The Man from Montana

by Julianna Morris

  “What’s up?” Andrew demanded as he arrived, followed by Uncle Lee and Aunt Emma.

  “Your ex came into the business office this afternoon and started asking questions about the ranch.”

  “Did she say what she wanted?”

  “No, but Tessa said she was being pushy and told her to contact my number. I haven’t gotten any calls or messages, though.”

  * * *

  ANDREW’S JAW CLENCHED.

  Over the past few days he’d tried to dismiss the possibility that his ex-wife was back in Elk Point. After all, why would Mallory return to a place she’d professed to hate? She didn’t have any ties here aside from Derry, and her son obviously meant nothing to her—she’d never even bothered to ask how he was doing.

  Uncle Lee clasped him on the shoulder. “Don’t let it get to you. You’re a fine father and you have all of us to help.”

  “I appreciate everything you’re doing.”

  “We’re the ones who are grateful,” Aunt Emma said quietly. “Derry is such a joy. No one could dispute how happy and healthy he is. He’s our little ray of sunshine.”

  Andrew was tempted to say it would be a lot more reassuring if everyone else didn’t look as worried as he felt. They all knew how complex custody issues could be and that unfathomable things could happen in family court. But what Mallory had done, leaving Derry alone that way, was on public record.

  “I need some air,” he told the family. “I’ll be back later.”

  They didn’t argue and he went outside. The sun was dropping low on the horizon, tingeing the air with gold. The lights were on in the main horse barn and he headed over there automatically.

  “Hey, Andrew,” Jillian called to him as he went inside.

  He and Jillian Mahoney had been friends since they were kids, when his parents started coming to Elk Point for vacations. She knew too well what it was like to have her life dragged through a meat grinder, though in her case it was from losing her fiancé in a convenience store robbery. Michael had stopped for a cup of coffee and gotten caught in the crossfire.

  “Is everything okay?” Andrew asked. “You’re here late.”

  “I don’t feel right about how this mare is doing, so I’m spending the night.”

  Jillian had grown up in a ranching family that bred and raised some of the finest horses in Montana. With the possible exception of her father, she was the top expert in equine care around Elk Point, so it had been a coup when Clay talked her into being his head wrangler.

  “Colic?”

  “Maybe.” Jillian patted the mare and stepped out of the stall. “I caught one of the clients feeding her a pail of grain earlier, which could have put her system out of balance. They meant well, but unfortunately, Shadow Girl never turns down unauthorized snacks. So, what’s bothering you?”

  That was Jillian—straight to the point.

  “My ex-wife. She showed up earlier at the business office and talked to Clay’s new employee, but didn’t say what she wanted.”

  “I realize it’s hard, but try not to borrow trouble. She may not be here for negative reasons. Wouldn’t it be better for Derry if his mother showed genuine interest in him?”

  Andrew shrugged. “Mallory exchanged full custody for a big chunk of money. She didn’t even want visitation rights. On top of that, she told me not to bother sending pictures, because she wasn’t interested. And don’t get me started again on the way she left him alone in the apartment. I still have nightmares.”

  “I know.”

  Jillian sank down on a bale of hay, rubbing the back of her neck, and it struck him how tired she must be. During the busy season, she put in long hours between the Carson Double C and her family’s spread. Now was especially hard because her father had broken an arm and a leg, along with seven of his ribs, while doing roof repairs on their foaling barn. The doctor had said it would be a long, slow recovery. Until he was better, she was trying to cover his work on the horse ranch as well as her own.

  “I should have asked about your dad,” Andrew said belatedly. “How is he doing?”

  “Fairly well, but he hates being inactive. He shouldn’t have been up on that roof at his age. If only I’d insisted we bring in a roofer.”

  Uh-oh.

  Andrew had seen that expression on her face before. Jillian had a fierce sense of responsibility. She’d needed a change after her fiancé’s death, so she had taken the position at Carson Outdoor Adventures. Her parents were fine with it, but with her father being temporarily incapacitated, she felt guilty that she wasn’t putting in more time at the Mahoney Horse Ranch.

  He sat next to her. “I think your dad would balk at you claiming he’s too old to repair a roof. And he’s still in charge over there, so you couldn’t have insisted anything. Besides, you have two brothers. It isn’t your fault that you’re the only Mahoney who inherited any horse sense.”

  She let out a weak laugh and shoulder-bumped him. “I guess. How did we end up here, Andy? It isn’t what we talked about as kids.”

  “Hey, nothing is over yet. We’re still young. I’m not counting myself out.”

  “I suppose. Though at the moment I can’t even remember what my dreams used to be.”

  “As I recall, you were going to be a professional kitten cuddler, while I was going to join a traveling carnival so I could ride a roller coaster every day.”

  * * *

  JILLIAN SMILED, HER spirits lifting.

  It seemed like forever since she and Andy had first met. The Carsons had started renting the Mahoney guesthouse when they were both six. The two families had quickly grown close and she and Andy had become the best of buddies.

  “That was a long time ago,” she said.

  “Almost twenty-four years. And I’m riding a roller coaster every day, just like I planned. Only it’s called fatherhood.”

