Her heart tripped over itself. “Sheriff, are you trying to get me into trouble?”
He smiled and pulled her against him, taking her mouth in a deep kiss. “I’m doing my best.”
Several moments later, everything was ready and Lissa joined Gage for the hearty meal. “Delicious,” she told him as she took a bite of steak.
“I aim to please,” he said.
Afterward, they went outside and cuddled in the moonlight. “It’s so quiet here,” she said. “I can’t remember being in such a quiet, beautiful place.”
“That’s our specialty in Montana,” he said and looked upward. “That and our wide-open skies.”
“It’s calming and peaceful,” she said.
“A lot different than Manhattan,” he said.
“Yes.” She took a deep breath. “I hear a song in my head. Perfect for a dance in the Montana moonlight. Would you join me?”
He paused a moment. “You’ll have to hum it so I get the beat right,” he said.
Seconds later, he pressed one hand against her back and lifted her hand with the other. She hummed under her breath, but he caught on. Soon enough, they were waltzing.
Lissa looked into his face and everything inside her jumped and screamed. She had been waiting for this moment her entire life. Gage was her dream come true.
“You lied,” she said breathlessly.
Gage frowned, but didn’t miss a step. “What do you mean?”
“You’re a great dancer,” she said. “The very best.”
Gage lifted his head, his throat bared to her as he laughed. “It’s the moonlight and the stars fooling you,” he said. “They’re on my side tonight.”
After a night filled with lovemaking and some sleep, Lissa awakened the next morning when she felt Gage rise from the bed. “Hey, is it already time to get up?” she asked, already missing his body next to hers.
“It is for me, sleepyhead. But you can get a few more winks if you like,” he said and smiled at her.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’ve got to ride my horses every now and then to keep them from getting green.” Seeing her confused look, he clarified, “That means I would have to do a lot of re-training and conditioning with them. It won’t take long,” he said and brushed his hand over her hair.
“Can I go with you?”
“You ride?”
“Well, I have,” she said. “It’s been a while.”
“Okay. We can take it slow on the ride, but you better hop out of bed.”
She sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. “I can move quickly. Just let me splash some water on my face and brush my teeth.”
“I can heat up a frozen breakfast biscuit for you,” he offered.
“No need,” she said, slipping past him to the tiny bathroom. “I brought my own fruit this time. I’ll skip your mystery meat, thank you.”
“Mystery meat?” he echoed. “What do you mean?”
“Have you read the ingredients on the package?” she asked as she splashed her face. “How many of them can you pronounce?”
“I didn’t know you were a health nut,” he said.
“I’m not. I just like to be able to pronounce what I’m putting in my body.” She brushed her teeth.
“Picky, picky,” he teased. “You think those muffins we get at the office are chemical free?”
She didn’t argue. She was too busy getting dressed and pulling her hair into a low ponytail. Lissa was excited to go horseback riding. It had been ages since she’d ridden. Within moments, she and Gage tramped to the barn. He saddled up a sweet, aging mare named Sally for her and a gelding named Black for himself.
“I’ll lead with Black. He can get a little cantankerous, and I don’t want him irritating Sally. You won’t have to do much with her. She knows the way and she’s got a soft mouth. Let’s move along,” he said and made a clicking sound.
As they climbed a hill, Lissa marveled at the view. “It’s so beautiful and clear. It really does seem like I can see for miles.”
“That’s what we’re known for—wide-open spaces. There’s a reason we’re called big sky country. A lot different than what you see every day in Manhattan, that’s for sure.”
“What surprises me is how quiet it is out here. There’s always some kind of noise in the city,” she said.
“Yeah, people either love it or the isolation eventually drives them crazy. The winters can be pretty harsh here. Add in the lack of accessibility to entertainment and shopping and it’s tough to face it on an everyday basis when you’re used to having everything within walking distance.”
Lissa nodded, wondering if she could see herself living full time in Montana. She honestly hadn’t missed New York at all since she’d set foot here. “I haven’t gone through a winter here, so I can’t really make that call. But it’s not like you’ve got to hitch a wagon to go to town. You can drive.”
“As long as you can drive in the snow,” he said in a meaningful voice.
She made a face at him. “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you? If I’m such a rotten winter driver, then maybe you should teach me.”
“I’ll do that,” he said, meeting her gaze. “If you’re here when it snows again.”
His comment stabbed at her. Both of them knew her stay in Montana was only temporary, but she didn’t want to think about her time with Gage coming to an end.
After they finished their ride, Gage checked out the rest of the horses and let them into the pasture. “Hmm,” he said as he watched for a moment.
“What’s the problem?”
“It looks like Damien might be favoring his right side,” he said, pointing to a brown horse. “I’ll have to check that out later. Let’s head back to my place.”
Walking back to Gage’s trailer, they passed by his house. She paused. “You never showed me your house,” she said.
“There’s not much to see downstairs. I took out all the upholstered furniture. It’s iffy whether I’ll need a new floor. I lost the stove and fridge, too.”
