Читать книгу His Montana Homecoming - Jenna Mindel - Страница 11
ОглавлениеFaith stood in line and tried not to overhear the conversation in front of her between the bank teller and Robin Frazier. Robin had moved to Jasper Gulch over the summer to work on some kind of genealogy project for her thesis.
Faith felt bad for the young woman who’d lost her ATM card in the bank’s machine and faced the firing squad before getting it back.
“I need to reference your driver’s license, Miss Frazier.” The teller, one of Nadine Shaw’s good friends, had a voice that carried. “Okay, now sign here please, exactly as on your card, Robin Elaine Frazier.”
Faith’s attention snagged on the middle name. Same as hers.
“I know it’s you, hon, but I still have to jot down your ID number for documentation.” The teller handed back Robin’s ID and ATM card.
Finally finished, with plastic in hand, Robin turned, looking frazzled.
“Hi, Robin.” Faith stepped forward and whispered, “I couldn’t help but overhear. We’ve got the same name.”
Robin blinked a couple of times and then rubbed the dark mole under her eyebrow. “Same name?”
Faith quickly explained, “My middle name is Elaine, same as yours. Mine comes from my great-great-grandmother.” She pointed at Ezra’s portrait. “His wife.”
“Yes, that’s right. Ezra married Elaine. Pretty common name, though.” Robin still looked a little rattled.
And Faith had overstepped her bounds by admitting that she’d listened to the entire conversation. She didn’t want Robin to think she was nosy and touched the woman’s arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“No worries.” Robin smiled.
“Good.”
“Faith Elaine, you stepping up here or what?” The teller used the same tone in her voice as Faith’s mom when she was in trouble.
“Yes, ma’am.” Faith gave Robin a mock look of fright. “My turn.”
Robin laughed and waved goodbye.
Faith finished her business of a deposit of the last paycheck she’d receive for a while. As a violinist in Bozeman, she wasn’t needed until after Christmas when the regular concert series started up again. Only primary musicians who’d been around a lot longer than Faith played at the upcoming Christmastime ballet.
She glanced behind her. Wilbur bent Dale’s ear and the real estate mogul looked bored to tears until a young blonde bombshell walked right up to both men and smiled.
Faith clenched her teeth. There was no denying the appreciation in Dale’s eyes when he looked at the beautiful Lilibeth Shoemaker.
“Here you go, Faith. And watch out, Lilibeth is checking out your fella.” The teller finished her deposit transaction with a smile.
“He’s not mine, but thanks.” Faith scanned the balance on her receipt and fought the urge to keep walking right out the door. That would be rude. And show her weakness.
She joined the cozy party of three.
Lilibeth gave her a sweet smile. “Why, Faith, I was just asking Mr. Thompson if he needed Christmas help this year and come to find out we have a real live Massey in our midst.”
“Yeah, we do.” Faith gripped her purse strap so tight her fingers curled into a fist around the leather.
Lilibeth placed her hand on Dale’s arm and leaned toward him with a ridiculously brilliant smile. “Are there any more of you?”
“Not here.” He looked amused.
Lilibeth made a pouty face. “Too bad.”
Dale looked at Faith. “Ready?”
“Yep.” She tamped down a heady feeling of triumph when she saw Lilibeth’s mouth drop slightly open. “Bye, and thanks, Wilbur.”
“Of course, of course.” The manager fixed his attention back on the girl. “Now, Lilibeth, what hours can you work?”
As she left the bank with Dale, Faith let loose a soft laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Dale opened the driver’s-side door for her.
“Nothing.” Faith shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
He climbed into the passenger seat. “Something to do with the prom queen in there?”
Not too many men gave Lilibeth the brush-off. Faith couldn’t remember if Lilibeth had ever made it to prom queen, but the girl was furious when she didn’t win the Miss Jasper Gulch beauty pageant. People wondered if she had been the one who stole the time capsule out of revenge. But over the past few months she seemed to have mellowed and had even helped out with the picnic basket auction. Most everyone now believed she was innocent.
Faith cocked her head. “She was trying to flirt with you and you shut her down.”
“A lot of women flirt with me.”
No doubt, but Faith still raised her eyebrows at such a conceited response. “And you don’t flirt back?”
He gave her a silky smile that made her heart beat a notch faster. “Of course I do. But I have rules.”
