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Lila wanted to clutch her head. Instead she gripped the wheel tighter. Only vaguely did she remain aware that the back end of her SUV had landed in a deep culvert.
Flinching, Lila wondered why her lights cast pretty halos in the branches of a nearby tree instead of illuminating the lane ahead of her. She tried to check on Rory, but a sharp pain in her head rendered her voiceless.
All at once her door was yanked open. The dome light illuminated the SUV’s interior, blinding Lila. Ghost, the almost-white yellow Lab that Jewell Hyatt had given Rory after his dad died, scrambled across her tense body and over into the backseat.
“Are you okay?” inquired a deep male voice.
Somewhere behind her Lila heard her son ordering his dog to stop licking him. A tiny bit of her relaxed. However, she honestly didn’t know whether she should tell the man yes, she was okay, or no, she might be dead and floating above everything amid those sparkly lights.
But she wasn’t dead. She felt the man’s arm slide across her, saw him put the Jeep in Park and turn the key to shut off the engine. Then his head appeared directly in front of her still-unfocused eyes. Blond hair, askew. Darker in spots from the rain. Gorgeous yet concerned green eyes in a chiseled, sun-bronzed face stared at her. Well-shaped lips set in a straight line above an appealing cleft in his manly chin.
It took Lila several rocketing heartbeats, but she finally managed to assemble all the attractive parts from those strong shoulders upward. The parts belonged to Seth Maxwell, Myra’s husband’s twin, who was staying on after his brother’s wedding. He’d been the groomsman who’d escorted Lila down the aisle.
He shone a small, bright light in her eyes, causing her to wince and blink, and she lost his handsomeness into blackness shot with pinpoints of pain.
Rory’s anxious voice yelling, “Mom... Mom!” right near her ear shook Lila from her stupor as nothing else had.
She tried once more to speak, but her mouth felt as if she’d swallowed cotton.
“Is my mom all right?” she heard Rory demand.
* * *
SETH MAXWELL FROWNED. “I don’t know, kid. For sure she’s dazed. I need to get her to the house so we can see. I’ll carry her if you can manage the dog—the rascal. I took him out for a run. When he spotted your car, he yanked the leash right out of my hand. I was scared witless that your car would hit him.”
“Me, too,” Rory said. “I don’t think Mom saw him or you. I yelled at her to stop. I probably made us land in the ditch.”
“If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I took your dog out in questionable weather,” Seth assured the boy as he shifted the flashlight to his left hand and with his right slowly released Lila’s seat belt. “I’m going to get your mom. We’ll take it slow back to the house, okay?”
“The lane goes straight there,” Rory said. “What were you doing with Ghost anyway?”
“Ghost?” Seth, confused, paused in lifting Lila into his arms.
“My dog. He stays in our part of the house when we’re gone.”
“Well, tonight he was in the foyer. I wanted to go for a run and your dog brought me his leash.”
Rory tightened his grip on that leash. “Oh, you’re one of the guys renting from us, huh?”
“Yes. Remember, we met at my brother’s wedding? Most of the guys in the wedding party are staying here until tomorrow. Tonight we all went to Zeke’s place for supper. He and his wife fed us so well, when I got home and realized the rain had slackened, I decided to go out for exercise.” Seth spoke calmly to the boy as he trudged toward the house with his burden. “In the middle of our run it started to drizzle, so I turned back.”
Lila spoke for the first time, a guttural sound somewhere below Seth’s chin. “I, uh, think I can walk.” She gingerly touched her left temple. “I hit my head on something. Maybe the window. Did I crack it?”
“Your head?” Seth asked, a smile in his voice.
Lila shoved at his solid shoulder. “The window, you goose. Did I break the window?”
“No, but you did a number on your vehicle. It’s stuck. We need daylight to see if you did any damage to its underpinnings. I don’t think you broke an axle,” he said, supporting her back with his hand.
“My head hurts, but stuff is starting to make sense. Rory, we carry a big flashlight in the glove box. Run back and get it for Mr. Maxwell.”
