Page 36 of Montana Mystery

“Did you think it wasn’t?”

“Yes. No. I wanted it to be, but I wasn’t sure.” My cheeks flamed with a blush.

Noah was smiling. “If you want me to stop, let me know.”

“Definitely not.”

He laughed, actually guiding me to the food this time. That slight awkwardness was gone, and now helping him with the animals was fun. Noah didn’t touch me again, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time, watching.

It felt like he was touching me.

The animals were amazing. The horses were gentle, the alpacas had me laughing, and the dogs were so joyful they nearly knocked me over. It didn’t feel like we spent hours together, but it was afternoon when we finished. Even if I didn’t want to, I had to leave.

Noah walked me to my car.

“Keep me in the loop,” he said. “Please. If anything happens with Brandon, you, or the Riders, I’d like to know.”

“Or you’ll show up in Missoula again?” I teased.

The look on his face didn’t look remotely like teasing. “Please promise me, Kate. I know there wasn’t anything there last night, but we know these guys aren’t messing around. No matter what, they’re dangerous.”

“I promise.”

“Thank you.”

We stood there for a moment, something stretching between us. Whatever this was, it was still breakable. Leaving like this, I was glad he didn’t step forward and kiss me again. Because if he did, I wouldn’t be able to make myself go.

He watched me as I drove away, staying in my rear-view mirror until I couldn’t see him anymore.

The drive wasn’t bad, but it was getting dark by the time I’d checked in with Brandon at the hospital, stopped for some cleaning supplies, and pulled into the parking lot. This wasn’t going to be fun.

I forced the door open. It wasn’t sitting right on its hinges anymore. That was one of the first things that I needed to fix. But looking at the damage, I wasn’t sure I shouldn’t just buy a new door. The handle wasn’t working properly, the hinges were bent, and even the doorframe was worse for wear.

I definitely wasn’t getting my security deposit back.

Was that a thing? Could you tell a property management company your apartment had been destroyed by gang members looking for your brother so you couldn’t be held responsible for the damage?

Yeah, I didn’t think so.

My suitcase was still in the car. I wasn’t entirely convinced I would be able to stay here yet. It was going to take way more than one night to fix all this.

Standing in the middle of the living room, I looked around. There was almost nothing that wasn’t damaged or broken. It was just stuff, but emotion rose up in me anyway. This was the one place I was supposed to feel safe...

I let the tears build and spill over. Pushing them down wasn’t going to do me any good. I needed to get them out. Only a few minutes. That’s what I allowed, wallowing in the pain, the fear, and the sadness.

Then I got the broom and started with the glass first.

It wasn’t the things, exactly. It was what they’d meant. I was proud of the fact I’d built a business on my own. That I could support myself and pay my bills. Help Brandon when I needed to. This? Helpless and standing in the wreckage of what I’d built?

It made me feel like none of it mattered.

The sound of my phone ringing made me jump like a startled cat. I had to stop and put a hand on my chest. Was I really that on edge? I needed to calm down if I was reacting like that to the phone ringing.

I found it where I’d left it in the kitchen, and my stomach dropped. Maybe I wasn’t overreacting after all. Max’s name was on the screen. I very much didn’t want to talk to him. Should I let it go to voicemail?

An instinct deep down told me that would be a bad idea. I needed to take this call even if his name made me want to take the phone to the river and hurl it in.

I swiped answer on the screen. “Hello?”

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