Page 42 of Moonlight Over Montana

Susie scooched to the edge of the sofa and studied her mom, a grin sliding across her face. “One that kicked the temperature in here up ten degrees.”

Maggie wasn’t sure if she liked that description of her and Jed, but she thought she should explain a little more so that her daughter didn’t get the wrong impression. After all, she hadn’t dated since Cash left and this was new territory for them. “I like Jed and in fact we have a date tomorrow night.”

“That’s great, Mom. I like Jed. He’s a stand-up guy, and I think he’s liked you for a while. I saw the way he looked at you when he came into the diner. And to be honest, it doesn’t hurt that he’s smokin’ hot.”

“Susie.” Her daughter was right, but she shouldn’t be looking at a man old enough to be her father and noticing he was hot.

“Relax, Mom. I’m just saying those smoldering gray eyes would be enough to turn the head of any woman your age. I’m glad they finally turned yours. Nothing inappropriate here. I like guys my age. I’m looking out for you, and when I’m off living my own life, it’s good to know that you’ll have Jed around to keep you company.”

“We have a few more years before that happens. You need to finish high school and then college. Then you can step out into the world.”

Susie sat back on the sofa. “I’m going to wrap up my homework.”

Why had she effectively ended the conversation? Typically, she liked talking about ideas for college. Well, there had been a lot that happened over the last few weeks, and they both had been looking at the future through a different lens. “I’m going to shower. Would you set the table?”

“Sure, no prob.” Her laptop was open again and she focused on the screen.

Maggie went down the hall and glanced back over her shoulder as she heard the keys clicking on Susie’s laptop. She must be chatting with her friends about the holiday break from school. “Have fun making plans for next weekend.”

The next morning after dropping Susie at school, Maggie drove to the diner. Well, what would be the diner again. She wanted to see how things were going. It seemed like every day progress was made and now that the framing was complete, with any luck she might be able to reopen sooner than the spring, but she had kept that secret wish to herself. She parked in her usual spot across the street, grabbed her gloves, and secured her scarf around her neck as the temperature was hovering near freezing. Thinking the picnic idea for tonight hadn’t been one of her best, given the forecast for a cold day, she decided to stop by and see Jed to change their plans. No sense in freezing to death on their first date.

She waited to cross the road as a Cadillac SUV crept down the street. It had Montana plates but it wasn’t a vehicle she had seen in town. Probably an out-of-towner on their way to someplace else. When it passed, she crossed the street. She could feel her smile growing as she waved to Jesse. “Hey,” she called out. Stopping, she dashed back across the street to get the boxes of muffins she baked last night for the crew.

She opened the back and grabbed the three boxes and flicked the hatch closed. Jesse was waiting for her on the sidewalk.

“Morning, Maggie. You’re going to spoil the crew. Every time we start a new job, they will think they’ll get sweets.”

“Jesse, this is nothing. I want them to know I appreciate each person out here and it’s the least I can do.”

He took the boxes from her. “Come on into the trailer and we can talk about what’s next for the project. I think you’re going to be pleased.”

She looked around, awed by the men walking on what was the structure for the second floor. She could see where windows would be placed and there were large beams swinging in the air from a crane. “What are those?”

“Roof joists. We want to get them completed today so tomorrow we can start getting plywood on and get this building buttoned up before the first snow.” He held open the door to the makeshift office.

When she stepped inside, the warmth and the aroma of coffee perking in the large coffee urn greeted her.

“Thanks again for the goodies. It’s definitely a perk for the crew.” He nodded. “Including the never-ending supply of coffee.”

“It’s cold out there.” She crossed the small space to where the plans for her diner were laid out. “What else should I be doing to help?”

“If you know of any sunshine spell that would be good.” He grinned. “Seriously, nothing. We’ve got the best crew in Montana, and everyone is working hard, racing Mother Nature.”

“What happens if you don’t get the sides and roof on before it snows?” A tingle of worry washed over her. She hoped he wouldn’t say the project would be shut down until it thawed. Did that happen around here? She had never taken notice of construction projects. She was usually too busy with the diner to venture out.

“Then we shovel snow and get back to work. It just slows things down.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “We’ve done this before. This project isn’t the first or last time we’ll have to deal with weather issues.”

A sharp rap on the trailer door drew Jesse’s attention. He pushed it open, and a man was standing on the other side. Maggie guessed it must be an inspector of some kind. She focused her attention on the plans and let Jesse handle it.

“Can I help you?” Jesse asked.

“I’m here to speak with Ms. Brady.”

She turned. “I’m Maggie Brady. How can I help you?” The man looked vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place where she might have seen him.

Jesse asked him to come inside.

The stranger was of slight build, but tall. His steel-gray hair was neatly trimmed and his brown eyes were laser-focused on her. It was easy to see he wore his wealth. His suit jacket was tailored, fitting him perfectly with his pressed jeans and an alligator belt, right down to the tips of his alligator boots. The only reason she even knew they were alligator was Cash had a pair and made sure she knew how much they had cost. Not that he ever helped with child support for Susie. But that was the past. This stranger was standing in front of her now, oozing money.

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