Montana Mavericks: a hot cowboy collection Page 35

  A relief that made her feel guilty swept through her. “I know I shouldn’t be, but I’m glad.”

  Jake’s eyes filled with understanding. “Family is still family.”

  The room started to crowd with concerned citizens and police officers. Excusing herself, Juliet stepped outside. She figured she’d walk home and do some thinking, as well as make herself some lunch. Shouldn’t she be hungry? Perhaps the next day she’d talk to Quinn.

  Did childhood insecurity hold her back?

  A deputy smoked outside his car. “Ms. Montgomery? Would you like a ride home?” He tossed the cigarette into a mud puddle and opened the back door. “The sheriff would kick my butt if I let you walk home with a storm coming.”

  A chilly wind swept through her thin sweater. With a grateful nod, she slipped into the warm patrol car. “Thanks.”

  The deputy glanced over the seat. “This way the sheriff will know where to find you when the doc is finished stitching him up.” At his cocky grin, he pulled the car into the road.

  Juliet rolled her eyes. Now even his deputies attempted to matchmake. If they only understood that nothing swayed the stubborn sheriff. Nothing.

  …

  Juliet stretched her arms, much more comfortable in her yoga outfit. She’d changed the second the deputy had dropped her at home. It was a good thing she’d accepted the ride, considering her knees had started trembling within seconds of sitting down. Apparently the adrenaline rush took a while to dissipate.

  Flipping on the local radio station, she tried to relax.

  The empty apartment mocked her. She should eat lunch, but nothing seemed appealing right now.

  Her heart ached an actual, physical, thumping of pain. Oh God. She was truly, absolutely, completely in love with Quinn Lodge.

  She wondered how Quinn was doing. Maybe she should’ve stayed at the hospital.

  Shame heated her face. The guy had taken a bullet for her, and she’d fled because she was too chicken to talk to him. She’d run away. Like always. Too afraid he’d reject her.

  But she’d needed to get away and think…the same way Quinn had said he needed time to think.

  Maybe he wasn’t finished with her—he just had needed a second to breathe.

  A broadcaster interrupted a Garth Brooks song with an update about the sheriff being shot and a promise that there would be a press conference in a few minutes. Sheriff Quinn Lodge would be outside the sheriff’s building shortly.

  He’d gone back to work? After being shot? Irritation heated her skin. The man needed a keeper. In fact, he needed her.

  Sure, she’d lied to him—and she’d been stupid not to trust him. But everyone made mistakes.

  He’d said he loved her.

  People who loved each other were supposed to forgive each other. Look at the meddling, pain-in-the-butt town. Everyone tripped over everyone else.

  But they forgave each other. Because they loved each other.

  Quinn Lodge was a good man—a good man who should be fought for.

  Juliet Spazzoli was a heck of a fighter.

  She ripped open the outside door and stomped into the early evening. If the sheriff thought he could just screw her and dump her, then he was as stupid as Freddy. As she reached the curb, she almost collided with Mrs. Hudson and Henry Bullton.

  “Well, hello, dear.” Mrs. Hudson smiled, her powdered skin wrinkling. “Henry and I wanted to drop by and see if you’d like to go for a walk.” She pushed Juliet toward the sidewalk.

  Henry nodded. “The sheriff is about to give a talk.” Sliding a bony arm through Juliet’s, he tugged her away from the door.

  Two uniformed deputies jogged over from Kurt’s Koffees.

  Juliet stumbled. “Deputies Phillips and Baker? Are you looking for me?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Deputy Baker said. “We grabbed coffee and were headed to your place to escort you to the press conference.” He elbowed Deputy Phillips, who just shrugged.

  Juliet frowned. “How did you know I was going?”

  Phillips grinned. “We didn’t, but we thought we might talk you into it.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “I appreciate the support, but—”

  A SUV screeched to a stop, and Sophie, Loni, and Dawn hopped out.

  Dawn hustled over to assist Mrs. Hudson. “Oh, good. We thought we’d have to drag you to the sheriff’s station, Juliet.”

