Man From Montana

by Brenda Mott

  “I went out there with her while you were at your mom’s house.”

  “She told me.” He spoke around the bacon.

  Derrick let his son’s manners slide. “It looked like a pretty nice place. You sure you don’t want to go check it out?”

  Connor shrugged. “I dunno—maybe.” He grinned crookedly. “How about if you don’t ground me from my computer for driving Kara’s truck, I’ll go check out the riding center?”

  Derrick chuckled. “All right. But you have to promise to give it a fair shot.”

  “Can Kara go with us?”

  After last night, he wasn’t so sure that was a good idea. But he didn’t want to do anything to discourage his son, and Kara had said to let her know if Connor changed his mind.

  “I don’t see why not. We’ll call her after breakfast.”

  Connor cleaned up the dishes later, and after talking to Melanie Spencer on the phone, Derrick dialed Kara’s number. She answered cheerfully on the first ring.

  “You’re awake, I see.”

  “Of course. It’s almost ten-thirty.”

  “I was wondering—Connor was wondering—would you like to go out to the riding center with us?”

  “You talked him in to giving it a try? Derrick, that’s great.”

  “Well, we worked out a deal of sorts. Let’s just say you and your truck had something to do with it.”

  She giggled. Girlish. Playful. He wished he could take her out on a real date. Maybe a picnic…

  “Hey, whatever it takes. Is your mom going, too?”

  “No. She left this morning.”

  “Oh. I haven’t been outside yet.”

  “I already called Melanie,” he said. “Can you be ready in about twenty minutes?”

  “I’m ready now.”

  “We’ll pick you up.”

  “Thanks. I’d hate to have to walk such a long way to your house.”

  The teasing note in her voice lifted his hopes. “We can’t have pretty women walking the streets in this dangerous city. See you in a few.”

  He hung up, anxious to see her. She hadn’t come to the Spur all weekend, and neither had her friends. Was he wasting his time? It didn’t matter. He’d gladly wait as long as she needed him to, for her to get over Evan.

  But what if she doesn’t?

  Derrick refused to listen to the nagging doubt. He was falling in love with Kara and, fool or not, he was finally willing to lay his heart on the line.

  KARA CHECKED HER REFLECTION in the mirror as she rebrushed her hair. Leaning closer, she frowned at her freckles, then put on some pale pink lip gloss.

  What was she doing?

  Sighing, she laid the tube of gloss on the sink. It didn’t matter if she had makeup on or not, because she was going for Connor’s sake, not Derrick’s. At least that’s what she kept telling herself. She ought to listen to reason and do exactly as she’d vowed—stay away from him. But she cared about Connor.

  She also didn’t want to admit she’d played dumb to Derrick. She’d known his mother was gone. She’d looked out the window first thing that morning, to see if her car was still in the driveway.

  She’d told Derrick she wasn’t ready to move on, but she needed to make him see why. Without hurting his feelings. He was a nice guy. He just wasn’t the guy for her. Or more accurately, she wasn’t the woman for him.

  Right on time, Derrick pulled the truck into her driveway. Kara squeezed into the cab beside Connor. “Hi there. Changed your mind after all, huh?”

  He shrugged. “I guess it won’t hurt to go see the place.”

  “That’s the spirit.” She avoided Derrick’s gaze, feeling tense in the close space of the small truck, remembering the last time she’d been here with him, and how he’d sang to her. All the way to the center, she made idle chitchat, trying to keep her thoughts in check.

  But when Melanie took them for their second tour, all Kara could focus on was the way Derrick interacted with his son. She watched as he followed Connor, cracking jokes, doing his best to whet his son’s interest, yet not pushing the boy. Derrick’s tone and body language said far more than his actual words—that whether Connor chose to ride or not was ultimately his decision.

  Kara appreciated that he wasn’t trying to push horseback riding on Connor just because he’d enjoyed it as a boy. That Derrick was only out to help his son hit her hard, and suddenly Kara wanted to cry. Why had she and Evan waited to have children? She could’ve had a child—a part of Evan—to love and raise.

