Page 53 of Hiding in Montana

“We had time a couple of days ago.” She chewed on her fingernail, reverting to old habits where Matthew was concerned.

“Please, just give me one lunch since I know in my bones this mess will soon be over and I’ll be going back to Portland. We won’t see each other again.”

Thinking about all the things she had wanted to get done today, she heard herself agree to meet at eleven thirty. “I’d like to avoid the lunch crowd and get back to work at a reasonable hour.”

“Sounds like a date.”

Polly didn’t like how that sounded. “It’s not a date, just two former spouses getting together for their almost last meal.”

“See you later and say hi to your cowboy for me, too. I hope you had a good time last night.”

A finger of fear slid down her spine. Had he been watching her? “How did you know we had a date last night?”

“Did you forget I’m staying at the inn? When I was walking through to my room, I saw the two of you making googly eyes at each other.” He laughed. “Don’t worry, Paulina. I wasn’t jealous. In fact, I’m happy that you’ve found someone who’s made you happy these last months. Everyone deserves to live their life with happiness.”

Now that annoyed her. Not the part about her deserving to be happy, but the sanctimonious nonsense about him being happy for her. He wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t about the money.

“See you later.” She didn’t want him to spew any more of his own brand of platitudes. But she wondered how Clint was going to take the news she was going to the diner for lunch.

As she walked through the door, Clint looked up. “Everything alright?”

“Fine. Matthew wants me to meet him today. And before you ask, I agreed to an early lunch at the Filler Up.”

“Oh.”

Was he going to follow that up with anything? After several long, silent moments, she said, “I need to do this. He made a good point. He’ll be leaving soon and you and I will go back to just being us. No looking over my shoulder, no one taking potshots at you instead of Matthew.” She gave him a smile, and his started to appear.

“Maybe we’ll get lucky and someone will get a shot off.”

Her mouth fell open, and he held up his hand. “Just to maim him a little; after all, he’s the reason this storm is swirling.”

She nodded in agreement and sipped her coffee. What would it be like to just be herself, never wondering if the next shoe will drop, and actually be able to see her sister again? Maybe she’d come out to Montana for a couple of weeks next spring when all the trees and flowers started to bloom. There was no place like big sky country when the earth began to wake up. She stole a glance at Clint and smiled. Who knows, maybe there would be another reason to celebrate next year too.

26

Clint paced the length of the dining hall, waiting for Polly to return from lunch with Matthew. As they had agreed, she texted when she arrived and left, and that last one had him on edge.

Coming straight to the dining hall. Meet me there.

The curtness of the message made him wonder what the freaking ex had done to upset her. If it was terrible, why didn’t she just ask for him to come to the diner and get her? He looked at his phone again to check the time like he had done every few seconds since he had gotten her message. She should pull up in less than five minutes.

Dust clouds swirled out from behind what looked like her truck. He ran through the room and flung open the door, taking the steps two at a time. He had her door open before it was even in park.

He could see her face was white and drawn, her lower lip pulled in while her top bit down. Whatever that man had done, he would pay.

With a strangled cry, she almost leaped into his open arms. He held her. Her breath was short and shallow. She was shaking. He held her, murmuring that she was safe. He could wait until she was ready to tell him what had gone on at the diner.

“Can we go inside?” Her voice was muffled against his shoulder.

Supporting her with an arm around her waist, he held her up as they walked, his anger growing. The door opened and Quinn was standing there, a silent centurion. Once the door was closed behind them, he left the room. He eased her down on a large leather sofa that looked out over the ranch. The view had a calming effect most of the time, and he hoped it would work again.

Within minutes, Quinn was back with tea. He knelt down. “Polly, do you want me to call Annie?”

“Linc and Jed should be here, too.” She looked at Clint. “Okay?”

He nodded. “Thanks, Quinn. We’ll be right here.”

“Do you want to talk before the gang gets here?”

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