Savannah blinked at her laptop screen. She had more work to do, and though none of it was necessarily required, it would be helpful to Sadie and the rest of the town. And, yes, she was looking to wow them.
Besides, she needed something to keep her from thinking about Mike. And about how her Saturday night could’ve been very different if she’d given him the slightest sign she was interested. Unfortunately, she kind of was. More than kind of. But there was Porter. Maybe she was being too touchy. It wasn’t as if they were in a relationship—in fact, she’d decided a relationship wasn’t going to happen. So there was no reason to feel badly for thinking about Mike.
She’d been so tempted to spend the night. It was far too easy to imagine waking up in his arms then bundling up and going outside to watch the sunrise with him. But she hadn’t, and she kind of regretted it.
No, she’d done the right thing. After all, she was on the clock. Although it had occurred to her that she still had vacation time. She could stay on a few more days.
As she went back to her investigation of the towns around Glacier National Park, she saw a picture of a baby moose, which made her remember Buddy and their wonderful visit. Of course she’d acted like a silly kid, and she understood why those guys had laughed at her but honestly, Mike had been perfect. It helped that he’d seen her in work mode and knew she didn’t make a habit of being childish, but his expression had told her that there was still a lot of kid left in him, as well.
Which didn’t mean he was immature. There were several men she knew who fit into that unattractive category. Porter’s pout came to mind. She’d seen other women react to it, going all goo-goo-eyed and acting a little silly, she knew he’d eaten it up. That would never be her.
A photo of a cabin, completely unlike the one she grew up in, came on-screen. This one was high-end, a ski-in, ski-out hideaway for the very rich and most likely famous. It made her wonder about her family’s old cabin. She’d loved it and hated it while she lived there. The best times were when it was cold outside and she was warm in her bed, covered by her mother’s handmade quilts, the sounds from outside just loud enough to lull her into fantasies instead of fears.
Yes, sometimes it got terrible, when the windows rattled and it felt as if the roof would cave in. When her parents fought.
Then her father had left. She’d been sad and relieved. It was a mixed bag, living in those isolated woods. She hoped that by the time she went back to Denver, the predominant memories would be good ones. There had been so much beauty and so many amazing discoveries.
The phone rang, and she nearly fell off the chair in her eagerness to grab the cell from her nightstand. It turned out to be Sadie.
“I hope I’m not calling too late.”
“It’s only eight thirty.”
“Well, maybe I should’ve waited till morning to give you the bad news.”
Savannah’s heart sank. “What is it?”
“The city council wants more than a written report and asked if you could finish the presentation on Monday.”
Savannah relaxed. “No problem at all. Frankly, I planned on it.”
“Look, it’s got nothing to do with you personally. I know exactly who kicked up a fuss. It’s Thelma. She’s the council member who missed yesterday’s presentation. She gets back tomorrow night. God forbid anything should happen around here without her dipping her fingers into the pot.”
“I promise you I don’t mind.” By Monday, she’d have her research and her whole pitch put together. She knew it wouldn’t impress everyone, but she didn’t need it to. It would knock the socks off of the business owners—and of the city council, if they had any real interest in their town.
And if it came up, and she was challenged for being a city girl who would never understand how small towns worked, she was going to tell them who she was.
She’d heard the argument a few times now and not just during the presentation. At the market, at the pawnshop. It was as if she’d come from the moon not Denver.
She’d been debating the issue on and off since the mess at the first presentation. But after today, after being with Mike and brainstorming about drawing on the other towns in the area, she decided it would be a plus for the townspeople to know that she knew what she was talking about from experience.
Okay, it would also be a thrill to see the shocked look on all their faces. But that would be a bonus. Nothing more.
* * *
THE MORNING’S CHORES had taken some time, given the chill in the air. Mike had brought the calves and their dams into the shed the night before, and this morning he’d strengthened their bedding with thick, fresh straw and fitted them all with jackets, even though the shed was well ventilated and had auxiliary heating. The extended summer weather had played havoc with the breeding timetables, and there were more newborns than normal.