  Ah. Andy was a great dad. He adored Derry and his son adored him. His ex-wife’s attitude had been a huge disappointment, but things didn’t always go as planned. Anyway, Mallory had put on a good show in the beginning.

  “Well, I’m not a professional kitten cuddler,” she said.

  “No?”

  Jillian glanced down and realized she was absently petting one of the barn cats that had jumped onto her thighs. Mittens was purring and flexing her paws in contentment. “I just cuddle cats as a sideline. There isn’t any money in the job.”

  Andrew gave her a serious look. “Look, if dividing your time between Carson Outdoor Adventures and your dad’s ranch isn’t what you want, then quit. Here, there, or both. Do what makes you happy.”

  “Don’t let Clay or my father hear you saying that. Besides, it’s only full-time at the Carson Double C during the summer. More to the point, it would help if I knew what I wanted. Everything was so clear before Michael died. It was going to be love, marriage and a baby carriage, along with working with Dad and eventually taking over someday. What could be better than raising horses and babies and being in love with the finest doctor in Elk Point?”

  Andy squeezed her hand. “At least you had the love part for a while.”

  “Yeah, but I expected to have sixty or seventy years with Michael.” She blew out a breath and lifted her chin. “Jeez, I sound maudlin. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Sorry to be a wet blanket when you’re the one with a problem.”

  Sensing the tension in her body, Mittens jumped to the floor. She was a great cat, mostly black, with white feet, a white throat and a white tip on the end of her tail. Clay had offered to let her take Mittens—Jillian now lived in her parents’ guesthouse—but she was at the Carson Double C more than she was at home.

  Andy leaned down and scratched around Mittens’s ears, then straightened. “Nothing is wrong with you. You’re just tired and concerned about your dad. And as you pointed out, I don’t even know if Mallory is a problem yet. She migh
t simply want to find out how Derry is doing. Knowing what I know about her now, I doubt it, but there’s always a chance she’s discovered a shred of maternal instinct.”

  Jillian nodded and went to check on Shadow Girl. The mare still seemed restless. “I’m going to take her out for a walk. Want to come?”

  “Sure.”

  The sun had dropped below the horizon, but there was plenty of light left. They walked up and down, not getting too far from the barn in case Shadow Girl tried to lie down or roll. Gradually the mare seemed to grow more comfortable and they took her back to her stall. Perhaps the extra ration of linseed oil she’d been given and the walk were helping. Shadow Girl was gentle and excellent with new riders, especially kids, but her intestinal system was extra touchy. Because of it, they only sent her out on day trips.

  “Thanks for keeping us company,” she told Andy.

  “Anytime. Are you still sleeping here tonight?”

  “I think it’s best. But if you’re going to suggest I ask one of the wranglers to do it instead, it’s my turn in the rotation. Anyway, I’ll probably get more sleep here than at home. I’ve been staying at the house to help Mom out and it can get a little tense. She’ll call if she needs me to run over for a few minutes.”

  “That’s hard on you.”

  “You’re sweet to be concerned, but I’m fine.”

  He began to leave and mumbled, “Guys don’t want to be called sweet. Haven’t you learned anything from me?”

  Jillian laughed. He’d once explained that men wanted to be seen as strong, bold and decisive, not nice or sweet. It had become a running joke between them.

  She set up the camp cot the wranglers used when spending the night in the barn, thinking how fortunate she was to have Andy Carson as a friend.

  He’d helped get her through the worst time of her life. Now she was in a kind of limbo, neither particularly unhappy or happy, and she didn’t know how to get out of it.

  * * *

  THE NEXT MORNING Clay was surprised when Tessa showed up in the staging area with her backpack.

  “Hi,” she said breezily. “I asked the kitchen staff if it was a problem if I went on your trip today for training purposes. Your uncle said it was fine and he could add to the food supplies easily, but to let him know if you’re okay with me going.”

  Clay frowned. “You’ve already put in a full week of work.”

  She waved her hand. “I already know being a guide isn’t like a regular nine-to-five job. Besides, I love backpacking and don’t mind learning something along the way. I wouldn’t expect to be paid for the trip. That’s the last thing I had in mind. If I had enough money, I’d just pay to go on one trip after another, all summer long.”

  She made it sound quite reasonable and her attitude fit with how a number of his other guides felt—some of them claimed they’d take people out for free if they didn’t need an income. He saw it that way himself.

  “All right,” he agreed. “But you’ll just be observing, not working. I’ll give the kitchen a call.”

  “No problem,” Uncle Lee assured him when they talked. “Tessa is a fine choice. She should be a good addition to your guide roster. Emma is especially pleased. She says you should have more—”

  “I know,” Clay interrupted hastily. His aunt was always talking to him about hiring more women as guides. He was all for doing it—the women on his roster were outstanding—but he needed the right people to apply when he had openings. “I’ll be over to get the food in an hour.”

  “It’ll be ready.”

  Clay disconnected and looked at Tessa. “You’ve already seen how we verify that clients have brought everything needed on a hike, so you’ll want to memorize the inventory of required equipment or else work off a checklist.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched. “I remember, tents aren’t optional. If you want to check before anyone gets here, I brought mine.”

