Page 52 of Hiding in Montana

Placing a hand on his cheek softly, she said, “You really are ready to protect me.”

He pulled her close to his side, never looking away from the street. He inhaled her sweet honeysuckle perfume. “Until my last breath.”

25

Polly woke the next morning to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. She stretched her arms overhead, cozy in Clint’s bed. He had insisted on sleeping in the recliner chair. One of these days, she was going to show him she was ready to take the next step in their relationship. But somehow, with Matthew and the mess hovering over her like a dark cloud, she wasn’t ready. For her, it meant she was committing herself to him wholeheartedly. Intimacy was not something she had ever taken lightly.

She pulled on his thick velour bathrobe and padded barefoot into the living room. She leaned against the doorjamb, watching him. The throw blanket barely covered his sock-clad feet, and the weak rays of the sun highlighted his high cheekbones. She sighed. He was so handsome.

“Are you going to keep looking at me or do you want to come over and give me a proper good morning kiss?” His voice was soft and sleepy. He yawned.

How did he know she was standing there? His eyes weren’t even open yet.

“You made coffee?” Her gaze drifted to the small kitchen area where a coffee maker and bread were sitting on the small counter.

“Before I went to sleep. I’m less grumpy if I don’t have to wait.” He opened one eye and gave her a sexy come-hither smile, which in turn caused her knees to knock just a bit. “How about I get us a mug, and then we can sit on the front porch and watch the day start?”

He dropped the footrest on the recliner with a thunk. “Sounds good. I’m just going to get a shirt since someone is wearing my robe.”

Nonplussed, she grinned. “It’s cozy, too.”

Coffee poured and sitting on the front porch, Clint came out the door and took a seat next to her on the glider. “I’m glad Annie suggested I hang this glider up.”

She gave in to the gentle swinging motion and tugged her feet under the hem of the robe.

“Thanks for last night.” He took the mug and sipped. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“I did.” She leaned in and pecked his cheek.

“What was that for?” He put his arm around the back of the seat.

“Never rushing me. Not every man would be so patient.”

“A man who pushes a woman too fast or hard isn’t a real man in my book. I’m happy to be with you.”

Snuggled into the crook of his arm and shoulder, she sighed as she looked out to the mountains in the distance. “I can’t believe it’s already August. Soon there will be snow.”

“It can snow anytime in the higher elevations.”

“Will it be too late to get in a hiking trip this year?” She wasn’t looking forward to challenging her last fear from the accident, but it needed to be done if she wanted to put the past where it belonged.

“We’ll keep to the lower elevations, and if the weather looks dicey when we make plans, we can change them.” He gave her a long and steady look. Clint must have noticed she was chewing on the corner of her lip. “We can just camp and skip the hiking part.”

She thought about how she wanted to respond. Was it easier to blow it off or fess up? “I need to go hiking. It’s important to face that fear.”

He picked up her hand and kissed the tender spot under her wrist. “Then we’ll go.”

Everything with Clint was so easy. Most times, he seemed to read her mind, knowing what she needed or wanted without ever having to say a word. It was as if they were on the same wavelength. It was something she had never had with Matthew.

Her cell phone chirped from inside. “The real world is intruding.” She went to see who was calling. It could only be one of three people: her sister, Annie, or Matthew.

“Hello, this is an unexpected surprise.”

After Matthew said hello, he continued. “I hope a good one.”

She wasn’t about to say one way or the other. No sense in ticking him off this early in the day. “What’s up?” She knew he hated that expression, which is one of the reasons she used it.

“I was hoping you could meet me for lunch at the diner in town. I hear the food is good, and I’d really like to spend a little time with you. Alone.”

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