Page 43 of A Match Made in Montana

Craig put out a hand to touch her, but she was clearly not in the mood.

“And you,” she said, “I am quite capable of fighting my own battles, thank you very much.”

“I know.” He chuckled. “You were magnificent.”

Behind them, Ted’s car sped away with tires screeching.

For a moment longer, she glared at him, but then she burst out laughing. “Sorry, I’m probably more rattled than I’ve realized. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Ted at my front door.”

“So, you don’t want him back?”

Annie rolled her eyes. “No, I don’t want him back. You know why he’s here?”

“Because he realized what an idiot he’s been?”

“Because of you.”

“Me?”

“With your marketing skills, you’ve succeeded in putting Annie’s on the map. I’ve had more potential visitors phoning all morning. Apparently, even Ted has found Annie’s website. Having my own B and B has always been my dream, but he never liked the idea, so I didn’t give it another thought. Now he thinks I’m very successful because of the nice website. Thought he could waltz right back into my life.”

“Well, good riddance.”

Annie cocked her head. “Another question is why are you here? Our date is only tonight, isn’t it?”

“It is, but I needed to see you.”

“Oh? You want to cancel the date? Because if you’ve changed your mind, that’s totally okay. The whole thing is ridiculous, anyway, you’re leaving soon and—”

Before she could finish her sentence, he’d pulled her closer and cut off the rest of her words with a kiss. It was only supposed to shut her up, but he should’ve known just a taste of Annie’s lips was never enough.

With a sigh, her lips parted, his tongue found its way into the warm, welcoming depths of her mouth and he was lost. The noise of his blood roaring through his body silenced all other sounds, and it was only when Annie lifted her head that he heard his phone ringing.

“Damn, woman, you make me forget everything else,” he whispered against her lips. “I have an appointment…” He quickly took out his ringing phone from his pocket.

Annie’s eyes dropped to his phone. “With… Sandra? Sorry,” she said, stepping back into her house. “I didn’t mean to look. Enjoy your date!”

“It’s not a date, damn it, Annie…” His phone had finally stopped ringing. “She’s opened a new deli in town and wants to talk about marketing.”

“Oh, that Sandra,” Annie said, chewing her lip, her big brown eyes looking worried. “She’s gorgeous.”

“Jealous?”

“I’m taking the Fifth,” she said primly, crossing her arms.

Laughing, he pulled her closer and kissed her soundly. “You, Annie, have nothing to be jealous about. I can’t think straight because of you, let alone look at another woman. See you tonight!”

She grabbed his arm. “Wait. Have you seen your parents?”

He nodded. “I’ve seen them. They talked about the house, what their plans are, you know, the usual things.”

“You didn’t talk about… you know? Feelings? Why they’ve left you all those years ago?”

“Talking about feelings and explaining things are not topics we’re comfortable discussing.”

“I’d thought they would at least try and explain their reasoning?”

He shrugged. “They probably don’t think they need to say anything. And maybe they’re right. Nothing they do or say can change what has happened.” He grimaced “They did invite me to go with them to Yellowstone National Park. What on earth for? I don’t have anything to say to them.” But standing so close to Annie, he didn’t want to talk about his parents. He bent down for another kiss. “See you tonight.”

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