Mike watched and listened to Savannah speak about how the town could increase business revenues and visitor spending. She didn’t just point out the problems—and there were plenty—she also offered simple, low-cost solutions.
The woman was impressive; smart, knowledgeable, poised and patient. She remained calm and on point through countless interruptions, many of them silly and inappropriate. It was kind of embarrassing. From the seat he’d found in the last row, he could see some of the town’s newcomers exchanging glances and trying not to laugh. Probably wondering why they’d ever moved here while, ironically, Savannah explained the potential for attracting more businesses.
In a way, it was too bad people didn’t know who she was. All the longtime residents would remember that nasty piece of business with her mama. Even for a town like Blackfoot Falls that greased its wheels on gossip, the scandal had been a doozy.
None of what had happened had been Savannah’s fault, but that must’ve been impossible for a kid her age to accept. As far as he could tell, neither parent had been a shining example. And then to come out the other end this bright, articulate, confident woman? What were the odds?
The crowd had thinned by the end of the break, and a few more folks had drifted out. Mike noticed people were beginning to check their watches, and he glanced at his. It was getting close to supper time for most. The presentation would’ve been over by now if not for all the nonsense.
Sadie must’ve sensed the restlessness and she got up to speak quietly to Savannah. A minute later, Sadie addressed the audience.
“Okay, folks, that’s it for today. Ms. James has covered only half the material. You all know why,” Sadie said, shaking her head. “But she has graciously agreed to stay the weekend and finish up at a later time.”
“Now, you just hold on,” Jasper Parsons said, getting to his feet a couple rows in front of Mike. “I’ve got another question.”
Sadie glared at the man, a known troublemaker who opposed boosting tourism, even though it meant nothing to him one way or the other. “Too bad.”
“I got a right to ask—”
“Yes, and you’ll be free to do so when we reconvene.” Sadie turned her back on him. “I’ll post the date and time on the bulletin board.”
Savannah followed her lead and began packing her briefcase.
“Reconvene,” Jasper muttered, half under his breath but loud enough for Mike to hear. “Using fancy words now just cuz she’s mayor.”
The old guy was bound to cause trouble. He always did. Mike wasn’t sure if he should get involved. A lot of curious looks had come his way after folks had noticed him talking to Savannah during the break. Best thing he could do for her was keep a distance for now.
So Mike stayed put. They hadn’t settled on dinner yet. He figured they’d go to Kalispell just to get her away from here.
His thoughts went back to Sadie’s announcement that Savannah was staying the weekend. Now that she had unfinished business, it could mean she wouldn’t leave until Monday.
Not that it should matter to him. If Savannah had returned thinking she might move back, which was as ludicrous as anything he could’ve come up with, he would’ve been first man in line. But she’d never do that, and anyway, he needed a ranch wife, not a career woman, someone who understood the demands of running a ranch.
“Hey, Mike,” Sadie called. “Do me a favor and lock that back door. Jasper was just leaving.”
Savannah glanced at him and smiled before continuing to pack up, her hair falling forward and hiding her face.
Jasper cursed.
Mike was shocked at how quickly the room had emptied. “Come on, Parsons,” he said, pushing to his feet. “You heard the mayor.”
“That woman don’t deserve the title. Never seen a more piss-poor mayor in all my born days.”
Sighing, Mike gestured for the older man to head out.
Fortunately, he didn’t argue. He actually seemed more mellow than usual. Might’ve had something to do with the beer Mike smelled on his breath.
“Now,” Sadie said to Savannah, “I’m guessing you two have dinner plans, or I’d invite you to eat with me.”
“We do,” Savannah said, glancing at him as he walked up. “But if you want to join us I’m sure Mike—”
“No. Thanks anyway.” Sadie had always had a streak of mischief running through her, and he wasn’t about to guess what she meant by the smile she was giving him. “I’m sure you’ve taken into account that you won’t get a moment’s peace eating around here.”
“I sure have... Mayor Thompson.”
Sadie laughed. “You used to be such a nice boy, what happened to you?”
“He still is.” Savannah’s quick leap to his defense startled him. And Sadie. In fact, it seemed to surprise Savannah, too. She fumbled the file in her hand and cleared her throat. “Don’t chase him off. Mike might be the only person standing between me and a noose in this Wild West town of yours.”
“Oh, he’s tough.” Sadie winked privately at him. “It would take a hell of a lot more than me mouthing off to get rid of him. He’ll stick close.”
Mike shook his head. “Ever heard the saying ‘quit while you’re ahead’?”
“Must’ve missed that one.” Grinning, she turned to Savannah. “We’ll talk later and figure out how we’re going to finish this up. If at any time you decide you want to leave, I completely understand. Anyway, I have the report you’ve given me.”
“Honestly, it’s okay. I work in the Denver office not in the field, so I don’t have anywhere else to be next week.”
“Huh.” Sadie drew back to look at her. “Well, then, I guess we’re special.”
Even before Sadie’s teasing remark, Savannah clearly regretted her words. She gave them a quick smile then finished gathering her things.
