Page 6 of Hiding in Montana

With a laugh, she said, “All ready to get the night over with?”

“Oh, gosh, no. Not at all. I just didn’t want you to have to wait.”

He turned quickly to look at her and hopefully he’d realize she was trying to joke. “Clint, if they’re busy, maybe we can sit outside? Annie mentioned they had a few tables along the front.”

His face visibly relaxed and now he grinned, and those dimples appeared. “We can do whatever you’d like.”

“How about we just play it by ear and let’s see where the night takes us?” Her stomach flipped when she said that, when all she meant was where they would sit. But then her thoughts returned to the fixings for sundaes and there was the idea of asking him to stay for dessert.

“I thought you were a planner.” He turned on Main Street and puttered down, scanning for parking spots.

Most of the spots were taken, which was odd since it was a Thursday. “I wonder what’s going on downtown with so many people out tonight.”

Clint slipped the truck into a vacant spot near the bar and grill and turned off the key. “We can wander down Main Street and check it out before dinner, if you’d like?”

“I love that idea.” She hopped out of the truck before Clint even got his door opened. She really didn’t want him to come around and open her door again and, if she was to guess, that was on his radar.

She waited for him at the back of the truck, and his expression was a tad serious.

“Polly, I know you’re an independent woman, strong and more than capable. But I would really like it, when we’re on a date, if I could hold the doors for you. It may sound old-fashioned, but it’s something that’s kind of important to me.”

This was a wrinkle she hadn’t expected, but she appreciated his forthright approach.

“I’ve never dated anyone with such impeccable manners. It’s very sweet of you.”

He held out the crook of his arm for her to place her hand in and wiggled his eyebrows. “Momma said if I learned nothing else from her, I needed to remember how to treat people with respect and kindness.”

Polly tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and gave it a quick squeeze. “Who am I to argue with your mother?”

The couple walked the length of Main Street and discovered there was a family concert in the town square. Children and adults alike were singing along with the troubadour and his band. They lingered in the back of the group for a couple of songs before turning back toward the bar.

“Hungry yet?” he asked her.

“One thing you’ll learn about me is I’m always hungry.” She laughed and felt lighter than she had in a long time. Not only was she having fun, but with Clint next to her, she didn’t fear someone was lurking in the shadows. Not that her ex would ever expect to find her in a small town in Montana. It was light years away from Portland.

When they arrived at The Lucky Bucket Bar and Grill, Polly reached for the door handle and stopped, giving Clint a half smile. “This is going to take a little getting used to.”

“I tell you what, I won’t hold your chair for you.”

Her mouth gaped open. “You do that too?”

He gave a slight bow and grinned. “But of course, it’s part of Momma’s course for impeccable manners.”

Inside, there were a few patrons, and Polly suggested they take a booth. That way, there were no chairs to be held and they could hear each other talk. First date conversation was always a little stilted, but Clint wasn’t the typical first date. They had officially met over a year ago now. Working at the ranch, they ran into each other from time to time.

After placing their drink orders for margaritas and a plate of nachos—her suggestion, not his—Polly leaned back and looked around the room. “It seems like everyone is at the concert.”

“We’ve got the place to ourselves.”

The server returned with their drinks and nachos and left them with the promise she’d be back to check on them.

Polly took a sip of the frozen drink and enjoyed the mix of sweet and salt from the rim of the glass. “This was a great idea. Thanks for asking me out tonight.”

Clint waited until she filled a small plate with chips and fixings before saying, “I’ve been wanting to ask you out since last year, but I wasn’t sure if you were interested in me.”

“So, what made you take the plunge?” Again, his direct approach was refreshing.

“If I never asked, you couldn’t say yes.”

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