Page 64 of Wild for You (The Wilds of Montana)

Johnny nods, clearly not at all concerned with Erin leaving for a few hours, but Holly frowns.

“MaybeIwant to arrange flowers.”

“Another time,” I tell her.“Erin should go enjoy some time with her friends.”

“But Millie ismyaunt,” Holly insists.

“Yes, she is,” I agree.“And she’s Erin’s friend.You don’t always have to be included in everything, sweet girl.”

“Is it because I’m too little?”she asks.

“They will probably have adult drinks there,” Erin chimes in.“Plus, it ends way past your bedtime.But, if you want to visit the flower shop after school one day, we totally can.”

“Okay.”That placates Holly, and I smile over at Erin.

“Have fun tonight.”

“I plan on it.”Erin hangs a dish towel over the side of the sink and then leaves the kitchen.I follow, catching up to her in her room.She turns and lifts a brow.“You can come in.”

I’ve been careful not to just assume that I can waltz into her private space any time I want, but at her consent, I step in and close the door, then pull her to me and kiss her.She makes that little noise, low in her throat, and pushes her fingers into my hair.

When I pull back, I smooth my finger down her nose.

“Have fun tonight, Doc.”

I pull the door open and walk out but hear her reply, “Thanks, Grumpy.”

ChapterThirteen

Erin

Tonight was just what I needed.I’ve missed the hell out of Millie, so when she invited me to the flower class, I knew I wouldn’t say no.We laughed, had a glass of wine, and made a pretty decent arrangement of flowers, if I do say so myself.

Driving out to the ranch in the dark isn’t my favorite thing, especially since I had the deer incident a few weeks ago, but it’s an uneventful drive, and soon, I’m turning down the driveway, headed toward the farmhouse.

I’m a little surprised by how much I love living on the ranch.I knew that I wanted to get out of the big city, and the small town of Bitterroot Valley is perfect for that, but I actually prefer being out at the ranch.It’s quiet and peaceful, not to mention absolutely gorgeous.When this job ends and it’s time for me to move back to town, I’ll be sad to say goodbye to it.

“I’m not thinking about sad things,” I mutter to myself as I bring the Suburban to a stop and grab my purse and the bouquet of flowers before heading inside.The house is quiet, and I assume everyone is sleeping, so I tiptoe to my room and close the door before setting my flowers on the dresser and hanging my purse on the hook behind the door.

When I turn around, I see a sweatshirt folded on the end of the bed.

It’s a Montana State University sweatshirt, in blue and gold, and when I pick it up and smell it, it smells like Remington.

“He gave me his shirt,” I mutter before burying my nose in it once more.It’s definitely seen better days, so it’s obviously something that he once wore often.

I absolutelyloveit.

After a quick shower, I tug the sweatshirt over my head and hug my arms around me before I slip into bed.With the sweatshirt wrapped around me, it’s almost as if I’m lying with Remington, and that feels damn good.

Yeah, I love it here.My life is awesome right now.

It’s Sunday morning,and it’s my day to work at the coffee shop.I have the early shift, so I’m up and out before anyone else is even awake yet.It’s the one day that Rem sleeps in, so I’m sure to be quiet as I walk out the door, lock it behind me, and get into the Suburban to head into town.

I came home in the dark last night, but the sun is already starting to rise now.I love that the days are lengthening.Soon, it’ll be light out until late into the evening, and I’m looking forward to quiet nights out on the deck, watching the world fall asleep.

The drive into town is easy, and soon, I’m parked in my space behind the shop and unlocking the back door.I’ll be by myself for the first hour or so, getting things ready, but Millie will be in to help with the church rush, and then she’ll close after my shift ends.

Happy to see that everything is clean and ready to go for today, I get to work refilling napkins and cups, making sure fresh beans are in the grinder, and humming to myself as I work.

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