  Juliet dug in her heels. “Why are you all pushing me there?”

  Loni smiled. “I love my boy, but he’s a stubborn one. He’s hurt, you’re hurt, and there’s no time like the present to fix things.”

  Sophie skipped over a mud puddle. “Plus, he won’t exactly yell at you in front of cameras. Well, probably only one camera. But still.”

  Juliet’s mind spun as the group herded her down the street. They passed several blocks and picked up an even bigger crowd. Finally, they arrived at the sheriff’s office.

  Quinn stood on the top step, wearing a clean shirt and jeans. Several reporters and one cameraman had set up in front of him. His wet hair curled over his collar. His eyes were hard, his jaw set, and his shoulders impossibly wide. Slowly, one dark eyebrow rose when he noticed her.

  She stepped closer to him. “Can we talk?”

  The camera swung to her.

  “Now?” A crease deepened between his eyebrows as he took in the gathering townspeople.

  Loni nudged Juliet up the rest of the steps.

  She steeled her spine. “I’m sorry about getting you shot.” There. She’d said it.

  Jake slid into view. “I believe the sheriff would like to thank you for your help in setting up the drug dealers, Juliet.” Several people in the crowd nodded.

  Quinn loomed over her with an intimidating stance, apparently not giving a hoot about the election, cameras, or crowd. “You forgot to apologize for disobeying me and ending up in danger. I told you to stay at Jake’s until I picked you up today.”

  She glowered. “I don’t take orders from you, Sheriff.” Her gaze caught on the white bandage peeking out of the neck of his shirt. “Though I am truly very sorry you were shot.” She winced.

  “What part of ‘Don’t leave Jake’s until I come and get you’ did you not understand?” He was mad. Beyond mad. Fury filled the sheriff’s eyes…fury at her.

  Jake interjected again. “The woman wanted to help you catch a drug dealer. She’s a hero.”

  The crowd roared with a chorus of, “She’s a hero.”

  Good Lord. She swallowed. “I know. But you’re not perfect, either.”

  His gaze softened. “I know, and I really am sorry about last night.”

  “What happened last night, Sheriff?” a reporter asked.

  Juliet’s face heated.

  Quinn glared at the reporter. “None of your damn business.”

  Juliet put her hands on her hips. A feminine instinct she hadn’t realized she had awakened. Determined. Ready to fight if necessary. Fight with him. More importantly—fight for him. He was everything she could ever want in this life…or the next. She leaned up and whispered into his ear, “You said you loved me.”

  “I do love you. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?” he whispered back. Something besides anger flashed in his eyes. Hurt. She’d hurt him.

  “We can’t hear you, Sheriff,” a reporter called.

  “No shit.” Quinn lifted his voice.

  The crowd rustled. A photographer flashed pictures.

  Juliet leaned into him. “At first, you were just the hard-core sheriff, and I didn’t know you. Then, when we became close, I’d already lied for so long. I didn’t want to lose you. Didn’t want to disappoint you.” She kicked her foot and watched a pebble roll away. “I’m sorry.”

  “Look at me, Juliet,” he ordered.

  The low tone tingled through her body. Gath
ering her courage, she looked him right in the eye. “I really am sorry.”

  “Do you love me?” he asked.

  “Yes. I love you,” she said easily.

  “No more lying?” he asked.

  “No.” Hope bloomed in her chest. “I promise.”

  “I love you, too.” He brushed a curl off her cheek. “I was heading to your place after this stupid press conference.”

  Tingles lifted her smile. “You were?”

  “Of course. I’m not letting you get away, Juliet.” He tugged her close, and his mouth took hers.

  The spectators erupted in cheers.

  Epilogue

  Quinn parked the truck against a lodgepole pine, looking dashing in a black shirt and faded jeans. Maybe not dashing, but definitely handsome and stronger than the mountains around them.

  “My stomach is in knots.” Juliet smoothed her skirt.

  He glanced toward Loni and Tom’s sprawling ranch house. “Either I won or I lost and will run for sheriff next time. If I lost, I wouldn’t mind working the ranch a little harder. The guys seem to be slacking a bit.”

