Page 23 of Montana Heat

I got a daily check-in message on the temporary phone from my dad and smiled. He taught mathematics at a community college, and he and my mom couldn’t have been more opposite. She was outdoorsy and athletic, and he was the palest, computer-nerd man, almost like a vampire staying behind his screens and always indoors.

I read through his latest “jokes” and even chuckled at them. Dad jokes were one thing, but coupled with his math nerd humor, it was puns galore.

I missed him too, and my mom, but they both supported my decision to lay low out of town. Even if they didn’t like it.

My phone buzzed again, but this time, it was a call.

Unknown number.

I couldn’t help it—my breathing came in quicker pants, and my heartbeat pounded hard against my chest. Detective Watters had cautioned me not to pick up a call from anyone I didn’t know, but that had been on my regular phone. I didn’t know if that applied to this one too.

Although a phone call couldn’t be worse than the stalker nearly running me down in a parking lot or trashing my house and painting the walls with animal blood, right?

But yet, it somehow felt more personal. I flinched as the ringtone stopped, and I stared at the phone where it sat on the couch cushion.

Would they call again?

Leave a nasty voice mail?

How’d they get my number?

Could they use it to track down where I was?

Was I safe here?

What if?—

I sucked in a harsh breath when the phone chirped, signalinga text. I blinked, trying to breathe steadily through my climbing anxiety as I picked it up.

Hey, it’s Jensen, from the garage. I just tried to call, but maybe texting is better. I’d like to update you about your car.

I closed my eyes, sagging down into the couch. Jensen. Not the stalker.

Another text popped up.

The problem is more complicated than I first thought. I’d like to know if I could pick you up and bring you to the garage to explain.

Pick me up? I wished the circumstances were different. Like he was coming to get me for a date. Even a booty call.

Laughing out loud, I chided myself. A date?A booty call? I was obviously struggling to keep it together more than I’d thought.

But still. Jensen Chambers was no hardship on the eyes. That sexy voice of his was no problem either.

It was still surreal to even be attracted to him, but there was no denying the fact that I was. I forced an image of him shirtless with a tool belt right out of my mind.

Okay. That’s acceptable.

I hit send then immediately regretted it. “Ugh. That’s too formal. What’s wrong with me?”

I quickly added,

Thank you!

Shit. The smiley emoji was probably too much in the other direction. But to send anything else would just make it worse. I set the phone down on the table before I got any other bright ideas.

He responded back with a time, and I went to get ready. It was still so chilly outside that I didn’t want to switch out of my jeans and furry boots, but I changed tops to a soft sweater and spent a little extra time on fixing my makeup. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to notice how tired my eyes looked now.

As if that’s what I should be worrying about.

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