Since the forecast had mentioned some heavy gusts, he’d rolled in two of the windbreaks for the cattle in the pens.
But once he’d finished, he’d taken the fastest shower on record and hightailed it to the motel.
Savannah was waiting near the entrance wearing a jacket and the Stetson he’d loaned her yesterday. Her hair was down around her shoulders and her jeans fit like a glove. He hoped she’d want to go for another horseback ride today, but he’d be satisfied with anything she wanted to do.
Before he could get out to open the truck door, she’d hopped in. “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself. You seem well rested.”
She laughed. “Not really. Just happy to be spending the day out...with you.”
That certainly raised his spirits, and they’d already been high as a kite. “So, where to first?”
“Twin Creeks?”
“Good starting point. It’s Sunday, but there should be a place to eat that’s open.”
“Oh, I was up early and hit the lobby breakfast and had the most amazing cinnamon roll.”
Mike nodded. “I’ve had those before. From the diner. Many, many times, in fact.” He waited until a trailer truck passed then drove onto Main Street, heading toward the highway. “I assume you have our itinerary planned out?”
“Yes. But I’m completely open to changes. You’re much more knowledgeable about the area than I am.”
“Not as much as you’d think. I know more about the route to Billings than I do the local towns. If you can even call some of them towns. So we’ll discover them together.”
“Great. And just so you know, I plan to buy souvenirs and any other kind of tchotchkes that I find on the way.”
“Are you telling me I should’ve brought a trailer?”
“I’m not that bad,” she said, laughing. “I haven’t asked you about your morning. I saw there was a wind advisory on the news.”
She’d noticed that? He was already in trouble with Savannah, knowing she loved her job and that she was most definitely going back to Denver soon, and she kept making things worse. In the entire time he and Ellen had been married, she’d never mentioned anything about the weather unless it affected her directly.
Rounding up calves in the dead of winter, wind howling and frostbite an imminent threat for man and beast? Nothing. Rain on a spring outing to a baseball game? Tragedy.
He drove on, stealing glances at Savannah every chance he could. Half the time, he caught her looking his way. He felt like a damn kid.
When she still seemed concerned about how the calves would fare with the bad weather, he ended up telling her about the precautions he’d taken.
“But they’ll be okay with us away for the afternoon?”
“Oh, yeah. No worries there.”
“I never thought I’d find cows so interesting. Do you have to replace the bedding every day?”
“Not at this stage. You don’t have to, but I like to, especially when we don’t have a full house. But when the majority of the heifers give birth, which is normally a little later in the season, not only do you need to change the straw every day but everything else, including whoever is assisting the birth. You get soaking wet, sometimes for hours, and there’s no place to wash the slime off in the shed. Even if you can wash outside, it won’t be with hot water.”
She sat with that for a minute, drawing little thumb circles on her thigh. He forced himself to watch the traffic.
“You really do love ranching. You’d have to, to go through that year after year.”
“Except for the mess, calving is the best time of year. It depends on the weather, of course, and how healthy the herd is, but if it’s nice out, cutting the calves is one of the most cowboy things we do. Always on horseback, not using ATVs like some.”
“Cutting the calves?”
“It’s separating them out of the main herd so we can take care of them better.”
“Exactly what I thought.”
“Of course you did,” he said. “We’re coming into Twin Creeks now.”
“There’s nothing out there,” she said. “Except that house up on the hill.”
“Can’t say I didn’t warn you. But at least it’s pretty this time of year.”
“It is. I live in the downtown area of Denver. It’s nice, and I do love the access to everything so close by...”
“For instance?”
“Restaurants. We’ve got a thriving culinary scene. Great chefs, outstanding farmers’ markets. We’ve got the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, the Colorado Symphony, terrific museums. Then there’s skiing and hiking. It’s really a nice place.”