“Have you filed for any compensation?” she asked.
“Just haven’t gotten around to it. The drywall will have to be replaced in one of the rooms. I’ve already torn out the bad stuff and I ran fans in there like crazy afterward. I’ll get to it sometime. Maybe next spring. Why should I get back into my house when there are families still waiting to get back into theirs?”
“Well, why shouldn’t you get back into your house?” she asked.
He shrugged. “My house is not a priority,” he said. “You take the first shower. I’m going to take care of a few chores.”
Staring after Gage, Lissa blinked. He’d sounded almost curt. She admired the sacrifices he was making for the other citizens in his area, but she didn’t think he needed to be last in line for repairs. Gage worked his butt off for the community. He could use a little comfort during the few hours he was at home.
Chewing on some possibilities, she took her shower, toweled off and got dressed. When Gage returned, he also took a shower, letting out a shout after a few minutes.
Alarmed, Lissa tapped on the door, carrying her carton of yogurt with her. “What’s wrong?”
“Ran out of hot water. It’s damn cold,” he said.
“Yikes,” she said. “Sorry.”
Gage stepped from the minuscule bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. “No problem. The trailer’s stingy with hot water. I’m glad you got yours first.”
“Now I feel bad,” she said.
“I’ll let you make it up to me,” he said with a grin and pressed a quick kiss on her mouth. “Are my lips blue?”
“No,” she said with a laugh, admiring his well-muscled body. “You look like you survived the frigid tempe
rature pretty well.”
“Sure I did. We need to eat and hit the road. Is that yogurt any good?” he asked.
“Yummy peach,” she said. “I’ve also got blueberry.”
“I like blueberries. I’ll give that one a try,” he said.
Not that she had offered, Lissa thought, but smiled at the notion that she had influenced him even a tiny bit. He ate two cartons of yogurt and one of her apples.
Apparently Gage liked the food choices suggested for him.
They made it into town and Gage let her off at the rooming house. Lissa prayed she could make it up the back stairway without Melba confronting her. After making it to her room, she breathed a sigh a relief then sank onto the bed. More than anything, she wanted to take a nap. A long nap.
Torn, she dragged herself out of bed. She had fresh volunteers arriving in two days, and she needed to map out a schedule. No rest for the wicked or pure, she thought. And she sure as heck wasn’t pure.
Lissa grabbed her iPad and sat in a straight-backed chair. She decided to skip going to headquarters and focus on working here in her room. Maybe later she could squeeze in a nap.
Just after two o’clock in the afternoon, she’d made dozens of lists and schedules and several appointments and her eyes were drooping, so she took that well-needed nap. She set her alarm for two hours.
Lissa was awakened by an annoying beeping sound. It took her several seconds, but she finally realized the sound was coming from her phone. Oh, wow, she could use some more sleep, she thought. Like maybe twenty-four hours.
That wasn’t going to happen, she realized, and stumbled into her bathroom to splash water on her face and brush her teeth. It was her customized routine for waking up when she wanted sleep more than anything.
While she was brushing her teeth, her cell phone rang. She rinsed her mouth then picked up. “Hi,” she said.
“Hi. Are you coming back to life?” Gage said.
“I’m doing the best I can,” she said.
“Bet you’re sore from your morning ride,” he said.
She frowned. “Bet you’re right. How did you know?”
“Riding uses different muscles. You want to take a break and stay at Melba’s tonight?”
“No,” she said. “But I do need some more sleep because more volunteers are coming the day after tomorrow.”
“You want me to keep my hands off you?” Gage asked.
“Never,” she said.
He chuckled. “I’ll pick you up in a few. Look for my car,” he said.
“You might want to pick up a couple cartons of yogurt and some fruit,” she said.
“Okay,” he said. “By the way, I forgot to tell you, but I bought some wine a few days ago.”
“You’re a great guy,” she said.
“Yeah, keep saying that,” he said.
Lissa laughed. “You’re a great guy. You’re a great guy. You’re a great—”
“Okay, stop or I’ll get sick,” he said.
“You’re a great—”
Click. Lissa glanced at her phone and saw that Gage had disconnected the call. Even when she was half asleep, he made her feel alive. She grabbed a few items and a change of clothing. She glanced outside her window and saw Gage’s SUV parked away from the light cascading over the front lawn.
Her heart skipped a beat and she gathered her belongings in a tote bag then made her way down the back stairway.
“Hey, sweetie,” Melba said.
Dumb luck, Lissa thought. “Hi there, Melba,” she said and gave the woman a big hug.
“You haven’t shown up for breakfast lately,” Melba said.
“I know. My schedule has been crazy. My volunteer group just left and a new one is coming in soon.”
“Well, everyone is talking about everything you’re getting done. You’re a marvel. Let me know if there’s anything I can do. I’ll even let you use my car,” the woman said.
“Oh, you’re too sweet. Especially after I landed your car in the ditch.”
“Bessie’s been through more than a little trip in the ditch. And it’s all for a good cause,” she said. “Taking care of Rust Creek Falls. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
“You’re so right,” Lissa said.
