Man From Montana

by Brenda Mott

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  KARA PICKED THE PHONE UP twice before she actually got the nerve to dial Derrick’s number.

  Derrick didn’t answer right away, and she nearly hung up. It was Friday. Maybe he’d already left for the Spur.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi, Derrick. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “Kara—no, uh, I’m just getting off the other line with my mother. Can you hold?”

  “Why don’t you call me back when you’re done?”

  “No, really, we were just about to say goodbye. Hang on.”

  That he was talking to his mother did her heart some good. She wondered if he’d made any progress with his dad.

  “Kara? You still there?”

  “I’m here.”

  He was silent a beat. “How are you?”

  “Doing okay. Listen, Derrick, I don’t like the way things ended between us the last time you were here.” She plunged on before she could lose her nerve. “I was wondering if you’d like to go horseback riding with me tomorrow, and maybe have a picnic.”

  He laughed. “I’d thought about asking you on a picnic.”

  “But, we won’t actually be eating on horseback,” Kara quipped, trying to hide her nervous anticipation. “That could get a bit bumpy.”

  His laugh warmed her. “I’d say. What do you want me to bring?”

  “Nothing. I’ve got it.”

  “You sure?”

  “Uh-huh. Just meet me at the stable, say about eight-thirty, if that’s not too early? That’ll give us time to ride first.”

  “That’s fine,” Derrick said.

  “See you tomorrow, then.”

  She hung up, then dialed Danita’s number.

  “Hey, girl,” Danita said. “What’s up?”

  “Hopefully, my nerve.”

  “Aha. This has something to do with Derrick I assume?”

  “How’d you guess?” Kara sighed. “You’re right, I need to move on, one way or another. I’m still not sure I’m ready for a relationship, but I also can’t string Derrick along.”

  “Makes sense to me, and for the record, mi hija, I think you’ve been doing a pretty fine job of getting on with your life.”

  “Thank you.” Her friend’s praise meant so much to Kara. “I’ve invited Derrick on a horseback ride and picnic tomorrow morning. I borrowed one of Ray and Sharon’s horses last time I took him on a ride, but I hate to make a habit of asking.”

  “So you’re asking to borrow my horse instead.” Danita laughed. “Say no more. I’d be happy to contribute to the cause.”

  “What cause is that?” Kara asked, dryly.

  “Hooking you up with Derrick, of course. He’s perfect for you, mi hija.”

  “I hope so.” If any man was, he was. If not…

  “You know I wouldn’t loan Choctaw to just anyone,” Danita said.

  “I know. I promise I’ll look after him like he’s my own. And I already know that Derrick’s a good rider with light hands.”

  “Good. I’m not surprised, the way he plays that guitar…like he’s making love to it.” Danita gave an exaggerated sigh. “Have you slept with him yet?”

  “Danita!”

  “Well, have you? Come on, Kara, I have to live vicariously through you, now that I’m not getting any.”

  “You could change that, you know.” She hesitated. “Once. But I blew it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ll tell you all about it when I see you.” Well, most of it anyway.

  “Hey, how about over a couple of beers? Want to meet me at the Silver Spur?”

  “I’d rather wait until tomorrow night, if you don’t mind.”

  “Say no more. Tomorrow it is. That way you can fill me in and see your cowboy.”

  Kara laughed. “Want to meet me at the stable in the morning with your saddle and stuff, or did you leave it in the tack room last time?”

  “I did. Sharon finally put a lock on the door.”

  “Good. I’m getting sick of lugging my saddle home.”

  “I’ll tell Sharon you’re using mine. See you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Danita. Bye.”

  Kara hung up, her stomach high on anticipation. If all went well with Derrick tomorrow, then she’d have plenty to celebrate at the Silver Spur.

  Otherwise, she’d never set foot in the place again.

  DERRICK RODE BESIDE Kara on Danita’s tricolored overo Paint, wishing he could preserve this moment in time. The air was cool and crisp, a breeze blowing across the peaks of the surrounding mountains. The graceful arc of the trees over the trail made a quiet canopy that soothed his nerves. He wasn’t sure what had caused Kara’s abrupt change in attitude, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth—pun intended. He’d missed her.