“Sounds like it,” he said, trying to be earnest. Naturally she’d like it there. Denver was a real city with things to do, places to go.
His experience of the world at large was like a postage stamp on an atlas. Billings was the metropolis of Montana, but he’d never had enough money or time to take advantage of it. And while he’d visited Denver, Las Vegas and central Florida, those had all been for auctions or quick trips to visit family that didn’t include any sightseeing. When he’d played college ball, he’d traveled to other cities. But there again, he’d gone with the team and only for the games.
Yep, she’d been born in Blackfoot Falls, but they were from totally different worlds. She might be curious about the ranch, but he couldn’t imagine her wanting to live on one. Listening to her questions, knowing she was genuinely interested in his answers made it easy to forget that not-so-small detail. He couldn’t think about that, though, and ruin their last day together.
“In about twenty minutes, you’re going to have a decision to make.”
“What’s that?” She folded her left leg underneath her right, squirming a little to adjust the seat belt so she could look at him more easily.
“Do we go to the diner, which amounts to a few seats at the drugstore counter and a very limited menu, the new barbecue joint or the drive-through?”
“Wow. What a selection.”
“Consider wisely. There’s every chance a wrong decision could color your entire experience of northwestern Montana.”
She laughed, But his own attempt at a smile wasn’t nearly as successful.
* * *
SAVANNAH FINISHED HER lunch at Uncle Walt’s Barbecue, and Mike pushed away his plate, too. The restaurant was reasonably crowded, and it appeared that at least two tables were hosting tourists. He’d said hello to a couple of cowboys he recognized.
Although she’d spent a decent amount of time observing the people, the place and even the state of the restroom, all she’d wanted to do was talk to Mike. Everything about him drew her in. It was as if they’d known each other all their lives. It was kind of crazy, the way they got along.
“Are you going to get some dessert?” he asked.
She’d only had a salad, so she technically could, but after that huge cinnamon roll, she shouldn’t. “Do you think those pies in the cooler are fresh or frozen?”
He leaned closer to her. “I have a surefire way of telling.” He scooted his chair over. “You see the way the crust is crimped?”
She nodded, wondering if this was something his mother had taught him. “Yes?”
“It’s nice,” he said, then turned to look at the waitress who was standing behind Savannah. “Those pies fresh?”
Savannah gave him an evil look but was glad when the waitress, who had the highest little voice, said, “Yep. Made fresh every morning. In my opinion, the huckleberry is the best, although some folks really like the apple.”
“I’ll have a slice of the berry,” Savannah said. “A small one, please.” She turned to Mike. “Unless you want to share.”
Mike grinned. “How about making it big and à la mode?”
The waitress nodded. “Sure thing.”
Savannah kicked the heel of his boot. “That was sneaky. After we have the pie, which you have to eat most of, I’d like to walk down the street—go in, if anything’s open.”
“The only place open will be the gas-station shop.”
“At least we can look in the windows. I’ve been meaning to ask. Are all the towns around here football crazy? I saw the banners and memorabilia for the Blackfoot Falls Bisons. And now it’s the Twin Creeks Falcons. I should get a sweatshirt from both teams...for my collection.”
“You’re that into football?”
“Nope. Winters are freezing in Denver.”
“It’s a pity you couldn’t be here for the big game.”
“Big game? Gee, I’m not sure what you mean. Not like there’s a giant billboard advertising it on the way into town. Or fightin’ words painted on half the windows and cars cheering on the Falcons. Or banners down the main drag or a big sign right behind you.”
“Yeah,” he said, grinning. “That game.”
“Yesterday I noticed a few Bisons banners had replaced some Halloween decorations. Is this the end of the season or something?”
“Nope. See, any time the Bisons or Falcons go up against another town, it’s a big hoopla. But playing each other? That’s the worst.”
“How so?”
“Some folks take the rivalry too far. I wouldn’t be caught dead at the Watering Hole or the Full Moon during the week leading up to those games.”
