A place to heal
Thats all Brooke McKaslin yearns for. Shes returned to Montana on family business, hoping to leave her past behind. And to shield the secret she carries. Shes not planning on staying longuntil she begins working for reporter Liam Knightly. Liam is handsome, good-heartedand as leery of relationships as Brooke is. Even as they realize how much they have in common, Brooke fears a threat to their growing love. Will her secret stand in the way of their happiness?
Maybe I inherited the bad-marriage gene, Liam said.
I know the feeling.
Thats why youre still single?
One reason. The truth sat on the tip of Brookes tongue, ready to be told. What was it about Liam that made her weaken her guard? Shed nearly opened up to him. She shook her head. No way did she know him enough to trust him. Its my opinion that men cause destruction and ruin where ever they go.
Funny, thats my opinion about women. His slow grin made her heart skip a beat.
Good thing her heart wasnt in charge. She was. And she wasnt going to let his stunning smile weaken her defenses any further.
I know thats not fair. Liam winked. But thats how it feels.
So hard to ignore that wink. She let it bounce off her, unaffected. Shed gotten as close to him as she was going to.
Best to remember she worked for him, she was leaving as soon as the trial was over and the last thing she wanted was a man to complicate things.
JILLIAN HART
grew up on her familys homestead, where she helped raise cattle, rode horses and scribbled stories in her spare time. After earning her English degree from Whitman College, she worked in travel and advertising before selling her first novel. When Jillian isnt working on her next story, she can be found puttering in her rose garden, curled up with a good book or spending quiet evenings at home with her family.
Montana Homecoming
Jillian Hart
www.millsandboon.co.uk
MILLS & BOON
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Proverbs 3:5
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Epilogue
Dear Reader
Questions for Discussion
Chapter One
As Brooke McKaslin stepped foot outside onto the porch, a full moon peered over the stand of tall evergreens bordering the neighborhood. A touch of a chill hovered in the May evening. She slipped onto the top step and drew the edges of her cardigan sweater closed, remembering too late she was missing a button.
Night settled in a peaceful way. Somewhere a frog croaked from the ditch on the other side of the trees. Two or three streets over a car engine, in obvious need of a muffler, roared to life. Other than that, the neighborhood remained quiet. Golden light on curtained windows shone from nearby trailers where folks were cozy. She shifted on the step, as restless as she always felt when she came to Bozeman to visit.
It didnt help that her life was in turmoil. Shed just lost her job in Seattle because of cutbacks, leaving her financially strapped. Her stomach knotted at the inadequate amount in her savings account. Best not to think about that now. Shed come to Montana to lend her support to the family rallying around her younger sister, Brianna. Last year Bree had been critically injured in a violent robbery. A terrible time.
God had been graciousBree had survived and recovered fully. Now she would be a key witness for the prosecution in the upcoming trial. No one should go through that experience without family. Brookes personal problems? They paled in comparison.
She breathed in the scent of lilacs from the bushes next door, drawing in the sweet, cool air. It felt good to have a moment to herself. She loved her family, but they wanted her to move to Montana permanently; they wanted her to put aside her past and be the girl they once knew.
Truth was? She did, too. The faint drone of the TV mumbled through the walls. Shed left her half sister, Colbie, and Colbies mom, Lil, calling out questions to Alex Trebeks answers. No doubt they were still at it. She smiled, wishing she could have a regular life. That she could be that girl her family remembered, the one who believed in the good in people, the girl who had always known freedom.
Overhead stars glimmered like dreams far out of reach. She wondered how far away heaven was through the vast mystery of space. Did God see her sitting here worrying about her sister? She hoped He had heard her prayers.
Something crackled in the fenced yard next door. Twigs snapped. Bushes rustled. A bear tromping through underbrush couldnt make that much noise. Curious, she craned her neck to see if it was man or beast, but she couldnt see a thing. Just the tall fence and blooming lilacs.
Oscar! Come back here, a man called. Bad dog!
His words held no sting but a hint of laughter as something scrabbled against the wooden fence. Paws appeared over the top followed by a snout and two short, floppy ears. A dog carrying something bulky in his mouth popped over the top rail and launched into the air.
Oscar! A dark head of hair bobbed on the other side of the fence boards. Dont you dare run off!
Brooke was on her feet before the dogs four paws hit the lawn. There was no other fence to slow down the escapee, not that a six-foot one had seemed to stop him. Although this neighborhood was quiet, a major road sat on the other side of the trees. That had to be hazardous for a dog on the loose.
Here, boy. She held out one hand, running to intercept him. Good, Oscar.
The yellow Lab spotted her, clutching something in his mouth. His surprised eyes glinted in the glow from the streetlight as he skidded to a halt in front of her. In a bid to change directions, his hind legs churned up grass and he bolted off down the middle of the road.
Oscar! A man landed with a two-footed thud in the flowerbed next to her. Wow! That was close. Im impressed. You almost had him.
Almost doesnt keep him safe. She glanced over her shoulder at the trailer behind her, the door firmly closed. They were definitely alone. Shyness gripped her. He went that way.
