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Except it couldn’t be...
Here in Blackfoot Falls? It just wasn’t possible...
And yet she was staring at all six feet of him, leaning against the maroon truck, hat in hand, wearing his usual jeans and scuffed boots, his brown hair in need of a trim. Although it tended to look like that all the time, even after he’d gotten it cut.
He gave her that boyish, lopsided smile that had always made her tingle and feel guilty at the same time. She couldn’t seem to make her mouth work.
“I almost didn’t recognize you,” he said. “You look different. Great though. Just, you know...” He shrugged, his dark blue eyes taking in her dress and legs. “Different.”
She blinked to make sure he was real. She almost demanded to see the stupid, heart-shaped tattoo he’d gotten the night he and Gary had both scored low at the Laredo rodeo and blew their shot at the national finals. Drunk and reckless, they’d crossed into Mexico, looking for trouble. Hadn’t taken them long to find it.
Kylie remembered well because she’d driven five hundred miles to bail them out. “What are you doing here?”
Landon gave his Stetson another twirl, then set it on his head and straightened away from the truck. “Is that it? Not even a hello?”
“There must be a rodeo in the area,” she said, her brain scrambling to make sense of this—of Landon. Standing in front of her. How could he have gotten better looking in a year? And, whoa, that kind of thinking had to stop right now.
“No rodeo.”
Of course not. She would’ve known. Even though she’d shied away from any talk related to the sport, anything new coming to the area had people buzzing for weeks. She didn’t care how Gary was doing, whether good or bad. The knife of betrayal had cut too deep.
A horrifying thought occurred to her. She tried hard to peer through the tinted windows. “Is Gary with you?”
“Nope,” Landon said, studying her closely. “Just me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I came to see you.”
“Me? Why?”
“Look, Kylie,” he said, sighing. “We...didn’t exactly part on a good note, and that’s bothered me. But I did as you asked and left you alone, even though it’s not what I wanted.”
Oh, God. The things she’d said to him her last night in Iowa. Any problems she’d had with Gary had nothing to do with Landon. At least not directly. If anything, her own guilt over having a thing for Landon had pushed her to blame him. The fuse had been lit the first day they’d met, and continued to spark, no matter how hard she fought it.
Landon had just returned to rodeo after taking a year off due to a family emergency. If she hadn’t already been drawn to the way he smiled and those deep blue eyes, finding out he was a man who had his priorities straight would’ve sealed the deal for her.
She’d never acted on the attraction, even though it had gotten too close for comfort. Despite everything, she’d been certain it was going to be her and Gary forever. Even during those last two rough years when Gary had changed.
She’d done her best to treat Landon like everyone else. Even though he was nothing like the rest of Gary’s friends. He’d always complimented her cooking, never once forgot to thank her, and always insisted on helping her clean the kitchen.
That small rented house had been open to Gary’s friends. A lot of the guys had come and gone as they pleased. But Landon Kincaid had been the only one who’d kept her up at night with guilt.
“Kylie?”
She blinked. “What?”
Landon smiled. “We’re still friends, aren’t we?”
“I don’t know.” She felt a little dizzy. “Are we?”
“I wouldn’t be standing here if I thought otherwise.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Your mom.”
“My mom. Figures. Does Gary know?” she asked, holding her breath. All she needed was him showing up and causing a scene.
Landon’s expression tightened. “If you’re still hung up on him, Kylie, you need to tell me right now.”
“Are you serious? Do I look like a doormat?” She bristled, then gave in to curiosity. “Why would you even care?”
His eyes narrowed, then flickered with amusement. “Oh, I don’t know,” he said quietly. “Maybe because we’re friends.”
She knew—they both did—that it was more than that. But a year had come and gone, and he still thought about her? She’d never stopped thinking about him, either, but that was different. Wasn’t it?
She couldn’t do a thing about the heat of embarrassment crawling up her neck and into her face. But she could stand her ground. “Friends or not,” she said, “you didn’t even give me the courtesy of a heads-up.”
“True. I guess I was worried you’d—” Lifting a shoulder, he glanced away and dragged a hand down his unshaven jaw as he watched a truck cruise by. “Is that motel with the red roof the only one in town?”
“There’s a small inn at the other end of Main Street.” Kylie’s heart fluttered. “How long are you staying?”
“A week, maybe two.” He stared back, watching her closely enough it made her edgy. “If that’s all right with you.”