“It’s Seth, okay?” They’d all stopped in the lane, and Rory and Ghost ran back to the Cherokee, leaving Seth and Lila in the dark.
“Since I’m hanging around at your B and B a month or so to help Zeke roof his barn,” Seth said, “can’t we use first names?”
He let go of Lila to take the flashlight the boy had slogged back with. She buckled and Seth snatched her up before she fell to her knees.
“Sorry,” she murmured. “My legs don’t seem to want to hold me.”
“Probably nerves,” Seth said matter-of-factly, scooping her up. “Rory, you take the bigger light. It’s enough. Let’s go. I’ll be right behind you, carrying your mom.”
“Why can’t she walk? Does she need a doctor? Mom, you’re not gonna die, are you?” The kid froze and Seth almost bowled him over.
She gripped the front of Seth’s jacket. “I need to walk on my own,” she insisted. “This is ridiculous. I wasn’t going very fast when I made the turn. How could sliding into the ditch muddle my brain?”
“Even minor accidents can throw a person off-kilter. We’re almost at the house. Rory, walk on with the light. Once we get inside we’ll make sure your mom’s all right.”
The boy did as directed, letting Ghost bound up to the front door and shake off his wet coat. The others followed in rapid succession.
Once inside Seth headed for the dining room, where he’d spent the most time besides his rented bedroom in the big old farmhouse. For having been here almost a week since his twin’s wedding, he’d seen remarkably little of Lila Jenkins. They’d been paired up in the wedding party. His initial impression had been of an attractive, petite woman who looked exceptionally good in an old-fashioned wine-red dress. She’d hurried away right after the ceremony to appear again in a black skirt, white blouse and white apron at the reception, where she and an older woman served the meal and helped hand out cake and punch. No matter which outfit Lila’d had on, she’d gained his interest.
He’d danced with several of his new sister-in-law’s friends, but he’d only caught glimpses of Lila, who by then seemed to be part of a two-woman cleanup crew.
Even at her bed-and-breakfast, she remained elusive. Breakfast was the only meal included in the rental fee, and they always found it hot and inviting, served in covered silver dishes on a sideboard.
Zeke’s wife, Myra, had told him Lila had a son and a dog, as well as horses that were available to rent. But because Hunter Wright, another of Zeke’s army buddies, had a temporary prosthesis, they’d elected to drive around to see as much of Montana and its fishing holes as they could cram into the short time the three guys had to visit.
Seth’s pal Gavin had joked that they must be renting from elves who supplied a scrumptious breakfast, made beds and replaced used towels while the guests were out. Ben Archer, who Zeke called Sarge, said maybe the old house came with ghosts he occasionally heard padding around the lower floors. At the time none of them had known the dog’s name was Ghost. Seth couldn’t wait to tell them what they might learn if they didn’t retire so early.
With his foot he dragged out one of the padded dining chairs and started to set Lila down.
“Why are you bringing me in here?” she asked. “Never mind. I can walk into the kitchen on my own.” She levered herself up with one hand on the table and the other on Seth’s arm.
Rory had unclipped Ghost’s leash and Seth could hear the dog lapping water in the next room.
“Where’s the kitchen light switch?” Seth asked, steadying Lila as she moved toward the dark doorway.
“I’ll get it,” Rory called, dashing ahead. “Mom, are you feeling better? Is your head cracked open?” Flipping on the light, he shrugged out of a backpack Seth hadn’t noticed before.
“I’m fine, son.” Lila reached for a teakettle sitting atop an old stove. “I’ll fix some tea. Uh, thanks, Mr—uh, Seth. It’s more I feel like an idiot for landing in a ditch. I know every turn in that road. I’ve never done anything like that before.” She filled the kettle, set it on a burner and turned it on. Her movements were jerky, even as she nervously raked a hand through her short dark hair.
Seth saw her wince and he frowned. “Here, let me take a look at your head. Maybe I should run you to the emergency room.”
