Man From Montana

by Brenda Mott

“Kara, I overreacted today. You know how I am with Connor, and, well, I’m trying to learn to cut him slack, but it’s hard.”

  “Derrick, just say whatever it is you’re trying to say. Do you want me to keep an eye on him?”

  “Would you mind? I don’t mean come over here or anything. He’d kill me for that.” Wryly, Derrick chuckled. “But none of our other neighbors are home tonight, and I don’t like going out and leaving him with no one to contact in case of an emergency, especially since I’ll be getting home late. I can’t call Shelly, because I’d prefer she didn’t find out what happened today.”

  Kara could’ve kicked herself. No matter what he said, he was obviously still tense over the driving incident. Yet he wanted Kara to keep an eye on Connor, in spite of her being the one responsible. She felt like a piece of taffy, being pulled first one way, then the other.

  “So, you don’t want him to phone his mom if he needs something? You’d rather he phoned me?”

  “Yeah, that’s about the size of it.” Derrick let his breath out on a sigh. “So, that’s fine with you?”

  “Sure, Derrick.”

  “Great. Thanks, Kara. I owe you one.” He said goodbye and hung up.

  Kara stared at the phone before finally putting it back on the charger.

  A short time later, she climbed in bed with a paperback romance in hand. She’d forgone her nightgown in exchange for a clean T-shirt over her bra and panties. Her jeans and boots were beside the bed, handy if she needed them, should Connor call.

  She fell asleep an hour later with the book in her hands, her thoughts still on Derrick.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CONNOR LOOKED OUT his window. He could only see one light on at Kara’s. He’d heard his father on the phone with her earlier, asking Kara to keep an eye on him. Connor shook his head, disgusted. He never should’ve driven her truck. Now his dad was more determined than ever to treat him like a baby.

  At his computer, he signed in to the Billings chat room as MTcwby89. CanChaser1 was online.

  Hey, CC. How’s it going?

  Hey, MT. Not bad.

  What’s a pretty girl like u doing home on a Fri. night?

  She typed in a blushing smiley face emoticon, then a wink. Wouldn’t u like to know? I could ask u the same thing.

  I’m not a pretty girl. Connor typed back with an LOL.

  No, but you’re hot.

  So R U.

  Kerri didn’t respond right away. Connor waited.

  Wanna meet me? she typed.

  His hands froze on the keyboard. Hell.

  Maybe, he stalled. When? Where?

  What was he doing? He couldn’t meet her.

  Do you know the Silver Spur? she typed. In Sage Bend?

  Connor’s palms turned damp and clammy, and he thought he might drop dead right there. His dad would come home and find him slumped in his wheelchair, the youngest guy to ever die of heart failure.

  Not really, he replied. Never been out that way.

  U can’t miss it. Outside Sage Bend—about 80 miles from Billings.

  Connor’s mind went blank.

  U said U R new in town, Kerri continued. Y not meet me and my friends? Tomorrow is family night at the Spur. Anyone can get in—U don’t have to be 21.

  Really?

  Yup.

  What now? His dad’s band was playing again tomorrow night, and he’d likely have to go, especially with Grandma Mertz visiting.

  His fingers flew across the keyboard. That’s cool, but I already have plans. Sorry.

  Hey, no problem. They’ll have it again next week—first Sat. of the month. So how ‘bout it, cowboy? Another smiley emoticon.

  Connor keyed a grin. Sure. Why not. He could always make up something later…some reason why MTcwby89 hadn’t shown.

  Sweet, Kerri replied. I’ll take your picture with me, so I can be sure to find you.

  That’ll work. I’ll take yours 2.

  It’s a date. Gotta go. Bye 4 now.

  “Yeah, goodbye.” Connor spoke out loud, glaring at his laptop monitor. That fake picture. “Great. Just great.”

  A familiar name flashed onto the screen as SoccorMan1 signed in to the chat room. Kevin.

  Whaz up? You online ConMan1?

  Right here. R U blind or just stupid? He loved razzing Kevin, teasing him about being an air-head jock.