Jeez, it was hard to keep her expression neutral. To shove aside the curiosity, excitement and fear churning in her stomach. Normally she wasn’t one to compare people, but the difference between her ex and Landon was glaringly obvious.
Gary had been strictly a rodeo junkie, but Landon was the real thing. The epitome of the strong silent cowboy depicted by Hollywood. Not only was he a born rancher, he was unfailingly polite and he always managed to hold on to his temper no matter how angry or disappointed he was. In fact, Landon seldom gave away his thoughts. He could be so stoic at times, unless he was trying to make a point.
But he also didn’t make promises to women that he had no intention of keeping. Or at least that’s what she wanted to believe.
She shouldn’t have been angry with him. He hadn’t encouraged Gary to start drinking and cheating. But he hadn’t told Kylie about Gary two-timing her, either. And that hurt. Everyone following the tour must’ve known. Sure, he’d toed the line when she’d joined him at the nearby rodeos, but when she hadn’t been in the stands, he’d indulged to his heart’s content. All while she was back in Iowa being the good girl, keeping the home fires burning and waiting for her man.
Her useless, lying, cheating man.
Well, to hell with being the good girl. She wouldn’t touch her neckline. It could plunge to her navel for all she cared.
“Last I spoke with Gary, he didn’t know where you were,” Landon said, breaking into her thoughts. “Is he still calling?”
Surprised that he wouldn’t know what was going on with his best buddy, Kylie wasn’t quick to reply. “He slowed down six months ago. I still get the occasional call but I haven’t spoken to him. The times he left messages he sounded drunk.”
Landon gave a slow, troubled nod. His gaze wandered down the front of her dress to her high heels—only three inches, but high for her. He lingered on her red-painted toenails, a ghost of a smile tugging at his mouth. “Did I tell you how nice you look?”
“Yes,” she said. Great. Here her blush had just begun to settle. “Thank you.”
“I don’t recall ever seeing you in anything but T-shirts and jeans.”
“They’re comfortable and practical.” She gestured to the bakery. “No point in dressing fancy. I’m always spilling something.”
Landon chuckled. “I remember,” he said, and looked into the bakery window and then at the sign. “You always said you’d open a bakery someday. And you did it. Good for you, Kylie. I’m proud of you.”
Sincerity darkened his eyes and stirred something in her chest. “Save the sentiment until I start making a profit. I’m in debt up to my eyeballs.”
“You can’t have been open long. Wait till word spreads. You’ll have people coming from miles away for your apple turnovers and chocolate dream cake.”
“Oh, word is going to spread all right,” she muttered when a truck nearly rear-ended a white compact because the driver was too busy gawking at her and Landon. It wasn’t the first curious stare either.
Landon glanced down the street. “Ah, small-town living,” he said. “You getting used to it yet?”
“Well, it’s not like I came from the city. Sage Springs isn’t that much bigger and just as bad for gossip.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth when the memories rushed back. The pitying looks, the averted gazes, the whispers...
And not just in the neighborhood. She hadn’t been able to put gas in her car or run into the market without someone mentioning they’d heard she and Gary had broken up. And wasn’t it just awful, especially with them being high school sweethearts and all. The day Kylie decided she’d slug the next person who used the stupid term was the day she started packing her things.
Clearly it hadn’t been enough that Gary had spent most of his time on the road and she’d moved across town. She had to get away from everything and everyone. Her mom included. Darlene couldn’t understand why Kylie was unwilling to give Gary a second chance. And a third and fourth, had it come to that. Though not because her mom liked Gary all that much. Darlene had always been quick to overlook a man’s flaws as long as he kept coming back.
Landon had moved closer without her noticing. “I guess I should’ve called first,” he said and touched Kylie’s hand. “I can see you’re on your way out.”
“What?” Once again she’d lost track of the conversation. And then it registered.
Kevin.
How could she have forgotten? He was likely to show up at any minute. Talk about awkward. She moved her hand so Landon was no longer touching her.
“So, is it a big date?” he asked casually. “Or a night out with the girls?”
She noticed how his gaze drifted briefly in the direction Rachel had headed. “You were right the first time.”
“Ah.” Surprise flickered in his eyes. Followed by disappointment if she wasn’t mistaken. “Lousy timing on my part, huh?” he said, and moved back a couple steps.
“I’m not sure what that—” Kylie thought she noticed a limp. “Is something wrong with your leg?”
“Nah.” Landon brushed her off too quickly.
