Page 28 of A Montana Secret Admirer
Normally, it was full of teenagers who planned on getting to first base, but tonight, there was a concert that had drawn much of the younger crowd. He’d already scoped out the location, and heknew that even if a few others came out, he and Serenity would have plenty of privacy.
The best part of the night so far was the fact that she’d let him hold her hand.
He stared down at their interlocking fingers. There was a tightness in his chest that hadn’t yet loosened and an anticipation that he couldn’t deny.
“Reese,” she murmured.
His head snapped up to meet her gaze, and her expression was inquisitive. “What are we doing here?” she whispered. “The store is about to close.”
Right. He was the one leading them.
He cleared his throat and pulled her down one aisle, then the next. They collected two jars, some nets, glow in the dark paint, a large nail, a hammer, and two birdhouses.
When he got the guts to look in her direction a second time, he found that look of confusion even more prevalent. All he could do was chuckle.
“What are you up to?”
“You’ll see. Come on. We have a couple other places we have to go to.”
He’d nearly offered to let her plan their date, but got this idea and thought it would be special. The way she squirmed as they wandered down the street added to his certainty that she was going to love this little adventure.
One way or another, he’d help her see that he could be everything she needed. He could fill the hole that had been left in her heart. She only had to put some trust in him.
They stopped in at the market for a few snacks. Then he stepped into the bakery for some sweets. By the time they were headed back to his truck, the sky was already turning different shades of gold.
She paused before getting into the passenger seat to look up at it.
And he let her.
Serenity was the type of person to appreciate the natural beauty the world had to offer, and who was he to rush that? While she stared up at the sky, he unabashedly watched her. The way the golden glow reflected off her skin was next level. He didn’t even mind if she caught him staring. Beauty was beauty, after all.
Finally, she shot him an apologetic look and climbed into his truck.
He paused before shutting the door, his forearm resting against the frame. He didn’t know what it was that prompted his behavior. There was something on the tip of his tongue that he wanted to say—but what, he couldn’t figure out.
When her curious gaze found his, he shook himself from his stupor and closed the door. Tonight wasn’t about him.
At his side, Serenity fidgeted. She played with the hem of her shirt and continued to glance in his direction then out the window again.
He reached across the console between them and took her hand, stilling her from her movements.
She paused long enough to stare at him, and he offered her a smile.
“Can I ask you something?” he murmured.
Serenity nodded.
“Why?”
“Why?” she repeated.
“Why did you… change your mind? About the date?”
Even in the darkened cab of his truck, he could see the shift of coloring in her cheeks. She let out a strangled laugh.
“You don’t have to answer me if you don’t want to?—”
Her hand tightened on his, but she didn’t pull away. “No, it’s… uh… fine.” She glanced at him again. “I suppose it’s because… I feel… safe with you.”
