Page 57 of A Match Made in Montana

She hadn’t planned on going to the dance, but Hunter was going to pick her up. She’d bumped into him when she went shopping yesterday and, minutes later, she’d found herself agreeing to go to the dance with him. She’d been up-front with him and told him she could only go as a friend and he’d agreed. He really was such a nice guy.

Going out tonight, when her whole being wanted to be with Craig, was really the last thing she wanted to do. Sitting at home, crying her eyes out, also held very little appeal.

Inhaling deeply, she marched toward her closet. She had a new red dress and a pair of red killer heels she’d bought in Bozeman yesterday when she’d accompanied Vivian, who still needed things for her honeymoon. So, she was going to enjoy her evening, come hell or high water.

Clenching her teeth, she went to the bathroom and opened the shower tap. As the water streamed over her face, the tears started. Leaning against the tiles, she dropped her head and sobbed. This was exactly why she’d taken that vow after Ted had dropped her not to open her heart to anyone again.

But then Craig hugged her, putting all her broken pieces together. But now her heart had shattered into so many tiny fragments she was afraid there was no healing to be done.

Almost like Humpty Dumpty.

Giggling through her tears at her own silliness, she lifted her head up to the cascading water.

She’d been happy before Craig, damn it, she could learn to be again.

*

“I thought atleast one of you would have a date for the dance,” Aunt Janice said as Craig parked his car at the fairgrounds.

“You’re our date,” Riley chuckled as they got out of the car.

“Well, at least Annie has a date, I hear,” his aunt said. “Apparently, Carol Bingley overheard Hunter telling someone in the pharmacy he was taking Annie to the dance.”

Craig gnashed his teeth.

“Oh?” Riley smiled as they began walking toward a big barn from where music could be heard.

“He’s a sweet man and he’ll be good to her.”

With his blood roaring in his ears, Craig followed his aunt and cousin. Dylan was on his arm and chatting away, but Craig wasn’t listening. Annie with another man—the mere thought had him seeing red.

He saw Annie the moment they entered the barn. She was laughing up at the big cowboy twirling her around and around, her brown curls bobbing up and down to the rhythm of her body. The red dress she was wearing ended way above her knee, showing off those long, silky legs. The same legs he’d touched, the same legs that had been wrapped around him. And damn, those heels.

As he stared at her, he recognized the song.

And in whose arms you’re gonna be

So, darlin’, save the last dance for me, hmm

She should be dancing with him; she should be in his arms. That was where Annie belonged.

Somewhere between openly talking about her reaction to him, her problems with her B and B, her gorgeous smile, she’d eased the ache around his heart and helped him deal with his own baggage. She’d listened, she’d laughed with him, she’d made love with him.

The churning inside him grinded to a staggering halt and the pieces of a messy puzzle finally fell into place. He nearly groaned aloud. He’d been so damn stupid.

You’re breaking my heart.Those had been Annie’s words. That meant she loved him. She wouldn’t have slept with him if she didn’t love him. And he was in love with her. Crazily in love with her.

It was all so crystal clear in that moment. Why the hell had it taken him so long to understand what his heart had been telling him all along? Now, when she was in someone else’s arms? He wanted to be with her. He needed to be with her. She made him a better man. Through her eyes he was a better man.

Without taking his eyes off the couple, he handed Dylan to Riley.

“Craig…” his aunt said.

“Not a good idea, coz,” Riley said, grabbing hold of his arm. “You don’t want to make another scene. And please spare Annie more gossip. Look around you. People are watching.”

Inhaling deeply, Craig became aware of where he was and, yes, people were watching. Damn small towns.

“I love her.”

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