  “This gelding is something,” he said, reaching down to stroke Choctaw’s neck. The horse was big, about a hand taller than Kara’s mare.

  “Isn’t he? I love him.”

  “It was nice of Danita to let me ride him.”

  “She’s a great friend.”

  He kept up the small talk as they rode, still curious as to why Kara had invited him on the ride. By eleven o’clock, they’d veered off the trail and ridden through the trees into a clearing. A creek wound alongside it, the water whispering over the rocks. The perfect spot.

  “How’s this look?” Kara asked. “You ready to eat?”

  “Fine by me. I’m starving.”

  Kara looked so beautiful this morning, her cheeks flushed from the gallop they’d taken a short time ago, her long hair hanging down her back beneath the straw cowboy hat she wore. And her sexy curves filled out the jeans and tank top she wore just right.

  God he wanted her.

  Derrick swung off Choctaw’s back as they halted the horses beneath some shade trees. They’d brought lead ropes, having left the horses’ halters on beneath their bridles, and now tied them to a tree.

  Kara took her saddlebags off her horse and laid them on a blanket she’d unfurled. Derrick helped her get out the sandwiches, pop and plastic containers of potato salad and chocolate cake.

  “This looks good,” he said as they sat down near the edge of the creek. “Did you make that cake?”

  “Oh, yes. I made it from scratch, and I even grew the wheat for the flour and raised the chickens for the eggs. So I hope you appreciate it.”

  He chuckled. “Absolutely.”

  She smiled at him, and he felt as melted as the fudge frosting on the cake. Once they’d finished eating, Derrick put the containers back into the saddlebags, then sat close to Kara, sipping his pop.

  “I have a confession to make,” Kara said.

  “What’s that?”

  “I had a reason for inviting you out here today.”

  He tensed. “Yeah?”

  She nodded. “Derrick, I really am sorry about what happened the other night.”

  “Kara, we don’t have to rehash all that.”

  “I put a new message on my answering machine.”

  Her gaze held his, and Derrick’s hope soared. “You shouldn’t have erased it. It wasn’t my intention—”

  “I didn’t. I kept the tape. But I should’ve changed it sooner.” She laughed without humor. “Even my mother-in-law told me it upset her, hearing Evan’s voice on there. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.”

  “Of course you didn’t.” He reached out and took her hand. “I’m sorry I got so bent out of shape.”

  “I can’t blame you,” Kara said. “If the shoe were on the other foot, I would’ve gotten upset, too.”

  He hesitated. “I only got upset because I’m a jealous fool.” Jealous of a dead man. He leaned forward and kissed her.

  Kara kissed him back, softly at first, then more aggressively. It was with the greatest effort that Derrick pulled away.

  He held Kara by the shoulders, looking straight into her eyes. “If we don’t slow down, I’m going to tear your clothes off,” he said. “A
nd I can’t do that unless I know you’re really ready for this, Kara.” Just because she’d taken Evan’s voice off her machine didn’t mean anything had changed.

  She took a deep breath and let it out. “You’re right. I brought you out here so we could talk.”

  Reluctantly, he lowered his hands to his lap. “I’m listening.”

  “I had lunch with my mother-in-law the other day, and she got me thinking. What she said to me made me realize—”

  Derrick’s cell phone rang, cutting through the peacefulness of the surrounding mountains like a blaring horn in traffic. “I’m sorry,” he said, taking the phone from his shirt pocket. He looked at the display. Shelly’s number.

  “Connor?”

  “No, Derrick it’s me.” The tone of her voice alarmed him. She rarely called his cell.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Connor’s missing.” He could tell she was trying not to cry, not to panic.

  “Missing? What happened?”

  “I—I took him out to the riding center. He said he wanted to see his friend, Lisa. He promised they’d only ride in the arena, so I left him there and now they’re both gone!”

  “Where’s Melanie?”

