Page 26 of Hiding in Montana

“No, I’ll be fine, really.” Polly looked from Quinn to Clint, and her legs began to buckle under her.

He tightened his embrace, wanting nothing more than to always keep her safe. “Nothing or no one will ever get through me to hurt you.” He kissed her temple. His voice was low and controlled. “You have my word.”

13

Polly felt safe in Clint’s arms, and the way he said no one would ever hurt her, she knew in her soul that he would do anything to protect her. It made her feel safe and secure. Something she hadn’t felt in more years than she’d like to admit.

Quinn held the door as Clint guided her inside the big industrial kitchen. He helped her sit down in a chair, and then she began to shake uncontrollably.

He was by her side, smoothing his rough hand over her hair, murmuring she was safe. He just kept saying it over and over again. Quinn came over and handed her a glass of water.

“Take a sip,” he urged. “I’ll make you some of that mint tea you like.”

She took the glass and saw the water jiggling and she set it down. She didn’t need to see her nerves. Feeling them was bad enough. Clint still had his arm around her as he knelt on one knee beside her chair. The concern in his eyes melted her heart. Despite the situation, he was as steady as the mountains outside the front door. Where, she thought, the stupid mountain lion should be looking for a tasty morsel, not on the ranch.

Clint held her tight, and she heard footsteps pounding through the dining hall. Annie and Linc burst into the kitchen, both carrying shotguns, looking as if they were ready to do battle.

Annie’s face was pale as she hurried to her. “Are you okay, Polly?”

Clint moved away, and his gaze stayed on her.

“Yeah, just a little shaken is all. I came out early to beat the heat today and was on my way in to get some water. I walked right past the mountain lion and never even saw it.” She lifted her eyes to Annie. “I am so sorry to have caused all this fuss.”

Annie dragged a chair over and sat next to Polly. “They’re excellent at fading into the shadows. Even on trails, you might pass within a foot of them and never know it.” She squeezed Polly’s hand. “It is troublesome that we’ve got them coming down to the ranch. Clint told us this morning that Jed found footprints near the horse barn last night.”

Annie looked over to where Linc and Clint were deep in conversation as Quinn came out of the kitchen carrying two mugs with curls of steam rising.

“Ladies, tea with a splash of fortification.” He gave a nod and then strode over to Linc and Clint. Polly heard him say, “You should have this conversation with the ladies. This concerns everyone on the ranch, not just the two of you.”

Clint nodded, and he looked at Polly. His sable-brown eyes glinted with a seriousness she had never seen before. But she understood this was about the ranch and safety of humans and animals alike.

He strode back with Linc and Quinn and dropped down next to Polly. “I wanted to fill Linc in on the situation and figured you didn’t need to relive it again so soon. I wasn’t trying to shut you out.”

“I appreciate that, but Quinn’s right. We need to know what’s going on. Annie and I aren’t the kind of women to let anything stop us while we take care of business. So, what’s the plan?”

Clint placed a hand on her shoulder. “For today, you’re going to have a ranch hand with you.”

She opened her mouth to protest. As if he anticipated what she was about to say, Clint shook his head. “Nonnegotiable. You don’t know how to shoot a gun, which means you’re unarmed. Not that we expect another daytime visit, but we’re erring on the side of extreme caution. Juveniles are still learning how to hunt effectively which we’re guessing is why he’s lurking here; it’s an easier food source.”

Linc nodded. “I’m going to head down to the target range and set up an area for you and Daphne to learn how to handle a handgun later this morning.”

Polly was glad he mentioned Daphne. “I take it she doesn’t know how to shoot?” Was this a good time to confess she had a little experience with handguns?

Annie smiled. “She’s a city girl and the only gun she’s ever held was a water pistol, and that’s not quite the same thing.”

Clint gave her a half-crooked smile. “Not to worry, Linc’s an outstanding teacher.”

A refresher course wasn’t a bad idea. Her heart sank a little. “You’re not coming?”

“If I can, I’ll be there. I need to make sure all the ranch hands know what’s going on, and that means I’ll be making the rounds to some of the back pastures.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “But I’ll try to get down there and if you want, we can go back down later this afternoon to get in a bit more practice.”

Her insides began to untangle as she exhaled. Everything was going to be okay. “I don’t have a gun.”

Linc gave Annie a look, and she nodded. “Annie’s got a few. She can lend you one short term while you’re on the ranch, but Clint will take you into town and help you get one.”

Annie asked, “Maybe you can take Daphne with you?”

“I’m going to learn to shoot a gun to kill a mountain lion?” Polly could hear her voice quiver as she looked around the small group in a semicircle around her chair. Unless she was really lucky, she highly doubted that was a simple task, especially as they moved quick.

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