Only Yours (Fool's Gold #5)(26)

“Hence your concern about Fluffy’s destiny?”

She laughed. “There’s that word again. Hence. You and your fancy education.”

“That’s me. Fancy.”

“I’m glad you came today,” she said impulsively, touching her hand to his.

His skin was warm and made her remember being in his arms. Talk about a place that felt good.

Simon studied her intensely. “I am, too. I don’t spend a lot of time with families.”

By choice, she thought suddenly, thinking of his travels. He could have chosen to settle in one place, to raise money and have the patients come to him. But he hadn’t. He’d done this deliberately, which left the question of why.

Ethan strolled over. “All right, Simon, I’ve come to give you a break. Kent and I are going to grab a beer and watch the game. Want to join us?”

Montana would have preferred to keep him to herself, but wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.

“Go ahead,” she told him. “I’ll help Mom in the kitchen.”

They went into the house. Ethan grabbed them each a beer, then the guys settled in front of the big TV in the family room. The space was large, with comfortable sofas. Although it opened onto the kitchen, the guys were so far away that the sound from the TV barely made it to the kitchen.

The kids were out back, playing. Nevada and Dakota were with Denise, finishing up the last prep work for dinner. Baby Hannah sat in her playpen, happily digging into a quilted bag filled with fabric animals.

“Let me guess,” her mother said as Montana entered. “They’re going to watch the game.”

“Of course.”

“Men and sports. I’ll never understand it.” Denise leaned against the counter. “How your father loved baseball.”

“And football,” Nevada added. “Remember that Thanksgiving when the game went into overtime and the turkey was done?”

Dad had been desperate to see the end of the game, but had taken one look at his wife’s face and turned off the TV. Denise had been so impressed, she’d had Ethan and Ford drag the TV into the dining room while Ralph was carving the turkey in the kitchen.

“He would have missed the end of that game for you,” Montana reminded her mother. “He loved you so much.”

“He did. He was a good man.” Denise looked at her, then at Nevada. “I want you two to find a man like him.”

“I’m not opposed to it,” Montana said, doing her best not to look toward the family room or even think about Simon. First of all, she barely knew the man. Fabulous kissing did not a relationship make. Second, he wasn’t the kind who stayed, and she wasn’t the kind who left.

“I’m not convinced what you and Dad had still exists,” Nevada grumbled. “There aren’t that many good guys around.”

“Sure there are,” Dakota told her.

“Thanks. Rub in the fact you found the last one.”

“Maybe not,” Denise said, eyeing Simon. “Any sparks?”

“Mom!” Montana waved her hands. “Shh. What if he hears you?”

“They’re at the other end of the room with the TV on. He can’t hear me.” Still she lowered her voice. “I saw you two talking outside. Anything?”

Montana didn’t know what to say. Simon was smart and good-looking and kissed in a way that left her breathless. But…

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “We don’t have that much in common.”

“How much do you need?” Nevada asked.

“I’m not sure. He’s very solitary. I can’t figure out how much of that is by circumstance and how much is by design.”

“You mean, is he mysterious, or is there something wrong with him?” Dakota asked.

Montana grinned. “Exactly.”

“You could find out,” her mother reminded her.

“I could.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

DENISE TIGHTENED THE BELT on her cotton robe as she waited for the coffee to brew. Although she’d grown used to having the big house to herself, it felt good to have some of her family back home with her, even if it was only temporary. She’d been a widow for more than ten years—she’d long since gotten used to the silence. But having people in the house was better—especially when those people included any of her grandchildren.

Kent walked into the kitchen. He’d already showered and shaved. She studied his dark slacks, light blue shirt and patterned tie.

“Nervous?” she asked as she poured them each a mug of coffee.

“A little. I really want to get the job.”

Kent was back for a final interview at Fool’s Gold High School. He would be coming in with the possibility of running the department when the current head retired in a couple of years.

“Not that I’m not thrilled to have you moving back to town,” she began, staring at her son. “But I want you to be sure.”

Kent gave her a smile that was so much like his father’s it made her chest hurt. “Mom, we’ve talked about this already.”

“As if that matters. I want you running toward something, not running away.”

He held up his hand. “Don’t hold back, Mom. Tell me what you really think.”