Montana Wild (18 page)

Chapter 22

Jamie woke with the morning light. She lay in bed reliving last night.
Can I really be so lucky to find a man like Kevin who cares for me?
Yet still she was unsure of whether she should let go and open her inner self completely to him. Could she believe him? At one time she had trusted Derrick and her wound still had not fully healed. She knew it would be difficult to commit to another man. But it had been her mistake to give Derrick her heart in the first place. She had chosen poorly. She did not want to believe that she could never trust her heart to anyone again but she had to be dead sure because she didn’t think she could survive another injury like that.

She shuddered just thinking about Derrick and her thoughts wandered to how much her life had changed in so short a time. New York seemed like another lifetime; other than memories there was nothing to hold her there. Other than Noah . . . Noah! She had forgotten about him! He had called her last week with news that he was passing through Montana and asked if they could meet. When Jamie informed Kevin, he suggested Jamie ask him to the ranch.

Noah had accepted the invitation and would arrive tomorrow. Oh how she needed to pour out her heart and feelings to someone and poor Noah would be her captive audience. Not that he would mind. They were each other’s sounding boards and that kept them tightly bonded to each other. When you find a true friend, you hang on to them for dear life. Jamie had learned that long ago. She had so much to tell him, so much to show him and only one day to do it.

Just before noon Noah’s car pulled up and Jamie ran to greet him. He jumped out of his car and hugged her, picking her up off the ground.

“Oh God, I’ve missed you!” He kissed her cheek.

“I missed you, too!” She hugged him long and hard. “You look great! I love the hair . . . it’s longer.” He ran his fingers through his dark wavy hair.

“Yeah, I’ve gone a bit bohemian.” She tousled his mop and hugged him again.

“Come on.” Jamie picked up one of his duffels. “Put your bags in my cabin. I’ve got so much to show you!” True to form, everyone welcomed him warmly. Kevin was gone for most of the day but they had arranged dinner together tonight. Noah met the gang and Consuelo doted on him.

“Any friend of Jamie’s is a friend of mine.” She engulfed Noah into her soft arms. “I see we need to fatten him up too.” Consuelo smiled and winked at Jamie. Noah was tall and slender so Jamie agreed with her.

“Yes, you’re right Consuelo. That’s why I brought him to you.”

“From the aromas in this kitchen, I’ll have no problem trying my darndest!” Noah ate everything she put before him. “You may have to roll me out of here.” He pushed himself away from the table, patting his expanding midsection.

Ben and Rick offered to hire Noah on the spot as a ranch hand so he could live at the ranch and eat Consuelo’s cooking daily. Judging from his healthy appetite at lunch, it wouldn’t take long for him to put on a few pounds. Jamie loved the idea of Noah joining the ranch family and tried to talk him into it.

She took him for a hike on one of her favorite riding trails to show him the beauty that surrounded the ranch. Stopping to rest at a stream, Jamie pulled a blanket from her backpack so they could stretch out.

“Jamie, this place obviously agrees with you. You’re glowing. I’ve never seen you so happy before. Actually happy is an understatement . . . you look peaceful.”

“I know . . . it just feels so right and I love that you can see a difference in me.” He knew her better than anyone and had seen firsthand what she’d gone through with Derrick. Noah had caught on early that he was trouble and Derrick knew he was on to him. Derrick tolerated Noah’s presence for a while but then put more and more pressure on Jamie to limit her time with her best friend. As Derrick’s disturbing qualities seemed to deepen, Noah verbalized his worries to Jamie. Knowing Noah had no ulterior motive other than her well-being, she’d taken what he said to heart and in the end he’d provided her the strength she’d needed to finally leave Derrick.

But now Derrick was long gone and Kevin was in her life. Talk about opposites. Noah never beat around the bush with Jamie.

“So Kevin . . . is he important to you?” Noah asked, looking her in the eye.

“Yes. Very.” She met his eyes. He smiled but then picked up a hint of hesitation from his friend.

“But?” he asked.

“But . . . he scares me,” Jamie answered, and Noah’s face turned to stone.

“Oh shit,” he muttered under his breath.

