Page 44 of Hiding in Montana

“That’s the one. Well, it turns out from a reliable source that I think he’s a gun for hire, not one who has a grudge against you. I’m guessing after he shot Clint and realized his mistake, he took off. So, for now, you’re worry free.”

Looking out the front window, she thought about his statement. That someone had been hired to come here and try to scare, or worse, hurt her. That made little sense. From what she had seen in the movies, the bad guys show up and demand what they believe they have coming to them and then, if you don’t comply, they threaten you with bodily harm.

Without looking at him, she asked, “Does that mean you’re leaving too?”

“Nah, I thought I’d hang around just to make sure everything was okay, and I want to get to know the new man in your life. I need to make sure he treats you right.”

She clapped her hands together, and her laugh was dry. “That’s rich. You wouldn’t know the difference between treating your partner well or not. At least you didn’t for the last four years of our marriage.”

Giving her a sly wink, he grinned. “The first year was awesome though. Am I right?”

“Matthew, a physical relationship, no matter how intense, doesn’t make a long-lasting marriage. I spent more time alone than with you, except for when you needed me on your arm at social events.”

“I was working to provide you with a lifestyle you deserved.” He got up from the sofa and took her arm, applying pressure. “You never complained about the fancy dinners, spa retreats, the nice cars, or the house we lived in. You just went along for the ride.”

She winced and tried to step away, but he wouldn’t let go. “You’re hurting me.” That shiver from earlier came back, this time accompanied by the urge to get him out of the house.

Instantly, he released her, and his face softened. “I’m sorry, Paulina. I didn’t mean to cause you any discomfort. The pressure cooker we’ve been in for the last few years is getting to me. And for some of that time, I didn’t even know where you were, if you were safe or, worse, dead.”

The words rang hollow as Matthew talked. Rubbing her hand over where his had just been, she looked at the door, wishing Matthew would leave. The only way to do that was to finish this conversation.

“If you think the person who shot Clint left town, maybe you should head home and if something comes up, I’ll let you know. It’s only a ten-hour drive or a quick flight if you need to come back.”

He smiled. “I’m going to stay. Even if you don’t want me to get to know your cowboy, you have quick access to me to brainstorm, which could be beneficial. But I have no intention of selling my house, so we’ll need to come up with another plan to get that money back to these people.”

She gave him a side-eye. What he had said didn’t make any sense. “Matthew, if you were in business with them, why don’t you know who to reach out to and make it right?”

“Baby, don’t you think I tried that years ago? When we first decided you should move to Nevada.”

“I’m not your baby anymore, so don’t call me that again. And if you had tried, why didn’t it work?”

He turned to pace the room and said, “Paulina, it wasn’t that easy.”

Matthew’s explanation was interrupted when the front door opened and Clint strode in. He looked from Polly to Matthew and his face was devoid of all expression. “I heard voices.”

Walking at a moderate pace so as not to make it seem like she was worried about anything, she crossed the room and gave him a peck on the lips.

“You’re early.” She hoped Clint would realize it wasn’t an accusation, but he was a welcome sight. “Dinner is still about thirty minutes away.”

He handed her a bottle of wine but still kept an untrusting eye on Matthew. “I got done early and there’s no place I’d rather be.”

Matthew crossed the room with his hand outstretched. “Good to see you, cowboy. The last time I saw you, you were lying on the porch floor, not looking so hot.”

“Still strong enough to kick your butt to the curb if necessary.” The threat in his voice was veiled, but it was there all the same.

With a laugh, Matthew shook Clint’s hand and patted Polly’s cheek. “I’ll take off, but we’ll catch up in a few days, or before if I hear anything else.” He walked out the still open door with a tuneless whistle floating on the breeze.

Clint wrapped his arms around her. “Are you alright? I was a bit surprised when I saw his car out front. I was concerned he might be upsetting you.”

“I’m fine. Matthew dropped by with what he thinks is good news about the person who shot you.”

His brow shot up. “Oh? Like he knows who it was?”

She looked at the bottle of wine and noticed it was one of her favorites. He really was the sweetest guy. “Not that good. But Matthew thinks since the perp didn’t get the right result, he’s probably left town to go back to where he came from.” She wandered into the kitchen with Clint a step behind her. “Or maybe the whole thing was a setup to scare me and shooting you just took it up an extra notch.”

He walked around the room and took a look at the poster board on the table. “What’s all this?”

“A whodunit board.” She grinned. “Like on those mystery shows I watch, they always have a whiteboard or something where they put the clues. It helps the detectives to figure out who the bad guy is. I thought if I made notes, it might help us find out who Matthew owes and we can wrap this up soon.”

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