“That bad, huh?”
“After a little too much booze? You bet. Good thing everyone is afraid of Sadie.”
Savannah grinned. “As well they should be.”
“Amen to that.”
“What about baseball? Same enthusiasm?”
“Not quite. Spring and summer are busy seasons for ranchers. But yeah, sports gets people out of the house. They tailgate a lot and gossip, of course, and more than a little betting goes on.”
“Ah, right,” she said, nodding. “I can see local sports would be popular.”
“And don’t forget rodeo. After all, this is cowboy country,” he said, pitching his voice so low it broke on the end of the word.
Savannah laughed. She liked this man. So much. Too much.
“So, where to next?” he asked. “Greenville? Then swing by Munson?”
“You’re the tour guide.”
“Yeah, well, the whole thing should take us all of ten minutes. You think this town is small. Greenville has about eight hundred people. Half that for Munson.”
“Greenville is much more spread out, though. Lots of medium-size ranches, and I read they also have a sizable wind farm.”
“That wasn’t there the last time I drove through town.”
The pie arrived and it was delicious. When it was time to go, Mike wanted to pay, but she stopped that with a glare and her corporate credit card.
The walk turned out to be informative. The market was actually open, although it was smaller by half than the one in Blackfoot Falls and not very appealing. The hardware store was closed but had a lot of feed and lumber stacked outside. There was a pawnshop that mostly sold guns and fishing supplies and a thrift shop that opened three days a week.
Mike held the door open for her once they got back to the truck. “Feel like you’ve learned something?”
“Actually, yes.” She waited until he climbed in before she continued. “They could do a lot more. Tourists love pawnshops and thrift stores. I wonder who owns the storefronts that are closed. Do you think they belong to the city?”
He started them on their way to Greenville. “Hard to say. I know of at least one private owner—Lawrence Peabody. He bought up quite a few properties. Grabbed them a few years back when prices hit rock bottom.”
“Huh. Was he at the presentation?”
“Not that I noticed, but I heard he bought the old drive-through in Blackfoot Falls. Wants to turn it into a casual restaurant.”
“That’s excellent. I would’ve thought he’d be interested in hearing our recommendations.”
“Sadie might not have mentioned it to him. Lawrence lives east of Twin Creeks.” Mike paused. “He’s not everyone’s favorite person. And that’s all I’ll say.”
“Ah.” Savannah could tell Mike didn’t care for the man either. “Anyway, one billboard on the highway could increase both Twin Creeks’s and Blackfoot Falls’s business significantly. And Lord knows the people around here don’t seem to object to them,” she said as they passed yet another billboard rallying the Falcons to obliterate the Bisons.
“Uncle Walt’s should be advertising. I’m not saying it’s the best barbecue I’ve ever eaten, but having another restaurant is a big improvement.”
“We have to remember to tell Chip his ribs were much better,” she said, and Mike smiled. “I just hope that Greenville and Munson have at least one unique attraction each. That’s all they’d need to get things moving. And anything that draws people to the area will help Blackfoot Falls.”
“I’m glad it was worth your while.”
“Lunch with you was worth it all by itself. I wouldn’t have minded if we did nothing else.”
He smiled at her. “Me, too,” he said, and reached for her hand.
It seemed like the most natural thing in the world for her to thread her fingers through his. “I really appreciate you spending your day chauffeuring me around.”
“There’s no place I’d rather be but right here.”
Savannah bit her lip. “Will we have enough time to go to the cabin?”
“If that’s what you want, absolutely.”
“I wasn’t sure this morning,” she said. “But I want to see it now. Not sure I’m going to enjoy the visit, mind you.”
Mike squeezed her hand. “You’re an amazing woman, Savannah.” Her breath caught as she realized it was because of him that she was willing to go see the cabin. Mike made her feel safe, strong, empowered. In fact, Mike made her a feel a lot of things.
Things she’d never felt before.