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“Just say thanks and help me bring in the door.”
“Thanks.” She gave a weary sigh. “There were more problems here than I anticipated. I’ve pushed the council only on the most important ones for now.”
“I’ll go have a talk with—”
“I’ll deal with them on my own, but thanks.”
The unmistakable thread of steel in her voice startled him. Had she learned to be tough growing up in the shadow of a powerful father? Moving back into the man’s territory and still remaining independent had to be a challenge.
“Promise,” she added in a softer voice, “that you and the kids will come for supper sometime soon. That’s the least I can do to repay you.” A smile played at the corners of her mouth. “This ought to make Charlie happy. He’s been trying to wangle an invitation for quite a while.”
“Deal.” If her dad was half as stubborn as she was, it was no wonder that he’d built one of the biggest ranching empires in Montana. Feeling absurdly victorious, Matt waved her ahead of him and followed her out to the alley.
It was hard not to imagine what it might be like to get to know her better.
Where was that coming from?
Maybe just because it had been so long. He could barely remember his last date, much less any feeling of strong interest for a particular woman.
And this one, old money to the bone and with an education that left his in the dust, couldn’t be a less likely prospect.
The security light at the back of the clinic now glowed against the remaining sliver of indigo at the horizon. Above, stars twinkled. A lone pickup creeping down the street—probably someone who’d had a few too many at the Lone Wolf—switched on its headlights.
At his truck, Matt released the tailgate and pulled the heavy cardboard box backward. “I’ll move it to the edge of the tailgate, and then you can take the other end, okay? Can you manage?”
“I was born on a ranch,” she retorted dryly. A dimple flashed in her cheek. “I grew up throwing bales and driving a tractor. Piece of cake.”
By the time they’d wrestled the door sideways through the back entrance of the clinic, she didn’t seem quite as chipper.
“What did you put in this box, lead weights?” She blew wisps of hair out of her eyes. “Rocks?”
“Steel. Here...let your end down. I can take it from here.”
She did as he suggested and stepped back, dusting her hands against her hips. “Now what?”
“I’ll get my tools and have this done tonight.”
“What about your kids?”
“This won’t take long. Annie’s watching Charlie at home, and they’re both busy. She has a test tomorrow, and Charlie has a school project due.” At Jolie’s raised eyebrow, he added, “They’re safe. We’ve got good dead bolts on every door, locks on the windows, and Annie has my cell phone number. She did a lot of babysitting in south Chicago. And then there’s our watchdog,” he added with a grin.
“That little black-and-white powder puff? Weighs maybe a pound?”
“Hey, don’t insult him. Samson has a heart bigger than he is. By next fall he’ll weigh a good fifty.”
“Charlie introduced me when I walked past your place one evening. He says your watch-puppy is afraid of dust bunnies under the bed,” Jolie retorted dryly.
“He’s forgetting that the pup just needs to grow a little.”
Jolie’s expression softened, and something akin to sadness flickered through her eyes. “You’re lucky. You’ve got good kids.”
“Yeah. Annie isn’t too thrilled about being here, but I think she’ll come around.” Matt retrieved his toolbox from the truck, then cut the strapping tapes securing the box and slit it open.
Jolie leaned a shoulder against the wall and watched as he worked. “What made you decide to come out here?”
“Annie mostly, and Charlie.”
“For all the fresh air?”
