Montana Dreams by Jillian Hart

Author:Jillian Hart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2012-09-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

The last time he’d seen Millie that exhausted had been after her mother died. Troubled, he fumbled through the dark room, stubbed his toe on the foot of the bed and bent to lay the sleeping bundle on top of the covers. Slack with sleep, the boy snuggled into his pillow, lost in dreams.

Weight settled on his chest, compressing his ribs. What would have happened if he hadn’t driven Millie away back then? What if he’d realized she’d really been asking him to open his heart and love her? If he had, maybe he would be a father by now, putting his son to bed. Not that he could imagine it. Him, a father? Not likely. But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. It was a cozy feeling, watching the boy sleep and hearing Millie’s footfalls in the hallway, knowing she was near.

“Thanks, Hunter.” She moved silently, brushing past him. “Sure.” He walked away, snapping out of it. What was he thinking? Marriage and family were a misery he didn’t want. He left her to cover Simon with a light blanket and turn on the fan. The weight on his chest grew, making it hard to breathe. He tugged the envelope from his pocket, every item checked, and set it face up on the coffee table. He’d done what he came to do. Time to go.

“Hunter?” The moment his boots hit the porch steps, her voice called him back. She stood behind the mesh screen, biting her bottom lip. He saw the crinkle above the bridge of her nose and knew what it meant.

“You’re unhappy.” He unbuckled his tool belt. “What did I do wrong?”

“Just about everything.”

“That’s nothing new.”

She stalked out onto the porch, gilded by the last long rays of sunlight, framed by the bright crimson and purple of the encroaching sunset. “I wondered where my list went. How did you get it?”

“Found it in your truck the day I drove it.”

“And you just took over without asking me?” She stormed down the steps, a formidable force for so small a woman. Lips pursed, gaze narrowed, slender hands fisted.

“Uh-oh. You look a little mad.” He lowered his tool belt into the back of his truck. “I was just trying to help.”

“You can’t walk into my life and take over.” Her voice cracked.

Poor Millie. Time to face it. He cared. He always had. Always would. “I thought I could stand by and mind my own business, but I can’t take seeing you unhappy.”

“Well, you’ve made it worse. Having you here like this, pitching in the way you used to—” She didn’t finish, ducking her chin to stare at her toes. A muscle ticked along her jaw line. “Look at me. Unhappy.”

“Yeah, I see. But it was my only option. You’re overwhelmed trying to handle everything. No one, not even super Millie, can do this alone.” He added the extra lumber leaning against the fender into the truck bed. “You might not want help, but you need it.”

“Fine, maybe you’re right.

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