He winced. “That sounds dire.”
“Doesn’t have to be. I plan to stick around the Buckskin and I assume you do, too. We’ll be friends for a very long time.”
“You won’t stick around if you hook up with Teague.”
“Why not? I might not live at the Buckskin, but I’ll still come to work every day.”
“I shouldn’t tell you this, but I’ve heard that Ed gave him a house and some property on the ranch. He’ll get that free and clear when she passes.”
“So what?”
“If you want a stable situation, a husband who can give you a home and a place to raise your babies, that’s a viable option right there.”
“You think I’ll choose Teague because he has a house?”
“Well, it’s—”
“Jake Lassiter, I’m not the kind of woman who judges a man because he has property and money in the bank. And if you think I am, then—”
“Easy, Millie.” He grasped both her hands. “I didn’t mean to imply that. I know you’re not materialistic. But you want certain things.”
“Love, Jake. I want a man who loves me enough to spend a lifetime with me.”
He pulled her to her feet. “Let’s dance.”
“It’s a slow one. That’s a bad idea.”
“Let’s dance anyway.”
Chapter Five
Millie was right. They were in a mess and Jake laid all the blame at his door. He’d had all the knowledge and she’d had none. At this point, he should let her go her own way and find what she needed.
But, dear God, that was hard to do! Instead of letting her go, he was out on the dance floor holding her close during a slow tune. And torturing himself with unanswered questions.
One popped out, despite his best intentions. “Did Teague ask about you and me? What the deal was?”
“He did.”
She felt like heaven in his arms. Always had. “What did you say?”
“That we were just friends in the habit of hanging out together.”
Yeah, like hanging out on the dance floor, her soft body nestled against his. Likely story. “What did he say?”
“He asked if it was like a brother/sister situation.”
“And you said…”
“You could describe it that way.”
“Damn.” He stopped dancing and grabbed her hand to lead her back to the table. “I don’t have a sister, but if I had one, I wouldn’t be dancing with her the way I was with you.” He helped her into her chair and slid into his.
“Maybe he didn’t notice.”
“Oh, he noticed. He landed a date with you for Saturday night. He wants all the info he can get about where he stands, where we stand. I’m guessing right about now he’s confused as hell.”
“He’s not the only one.” She took a gulp of her cider and turned to him. “Where do we stand? You’re jealous. You want to slow-dance with me. What’s going on, Jake?”
“I don’t know.”
“When you find out, will you tell me?”
“Absolutely. I—”
“Hey, losers!” Kate arrived and gestured toward the dance floor. “It’s line dance time! Everybody’s out there and I was sent to get you.”
“We’re on it.” Jake stood and held out his hand to Millie. “Can’t get into trouble with a line dance, right?”
Her smile made his heart turn over. “Not if you’re standing next to me.”
How could he forget? He’d been the one who’d taught her the basic line dances because she hadn’t been up on them, or much of anything when it came to country living.
After she’d turned twenty-one, she’d traveled to Montana seeking something different from the Pennsylvania city where she’d grown up. She’d had credentials, an associate’s degree in the hospitality field.
But Jake had a hunch she’d been hired because she’d touched Henri’s heart. Millie had been eager for a new life and Henri had always been a sucker for that. In a good way.
He stuck with Millie through the line dance, which was an easy one. Then Ed challenged them all with something tricky. Jake got Millie through it, but the gauntlet had been thrown down.
Isabel turned out to be a line-dance expert, and CJ kept up with her through an even more complicated number. Jake did, too, but Millie struggled.
He abandoned the field, along with at least half of the guests. The party was winding down, anyway. Plenty of folks were early risers.
Matt and Lucy returned to the table along with Seth and Zoe. Henri and several of the Babes were close behind.
“Everyone else can stay,” Matt said, “but Lucy and I have an early flight.”
Seth wrapped an arm around Zoe’s shoulders. “We should take our little guy back, too.”
