“I have a question,” she said.
“What’s that?”
Standing on the second step gave her a two-inch advantage over him and this time she did the leaning, and whispered, “Why didn’t I get a hug?”
“I was saving up for this.” His hand cupped the back of her neck and he kissed her, the tip of his tongue taking a languid swipe with the promise of more to come.
Her toes curled over her sandals and she clutched his shoulders for balance. “I figured it was something like that,” she said, pulling back and grinning. “Give me a few minutes to pack.”
The self-satisfied gleam in his eyes caused a burst of excitement in her chest. Mingled laughter coming from the dining room abruptly changed the mood.
“Take your time,” he said, settling his hat back on his head. “I’ll be outside.”
“Chicken,” she whispered.
Seth just smiled and stayed right where he was...where she knew damn well he could watch her jiggling behind all the way up the stairs.
* * *
ALMOST THREE HOURS LATER, they entered the park. They’d made a stop that took them twenty minutes out of their way when Hannah realized she’d forgotten sunscreen. Seth wished they could’ve gotten an earlier start but he was lucky to get the whole day off, plus it was possible they’d spend the night, too. That would make up for a hell of a lot. Damn, he hoped it worked out. Since their time was limited, he’d decided Going-to-the-Sun Road was the best thing for them to do. The scenery was spectacular and it would give her a taste of everything from glacier-carved lakes and valleys to stunning jagged peaks. And wildlife. She seemed interested in spotting different critters and there would be lots of them.
“I can’t believe all the snow,” Hannah said, twisting around in her seat and staring out the back window at the snow-topped mountains all around them. “It’s crazy.”
“Considering it’s only June there really isn’t all that much. We’re lucky Logan Pass isn’t blocked. That’s where we’ll cross the Continental Divide.”
She made the strangest noise. Kind of a strangled giggle. “I’m sure it won’t be nearly as exciting as it sounds.”
Seth chuckled. “Maybe it will, who knows?”
“How many times have you been here?”
“Over a hundred.”
She swung her attention to him. “Are you serious?”
“Yep. I used to camp out here with my brothers when we were teenagers. Usually at the end of July or in August, when it’s warmer. Less likely for the higher elevations to be blocked by snow.”
“Oh, my God.”
He slid her a quick glance.
Her gaze had wandered beyond him out the driver’s window. “I think I just saw a bear.”
“You might have.” Unlikely at this elevation, but it was fun to see how excited she got over everything.
“He wasn’t all that far from the road.” Eyes narrowed, she craned her neck to see behind them.
“Do you want me to slow down?” Seth asked, even though they were practically crawling.
“For the bear?”
“No,” he said, trying not to laugh.
“I knew that.” She shifted so she was facing straight ahead. “I read there’s a bunch of scenic turnouts. Would you mind stopping at a few?” It took all of three seconds for her to whip around again. “I’m never going to see everything.”
“That’s right, you won’t. Not in one day.” He should’ve warned her about first-timers overload. “So better you save yourself from whiplash and just concentrate on what’s ahead.”
“Am I annoying you?”
“Of course not.” Trying to avoid the scurrying chipmunks, he kept his eyes on the road. But he found her hand and squeezed it. “It’s fun being here with a virgin.”
“Yeah, well, I hate to disappoint you...”
Seth laughed. Hannah was sharp, had guts and a great sense of humor, as she’d proven last night at the Watering Hole. And she had a slightly gullible streak that surfaced now and then. What he hadn’t figured out—yet—was just how much of it was her yanking his chain. But either way, she made him smile, and few things had done that in the last couple of years.
“Hey, I should’ve told you before now. Cell service is about to get real spotty. It’s like that throughout most of the park, so if you need to call or text anyone, now’s the time.”
“Nope. I’m good.”
Hell, he realized something else he should’ve considered and pulled the truck over the second he could.
Hannah dragged her gaze away from a pair of marmots lounging in the underbrush and looked at him. “Do you have to make a call?” she asked. “Because I definitely don’t.”
“We should talk about tonight.” He checked the rearview mirror to make sure they were in the clear, then met her soft brown eyes and almost forgot why he’d stopped.
“I’m cool with staying overnight. I assume they have lodges or motels here?”
“They do,” he said, lifting a hand to her cheek because he couldn’t seem to stop himself. He stroked her smooth skin with his fingertips, touched the soft silky strands of her hair. He liked how the different shades of brown shimmered in the sunlight. “I don’t know about availability so we’ll have to call around.”
Her lids drooped as she pressed her cheek against his palm. “Do you think we’ll have trouble?”
“Not in June. It’s just that the accommodations in the park can be a little rough.”
Her sleepy eyes widened. “We have to camp?”
“Not that bad.”
“I don’t actually mind camping. I just prefer a heads-up.”
He watched her chest rise with the deep breath she took. The tank top she was wearing wasn’t too snug but fit close enough that it distracted him if he wasn’t careful. Damn, he wanted to kiss her.
His cell rang, startling both of them.
