecast calls for freezing drizzle and I don’t think Dale will be safe in that rental.”
“We’ll see in the morning.” Faith stood.
“Think about it, Faith. He’s a good match for you.”
Tell her something she didn’t already know. And if it was indeed true, how did she make Dale see that, too? There was something real simmering between them, but that didn’t mean he’d want to stay. Didn’t mean he’d want to stay with her, either.
“Good night, Dad.” She kissed her father’s cheek and left.
The house had quieted down early for a Friday night. Julie and Ryan had long since left for Julie’s bungalow on the hill. Cord and Katie had taken Marci and gone home, too. Austin was out on a date, and even Adam had quieted down, unless he hid in waiting.
Faith entered the kitchen and found her mom by the sink. “Where’s Adam?”
“He went to bed. It’ll be an early morning getting the horses inside the barn before the weather hits.”
Faith picked up Ranger and snuggled him close. She’d help, too. “Did you take care of Dale?”
Her mom smiled. “He needed to use the phone.”
Faith glanced at the clock. After ten. Which meant it was after midnight in New York. “Kind of late for a business call, don’t you think?”
Her mother shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Something about property in the mountain resorts, but I told Dale that he should look at buying property right here in Jasper Gulch.”
“Why’d you do that?” Faith could just imagine Dale’s reaction to her mother’s eavesdropping on his call. He’d clench his jaw and swallow his irritation with a polite smile.
“There are whole buildings up for sale in town, and cheap, too. And so I told him.”
Faith reached for a cookie from the snack plate her mother had fixed for her father. “What did he say?”
“That he’d keep it in mind.” Her mom smiled.
It was a knowing smile, one that made Faith cringe for letting her hope show. Would Dale consider buying here? It would mean so much to Jasper Gulch. It would mean even more to her.
*
Dale woke to an odd sound. A high-pitched ting, ting, ting against the window. He rolled over and looked at the clock. Eight-thirty. It had been a long time since he’d slept so late. Snuggling deeper under his covers, he heard it again, only louder and more steady.
His eyes flew open and he jumped out of bed and looked outside. White balls of ice gathered at the edge of the driveway and pooled in the grass.
Sleet.
He fumbled with his laptop, entering the password Faith had given him to connect to the internet. He let loose a groan as he waited. When he finally checked the weather, it wasn’t pretty. The radar map showed a mass of moisture barreling down on Montana. Globs of green were followed by a mass of pink. Behind it was snow. A forecast of bad news for the area.
Next, he checked his airline flight out of Bozeman later this evening. No changes yet, but cancellations were bound to follow once that storm hit. Unless he got there ahead of it and hopped the next plane heading east.
Dale showered and dressed quickly and then packed. He had a couple of shopping bags compliments of Miss Shaw and her hardware store. Slipping downstairs, Dale saw the house was quiet, but he didn’t believe the Shaws were asleep. He’d seen lights shining from the barn and remembered what Faith had said about the horses and bad weather. No doubt they were corralling them into stalls even now.
He left his luggage in the foyer and headed for the dining room and coffee carafes set up on a sideboard. He couldn’t leave without saying goodbye to Faith.
He heard the door open and the stamp of small feet. Faith.
Setting down his cup of coffee, he looked up as Faith entered the room dressed for outside work in heavy canvas overalls. How long had she been up while he slumbered?
Her blue eyes wide, she asked, “Why’s your luggage in the foyer?”
“Because I’m leaving.”
“The homecoming is only a few hours away.” The reason he’d come.
“There’s a storm brewing and I need to stay ahead of it.” And get out while he could.
Faith’s blue eyes snapped with fury. “What am I supposed to tell my family? They’re counting on you to be there. The whole town is looking forward to meeting you.”
“Things change. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
She shook her head. “No, they won’t. My father won’t. We need what you bring to this gathering.”
He narrowed his gaze. The real reason for Jasper Gulch’s excitement wasn’t his lineage to Silas but what the Massey name mea
nt now. The name his father had put on the map would no doubt bring notoriety to their hokey little gathering. He shouldn’t care. Good business was good business and everyone had an angle they played.
He downed the rest of his coffee with one gulp. “You’ll have to make do without me.”
“Would it be so bad to stay?” Her voice softened.
Looking at her, his resolve weakened. He couldn’t afford what a few more days spent with Faith might do to him. “Yes, it would.”
Her shoulders drooped.
“Thank you for your help yesterday,” he said. “Take care of yourself.”
She wouldn’t look at him. “You, too.”
He sighed. Why’d she have to look so disappointed and hurt? “I’ll show myself out.”
“No, no. That would be rude. I’ll walk you to the door.”
“Where’s the rest of your family?” He couldn’t stand the awkward silence.
“Dad’s already in town. The guys are checking on windbreaks for the cattle, and my mom, Katie and Marci are helping Julie herd her sheep into the small barn.”
It dawned on him that Faith had taken care of the horses all alone. “I could have helped you with those horses.”
She gave him a funny look.
Her hesitation said all he needed to know. He was useless out here. He’d have been more of a hindrance than help. He didn’t know anything about ranch work. Like she’d said, a greenhorn.
He lifted his luggage and reached for his shopping bags, but Faith had them in hand, ready to follow him to his car.
He opened the door, and the damp sting of cold air bit his face. “This doesn’t look good.”
“No.”
He followed Faith out from under the metal-roof overhang, and sleet pricked his skin and bounced off his long woolen coat. Could he stay ahead of this front? He’d planned to take another look at that property before flying out of Bozeman. That probably wasn’t wise. He’d stick to the interstate and go straight to the airport.
He started the lemon to let it warm up, and then tossed his luggage and shopping bags in the back. Faith stood next to him.
“You should go inside where it’s warm.”
She shrugged. “I’m fine.”
Of course she was. Faith was made of stern stuff. Faith belonged here with the vast Montana land that bared one’s soul. He did not.