Jamie realized she had misled Noah. “No, no. Nothing like that! Kevin is a good man . . . a very good man.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“He scares me so because I’ve never felt like this before. I‘ve never had feelings like this and it scares me to death.”

Jamie looked at Noah with tears in her eyes and he sighed with relief. “You’ve never spoken like this before. Dare I say you are in love? I mean true love? I’ve never seen you in such a state of total peace. I told you, you’re glowing. I’ve yet to meet the man but judging from the people that surround him here at the ranch, he must be a good guy.” He reached for her and hugged her. “I’m happy for you. But don’t fear love, run with it girl. We both know it doesn’t come along every day.” Noah had yet to meet his soul mate.

Lying on their backs, staring at the cloudless sky, Noah covered her hand with his. Smiling, she squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. “Your turn now, tell me about your travels. I’m anxious to hear what you’ve been up to.”

“Where do I begin?” He chuckled. Enjoying the ease of their friendship they talked for another hour before heading back.

By the time they hiked back to the ranch, Kevin’s truck was there. Jamie debated whether she should go looking for him but there was no need. Kevin exited his cabin and made a beeline toward them with a smile on his face.

“I heard Noah was here. So good to meet you.” Kevin extended a hardy handshake. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you.”

Noah met his handshake and answered back, “Thanks, Kevin. I’ve heard a lot about you too. And thanks so much for letting me bunk in here. This is quite a place. Jamie’s been giving me a tour of the land.”

“Good. If you’re interested in riding, I’d be happy to take you out. Jamie’s gotten to be quite the horsewoman.”

They rode one of the more scenic trails and Kevin acted as the tour guide. Noah voiced his appreciation of the beauty that surrounded him. “Beautiful.” He spoke out loud as his eyes surveyed the panorama.

“You have yourself a piece of paradise here, Kevin. You’re a lucky man.”

Kevin looked at Jamie. “Yes I am, Noah. I am.”

They returned to the ranch and Jamie showed him how to brush down the horses; he seemed to enjoy the hands-on experience with these beautiful creatures. Agreeing that showers were in order, they would regroup for dinner.

Noah took Kevin up on his offer to stay in his home. He told Kevin that staying with him would give them a chance to get to know each other.

Jamie had suggested it would be fun if they all cooked together and the guys agreed especially after Noah admitted he was tired of dining out. Freshly showered, Kevin was in the kitchen picking out a couple of wines for the evening when Noah joined him.

“Would you like a beer or some wine, Noah?”

“A cold beer sounds good.” Kevin retrieved two out of the fridge.

He opened both, handed one to Noah and raised his in toast. “I’m glad you’re here. Jamie was excited about your visit.”

“Not half as happy as I am to see her. She looks good. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her so relaxed and happy.”

Noah took a long swig of his beer. “It does me good to see her like this. That shithead Derrick really took a toll on her.”

“She doesn’t talk about him much but it sounds like he was a piece of work.”

“Yes, he was. I never liked the man and he knew it. Jamie said he was a good guy in the beginning, but I didn’t know him then.” Noah stopped as if debating whether to continue. “He supposedly had a legit job in sales but then got involved with some bad individuals. I’m sure they were into something crooked but I’m not sure what . . . money laundering or some shit like that. He wanted to open a club with Jamie, but I think he just needed her pretty face as a front for his business.”

Noah took another guzzle of his beer and leaned against the counter. “I knew he was into something illegal but Jamie didn’t want to believe me . . . until he moved to some ridiculously expensive digs and started driving a Ferrari. He tried buying her all this bling but she wouldn’t have it. She started to see the change and began to pull away from him . . . or tried to. He was a possessive son-of-a-bitch and hated me being around. Even though Jamie and I are just friends, he was insanely jealous. I’m all she has. He scared all her other friends away. They knew he was bad news, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he threatened them.”

Kevin listened intently. “He didn’t scare you off?”

“He tried to.” Noah released a small chuckle. “But Jamie and I are tight. I wasn’t about to let that asshole take her. He knew I had his number, and he also knew Jamie listened to me. She knew I didn’t sugarcoat things and had only her well-being at heart. Not sure if what I said helped her leave him but if it did, I’m glad.”

