Taming His Montana Heart(30)

“You bet.” Daron jabbed a finger at his mother’s car. “The only thing that’d mess things up is if I can’t get that hunk of metal started. I need you to know that’ll always be a possibility.”

“It’s hard,” Shaw said after Daron had left and it was just the two of them standing in the dimly lit storage area. “I’d like to see his mom in something she can depend on, but I don’t dare get involved.”

“No one expects you to provide employees with transportation.”

“I know. Besides, my personal pockets aren’t that deep. That said, dinner’s on me tonight. I won’t take no for a response.”

The snowmobile rental business was her domain, her reason for being here, her anchor even. If she gave the machines the once-over now she wouldn’t have to in the morning. Also if she didn’t spend the evening with Shaw, he wouldn’t be able to ask the questions she was certain he wanted to.

But if they went their separate ways, she’d spend the evening wondering what he was doing, whether he was thinking about her, replaying the intimacy of their snowsuit-clad bodies touching for hours.

“I accept.”

He rested his hand on her shoulder. “Good.”





Chapter Ten




“I’m glad they came through,” Shaw said into his smartphone. “The images won’t give you a complete picture of what your racers will encounter but hopefully you can see how flat most of the land there is. Yes. Of course. Call me tomorrow.”

He punched a button on his phone and placed it face down on the restaurant table. “That’s that,” he said to Haley. “I’ll be shocked if the organization doesn’t send a contract my way as soon as tomorrow. They’re really up against it.”

They’d already placed their orders. He wanted roast beef and potatoes while she’d selected chili. She stabbed her fork into her salad but didn’t place the bite in her mouth. Most of the diners were resort guests but a few were employees. It was easy to distinguish guests from residents. Those who lived at Lake Serene had studied her and Shaw as they walked in. Because they’d kept a respectable distance from each other, hopefully the staff would decide the head honcho and snowmobile manager were combining dinner with business matters. However some might have noticed that Shaw had pulled out her chair and his hand had briefly rested on her shoulder.

Someone might have noted how much her chest had risen and fallen as they’d come in contact, how her mouth had sagged a little.

“What about the wolf?” she asked. “Are you going to tell the sled dog people?”

They were sitting at the same table they’d used before. She hadn’t picked up on his behavior before but noted that he seldom took his attention off the other diners. She couldn’t quite convince herself that he was simply in resort manager mode but didn’t believe she had a right to ask why he was acting like he was. One thing she was certain of, there was a great deal she didn’t know about him.

“I haven’t decided. First things first, Echo needs to know, which is why I left a message for her.”

“So does Kolina.” She wasn’t sure Shaw knew that his former waitress would be in charge of the educational center that was due to open in the spring so she filled him in. “She’d love copies of the pictures.” She studied the wall of inky night beyond the large window. Even after what they’d experienced, the darkness called to her.

“Prints and scat won’t tell the whole story,” he said. “I’m sure the center will include information about wolf behavior including why we have at least one here.”

She put down her fork. “Why do we?”

His expression sobered. “I don’t know.”

They stared at each other. Most likely he was trying to come up with an explanation that would satisfy both of them. She should be doing the same except he was too distracting. He’d been behind her for hours and thus keeping her constantly aware of his presence. Making her want to spend the night with him.

Now they were waiting for the rest of their meal to be delivered. Still together. Heavy outer garments removed. Throats and forearms exposed. Something unspoken humming between them.

Yes. Sexual awareness shared the table with them. Judging by how he was now looking at her with his lashes half shielding his eyes, she was fairly certain he too felt what she couldn’t deny.

“They’re here,” he said.

“Who is?”

“Echo and Rey.”

His announcement distracted her from her fascination with Shaw’s eyes and any and all messages in them. Echo and Rey were heading their way. How he’d known that while looking at her confused her. Shaw rose and extended a hand to Rey then did the same with Echo. Haley hugged Echo.

“Don’t let us interrupt your dinner,” Echo said. “Rey and I were heading home when I got your message. I thought you might still be in your office.” She placed a hand over her stomach. “I was heading toward it when the smells from the restaurant spoke to me. That’s when I spotted the two of you.”

“Please sit down,” Shaw said. “Did you see the pictures I sent?”

“What pictures?”

“I sent them separately from the text.”

“Oh.” Echo pulled her phone out of the coat pocket she’d hung over the back of her chair. “Oh, boy,” she muttered and handed her phone to Rey. “You took these today? The scat looks fresh.”