  “She wasn’t home. There were just a couple of stable hands, working in the barn.”

  “The kids aren’t allowed to ride unless Melanie and her assistants are there!”

  “I didn’t know that,” Shelly wailed. “Connor said Lisa had her own horse and—never mind, Derrick, just hurry and get here! Melanie’s forming a search party. They think the kids took off riding on the trails!”

  “I’ll be right there.” He snapped the phone shut.

  “Connor’s missing?” Kara stood and hastily rolled up the picnic blanket.

  “He and Lisa took off on horseback. Melanie’s gathering a search party.”

  “I know a shortcut to her ranch.”

  He untied Choctaw’s lead rope. “Let’s go.”

  THE SHORTCUT TOOK THEM to God’s Little Acre as the crow flies, cutting off three of the five miles they would’ve otherwise had to travel, and Kara rode the entire distance with her heart in her throat.

  By the time they arrived, people were already gathered on horseback, Melanie’s Arabian saddled and tied to the hitching post.

  “Derrick, I am so, so sorry,” Melanie said. “One of my volunteers saw the kids take off, but she got distracted by a client who pulled into the driveway, and—”

  “Let’s just find them.”

  “I’ve already got riders out looking, and as you can see, more people keep showing up.”

  “Which direction did they go?” Kara asked.

  “When Stephanie saw them, it looked like they were headed for the trail that leads to Cutback Mountain.” Melanie gestured toward the distant peak. “But there are several ways in.”

  “I’m familiar with the area,” Kara said.

  “Me, too,” Derrick said. “I’ve taken Connor fishing there.”

  “Do you know about the shortcut through Piney Creek?” Melanie asked.

  Kara nodded. “I was just about to mention it.”

  “Then you and Derrick take the shortcut, and I’ll take a group and branch out over some of the other trails. If anyone finds the kids, they’ll fire a signal—two shots, followed by three more.” Melanie shaded her eyes against the sun. “I don’t suppose either of you have a pistol?”

  Derrick shook his head.

  “Hang on.”

  She hurried to speak to a tall, lanky cowboy, saddling a horse tied to a trailer. The guy nodded, then reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a holstered revolver.

  Melanie came back with it. “Here.” She held it out to Derrick. “You can borrow Chuck’s. He’s got another.”

  “Put it in Kara’s saddlebags,” he directed her. “That okay with you?”

  “Of course,” Kara said.

  With a hasty farewell, they were off.

  “It’s a beautiful ride to the lake by Cutback Mountain,” Kara said. “I’ll bet that’s where Connor and Lisa have gone.”

  “I hope so.” Derrick’s expression belied his calm words.

  Kara prayed the kids were safe, and that someone would find them, wherever they might’ve ridden.

  CONNOR’S BACK ACHED from above his waist all the way up between his shoulder blades, and his arm muscles were getting tired, but he didn’t care. Being with Lisa—just the two of them on horseback—was worth it. And worth the punishment he’d face if his dad found out he’d tricked his mom into taking him to God’s Little Acre.

  So long as he and Lisa got back before Melanie came home, they ought to be okay. They’d initially meant only to take turns riding Maverick in the arena, but then Lisa had thought it would be all right to ride Lollipop, and before he knew it, Connor had talked her into taking a trail ride—just a short one. That short ride had turned longer than they’d planned, but as they approached the shortcut to Cutback Mountain, Lisa smiled, making him forget everything else.

  “You’re going to love the lake,” she said. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I’ll bet.” He didn’t want to spoil her surprise by telling her his dad had taken him fishing there before.

  The shortcut trail was steep and narrow, and Connor began to sweat as the horses climbed. He clutched Lollipop’s saddle, grateful for the gear that kept him steady on the horse’s back, and even more thankful for the gelding’s quiet nature and surefootedness. He looked down to his left and realized the ravine wasn’t as steep as he’d feared. But the drop was still a good ten to twelve feet, and Connor was relieved when the trail led to firmer footing again, and the lake came into view.

  “There it is,” Lisa said. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

  Not as gorgeous as you.

