Montana Dreams

by Anna J. Stewart

  “I’m good.”

  Gino’s huge dark eyes were outlined with thick lashes. His tiny nose wrinkled as he smiled, and the curls in his dark brown hair reminded Matteo of his own when he’d been growing up. He smoothed his hand over his son’s hair. His heart filled so full he didn’t realize just how empty it had been. “You’ve gotten so big.”

  “Mom said she was tired of me whining, so she said you can deal with me for a while.” Gino’s gap-toothed smile was a stark reminder of just how much Matteo had missed these last few years. “Jiro had Mr. Shinko bring me.”

  “Mr. Shinko.” Matteo released Gino so he could slide to the floor. Matteo held out his hand. “I’m sorry for...” What was he sorry for exactly? He hadn’t been given any warning. And if he had been warned, he would have met his son at the airport. “Please. Come in.” He moved aside to allow Mr. Shinko entrance.

  “I don’t want to impose,” Mr. Shinko said, but he came in nonetheless.

  “There is no imposition. Not after you’ve flown...how long to bring me my son?” Matteo closed the door and, keeping a hand on Gino’s head for fear he might vanish in a puff of imagination, motioned him inside. “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea? I’m afraid I don’t have much more to offer.” His brain was a bit fuzzy. He’d cleaned out his kitchen and fridge before he’d gone to bed.

  “Coffee would be most appreciated.” Mr. Shinko looked to Gino. “Gino, would you mind if your father and I spoke for a few minutes?”

  “Nah.” Gino’s face was flushed and alive. “Dad, where’s my room?”

  “Last door on the left.” Matteo had purposely made sure to always have a place for Gino to call his own if and when he visited. The decorating and furnishings had been chosen with both hope and longing. He’d shown the room to his son during one of their many video chats. Gino didn’t have to be told twice. He ran off. “Does he have any luggage?”

  “In the car downstairs. I’ll have it brought up momentarily.” Mr. Shinko followed Matteo into the kitchen, tapping on his cell phone. “Mrs. Tadeshi regrets she was unable to notify you about Gino’s delivery herself. A last-minute business trip came up.”

  Gino’s delivery? Matteo gnashed his teeth as he stuck a pod into the coffee machine and pressed Brew. They made it sound as if Matteo had ordered takeout from the corner pizza place. It would be easy, so easy, to speak ill of Sylvia, but the disrespect might trigger something that could work against him in the long run. “I appreciate Jiro sparing you for the journey, Mr. Shinko,” he said instead, focusing on the positive. “I’m happy to have my son with me.”

  “Taro, please. It is nice to be able to put a smile on your son’s face. I fear...” Taro trailed off, as if afraid he’d say something inappropriate. “I fear he has not been happy for quite some time. Ah.” He sat when Matteo motioned to the small circular table in the kitchen. “I have become quite a fan of the American coffee phenomenon.” He closed his eyes and took in a breath. “It is quite intoxicating, is it not?”

  “I sure hope so,” Matteo said with a chuckle. “It keeps me moving, that’s for sure.” He waited for the second cup to brew, then placed both filled mugs on the table and sat down. “Why do I feel as if there’s more to Gino’s visit than a spur-of-the-moment decision?”

  “Because you are an observant and attentive parent.” Taro nodded approvingly at his coffee. “This is excellent.” He set his mug down. “Mr. Tadeshi is very fond of Gino.”

  “Glad to have that confirmed,” Matteo said. “Gino’s spoken of him often and with affection. It’s made things...easier.” As if a custody fight was ever easy. “How bad did Gino get that Sylvia decided to deliver him to me?”

  Taro smiled. “I have been told by my own parents that boys Gino’s age can be a challenge. I believe his refusal to talk was easier to deal with than his temper tantrums. Those seemed to appear out of nowhere in the past few days. As much as my employer loves the boy, he is not, as he has often told Mrs. Tadeshi, his father. It makes disciplining him challenging.”

  “So, she sent him to me to fix.” Matteo smirked. Typical Sylvia. Happy to create the problem, not so willing to deal with the fallout. “I’ll take whatever part of my son’s life I can get.”

