Page 7 of Hiding in Montana

The simple answer was so like what she expected of Clint. “I always thought you were just being polite around me. I never expected this.” She gestured to the space between them.

“I have to confess; ever since you started working at Grace Star Ranch, I’ve had the feeling we met at some point, but I think you mentioned you’re from the west coast and I’ve never been out of Montana.”

She choked on the chip and took a gulp of her margarita.

4

Clint got up and pulled Polly’s hands over her head in an attempt to clear her airway as she choked on a chip. He was ready to haul her out of the booth and do the Heimlich maneuver if necessary.

She waved her hands and croaked. “I’m fine, just down the wrong pipe.”

He handed her a paper napkin so she could wipe the tears on her cheeks. “Are you sure?”

The server rushed over. “Is everything okay here?”

Clint’s eyes never left Polly’s pale face. “Glass of water, please?”

The server grabbed a pitcher from a nearby table and filled a red plastic cup before handing it to him.

“Polly, can you breathe?” His heart hammered in his chest. He wasn’t the best in medical emergency situations. He had his moments, but this was scaring the hell out of him.

She nodded and took the cup of water to take a tiny sip. With a tentative smile, she said, “I’m fine.” Her smile grew wider, and she pointed to his side of the table. “Sit. Really, I’m okay.”

He hesitated and then sat, but his eyes never left her face as it regained a healthy pink color and not that shade of white it had turned.

She smiled at the server, who still hovered close by. “Thanks. I’m okay.” With eyes lowered, she said, “I really hate it when I’m the center of attention.”

“Don’t pay any attention to them. People were just concerned for you.”

She shifted on the bench seat. “Can we talk about something else? Tell me why you wanted to be a cowboy.”

He eased back in the chair. “What kid doesn’t want to be a cowboy or firefighter growing up? I was raised here, and ranches are a way of life.” He didn’t like to talk about himself, but he wanted to know more about Polly, so he needed to share, too.

“Did you grow up on a ranch?”

“No, my parents have a grocery store in Springdale and they moved closer a few years back. My brother and sister and their families live there too. When I wanted to strike out on my own, I discovered Grace Star Ranch was looking to hire hands. I came and talked to Pops, Annie’s grandfather. He hired me on the spot and the rest is history.”

Her lips formed a perfect bow, and he wondered what it would be like to kiss her, but he focused on her question. “Why did everyone call Mr. Grace, Pops?”

“From what I heard, he said Mr. Grace was his grandfather, and they named him after his dad and didn’t want to be confused with him either, so after Annie’s dad was born, he just went by Pops and he is legendary.”

She scrunched up her face and sipped her water. “I’m not sure I understand.”

“Think of John Wayne, not the actor but the real man who lived by a strong code of ethics. Pops was that man you’d want as a son or brother. He and Pippa, his wife, they had the kind of marriage storybooks are written about. He could look anyone in the eye and he never flinched at honesty.”

“I would like to have known him.” Her voice was soft and her eyes wide.

Clint tapped the tabletop. “Annie’s this generation’s version of Pops. She’s a lot like him, a straight shooter, and doesn’t tolerate bullcrap. And she’s loyal to the end.”

“Good to know.”

“Tell me about Portland. Is that where you grew up and is that when you started gardening?” They were falling back into the easy conversation where they started before Polly choked.

“I grew up in the Midwest and moved to Portland after college. I was working in advertising, nothing to get excited about, but Portland was a nice place to live. It was there my gardening hobby really took off.”

“So how did you end up in our neck of the woods?” He leaned forward, knowing that Polly came to town a couple of years ago with no family or friends in the area.

“I came out to go hiking and fell in love with the area.” Her cheeks flushed a deep pink. “When it was time for a change, this seemed like the best place to start over.”

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