The three of them walked out together. Mike was glad to see Main Street fairly deserted, which wasn’t unusual this time of day. The women agreed to talk tomorrow then Sadie headed toward her office.
“Okay, so, dinner,” Savannah said, her gaze sweeping the sidewalk.
“I have an idea about that.”
“Good, because I don’t. I’m not even sure I have any brain cells left.”
“For what it’s worth, you did a hell of a job.”
She smiled like she didn’t really believe him. “I’ve already extended my stay at the motel. I don’t have a car anymore, though, and I need to go dump this stuff.” She held up her briefcase and nodded at the laptop case Mike was holding.
“I’ll take you to the motel and wait for you. Unless you need some time by yourself.”
“No, I’m fine. Not very hungry, though. However, I wouldn’t turn down something sweet.”
Damn, he was tempted to take that another way. But he knew what that hopeful look was for, and chuckling, he patted his pockets. “Sorry, fresh out. Not even a mint to my name.”
“That’s okay,” she said, sighing. “I like you anyway.”
That made him grin...until he noticed Jasper standing outside the Watering Hole talking to Avery. The two of them together always spelled trouble. “I have to ask—do you care if people see you with me?”
“Of course not.” She gave him a great smile. “Why would I?”
“I don’t know.” Shrugging, he steered them toward his truck. “You saw how they are.”
“Yeah.” Savannah sighed. “To think I used to worry about what they thought of me,” she said, then came to an abrupt stop. “Oh, my God. My therapist would be so proud.”
Mike laughed. Probably not the best response but he couldn’t help it.
“I know. Right?”
“You should be proud of yourself, Savannah,” he said. “I barely know you and I sure am.” Lucky he held the laptop in one hand and had his keys in the other. The sudden need to touch her caught him off guard. He wanted to feel the softness of her skin, brush the bangs away from her eyes as she blinked up at him. “Not that you’d care.”
“Oh, but I do, Mike,” she whispered. “I really do.”
Mike knew it would be a very long time, if ever, before he forgot that achingly sweet expression on her face as she stared up at him.
* * *
“WHEN DO I find out the surprise?” Savannah subtly sniffed.
Something sweet sat in the box on the back seat. Mike had volunteered to pick up dinner while she’d stowed her things in her room and changed into jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt.
“Be patient. After seeing that presentation, I know you’ve got it in you.”
“Had it in me. I’m drained. I’ve used up all my patience for a month.”
“I don’t doubt it,” he said. “You still have to wait.”
“That is so mean. Hey—” she glanced around at the familiar landscape, brilliant fall reds, oranges and yellows everywhere, and rows of pines so tall and magnificent you’d swear the tops reached the gates of Heaven “—where are we?”
“Not too far from town.”
“I know that much.” She thought for a moment. They’d been driving south the last time she’d paid any attention. “We’re ascending, aren’t we?”
Mike nodded, his smile mysterious.
“Can you believe I’ve never been on this side of Blackfoot Falls? The foothills are beautiful. I can see why Hollywood thinks this place is the best thing since sliced bread.”
Mike chuckled. “I haven’t heard that one in a long time.”
“You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl. When did you last hear that one?”
“Not for a mighty long spell.”
Savannah laughed. “I surrender. I’d never be able to keep up with you.”
Mike lifted his right brow at her. “You saying I’m a hick?”
Studying his strong square jaw, she considered telling him what she really thought. Wouldn’t that shock the boots off him? She couldn’t help laughing.
“Well, hell.” He glanced over at her before turning off the highway onto an unpaved road. “You sure know how to undermine a man’s confidence.”
“Careful what you wish for...” She echoed the same mysterious smile he’d given her. Although, it might be fun to see how many shades of red he’d turn if she told him he was positively yummy.
“All right. I see what you’re doing.”
They went over a sizable bump, and she clutched the dashboard. “Okay, now I’m worried the town hired you to do away with me. Jeez. No one will find my body till spring.”
“I’m impressed. Good at business and creative.”
“Aren’t you even going to deny it?”
Mike laughed. “I could just leave you out here for the bears. Less hassle and worry for me.” Slowing down, he leaned forward and peered over the steering wheel. “Hey, that could come under plausible deniability. What do you think?”
“I think you’re crazy. And I blame myself for not seeing that earlier.” The whole truck shifted when the left front tire dipped into a hole. “Ouch.”
“What happened?” Mike shot her a concerned look.
“Nothing. I’m fine. Just a reflex.”
“Hang on. We’re almost there.”
“Wait.” She touched his arm. No, more like gripped it. Hard. She loosened her hold, let her hand fall away. “There really aren’t bears up here are there?”
He looked at her as though he couldn’t tell if she was joking.
“I meant...you know, not this low.”
Mike frowned slightly, shook his head. “Higher up.”
“Right. Go on,” she said, gesturing.
The sun had dropped behind the mountains, and the trees around them were creating shadows. Maybe he hadn’t frowned at all. Maybe he hadn’t seen the blood drain from her face. It was stupid to let her father’s cruel taunt play in her head. She wasn’t a child anymore.
