Page 8 of A Match Made in Montana

“Such a pity, though.” His aunt smiled. “You’ll make such a great husband and dad.”

The wordshusbandanddadexploded in his mind and Craig nearly dropped the plate he was carrying.

“Leave the dishes…” Aunt Janice began, but he managed to put the plate down without letting it slip to the ground.

Still unsettled, he tried to make light of his reaction. “Just don’t use the m-word again when I’m carrying a plate.”

His aunt was grinning as she got up. “Interesting reaction. You won’t forget to look at Annie’s website?”

“Promise.”

*

With a groan,Annie sat up and switched on the light on her bedside table. She wasn’t going to sleep. The few times she’d managed to drift off, images of beading nipples and Craig’s smoldering blue eyes had woken her up.

Seriously, it wasn’t as if he was the first attractive man she’d seen since her arrival in Marietta. There were several good-looking men in town and on the ranches scattered around Marietta. In fact, a very sexy cowboy from the Carrigans’ ranch, Circle C, had asked her out on a number of occasions, but she’d always had a very legitimate excuse ready. What was his name again? Something to do with animals… Oh, yes, Hunter something.

She’d been wary of dating again. Ted’s very harsh message—men weren’t interested in women who only wanted to cook and stay in the kitchen—was not something she’d forgotten. But if her body was reacting this way to the first strange man getting close to her, it was maybe time to start dating again.

As long as the wordmarriagewasn’t mentioned, she’d be happy to get to know more people in and around Marietta. Maybe she should message Hunter. He’d gotten hold of her telephone number and had messaged her several times so she had his number.

As she picked up her phone to send a message, it bleeped. She had a text. From Craig.

Of course, he’d have her number, though she hadn’t thought he’d ever texted only her. Since Aiden had become part of their family, Vivian had created a family group with all their names.

Warily, she opened the message.

Your website is a mess.

Inhaling sharply, she stared at the small screen. Seriously, she hadn’t asked him to help her. Quickly, she jumped out of bed and picked up her laptop from the desk in her room. Her website wasn’t a mess, how could he say that? She’d done it herself and was quite proud of her achievement. Okay, she wasn’t very techno-savvy, but she’d tried. And yes, it could probably do with some tweaking but amessit certainly wasn’t.

She opened her laptop and entered the URL for her website. While she waited for it to open, she looked at Craig’s message again. It wasn’t that bad and certainly not a mess. Putting down her laptop, she grabbed her phone and typed out a message.

That is harsh.

The two blue marks indicated he’d seen the message. Ha, so he’d been waiting for her reply.

Three dots appeared, disappeared seconds later. Just when she wanted to switch off her phone again, another messaged appeared.

I could help you.

Ticked off, she quickly messaged back.

Can’t afford you, but thanks.

Three dots appeared, disappeared. She waited. Finally, the ping.

You can pay me with one of your meals.

Her fingers hovered over the small keyboard. The payment wasn’t the only problem. Before she could message again, her phone bleeped again.

I promise to try and ignore any beading of body parts.

Annie inhaled sharply. She couldn’t believe he’d actually written down the word. Her fingers were typing before she’d finished the thought.

And I’ll try to ignore the throbbing of body parts.

Only after she’d sent it and the two blue marks appeared, did she register what she’d messaged. Immediately she clicked on the message and deleted it. For everyone. Her phone bleeped.

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