“What happened?”
“Nothing. It’s fine.” He frowned at something behind her. “Is that him?”
She glanced back. Kevin, who’d just gotten out of his red Mustang convertible, was wearing dress pants and a navy blue blazer and as nice and as good-looking as he was, he couldn’t hold a candle to the cowboy she’d never expected to see again.
Chapter Three (#u48cd36b5-1fd4-56d5-b460-9a411150d700)
“Guess you’re stepping up in the world,” Landon murmured low, so the dude with the crisp white shirt and shiny black shoes couldn’t hear.
“What are you talking about?”
“Mr. GQ...isn’t he your date?”
Kylie laughed, and it was the best sound he’d heard in a very long time. Then she ruined it by turning to smile at the interloper. Although, technically, it was Landon who’d shown up unannounced and uninvited.
“Kylie, you look stunning.” The guy’s gaze took in the low neckline, the way the red dress hugged the curve of her hips.
“Thank you.” Blushing, she leaned over and kissed his cheek.
He seemed surprised, which made Landon feel a lot better. Couldn’t be anything serious if that little peck raised the guy’s eyebrows.
“Well, you kids have fun,” Landon said, trying to ignore the pain that shot up his leg when he stepped back the wrong way.
“Wait. Let me introduce you two.” Kylie’s smile faltered when her date slipped an arm around her shoulders. “Landon, this is Kevin Braun.” She turned to him, dislodging his arm. “This is Landon Kincaid, an old friend of mine.”
Landon was forced to move forward. Grinding his teeth harder with each step, he shook the man’s hand.
“You staying long, or just passing through?” Kevin asked. His tone was casual but Landon wasn’t fooled.
“Staying,” Landon said, and noticed how Kevin’s jaw tightened. “Hey, I don’t want to hold you guys up. I’ll see you tomorrow, huh, Kylie?”
She frowned at his leg. “I can see you’re hurting. Why won’t you tell me what happened?”
“Tomorrow,” Landon assured her, wishing they’d leave already so he could hobble and whimper in peace.
“Where are you staying?” Kevin asked.
“I’m gonna check out the motel.”
Kevin pulled out his wallet. “I manage the place,” he said, holding out a business card. “Give this to Patty at the front desk. She’ll know to give you a discount. How long did you say you’re staying?”
“Don’t know for sure.” Landon pocketed the card. “Thanks, Kevin. That’s real nice of you.”
“My pleasure.” He turned to Kylie with a smile. “Ready?”
She was still studying Landon’s leg, so he bit down hard and managed to walk around his truck without too obvious a limp.
Landon heard her say something to him, but pretended he hadn’t and slid in behind the wheel. The sooner he checked in someplace where he could stretch out, the better. He thought briefly about having a look at the other inn that Kylie had mentioned. The motel seemed fine but he wasn’t keen on Kevin keeping tabs on his comings and goings.
By the time he pulled away from the curb, the two were on their way to Kevin’s Mustang, his hand pressed against Kylie’s lower back.
Landon reminded himself that he hadn’t been at all sure how she’d react to seeing him. She’d been living here for a year. Plenty of time to carve out a nice life for herself. Hell, it wasn’t a surprise that some guy had swooped in—there’d probably been quite a few.
Part of him was glad because after what Gary had done to her, Kylie deserved to feel desirable and wanted. The other part of him itched to send Kevin on a one-way trip to the moon. Though Landon didn’t think she was too into the guy. He knew Kylie pretty well, probably better than she suspected.
Or did he?
He turned into the motel parking lot, wondering what she was doing with a buttoned-up guy like Kevin. This rural corner of Montana had to be crawling with ranchers and hired hands. Had she sworn off cowboys like she’d said that night? Decided they were all lying cheats like Gary? Landon figured he’d find out real soon.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, her arms loaded with bakery boxes, Kylie looked for Landon’s truck as she crossed the motel parking lot. There it was, the deep maroon color easy to spot. He’d parked in the far corner, away from all the other vehicles. Probably worried about his paint job. Not that she blamed him. The truck looked new. She wondered how he’d scraped the money together to replace his old white pickup with the duct-taped side mirrors.
She’d come extra early to deliver the motel’s standing order of muffins and Danish for their continental breakfast. From what she remembered, Landon wasn’t a particularly early riser but she decided not to take any chances. Of course she couldn’t avoid him for long, but she was too tired to see him first thing.