  The conversation shifted to various topics related to Gino’s life: his schooling, extracurricular activities, likes and dislikes. Taro had it all on his phone in a document he forwarded to Matteo’s email. Upon finishing his coffee, Taro stood, readjusted his suit jacket and offered his thanks. “This has been most enjoyable, Mr. Rossi. I appreciate the respite before heading back to the airport.”

  “Matteo, please.” Matteo offered his hand and led him back to the door.

  “Matteo.” Taro nodded. “This has gone much more smoothly than I anticipated. It will be a relief to convey the positive exchange with Mr. and Mrs. Tadeshi.”

  “Gino’s in good hands.” And exactly where he should be.

  “I will return in three weeks’ time—”

  “That won’t be necessary.” Matteo hated to blindside Taro, but that’s just how things would be. No way was he going to give up this advantage. “Gino is home now. He’s going to stay home. You can tell Sylvia, if she wants our son back, she can see me in court.”

  * * *

  “BIG E, WHAT ARE you doing here?” Peyton had no option other than to step back and grant her grandfather access to her apartment. “We were supposed to meet at the airport.” She’d been checking her watch every ten minutes for the past few hours. Ever since she’d found herself wide awake and staring at her stark white ceiling.

  “Change of plans.” Big E clasped his hat in his hands and waited for her to close the door. “I’m afraid I won’t be flying back to Montana with you. I’ve got...alternate transportation arranged for something that needs taking care of.”

  Peyton didn’t know him well, but she’d spent enough time with him to be certain that smile he flashed in her direction held more than humor. He was up to something.

  “Well, Matteo will be here in about an hour.” She motioned to her bags. “I’m all packed for my trip to purgatory. As you requested.” She’d had to invest in some sturdy, cold-weather clothes as the mid-October weather in Montana could be chilly and unpredictable. She’d done more research.

  “Could use some coffee if you have any.” He cast a weary gaze around her apartment. “Interesting homestead you have. Very...practical.”

  “That’s me. Practical to a fault.” She let the snark fall away as he caught sight of one of the photographs of her and her sisters. How could she resent a man when the affection for her and her siblings was so evident? “That was taken the summer after Fiona graduated from high school. We all took a long weekend together in Butterfly Harbor. Up around Monterey.” She smiled at the memory. “There’s this beautiful Victorian inn on top of the cliffs. Summer sun, amazing food and people.” The photograph had been taken by the inn’s manager, who had captured the perfect moment when all the Harrison—or was it Blackwell now?—girls were laughing and celebrating. Long before Peyton’s betrayal would break them apart.

  “You’re all so beautiful,” Big E said with a throat that sounded tight with emotion. “Sentimentality isn’t my strong suit,” he said with a quick grin. “One of my biggest regrets is not having found out about Thomas, about you girls, sooner.” He set the photograph back down. “Family is all that matters, Peyton. It’s all that will ever matter. When you do find yourself cursing me for manipulating you into going to Montana, I hope you’ll remember that.”

  “I’ll no doubt have plenty of time to think that over in the coming weeks,” Peyton told him and felt her heart soften. “You wanted coffee?” Before she found herself leaning more toward forgiveness than anger, she hurried into the kitchen. No sooner had she set a mug in front of her grandfather than the doorbell rang. She looked at her watch. “He’s early.”

  “Early�
�s on time for some,” Big E announced. “He’s former military, isn’t he? He’d be one who thinks that way.”

  “Hmm.” She was humoring him, she realized. Darn it. She clenched her fist. She was beginning to like her grandfather, and that just wouldn’t do!

  “Come on in,” she said by way of greeting Matteo, who was standing outside her door, hands shoved into his pant pockets. With his slightly untamed mane of blue-black hair and just-as-dark sunglasses perched on his nose, he looked like a federal agent from the movies. When he didn’t move, she sighed. “Matteo, I’ve come to terms with this. If I want to keep my job, this is what I have to do.” She loathed the situation, but she hadn’t done herself any favors with her reluctant attitude. “Doesn’t mean I’m happy about it.”