“Hamish isn’t the problem.” She smiled. “He’s wide awake and basking in the attention. But I’m exhausted.”
“Then it’s time for the grand sendoff,” Henri said. “Give us five minutes. The Babes are going to handle it.”
Matt glanced at her. “You have a grand sendoff plan?”
“We’re the Babes.”
“Oh, sorry. What was I thinking?”
“I’ll pull Red and Ed from the line dance,” Josette said. “We’ll meet you guys in the back room.”
Henri nodded. “We’ll head there now.” She left with Peggy and Pam.
“I’ll fetch the coats.” Seth left, too.
Millie looked over at Jake. “Did you know about this sendoff thing?”
“I know nothing. The way of the Babes is mysterious.”
She turned to Lucy. “Were you in on it?”
“I sure wasn’t. We told Henri we didn’t want anyone tossing stuff at us like rice or birdseed. She promised they wouldn’t make any kind of mess. Not even bubbles.”
“Whatever it is,” Matt said, “it involves something in the back room, and Ben’s coming this way. Maybe he’ll give us a hint.”
The bar’s owner, a fit man in his sixties, approached the group. “Everybody have a good time tonight?”
Matt offered his hand. “It’s been terrific, Ben. Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“Can you give us some idea of what the Babes are up to?”
He smiled and shook his head. “Once the line dance is over, I’ll make a short announcement that you and Lucy are taking off so everyone can gather near the door. Then the band will start playing your getaway music.”
“But we didn’t choose—”
“The Babes picked something. They’ll come out and take their positions.”
“Positions?” Lucy’s eyebrows lifted.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be obvious what you’re supposed to do.” The line dance ended. “That’s my cue. Have fun.” He walked up to the mic and made his announcement.
When the band launched into Tim McGraw’s I Like It, I Love It, the Babes danced out of the back room. They each held a pole aloft that they’d wound with sparkling fairy lights and silk flowers in Lucy’s color scheme.
“Oh, my goodness.” Lucy’s hand went to her mouth.
Matt shook his head. “That’s pretty, but I don’t—”
“They’re going to create an arch for us to pass under. I love them so much.” She turned to Matt. “I love you so much.”
Millie’s vision blurred. Such a happy couple. She would have a love like that. Someday.
Chapter Six
Matt and Lucy took off, dashing under the crossed sparkling flower-covered poles while the guests clapped and cheered. It was done. Another member of the Brotherhood was married. Eventually the others would do the same, leaving Jake as the lone wolf. As Josette would say, c’est la vie.
He returned to the table with the rest of the wedding party. Although the band was still playing, nobody in their group seemed inclined to dance. Seth and Zoe were packing up, so Millie offered to hold the baby while Zoe spread a blanket in the carrier.
When the little guy’s admirers clustered around Mill
ie, Seth grabbed the opportunity to take Jake aside. “I really would like a chance to talk tomorrow,” he said in a quiet voice.
“I have barn duty in the morning.”
“I’ll be there.” He glanced at Millie. “She’s a gem.”
“Yep. But I—”
“We’ll talk in the morning.” He gave Jake’s shoulder a squeeze and walked over to Millie. “Hate to deprive you of that kid, but we’re taking him home with us.”
“Can’t,” Millie said. “He’s grabbed hold of my finger and won’t let go. You’ll need the Jaws of Life to pry him loose.”
“I read about that,” Kate said. “Newborns have a strong grip. Supposedly if you lifted your hand, he could support himself just by hanging onto your finger.”
“Is that so?” CJ, his blond hair darkened with sweat from dancing, moved in closer and peered at the tiny fist. “Let’s try it.”
“Let’s not.” Seth lifted the baby from Millie’s arms, leaned down and kissed his pink cheek. “Turn her loose, Hamish. You’re going home with your mom and me.”
The baby yawned and let go of Millie’s finger.
“Good job. Thanks, buddy.” Seth deposited him on the blanket Zoe had arranged in the carrier.
