Page 16 of Choosing the Montana Cowboy

“Drive the rest of us crazy.”

Natalie took in his semi-serious look and burst out laughing. “Sorry, but I can totally picture that.”

“Don’t be sorry—I’m the one that said it, and I should know.”

The door behind them opened, and Natalie spun, almost feeling guilty for enjoying the conversation they’d been having. But the mayor wasn’t here, and getting along with Sam could technically be seen as helping Terakion’s cause. Sadly, their newcomer wasn’t the mayor either.

“Well, speak of the devil,” Sam murmured.

Eli turned to spy them and headed their way, his stride slow and back slightly hunched. But judging by the broad smile on his face, neither bothered him much.

“Why, Natalie girl, what a lovely surprise!”

His smile was contagious, and she couldn’t help but smile back. “Good afternoon, Eli. How’s life treating you today?”

“Better than I deserve if you ask my wife.” He offered a wink then pulled out the open chair between them. “What are you two kids up to?”

“Well, I was supposed to be meeting the mayor for coffee, and I believe Sam was waiting on Sunnie to finish with her quilting friends.”

Natalie no sooner said that than her phone began to ring. The number on its face was that of Patty, the mayor’s secretary, and it was now 3:30. Something told her today’s meeting wasn’t happening.

“Excuse me, I need to take this.” She rose and hurried for the other corner of the room. Sure enough, something had come up for the mayor. Patty relayed his sincere apologies and asked if they could perhaps move the coffee talk to tomorrow, same time, same place.

“Absolutely, Patty. I completely understand.”

She headed back for her table where the Miles family was involved in a hushed conversation. Whatever it had been about, smiling Sam had been replaced by broody Sam once more. Natalie was surprised by the disappointment that brought her. It had been kind of nice, sitting here sharing stories; almost felt like she had a friend in town, which was a pleasant change from all of hers being hours away back home.

“Well, looks like my meeting got moved to tomorrow,” she told the others as she resumed her seat.

“You don’t say.” Eli exchanged a look with Sam, whose eyes narrowed. His grandfather chuckled. “Does that mean you’re heading back to work, or do you have the rest of the day free?”

Natalie tipped her head, mentally cataloging what she’d accomplished so far today and what was left to be done. With her meeting moved to tomorrow, that did open her schedule some, especially since Steven had yet to send her information on her next assignment. She’d hoped that was a good sign, that maybe he knew something she didn’t about her possible upcoming promotion. But she didn’t dare count her chickens before they hatched—life had a funny way of stealing eggs now and then.

“I suppose I have some free time now,” she said with a shrug. “I’d been thinking of doing some sightseeing. Do you have any recommendations on where I should go?”

Eli’s smile widened. “As a matter of fact, we do.”

Chapter Six

It was nosurprise to Sam that his grandmother came walking into the Java Café mere minutes after Natalie had left. The minute Gramps had walked in and spied them at the back of the shop, he’d realized this entire trip had been a setup to get him and Natalie alone for coffee. What made him even more irritated was how much he’d enjoyed her company.

Gran stopped beside their table and arched a brow at her husband. “Looks like someone found his teeth.”

“Don’t bother with trying to keep up the charade,” Sam said, leveraging a dark look at the both of them. “There never was a meeting scheduled with the mayor today, was there?”

Gran looked away on a shrug. “Patty tried to make it happen. My guess is his schedule filled up.”

“Or it was never open today to begin with. That wasn’t fair to Natalie,” he said. “And I don’t appreciate the two of you meddling in my affairs, either.”

“It’s hardly meddling when you have no affairs,” Gramps said, then chuckled at Sam’s scowl. “Oh, stop with the pissy act, boy. I saw how much you were enjoying her company.”

“That’s beside the point, Gramps. If I’m going to find a woman, I can do that on my own, thank you very much.”

“So, is she coming for dinner or not?” Gran asked.

Sam looked to her—the question ironclad proof that this entire afternoonhadbeen the two of them meddling in his affairs—and shook his head. The woman had no shame. Maybe that was why Sam’s uncle Frank had chosen a college on the East Coast and grew roots in Virginia instead of coming back.

“She sure is. Will be to the lodge by six. Won’t leave us much time for a tour before sunset, but these two were a’gabbing and I didn’t want to interrupt. Besides, that’ll just mean she has to come back again when there’s more daylight. Then Samuel can give her the full, grand tour.” Gramps waggled his brows.

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