Sweet Home Montana

by Lisa Mondello

  Katie shook her head. “You know the more I think about things, the more I’m convinced that Julie’s leaving here wasn’t about following her dreams. I think she was running away from the possibility of being judged.”

  Caleb frowned. “By who? If she was pregnant, don’t you think her family would’ve supported her?”

  “I’m sure you all would have. But you weren’t here and your parents were in the process of moving to New Mexico. I wonder…”

  “What?”

  “I’m not sure what Hunter was thinking back then. He was older than Julie. That was one of the things that made him appealing. You know, the mysterious older bad boy of Sweet.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Ten years isn’t all that much of an age difference in relationships.”

  “Maybe not now. But back then, Julie was a scared seventeen-year-old. She was in love with a man who was going through his own trials, for lack of a better word. Hunter has changed a lot.”

  “Haven’t we all?”

  She nodded. “But Hunter was different. I’m not sure that Julie wanted to have the life that she could’ve had with Hunter back then. He’s much more grounded now and loves what he does. Quite frankly, I’m surprised he never married because the girls down at the bank talk a lot about him.”

  Caleb frowned. “Oh, really.”

  Katie looked up at him and chuckled. “There you go getting all jealous again as if any of that matters to me.”

  “Katie Dobbs, you’re driving me crazy. I’m standing here in front of you wondering if there’s anything that I can do to keep you in Sweet. And then I’m wondering at the same time if I even have a right to ask you to stay here.”

  “Is that what you want? You want me to stay?”

  “I want you to want to be with me. I want to be with you. I cannot be some chain that keeps you here so that you wake up ten years from now and realize you’ve given up on a dream you’ve had since you were kid. I was kinda hoping that I’d be your dream.” He kicked his boot on the hardwood floors he’d just purchased countless rolls of paper to protect. Then he shook his head and grunted.

  “I’m trying to be real and keep things in perspective. I love this town. Even when my family moved, I stayed. I guess part of me hoped that Julie would come home to Sweet, too. That’s why I didn’t follow my parents to New Mexico. But Sweet is part of me. I’m dug in. I want you to stay. But I want you to stay for the right reasons. I can’t be that reason even though I want to be.”

  She looked up at Caleb and he saw emotion shining in her eyes. She did feel something. It wasn’t just him thinking and overthinking every moment that they’d shared together.

  “On that first night I caught you in the church, you said you had a dream to make that chapel into something beautiful. To transform it into something you could be proud of. And that mattered to me. It wasn’t just about Julie and what you knew about Julie. I was transformed by you and your dream. And it’s become my dream.”

  She started to object, but he raised his hand to keep her quiet.

  “I’m sorry I made you doubt how I see you, and how I feel about you. And I know that’s something that you wondered and I’m sorry for that. But you mean a lot to me.”

  “I feel the same way.”

  He nodded. Nothing more needed to be said about that. “What do you want to do? Take me out of this completely. Take everything I just said to you and pretend that that’s not part of the equation. Because it isn’t. Are you going to sell the property to this Hollywood guy, or do you want to see this through?”

  She laughed. “And have everyone in town angry with me for selling out to an investor who will probably put up a big condo and triple his money even at the price he’d be paying me?”

  “If you get the money, pay your brother back, and leave, you won’t be here to listen to what the people in town are saying. You’d just be living your life.”

  “Now it sounds like you’re trying to talk me into leaving.”

  He shook his head. “Trying to be fair. Trying not to be that overbearing guy who lays down the law and tries to make you be what I want you to be. I like what I see in you. I don’t have to change anything. I’m in love with you, Katie. I’m sure of it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  He wanted to reach for her, but he held back. She hadn’t said she loved him. He wasn’t sure why he’d expected she would automatically, and suddenly that made him crazy inside wondering what she was thinking.

  “I don’t know what to say,” she finally said.

  Disappointment filled him. “Then don’t say anything.”

  “Why is it that you never left Sweet, Caleb? I mean, I know you went into the military and you were gone for years. I know you saw a whole lot more than I’ll ever see in my life. But you came back here anyway. Wasn’t there anything out there that appealed to you? You never thought that your life could be more…”

  “More than living in a small town and living a small life?”

  She shook her head. “That’s not what I’m saying.”

  “Yes, you are. And I’m okay with that. I don’t have to have a big bank account or rub elbows with a Hollywood guy. I made peace with that the day I drove back into Sweet. Because I missed it. I missed the people. I missed the quiet after all that action overseas. I missed the huckleberry, and the bison, and the little things that make Sweet, Montana home. But I know that’s not for everyone. It wasn’t for Kasper. He likes New York.”

  “But that’s just it. You’ve seen it. The good and the bad. You’ve seen it and made a choice. I didn’t have that choice. I was just getting started. I left with next to no money in my pocket with a man who had big dreams that gave me stars in my eyes. And I quickly realized that I was the one that was going to help him get his big dreams. But I didn’t know that until he took off with everything that I helped him build. And those were hard years. I saved every penny. I did that because I thought that there would be a reward at the end. But my reward was finding out that my life was a ruse. It was all in my head. I wonder sometimes if I go out there into the world by myself if I’ll finally see it the way it is in my dreams.”