It took some effort to dig for it in his jeans pocket. Especially with a partial erection in the way. Which he figured Hannah had also noticed because she turned abruptly to look out her window.
He saw that it was Paxton, one of the men from the Whispering Pines. That usually meant trouble. “Yeah, Paxton...”
“Hey, boss. You busy?”
Seth knew that sheepish tone all too well. And calling him boss? “What do you want?”
“You happen to be anywhere nearby?”
“Why?”
“I kinda lost the key to the medicine cabinet.”
“Kinda?” Seth glanced at the dashboard clock. Already noon. Paxton should’ve given the pregnant mares their meds by now. “Either you lost it or you didn’t.”
Paxton noisily cleared his throat. “I had it earlier. Then I misplaced the damn thing. It’s gotta turn up. You got one, don’t you?”
“Where’s Clint?”
“He and Lila left for Kalispell about an hour ago. Won’t be back till late.”
Seth pinched the bridge of his nose. Kalispell was closer to the Whispering Pines, but he wouldn’t ask Clint to drive back. The poor guy deserved the time off with Lila. Hell, what he truly deserved was to be able to count on Seth for a change.
He looked over at Hannah. She’d been gazing out the window but she turned to him with a smile. She could only glean so much from his side of the conversation but she mouthed, “It’s fine.”
Cursing to himself, Seth exhaled slowly. She’d never know how much he appreciated her understanding. Though he doubted she understood their entire day and night together was about to be ruined. Maybe the whole week. He didn’t know if he could take another day off. But, hell, he owed his brother. His whole family.
After a nervous silence, Paxton asked, “You want me to give Clint a holler?”
“No. It’ll take
me about three hours,” he said, and couldn’t quite look at Hannah.
“Sorry, boss,” Paxton mumbled.
“Yeah. I know.” Seth disconnected the call and put the phone down with too much force. “Son of a bitch.” He turned to Hannah. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, please. I can curse with the best of ’em.”
He managed a smile. “About everything. I have to get back to the Whispering Pines.”
“I guessed as much.”
“After that, it’ll be too late to come back here.” He saw the disappointment in her eyes. Just a flicker and then it was gone. She wouldn’t sulk or make him feel bad, like so many other women he knew. The thing was, they could still drive to Kalispell afterward, just to have dinner and spend the night. For that matter, there was a motel in Blackfoot Falls. But either option seemed too tacky. He wouldn’t feel right doing that to her.
“Shouldn’t we be getting back on the road?” she asked softly. “I’m not trying to rush you. It just sounded kind of important.”
“Hannah...”
“I know, Seth. It’s fine. I promise. Not having a nine-to-five job has its trade-offs.”
“Tell me about it,” he said, and started the truck. Throw in a few years of penance on top of that...yeah, he’d pretty much have no life for the next decade.
“I’m going to ask you something and I want you to swear you’ll tell me the truth.”
“You got it,” he said. “Shoot.”
“Would you mind if I went with you? Maybe I can even help.”
Seth had shifted the truck into gear but paused to look into her earnest brown eyes. “I’ll even give you the grand tour,” he said, leaning over the inconvenient center console. He didn’t care if he was parked at the side of the road. He was going to kiss this woman, and kiss her well.
5
WITH THE SUN beating through the window on Hannah’s side of the truck for most of the return trip, thirty minutes from the Whispering Pines she began to feel drowsy.
They’d picked up sodas and snacks in Kalispell. She knew Seth had stopped for her benefit, even though she’d told him it wasn’t necessary. Thank goodness he hadn’t listened to her. She took another sip of her cola, hoping the caffeine would revive her. In the meantime, she laid her head back, her droopy eyelids hidden behind her sunglasses.
In a way it was good that Seth’s parents were away visiting family in Missoula. His brother Clint and his fiancée, Lila, wouldn’t be there, either. It wasn’t that Hannah didn’t want to meet them. She just preferred being at her sparkling best for an introduction.
“Something else I should warn you about,” Seth said, and she brought her head up. “Murray does most of the cooking in the bunkhouse. If he offers you anything to eat, turn it down.”
“Lousy cook?”
“Hard to tell. He puts so damn many hot peppers in everything. Doesn’t matter what he’s cooking. Whatever it is, I can guarantee it’ll blow your head off.”
“Excuse me, mister, but I’m a Texan. There is nothing too spicy for me.”
“Okay,” he said, clearly amused. “We’ll see about that. Hey, you know anything about weddings?”
“Weddings?” Hannah blinked. Weird segue. “What, I don’t get a ring first?”
Seth choked out a laugh. “Clint and Lila are getting married next month. The reception is going to be at the ranch, and between our mom and Lila’s, so far the guest list has topped five hundred.”
“Holy crap!”
“Not unusual around here, though. Everyone thinks they should be invited.”
“So, how do you accommodate that many people? A tent?”
“At this rate, probably two of ’em. I suggested fixing up the barn—”
Hannah started laughing and snorted soda up her nose.
“Hey, that’s a better response than I got from my mom.” Seth glanced over at her. “You okay?”