  Juliet smiled. “You’re overbearing.”

  His cheek creased. “So you’ve told me.”

  “Thank you for your help with the DEA.” She’d gotten immunity for anything she might have done and had supplied affidavits against Freddy and Luis. Freddy had made a deal to testify against Luis in exchange for a lenient sentence. Luis had pled out since the evidence was so strong.

  The criminal issue was over.

  Unfortunately, maybe Quinn’s career was, too.

  He slid from the driver’s seat and crossed around to open her door. After assisting her to the ground, he shut the door. “I thought this would be a nice place to chat.”

  She wobbled in her new boots. “Chat? Are you stalling, Sheriff? Let’s go inside to the party and see if you’ve been reelected or not.”

  “Yes, chat.” He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “My family means a lot to me and will always be in my business and in my life.”

  “Okay,” she said.

  “So will the town, the reservation, and the entire county.” He tugged on his already open collar. “You need to understand my life.”

  Where in the world was he going with all of this? Perhaps he was more nervous about the election than he’d let on, but he wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t know. Of course his family and the town would always be a part of him. “I do understand.”

  “Good.” He breathed out in relief. “In that case”— he dropped to one knee and yanked a small box out of his pocket— “will you marry me?”

  The world stopped spinning. Completely stopped. Nothing moved, nothing breathed. Juliet froze, her mind blank. Her knees quivered.

  Quinn opened to box to reveal a spectacular square diamond surrounded by intricate Celtic knots—all in platinum. It was the most beautiful ring she could’ve ever imagined, offered by the most amazing man on the planet.

  Her breath whooshed out. Birds sprang to a loud chirping. The wind rustled around them. Joy filled her so completely she swayed. “Yes.”

  Relief filled his eyes followed by a huge smile splitting his face. “Yes.” He slid the ring on her finger and stood, gathering her close for a kiss that started sweet and ended deep.

  A roaring filled the early evening. They broke apart to find his family, deputies, and half the town spilling onto the porch.

  “Woohoo.” Loni clapped her hands. “Get out the posters.”

  Several “Congratulations on Your Engagement” posters and banners were taped along the house by many pairs of willing hands.

  “How did you know?” Quinn frowned and drew Juliet closer to the crowd.

  Leila shook her head. “Uncle Quinn. Just ‘cause you bought the ring in Billings don’t mean we don’t know people there.” She smiled, revealing a gap in her front teeth. “Duh.”

  “Yeah, duh.” Jake reached out and shook his brother’s hand before grabbing Juliet for a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

  Hugs, kisses, and congratulations surrounded them until everyone finally piled back inside. Quinn held Juliet’s hand, keeping her on the porch. “Life is going to get crazy, sweetheart. My job doesn’t have normal hours, and I’m involved in more than just keeping order.”

  She smiled, running a reassuring hand down his arm to gaze up at his dark eyes. “I know, and I like being part of the community. Besides, I still get free rent at the gallery, right?” Her lips curved as amusement filtered through her. She was already planning another art showing for Sophie.

  He chuckled. “Well, how about I let you earn free rent?”

  “Hmmm. Sounds kinky.” Turned out Juliet liked kinky. Who knew?

  “You know the whole pretending-to-date plan was a setup to get you right where I wanted you?” He brushed a kiss across her nose.

  “Maybe you ended up right where I wanted you.” She levered up on her toes and slid her lips along his. “You’re everything I could ever want.”

  Quinn tucked her closer and took over the kiss, going deep. They both breathed heavily when he released her.

  Jake poked his head outside. “Preliminary numbers are in. Looks like you’re the sheriff again.” He turned back toward the party. “Damn it, Colton. That was my plate of nachos.” He disappeared from sight.

  Quinn tangled his fingers with Juliet’s. “Well, sweetheart? Welcome to chaos.”

  She grinned and slid into the family home and into a chaos where she belonged. “I like it here.”

  “Good thing.” His hold tightened. “I love you, Juliet.”

  “I love you, too.” She leaned into his strength. “Forever.”