  His friend always gave back as good as he got. Fingers on the keyboard, Connor waited for a response, ready to fire another in return.

  Huh? Who R U, MTcwby?

  All the blood rushed from Connor’s head. Quickly, he logged off as MTcwby89, then logged back on as ConMan1.

  Damn, talk about being dumb!

  Yeah, I’m online. Let’s go to IM.

  OK.

  Kevin’s screen name showed he’d logged off.

  Crud! Connor hoped nobody else in the chat room had caught his slipup. At least Kerri had signed off moments before Kevin logged on. Connor turned on his instant messenger. Kevin was already there.

  What’s up? Kevin typed.

  Not much. Bored as usual.

  No. What’s up with the MTcwboy89 thing?

  He wanted to lie. To claim it wasn’t him who had responded to Kevin’s message. But they were best friends. He knew he could trust Kevin with anything.

  No big deal. Just trying to impress some girl.

  Now I get it. Who is she?

  Again, he started to avoid telling his buddy the truth. But the IM was private. No one else could see what he keyed.

  Kerri Hendricks. She’s CanChaser1.

  I thought so. She’s hot!

  Yeah. Mega hot.

  They chatted back and forth, Connor steering the conversation away from Kerri. He looked at the clock. His dad would be home soon.

  Gotta go, dude.

  OK. Later.

  Connor shut down the computer, knowing what his dad would’ve said had he caught him again.

  No chat rooms. No IM. Just e-mail.

  Right.

  Grumpy, Connor went to the living room and put in a DVD.

  He had a date with the prettiest girl in Sage Bend. Or rather, some cowboy in Wyoming had a date with her. Great.

  What the hell did he do now?

  DERRICK SWUNG BY the drive-up window of the burger joint once the band’s final set for the night was over. Tonight had been fantastic, with his mom at the Spur, listening to him play. He’d felt as if he were a kid again, showing off on stage for her.

  “What would you like, Mom?”

  “Nothing, thank you,” Carolyn said. “My teeth are floating from all those ginger ales.”

  Derrick ordered a chocolate shake, plus a malt and French fries to take home to Connor. “That boy’s always hungry,” he said.

  Carolyn laughed. “You were the same way, growing up…. Where does the time go? It seems like yesterday you were Connor’s age.”

  “I know.” His son’s childhood had already passed too quickly. Derrick wanted to be sure he made the most of Connor’s teen years. And he wasn’t scoring big in that department after today’s fiasco.

  On impulse, Derrick pressed the drive-up speaker again and ordered a strawberry shake. He had no idea if she even liked strawberry…but it went with her hair.

  “Another milkshake?” Carolyn arched one brow. “For you or Connor?”

  “It’s for Kara.”

  “Ah.” Carolyn nodded. Propping one elbow on the armrest, she rested her cheek against her hand. “She’s a very pretty girl.”

  “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

  Again, she laughed. “Well, I’m glad to see you still have your sense of humor.” Her expression turned serious. “Derrick, I really don’t want to cause any trouble for you with your father. Maybe I should just get a motel room. That way if Vernon drives down here—”

  “Don’t be silly. You’re staying at my house, and that’s that. If Dad comes down, we’ll deal with him together.”

  But his father wouldn’t come. Instead, he
’d take it out on Carolyn when she got back. Derrick couldn’t let that happen. One way or another, he’d have to face his father. He was the one who deserved Vernon’s wrath—not his mother.

  When Derrick pulled in to his driveway and saw the lights off at Kara’s place, he was more disappointed than he cared to admit. Then he realized one light was on. Her bedroom? The thought of Kara lying alone on crisp sheets… This wasn’t a game. He wanted a woman he couldn’t have.

  So why had he bothered to bring her a shake?

  Connor was still up, watching a movie, Taz curled in his lap. “Here you go,” Derrick said, handing him the paper sack of food.

  “What’s this?”

  “A peace offering.”

  Taz sniffed the bag, whiskers twitching.

