Jenna Mindel - His Montana Homecoming

Marie looked around and then whispered, “Ellis Cooper.”

Faith laughed.

The guy had run against her father in the last mayoral race. No doubt Ellis sent flowers to impress someone. With all the dignitaries in town for homecoming, the recipient could be anyone, really.

Ellis had championed the bridge fund to get votes, but Faith didn’t buy his sincerity for the project. He’d be the kind of guy who’d want the bridge named after him once it opened. If he’d had the means to fund it, then take the name and the glory. But Cooper Bridge didn’t have the same ring as good old Beaver Creek.

Marie squinted as she bent to look in Faith’s car. “Who’s the suit?”

Faith harnessed the gas nozzle back into the pump and waited for the receipt to print. “Dale Massey from New York.”

“So, he finally showed, huh?”

“Yup.” Faith ripped the paper.

“He’s pretty hot.” Marie grinned. “Where are you two going?”

“Lone Peak. Dad doesn’t want him wandering around the mountains by himself.” Faith lowered her voice. “I mean, just look at him.”

“Hmm. Not hard to do.” Marie wiggled her fingers. “Have fun.”

“Yeah, you, too.”

Not what Faith had meant. Dale had pampered city boy written all over him. She climbed in behind the wheel and handed Dale his plastic along with the receipt.

He took it without looking at her or missing a beat of his phone conversation.

Faith pulled back onto Main Street and headed east out of town and toward the mountains while Dale talked on his phone about attorney fees.

After he’d ended his call, Dale stared out the window. Not exactly a talkative guy.

“Why not take that bridge? Seems like a more direct route.”

Faith sighed. “The Beaver Creek Bridge has been out of commission forever.”

“Why?”

Faith shrugged. “It’s a sore spot with some people. My father included.”

“What happened?”

“My great-aunt died when her car slid off the bridge into the rapids below. Her body was never found.”

“That’s the reason no one uses it?”

Faith gave another soft laugh. “It must sound silly to a big-city guy like you, but Lucy Shaw’s accident was substantial drama in little Jasper Gulch. Rumor had it she didn’t want to marry the man her father had picked out, so maybe she drove off that bridge. Investigating the accident first closed it, but then folks didn’t use it and the bridge fell into disrepair.

“We’re trying to raise money, but haven’t gotten close to what’s needed for renovation. My brother Cord is on the town council and leading the charge. But, because my father would rather see it torn down, some folks side with him. Kinda funny that the time capsule was found near the bridge, considering the ruckus over it.” She shrugged. “Jasper Gulch needs to grow regardless.”

“Tax base drying up?”

Faith nodded. “Some businesses think they can’t make it here with so few people. So, it’s a vicious cycle. Kids leave for college or whatever and don’t come back. That’s 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.”