Page 62 of Hiding in Montana

Clint slipped his arm around Jed’s shoulders. “I guess we’re all lucky she wound up at Grace Star Ranch.” He looked deep into her eyes and his voice dropped as he said, “But me most of all.”

30

It had been three weeks since the kidnapping, and Polly lay wrapped securely in Clint’s arms. The fire crackled in front of them, warming her toes as the dark blanket of stars appeared above them. She sighed, completely content to not move a muscle for the next week. Or however long it was before the snow flew at this elevation.

“That was a heavy sigh.” His breath warmed her cool cheeks.

“This moment is so perfect. I was just thinking we can stay right here until the snow flies.”

He chuckled. “Other than eating and running out of wood, it sounds like a perfect plan.” He pulled a soft wool blanket over them.

“I’m sorry about everything that happened since the ex showed up.” Would he notice she no longer referred to him by his name? It had never bothered her that Clint always referred to him as “the ex” as if speaking his name gave him more power in their lives.

“None of what happened was your fault. You were the victim, long before you even knew what was going on. Being set up by your ex is the most despicable thing I’ve ever heard of. To, over time, gaslight you into thinking someone was after you.” His voice grumbled out the next statement. “He’s going to spend the rest of his life thinking about how he was outmaneuvered by you. I hope someone puts a shiv in him. But behind bars is the perfect place for him to live out his life since he almost took yours.”

She shivered, but this time not from the chill in the air but from his words. Clint wasn’t wrong. It was a good thing she had been able to get a shot off. His injuries weren’t life-threatening, and he’d stand trial.

Clint kissed her temple, and she asked, “Any chance we can talk about happier things? Like, what do you think about a trip this winter to someplace warm, maybe Hawaii?”

He playfully tugged her chin. “I’m not sure your new best bud will want to let you out of his sight.”

“Who? Jed? Are you kidding? I’ve almost got him talked into asking Maggie out on a date.” Clint was right about one thing; she and Jed had gotten very close during the time they had been in the cave. Her ex didn’t give them any credit for the ability to outsmart him.

He gave a low whistle. “Filler Up Diner, Maggie? He’s been pining for her ever since he got to town.”

She smacked her hand against her leg and grinned. “Exactly my point. He needs to make his move before some other man discovers how great she is and swoops in.”

He kissed the top of her head. “So now you’ve moved from gardener to matchmaker?”

She enjoyed their banter and enthusiastically said, “Heck, yeah. Everyone needs to be as happy as we are.”

Clint sat them both up straight and faced her. “Polly, if I could have stopped him before he kidnapped you, I would have. But I never would have guessed he was the true villain in all of this.”

She thought about how she had misjudged her ex-husband right from the very beginning. How could she have made such a horrible error in judgment, one that might have cost her life if it hadn’t been for these people at this ranch? People who had become family.

“My life was more like a film where the spouse is trying to convince the wife she was crazy even when she knew she wasn’t.”

A lump lodged in her throat and she was determined to push it back. She had built a dam against a waterfall of tears, and she didn’t need it to break. Clint pulled her to his chest.

“You can cry for as long and as hard as you want. Being strong around me is a waste of energy. I want you to deal with what happened so that we can have our happy ending.”

That was the undoing of the dam. Not only did a trickle start, but soon a rushing torrent like the spring thaw was unleashed. The sobs racked her body and Clint never let go. He continued to murmur she was safe. Together, they’d stand against whatever difficulties might come their way. And just as important, he would be by her side in court when she had to testify.

She sobbed until she felt the cracks of her heart coming together. Inside where the water and loneliness had eroded her heart, now her healing tears filled in the cracks and she became whole again. But she hadn’t done it alone. Clint remained steadfast for as long as it had taken.

He withdrew a dark-blue bandana from inside his denim jacket and said, “Dry your eyes, darlin’. That’s the last time you’re going to waste tears because of the ex.”

She took the well-worn cloth and wiped her face. To some it might have sounded like a command, but to her his voice was as steady as the mountains, support that was given from the depth of his heart. Clint was right. She was done crying for a man who never deserved her tears. The one who would never break her heart.

She settled back in his arms and drifted off to a dreamless sleep.

Another week had passed, and Polly’s house was finally put back together. It was time to ask Clint a very important question. With a glance at the kitchen clock, she pulled the potatoes from the oven and had the grill ready for the steak. One thing about ranching country, steak never tasted any better.

She heard the quick toot of his truck horn and she hurried out to the front porch where she stood on the top step and greeted him with a smile and open arms. “Hey, cowboy. ’Bout time you showed up. I was thinking I was going to be stood up.”

He kissed her, causing her knees to buckle, and he laughed. “I stopped at the diner and picked up dessert.” From inside the truck, he withdrew a white pastry box.

She tried to peek inside, and he closed the lid. With a wink, he said, “Later.”

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