It was just for a few moments. He didnt go far.
How many times do I have to tell you? Hes fifteen. Hes old enough to learn the value of self-discipline. If he cant do it for himself, then you will do it for him. Concern softened harsh words, but not enough. Olive Lambert was a woman used to setting the standards and getting her own way.
In the library, Jerrods head bowed lower. Honor couldnt see his face, just the tense corner of his jaw. The poor kid. Hes doing well over all. You know he is. Hes worked hard all week.
When he wasnt trying to sneak off to ride his bike, Olive interrupted. You need to keep a better eye on him. Lets try a little harder, shall we?
A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Jerrods head bobbed lower, his total misery palpable.
It hadnt been an easy time for the Lambert family, with their impending divorce. Shed watched the fallout when her parents marriage failed, so she understood. She wished she knew how to make it easier for her student.
Of course. She watched Olive tap down the wide corridor, heel strikes knelling on imported marble.
Well, that could have gone better.
Inside the library came the thud of a book slamming shut in frustration. Jerrod stayed in his chair, firsts clenched, muscles bunched in his jaw, upset.
Lord, please help me find a way to help him. He was a good kid.
I didnt mean to get you into trouble, he muttered, resigned. I just wanted to get out of this house.
I know. Youve been studying so hard.
I dont want to fail it again. Its embarrassing taking the makeup exam as it is. With a frustrated sigh, he opened his book. Im tired of being stuck here. Theres hardly anything to do. I wish
He didnt finish that thought. Instead, he launched out of his chair with his book in hand. Im going outside.
Okay, but
I really need to get this book read. I know, I know. Jerrod rolled his eyes and shouldered open the door.
Funny kid. When she glanced at her screen, a picture of a gorgeous wedding cakethree beautifully decorated tiersstared at her, a picture embedded in Lukes email.
Chocolate, chocolate chip cake, he wrote. Cream cheese frosting. Lots of icing flowers, as you can see. Voted by all four of my sisters as the best-tasting cake in existence. Tempted?
Very, she wrote, hesitating. Luke was nice. He was friendly and funny and kind-hearted in his comments on the website and in the messages they had been sending back and forth over the last few months. Shed had fun corresponding with him. Maybe it would be fun to meet him?
Then again, maybe shed regret it. Luke McKaslin could be too good to be true. She clicked her way to the Good Books site and his user profile. His picture was a casual shot of a muscular, lean man sitting on a front porch step with one arm slung around his black border collie.
A Stetson shaded his strong, chiseled face. His bright violet-blue eyes radiated honesty and good humor. His high cheekbones, perfect sloping nose and square jaw could have been carved out of granite and were softened by the wide generous curve of his smile.
A big-hearted smile, she decided. Wide, approachable, a totally-good-guy kind of smile.
The fact that he was completely gorgeous didnt enter into the equation. She wasnt looking for gorgeous. She wasnt looking at all. Period. She was taking a break from romance. Unequivocally.
But friendship? Yes, that was something she could definitely do. Luke McKaslin and his amiable, country-strong qualities made her want to drive two hours just to meet him.
She stared at his info at the end of his message. A video chat? Sure, why not.
Honor? Lukes handsome face filled her screeniron features, vivid, almost-purple eyes and yet it was his warmth that struck her most. Hey, its good to actually talk at you instead of type.
Its weird, isnt it? He was a perfect stranger, and yet he wasnt. She thought of all the notes theyd written back and forth about books and, lately, about life. She knew he lived on a ranch northeast of Bozeman. His dogs name was Nell. His younger brother had died years ago fighting forest fires. He ran a dairy with his older brother. I feel as if I should be typing something.
Me, too. This is new, talking instead of typing, but its nice. You look different from your profile picture.
I do?
Blonder. More serious.
Its because of summer, she explained, since the sun tended to lighten her hair. And Montana.
Youre still not liking Montana? He nodded, scattering light brown hair with sun-made highlights. Its a beautiful place to visit, but it is different living here. I thought you might get used to it by now.
Im still counting the days until I leave. I miss home.
Sure, I get that. Its not just where you are, its who youre with.
So, you really are like all those emails youve written.
