Page 24 of Hiding in Montana

“We’re friends and I care about you. And if you’ve been concerned, I could have asked the sheriff to drive by more often when they made rounds. Make sure no one is lurking around.”

“If I was overly worried, I could have done the same.” She appreciated he wasn’t taking this like a macho man where someone was stepping on his turf. He seemed genuinely concerned, and she now regretted not asking for help or at least telling him what had happened.

“What did your ex say? Does he have any idea who’s behind the message?” His voice was steady and low.

“No. He’s going to see if he can find out anything and let me know. But if you want, I’d love some help to get these installed before it gets dark. It would probably go faster working together.”

“That I can do, but on one condition.” A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“What’s that?”

“I get the first slice of pie. I’m starving.”

“I’ll do you one better. If we get these installed fast, I’ll scramble up a few eggs so dinner won’t be a total sugar fest.”

He stuck his hand out. “Deal.”

She took it, and he held hers for an extra minute, causing her to look into his eyes.

“If you ever need me, for anything, call me. I’ve grown kind of attached to you over the last year or so.”

Her heart skipped. “I kind of like spending time with you, too.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed him. This time it wasn’t a simple brush of lips over lips.

12

Clint tightened his hands on the steering wheel in a death grip. He kept his cool at Polly’s since he didn’t want to frighten her, but he was worried. Someone had her cell number, which led him to believe they also knew where she lived. He was more convinced now that her accident hadn’t been a simple misstep, but someone had tried to hurt her, or worse. As he drove back to the ranch, he wished she had agreed to come with him. At least out there, plenty of people were around all the time, and he knew Annie would never want her to be in town and vulnerable. At least Polly had agreed to call him should anything cause her to worry tonight. Tomorrow he’d do his best to convince her to reach out to the sheriff so they could keep an eye out for anything that might be suspicious.

Driving down the road to the ranch, he noticed lights on at the main house and was tempted to turn in and just run by Annie the idea of Polly staying in one of the empty cabins for a while. But he changed his mind. Polly would have his head. If there was one thing he already knew about her, she was a strong woman and she’d want an equally strong man standing beside her as she faced the unknown.

After he settled in at his cabin, he grabbed a beer and went out to sit on the front steps. Watching the stars had always been a calming force. Glancing toward the horse barn, he noticed a tall lanky man. That rolling gait was unmistakable. Jed Steele.

He called out. “Jed. Thirsty?”

The man changed direction from the bunkhouse to amble his way and Clint went inside and got a cold one for his buddy. Before he could sit down again, Jed leaned against the railing, thanked him for the beer, and took a long drink.

“I’m surprised to see you out here tonight. I thought you had a date with our pretty gardener.” Jed pushed the brim of his hat up and his grin framed a well-trimmed salt-and-pepper mustache.

“We had plans, but they were changed. We’ll have dinner tomorrow night.” He grew quiet, wondering how Jed would handle the situation he was in. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Ya mean more than one, right?”

Clint knew Jed had a quirky sense of humor, and he needed a serious conversation. “I probably have a few. I could use a bit of advice from someone I trust and know will keep it to himself.”

Jed rested his dusty cowboy boot on the step. “I’m listening.”

“It’s about Polly.”

“I figured as much. What’s eatin’ at you?”

Clint looked Jed straight in the eye. “Turns out I had met her before she started working for Annie. Well, sort of. Remember me telling you about the woman who was busted up on the trail a few years back? Well, that was her, but I didn’t know it till a while ago. She was living on hiking trails by herself, trying to keep a low profile. Her ex had gotten mixed up with some bad characters and she felt safer going her own way.”

Jed took a pull on his beer and waited until Clint was ready to continue. He appreciated his buddy’s patience.

“She got a text a few days ago reminding her to keep quiet, but she didn’t tell me what was happening until I walked in on her trying to get one of those do-it-yourself security systems set up.”

Using his bottle, Jed pointed to the mountain range. “Strong woman, to be living on her own out there.”

“Tough as they come.” He felt the pride well up inside of him. This woman was dating him. “I wanted her to come out to the ranch with me tonight, but she insisted she’s fine at her place. I offered to stay, but she declined. She’s either confident or obstinate.”

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