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He’d never planned to fall in love.
Somewhere along the line, it had just...happened, without intention, without warning. He hadn’t realized until thismoment that she was as much a part of him as the beat of his own heart.
But no matter how much Matt wanted her, he had to admit Jolie’s father had brought home a painful truth.
When you came from two different worlds, love wasn’t always enough.
ROBERT CAME THROUGHthe angioplasty, stent placement, and recovery with flying colors, though he would likely have to stay in the hospital until at least Sunday.
So when Herman, the Walking Stones ranch foreman, came to the hospital for a visit Thursday morning, he gave Jolie a ride back to her cabin.
“You aren’t staying here anymore, right?” he asked, his eyebrows lowered with concern. “Rafe told me what happened up here last weekend. It’s not safe for you to be here alone.”
Matt, Rafe, and now Herman.“Not yet,” she hedged. “I just need to pick up my SUV so I can get to work.”
“And afterward?” He folded his arms across his chest.
She wondered if he would throw himself in front of her cabin door if she started in that direction.
“I’m checking in with Rafe today to see what he’s found out. And yes, I’ll probably go to the neighbor’s place tonight. Mandy is there already.”
“Matt Dawson’s place?” Herman’s eyes twinkled.
Had Rafe told him about that kiss back at the clinic? “That’s the one.”
“From what I hear you’ll be in good hands, then.” Nodding his approval, Herman climbed back into his pickup. “I’ll call tonight to find out how things go today.”
“You’ll be calling to check up on me, you mean,” Jolie murmured.
He touched the brim of his hat in farewell. “You betcha.”
Jolie strode for her SUV, unlocked it and tossed her purse and overnight bag inside, then leaned against the hood and surveyed the peaceful meadow surrounding the cabin.
Dolly and Sadie had looked up from grazing when the pickup pulled in and were now ambling toward Jolie. “Beggars,” she chuckled. “The soda-cracker brigade.”
Matt had been checking on them every day and making sure the water tank was full. But he probably hadn’t been giving them treats.
Jolie smiled as she started for the cabin to retrieve a box of crackers. But with each step, she felt her amusement fade. The cabin looked dark, deserted. Nothing stirred, but the hairs at her nape prickled as she drew closer and imagined someone crouching in the bushes. Or around the corner.
Someone could have easily found a way inside, and be waiting there for her return.
Her stride faltered. She pulled to a stop ten feet from the porch steps, Mandy’s fearful cries echoing in her thoughts. Therehadbeen someone here that night, lurking in the shadows.
Who knew what he might have done if he’d found Mandy or Jolie inside?
Rage swept through her at the feeling of violation, at her lost sense of security in the home she’d come to love. “Stay away, whoever you are,” she exploded.
Dolly and Sadie both pulled to an uncertain stop at the harsh sound of her voice echoing through the rocky cliffs up in the hills.
Jolie turned on her heel and forced herself to walk calmly back to the SUV. She climbed inside...and for the first time since returning to Montana, she locked the doors.
JOLIE HEADED FORMatt’s place after work. She’d stayed later for an appointment after five, so Mandy had accepted a ride back to Matt’s with Irene.
As if staying at his place under the watchful eyes of two teenage girls and a boy wasn’t hard enough, Jolie noticed something...differentin his voice. And in the way he didn’t look at her when she walked in the door at seven.
“So everything went okay?” he asked stiffly, as she brought in her bags.
“Fine.” She looked up at him, surprised. There was no warmth in his eyes, none of the warmth and humor she’d seen only a few days before.