Faith let loose a snort of laughter. A flirt with a moral code. “What kind of rules could you possibly have?”
He looked genuinely offended. “First, they’ve got to be old enough to know better.”
“Ah, well, that’s sensible. Lilibeth’s only nineteen.” How could he tell? Faith couldn’t believe they were having this conversation.
“And second.” Dale’s green eyes looked deadly serious. “They must be safe.”
“Safe?” Faith scrunched up her face.
What on earth did he mean by that? What did he have to fear? Maybe Dale wasn’t the heartbreaker type. He seemed too cold to get involved with a woman long enough for that. And too sophisticated, besides. She imagined that Dale Massey didn’t like messy breakups. He struck her as something of a neat freak to boot. No doubt anything messy made him uncomfortable.
He nodded. “Safe.”
“Huh.” Faith started the car.
Did women throw themselves at him because of who he was as heir to the Massey empire? Probably. But he’d flirted with her. Did that mean she was safe? She swallowed hard on that disappointing thought.
No, wait. Safe was good. She should be happy with safe.
She glanced at his finely chiseled face. “Do you need anything before we leave town? More coffee, perhaps? There’s a nice bakery across the street if you’re hungry.”
“No.”
“I have granola bars in my purse. Let me know if you want one.”
He gave her an amused look. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
What—too good for granola bars? Faith pulled out and hung a left onto River Road and then pulled into the corner gas station.
“Here—” Dale handed her his credit card “—have them fill it up. I got this.” Then his phone vibrated and he answered it, already absorbed. “Dale Massey.”
Faith took the card and flipped the inside lever to her gas cap and got out. This was his trip, after all; she’d gladly let him pay for her gas. She didn’t know who he thought they were to pump it.
“Faith!”
She looked up as her friend since grade school, Marie Middleton, exited the minimart with a tall vanilla latte. Her favorite. “What’s up?”
“Had to make a delivery of flowers.”
“Really, who to?”
Marie gave her a look. “You know I can’t tell you. Customer privacy policy.”
“Awww, come on. Who are they from then? At least tell me that.”
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.”
“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 scanned the surrounding high-end shops. Faith had been correct in her assessment that he’d overdressed. There was money here, big money, but the atmosphere remained casual. Relaxed. Typical of a vacation resort.
Maybe she’d help him pick up a few things while they were here. Some jeans. He’d talk her into something for herself, too. He wouldn’t mind seeing her dressed for an evening out. His stomach growled.
Lunch first, then shopping.
As he approached Faith’s SUV, he found himself smiling. The driver’s seat reclined and the window was open a crack for air, and Faith slept in the surprisingly warm sunshine. The paperback novel—a romance, he realized—lay open on her midsection. Her long auburn hair draped the headrest, exposing a pretty expanse of white neck. He thought about kissing that skin. How could he not?
He nearly laughed when he thought of her indignant reaction when he’d offered her his credit card. What would she do if he kissed her? It might be worth it to find out.
With a soft creak of metal, he slowly opened her door, shaking his head that she’d left it unlocked. But his amusing idea died the moment he really looked at her. She was beautiful in a natural way, like raw sugar. Unrefined and sweet. Vulnerable. She was the mayor’s daughter. His host. Making her pretty much off limits.
She sighed and shifted. Her lips were certainly tempting. Maybe too tempting.
Dale shook her shoulder instead. “Wake up, Sleeping Beauty.”
Her eyes opened and Faith looked dreamy and soft. The corners of her wide mouth curled into a sleepy smile. “What time is it?”
“Time for lunch.” His voice sounded oddly tender to his ears. He wanted to push back her hair but rested his hand on the car’s roof. “Did I interrupt a good dream?”
Her blue eyes focused and she sat up with a start. Her book fell to ground.
Dale picked it up and handed it back to her.
Faith tossed the book in the backseat. “Sorry. The sun was so warm, I fell asleep.”
He chuckled. “I noticed.”
She blushed.
He held the door for her, liking this girl. Sure, she’d talked his ear off, but there was something open about her. Nothing disguised or put on. “Come on. The least I can do is buy you lunch.”
Looking deliciously tousled, Faith slid out of the car and finger combed her hair. “Lunch, yeah. I could eat.”