“Good heavens, no.” Lila braced her hands on the counter, but tipped her head forward so Seth could get a clear look.
“No blood. That’s good,” he said.
“Ouch.” Lila pushed away Seth’s exploring fingers.
“You have some swelling a couple of inches above your left ear.” Seth gently separated strands of her hair. And since he was so much taller he was able to get a good look without hurting her again. “Do you have any ice?”
“I’ll get it, okay, Mom? Will that make your head well?” Rory asked, darting across the room to a big refrigerator.
“Ice will be good.” Lila sat in a kitchen chair and actually smiled at Seth. “Ice will be very good if it’ll make you guys stop acting like I’m knocking on death’s door. Rory, you need to go to bed. Tomorrow’s a school day. And, Seth, probably you, too, since you’re driving your friends to the airport in the morning. Before it gets much later, I should phone one of my neighbors with a tractor to see if someone can run over here early and pull the Cherokee out of the ditch. Preferably a neighbor who won’t blab all over town and worry my mother,” she said more to herself than to the others.
Rory brought her a plastic bag filled with ice, and the dog trotted beside him. “Memaw said she likes that everybody comes into the café to gossip. She finds out all the good stuff that way.”
Chuckling, Seth took the ice bag before the kid plopped it too hard against his mother’s head. He picked up a dish towel and wrapped the bag, telling the boy, “This towel will cushion your mom’s head against freezing and sharp ice cube edges.”
“Gosh, you know a lot about doctoring bumps.” Rory ran his fingers through the dog’s fur and gazed at the man in awe.
“I hunt gemstones in a lot of remote spots where I can get scratches or bumps and bruises. Often it’s only me to take care of myself.”
The kettle whistled and Lila started to get up, but he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t get up. I’ll fix your tea.” He moved the kettle and shut off the burner.
“You don’t have to do that. I should be asking if you want coffee or anything since that’s what you pay me for.”
“I pay you for a room, with breakfast thrown in.” He opened a cupboard and luck was with him. Cups were stacked in neat rows. He took one down and spotted a line of canisters. One read Tea. Pulling out a bag, he set it in the cup and poured the water.
“Rory, to bed,” Lila said. “I’m feeling much improved. Once I drink a cup of tea, I’ll be right as rain.”
“You and Memaw always say that. How right is rain if it made our car go in a ditch?”
“It’s an expression,” Lila told him. “I don’t know where it comes from. Ghost can sleep in your room tonight. Brush your teeth and crawl into bed. I’ll pop by and turn out your light shortly, honey.”
“Okay. Mr. Seth, will you stay and make sure she’s okay? She cut her hand on the meat slicer at the café and wouldn’t see a doctor. She got poisoned blood and Memaw yelled at her.”
“Blood poisoning,” Lila corrected, indicating a spot on the table where Seth could set her steaming cup. “It was during rodeo week. We were swamped at the café. I didn’t see the red streaks up my arm at first. But I healed, Rory.”
“Yeah. Okay. Come on, Ghost.”
Lila beckoned him with her free arm and although he cast an uncomfortable glance at Seth, the boy stepped into his mom’s arm for a hug. “G’nite.” He grabbed the dog’s collar, aimed a wave at Seth and the two loped out of the kitchen.
“You really don’t need to babysit me,” Lila told Seth, holding the ice bag to her head with one hand. With her free hand she removed a cell phone from the small purse still draped across her body.
“Let me call Zeke for you,” Seth said. “He has a winch on the front of his pickup. I’m sure he’ll be discreet.” He dug out his phone.
“Zeke’s on his honeymoon,” Lila reminded him. “Sort of...” she added as she took a sip of tea.
Grinning, Seth hit a speed-dial number and put the phone on speaker. “Hey, bro... Lila put her Jeep in the ditch right as you turn into her place.”
“Is she okay?”
“I think so. I said you’d bring your truck over bright and early tomorrow morning. The guys and I can help you winch it out before we head to the airport. She didn’t want me to ask you since you’re supposed to be on your honeymoon.”
