Somewhere Montana Read Online Free PDF

than later.
    “No. It was only an engagement of convenience. It benefited us both. There never would have been a marriage. We’ve known each other since we were kids. He’s making a bid for a seat in the state senate. He needed to kill his playboy reputation and I — I needed what I thought would be a safe harbor.”
    “Then this Derek wasn’t the one who did this to you?”
    “Good grief, no! He doesn’t know how to use a knife except for cutting up the food on his dinner plate.”
    “Who did this? Who are you hiding from?”
    “Marcos Diego.”
    “Why?” He couldn’t understand the degree of fear in her eyes by just saying his name.
    “Evidently he prefers to be the dumper, not the dumpee.”
    “The whole explanation, Sage. Stop running me in circles. I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”
    “I don’t want to get you or your family involved. Marcos is dangerous.”
    “You already did. You crashed on our mountain. So start from the beginning.” Mac pulled up a chair beside the bed. He didn’t trust himself to sit on the side of the bed. Any show of affection toward her and she’d probably withdraw.
    “Later,” said Sage, closing her eyes. “I’m just so tired.”
    Mac could see by her expression she was closing him out. She still didn’t think anyone would be there for her. That she didn’t deserve anybody’s help. Or maybe it was just him. Where were her parents? Why wasn’t somebody already looking for her? Was this Marcos aware of her whereabouts? What hold did he have on her, other than the fear the mere mention of his name alone could invoke?
    A knock sounded on her door and Little Mouse entered, the tray in her hands giving off delicious aromas.
    “Feel up to eating something?” asked the lady.
    “I think so, as long as I don’t have to move.”
    “It could prove a bit difficult lying flat. Let me sit you up,” offered Mac, standing and moving his chair aside.
    “No! Please. I really don’t want to move.”
    “Then you don’t have to. You simply relax in my arms and I’ll do all the moving.” Sage eyed him uneasily as he slid one arm under her shoulders and one under her thighs. As he started to lift, she tensed and a moan escaped her lips.
    “Relax,” he whispered, his lips brushing her ear. “I won’t drop you. It’s only a few more inches.” He moved her carefully to a sitting position, placing pillows behind her and one under her knee.
    “Thank you.” She breathed. “I could have eventually made it myself.”
    “By that time your supper would have been as cold as the snow on your windowsill. Don’t be afraid to admit you need help or to accept it. Not from us, Sage. Now, while Little Mouse gets you set up, I need to get cleaned up. See you in a bit.” He figured he better leave before he said more than he should. Whatever happened to her, she was back to being that island he thought they had changed. Why? Did his actions play a part in it?
    Mac knew he had been a little gruff with her. But she was the damnedest, most frustrating female he ever met. No matter how hard she tried to push him away, he would not let her face her troubles alone. He smiled with satisfaction now that he knew her engagement was over. Uneasiness set in when he wondered why she would enter into a loveless relationship, a sham engagement. She deserved better than that.
    He had zipped his clean jeans and about to slip on his boots when he heard a thud and a muffled scream from the other room. His heart skittered then raced as he dashed through the doorway to find Sage sprawled prone on the floor. He hit his knees beside her, his hands on her shoulders, ready to turn her over.
    “What in the devil are you doing?” Mac scolded her.
    “Not as much as I wanted to,” answered Sage, tears threatening.
    He turned her slowly to her back, clasping her to him when she cried out. “You shouldn’t be out of bed.” He scooped her up in his arms, prepared to deposit her back in