Page 48 of Moonlight Over Montana

“Ladies!” His sharp tone caused them both to focus on him. “What is going on? I can hear you from a mile away.” It was an exaggeration, but it was the first thing that popped into his mind. It was something his mom would have said to his sister and him when they were arguing.

Susie threw her hands up in the air. “She won’t let me stay in town this weekend and next. I just want to hang out with my friends. And before I get my horse, I want to do stuff.”

He could swear he saw a pout forming and right now, Susie looked ten years old, not sixteen. This was not a fight he wanted to step into the middle of, but he was getting sucked in like quicksand.

Maggie shook her head. “I asked her to help me with my orders and when I went into town to check on the diner, I said I’d drop her off at Mandy’s, but she’s insisting she has to go now or the world will come to an end.” She threw up her hands and walked deeper into the barn.

“Jed, can’t you talk to Mom or…” A gleam came into her eyes. “Would you take me into town? The gang is meeting up at the Pizza Ranch for an early lunch, and then we’re going to the movies for a double feature. Marcy can bring me back out after dinner.” She looked at her mom who had walked back in their direction and said, “Please, Jed. I’ll help Mom tomorrow.”

He nodded in Maggie’s direction. “It’s not up to me and I don’t want to get caught between a mother and a daughter.”

“But you don’t think it’s an unreasonable ask, do you?”

Locking eyes with Maggie, he cocked a brow. As if asking if it was okay.

“Fine but tomorrow we have to work. I start making deliveries on Monday and this weekend is my big push.”

Susie threw her arms around Maggie and squealed. “Thanks, Mom, and I promise I’ll get up early and be ready to bake when you give the word.”

Maggie looked over her shoulder at Jed. “I’ll drive her in; you don’t need to.”

“It’s fine. I was heading in anyway. I need to swing by The Trading Post.”

Susie said, “I want to check on Nahla before we go. Do I have time?”

He liked that she thought about the horse first. “I’ll meet you at my truck when you’re ready.”

Maggie fell into step next to him and they walked out of the barn and Jed slid the heavy door closed. “You don’t need to drive her in if you just said you had to go to help me out. I can be her chauffeur.”

“I have to go. There’s no sense you making the trip too, and besides, if you get to work, maybe you can finish up early and we can run into The Lucky Bucket for dinner?”

“Are you asking me on a second date?”

He winked. “Are you saying yes?”

“Absolutely. And I’ll let Susie know we can pick her up at Marcy’s after we’re done with dinner if that’s okay with you.” She placed a hand on his arm. “Not very romantic but practical.”

“I’ll get my romance fix in before and during dinner.” He brushed his lips over hers and he liked how he could kiss her just about whenever he wanted.

“That sounds very promising and The Lucky Bucket will be fun. Maybe we can shoot a game or two of pool.”

Susie ran past them to the cabin. “I’ll be right back and the sooner we leave, the more fun I can have. Meet you at the truck.”

Jed laughed. “She’s anxious to get to town for pizza and it’s not even ten o’clock.”

“Teenagers can eat twenty-four hours a day or have you forgotten what it was like to be sixteen?”

“I remember a few things.” He twirled her into his arms, and she placed a hand against his chest.

Looking up through her dark-blond eyelashes, she said, “I think that’s a conversation for another day.”

Reluctantly, he released her, but it was one they’d revisit. Susie getting into the passenger seat of the truck caught his eye. “Someone’s anxious. I’d better get going.”

Maggie gave him a lingering kiss. “Thanks again for helping me out. You made her day, that’s for sure.”

“I’ll see you when I get back.” He gave her one last kiss and pulled open the truck door.

Maggie leaned in. “We’re going to have dinner at The Lucky Bucket tonight so you can come home with us. Just text me later and let me know whose house you’re at.”

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