Page 37 of A Match Made in Montana

Smiling, Riley opened her laptop. “You’re so good with him. You should marry and get a few of those yourself.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not dad material—wouldn’t know what to do with a kid. Let me see?”

“You’d better sit down, there are quite a few.”

Settling Dylan on his lap, he took the laptop from Riley. Annie smiled up at him from the computer screen.Damn, she’s beautiful.

Riley’s hand moved in front of him and she swiped over the screen.

“Look at her—she literally lights up when she talks about food. I see that same look on her face when you come into a room,” Riley added, her voice softer.

Craig scrolled through the pictures—all photos of Annie in different poses. In one, she was playing with Dylan, another she was lying on the hammock, there she was tasting food, her lips around a spoon.

His body tightened. Damn, he had it bad—whatever “it” was.

Riley took her laptop from him. “I’ve sent you the ones I like best. I’ve also taken some photos of Copper Mountain and tomorrow I thought I’d take a stroll down Main Street. Such a quaint town.”

“Thanks, Riley.” Kissing Dylan’s head, he slid the little boy to the floor. “Did you have time to help her with social media?”

“I’ve set up an Insta account for her and have posted two of the pictures I’ve taken this morning. It’s a whole new world to her.”

“Thanks for your help.”

Riley took Dylan’s hand. “Of course. I like Annie. She brings out the best in you. And just so you know—you’re amazing with kids, you always have been. Since Dylan’s birth, you were there for me and for him. You moved in with me, helped me through those first three months.”

“Anybody would’ve done the same.”

“No, they wouldn’t, but you did. You’ll be a great dad, if you let go of all the doubts you have about yourself. You’re a great human being, Craig O’Sullivan. My life and Dylan’s are richer because you’re in it.” With a wave of her hand, she left, closing the door softly behind her.

Craig sat staring at the door. Kids. Wife. A house in the suburbs. A dog. He’d never allowed himself to go there, to even contemplate the possibility of being a husband, a father. He wouldn’t know how to do it, he’d always told himself. His own parents hadn’t wanted him around. There had to be something wrong with him or he had done something…

The thought popped into his head out of nowhere. It hadn’t been something he’d ever consciously thought, but there it was, hidden in his subconscious, ready to fill his thoughts whenever his parents were mentioned.

Restless, he got up and walked toward the window again. Riley’s beautiful photo of Annie playing with Dylan ran through his mind. She’d be a wonderful mother. A little boy with his momma’s big, brown eyes…

His phone bleeped. A message from his father. Grimacing, he opened the message. He had no idea what to say to them.

Chapter Twelve

“Iam so,so late,” Annie murmured as she finally stormed back into the kitchen.

The food was finished, the table laid, but she had trouble deciding what to wear. Most of her wardrobe was still lying on her bed. She’d finally settled for a pair of blush-pink soft palazzo pants with a white halter top, items she’d bought the last time she’d been to Bozeman with Vivian. The pair of boho hoop earrings with different colored stones all around the hoop, a present from Vivian last Christmas, added a bit of a wow-factor to any outfit.

It wasn’t quite spring yet, but the house was nice and warm, she wouldn’t be cold.

She had just put the flowers on the table when the front doorbell rang.

“Are we expecting company?” Mitch asked from the kitchen. The kitchen, dining and living room were one big open space and they usually ate in the kitchen, but tonight she’d laid the big dining room table.

“The O’Sullivans are coming for dinner. My way of thanking Craig and Riley for what they’ve done. Do you mind getting the door? And Mitch?”

“Yeah, yeah, I won’t yell,” he grumbled as he left the kitchen.

Sighing, Annie added the finishing touches before she stepped away from the table. She’d always enjoyed making things pretty and she absolutely loved making a table inviting for her guests. Whether she was having people or only cooking for her family, she delighted in the whole ritual of putting down knives and forks, deciding on the plates, the flowers and candles. Always, always candles. Like her mom used to have.

“Oh, Annie—this looks so beautiful!” Janice called out as she came closer, Dylan’s hand in hers. “Riley—come and have a look.”

Annie crouched down. “Hi Dylan.”

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