Taming His Montana Heart(23)

“And sometimes there’s one big hit that knocks a person’s life off course,” Shaw said. “That person never fully recovers.”

What are you talking about? You can’t possibly know—

“Sorry.” He sighed. “That was heavy. So what’s your initial take? Do you think Daron has possibilities?”

“I do,” she said when what she wanted was to ask if he’d investigated her background. However, maybe he hadn’t been referring to her when he’d said what he had. Maybe he was speaking from personal experience.

“It’ll be interesting to see if we change our minds about his sense of responsibility once he’s on a snowmobile,” Shaw said. “He could turn out to be a maniac.”

For the first time since he’d called, she relaxed. They could have a casual conversation after all, leave weight behind. It just took work on both their parts. “I don’t think he’ll try on these machines. He’s convinced they’re underpowered pieces of junk. If he had his way, he’d take them to the crusher and replace them with bad machines.”

“You mean ones with lots of power.”

“You understand teen speak.”

“A lot of it. It’s constantly changing and I’m rusty. Did you give him the standard lecture about the liability issue of making sure we don’t hand people machines they could get hurt on.”

“Yes.”

“What’d he do? Roll his eyes?”

“No but I could tell he wanted to. I need to keep reminding myself he’s at that age you talked about when kids believe they know everything.” A growing sound told her another snowmobile was approaching. The temperature hadn’t moved above freezing all day, and she was getting cold standing here, but telling Shaw she couldn’t talk to him any longer would be hard. Instead, she wanted to know what he thought about when his job didn’t demand all of his attention, what he wanted from life, where he saw himself in five, ten, or twenty years.

Whether he envisioned a woman sharing those years with him.

Shaw chuckled. “When he was here, my brother and I agreed that we’ll never be as smart as we believed we were at eighteen and nineteen. Sometimes I wish I could get that innocence back.”

Those years weren’t good for me. She was tempted to tell him but of course she wouldn’t. Even though she was beginning to suspect he’d gone down a similar road.





Chapter Eight




“I have news for you,” Shaw told Haley early the next afternoon.

He could have explained over the phone, but he wanted to see her reaction. Heck, he simply wanted to see her. At the same time feeling this way where she was concerned kept him off balance. Not long ago being in control had defined how he approached his job. Giving that up still wasn’t easy.

The corner of her mouth lifting, she looked up at him though those impossibly bright eyes of hers. “I won the lottery? No, it can’t be that because once again I forgot to buy tickets.”

“Me, too.” They weren’t standing that close together, and Daron was nearby doing something to a large black snowmobile. Because that was the only machine in sight, he assumed it was the one she’d chosen for the two of them to use. Hopefully nothing was wrong with it because they needed to get started. Another storm was predicted for tomorrow, which had factored into his decision to rearrange his schedule today.

“It appears I made our case for decent snow grooming equipment with my uncle,” he continued. “Once he commits to something he insists on getting the best. That’s what he told his people.”

Haley’s smile grew until he felt its warmth throughout him. “I wonder what it’s like to have people you can order to do things for you? Oh, I shouldn’t have said that. You’re in charge here.”

“Yes and no.” He didn’t care what they talked about, just that he could continue to study her ever-changing expressions. She was wearing a snowsuit that covered her curves but was bareheaded, looking both prepared for anything and innately feminine. He imagined yellow or pink bra and panties. What about black? Was that her beneath the surface? “It’s more a case of the buck stopping with me. Also, I don’t have a corner office.”

“Oh?”

“Uncle Robert’s office in Billings has hardwood floors and is large enough to conduct the shareholders’ meeting in. You’ve seen my cubbyhole.”

“Your office is bigger than mine. Also it doesn’t smell like gas and oil.”

“No, it doesn’t.” He waited a heartbeat. “That’s only part of my news. Uncle Robert said to get rid of the three oldest machines. One of his people may be placing an order for new replacements as we speak.”

“Oh.” She looked concerned. “Do you know what he’s getting?”

“No idea.”

“I wish you did. I should be happy with whatever we get, I probably will be but—”

“You wish I’d asked your opinion.”

“Yes.”

“I would have if my uncle hadn’t been in such a hurry. I’ll tell you what. Give me a list. I’ll pass it on.”

“I’d appreciate it.”

He didn’t usually talk about what made his uncle tick but it was important that Haley understood a few things. Besides, talking about his uncle, hopefully, would get in the way of his fixating on her kissable mouth. “He had a heart attack that nearly killed him when he was in his forties. He’s changed his lifestyle to some extent, slowed down a little, although it’s hard for outsiders to tell. He has a thing against wasting time making a decision.”