She nodded and wiped her face with a napkin. “Are you serious about the barn? Was that your question?”
“I didn’t mean we’d leave it as is. We could clean it up and partition off anything unsightly. They’re going to decorate anything that doesn’t move, anyway.”
“Well, it’s kind of a trend in Texas.” Although Hannah didn’t see the appeal. “You must be reading bridal magazines.”
“Yeah, right. It just makes sense. July is a hot month. The barn would be cooler.”
“Ah.” Hannah had to admit, he had a point. “What did your brother say?”
“He’s staying out of it.”
“Smart man.”
“Guess that makes me the dumb ass.”
“Your words, not mine.” She caught the beginning of a smile before she turned her head to scope out the scenery. She loved the area. The green rolling hills on one side of the highway were dotted with grazing cattle, hundreds of them as far as she could see. To her right, scrub brush gave way to the foothills, covered with pines and aspens and other trees. In the background were the Rockies. A few hours ago, she and Seth had been right there, so close. “It’s beautiful here. Whispering Pines is the perfect name.”
Seth’s smile lacked its usual warmth. “You’re a good sport, Hannah. This is a hell of a way to spend a day of your vacation.”
“Are you kidding? I’m so lucky. The girls back at the Sundance are all green with envy. Not that I’m one to gloat.” She paused. “Though two of them kinda deserve it, so I’m not promising anything.”
His laugh made everything better and reset the tone.
“How big is the Whispering Pines?”
“Twenty-five hundred acres now that we just purchased more land,” he said, and frowned at her phony cough. “What?”
“That’s a lot of land.”
“You sure you’re from Texas?”
“Fair point. But not much of it looks like this,” she said. “Will you tell me when we come up on your family’s spread?”
“Most of the property stretches to the east and south, but we’ll pass through some of our pastures before we get to the gate. Now, all this you see around us is BLM land.”
She’d already pegged the foothills as government land but not the hilly pastures. Up ahead, she saw even more cattle. “So, whoever owns this herd has a grazing permit, is that right?” When all she got was silence she turned to Seth and noticed his jaw had tightened. “I guess I’m not understanding how that works. And yet I get to lose sleep over it.”
The look he shot her bordered on suspicion. “How so?”
“I left my window open last night and early this morning some idiot yelling something about grazing permits woke me. And I’m on the second floor.”
Seth frowned. “Do you know who it was?”
“I didn’t look. But he wasn’t one of the McAllisters. He sounded older and his voice had a real twang to it.”
Recognition flickered in Seth’s face. He kept his eyes on the road but he’d piqued her curiosity...especially when he didn’t volunteer any information.
“You know who it is, don’t you?”
He hesitated. “I might.”
“You can tell me. I promise not to hunt him down and do unspeakable things to his person.”
He gave her a wry smile. “What difference would a name make? You don’t know him.”
“True.” Jeez, she hoped Seth wasn’t related to the guy. “Are we doing anything after you drop off the key? I mean, besides giving me a tour. No pressure, though. That’s not why I asked to tag along.”
“You have something in mind?” His voice dropped to a lower pitch, which she took to mean they were on the same page.
“Not really.” She watched him, gauging his reaction, hoping she hadn’t misread him. “Actually, I was kind of wondering if I packed for nothing.”
Seth smiled. “Well, we can make sure that isn’t the case.”
“Good. Then I’ll get that name out of you later.”
He barked out a laugh. “You can try.”
“You doubt me?” She looked at him over the top of her sunglasses. A faint smirk tugged at his mouth. “Oh, I see what you’re doing. Very clever. It might even work.”
“What am I doing? I’m driving.”
“Uh-huh. I know your type. You’re one of those stop-it-some-more kind of guys. Well, honey, you just wait. You’ll be begging to spill every secret you know.”
Shaking his head, his mouth twitching, he shifted in his seat.
She considered asking him if his jeans were too tight, but zipped her lips, instead. She could only pull off so much before she started laughing or blushing. Why was she so comfortable with him? Was it because after a few days of fun and games she’d be gone?
“You sound pretty damn confident.”
“I do, don’t I?”
“I guess if you can get up in front of a bar full of people and—”
“Okay, we’re never going to speak of that again. Ever. You feel me?”
Seth abruptly pulled the truck over to the shoulder. Before she could get a word out he had his arms around her. “I do,” he murmured against her mouth, and he kissed her, increasing the pressure on her lips until she opened for him.
She put a hand against his chest and felt the strong, steady beat of his heart. Hers wasn’t nearly as controlled. It seemed to have filled her entire chest and was pounding its way out. He stroked his tongue into her mouth, slowly, thoroughly, until she wanted to rip his clothes off and climb all over him.
By the time he ended the kiss she had no air left in her lungs. Seth didn’t look completely together, either. Beneath her palm his heart was doing the tango. She lowered her hand and caught a fleeting glimpse of his erection. The poor guy was going to hurt himself if they didn’t do something about that soon.
The thought alone made her shiver.
She leaned back. “You feel me must be the magic words.”
Sizzling Summer Nights Page 5