The man at the other end of the call snorted. “If you come over and learn ranching, dude, we’d leave you in charge so Myra and I could get away for a week.”
“I’d need a crash course in cows, buddy. Hey, what’s Myra saying? I hear her talking in the background.”
“She wants to know if Lila or Rory got hurt.”
“Rory’s fine. Lila—” Seth started to mention her lump, but she grabbed his arm and shook her head. “I, uh, went running with their dog,” Seth said instead. “He got away from me. Lila had to brake hard to keep from colliding with us and her car slid into the ditch. That’s all.”
Lila juggled the melting ice bag and took another drink of tea.
Seth finished making arrangements with his twin then clicked off. “You heard? Zeke said he’ll pop by at first light, before morning chores.”
“Thanks. I appreciate you handling that for me.”
“It’s nothing.”
“It’s something to me. I’ve been the one to deal with everything...well, it’ll soon be five years.”
Seth waited for her to elaborate. He knew that she ran this place alone, but he hadn’t heard why. He assumed she was divorced, but the moment passed before he could ask.
“Like I told Rory, I’m okay. You can go on to bed. I’ll finish my tea then check on him and call it a night, too. Tomorrow’s breakfast is my mom’s special coffee cake, plus scrambled eggs with crumbled bacon. It’ll be ready by seven.”
Taking the hint that she wanted him to get lost, Seth moved the ice bag first to check her head one more time. The swelling had receded. “Yep, you’re almost back to normal.” He feathered his fingers through her hair and let them trail down her cheek.
Pulling back warily, she exclaimed, “I told you so!”
He watched her sitting there stoically a moment longer and was intrigued enough to want to learn more about his lovely landlady. By staying on, he’d have time to dig a little deeper. Since college he’d never stuck in one place for long. Much about this small Montana town left him longing to sink roots.
Stepping back, Seth offered a last smile then headed for the door. He called over his shoulder, “I’ll set my alarm and roust Ben and Gavin to go along to help Zeke. You set up one of your great breakfasts and leave rescuing the Cherokee to us.”
She started to object and he retreated fast.
But maybe it was time she had someone around to give her a hand. Maybe he’d be that someone.
From the first time his twin had called to tell him about the ranch he’d been given by the folks of a kid he’d saved in Afghanistan, Seth envied his brother the joy he’d found here in Snowy Owl Crossing. Maybe it was time he cut back on his footloose lifestyle.
Chapter Two (#ulink_d4138d00-ed17-5a7c-b88d-9854807d6bca)
Early the next morning Seth hustled his new friends up and out of the B and B before breakfast, explaining that they were going to rescue their landlady’s vehicle from a ditch.
“Did I miss how it is you know about Miz Lila’s car?” Gavin Denton asked around a wide yawn as they set off down the lane.
“I didn’t say. Guilt, probably, because I’m more or less to blame.”
“So that explains why you’re all fired up on us helping at the crack of dawn,” Ben Archer remarked, dropping back to walk with Hunter Wright, the third man in their party. They’d all served as Zeke Maxwell’s groomsmen. Seth had expressly told Hunter he didn’t need to come along this morning, since he hadn’t fully mastered walking well on his temporary prosthetic leg. But as with everything else they’d done throughout the week, Hunter adamantly refused special treatment.
“Okay, give us the real story.” Gavin prodded Seth. “Now I’m curious.”
“I told you I was going for a run after dinner.” Seth relayed how he’d taken the Jenkinses’ family dog along. “We were returning home when the dog saw their car. He tore loose from me. Lila or her son must have seen him. She swerved and that sent her into the ditch.”
“I guess she wasn’t hurt,” Ben ventured. “At least as we trouped downstairs I smelled something good cooking. Hey...what about her kid?”
“He’s fine. She smacked her head on the driver’s side window and suffered a fair-size goose egg. Stubborn lady agreed to an ice pack, but wouldn’t let me take her to the emergency room.” Seth scowled as he admitted that last bit.