  “Yeah, it’s awesome.”

  They trotted the horses across the clearing and halted at the water’s edge. A pile of driftwood, butted up against a fallen log, formed a haphazard stack, an ideal place for Lisa to dismount. She’d tied her crutches to her saddle, while Connor carried her braces on his. Leaning on Maverick for support, Lisa now got them, then tethered the horse to the log.

  “Come on.” She motioned to Connor. “I’ll hold Lollipop parallel with the log and help you down.”

  “I don’t know.” He eyed the pile of driftwood. It seemed a long way from the saddle to the log.

  “It’s not as far down as it looks,” Lisa said. “Trust me. Just grab the hand grip and I’ll help you.”

  “All right.” He didn’t want Lisa to think he was a wuss.

  Getting off the horse turned out not to be as awkward as Connor had thought, and before he knew it, he was sitting beside Lisa on the log, his back propped against the driftwood for support.

  “Man, this is awesome!” The only sounds were the soft slapping of waves against the water’s edge, and the chatter of birds in the nearby trees.

  “Isn’t it?” Lisa beamed at him. “I knew you’d love it.”

  Connor could barely take his eyes off her. She’d removed her riding helmet, as had he, and her dark hair hung loose down her back. He wanted to touch it. It was nearly to her waist. He loved long hair on a girl.

  Discreetly, using his arms for leverage, he scooted a little closer.

  “So, what’s it like going to private school?” he asked, his nerves humming at Lisa’s nearness. He could smell the sweet, green-apple scent of her shampoo. She tucked her hair behind one ear, revealing two tiny, silver studs and a horseshoe-shaped earring in her lobe.

  “It’s pretty good,” she said. “Since everybody there is physically challenged, it basically puts us all on an even keel. Nobody makes fun of anybody else, well, at least for the most part.” She shrugged. “Even handicapped people can be jerks sometimes.”

  He laughed. “Yeah, but I’ll bet you don’t have to put up with as much sh—crap as I do, going to Sage Middle School. I can’t wait to move on to high school this fall,” he added dryly. “With old Fart-Bart an
d his bunch.”

  “Don’t let them bother you,” Lisa said. “They’re losers.” She grinned. “I’m sort of glad you busted Kerri’s window. She thinks she’s all that. She was always snotty to me, and my older sister—same grade as her—even before I got hurt.”

  “How did you get hurt?”

  “Barrel racing accident. My foot got hung up in the stirrup, and I was dragged.” She frowned. “I had to learn to walk and ride all over again, and I couldn’t keep my barrel horse. He was too much horse for me. That’s why my parents got Maverick.”

  “Damn. You’re pretty tough.”

  Lisa laughed. “So, why don’t you go to West Creek?” she asked. “Won’t your dad let you?”

  “It’s not that.” A tiny green caterpillar inched its way across the log toward his knee. Connor held out his finger, let it crawl onto his knuckle, then lowered it gently to the grass. “He doesn’t have the money for private school, and neither does my mom.”

  “Oh.” She nudged him with her elbow. “Maybe that’ll change when your dad becomes a famous singer.”

  He grinned. “I doubt that’ll happen, even though I think he’s good enough. Dad doesn’t think he is, so he’s never tried Nashville or anything.”

  “I think he’s really good, too,” Lisa said. “And so are you.” She took his hand, and Connor’s heart nearly leapt from his chest.

  They sat like that, looking at each other, for a long moment. Connor swallowed. It was now or never. He leaned toward Lisa, and touched his lips to hers. She kissed him back, and it was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He’d closed his eyes, but now he snuck a peek. Hers were closed, so he shut his again. They traded a few awkward pecks, then Connor drew back. He needed air. And he didn’t want Lisa to feel how sweaty his palms were.

  In a casual move, he let go of her hand and put his arm around her. “Got a boyfriend?” he asked, grinning.

  “I do now,” she said. She leaned toward him, and he got all set to kiss her again. But suddenly her eyes widened. “Oh, crap! Lollipop.”