“No way he let go on purpose,” CJ said. “You were just lucky.”
“It’s not luck.” Seth wrapped the blanket around Hamish and tucked it in. “He responded to my tone of voice and relaxed his grip.”
“If you say so. I don’t know much about these little dudes. I’d sure love to see that dangling trick, though. We wouldn’t let him fall.”
Seth flashed him a smile. “You need to get your own baby, bro.”
“First I need a lady who’ll have me.”
“You’ll find her.” Seth picked up the baby carrier. “See you folks tomorrow.”
Zoe buttoned her coat. “Catch you all later!” She walked away with Seth.
“Poor CJ.” Isabel looped an arm around his shoulders. “Can’t find the right woman. Maybe you should move to Seattle.”
Rafe chuckled. “Good luck turning that cowboy into a city slicker.”
“Rafe’s right.” CJ slipped an arm around her waist. “I’d wither up and die in the city. Any of us would.”
“I can’t imagine living where there’s a bunch of traffic,” Nick said. “Even Great Falls has too much for my comfort.”
Leo nodded. “I was thinking that last week when I had to pick up a part for my truck. Couldn’t wait to get back here.”
“Try living in a city with millions of people.” Serena made a face. “And almost all of them drive.”
“Not for me.” Millie shuddered. “I used to be okay with city driving, but now I don’t like it at all. Apple Grove’s roads suit me perfectly.”
“It’s a nice little town,” Isabel said, “but you only have one movie theater. That’s crazy.”
“But it’s a great old theater,” Jake said. “Beautiful woodwork and antique light fixtures, and they’ve kept it up. Which reminds me, I haven’t seen the movie that just started last week, the one about the dog and the little girl.”
“I want to see that.” CJ turned to Isabel. “Want to go tomorrow night?”
“I’ve seen it. I mean, I could see it again, just to go with you guys. It’s worth a second look.”
Serena nodded. “I went weeks ago. But it’s good, so if everybody’s going, I will, too.”
“I’m in,” Leo said.
Kate, Rafe and Nick all agreed to go. But Millie stayed silent, even though Jake knew she loved feel-good movies like this.
He turned to her. “Are you in?”
“No, thanks.” She avoided his gaze.
“But isn’t this the one you told me about, the one you especially wanted to see?”
“Yes, and I’ll be going next weekend.”
“Oh.” The light dawned. “You could see it twice.”
“That seems like… preempting.”
“No, it’s not. It’s going once with your friends and then later with your... date.” He almost choked on the word.
“Millie has a date?” CJ stared at her. “Who with?”
Kate gave him a look. “That’s her business.”
“Do you know?”
“No, I don’t, and I’m not going to ask.”
“The heck you won’t,” Nick said. “You’re roommates. You tell each other everything.”
“This just happened.” Millie glanced around the group. “And it’s no big deal. Teague asked me to dinner and a movie, that’s all.”
“Now that you mention it,” Rafe said, “I saw you dancing with him.”
CJ frowned. “He’s a nice guy and all, but I don’t see you two together.”
Millie blew out a breath. “It’s only a date, CJ. One date doesn’t mean we’re together.”
“That’s good, because he’s not—”
“CJ.” Jake glared at him although he was secretly happy that CJ was running interference. “Kate’s right. It’s not our business.”
“In a way, it is,” Nick said. “I mean, if we thought Millie was going out with a dirtbag, wouldn’t we try to stop her?”
“But Teague’s not a dirtbag,” Rafe said. “Ed wouldn’t hire a sleazy cowboy. I’ve heard that she gave him a little house and a plot of land.”
“I heard that, too.” Leo glanced at her. “You must like him or you wouldn’t be going on this date.”
“I like him.” Millie looked at everyone but Jake. “And I don’t feel right going to the movie tomorrow night when I’ll be seeing it next Saturday night with him. That’s the long and short of it. Can we move on?”
Jake sighed. “Please, let’s move on.”