Dale couldn’t ignore the avalanche of awareness coursing through him, making him light-headed. Hunger did that to a person. Despite not being a big morning eater, he shouldn’t have skipped breakfast. These unsettling feelings were nothing more than hunger. Plain and simple.
* * *
Faith stifled a yawn as she slipped into the chair held out for her by the restaurant host. “Thank you.”
The host nodded but didn’t look impressed, with a pinched nose and thin smile.
Faith looked around. A casual place when it came to customer dress, but everything about it screamed expensive. A fancy wine collection covered one of the brick walls. White linen tablecloths complete with fresh flowers graced the tables. Yup, expensive.
Dale checked his phone and texted, oblivious to the disdainful looks he received from the maître d’. Dale accepted the menu without a word. He was used to being waited on, probably in places even nicer than this.
“How’d your meeting go?” Faith couldn’t take the silence, or the uncomfortable feeling that she’d crashed someone else’s party.
He pocketed his phone. “Went well.”
By the tight look on his face, she’d guess it didn’t. “You don’t look happy.”
He flashed a smile, signaling a change of subject. “What do you say we do some shopping after we eat? You were right, I need casual clothes.”
She frowned. He didn’t want to talk business, and that was okay by her as long as they talked about something. Anything to keep her mind off the dream she’d had of him while sleeping in the car. “What are you looking to buy?”
“Jeans. Maybe some boots, so I don’t have to use your brother’s. There are quite a few shops here.”
Faith snorted. “You’ll pay through the nose.”
He cocked an arrogant eyebrow. Money wasn’t an issue.
Faith gulped her water. Then she looked him straight in his handsome face. “Can I ask a favor?”
“Name it.”
She took a deep breath. “Would you shop in Jasper Gulch instead?”
“I didn’t see a clothing store.”
Faith grinned. “Our hardware store has a clothing section. Boots, jeans, socks, shirts. Anything you might need for the outdoors or casual rugged living.” She quoted their advertisement and then added. “The Walkers could really use the patronage.”
Faith knew they’d increased their inventory because of the centennial celebrations, hoping to appeal to shoppers and increase business.
He narrowed his gaze, zeroing in on her again. “Sure. On our way back.”
She twisted her napkin in her lap. “Great, thanks.”
His green eyes softened. “You’re welcome.”
Faith shifted her attention to the menu, but the words blurred out of focus. She felt his gaze still on her. “What?”
“You really care about your town, don’t you?”
Silly question. “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“But you genuinely care. It’s your nature, isn’t it? Caring.”
What was he getting at? And why did he look at her as if she was an interesting new toy? A plaything. Dale Massey probably discarded new toys as a kid once the novelty wore off and his interest waned. She wouldn’t be surprised if he did the same thing as an adult.
Faith pulled out the big guns with ammo she knew from experience had the power to dampen a man’s ardor in a hurry. “The Bible says love thy neighbor as thyself. In Jasper Gulch, that isn’t too hard to do. Most of the time.”
Dale’s brow furrowed and then he laughed. It was a deep, belly-rolling sound she’d never have expected to come out of a New York prince. “Nice move, Faith.”
She stared at him.
“I’m trying to figure you out and you quote scripture. Good blocking maneuver.”
No sense denying it. “Well, quit trying to figure me out.”
“Why?”
Because you make me uncomfortable and my heart races when you smile. Because I dreamed of kissing you.
Faith didn’t voice her thoughts. She didn’t have to because the waiter dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants chose that moment to arrive and take their orders.
Without hesitation, she asked for a well-done cheeseburger, fries and a pop. Dale did the same. Smiling at her with that secret-sharing smile all because they’d ordered the same thing. It made her stomach flutter. Ridiculous man! He poured on the charm a little too thick.
After the waiter left and returned with their soft drinks, Dale leaned forward. “Why don’t you date your young minister? He seems like a nice guy.”
“He is.” Faith sipped her pop. “But he’s not my type.”
“What’s your type?” The flirtatious glint was back in his eyes.
And that was a good thing. It meant she was safe. Scripture always came to the rescue when needed. Faith tipped her head and raised her glass. “I’ll let you know when I meet him.”
Dale’s smile grew wider.
And Faith’s stomach dropped. She had a bad feeling she may have misspoken, because Dale Massey was exactly her type.
