Forever Dreams (Montana Brides) (34 page)

BOOK: Forever Dreams (Montana Brides)

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But then Sally didn’t often think beyond the first impulsive idea that streaked through her brain.

He walked across the yard. “You know Mom and Dad won’t be back for another week, so you’d better make other arrangements.”

“You’re such a grump.” Sally spun toward the truck as the passenger door opened. “Ignore him. He’s having a mid-life crisis.”

A
snort of laughter filled the air. A lady-like snort that reminded him of someone he knew. A blonde head appeared, pitching his heart into the soles of his boots.

“Amy? What are you doing here?” A long time ago she’d brushed him out of her life faster than a mosquito buzzing around her head. Cold, heartless and so damn fast he hadn’t seen it coming. His parents and sister were the only people alive that could convince her to come back and visit – and that hadn’t been often.

Sally poked him in the ribs. “That’s a great welcome for someone you haven’t seen in ages.”

“You didn’t tell him?” A blush as red as the setting sun washed across Amy’s face.

“I thought mom would have, but he’s here now. You tell him.”

Amy’s gaze skimmed across the ranch and settled on Nathan’s face. He yanked the collar of his jacket higher, the warm sheepskin protecting him from the bitter wind and questions he didn’t want to answer.

“I’m moving back to Bozeman,” Amy said. “Your mom and dad offered me a place to stay until I find somewhere to live.”

Nathan went perfectly still. Memories of the last time she’d come home tumbled through his head, leaving him confused, worried and angrier than he had a right to be. “I thought you liked living in Chicago. What changed your mind?”

Sally moved to the back of the truck. “Save the questions for later, Nathan. I want to get everything unloaded while there’s still some daylight left.” She flipped the tailgate open and stared at the bags. “Besides, we’ve got more in here than two hot women and a mountain of suitcases.”

Jeez, his sister had outdone herself this time. He waited for the sound of a dog barking or a cat screeching. “You didn’t stop by the animal shelter, did you?”

“I’m trying to keep away. Dad said if I brought him another dog that’s afraid of cows he’d make me come home to look after it.” Sally pushed a suitcase into his chest. “Make yourself useful and take this inside.”

Amy opened the back passenger door. “I’ll help in a minute. I need to get Catherine out first.”

“Who?” Nathan stared at Amy. He looked at Sally. Who the hell was Catherine?

Amy pointed to the backseat.

He moved around the truck and stared at the little girl nearly asleep in her car seat. “You’ve got a baby?” She had Amy’s blonde hair and pixie nose, and if he wasn’t mistaken, her heavy lids were closing on the same chocolate brown eyes.

Sally cleared her throat. “Are you going to stand there gawking or help us unload everything?”

He glared at his sister. He felt like he’d been sucker punched.
A baby
. When had Amy ever let a man get close enough to create the ball of pink cotton-candy in the car seat? She’d nearly scratched his eyes out the last time he’d seen her. Then she’d run hundreds of miles away, back to Chicago. And, looking at the baby, straight into the arms of another man.

Amy leaned inside the truck, unbuckling the safety harness. He pulled his gaze away and walked toward the house, holding her suitcase in a death grip. No wonder she hadn’t sounded happy about coming back. Amy had always dreamed big and nothing in Bozeman could ever make those dreams come true. And they sure as hell hadn’t involved a baby.

He pushed the front door open, dreading the next few days. Why did she have to arrive now? He didn’t need another set of females upsetting the routine he’d gotten himself into. Eat, sleep, moan some, then groan some more. There wasn’t anything or anyone alive that could better the self-pity he’d hidden behind over the last few months.

But if his parents wanted Amy to stay on the ranch then that was up to them. He’d treat her the same as any other guest. He’d be Polite. Respectful. Courteous. All the things that had been drummed into him over the years.

He stacked the bags in the foyer and straightened his shoulders. He wouldn’t make a big deal out of her arrival. Not this time.

Amy walked toward him with Catherine tucked in her arms. “I wouldn’t have come unless I needed to.”

“I already guessed that.”

A flash of emotion streaked across her face. He couldn’t tell if it was anger or regret. Amy’s chin tilted in the air. Even with her don’t-mess-with-me attitude she looked exhausted. The dark rings under her eyes almost swallowed her face whole. But she hadn’t lost her grit.

After the last time they’d seen each other he’d begun to think the woman he’d once known didn’t exist. She’d pulled a shell around herself so tight that even his mom and dad worried about her. But she was still there beneath the cool exterior she’d erected to protect God knew what from the world. The real Amy Sullivan hadn’t disappeared and something inside him melted.

***