Nick consulted his phone. “There’s a seven o’clock showing. We’ll need to organize transportation. Since Millie’s not going, there’s space in Jake’s truck and we can take mine, too.”
Once Nick announced there was space in Jake’s truck because Millie wasn’t going, the conversation became an annoying buzz. Jake didn’t care who rode with him. If that person wasn’t Millie, their identity didn’t matter.
The number of guests dwindled quickly in the next half-hour. When the Babes said their goodbyes, the Brotherhood concluded it was time to leave, as well.
Millie rode shotgun on the way home, as usual. But the flirtatious mood they’d enjoyed for the past couple of years had evaporated. Rafe and Kate didn’t have much to say, either. Maybe they were tired, but maybe they’d picked up on the change in Jake and Millie’s relationship.
When they arrived at Kate and Millie’s homey three-bedroom cottage, Rafe climbed out to see them to the door while Jake kept the motor running. In the past, the ladies had often invited them in for a nightcap. Not tonight.
Rafe returned and swung up into the seat Millie had just vacated. He closed the door and buckled up. “Okay, Jake, what the hell is going on?”
Jake put the truck in gear and pulled away from the cottage. “After the ceremony, as we were heading down the aisle of the church, Millie asked if I ever planned to get married.”
“Pointed question, considering.”
“Fair question. I’ve been stringing her along, Rafe. In my heart, I knew she wanted to settle down one day with a husband and kids. I knew that, and yet I continued to flirt with her, dance with her, pretend it was going somewhere because…”
“Because?”
“Being with Millie is the sunshine in my days, the starlight in my nights. But it’s not fair to monopolize her time and keep her from connecting with other guys. I can never give her what she wants. I’m a selfish bastard and she’d be well rid of me.”
“Whoa.”
“I should be horse-whipped. Do they do that anymore?”
“I don’t know. I was never clear on what that meant, but you won’t find anybody around here willing to do it. I take it you’re anti-marriage?”
“Not for other people. Seth and Zoe seem to be in good shape. Matt and Lucy probably are,
too.”
“What’s this seem to be and probably stuff? Those two couples are solid.”
Jake sighed. “I’m sure they are. I don’t trust myself in this area, so it’s hard for me to look at happy couples and be convinced they’ll stay that way. Seth is coming down to the barn in the morning to work on my mental attitude.”
“Good. I had no idea you were so screwed up.”
He laughed. “Really? I thought it was obvious.”
“About this, I mean. We’re all screwed up in one way or another or we wouldn’t be here. You’re so good with the ladies that I never guessed you were paranoid about getting hitched.”
“It’s my dirty little secret.”
“But now it’s out.”
“To Millie, at least, and that’s why she accepted the date with Teague. I’m not right for her and she needs to find someone who is.”
“How do you feel about that?”
“I’m chewing nails.”
“Gonna let her go out with that guy?”
“If that’s what she wants, she should go on that date. He might be exactly right for her.”
“He’s not, and you know it. You’re right for her. You always have been. Everybody sees that.”
“I’m not right. I’m too messed up.”
“Then we need to fix you. Matt’s leaving, but at least Seth is here for another day, so we’re nearly at full power.”
Jake pulled up next to the bunkhouse and shut off the motor. “You guys can’t fix me.”
“Sure we can. We’re the Brotherhood.”
Chapter Seven
Kate closed and locked the door of the cottage. “Look, I don’t want to get all up in your business, but—”
“Oh, please do.” Millie took off her jacket and hung it in the front hall closet. “I need to talk this out with somebody besides Jake.”
“Care for a spot of tea?”
Millie laughed. “And crumpets. Do we perchance have crumpets?” Her roommate had a treasured set of teacups and a teapot her English grandmother had willed to her. Using them seemed to require speaking like Brits.
Kate hung up her jacket. “We’re fresh out of crumpets, but we have brownies. Let’s take off these dresses and get into our jammies. Then we’ll talk.”
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