“I had a feeling you two would hit it off.”
Alarm bells went off. “Meaning what?”
“Well…that you two have a lot in common.”
“I hope you’re not playing Cupid. Because I?—”
“Not at all. I just?—”
“You know I’m not on the lookout for a guy, right?”
“I do and I understand. But I’ve known Monty since he was born, which’ll be twenty-seven years this Saturday, and you won’t find a more?—”
“Look, even if I wanted to consider getting involved with him, which I absolutely don’t, he’s not in the market for a woman with a five-year-old.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do know that. The second I mentioned Tex, his whole attitude changed.”
“Because he’s not an idiot who charges into a complicated situation. That’s a good thing. But he likes you, too. Sparks were flying.”
“Of course they were. You know how men react to me.”
“It wasn’t one-sided.”
“So I’m not immune to a good-looking cowboy. But I’ve made it this far and I’m not changing a program that’s in the best interests of my son.”
Her uncle fell silent. Then he sighed and met her gaze. “You’re right, Zin. Please forgive an old guy for butting into a situation that’s none of his business.”
His gentle voice touched a place in her heart that would always hurt. He sounded so much like her dad. “Oh, hey.” She gave him a quick hug. “It’s not surprising you’d think like that. You love Monty and you love me.”
“I love Tex, too. He’s a brave little kid.”
“And you think he needs a daddy?” She said it softly.
“Guess so.”
“He’s got you.”
“I know, but I’m more like a grandpa.”
“So what? He’s crazy about you. I couldn’t ask for a better role model for him. I honestly didn’t realize how much he’d love it here.”
“That was my hope, that the move would benefit all three of you.”
“It already has. I’ll never be able to thank you enough. Marigold says bartending at the Raccoon is way more fun than where she worked in Great Falls.”
“I can believe it. The Raccoon is special.” He paused, sucked in a breath. “Full disclosure, suggesting this arrangement wasn’t exactly selfless. Seems like I needed you guys, too.”
“You did?”
“Not long after your Aunt Adele left, Spence died. That was a dark time, and I turned into a grouchy old bear in a cave, nursing my wounds.”
“You weren’t grouchy.”
“Yeah, I was. Ask Raquel, or any of the Bridgers, for that matter. But thanks to you, Mari and Tex….” His chest heaved. “I see things different.”
Her throat tightened again. “I love hearing that.”