Yep. Nell didnt sneak onto the computer and do it for me. Right, girl?
A bark rose in the background, echoing in what appeared to be an eating area off the kitchen. She could just see the edge of kitchen cabinets. A dogs nails tapped on linoleum. Nell wants to know if youre
really coming. Brookes wedding should be a lot of fun.
Most weddings are a happy event, but a lot of fun? Not so much. She thought of her sisters recent wedding, with all the stress, the preparations and pressure.
Thats because you havent been to a McKaslin family wedding. Twinkles sparkled in his eyes. Amiable, good-humored and decent, thats how Luke came across to her. He raked one hand through his thick hair. We know how to have a good time. You wouldnt happen to be hiding any champion volleyball skills, would you?
I play on my church team. Or I used to, before I moved here.
Okay, now you have to come. Because Brooke is a whiz at volleyball and she thinks she has tomorrows game won hands down.
Volleyball at a wedding reception?
Now you think Im hokey and you wouldnt get near me with a ten-foot pole. Dimples tucked into the corners of his generous smile.
A perfect smile. Good thing she wasnt interested or she might be a little dazzled. I make no judgments, she reassured him. Youve just talked me into it.
Yeah? Good. His smile broadened. His dimples dug a little deeper.
Wow. The impact was enough to knock her off her chair. She glanced over the top of her computer screen, totally forgetting her charge. Jerrod sat seemingly engrossed in his book on the porch. The poor kid needed a change of scenery, too. Is it okay if I bring a guest?
Bring anyone you want. The more the merrier. Im looking forward to meeting you in person, Honor.
Me, too. She tried to ignore the dazzle of his dimples one more time. Youll email me directions?
Absolutely. Whoops. Thats my brother. Its milking time. Ive got to head to the barn. The cows are waiting.
Okay. Give Nell a pat for me.
Will do. He leaned in, sincere. Goodbye until tomorrow, Honor.
Goodbye. She closed the lid of her laptop, realizing she was smiling. Really, truly smiling.
Montana might have a highlight, after all.
Montana might have a highlight, after all.
Hey, Jerrod, she called. How would you like an outing tomorrow?
Chapter Two
Is that Honor? His sister, Colbie, elbowed Luke in the ribs, her quiet whisper startling him out of the ministers sermon.
Keeping one ear on the service, he glanced over his shoulder. A lean woman with sleek blond hair closed the church door carefully, making little noise as she took a step.
Thats her. Hed know her anywhere. Her heart-shaped face, her graceful movements and the openness in her big blue eyes as she scanned the sanctuary. His heart kicked when their gazes met.
A tentative smile touched her lips. Recognition roared through him so hard, he gripped the pew back for support. The lanky teenager who was with her led the way to the back row, where they quietly took a seat.
Shes really pretty. Colbie waggled her brows, her attention focused on the pulpit. And she drove all that way. Thats all Im saying.
She doesnt like me like that, he whispered in argument, knowing what his optimistic half sister was thinking. Honor was lonely, that was all, he wanted to make that clear, but this wasnt the time or the place. He tried to concentrate on the message, but the ministers words echoed in his head, which had strangely emptied the instant Honor Crosby had walked through the door.
Across the aisle his other half sister, Brandi, gave him two thumbs-up.
Yikes, he thought. Couldnt a man invite a lonely lady to church without everyone leaping to conclusions?
Fine, those conclusions may be right, but two months of chatting online at a book site and through email didnt make for anything more than a friendship. Just because he was a little sweet on her didnt mean she felt the same way. How many messages had she written where she mentioned being homesick? Tons. No, Honor Crosby wasnt sticking around. After her job was done, she would be jetting back to Malibu where she so obviously belonged.
Let us pray, intoned Pastor Bill. Rustling filled the sanctuary as heads bowed and hands clasped.
Love her shoes, Brooke whispered, his other sister leaned in, pressing against his other elbow.
Did you see her handbag? Brianna added.
Shhh! Lil, tucked in her wheelchair, gave them a withering look, reminding them this was the Lords house. They all fell silent.
