Page 4 of Little Bits of Daddy (Montana Daddies)

“Seven times you’ve sworn since I found you. I’ll tell Kent that too.”

“You don’t have to tell him anything. I’ll tell him everything. Later. At home. Come on, Jed, please.”

He didn’t say anything, just turned the pick-up around and headed up the steep road that led to JSI headquarters. If you could call it a road. It was more like a wide, cleared path. His truck seemed to handle the rough ride easily. She wished she could say the same.

“I don’t want to interrupt Kent while he’s working,” she told him as she grabbed hold of the seat to try to steady herself. It felt like her fillings were going to rattle right on out of her teeth.

“Too late for that. Who do you think sent me to search for you?”

Oh fuck.

“Look, I’m really sorry to have inconvenienced you. If you just take me home, I promise I’ll stay there.”

Nothing.

“So now I’m getting the silent treatment?”

Still nothing.

She sighed. Great. Seemed like she was off to see Kent. Well, on the plus side, at least he would talk to her. He could be reasonable.

3

She watched Kent warily as he paced back and forth in front of the small sofa where she sat in his office.

“I can see why you didn’t put carpet in here,” she commented finally, unable to take the silence anymore. “You’d have worn a hole in it by now.”

He grumbled something under his breath. She sighed. She was tired. And hungry. And she felt very sorry for herself. Getting lost hadn’t exactly been a fun experience.

“Kent, if you’re not going to talk to me, can I go home?”

“No. Sit back down,” he growled at her as she attempted to stand. She sat. Kent had always seemed so easygoing in comparison to Clint. Gentler, almost. He didn’t look that way right now. He looked like an angry warrior. He was frowning, his face cold, shoulders tense as he glared down at her.

“Look, I know I shouldn’t have wandered away. I really didn’t mean to. And I’m sorry I caused you to worry and inconvenienced you, but it all came out all right in the end. I mean, we don’t have to tell Clint, do we?”

He gave her a look of disbelief. “Seriously? Charlie, he already knows. I called him as soon as I realized you weremissing. I don’t keep things from my brother, especially when it comes to you. You’re his world.”

Was she?

“I need to call him and let him know you’re safe. I just wanted to calm down a little first.” He took a deep breath in, then let it out slowly. She realized his anger all stemmed from worry over her. Which just made her feel worse.

Kent turned to reach for the phone. To call Clint. He had to be so worried. Why couldn’t she have just stayed at home? Now, she’d interrupted his work.

He deserves better than me.

Her insecurities rose up and swamped her. Clint was everything she’d ever dreamed of. Strong, smart, loving, and protective.

And she… she was nothing but trouble.

“Charlotte?” Kent asked. She didn’t answer him, just curled her legs up to her chest where she sat on the sofa, trying to make herself as small as she could. “Charlie? You okay?”

Kent crouched in front of her, his features blurred by her tears. He reached for her, drawing her against his chest and holding her tight.

“Hey, now. What’s this?”

“I messed up! I am such an idiot.”

“Shh, Charlie.” He sat next to her, then lifted her onto his lap.

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