Melba sighed. “Well, I wish I could do more for you,” she said.
“You’ve already done more than enough. You’ve given me a second home,” Lissa said and hugged the woman again.
“You’re a sweet girl,” Melba said. “You call me anytime you need me.”
Lissa’s heart twisted as she headed out the back door and rushed toward Gage’s vehicle. She climbed in and took a deep breath. “Hiya. Good to see you.”
“Good to see you,” he said.
“Thanks,” she said and sank her head back against the seat.
“I need to let you sleep more tonight,” he said.
“Oh, no,” she protested. “Keep me awake,” she said. “I love the way you keep me awake.”
Gage groaned. “You send my good intentions to hell in a handbasket.”
Chapter Eight
I’m so excited with the progress we’re making in Rust Creek Falls. With new volunteer crews arriving every few days, we get a fresh group of people eager to work and make a difference. The people here are just as fantastic. They are providing meals for the volunteers and many of them are helping their neighbors with damaged homes even while their own homes have been damaged. Even the children are helping! The sheriff continues to work nearly ’round the clock to help everyone get back on their feet. He’s an amazing man. I’ve never met anyone like him and I’m growing more certain, day by day, that I never will again. Sometimes I have to pinch myself that I’m getting to know him on such a deep level.
—Lissa Roarke
Gage savored another night with Lissa, but then the new set of volunteers arrived and she was busy all the time. It gave him an opportunity to stop by his parents’ house for a few minutes and catch up on his chores. He checked out his horse, Damien, and decided to call his longtime friend Brooks Smith, the best veterinarian in the area, to come take a look. He’d known Brooks since the two had gone to high school together.
The animal doctor drove in from Livingston about two hours later.
Gage walked outside to meet Brooks. “Thanks for coming,” he said, extending his hand. “I would have called your dad, but I hear he’s not feeling well lately.”
Brooks nodded. “He’s not in the best health.”
Gage led the way toward the barn. “When are you going to move back to town? It would make sense for you to take over your father’s practice, especially if his health is failing.”
Brooks frowned. “Try telling my father that. He’s not ready to give the practice to me yet. He wants me to be married first,” he said in disgust.
“Married?” Gage echoed. “What does being married have to do with taking over your dad’s vet practice?”
“He thinks being married adds stability. It’s not like I’ve gone tearing off to Alaska or anywhere else all the time.”
Gage shrugged. “True. Maybe he’ll come around,” he said as they walked into the barn.
“I think he’s determined that I’m the one who should come around.” Brooks shook his head. “Having a wife is a time and energy drain. I don’t have time for a wife, let alone a social life right now.”
Gage thought about Lissa and how he’d been doing everything he could to avoid a social life until she came to town. “Sometimes a social life finds you even when you’re not looking for it.”
Brooks glanced at Gage. “Spoken like a man who has a woman on the brain.”
Gage didn’t like talking about his relationship with Lissa. People offered too many opinions. “I guess it depends on the
woman. Some of them don’t make it feel like a drain, but I’m no expert, that’s for sure.”
“I don’t know any man who is an expert on women,” Brooks said with a laugh. “Now let me take a look at your horse.”
Brooks examined Damien and confirmed a mild tendon injury. “Ice and rest. Keep him in the stall. You can put a gel cast on him then walk him in a few days. I don’t recommend an anti-inflammatory in this case because he’s more likely to rest the leg if it hurts. Call me if you run into any problems.”
“Thanks for coming out,” Gage said.
“Anytime,” Brooks said as they returned to his truck.
“Good luck with your dad,” Gage said.
Brooks gave a rough chuckle. “I’ll need it. Take care, now.”
Late that afternoon, Gage went into the office and was greeted by Lissa. She was so excited about something that she couldn’t keep still. “What happened?” he asked. “Did you win the lottery?”
“In a way,” she said. “Someone at Bootstraps has located a furniture store that’s going out of business and they’ve agreed to donate a bunch of furniture to the flood victims in Rust Creek. One of the volunteers from my last crew called and they’ve raised money to donate new stuffed animals, linens and curtains.”
“You’re a regular miracle worker,” he said, wanting to pick her up and hug her.
“Me?” she said. “It’s not me. These are other people making these donations.”
“Because you’ve gotten them all fired up,” he said. “That’s why your crews are getting twice as much done as you expected and why you’re so perfect at what you do.”
She stared at him for a half moment. “No one has ever accused me of being perfect,” she said.
“Well, you’re pretty darn close.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I could kiss you for that. The reason I’m here a little early tonight is because I’m meeting Buddy and his family out at the Claibornes’ house. He’s going to give the little girl her bunny. It’s last minute, but his mother Danielle has a very hectic schedule. Would you like to go?”
“I’d be honored,” he said. “Let me make a few calls and I’ll tell Will he’s in charge until I get back.”
The Maverick & the Manhattanite (Montana Mavericks: Rust Creek Cowboys) Page 10