  “That won’t be necessary. You should be aware we have equipment clients can rent for a reasonable price if needed, including one-, two- and three-person tents.”

  Her eyes darkened to a deep well of blue. “I’m sure the two-person tents come in handy for couples.”

  Clay didn’t believe for a minute that Tessa was flirting with him, yet the comment raised images he didn’t want to consider.

  Cozy, intimate images.

  He was far more intrigued by her and what she was thinking than he ought to be. Perhaps it was natural. She was beautiful and seemed considerate of other people. On top of that, he hadn’t done much socializing for a while.

  Quite a while.

  He enjoyed spending time with women, but dating had been low on his list of priorities over the last several years. Buying the ranch and adding horseback tours had required a substantial bank loan. He was accustomed to taking risks, but now the ranch had become home to his brother and nephew, along with his aunt and uncle. If his company failed, it would affect more than him and his employees.

  He cleared his throat. “The larger tents are good for families, as well as couples, and it means less weight overall to carry. Of course, most of our trips don’t allow kids under fifteen, and at that age they usually prefer being in their own tent.”

  “I see. I hope it was all right to wear shorts. I have jeans and sweats in my pack, but the weather report said it was supposed to be warm during daylight hours.”

  Clay reluctantly focused on Tessa’s legs and the modest khaki shorts she wore that were neatly cuffed above the knee.

  “Uh, yeah. Shorts are fine.”

  He swiftly turned and began laying out his own gear on a table. His standard procedure was to clean his equipment and do needed repairs immediately following a trip, so it was ready to go the next time. The common equipment—stove, fuel, eating utensils and so on—was already spread out on a center table.

  Yet the image of Tessa’s legs lingered in his mind...silky smooth, tanned and toned from walking and hiking. He couldn’t help thinking he was being inappropriate in some way, yet it wasn’t as if he’d ogled her.

  “The information you completed on the employee form shows you have first-aid training,” he said, staying focused on the equipment. “Along with CPR certification. But if you want to remain a guide beyond this summer, you’ll need to be certified in wilderness first aid at the minimum.”

  “Oh, well, right now I’m just on a break from the pool and landscaping business.” The discomfort in her tone was unmistakable. “But that doesn’t mean I won’t give guiding my best.”

  “I’m not worried about it.”

  The things they’d discussed the day before kept running through his head, along with the flashes of sadness haunting her eyes and the affectionate way she spoke about her parents. He was curious about what was going on in her life, yet he already knew more than he needed to as an employer, strictly speaking.

  And it wasn’t as if he didn’t already have enough challenges in front of him.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  TESSA SMILED AND talked with everyone on the backpacking trip, all the while trying to observe Clay.

  The depth of his knowledge was astounding. It seemed as if whatever question the clients threw at him, he knew the answer. Yet she couldn’t help thinking that he needed to show more emotion about the land and animals he was talking about. She was sure he was passionate about his mountains and forests, yet he sounded like a professor spouting facts from a lectern.

  “Are you really a trainee guide, and how do I get a summer job like this when I come back home?” asked one member of the group, a teacher who was there with his parents, a sister, two brothers and their wives. Patrick was leaving almost immediately for Peace Corps training and this would be their last family outing together until he returned from his overseas assignment.

  “Yes, I’m really a trainee,” she told him. “As for how to become a gui
de, I can’t offer any advice. It happened by accident.”

  He winked. “I’ll take that kind of accident. Especially if I have someone like you along when I’m working.”

  It wasn’t the first flirtatious comment Patrick had made. They were around the same age, but she doubted it was a good idea for outdoor guides to get distracted, regardless. Still, she hadn’t gone out since Renee’s death and it was flattering that Patrick found her attractive.

  “What do you think?” he prompted.

  “I think you’re trying too hard,” she said with a smile.

  “Everyone, it’s time for a break,” Clay called. She noticed he was frowning.

  The family stopped and shed their backpacks, teasing each other about who was keeping up the best. Tessa drank from her canteen before going over to see what might be bothering him.

  “Is something up?” she asked softly.

  “No.”

  Tessa hadn’t been able to sleep the previous night, so her instincts weren’t at their best. Nonetheless, she wasn’t convinced. “We don’t know each other well, but I suspect something is on your mind.”

  His frown deepened. “Fine. I was going to wait before saying anything, but you should know it isn’t unusual to have guests hope for a fling on vacation. The situation can get awkward if you don’t discourage it from the beginning.”

  “That isn’t a problem, because I’m not interested in a fling and I’m not flirting in return.”

  Clay regarded her for a long minute. “All right. But you also need to tell me if you’re being harassed. I won’t put up with that. Patrick Frazier may be a paying client, but he’s still expected to behave appropriately.”

  She blinked. “Even if Patrick was bothering me, I could handle him myself. But he’s just letting off steam before heading to his Peace Corps training. I don’t know much about the Peace Corps, but he’s probably wondering if romantic possibilities will be few and far between until he gets back. He’s fine, really. Everything’s fine.”