Here. Noah reappeared with two fairly straight branches, stout-looking enough to stabilize Haileys arm.
They worked together, as the wind strengthened and the temperature dipped. The hail turned to ice. Freezing wherever it fell, it turned the landscape to a white wintry world.
Here, give her to me. Noah took the child in his arms as easily as if she were a doll, and tucked her beneath his jacket. Snug against his chest, at least Hailey would be as warm as possible.
The creek had risen to a dangerous level. There was no way to go around, so they went straight through. Noah held on to the rope, and Julie helped him keep Hailey out of the water. Julie fell once and Noah slipped, but the taut line kept them both upright. Exhausted, they made it to the opposite bank.
Is there a hospital nearby? Noah shouted to be heard over the fierce storm. Shes cold. Too cold.
Her grandmother lives just up the road. Well take her there. Julie slipped and slid through the icy field until the pavement was safely under their feet.
She took one look at the sedan off to the side of the road, taillights flashing eerily through the thick white curtain of snow. Lets get her into my truck. Ive got four-wheel drive.
Something tells me we might need it. Noah cradled the child out of the wind.
Julie yanked open the door, threw the seat back to grab a couple blankets stashed there.
You get the truck started. He stole the blankets from her. Weve got to get her warm.
That was what she was about to do, but she didnt waste time arguing. She ducked her head into the wind, scrambled across the snow and ice to the drivers side, and turned the key in the ignition. The engine leaped to life and tepid air puffed out of the vents. Julie turned the heater on high. At least the engine hadnt cooled off completelyshe was thankful for that.
Haileys tears echoed in the cab. Wrapped in two blankets, shivering in Noahs strong arms, she looked small and vulnerable. But safe.
Julie smoothed the girls tangled curls. Youre going to be warm soon, I promise.
Want my d-daddy.
Well get you to him, I promise. Julie tugged the cell phone from her purse and tried dialing. With the luck Ive been having, I should have known this wouldnt work. Its the storm. Ive got to scrape the windshield
She got out of the truck and slammed the door shut, not needing his instruction. Cold had settled like pain in her midsection and, being wet to the skin, she actually couldnt get much colder. As she dug the scraper into the stubborn frozen mess on her windshield, she fought the driving ice with each swipe. Her hands were numb and she kept working until shed pried the windshield wipers free.
The truck was mildly warm, but she couldnt feel the heat or her feet as she pushed in the clutch. Hailey, how are you doing?
Still want my d-daddy.
Well find him for you, dont you worry. With a prayer on her lips, Julie backed onto the road. She couldnt see much, but there were no headlights coming her way.
Everything shed fretted over and worried about today was insignificant now as she clenched her teeth to keep them from rattling. She wrapped her numb fingers around the steering wheel and peered through the veil of white hiding the road from her sight.
All that mattered was getting Hailey home.
Over the rasp of the wipers on the windshield and the whir of the heater, Noahs low, melted-chocolate voice seemed to drive away the fury of the storm. He was talking to Hailey, assuring her that her horse would be all right, and asking her questions about the animal. What was his name? How old was he? Was he a good horse?
Hailey answered quietly in a trembling voice. As the minutes passed and warmth filled the cab, the girl stopped shaking and climbed onto the seat between them. She told how shed been racing Bandit for home to beat the lightning, but he got real scared.
Out of the corner of her eye, Julie couldnt help watching the big man who seemed to fill up half the cab. He had to be well over six foot, by the way his knees were bent to keep from hitting the glove box. It had been something how hed taken care of Hailey.
I had a pony once, too, Noah told the girl. I rode him to play polo.
Polo? Julie had to question him on that. No respectable Montanan plays polo. Rides broncos, maybe, ropes calf, definitely. But polo?
I was only a kid at the time, so dont hold it against me. Now I like baseball. Do Montanans like baseball?
What kind of question is that? She nodded toward the minor league cap on the dash. Okay, so I wont toss you out on your ear, but only if you never mention polo again.
You drive a hard bargain, Miss Renton. He winked at her.
With his hair wet and slicked away from his face, and his jacket clinging to every contour of his remarkable chest, he looked like a dream come true.
Hes trouble, Julie. Big-time, one-hundred-percent trouble. A sensible woman would keep the Continental Divide between themand thats exactly what she was going to do.
As soon as she got Hailey home.
Heaven was kind to her, because she spotted the Coreys driveway and eased off the road. The tires churned up the steep lane. No sooner had she slid to a stop in front of the carport, there was Mrs. Corey, arms outstretched, taking Hailey from Noahs arms.
I cant believe you found her. Praise be, Julie, youre a lifesaver.
Not me. I just did the driving. Julie gestured toward the strong man, holding the back door open for Mrs. Corey. Noah here is the hero. He saw Hailey fall from her horse and stopped to help.
No! Say you didnt. Mrs. Corey paled as she set Hailey down on the chair in front of the pellet stove and turned to stare at the handsome stranger. Arent you Noah? Of course, Ive heard of you. Goodness, wont this be a story to tell. Hailey, my girl, youre hurt.
Noah knelt down, carefully taking the wet blankets. We splinted her arm just to be safe. She should see a doctor.
Ill call my nephew. Hes a medical doctor and hes out looking for this little one, right along with the others. Ive got to run and get hot water started. Julie, be a dear and call them on the radio.
Sure thing. Ill send someone after Haileys horse, too. As she left the room, she smoothed wet locks of hair out of her face and tucked them behind her ear.
A graceful gesture, and Noah couldnt look away as she crossed the room. Her jeans and sweatshirt were baggy and stained with mud from the creek.
She was no fashion statement, but there was something that made him look and keep looking. She was simply beautiful. Not made up or artificial, but genuine.