  “Thanks.” Connor eased the cat off his lap. He slid a fry into his mouth, then dumped the rest onto a paper napkin, and doused them with ketchup. The greasy potatoes soaked through the napkin to the coffee table, and Carolyn cringed.

  “You want a plate?” she asked Connor.

  “Sure, Grandma. Thanks.”

  She disappeared into the kitchen, and Derrick loved the way she already felt at home here. His mother had given Connor a basic explanation of why she’d come. She’d felt the two of them should talk to him together, when things were calmed down.

  Derrick decided now wasn’t the time, at such a late hour. But he wanted Connor to know what had happened to Rex, and why Connor’s grandfather had written Derrick out of his life.

  “I got a shake for Kara, too,” Derrick said. “I’m going to run over and see if she’s still awake.”

  Connor nodded.

  Shake in hand, Derrick jogged across the street. It was almost midnight. What was he doing? Kara was probably asleep, in spite of the lighted window. He’d knock once, and if she didn’t answer, he’d put the milk shake in his freezer until later.

  He tiptoed onto the porch—some feat in cowboy boots—and knocked softly on the door.

  KARA AWOKE to the sound of Lady growling. She sat up, dumping the paperback she’d been reading onto the floor. Disoriented, she squinted against the glow of the bedside lamp, and fumbled for the book. “What’s the matter, Lady?” Sudden panic gripped her as Kara looked at the clock. Connor. Something must’ve happened.

  Kara shoved one leg into her jeans, already headed for the door. She fumbled with the zipper, pausing long enough to peek through the glass at the front porch. Derrick? She flipped the light on and unbolted the door.

  “Hi,” he greeted her. “Did you fall asleep in your clothes?”

  Self-consciously, Kara raked both hands over her hair. She must look a mess. “Uh, yeah, I did. Nothing’s wrong, is it? Is Connor all right?”

  “He’s fine.” Derrick held up a paper bag. “I brought you a milk shake.” In his other hand, he held a foam cup with a straw sticking out of the lid.

  She stared at him. “At midnight?”

  He blushed. “I guess I forgot that everybody’s not a night owl. I’m a rude SOB. I’ll come back later.” He turned to go.

  “Hey, crazy man, you’ve already woken me up,” Kara said. “You might as well come on in.” She held the door wide.

  He filled the doorway as he stepped inside, looking so yummy in his band getup, Kara nearly melted into a mindless puddle. She took the bag from him, examining the clear lid on the cup inside of it.

  “Strawberry?”

  “For a strawberry-blonde.” Derrick’s mouth crooked at the corners, making his dimples crease his cheeks.

  Kara wanted to devour him. She had to stop this. She was a total floozy. “Um, I’m allergic to strawberries.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  She shook her head. “I break out in hives.”

  He groaned. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, it was really sweet of you.” She touched his arm. “It’s the thought that counts, even at midnight, right?”

  He held up his own cup in offering. “Want to trade? Mine’s chocolate.”

  Kara looked at the cup, with its red-and-white-striped straw. The thought of putting her mouth where Derrick’s had been…the thought of tasting him… She shivered.

  “Are you cold?” He frowned. “I thought it felt pretty warm out tonight.”

  Kara took the nearly full shake from him, telling herself she was only being polite. “Must be the ice cream.” She handed the strawberry one to him, still remembering the way his mouth had tasted.

  She wanted to kiss him again. Instead, she took a sip. It was only her imagination making her think she could taste Derrick’s lips. “Want to sit down for a minute?”

  “Yeah, if you’re sure I’m not keeping you up.”

  He had no idea.

  “Not at all. I just fell asleep reading. I wanted to be handy if Connor needed anything.”

  “I appreciate that.”

  He sat on the sofa, and she dropped onto the opposite end. “So, how’s your mom doing?”

  “Fine.” He smiled, and her heartbeat raced. “I can’t believe she’s here, after all this time.”

  “I’m glad she’s coming around,” Kara said. “So, she’s feeling all right after her surgery?”

