Montana Desire

In my mind, I flashed back to one of the community nights at Resting Warrior when I’d teased him about cooking. He’d claimed that he was an excellent cook. Might as well find out now.

“I’d love that,” I said. “Thank you.”

“Are you still at the clinic?”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me. “I am. But I’m just finishing up. I can be there soon. Do you need me to bring anything?”

“No, just you.”

Warmth and calm spread through me. Grant was steady. Grant was safety, even though I wasn’t in danger anymore. As I looked at the sent email, in addition to that text from Joel, the situation felt dangerous, and I wasn’t sure why. “Then I’ll be there soon.”

“I can’t wait.”

I believed him.

At the very least, this was going to be a good part of the day. A new kind of nerves swam in my gut. The good kind of nerves. I locked the clinic and ran to my truck, giggling like a schoolgirl.

But halfway home, the bad nerves were back as I caught a glimpse of a truck that looked like Joel’s. It turned behind me, staying just far enough back that I couldn’t be sure if it was him or not. I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles were white.

When the truck turned onto another road without ever getting closer, I let out a shaky laugh. Sneaking around on Joel’s property and getting that text from him had me all paranoid.

I still kept a close eye out the rest of the way home.

When I got there without incident, I told myself I was being silly. More importantly, I didn’t want to think about Joel; I wanted to think about Grant. I wasn’t going to let anything steal that from me.

I looked over at his house, tempted to go straight there, but I didn’t want to see Grant wearing clothes that smelled like cow. I loved my patients, but even I knew that wasn’t sexy.

I rushed inside, jumping in the shower, taking time to shave my legs. There was no telling what might happen tonight. After two days of not seeing him, I was ravenous for more than merely food.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt this kind of excitement and butterflies when getting ready for a date.

What did I wear?

It was rare that I got to dress up and feel pretty. The wedding was nice, but I didn’t have that many opportunities day-to-day. Might as well.

I pulled out a silky shirt that matched the turquoise in my hair. On a trip down to Missoula, I’d seen it in a store and bought it on a whim, and I’d had never had the chance to wear it. That, a pair of jeans, and brushing my hair had me ready.

Before I left the house, I checked my phone one more time and my email. No creepy texts from Joel, thank God, but also no response yet from my colleagues. I didn’t expect them, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the situation. What the hell was going on at the Pearson ranch? And why was Mr. Pearson so resistant to saving a sick animal?

Shaking my head to clear it, I locked my door and walked across the yard to Grant’s house. All the windows were lit with warm and happy light, spilling out over the grass. Low music, jazz, floated out from the house and immediately put a smile on my face.

What was I waiting for? I sprinted up the stairs and knocked.