Thanks. The man flashed a smile, glowing white in the deepening shadows. He dashed away, a tall, muscled athlete with brown hair and battered sneakers. That was all she noticed before he was lost in the darkness, his footsteps echoing.
Should she have run after the dog, too? She stared down at her combat boots. Not exactly running shoes. She wasnt athletic, either, at least not these days. Once shed run cross-country and loved it, but then shed loved a lot of things in life before they had been taken away. Before she had lost everything.
How could she help Oscar? The dog obviously didnt fear roads or cars. She bowed her head where she stood, clasped her hands and reached out in prayer. Father, please let Oscars owner catch him before any harm can come to him. Let there be a happy ending.
When she opened her eyes and raised her head, she was sure the stars twinkled more brightly.
Did she hear the faint beat of paws against pavement? She tilted her head, straining her ears. Yes, thumping paws and heavy breathing were definitely coming her way. Oscar raced down the street toward her, galloping as hard as his four paws could carry him. His jaws stilled, stretched around something bulky clamped between his teeth.
Oscar! She took off, her boots clomping, but no way could she catch him. Hot dogs! Cookies! Pizza!
Words the dog knew. The Lab skidded to a stop, eyes wildly searching for what were any canines favorite foods. She neatly wrapped her fingers around his collar. Good boy, Oscar.
What looked and smelled like a baked ham dropped to the pavement as he hopped in place. Her arm jerked with his movements and her biceps burned trying to hold him. His teeth glistened in the half-light and excitement sizzled in his big brown eyes as if to say, Oh, boy! Wheres the pizza?
Good tactic. The dog owners pleasant tenor rumbled close and his hand clasped the collar next to hers. Ill have to remember that next time. Thanks for pitching in.
Sure. I didnt want something bad to happen to him. Shyness seized her again. It was impossible not to notice the strangers impressive height and the strong plane of his chest an inch from her shoulder, so she stumbled back a few steps where it felt safer and easier to breathe.
Something bad is going to happen when my grandmother gets a hold of him. Amusement, not anger, laced his words. Hes going to be banned from the kitchen for months. Maybe forever.
Thats not surprising. She watched the stranger clip a leash to the collar and pat the dogs head. The Lab, obviously unconcerned with his disobedient ways, panted in appreciation, tongue lolling, before snatching his prize from the ground.
I cant believe him. The tall guy shook his head. Hes not even sorry.
Doesnt look like it since hes now eating the ham. She wrapped her arms around her middle, battling shyness. She was way out of practice when it came to guys. Shed worked in a womens halfway house for the past year. After what shed been through, it seemed a good fit.
Men? They hadnt even been on her radar, not since her last boyfriend ruined her life nine long years ago. But something about this man drew her. Maybe it was his kindness as he gently wrestled the chunk of meat from the dogs mouth using not a single harsh or impatient word.
Definitely a nice guy. The faint glow from the streetlight gave an impression of high cheekbones, a straight nose and an unyielding line of a square jaw. He was gorgeous. Really gorgeous. That made her uncomfortable, too.
The neighbors porch light came on and Mrs. Jones threw open her screen door.
Did you catch that dog? the elderly lady called out. What about my ham?
I dont think you want it back, Gram. He held up the slobbery, half-eaten chunk. Its a lost cause.
I knew as much but I had to hold out hope. Mrs. Jones shook her head, clearly disapproving. That was a good ham. I planned for the leftovers to last all week.
Ill replace it.
I told you that dog was more trouble than he was worth. A good-natured tone went along with those words. You should take him back to that shelter. Make them return your money.
Someone had to save him.
It didnt have to be you. The door banged closed.
Yes, it did. The handsome man trained his attention back to Brooke. I decided my life was too boring so I visited the pound and took on a new adventure.
Its good to see youre getting plenty of that. And exercise, fresh air and a larger grocery bill. She willed her feet to move but they didnt. They remained stuck firmly to the ground and she had to wonder why.
Maybe it was simple curiosity. She wanted to see his smile in full light. The streetlamp overhead tried to illuminate him, casting a glow over his substantial height and broad shoulders and adding highlights to his brown hair. But his smile? It remained elusive in the shadows.
Why on earth was she wondering about some man? It was a total mystery.
This is proof. You really have to beware what you pray for, he quipped, tucking the slobbery, half-devoured remains of the ham beneath his arm like a football. I dont want you to get the wrong idea. Ive only had Oscar two days. Were still getting to know each other and Im finally figuring out the dog cant be trained.
Sure he can. Brooke went down on both knees. As a farm girl, she was an animal lover from way back. Ive trained more than a few dogs in my day, so I know a great dog when I see one. You are it, Oscar.
At the sound of his name, the Lab leaped at her, licked her chin and danced in place. Probably remembering her earlier promises of cookies, hot dogs and pizza. Theres nothing wrong with his memory. I wish I had a cookie on me.
Both dog ears perked up. Brown eyes sparkled merrily as if to say, Cookie? Where?
Oops, maybe I shouldnt have said that. She didnt have to search her pockets to know there wasnt anything she could offer in its place.