His Montana Star by Shirley Hailstock

Author:Shirley Hailstock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-03-08T15:45:55+00:00

* * *

THE FOLLOWING DAYS took on a life of their own. Trucks delivering everything, people arriving, Cal and Tamara arranging where to stack supplies and equipment. Piper’s mind reeled at the rapidity of 18-wheelers rumbling along the ridge with metal girders and cranes to drop off. A parade of dump trucks followed with everything from screws to sand.

The Hotel Emily was overwhelmed with guests. Tamara was the only one staying with Piper. Naomi appeared in her element with so many folks underfoot. Of course, she corralled them like wayward children. Tamara took control of the overall organization, directing where the vehicles should park and what was unloaded and stored where.

With all the activity, Piper’s mind was constantly on Cal. She’d told him they should keep things professional, yet she was the one who wanted to cross the line. She knew better. There would be no turning back for her if she did. And then what would happen to her when he acted on those job offers he had? Her heart was in danger and she knew it. Better to keep as much distance between them as she could. That was a task harder than she anticipated.

Cal came up behind Piper, who was watching all the activity. She steeled herself, hiding the onslaught of emotion that flowed within her every time they came into close proximity.

They didn’t touch. Piper made a point of putting space between them. But the heat level in the air rose undeniably. For her, anyway. She wasn’t sure Cal felt it. He’d been nothing but professional since their last conversation. It was as if there was a wall around him. She wondered if he was protecting his feelings as she was protecting hers.

“This is really happening.” She glanced his way, then back at all the activity.

“Were you in any doubt?” he teased.

Despite the wall, he’d been trying to ease the tension. She wanted to help but didn’t know how.

Finally, Piper shrugged. “I didn’t picture it this way. Usually when I arrive on a set, all this has been done.”

“This time it’s your show, start to finish,” he said.

“That’s a little scary. More than a little. It’s terrifying.”

“You’ll do fine. I’ve got your back,” he said. “And so do all those people.”

He slipped his arm around her waist. They were on the other side of the ridge, away from the house and the horse barn. Piper couldn’t help the audible intake of breath that his touch produced. It felt natural. She leaned back for a second, wanting to stay in his embrace. But she didn’t want to get used to him holding her. Except she did want to get used to it.

And that scared her.

Someone calling her name gave her the excuse to move. Meghan was walking up the hill toward them and apparently leading a brigade of people. Piper recognized a few of them from town. She scanned the faces. She saw Reverend Pyne and assumed most of them were part of the church congregation. He nodded at her, but no one else gave her a clue as to why they were here.

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