Miss Rentons awful nice, Hailey whispered to him while they were alone. She got a broken heart.
A broken heart?
Cuz she had to give the ring back. A really pretty one. It sparkled and everything.
Hmm. A broken engagement, huh? Noah couldnt help turning his attention to Julie. She stood in the kitchen, visible above the countertops, where she was signing off on a handheld radio.
Mrs. Corey, do you mind if I borrow your phone? she called down the hall. Ive got to get a hold of Pastor Bill. Im guessing that the party is canceled.
What? You cant let the storm get in the way of an important celebration. Mrs. Corey marched into view, with a warm blanket outstretched. Look, the snows already stopping.
Julie Renton. Noah thought about that. She had to be related to Harold Renton, the man hed met today. The man ready to marry his grandmother and her money.
Ive got a bath running. Mrs. Corey tapped into the room and scooped Hailey from the warm chair. Well warm you up and get you into some clean clothes, and by that time the doctor will be here. Thank you again, Mr. Ashton.
No problem, maam. He straightened. Just make sure Haileys going to be all right.
She will be. Thanks to you and Julie.
Julie appeared, frowning. Pastor Bill has promised to clear the walkways right away. I guess the party is still on.
Well try to make it, dear. You drive safely now, and thanks again. Mrs. Corey gave her a hug and, carrying Hailey deeper into the house, disappeared from sight.
Did I hear her right? Julie asked the minute they were in the truck. Did she call you Mr. Ashton?
Some people have been known to do that.
Why?
Because its my name.
The gleam of the dash lights showed the shock on her face. Youre Noras grandson, the billionaire.
True.
James Noah Ashton the Third. She closed her mouth and put the truck into reverse. What should have been my first clue? That you know how to play polo?
Youre Harolds granddaughter, the one he kept calling his angel.
Im no angel. Granddad is just She wiped the fog from the rear window and backed up. You wouldnt understand.
Why not?
Because hes simply wonderful. And Im telling you right here, if you dont treat him with respect, you and I are going to have serious problems.
Im not looking for trouble. He did his best to sound innocent. Not unless its already there.
What does that mean? She jammed the gear-shift into first and held it while she eased out the clutch. I knew it. This is what Ive been afraid of all along. Youre going to cause trouble because you dont think my decent, wonderful grandfather is good enough for a billionaires grandmother.
Where did you get an idea like that? I only want whats best for Nanna.
Only want whats best? Julie didnt like the sound of that. Then you mean my granddad isnt?
Thats not what I said. Im trying to keep an open mind.
Trying? She popped the truck out of gear on the steep slope, gripping the steering wheel so tightly, her knuckles were white. Tell me you havent come to try to stop the wedding.
Why would I do that? I wont break my grandmothers heart unless theres a good reason. If your grandfather is the decent man you say he is, there will be no problem. You have my word on that.
Something troubled her, but Julie couldnt figure out what as she applied steady pressure to the brakes and turned into the spin as the truck slid. Then youre here only to help celebrate this engagement? Youre not against it? You dont dislike my granddad?
I came all the way from New York just to make my grandmother happy by attending her party. Thats all for now. You cant blame me for wanting to protect her. Aside from my sister, Nannas the only family I have.
Then you understand how I feel about Granddad. Julies blood pressure crept back down to normal, and she didnt hold the wheel quite so hard as she pulled onto the main road. All my life hes been there for me. Supportive. Understanding. Someone I could depend on. I dont intend to let anyone hurt him.
Then we agree. The deep lines etched in Noahs forehead vanished and he relaxed against the seat. No mother or father?
No. Mom ran off when I was in eighth grade, and three years later my dad was thrown from a horse and killed. She swallowed hard, but the pain after all those years was still there. Would always be.
Im sorry for your losses. That had to be tough.
With the Lords help and my granddad, I managed to get through all right. She didnt tell him how lonely shed been, living with relatives, always feeling as if she didnt belong. Granddads guidance made all the difference in the world to me when I was growing up.
I know just how you feel. He nodded once, his gaze pinning hers.
She felt an odd connection between them. Suddenly the trucks passenger cab seemed to shrink and he was way too close. She was alone with one of the richest men in the countryprobably on the planetand he wasnt at all what she expected or what she would have predicted him to be.
Theres Nannas car. Its a classic, she tells me. I think shes fooling herself because a refrigerator would be warmer than that heater she has.
Julie shifted into neutral and coasted to a stop. If you want, I can give you a ride to her house. Youre as wet and cold as I am.
Im tough. He flashed her a megawatt smile. I guess Ill see you in a few. At the party. Save me a dance, will you?
Sure. No problem. Ill fit you in between the corporate raider millionaire Im seeing and my supermodel ex-boyfriend.
He laughed, deep and rich, and there was something about him. He was like a flawless diamond and she was a cubic zirconia.
Later. Hed meant it as goodbye, but it sounded more like a promise.
The door slicked shut. The fog and ice on the windshield had completely cleared away, giving her a perfect view of Noahs confident, powerful gait. As if the cold couldnt touch him, he moved easily, without hurry, and stopped to fish the keys from his trouser pocket.
She waited until the car had started before she put her truck in gear. As she passed by, Noah rolled down his window and waved to her.
Her pulse skipped an entire beat. And why was that? she asked herself as she negotiated the icy road. What she felt was not attraction. She simply refused to be attracted. Hadnt she learned her lesson? Hadnt her heart been broken enough?
True love wasnt Gods will for her, and she accepted it. Plain and simple.
As for that little skip in her vital signs, shed simply forget it ever happened. She had a party to host. A grandfather to see married. For the first time in a year, she was standing on level ground. She was happy. She wasnt going to mess that up by wishing for a man who was out of her league.