  “You know what I first thought when I stepped off the bus at boot camp?”

  She shook her head.

  “The first thing I met was me and everything I had in my heart that I carried with me. Everything else was just more people with a different story and different baggage. And there were people just like here in Sweet. They just had a different address. So it didn’t matter where I ended up. It wasn’t going to change my love or my heart.”

  He looked into her eyes and saw her questions in the war that was raging there.

  “This isn’t something that needs to be decided tonight. How much time did you give this Hollywood guy on the counter offer?”

  “Twenty-four hours. Kas says he needs me more than I need him. If he walks, then someone else will come in and scoop up the deal.”

  She said the last part in a quiet voice as if she were floating far away from where he was. Oh, how he wanted her to come back to him.

  “I’m not going to say anything else on this except I like you, Katie.”

  She smiled. “Like? A few minutes ago you were in love with me.”

  He couldn’t help but chuckle himself. “I have a feeling if I keep saying how I really feel it will just complicate things more than they already are.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “I’ll get the rest of the rolls from the truck.”

  Katie nodded and didn’t say any more. Caleb spent the rest of the day searching his mind for what he should’ve said to make Katie want to stay. Kicking himself for pushing her and laying it all out there, and then being thankful he’d had the restraint to walk away and not say more. The only way he wanted Katie to stay in Sweet is if she wanted him. And he was never going to know that if he didn’t give her the room to make the decision herself.

  * * *

 
; Katie walked down the hallway towards her brother’s room. The door was closed. She knew better been to just barge in, so she knocked.

  “Come in,” Kas said.

  “Where’s Tabby?” Katie asked.

  Kasper zipped his suitcase shut and then stood up straight. “She’s over at the ranch saying goodbye to Trip and the other hands.”

  “It looks like leaving is affecting you more than it’s affecting her,” Katie said.

  “She hasn’t said anything. But I know she’s feeling it. It makes me feel like a jerk for pulling her way from the people she loves.”

  Katie leaned against the doorjamb and folded her arms across her chest. “She loves you, Kas. If you left without her, she’d run after you. You know she would.”

  He smiled. “I’m not sure I’d ever get the chance to find that out. I don’t think I could leave without her.”

  She frowned. “Are you thinking of relocating back to Sweet?”

  “We haven’t talked about it. We haven’t talked about a whole lot. She just tells me she wants to be with me.”

  “She said yes when you asked her to marry you. She’ll follow you anywhere.”

  He looked panicked for a second. “I’d marry her tomorrow if she wanted to. We’ve only known each other a few months. I’m not sure she’s ready to get married yet.”

  Katie laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Men. They’re all the same. You know you tiptoe around things and then you wonder why you don’t understand women. Just tell her you want to get married now. What’s so hard about that? You’ll work the rest out.”

  He sat down on the bed. “You think so?”

  “You’ll figure it out.”

  “What about you? Have you made a decision about what you do?”

  She shrugged. “I’m going to miss you when you leave. I hate being in this house by myself. It’s been nice having you and Tabby here. Takes a little bit of the sting of loneliness away.”

  “There is no reason you have to stay lonely, Katie. But that choice is yours.”

  “I know.”

  “Did you make a decision on the Hollywood man’s offer yet?”

  “I countered so high that I doubt he’ll go for it.”

  “I wouldn’t bet anything on that. I did some research on your guy. He has deep pockets. And I mean real deep pockets. If he thinks the property’s worth it, he’ll be willing to pay.”

  “Really? Well, then I wish I’d gone higher.”

  Kasper frowned. “Katie, are you trying to blow the deal?”

  “You said to negotiate. That’s what I’m doing.”

  “I know. It sounds to me like you’re trying to negotiate your way out of him accepting.”

  “Well, maybe I am. I know I can’t keep the place. But I did want to see it finished. I’ve never finished anything in my life. I had such big plans for the chapel and what it could be. And I hate the idea of this guy coming into Sweet and turning that section of property into condos or something else just for his city friends to get wowed over.”

  “I know what you mean. But you have to learn not to make it personal. Business is never personal. Otherwise you get swallowed up and you make bad investments.”

  “I’m glad you were here to help me with this.”

  He chuckled. “I am always here. Even when I’m not. But if you didn’t accept that deal, maybe there’s another investor you’ll be happier with.”

  “You think?”

  “Yeah.”

  “But no one else knows about the property.”

  Kas smiled wide. “I do.”

  “Are you telling me you told somebody about it? Why would you do that? Was it to give it more competition?”

  “It’s personal.”

  “English please, brother. Who wants to bid on this property?”

  “Me. Being back in Sweet with Tabby made me realize that although I’ve built the business in New York, I know Tabby will be much happier in Montana. And I’ll be happy as long as I’m with her. I can run my business anywhere. I can get on a plane and go to New York if I have to. But Montana is where I want to be because that’s where Tabby wants to be.”

  Katie smiled. “What would you do with the chapel?”