  “Good to know. Because I won’t be going with you.” He reached out his hand and drew a small boy to him. “Gino arrived this morning. We’re going to have to make other arrangements.”

  “Oh.” Peyton’s heart flipped in her chest. The little boy was beautiful, an almost-identical replica of his father, right down to the dimple in his left cheek. The backpack he wore was almost as big as he was and sagged well below his butt. She found herself wondering what treasures he kept inside. She remembered little girls liked treasures, too, and sometimes kept them hidden away. “Hello, Gino.” Remembering how intimidating adults could be for kids, she crouched down so she was at his eye level. “I’m Peyton. Your father’s been working for me for a few weeks.”

  “I know,” Gino announced. “He told me. He said you build cool stuff like Tony Stark.”

  “I help people who build stuff,” she corrected, amused that Matteo would compare her to what was clearly one of his son’s favorite fictional characters. “Why don’t you both come inside?”

  “I don’t mean to complicate things,” Matteo said, his hands resting on his son’s shoulders. Gino looked up, first at his father, then at Peyton. “But Gino has to be my first priority. He can’t be with me when I’m working a case.”

  “No, of course he can’t.” Peyton closed the door and locked her arms around her torso and squeezed. There was such trust in that little boy’s eyes when he looked at Matteo. Trust she couldn’t remember having for a very long time. She’d come close. Rudy had been an amazing influence on her life and a steady force she could count on. But there had always been something holding her back. Almost as if she’d be betraying her real father by completely accepting and loving Rudy.

  “I’ve already spoken to my boss and she’s sending Adam Winchester to the airport to meet you,” Matteo went on as if he’d been rehearsing what he was going to say to her. “He’s been on nights, so he’s up to speed. I’ve also been in touch with a sister agency out in Montana, who will be on call as soon as the jet lands.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Unexpected disappointment crashed through her. Somehow the idea of Matteo being with her on this excursion had made the entire prospect less distasteful. Not that she’d ever tell him that. “Gino, I think I have some hot chocolate for you in the kitchen, if that’s okay with your dad?”

  “Is it, Dad?” Gino’s wide eyes went even bigger.

  “What’s more sugar at this point?” Matteo didn’t look half as defeated as he pretended to be. “Yeah, it’s fine.”

  “Go on ahead, Gino,” Peyton said. “I’ll be right there to fix it.”

  “’Kay.” Thumbs hooked into the shoulder straps of his backpack he swaggered as only a six-year-old could, out of sight.

  “What’s going on?” Peyton asked. “I thought you said he was with your ex?”

  “He was. Now he’s here.” It was only when he pulled off his sunglasses that she saw the dark circles under his eyes. “If you don’t mind, it’s been a long morning and I’d rather not rehash it. As much as I hate to walk away from the money, I need to give him my full attention. He needs me. He’s having...issues.”

  Something in his tone, something she really didn’t like, tied a knot in her stomach. “You say that as if you don’t think I’d understand.”

  “Do you?”

  Did he have to seem so...shocked? Even if Big E hadn’t just lectured her on the importance of putting family first, she’d have agreed with Matteo wholeheartedly. Her reputation might be that of a heartless workaholic, but she knew how fragile—and strong—kids could be. Support, love and a guiding hand was all they really needed.

  At the booming voice echoing from the kitchen, Matteo’s eyebrows went up. “I thought we were meeting Big E at the airport?”

  “It’s been a morning for surprises,” Peyton mumbled. “He showed up a few minutes before you did and said he, too, has had a change of plans. He’s not going with us.”

  “You must be devastated,” Matteo teased.

  That he knew her well enough to crack a joke like that both set her stomach to fluttering and her cheeks to flushing.

  “Well, don’t you two look cozy,” Peyton said when they found Gino sitting on a stool beside Big E. “Make a new friend, Big E?”

  “As a matter of fact—” Big E eyed them both “—Gino was just telling me how he’s come to stay with his father for a while. I take it you think this changes things, Matteo?”

  “Uh—” Matteo began.