  What if Connor were her and Derrick’s son? What if she and Derrick had a child together? She pictured it. They’d all have horses, Connor having learned to ride at God’s Little Acre. They’d spend every weekend horseback riding, and Danita, Hannah and Beth would sometimes join them.

  Then at night, Derrick would tuck their child in bed and read her a story, while Kara helped Connor with last-minute homework. With the kids in bed, she and Derrick would curl up in each other’s arms, making plans for the future that included buying a ranch of their own….

  Where would we live meanwhile? Certainly not in the house she’d shared with Evan. And not in Derrick’s little mint-green house across the street. No way could she look over at her old home every day and remember….

  “Ah. Here comes Lisa.”

  Melanie’s voice jolted Kara back to reality. They’d arrived at God’s Little Acre. She looked up to see the young girl she and Connor had driven past on Friday, riding the flashy black-and-white Paint.

  “Lisa,” Melanie said, waving her over. “I’ve got somebody I’d like you to meet.”

  Lisa nudged the gelding forward, her attention on Connor.

  Kara hid a smile, noting the expression on Connor’s face. No two ways about it, the boy had it bad. His eyes followed Lisa’s every move as she walked the Paint closer to the hitching post next to the mounting ramp.

  Then she slid from the saddle, and reached for the pair of aluminum crutches leaning against the post.

  Connor’s jaw dropped as Kara checked her own reaction. Lisa slipped her arms into the supportive cuffs on each crutch, then swung over to sit on a bench just feet away. Only then did Kara notice the leg braces lying there. Lisa slipped them on while her horse stood patiently waiting, reins looped over the hitching post. Then she walked over to join the group.

  “Hi,” she said, smiling at Connor. “I’m Lisa.”

  “C-Connor.” He blushed, unable to stop staring at her.

  Melanie made a round of introductions. “Lisa is our youngest volunteer,” she said. “She’s the young lady I was telling you and Kara about the other day, Derrick.”

  “Nice to meet you, Lisa,” Derrick said. “That’s quite a horse you’ve got there.”

  “Thanks.” Lisa’s face lit up. “His name is Maverick, but he’s actually a big baby.”

  Derrick chuckled. “Does he belong to the riding center?”

  “No, he’s mine,” Lisa said. “My parents bought him from Melanie.”

  “We try to keep our eye out for extra horses to purchase now and then,” Melanie said. “In case any of our students want a horse of their own.” She looked at Connor. “So, buddy, what do you think? Want to give us a whirl? We’d love to do an evaluation with you once your dad gets the forms back from Doctor Sorenson.”

  “Sure,” Connor said, suddenly enthusiastic. “Sounds good to me.”

  Derrick clapped his son on the back. “Glad to hear it.” He beamed at Connor, then met Kara’s gaze and grinned.

  She smiled back, his joy contagious. “Smart choice.”

  But Connor only had eyes for Lisa.

  With a promise from Derrick to get back to Melanie to set up an appointment, they said their goodbyes. In the truck, Connor craned his neck to look out the back window as they pulled away.

  “She’s pretty,” Kara said.

  “Yeah, I’d say.” Connor faced forward. “I can’t believe she was riding like that.”

  “What do you mean?” Derri
ck asked.

  “You know, like a normal kid. Lisa didn’t even look handicapped until she got off her horse.”

  “Surprised me, too,” Derrick said.

  Kara had to admit, her reaction had been the same. “See,” she said. “I told you you’d be able to ride.”

  His face fell slightly. “Yeah, but Lisa’s not paralyzed. What if I can’t stay in the saddle?”

  “You will,” Derrick said. “Heck, if those little kids can do it, you can.”

  KARA GOT HER TRUCK back from the shop on Wednesday, and was impressed with the bodywork. The shop’s owner had managed to find an original grill off a ’78 Ford pickup, and had rechromed and installed it once the radiator had been replaced. Kara couldn’t even tell it wasn’t the one she’d ruined.

  On Friday, Derrick called to invite her to watch Connor’s evaluation. July had brought higher temperatures, so he’d set up an early morning appointment with Melanie when it would still be cool outside.