“Me too.” Kevin raised his beer. Noah’s face turned somber.

“First time I found out he hit her, I was livid. Jamie knew she had to leave him but he apologized and cried like a baby, so she forgave him. Shit . . . that was the most pissed I ever got at her. Next time he hit her, she knew, and broke it off for good. She realized then that the first time was not a fluke . . . he was getting into a pattern. After they broke up, he roughed her up again and she finally went to the police, but the NYC cops are busy. You think they’ve got time for that, other than filing a report? Derrick followed her around for months and even hired some goons to help. I’m convinced she stopped telling me about it because I was leaving town and she didn’t want me to worry, but I think he was still doing that shit. That’s why I was so glad when she told me she was staying in Montana for a while. Hopefully he’ll tire of all that, especially when he can’t find her. I’m in no rush for her to go back.”

He paused again then looked at Kevin. “You seem like a good enough guy, and I’m going to be straight with you. The reason I am telling you all this is because she went through hell the last couple of years, and she’s on the mend. I’m not sure what’s going on between you two, but she’s still pretty fragile even though she might not admit it.”

Kevin nodded as Noah hesitated.

“What I’m saying is . . . don’t play with her. Be straight. If your intentions aren’t good, don’t get involved with her. I don’t think she could recover a second time.” He looked right at Kevin.

Kevin was surprised at Noah’s directness. “I appreciate you being upfront with me Noah, and I love the fact that you look out for her, especially with all that Derrick business.” Kevin looked down, scraping his shoe against a nonexistent scrap on the floor. “My intentions are good . . . very good and my feelings for her are real. The question is . . .” He looked up at Noah openly. “Does she feel the same for me? She’s got some walls up to protect herself and I understand that, especially after what you’ve told me, but I’m not sure she’ll let me in.” He smiled sadly. As if on cue, they heard footsteps on the wood porch and there was a knock on the door.

Kevin smiled when he heard Jamie’s voice and went to the door.

“Hello? Anybody home?” He opened the door and she hugged him. “I’m famished.” She saw Noah in the kitchen and walked over to hug him too. “I see you guys started without me.”

“We needed some liquid fortification in preparation for you bossing us around the kitchen. I’ve been her kitchen captive before Kevin, and it ain’t pretty.”

“Thanks for the warning. I’ve the feeling she can be a real drill sergeant if you know what I mean.” Noah raised his beer to Kevin and their eyes met. Their verbal exchange earlier would stay between them and Kevin raised his beer in response.

“Oh stop, you two. How about me? I’m thirsty too. And my throat’s going to need some soothing spirits to bark out all these orders that you two are predicting.”

“And it begins!” Noah said and they all laughed. Kevin poured the wine and they got to work. Jamie called out instructions and the guys obeyed with one goal in mind— dinner.

They cooked, talked, and laughed. They sat for hours eating, drinking, talking, and savoring the time together. Noah brought up old stories about Jamie who blushed crimson with embarrassment. Kevin asked for more; he loved hearing and learning anything about her, the more the better so he kept egging Noah on and he was more than eager to comply. Jamie finally stood up to put an end to Noah’s telling tales and they all joined in to help with the cleanup. When they were through, Noah commented on the grand piano in the great room. He walked over to it.

“This is a beautiful piece.” Noah eyed the keyboard and ran his fingers across, barely touching the keys.

“Do you play?”

“Yes, I do.”

“You’re welcome to take her for a spin.” Kevin offered as if the piano were a car.

“Seriously?” Noah seemed genuinely surprised. “Some people are funny about others touching their baby.”

“Not me. Please, be my guest. I play but I don’t do her justice. I’d love to hear someone treat her right.”

“Noah’s a wonderful piano player and he has a beautiful voice.” Jamie walked over to him and put her arm around his waist. “Go ahead, Noah. It’s been so long since I’ve heard you play or sing. I’d love it.”

“Well.” He smiled. “If you insist.” And he sat down at the piano. “This is a real treat to be able to play such a fine instrument.” He warmed up his fingers as Kevin refreshed their wine. Jamie pulled a stool up to the piano and Kevin stood across from her.