  “You’re going to finish it. And when it’s done, you can do whatever you want with it, little sister. Live there or sell it. Your choice.”

  * * *

  Katie had just about all her stuff packed and ready to go. Dragging her suitcase out of her bedroom, she glanced at the clock on the wall above the sink in the kitchen and sighed.

  Kas had called and told her that he’d been out to the chapel property today. He’d been waiting for the plow to come and clear a place for the camper she’d ordered and was to be delivered sometime today. He’d also told her that he’d seen Caleb and that he’d mentioned he should stop by so she could tell him the news.

  The paperwork was done. Another sale had gone through. She was so excited she could barely contain herself.

  She left her suitcase by the door. Jamison must have already stopped by to clear the space. It wasn’t going to be easy living out at the chapel property while the renovations were being completed. But now that she didn’t have to work at the bank, thanks to the generous offer Kas had made on the property, she’d be able to be there when workers renovated the chapel. As long as it was done by the end of the summer, she’d be okay.

  She couldn’t wait to see her vision come to life. She couldn’t wait to show Caleb what she’d seen in that broken down building on the night he’d found her sitting there alone.

  What was taking him so long?

  Her cell phone rang and she answered it with excitement, hoping it was Caleb. It was the dealership with her camper.

  “We’re here at the chapel, but no one is here. You’re going to need to come down so we know where to place it and hook everything up,” the man said.

  “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes,” she said, then pressed the button to hang up the call.

  She turned back to the look at the kitchen. She’d be back. This was her family home. Of course, she’d come back to check on the house while her parents were still away. But they’d be coming home soon and when they did, she’d come visit without all the baggage that had been weighing her down since the divorce.

  She had dreams again. She couldn’t wait to see them come to fruition.

  Twenty minutes later, she pulled into the freshly plowed chapel parking lot. The trucker who hauled her camper was still sitting in his truck, which was parked on the road, waiting for her instruction.

  She quickly got out of the car and walked over to the man, who was now rolling down his window.

  “Sorry, I’m late.”

  “No problem. Where do you want it?”

  Katie looked around the lot. Jamison had cleared a wide area for her to choose from.

  She pointed to a section about thirty feet from the chapel’s side door. It would give any of the construction workers plenty of room to maneuver or carry materials in and out of the building.

  “That looks like a good area. Do you think it’s level enough?”

  “No problem.” The man rolled up his window and proceeded to start the truck and move the camper in place. They he got out of the truck, unhooked it from the truck, and then made sure the camper sat level in the space.

  She was so engrossed in what the man was doing that she didn’t hear Caleb’s truck pull into the parking lot. As soon as she turned and saw him, her heart leaped. She didn’t know when it had happened, but she’d fallen for him.

  “You’re all set,” the man said, walking over to her and pulling her attention away from Caleb.

  “Great!”

  “I just need you to sign here and you’re good to go.”

  The man handed her a clipboard with a delivery contract that had a big red X on the bottom where she was to sign. She did it quickly and swapped the clipboard for the set of keys in the man’s hand.
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  “Enjoy,” he said. “Make sure you call the gas company to come out and bring a propane tank so you won’t freeze. It’s still cold out here even though it’s spring.”

  “I will,” she said as he climbed back into his truck. She waved as he passed her and Caleb and then beeped his horn as he pulled out onto Lookout Ridge.

  She turned to Caleb and leaped into his arms, happy for the first time in ages and wanting to share it with only him.

  “What’s this for?” Caleb asked.

  She pulled back slightly. “Do I need a reason to be happy?”

  His smile was unsure.

  “What took you so long anyway?” she asked. “Kas said he talked to you earlier this afternoon and told you the news.”

  “Yeah, he said he bought the place. He’s moving back to Sweet. You must be happy.”

  “I am. I think both he and Tabby will be happier here in Sweet than in New York. Tabby loves her horse and barrel racing. Kas has it in his blood, so I’m sure they’ll do just fine.”

  “Is the camper for them?” Caleb asked.

  “No, silly. It’s for me!”

  “I don’t understand.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “What’s not to understand? I’m staying.”

  “What?”

  “Kas and Tabby are going to build a house on the far end of the property.” She pointed west of the chapel toward a line of trees. “The barn will go next to it and I get to renovate the chapel.”

  He smiled, but Katie could tell that he was still unsure.

  “What are you going to do with the chapel when it’s done?”

  She giggled. “Live in it, silly.”

  He looked so confused it was almost comical.

  “Kas said he bought the place. He asked me if it was romantic to propose in a big snowy field next to a broken down chapel. I thought he was going to propose to Tabby here. I thought… I thought they were going to live here.”

  “Tabby and Kas are already engaged. He was talking about me.”

  “Me what?”

  She threw her head back and squeezed him tight. “Do I have to hit you over the head with it?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  She let go of him and got down on one knee. “You said you wanted me to take you out of the equation. But I realized that’s impossible. Because if I left here, you wouldn’t be in my life anymore. And that would leave a huge hole in me. What good is a dream if you can’t share it with someone? I love you, Caleb. I’ll admit I was afraid to, but I do. I love you.”