His Montana Homecoming. Jenna Mindel

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СКАЧАТЬ why this centennial celebration is so important. It puts Jasper Gulch on the tourist map. Hopefully.”

      “With only one long way in and out, this town will get overlooked by tourists.”

      Again, Faith nodded. “One of the reasons for last month’s Old-Tyme Wedding. Other than giving me a new brother-in-law and sister-in-law, the event gave folks a glimpse of what we have here. Hopefully more exposure to tourists than a website or looking at a map. The Bozeman TV spot got picked up nationally.”

      “I didn’t see it.”

      Faith increased speed on the open stretch of road. “Fifty couples got married at once. Cord’s got a copy of the ceremony. I can show you.”

      Dale’s eyelids lowered with distaste. “That’s okay.”

      Faith chewed her bottom lip. She must sound like a real bumpkin going on and on about her little town.

      She glanced at Dale again.

      He checked his phone, snorted and shoved it back in his pocket.

      “No coverage out here. Probably none till we get to Lone Peak. I’m sure the resort has Wi-Fi.” Why was he meeting someone way out here anyway?

      Dale stared out the window. “This is desolate country.”

      Faith didn’t think so. “I’ve always thought of it as vibrant and teeming with life.”

      “You want vibrant? Come to New York.” Pride rang in his voice.

      “No, thank you.” Faith shook her head. “I tried city life once. It wasn’t for me.”

      “Where?” His voice challenged.

      “Seattle.”

      “Hmm. Cool city. Artsy.”

      She’d managed to impress him. A little.

      Faith had discovered the ugly side of the arts and men who took advantage. Not willing to sell her soul, she packed up and came home. She’d never felt more like a naive country bumpkin than when she fell for her mentor in Seattle while trying to make something of her music. “Parts of it.”

      “What lured you there?” He gave her a slanted smile. “A man?”

      “No.” Faith laughed. “A job, but it didn’t work out.”

      Dale gave her a long look but didn’t dig. “For a girl who doesn’t drink coffee, Seattle must have been a scary place.”

      “What makes you think I don’t drink coffee?” They were in the mountains now, and Faith concentrated on the winding road.

      “You only drank orange juice this morning.”

      “A small thing to notice.” Faith shrugged.

      “I’m in the business of noticing small things.”

      Faith’s heartbeat picked up speed. So, the guy paid attention to details. But something about the silky softness of his voice made her wonder if she was the small thing he noticed.

      Part of her hoped so.

      And part of her didn’t.

      “Well, I drink coffee, but I’d had my fill before breakfast.” She had to remember that she was safe.

      It dawned on her that safe meant no threat of serious entanglement. She wasn’t worth pursuit of anything more than flirtation. Not in the life of Dale Massey.

      She shouldn’t be surprised. She’d summed him up pretty good yesterday. And really, she wanted no part of a guy like him. The world was littered with them. So, why the nugget of hurt lodged in her heart?

      * * *

      Dale stared at the snow-covered mountains filled with people skiing, getting an early jump on the holiday. One of several resorts in the Big Sky area, this place shone like a gem in the warm Montana sunshine. This was the kind of place he was used to, and no doubt perfect for Eric to set up shop. Maybe then the kid would finally ease his way into the Massey real estate business. But Dale had his doubts.

      He got out of the car and stretched his legs. The mayor had been right. His rental never would have made the drive here, not the way Faith had taken them, plus she’d shaved a good half hour in drive time going through the mountains instead of around them on the interstates.

      He poked his head back into the interior. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be, where do you want to meet?”

      Faith shrugged. “Right here is fine.”

      “You’re not going to stay in your car.”

      “I’ve got a good book, and the sun’s shining. I’ll be fine.”

      Dale shook his head and pulled out his wallet. “Take my credit card and buy whatever you want.”

      Her expressive eyes widened and she held up her hand. “Put that away. I am not using your card.”

      He’d offended her. “You let me buy the gas.”

      “That was different.”

      He tipped his head. What did she think he offered? “You should be compensated for your time. I’m taking up a good chunk of your day.”

      Faith shook her head and pulled out her book. “Forget it.”

      Letting the argument slide, he handed her his business card. “Here’s my cell if you need to get a hold of me.”

      “I won’t.” She took the business card though, and then buried her nose in the pages of a paperback.

      Dale chuckled as he walked away. He’d managed to ruffle Miss Shaw’s pretty feathers. Women were fickle that way. Finding insult when he merely wanted to repay her for her time. If he’d wanted a more interesting transaction between them, he would have been candid. Dale didn’t play games. Faith Shaw struck him as honest, too, but in a pure and simple sort of way. She wasn’t the kind of girl for anything more than a pleasant flirtation.

      * * *

      By the time Dale finished touring the office space for sale, he knew it was technically perfect for their needs and exactly what his father had wanted. But Dale didn’t jump on the offer. A gut feeling prevented him from purchasing the property—something he didn’t know what to name other than a profound sense of dissatisfaction with the whole deal.

      Instincts were a big part of what he did, so he knew when to listen. Today, he’d stand down and wait. He shook the guy’s hand, promised to get back to him and walked away.

      And then he called the office. “Jeannie, where are we with those closings scheduled for next week? On task? Good, put me through to my father’s voice mail.” Dale waited for the connection. Julian was on his way halfway across the world, but he’d still want an update. “Not confident on this property. I think we can do better.”

      Dale СКАЧАТЬ