  “What’s changing?” Gino tilted his chin up and looked from his father to Big E. “Dad, I thought you said—”

  “Give me a few minutes, G, okay?” Matteo brushed a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Big E, may I talk to you privately?”

  “No need to,” Big E boomed. “I already know what you’re going to say.”

  Peyton’s radar pinged. “You do?” It had crossed her mind that this was the solution she’d been looking for. If Matteo couldn’t go, and Vilette didn’t necessarily trust anyone else with her safety at this point—

  “Nothing’s changed other than your cover story just got stronger,” Big E told them. He walked over to the fridge and pulled it open. “No wonder you’re so skinny,” he grumbled to Peyton. “Ain’t nothing in this place but air and ice. Don’t worry. A couple of weeks on the ranch and we’ll get your blood going.” He closed it again. “Guess I’ll have to stop for breakfast on my way out of town. Gino, have you heard of Montana?”

  “Big E—” Peyton warned.

  Gino shrugged. “Don’t they have cowboys there? And horses?”

  “Among other things,” Matteo added in a sour tone that caught Peyton’s attention. She’d heard apathy in his tone before. Sarcasm and humor, sure. But this was the first time that disdain clung to his words.

  “Other things indeed,” Big E confirmed. “There ain’t nothing like the big sky of Montana, Gino. Endless blue stretching as far out as any one person could possibly see. Empty land, rolling hills, just as close to perfection as you’ll ever find. And this time of year? Beginning of fall? It’s the most beautiful place on earth.”

  “Is that where you live?” Gino shifted onto his knees.

  “Lived there my whole life,” Big E stated with pride in his tone.

  “Wow.” Gino’s eyes went saucer-wide. “That must be a really long time.”

  “Gino,” Matteo warned. “Mind your manners.”

  “Yes, sir,” Gino said almost dismissively.

  “Would you like to see Montana, Gino? You know, I have some great-grandchildren out there I bet you’d be friends with. Granted, they’re mostly girls. Got a couple of baby great-grandsons, though. Is that all right with you?”

  “I guess.” Gino didn’t look convinced.

  “There’s tons of stuff for you to do on the ranch. Animals to tend, adventures to have. You won’t be bored.”

  “Do you have video games?”

  “Well, that you’ll have to talk with your dad about, Gino.” Big E ruffled Gino’s hair. “Montana’s there to be lived in, not to be ignored in favor of screens.”

  Peyton
shifted uncomfortably when Big E glanced in her direction. She’d seen enough sky in her life. She was happy with her screens.

  “I appreciate you trying to salvage this, Big E,” Matteo said. “But I don’t think it would be appropriate to bring my son along on a job.”

  “I have to agree with Matteo,” Peyton volunteered. “The job he’s doing, it’s not exactly...well, safe.”

  “Finally admitting I’m right?” Matteo asked.

  Peyton smirked at him.

  “The whole purpose of you going to Montana is so you are safe,” Big E said. “And with as many people as are on and around the ranch, not to mention Falcon Creek itself, you’ll be surrounded by family and friends and a whole special town, Peyton. Fall’s a slow time for guests, with kids being back in school and all, but there’s plenty to keep you busy. And Matteo. You won’t be safer anywhere else. Neither would Gino.”

  “I don’t know.” Matteo still looked unsure. “It doesn’t seem professional.”

  “Again, agreed.” Peyton grasped onto the thin thread of hope that Gino might very well give her the out she’d been looking for. “You wouldn’t want Matteo’s attention divided.”

  “Man’s a former Marine. He can do two things at once. And I promise you, you can trust my grandsons and their kin to keep Gino as close to them as they would their own. After all, you’re family now. And by extension, Matteo and Gino are, too.”

  “Big E,” Peyton said with a shake of her head. As adorable as Gino was, as happy as having him here obviously made Matteo, it didn’t make sense to haul a six-year-old off to Montana while they were trying to protect her from something dangerous.

  Besides, being around Matteo was complicated enough for her. She didn’t need to add his son, who might complicate her life. Or her emotions even more. “It’s not that simple. What about Gino’s mom?”

  “Sylvia sent him to me,” Matteo answered. “What happens with him now is in my hands.”