Page 35 of Hiding in Montana

She pushed her fist against Clint’s thigh, struggling to maintain her composure. “I like my home and this town, so just keep your snide looks and rude comments to yourself.”

“Who came with you to town?” Clint’s voice cut through the air like a razor.

“No one.” Matthew sat up straight in the chair. “Why? Has something happened?”

“Didn’t you hear Polly say someone was outside the house last night?” He patted her hand, and she released her fist, suddenly feeling the ache in her fingers. Hopefully that wouldn’t leave a mark.

His face had an underlying shade of white. “I thought you were joking.”

“No. I’m not sure why he left, but he heard something near the road and took off. When I heard today that you were at the ranch asking for me and we saw the video, I thought it was you.”

“If it was, I would tell you. I’d never withhold the truth from you.”

A snort escaped her. “Right. Like you’ve been so forthcoming all the years we were married. I thought you were a legitimate businessperson. Turns out you’re in the shady business.”

That sounded lame as soon as it left her lips, but her emotions were getting the better of her. She was furious at Matthew for showing up and even more angry for once more feeling like she had to pick up and start over again. “Let’s go back and talk about why anyone would think I took cash and…” The words died on her lips. “Was I ever going to be asked to testify? Was that a ruse to get me out of the way?”

“Well…” Matthew gave her a sheepish look. “If there had ever been any proof of anything, I’m sure they would have put pressure on you to testify as to what you knew. But—”

“You lied to me?” She jumped up from the sofa and paced the length of the small room and back. Standing with her hands on her hips, she said, “You took the money. You’re the one they should be after, not me. Instead of giving the money back, you’ve perpetuated this story that maybe I took it? You’re nuts and you will clear this up. I don’t care if they beat the living hell out of you. It’s time you come clean, pay the money back, and I can get back to living my life in paradise.”

“Paulina, you make it sound so simple. It’s not.” He reached for her and she took a step back. His hand fell back by his side.

“I don’t care what you have to do, but you will make it that simple and do it tonight. I will not spend another minute looking over my shoulder.”

“I don’t have the money to give them. I never did.”

Dropping to the arm of the sofa, she tucked her feet under the cushion. It was an old habit from when she was a kid, but it seemed to ground her so she could think. “What happened to it?”

“Honestly, I don’t know.” He shrugged and leaned back in a chair. “I have to find a way to make them see reason, but until I do, you’re not safe.”

For the first time during the exchange between Matthew and Polly, Clint spoke. “She’s safe.”

Two words changed everything for her. Here was a man willing to do anything to stand beside her during a very difficult time. Instead of Matthew packing her off to Nevada to get a divorce, then encouraging her to change her name and disappear when things had gotten a little hot, and not from the summer sun.

“Dude, you’ve got no idea who you’re dealing with. These are some laid-back city boys.”

Polly watched as Clint’s eyebrow arched in mild disgust. She didn’t want Matthew to speak to Clint in his usual condescending tone.

She looked at Matthew. Her gaze was unflinching. “Okay, let’s hold off on the current situation. I have a question that has been bothering me. When I got hurt on the hiking trail and could have died, is it possible it was some of your acquaintances who helped me down the embankment?” Even just asking the question caused her heart to pound and mouth to go dry. But she had to know.

“Possibly.”

Clint’s hands became fists resting on his thighs. She slipped off the arm of the sofa and was by his side. Not only did he need her, but more importantly, she needed some of his quiet strength. As if understanding what she needed, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side.

Her throat constricted as she thought back to that trip. Not having a care in the world, reveling in the thrill of being in Montana, big sky country. Spending her days on short day hikes and nights reclined by a small campfire, watching the stars overhead. It was the first time in her life she had really felt comfortable. Living out of her tent had felt like home. When she had gotten out of the hospital and found this house, again she felt like it was home. To hear Matthew confirm one of her worst fears, that her home was no longer a haven, caused her heart to constrict. Louder than she intended, she demanded, “Don’t you feel any remorse, literally setting me up to take the fall for you? What happened to being my husband? The vows we took?” She slammed her fist on the arm of the sofa. “What kind of man are you?”

“I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for what I did. That’s why I came to see how I could help you now.”

“Until those people get their money, they’ll keep coming after her.” Clint’s statement hit home for her.

Matthew’s face was grim. “Yes.”

“You need to figure this out and take responsibility for what you did. Convince them I don’t have their money and I never did.”

“It’s not that simple.” Matthew’s voice was flat. “The only way to stop them is to give them money I don’t have.”

“Do you still have our old house?” The real estate values there had skyrocketed after they moved in and remained high. He had a way to raise more than what he needed. It was a matter of being properly motivated.

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