Luke’s handsome face filled her screen—iron features, vivid, almost-purple eyes and yet it was his warmth that struck her most. “Hey, it’s good to actually talk at you instead of type.”
“It’s weird, isn’t it?” He was a perfect stranger, and yet he wasn’t. She thought of all the notes they’d written back and forth about books and, lately, about life. She knew he lived on a ranch northeast of Bozeman. His dog’s name was Nell. His younger brother had died years ago fighting forest fires. He ran a dairy with his older brother. “I feel as if I should be typing something.”
“Me, too. This is new, talking instead of typing, but it’s nice. You look different from your profile picture.”
“I do?”
“Blonder. More serious.”
“It’s because of summer,” she explained, since the sun tended to lighten her hair. “And Montana.”
“You’re still not liking Montana?” He nodded, scattering light brown hair with sun-made highlights. “It’s a beautiful place to visit, but it is different living here. I thought you might get used to it by now.”
“I’m still counting the days until I leave. I miss home.”
“Sure, I get that. It’s not just where you are, it’s who you’re with.”
“So, you really are like all those emails you’ve written.”
“Yep. Nell didn’t sneak onto the computer and do it for me. Right, girl?”
A bark rose in the background, echoing in what appeared to be an eating area off the kitchen. She could just see the edge of kitchen cabinets. A dog’s nails tapped on linoleum. “Nell wants to know if you’re
really coming. Brooke’s wedding should be a lot of fun.”
“Most weddings are a happy event, but a lot of fun? Not so much.” She thought of her sister’s recent wedding, with all the stress, the preparations and pressure.
“That’s because you haven’t been to a McKaslin family wedding.” Twinkles sparkled in his eyes. Amiable, good-humored and decent, that’s how Luke came across to her. He raked one hand through his thick hair. “We know how to have a good time. You wouldn’t happen to be hiding any champion volleyball skills, would you?”
“I play on my church team. Or I used to, before I moved here.”
“Okay, now you have to come. Because Brooke is a whiz at volleyball and she thinks she has tomorrow’s game won hands down.”
“Volleyball at a wedding reception?”
“Now you think I’m hokey and you wouldn’t get near me with a ten-foot pole.” Dimples tucked into the corners of his generous smile.
A perfect smile. Good thing she wasn’t interested or she might be a little dazzled. “I make no judgments,” she reassured him. “You’ve just talked me into it.”
“Yeah? Good.” His smile broadened. His dimples dug a little deeper.
Wow. The impact was enough to knock her off her chair. She glanced over the top of her computer screen, totally forgetting her charge. Jerrod sat seemingly engrossed in his book on the porch. The poor kid needed a change of scenery, too. “Is it okay if I bring a guest?”
“Bring anyone you want. The more the merrier. I’m looking forward to meeting you in person, Honor.”
“Me, too.” She tried to ignore the dazzle of his dimples one more time. “You’ll email me directions?”
“Absolutely. Whoops. That’s my brother. It’s milking time. I’ve got to head to the barn. The cows are waiting.”
“Okay. Give Nell a pat for me.”
“Will do.” He leaned in, sincere. “Goodbye until tomorrow, Honor.”
“Goodbye.” She closed the lid of her laptop, realizing she was smiling. Really, truly smiling.
Montana might have a highlight, after all.
“Hey, Jerrod,” she called. “How would you like an outing tomorrow?”
Chapter Two
“Is that Honor?” His sister, Colbie, elbowed Luke in the ribs, her quiet whisper startling him out of the minister’s sermon.
Keeping one ear on the service, he glanced over his shoulder. A lean woman with sleek blond hair closed the church door carefully, making little noise as she took a step.
“That’s her.” He’d know her anywhere. Her heart-shaped face, her graceful movements and the openness in her big blue eyes as she scanned the sanctuary. His heart kicked when their gazes met.
A tentative smile touched her lips. Recognition roared through him so hard, he gripped the pew back for support. The lanky teenager who was with her led the way to the back row, where they quietly took a seat.
“She’s really pretty.” Colbie waggled her brows, her attention focused on the pulpit. “And she drove all that way. That’s all I’m saying.”
“She doesn’t like me like that,” he whispered in argument, knowing what his optimistic half sister was thinking. Honor was lonely, that was all, he wanted to make that clear, but this wasn’t the time or the place. He tried to concentrate on the message, but the minister’s words echoed in his head, which had strangely emptied the instant Honor Crosby had walked through the door.
Across the aisle his other half sister, Brandi, gave him two thumbs-up.
Yikes, he thought. Couldn’t a man invite a lonely lady to church without everyone leaping to conclusions?
Fine, those conclusions may be right, but two months of chatting online at a book site and through email didn’t make for anything more than a friendship. Just because he was a little sweet on her didn’t mean she felt the same way. How many messages had she written where she mentioned being homesick? Tons. No, Honor Crosby wasn’t sticking around. After her job was done, she would be jetting back to Malibu where she so obviously belonged.
“Let us pray,” intoned Pastor Bill. Rustling filled the sanctuary as heads bowed and hands clasped.
“Love her shoes,” Brooke whispered, his other sister leaned in, pressing against his other elbow.
“Did you see her handbag?” Brianna added.
“Shhh!” Lil, tucked in her wheelchair, gave them a withering look, reminding them this was the Lord’s house. They all fell silent.
Colbie reached over to pat her mother’s hand. They were a mishmash family these days, a combination of the remains of three families divorce and deceit had broken. Luke thought of his father, ground his teeth and added a prayer of his own. Lord, please help Dad to stay away. Brooke deserves a happy, trouble-free day.
Amen chorused through the sanctuary. Beside him, his sister the bride beamed as the first notes of the
