Page 18 of Hiding in Montana

Figures Annie and Daphne had been talking about fishing. From what Clint could see, Annie had been right in hiring Daphne to run the guest cottages and activities. So far, she had come up with several ideas that he thought were spot-on.

“It just so happens the Missouri River runs through Grace Star Ranch and has some of the best trout fishing anywhere in the state. Remember that sleazy guy who was coming around when you first started?”

Polly nodded, and now he had her full attention.

“His name was Gasperini, and he wanted to buy the ranch in the worst way. Raze the working part of the ranch and keep just enough to call it one, build a lot of cottages, and basically destroy what Annie’s forefathers built with the sweat and toil of their own labor. Once Annie decided she wanted to build some cabins, she pulled Daphne in, and the rest is history.”

“I know all of that since I’m also charged with being prepared to grow a lot of the food for guests as well as ranch hands, which is no small feat, but I’m up to the challenge.”

“Of course you are; otherwise, Annie wouldn’t have hired you. Just like Pops, she has a good instinct for knowing who belongs here and who doesn’t. It’s kind of a gift.”

Her face broke into a wide grin. “Clint, are you saying that I’m considered part of this large eclectic family?”

He cocked a brow. “Well, yeah. How long have you worked here?”

“Over a year now.”

“Then yeah, Polly. If it’s what you want, there will always be a place for you at the ranch, and that’s not just me saying it. It’s just how things are around here.”

Polly pressed her calves into Nahla’s side and they took off at a quick trot. She flashed him a catch me if you can smile, encouraging him to let Blaze pick up the pace. She had no idea how things worked around here, and he was going to love showing her all that life offered.

9

They had been riding for about forty minutes when Polly pulled back on the reins to stop Nahla before they reached the edge of the river. Clint had dismounted and flicked Blaze’s reins over a tree limb. Taking in the surroundings, she slid off and followed suit.

“It’s beautiful here.” She took her hat off and shook her ponytail out as the wind teased it. The ends of her hair tickled her bare arms. Clint was watching her with a bemused smile. He took a blanket from behind his saddle and spread it partly in the shade of the tree, yet still in the sun, too.

Why had she brought up the marriage and kid topics? Because it’s important to me. And before I get in too deep, I need to know if we’re on the same path. Not that I’m looking to rush anything, but it’s best to be upfront about these kinds of things.

“It sure is breathtaking here.”

He glanced at her before moving around to Blaze. “The ranch or Montana in general?”

He took their picnic lunch out of the saddlebag and set it on the blanket.

“Both. I’ve never lived anyplace that’s so small, yet so huge at the same time.” She felt it was an inadequate explanation. Small-town living had taken some getting used to and the wide-open spaces seemed never-ending, but she was happy here. Maybe happier than she had ever been before.

“I know what you mean. A few years ago, I was on a hiking kick. Some friends and I spent at least one weekend a month traveling all over the state to try out different trails. I can assure you the views are spectacular everywhere I’ve been.”

She relaxed a bit and kept her face neutral. Should she confess to Clint about the first time they met, even though he wouldn’t have known it was her, or just let it lie?

“I did a bit of hiking in Montana.” She kept her voice casual, like it was an easy breezy conversation despite her heartbeat picking up with the old familiar panicked feeling when she thought about that time in her life.

He sat down and held out his hand to her. “You mentioned that the other night.” He tugged her down next to him. “Have you done any hiking around here?”

She focused on unpacking lunch—anything to keep her hands busy. Keeping her voice even, she said, “My last hike was a few years ago at Glacier National Park.”

“I’ve hiked there. In fact, that was quite the trip.” He took the water bottle she handed to him.

“Really? What happened?” She knew some of the story and parts he didn’t, but she was curious about what he’d say.

“We were on our last night out. I was with three buddies and there had been a rockslide. As we were picking our way around the rubble, we heard someone moaning and found a woman at the bottom of the ravine, partially under a pile of rock. Me and my buddies dug her out, and we sent one guy for help. Out there in the eastern part of the park, cell service is sketchy.”

“She was alone?”

He stretched his legs out in front of him and adjusted his hat, tipping it down over his eyes to cut the bright glare from the water. “Yeah, we never found evidence of anyone with her. I think about her from time to time, wondering if she recovered and why was she out there alone. Hiking solo can be dangerous.”

“You mean for a woman?”

---