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many folks who help to make sure a book becomes a final product—many behind the scenes whose names I don’t even know.

  Thank you to my very patient and understanding family. Thanks to my husband, Tony, for the amazing support, laughs, and fun. It’s nice you don’t think I’m crazy for talking to the character voices in my head. Thanks to Gabe and Karly—I’m so proud of both of you!

  Thank you to my spectacular agent, Caitlin Blasdell—I’m so glad I found you. I’ve used almost all of the really good adjectives to describe how awesome you are…I’m going to have to think up some new ones for upcoming books. Thanks as well to the gang at Liza Dawson Associates—you’re a wonderful group.

  Thank you to my editor, Liz Pelletier, who gives excellent editorial advice and always has a terrific sense of humor. I hope we have many more books together in the future…and many more chances to meet up in person. I love those times!

  Thank you to my Entangled team: Heather Howland, Misa Ramirez, Jessica Estep, Barbara Hightower, Sarah Weiss, Cameron Yeager, Alethea Spiridon Hopson, Jacki Rosellen, and Robin Haseltine. Also to everyone who has worked on my behalf whose names I don’t know yet.

  Thank you to the Lethal Ladies for the support and help through the years. Thanks to the Inland Empire Chapter of RWA—I appreciate the support and friendship. Thanks also to my hardworking Facebook Street Team—you’re a lot of fun, and you always make me smile. I appreciate the hard work!

  Finally, thank you to my constant support system: The Englishes, Smiths, Wests, Zanettis, Chapmans, and Namsons. You’re the best!

  For Stephanie Cornell West, the most loyal person I know. I love you.

  Chapter One

  “She can’t be working here. No way.” Colton Freeze leaned forward in his chair and slid his nearly empty beer on the battered wooden table. A jukebox belted out Garth Brooks, peanut shells lined the floor, and longnecks took residence on almost every table in the bar. Unfortunately, the sense of home failed to relax him.

  “I’m only telling you what Mrs. Nelson said at the bank.” His friend, Hawk, turned toward the long
, oak bar. “If she is working here, I wish she’d show up so I can go home to bed.”

  “Soon.” Colton shook his head. “There is no way Melanie works at the coffee place in the morning, her ranch all day, and Adam’s bar at night.” She hadn’t bothered to tell him. He’d been overseas finishing his securities degree, and nobody had thought to tell him his best friend was working herself to death? A fear he hadn’t experienced in over ten years, when she’d become ill with pneumonia, slammed him between the eyes, nearly bringing on a migraine. He shoved the sensation away.

  “I didn’t know, or I would’ve called.” Hawk gazed thoughtfully across the smoky room, his odd green eyes narrowed.

  “You’ve only been home a day.” Colt frowned. He cocked his head as the bartender called into the kitchen with a, “Hi, Mel.”

  Unbelievable. She was working in the bar. Colton steeled his shoulders and schooled his face into a pleasant expression. If he yelled at her right off the bat, she wouldn’t talk to him, and that would get him nowhere.

  He needed to speak with her. While they’d grown apart a little bit during their teenage years, when they’d moved on into the world, they’d kept in touch as he attended school. After her grandfather had died two years ago, they’d reconnected, and Colton had made sure to call, text, and email while he studied.

  After a short time, he couldn’t sleep without talking to her and sharing his day. Maybe he should’ve been home instead of pursuing knowledge.

  As his best friend, she was needed. He’d almost lost her once to the pneumonia, and he’d never allow himself to feel such fear again. She’d been what? Maybe twelve years old? From that day, he and Hawk had always made sure she had a coat nearby, although she hadn’t gotten sick again. Now his gut churned that she hadn’t shared her problems with him. “Where in the world is she?” he muttered.

  She emerged from the kitchen and stepped out from behind the bar. Colton straightened in his chair. “What the hell?”

  Hawk emitted a slow whistle. “Wow.”

  Yeah, wow. Melanie’s customary outfit of faded jeans, scuffed boots, and a working T-shirt was absent for the night. “Adam must have made her wear the outfit.” Son of a bitch. He’d kill the bar owner.