Page 54 of Hiding in Montana

“You know how I like to face the door when I’m at the diner?”

He smiled. “You like to see who’s coming and going.”

Nodding, she said, “Really, I like to see what everyone is ordering, so maybe next time I’ll try something different.”

Her smile was weak, but at least now she wasn’t shaking as hard. He continued to rub the warmth back into her ice-cold hands.

“When I was having lunch with Matthew, he said that he was sorry this had happened, but assured me he was confident it would be over soon. Which of course made me feel loads better. We were getting ready to go just after he signed the credit card slip. I looked around the diner. It was getting crowded. Sitting at the counter was a man. At first, I didn’t recognize him, so I glanced away, and then I got up. That’s when he looked at me. He gave me an evil smile that froze my feet to the floor and with his finger pointed at me, he mimed a push motion.”

Clint’s heart wanted to leap out of his chest. “Did you recognize him?”

She nodded and swallowed hard. “He was one of the men I saw when I looked up after the fall. It all clicked into place like pieces of a puzzle. And I remember the other man, too.”

He wrapped his arms around her, thinking she was going to cry, but no sounds came. She must be numb from what she had experienced, and he berated himself for not going with her. He could have sat at the counter.

“Darlin’, it’s okay. You’re safe now. But we need to call Sheriff Blackstone and see if he can get someone to sketch this guy from your description.” What he didn’t say was this was a direct threat against her life and there was no way she was going anyplace other than this ranch without him.

“I know. That’s why I want to talk to everyone. I’m hoping I can describe him enough so people can keep a lookout.” She shuddered again. “Clint, he actually looked happy when he was doing the push motion. Like he enjoyed seeing me go over the edge.”

“I won’t let him get to you. Try not to worry.”

Clint pulled out his phone and placed a call to the sheriff, asking him to come out to the ranch. He gave a brief overview of what was going on. The sheriff had said he’d track down someone to do the illustration and be out just as soon as he could.

She hugged him tight and buried her head in his chest. She stayed there until the rest of their friends came in.

Annie took a spot on the other side of Polly. Linc, Quinn, and Jed pulled up chairs, and she went through the story a second time.

Annie took her hand. “What do you need from us?” She scanned the group, and the men nodded, their faces grim.

“Is anyone good friends with Maggie from the diner? Maybe we could find out if she knows how long this guy has been around, if she even remembers him.”

Jed said, “Maggie and I are good friends. I can swing by there today and see if she remembers seeing the guy and if he’s been hanging around. I’ll go into town as soon as we’re done here.”

The pressure on Clint’s chest lightened a bit. This was his family and over the last year, they had pulled Polly into their circle.

“Daphne is a designer. She might be able to draw this person. If it’s okay, I’ll call her to come down.” Annie looked at Linc. “Once we get that done we can circulate it, post it on the bulletin board, and make sure if anyone sees this guy, to let us know right away.”

Linc agreed. “I’ll call up to the main house and ask her to come down.” He left the room and headed to his office, probably to fill her in too before she came down.

“What about the hands taking turns at the gate and checking everyone who tries to come on the ranch?” Quinn got up from the chair and looked out toward the barns. “I know there are a ton of ways to get on the property and we can’t protect the entire perimeter, but the key access might be enough of a deterrent.”

“Thanks, Quinn. That’s another good idea.” Clint could see this was taking a toll on Polly. “You can stay at the ranch until this is over. Your ex seems to think the end is near. He must know something he’s not telling. Tomorrow, let’s have him come out. Since it’s Saturday, there are no construction workers, so he’ll be the only person who isn’t supposed to be on the property. It might make it easier if someone comes skulking around.”

“It is time to wrap this up. Even though Matthew is dangling from the end to this nightmare like a worm to a hungry fish, I need to take control of my life. I didn’t fight back from that fall to be sitting on the hot seat, waiting for him to take care of things.”

Clint sat up straighter. The shock of seeing that guy was finally wearing off, and he was relieved. Polly needed to be ready to fight like the devil to come out on top. She had it in her, but she needed to find it again. “I’ll take you back to your place and you can get some clothes and plan on staying at my place.”

“We have a security system at the main house. Why don’t you both stay with Linc and me? There’s plenty of room and Polly will be safer there than in your cabin.”

Shaking her head, she thanked Annie for the offer, but she wanted to stay with Clint in his cabin. “I’m safe with him.”

“I understand. If you change your mind, the door is always open.” She grinned, trying to lighten the oppressive tension in the room. “Well, after you enter the security code.”

The puttering sound of a golf cart outside reached Clint’s ears. That had to be Daphne. Who knew the wedding planner turned resort manager would be an artist too?

The front door flew open, and Daphne entered, carrying a large pad and pencils in her hand. She rushed over, her eyes locked on Polly. Clint stood and let her sit down, since it was obvious that was her intention.

“Polly, I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but I’ll do my best to draw this person so that we’ll know who to watch for.” She looked at Quinn and back to Polly. “Do you want to do this just the two of us or would it help to have everyone here?”

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