Page 18 of A Match Made in Montana

A lovely gesture, but not even one lost butterfly was tempted to flutter in her tummy. She looked up. Craig’s blue eyes were mere slits, focused on her hand in Hunter’s.

“Craig? His cousin is marrying my sister, we’re practically family.” She smiled. “He’s just used to playing the role of older brother. If you are worried about him, you should steer clear of Mitch.”

Hunter chuckled. “Believe me, I know. I’ve heard what he’s done to Aiden. But your sister is getting married to the guy, so…” He grinned.

Annie laughed. He really was a very nice man.

*

By the timehe’d paid for dinner, Craig was ready to put his fist down Hunter’s throat. The man hadn’t dropped Annie’s hand once during dinner. How the hell was she supposed to eat?

Aunt Janice took his arm. “Are you ready to leave?” she asked.

Only then did he realize he was still glaring at Annie’s date. Muttering beneath his breath, he stomped out of the restaurant. Behind him, his aunt stopped to greet people, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t talk to anyone at the moment.

Walking toward his car, he inhaled the crisp, cold air. What the hell was wrong with him? Who Annie dated was none of his business. Even if her date wanted to take her home, kiss her, and take her to his bed, it was still none of his business. He shouldn’t care, it shouldn’t bother him. He was here for two weeks.

Still waving at someone behind her, his aunt approached his car. “Thank you so much, I had a lovely time.”

Craig opened the door for her, his eyes straying toward the entrance of Rocco’s Italian Restaurant. Just then Annie and her date stepped outside. The guy was holding Annie’s elbow, smiling down at her, clearly also captivated.

A band tightened around his chest, making breathing difficult.

“Everything okay, Craig?” his aunt asked.

He was still staring at Annie and her date, damn it. He closed his aunt’s door and walked around to get into the car.

He was hoping for a silent drive home, but his aunt had a lot to say. “I’m so happy for Annie that she’s finally said yes to Hunter. He works on the Circle C, one of their trusted hands. A seriously nice guy with, according to Carol Bingley, a ranch in Colorado waiting for him. I can see Annie on a ranch—she’d love it there.”

He grunted. There wasn’t anything else to say. His aunt was right—living on a ranch would suit Annie perfectly. She deserved happiness after that idiot had dumped her, the same one who’d also managed to let Annie doubt herself.

“Thanks, Craig, it was lovely having my very attractive godson escorting me to dinner.”

Craig looked down at his aunt. He’d driven home, parked the car but couldn’t remember doing any of it. His mind had been full of Annie.

“What about a hot chocolate?” his aunt asked.

“Not for me, thanks,” he said as he got out of the car. “I’m not tired yet, I’m going for a walk.”

Aunt Janice looked up at the sky. “Don’t forget to look at the stars. They’re one of the reasons I could never live in the city again. With all the city lights, one never gets to see the stars. And you have a crescent moon to boot. I’m going to bed, you have a key?”

“I have. See you later.” He waited until his aunt had closed the door behind her, before he strolled away. The house was going to be too small for him tonight. Maybe a walk would clear his head and cool his blood.

*

Annie quickly closedthe door behind her. Hunter had kissed her and she’d really tried her best to return his kiss as enthusiastically as she’d kissed Craig. Hunter was so good-looking, he smelled nice, and he really knew how to kiss so… She looked down at herself. No beading. No butterflies in her tummy, no rushing of blood, no silly hormones at play, nothing.

Frowning, she began to take off her jacket but stopped. Maybe the fresh air would do her good. It had just turned half past nine, it wasn’t that late.

Opening and closing the door softly behind her, she stepped out on to the porch, pulling her jacket closer around her. It was still cold this time of night, but she couldn’t face her room just yet.

With her hands in her pockets, she walked down the street. In most of the houses, the lights were still on. People were going about their ordinary lives. A car started close by, someone laughed, a baby cried.

Babies. She’d always loved babies and had been looking forward to having her own someday. That dream had died with Ted’s cruel message weeks before their wedding. She’d been happy and content up till now, though. Then two things had happened. First, the guests she’d been so sure would arrive once she’d opened her doors hadn’t appeared, and two, Craig O’Sullivan, the person who could potentially help her to change that, had her so confused she’d kissed him.

At least she now knew one thing for sure—Craig was the only man who could turn her legs to rubber with just a look, who had the ability to get the beading going, who could kiss her senseless and make her feel things she’d never felt before.

“Talking to yourself again?” a voice asked.

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