Page 51 of Choosing the Montana Cowboy

Natalie’s smile dimmed. “Yeah, but the connections aren’t as deep, you know? I’m on the road a lot, so honestly, I’m closest with my boss and the woman who does all my travel arrangements.”

“But you’re happy there.”

Another pause. “I’ve enjoyed the change of pace and getting to see so much of the country these past few years that I never would have if I hadn’t changed jobs. But I’m ready for a change, to maybe try something different.”

Sam nodded. Time for something different. He could be that something different. But she would still need an outlet for all that creativity. What did Marietta have that might fit the bill?

She looked to him, excitement in her eyes. “This job I’m applying for? It would let me work remote and be more creative. I’d be helping with marketing strategies for future sites that are under consideration.”

“Remote—as in, you could work from anywhere?”

“Yep!”

She had mentioned the remote option before, but he hadn’t connected the dots of possibilities. Maybe this was less about the jobs Marietta had to offer and more about the emotional support. Because he and his family had plenty, and, surely, she could make friends out here soon enough.

“Well, from home, anyway,” she added. “The main Terakion office is in Indianapolis, which is only an hour and a half or so from where I live, and I think they have in-person meetings once a month. Or maybe it was once a quarter.”

Sam rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, thinking. “Maybe you could remote in for those too, as needed.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “But I mean, unless the roads are icy, there’s really no reason I couldn’t make that drive.”

“Unless you lived farther away,” he offered. “Like… out of state.”

She turned to him, brows tugged together, confused.

At his grin, she smirked. “What are you suggesting, Mr. Miles?”

Damn, did she have to say that in such a sexy voice? He shifted in his seat, trying to relieve the sudden crowding going on in his jeans. “I’m just saying, you seem to love the views out west. And, as you can see, there’s plenty of room for you out here.”

Natalie’s soft laughter filled the cab. “You make picking up and moving halfway across the country sound so easy.”

“Eh, that’s what moving companies are for,” he said with a shrug. “But we do have a few ranch hands who could probably be convinced to make the trip. They like doing odd jobs now and then.”

“Oh yes, I’m sure they’dlovedoing that drive. Twice.” She laughed. “But thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”

She’d keep it in mind? A spark of hope ignited in his chest. “Could you see yourself living out here? I mean, I know you love looking at cornfields, and it’s tough to compete with that.”

More laughter. “Hmm, Big Sky versus cornfields. That would be a hard choice to make.”

That spark grew. All he needed to do was keep talking about how much better life could be here than where she was. Surely, he could keep the list growing.

Sam pulled to a stop, having spied a section of fencerow that looked like it needed a little post-Stubby-rampage TLC, and climbed from the truck. Natalie did the same, insisting she wanted to help. Sam had no intention of letting her help—the last thing he needed was her getting cut and needing a tetanus shot as he was trying to convince her this was the place to be. But he did talk her through the proper technique for repairing barbed wire and made sure to add in it was something not to be attempted by a rookie without an experienced hand at the ready.

“Why does it feel sometimes like everything out here is trying to kill you?” she asked.

Sam’s smile fell. “What?”

“I mean, you’ve got bears and mountain lions and barbed wire and crazy bulls… It just all seems so much more dangerous than kittens and cornfields.”

“For the record, we have those, too.” He put his tools away and pulled her to him. “Plus, we have brave cowboys ready to put their lives on the line to protect their families and friends.”

“There is that.”

He cupped her cheek, his heart wanting him to say more, but his brain knew better. Too soon—it was too soon to say out loud the things he was feeling. But dammit, this woman had brought him back to life, and he’d forever be grateful for that. Instead, he pressed a tender kiss to her lips, then tipped his head toward the truck.

“How ’bout we get back in the AC and continue with this discussion on why Montana is better than Indiana could ever be?”

“Discussion?” A mischievous smirk dawned on her face. “More like a debate. And you’re on.”

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