  “She seems to be. Thank God it wasn’t cancer, but I guess it got her thinking about how life is too short.”

  Kara’s emotions took a dive. And suddenly, she focused on her wedding photo across the room on the entertainment center. “That’s for sure,” she said, lowering her gaze.

  To her chagrin, Derrick slid across the sofa until his knee was touching hers. “I’m sorry, Kara.” He caressed her face. “I didn’t mean to bring back bad memories.”

  “You didn’t.” That was the problem. Her memories of Evan were wonderful. She doubted she’d ever be able to stop comparing other men to him—even Derrick, as kind and handsome as he was.

  The silence lay thick between them. Derrick set his cup down on a coaster. She held her breath.

  “Kara, I want to kiss you.”

  Her heart thudded. “We shouldn’t.”

  He paused, his hand on her shoulder. He laced it through her hair, letting the strands slide between his fingers. “Why not? Didn’t you enjoy kissing me today?”

  “You mean yesterday.”

  He waited. “Didn’t you?”

  “Yes. And that’s why we can’t do it again.” She pushed his hand away and stood.

  Derrick rose to his feet as well, still close. “Come on, Kara. Don’t beat yourself up that way.”

  “Beat myself up?” She stared at him. “I’m not doing anything to myself, Derrick. Good ol’ fate took care of that for me.”

  His eyes softened, and he reached for her again. “Kara. Fate can be cruel—I know that. But maybe fate also brought us together.”

  Kara remained silent.

  “I want to kiss you,” Derrick went on, “hold you. I want to see where things lead us.”

  “I told you, I’m not ready.” She trembled.

  He let his hand drop, clearly disappointed. “All right. I’m not going to force myself on you. Just promise me something.”

  “What?”

  “That when you are ready to try again, you’ll give me a chance.”

  “I can’t promise you anything.” How could she, when she couldn’t even promise herself she’d ever be able to love again?

  Derrick picked up his drink. “Guess I’d better let you get some sleep.”

  He walked to the door, and Kara groped for something to say. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she couldn’t help it. She was hurting far more deeply than he could imagine. “Thanks for the shake.”

  “You’re welcome. Thanks for keeping an eye on Connor.”

  “Anytime. Good night.” Kara closed the door.

  Tears stung her eyes. Damn it! She was so confused. She wanted Derrick. She cared about him. But she still loved Evan. She sank to the floor and folded her arms on her knees, dropping her forehead on them. What was she going to do?

  L
iz’s word echoed in her mind. It doesn’t look right…I don’t want to see you get hurt.

  Kara blinked back the tears. No more crying. She’d made up her mind.

  She flicked off the porch light and headed to bed. She had to stop seeing Derrick, stop stringing him along.

  Her heart belonged to Evan.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  THE RICH AROMA of bacon and coffee drifted through the hallway, an invisible finger beckoning Derrick toward the kitchen. The table was set, with a note propped against the salt and pepper shakers.

  Derrick,

  I can’t tell you what a wonderful time I’ve had with you and Connor (I loved hearing you play at the Silver Spur), but I think it’s best if I go home before your father causes trouble. I called and told him I’m on my way. Don’t worry. It’ll all work out. I’ll be in touch.

  Love,

  Mom

  P.S. Breakfast is warming in the oven.

  “Where’s Grandma?”

  Derrick looked up to see Connor in the kitchen doorway. “She went home. Didn’t want to make your grandpa any madder.”

  “Oh.” Connor rolled up to the table. “Do I smell bacon?”

  “I think so.” Derrick opened the oven, and removed the covered casserole dishes his mother had left. “Looks like we’ve got bacon, eggs and pancakes.”

  “Awesome. I’m starving.”

  Derrick laughed, laying a couple of potholders on the table. “As usual.” He set the dishes down on them, and Connor helped himself.

  Derrick poured orange juice and coffee. “So, Kara told me she drove you past God’s Little Acre Friday.”

  “Yeah.” Connor stuffed an entire slice of bacon into his mouth, crunching it with relish.