God, she needed to get hold of herself.
Neither of them spoke for the next few minutes. The silence suited her fine. She wished she could recall the mantras from her self-help CDs. A couple drifted in and out of her brain. They might’ve stuck if she wasn’t swimming in embarrassment.
Mike parked the truck and turned to her. “I should’ve asked before I brought you up here. I’m sorry.”
“What? No.” She waved off his concern and looked away. “Don’t be silly. This is—” She gasped at the brilliance in front of her.
The vanishing sun had set the sky on fire. Clouds of red and orange streaked across the blazing horizon. Several stubborn gray, pink-tinged clouds hovered over the snowcapped peaks that stretched to the south. The valley between the two mountains formed a V, giving them a window to the incredible display. It was the most glorious sunset Savannah had ever seen.
The company could have had something to do with it...or maybe it was just that he’d been so considerate. Remembering she wanted to see a sunset, listening to her when she said something crazy like “drive” with no questions asked. Accepting her excuses without explanation. He’d even brought something sweet for her because she’d joked about needing it. Despite Porter’s lavish spending on meals, he always found a way to insinuate what he wanted in every conversation. And sex was always on the top of his list. Of course he’d pretended he was teasing, and she’d let him get away with it.
But she wasn’t going to think about him. Not tonight.
She realized she was holding her breath and let it out with a heartfelt sigh.
“If we’d gotten here thirty minutes earlier, I would’ve stopped at the first ridge and we would’ve had a damn near panoramic view.”
“Are you kidding? This is perfect.” She couldn’t drag her gaze away. Finally, she found her manners and looked at him. Mike was staring at her and not the sunset. “Thank you,” she said, meeting his darkened eyes. “I can’t believe you remembered.”
He smiled. “Course I did,” he said, lifting a hand and drawing the pad of his thumb across her cheekbone. His touch was so gentle her lids started to drift closed. “You got a smudge here. Probably from all that laughing earlier.”
She opened her eyes. “Great.” Now she’d embarrassed herself again. “I finished the presentation looking like a clown.”
He lowered his hand. “It was tiny.”
Her embarrassment ebbed when she realized she would’ve seen a smudge when she’d checked her makeup after changing her clothes. Mike had looked for an excuse to touch her. The thought made her a little giddy.
She turned back to the sunset. Some of the colors had already faded, and the number of gray clouds seemed to have doubled in just those few minutes. It didn’t matter. The sky was still more beautiful than anything she’d seen in a very long time. Perhaps even since she’d left Montana. Her job left little time for sunsets.
They lapsed into a comfortable silence. Just watched nature finish her show, a rather spectacular performance Savannah wouldn’t soon forget. Had she ever felt this stress free? This peaceful? Completely in the moment?
Especially after that hellish presentation. She would’ve been up half the night, pacing her room, wondering how she went wrong.
Savannah was terrible at meditation. But this...this she could get used to.
The last of the sun’s dappled light started giving way to shadows before Mike spoke. “Getting hungry?”
“I could be persuaded.”
“Do we eat in the truck or outside on a blanket?”
“It’s not too cool out?”
“A little. But no insects.”
She was worried about the bigger critters.
“Let’s just eat right here,” Mike said. “I’m comfortable. You?”
Savannah nodded, noting how immaculate he kept the truck’s interior. “Do you ever eat in your truck?”
“Not usually.” He reached into the back for the food. “But I don’t mind.”
“I promise to keep the crumbs to a minimum,” she murmured, sneaking a look at him.
The way he was stretching made his shirt cling to the muscles in his shoulders and back. No extra fat on him. His movement was slow and deliberate and made her wonder if he knew she was eyeing him. No, there was something in the box he didn’t want to mess up, she decided, watching him carefully set it, along with a white bag she’d missed, on the dashboard. Then he reached back once more and retrieved a bottle of wine and two plastic glasses.
“I hope I didn’t bruise your arm,” she said, just in case he’d noticed her sudden interest in his anatomy.
“When?”
“You know...earlier.”
Mike laughed. “That was nothing. Something tells me you have a bear-phobia, though.”
“No, it’s stupid childhood stuff.”
“Tell me.” He reached into the back again, this time for bottles of water.
Savannah sighed. “You’ll just laugh.”
“Maybe.”
That he didn’t try to deny it made her smile. She looked away, surprised there was still a halo of sunset left. “When I was five or six and my dad didn’t want me hanging around, he used to threaten to take me out to the woods and leave me for the grizzlies and coyotes. You know, silly stuff parents tell kids to keep them in line.”
Mike frowned.
“What?”
“I wouldn’t say most parents do that,” he said, his gentle tone bringing a slight sting to her eyes.
She lowered her gaze. As his words sank in, she had to swallow around the lump in her throat when it hit that her father’s cruelty had been just that. And once again Mike was being so kind. He could have said so much more, made her feel ashamed. Instead, he’d used kid gloves.
After a big breath so she could speak again, she looked up. “Hey, you know what? I’m starving.”