  “Are you sure I won’t make Connor nervous?” Kara asked.

  “He wants you to come,” Derrick said.

  She couldn’t help but wonder if it were really Derrick who wanted her there. She wouldn’t let her seesawing emotions interfere with Connor’s big day, so Kara accepted the invitation.

  “We’ll leave here at seven,” Derrick said. “I’m looking forward to it, Kara.”

  “See you then.” She hung up the phone, wondering if his emphasis had been on seeing her or helping his son.

  The next morning, Kara awoke to gray skies and a light sprinkle that turned into a drizzling rain by the time Derrick and Connor picked her up.

  “Great,” Connor said, scowling at the clouds. “How am I supposed to ride in the rain?”

  “Didn’t Melanie tell you?” Kara deadpanned. “She’s got custom raingear for the riders and the horses, including a giant umbrella you hold over your saddle and your horse’s head.”

  “Really?” Connor frowned.

  “Oh, yeah. And they attach flipper fins to the horseshoes, in case the puddles get too deep.”

  “Right.” Connor shot her a grin.

  Derrick laughed, and Kara was suddenly acutely aware of the warmth among the three of them—a warmth that dispelled the chill outside.

  “They’ve got an indoor arena,” Derrick said.

  This time Kara laughed, despite feeling like a traitor for having so much fun.

  Connor looked nervous once they’d parked.

  “Don’t worry,” Kara said. “You’ll do fine.”

  He shrugged. But his eyes lit up when Melanie showed the three of them to the indoor arena.

  Lisa Owens was there, putting her Paint horse through an obstacle course at an easy lope. She looked so graceful in the saddle, and Kara marveled at how different the girl on the horse was from the one who needed crutches and leg braces to get around on the ground.

  “Connor, this is Lollipop,” Melanie said, laying her hand on the shoulder of a liver chestnut gelding. The horse was only about fourteen hands high.

  “Lollipop?” Connor smirked.

  “He’s a real sweetie—just like his name—so don’t be nervous.”

  “Yeah, okay.”

  But Connor kept one eye on Lisa. Kara wondered if the girl’s presence was a good thing or not. Either it would make Connor all the more self-conscious, or it would give him the gumption to show off for a pretty girl.

  “I think someone’s got a crush,” Derrick said softly as they sat in the bleachers, watching Melanie and two volunteer assistants take Connor to the mounting ramp.

  Kara met his gaze. His eyes were dancing with a sort of happiness that made her spirits soar. “I think so, too,” she said. “Lisa’s a cutie.”

  “Yes, she is. And I owe her a debt of gratitude. I don’t think Connor would’ve agreed to give this place a try if he hadn’t been smitten.”

  She chuckled. “I kind of noticed that. But hey—whatever works, right?”

  “Yeah.” His expression softened. “Kara, would you like to go to the Spur tonight with us? Connor deserves a fun night out.”

  Kara opened her mouth to say no. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Connor, sitting on Lollipop’s back.

  “Dad, look!” he called, then as though realizing showing off for his dad was beneath a fourteen-year-old, added, “Look how nice Lollipop moves.”

  “I see that,” Derrick said. “He’s a great horse.”

  “Yeah!” Melanie led the horse while the two side-walkers steadied Connor in the saddle.

  But they soon realized there wasn’t a whole lot of need. Connor had a knack for sitting the gelding and, disabled or not, he rode with quiet ease. His strong upper body flexed, keeping his torso in the proper position, his shoulders helping him balance.

  Kara got a sudden lump in her throat. “Look at him,” she said. “It’s like he can walk again.”

  “Yeah.” Derrick’s focus was totally on his son.

  Kara watched as tears filled Derrick’s eyes. She saw him swallow—hard. And when Lisa dropped in beside Connor and rode with him, making the boy laugh and chat like she’d never seen him do before, Derrick slipped his arm around Kara’s shoulders.

  “I’ve never seen him this happy.” He leaned over and brushed a kiss across Kara’s lips. “Will you go with us tonight?”

  She nodded.

  He squeezed her shoulders, still holding her. “Thank you for making this happen.”

