The Reluctant Bride (Montana Born Brides) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Monty said, rubbing his hand over his head and dislodging his own cowboy hat. “Anyway, I think we’re going to get to know each other and see what happens. We are having lunch tomorrow to figure out what’s next.”
    “ You think? How could you not know?”
    “ That’s Risa. She’s pretty and smart and funny, and confusing as hell.”
    Lane laughed and the two men walked to the Barn Dance. Monty wasn’t sure what he was going to find in there, but for the first time since he’d been in Now Zad he felt a twinge that felt like anticipation, and he knew it was all down to Risa.

     
     

Chapter Four

     
    She pulled her car into the parking lot at the Emersons’ barn, intensely aware that nothing had been changed between her and Monty. It was still fear that made her keep him at arms’ length. The same fear that had been her constant companion since she’d learned of her parents’ deaths. She knew she should move on past it but she was unable to.
    She pulled her heavy velvet coat closer around her and walked carefully in her Louboutin shoes over the icy parking area to the Barn Dance. Monty had pulled in next to her, but she was determined to show him that kiss hadn’t mattered. That she was impervious to him and wasn’t about to be…what? Made to care about the man she was engaged to.
    He hadn ’t asked for his ring back. She had a feeling he wouldn’t, but where did that leave her?
    She paused under the lighted entryway, waiting for him. He didn ’t disappoint, following closely on her heels and stopping next to her.
    “ What?”
    “ Are we doing this?”
    “ Doing what?”
    “ The engagement? I don’t know a lot of people here, but those who I do…well, I want to know what to tell them.”
    “ You’re the one with cold feet, you tell me,” he said.
    He wasn ’t making it easy on her and she didn’t really blame him. Who could? She’d said yes and then run away. Even she didn’t like the way that sounded. It hardly mattered that her reasons were real to her.
    “ Okay, yes, we’ll say we’re engaged. I know I ran away, but now that you are here, I’d like to…start over. Get the chance to see if we can make this work.”
    “ That’s fine with me. As long as you’re willing, so am I.”
    “ I’m going to say that I’ve been waiting for you to join me here,” she said. She hated for anyone to know her business or to think that her life was less than perfect. God, she’d forgotten, or rather shoved, that part of herself away while she’d been hiding. But Monty had been serious when he said he wasn’t about to let her hide anymore. And she wasn’t going to.
    “ Sounds reasonable. You should also know that I bought a place—The Scotts’ old red barn—in the valley. It’s been converted into a house.”
    “ Really?” she asked. She loved the red barn. She’d seen it when she’d been invited to a book club at Annie Prudhomme’s house. It was set apart from everything else, seemed to be the ideal location for a person to just escape to and be unplugged from the world.
    That appealed to her a little too much.
    “No, I’m lying about that. Of course, I bought the barn. I have to have a place to live,” he said.
    “ You’re still mad.”
    “ You think?”
    “ But you kissed me.”
    “ I still want you. I’m not letting go of my anger until I hear an explanation that makes sense and rings with truth.”
    He wasn ’t asking for much then, but to be fair, he deserved the truth. And all of it. She bit her lower lip and tried to find words, anything to say to him that would make him stop glowering at her. But she understood a little too well how he felt. “As afraid as I am of the future, I still was happy to see your face in my car window tonight.”
    With that she opened the door and walked inside, heading for the Great Wedding Giveaway committee table and Jane Weiss. Jane had no idea, but right at this moment she was going to be the best friend that Risa had ever had.