Page 28 of Moonlight Over Montana

“No. That’s not her way. She talks everything out in a calm and easy manner. Even when Clint does something to annoy her, you can see them sit someplace, heads together, and before long they’re smiling again. It’s the best part about her. That’s when I knew.”

“At this point you’re standing between them and the car?”

“Yup. That’s when I noticed the gun was pressed into her side. He told me to get in the car and if I didn’t, she’d be dead before she kissed the dirt.”

Her hand flew to her mouth. She had never heard this part of the story and each sentence Jed said painted a picture of no way out.

“He gestured to the car and told me to pop the trunk and get in. I turned and that’s the last thing I remember until waking up in the cave with the worse headache of my life.”

She dropped to one knee in front of him and took his hands in hers. “It wasn’t your fault and you need to talk to Polly. I’m sure she doesn’t blame you either.”

He squeezed her hands as if hanging on for dear life. This was the first time she’d ever seen this side to Jed, vulnerable and needing someone. “How about I make us all breakfast. You can come over and fix coffee. I’ll take Susie to school, meet with Tasha, and we can catch up later.”

“Thanks, but I need to get an hour of sleep and so do you. It’s going to be a busy day for both of us and the last thing you need is some long-faced cowboy hanging around.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “I appreciate you listening and please don’t tell anyone about this conversation.”

“I’ll let you go inside on one condition.” She pulled the tall, lanky man to his feet. “Talk to Polly. I won’t bring it up again, but promise me you’ll think about it.”

He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close to his broad chest, her five-foot-five frame fitting just perfectly there. As he held her tight, she felt all would be okay for both of them.

“Come find me later. I want to hear all about the plans for the diner.” He took a step back as he released her from his arms. “You’re a good friend, Mags.”

She looked up into his steel-gray eyes. “Takes one to know one, Jed. Sleep well.”

14

Jed had given his truck keys to Maggie for the day since he had no place to be other than the barn. Her SUV had needed a few things done before she could take ownership. He leaned on the stall, watching the new filly. The wonder of new life always struck him with longing for what might have been if his life had been different. But he was content.

“How’s our new girl doing?” Linc strode down the center of the barn with a mile-wide grin on his face.

“She’s looking good. Doc Howard will be out later to check her over, but I think she’s gonna make a fine addition to the future of Grace Star Ranch. I’m surprised Annie’s not with you.”

Linc chuckled and he leaned against the stall, looking at the filly and her mama. “She’ll be down soon, but she and Daphne had a few things to go over for the dude ranch operation.”

Daphne Brenner was Annie’s best friend from boarding school who moved out here from Boston almost two years ago, where she had worked as a wedding planner, to run the guest portion of the ranch. With the cabins almost complete, the plan was to be open in the spring. “I heard Daphne talking with Quinn last week and it sounds like they’re going to expand the kitchen staff and the guests will be able to eat in the dining hall with the ranch hands.”

“Daphne and Annie think it’s the best way to give the guests a full ranch life experience, but there will still be plenty of luxury. Annie added an outdoor pavilion and kitchen closer to the cabins and Quinn knows a guy who only cooks over fire so talks are open to bring him here for the summer months for dinners.”

Jed gave Linc a long look. “Will the ranch hands be excluded?”

“You know how my bride feels about the men and women who work the ranch; they’re family and if we’re doing a barbeque in the new area or serving a turkey dinner in the hall, everyone is welcome.” Linc clapped his hand on Jed’s shoulder. “What’s eatin’ you?”

He pushed back his cowboy hat. “Tired. Long night waitin’ on that little girl.”

“Are you sure it’s not the woman and her daughter living next to you that’s keeping you up at night? It’s not a secret to anyone who’s seen you two together that you care for her.”

Keeping his voice even, he said, “Maggie’s my friend and both she and Susie have been through a lot.”

“I’ve heard and said that she’s a friend line before. Look at what happened to me and Clint. Our friends”—he used air quotes around friends—“are now our wives.”

“There’s no way I’ll be getting down on one knee. I’m too old and set in my ways to ask any woman to marry me. Besides, I’d never want to live anywhere but this ranch. It’s the first real home I’ve ever had where I’m happy and she has her life in town. It’ll never work out anyway.”

Chuckling, Linc said, “Oh, my friend, you sound more like me every time you speak. And now look at me, a happily married man to the love of my life. Life doesn’t get much sweeter than this.”

Jed gave him a sharp look as a stab of envy pierced his heart. “I’m happy for you. She’s a good person.”

He waved a hand around his face. “You too can walk around wearing a cocky grin on your mug if you’d cowboy up and ask the woman out on a date.”

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen. She’s got too much going on and Susie’s not happy out here so she might just end up renting a place in town.”

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