Colbie reached over to pat her mothers hand. They were a mishmash family these days, a combination of the remains of three families divorce and deceit had broken. Luke thought of his father, ground his teeth and added a prayer of his own. Lord, please help Dad to stay away. Brooke deserves a happy, trouble-free day.
Amen chorused through the sanctuary. Beside him, his sister the bride beamed as the first notes of the final hymn rang out. He couldnt concentrate the way he usually did because he kept listening for one voice, a voice hed heard only once last night during their video chat. Her presence tugged at him like gravity and no matter what he did, it remained, a pull on his heart he couldnt stop or explain.
Finally. The last chorus. His tongue stumbled over the familiar words while his pulse galloped unsteadily. A few more moments and they would meet face-to-face. Hed be with her, in the same place, in person, and the prospect made his palms sweat. The woman whod caught his attention with her funny remarks on Good Books. The woman who typed with him back and forth during a chat on a bestseller theyd both loved and it took more than an hour before either of them realized they were the only ones left in the chat room. It had ended and everyone else had left and they hadnt even noticed.
He hadnt noticed because hed been smitten. Instantly. When hed known nothing about her but her sense of humor and her opinion on a book. Her personality had shone through the words shed typed, and hed been interested. Not that he wanted her to know. It wouldnt be wise to get involved with a woman who wouldnt be sticking around and who, in no way, felt the same. How many times had she called him a friend?
Hed learned the hard way that was the hint women used when they liked you, but didnt see you as boyfriend material and never would.
Luke? Someone nudged him in the ribs. Colbie, this time, and laughter danced in her eyes. Earth to Luke. Come back to the planet.
I wonder what has his attention? Brooke asked from his other side, laughing, already knowing the answer. Or who?
Couldnt a guy keep one little crush a secret? He shook his head. This was the downside of a big family. Everyone was in your business. He did his best grimace. For your information, Im concentrating. Im a very pious man. This is church, Colbie.
Right. Laughter bubbled out of her. Your scowl doesnt come close to scaring me.
Not at all, Brooke agreed. Hunter has a much better one.
Thank you, came a gruff acknowledgement from the pew behind them. Older brother, Hunter, cracked a rare smile. Im proud of it. I do my best.
It shows, Lil quipped from her chair. Multiple sclerosis may have slowed her body, but her spirit was as bright as ever. Thats why you dont have a single pretty lady coming to see you.
Shes coming for the wedding, he corrected for the tenth time that morning. Shes a friend. Nothing more.
Sure, you dont want to put that kind of pressure on it. Middle-aged and with a sleek cap of dark hair, Lil was a substitute mom and a good one. You just let it happen naturally.
How many times? he asked, raising his eyes to the ceiling. Friend, not girlfriend.
I certainly hope not, laughed a melodic alto as warm as a summer morning.
Hed know that voice anywhere. Honor. She swept up the aisle in a pretty summer dress, looking amazing. His crazy pulse lurched to a stop. He turned, not daring to breathe but her nearness stuck him, anyway, like a punch to the gut.
Im not ready for anything that serious. Im a free bird these days. Honors warm, flawless smile made it impossible not to like her. Hi, Luke. This is Jerrod. Sorry we were late.
No problem. You never know what is going to delay you on a Montana highway.
Thats the truth! We got behind this huge semi carrying the biggest concrete tube thing Ive ever seen. It must have been for a water or irrigation system or something, but it went twenty-six miles an hour and was nearly impossible to pass.
Shes a California driver, too, the teenager added with an eye roll. Fearless. She tried passing like six times. Good thing she decided against it or wed be in a ditch.
He spent the whole way giving me advice. We dont have big concrete tube things in L.A. At least not one Ive met on the road. She stopped to take a breath, clearly nervous, too. I was afraid wed be late for the wedding. I bought a gift, but its in the car. I didnt want to bring it in for the service.
I told you it wouldnt matter, Jerrod added in a friendly way. He looked like a good kid.
I know, but I was worried about all the crackling. You know, the wrapping paper? Luke knows because I told him that I tend to be a klutz.
I think you exaggerate. After seeing her grace and charm, he didnt believe for one moment her funny stories shed typed at him were true. Youve been misleading me all this time, havent you?