  Kara’s breath caught. “I didn’t do anything,” she mumbled.

  “He wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t brought up the idea. I can’t thank you enough.” He kissed her again, then pulled away, dropping his arm from her shoulders.

  Kara sat on her hands to keep from touching her lips. Her mouth felt on fire.

  “You’re welcome,” she said.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  DERRICK FELT LIKE a teenager getting ready for a date. He’d put on his best shirt, his new Wranglers, and he’d steam-cleaned and shaped his cowboy hat. Still, he stared at the mirror wondering what Kara would see when she looked at him. He wanted her to see a man who was falling in love with her, a man who could share her life and make her happy.

  His entire life, he’d never handled relationships well. Not with his son, not with Shelly, not with his own parents.

  He kept trying to make things right, trying to convince himself he was worthy of Kara. And tonight he had no guitar to hide behind. His only crutch was his son, and he felt shamed for even thinking that way.

  Thank God for Lisa Owens and Melanie Spencer and Kara, who had made horseback riding a possibility for Connor. Why hadn’t he thought of the freedom and independence horseback riding could bring his son?

  No matter. They were on the right track now. He would enjoy the evening out with his son and Kara. She’d made it clear she wasn’t ready for anything beyond friendship.

  He’d have to settle for that.

  Derrick slipped on his black cowboy hat, narrowing his eyes at his reflection.

  So get over her already.

  Maybe if he said the words over and over, he’d be able to do just that.

  CONNOR PUT ON a clean shirt, his hands damp, not from the shower, but from nervous sweat. He’d been so wrapped up in thinking about Lisa all afternoon he’d practically forgotten Kerri Hendricks would be at the Silver Spur tonight.

  So here he was, getting ready for a celebration with his dad and Kara, when suddenly he didn’t feel so much like celebrating after all. Sure, Kerri would have no way of knowing who he really was, but just seeing her at the Spur was gonna be tough. Wanting what he couldn’t have sucked.

  Connor combed his hair, then shoved a ball cap over it. What the hell did it matter?

  “IT FEELS STRANGE to be on this side of the stage.” Derrick sat next to Kara at a table close to the bandstand. “I feel naked without my guitar.”

  His cheeks dimpled, and Kara told herself for the thousandth time that she could get through this evenin
g. She laughed, not letting her imagination take her places it shouldn’t. “I’m sure.”

  “We’re here for Connor tonight, right, buddy?”

  “Dad, you really don’t need to make such a big deal out of everything,” Connor said, rolling his eyes at Kevin, who he’d asked to come with them at the last minute.

  “Well, it is a big deal,” Kara said, nudging him with her elbow. “Maybe I’ll even bring Indio over to the center sometime and challenge you to a race.”

  “Yeah, right.” Connor snorted. “It wouldn’t be much of one.”

  “Are you insulting my horse?” She feigned indignation.

  “If we raced, you’d leave me in the dust—literally.”

  Kara glanced at Derrick—his face had paled and he’d set his mouth in a grim line. Instantly, she realized where his thoughts must have gone. She opened her mouth to apologize, then decided it would only make matters worse.

  “I doubt it,” she said lightly. “Hey, I hope you two don’t mind, but I asked my friends to join us tonight.” With each call to Danita, Beth and Hannah, she’d felt as if she’d added one more protective barrier between her and her growing feelings for Derrick.

  “Not at all,” Derrick said, his features returning to normal. “We’ll make it a party.”

  “Here comes Beth and Hannah now.”

  Danita joined the group a half hour later, and within minutes, the band started up. Soon Kara was lost in the fun of line dancing. So much so, that at first she didn’t notice the group of kids who came in and sat down at the next table. Not until she’d left the dance floor did she see the three boys who’d taunted Connor in the parking lot the night he fell. Kara hadn’t forgotten their hateful faces.

  They were with the same two girls tonight as well, plus a pretty blonde with waist-length hair, who looked familiar. She wriggled her skinny butt as she headed for the dance floor with the boy who’d been meanest to Connor, casting a smug look over her shoulder at him. Connor’s face reddened, and he looked away, reaching for the nachos Derrick had ordered.