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  There had been rumors of emptied gas tanks, wild hog encounters, help from a matchmaking donkey, which he promised to introduce her to at the festival. Samantha would be the main attraction of the petting zoo.

  “It’s never totally clear how much of a hand the gals have in all the matches,” he said halfway through the roast beef. “But no matter what, we all know they’re in the background, pushing love buttons to get whoever they’ve decided to match up together.”

  She had a feeling there were several women wishing the matchmakers’ button-pushing had included them and Luke. Erica was at the front of the line. “Lacy says they get a lot of help from above.”

  “I suspect she’s right. The matches seem to be good ones. Tate looks like proof to me.”

  Montana laid her fork down and glanced over at Tate, who’d conked out. He looked so peaceful. “Sadly, kids don’t always prove a couple’s happiness. Don’t get me wrong, I believe Lacy and Clint were a match made in heaven. They didn’t have to have Tate to prove it, but I know what you mean.” Why, oh, why, had she just done that—opened her big mouth?

  Her words had instantly drawn that look back into his eyes, and they were seeking as they settled on her. “I understand that more than you can know. Children don’t always mean all is well on the homefront. Wasn’t anywhere near right when it came to my home. But then I guess nothing on earth is perfect.”

  Silence stretched between them for a few moments. Montana held back voicing all the thoughts in her head, because it was just so personal. Still, she wondered about Luke’s childhood. The way her thoughts kept swinging over to such a topic was a far cry from the distance she claimed she wanted to keep.

  How could it be that she was so put off about the idea of a man in her life, and yet she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Luke and being interested in his past?

  He leaned back in his chair. “My thought is that if God isn’t in it, then marriage shouldn’t be an option.”

  She was wading into the deep end, and she knew it. “Again, something we agree on.”

  “What’s got you so adamant about that?”

  She considered changing the subject, staring into his dark eyes. But the words wanted out too much and she couldn’t hold them back. She felt too compelled to say something. “Growing up, I thought my parents had the perfect marriage. They never fought—they didn’t really spend time together, but I never thought much about that. In my mind, they’d be together for all time. It’s a major blow when you find out your parents are getting divorced. Or that your dad was having an affair.” She shook her head. “It’s just crazy. Disappointing…pointless, really…” Her voice trailed off and she didn’t finish, as she felt the hard nudge of anger try to surface.

  He gave her a gentle smile. “Is that what has you so angry?” he asked cautiously, as if afraid she was going to run out of the house and throw herself against a barrel again.

  The very idea almost made her chuckle, and in a weird way lifted her up. She sighed. “You know…I can’t—” She shook her head slightly, realizing she didn’t want to mess up the evening by talking about her troubled past.

  “I guess it can go both ways when it comes looking from the inside out,” Luke began. “My parents were loud and fought over everything. They made no pretense about not enjoying each other’s company. I’ve never been able to figure out why they were together in the first place. But they were. At least until my mom left when I was about twelve—not sure I blamed her. My dad was a drunk who couldn’t hold a job. Worse, he didn’t want to hold a job. He wanted everyone else to do the work.”

  “Your mom left?”

  He nodded.

  Surely she misunderstood. “Left you with your dad?” Did he mean his mother had left her three small sons with a man who drank and didn’t work? He nodded again, and she felt ill. “How did y’all survive?”

  “We worked. Me and my brothers.”

  Though he said the words in a matter-of-fact tone, Montana got a sharp image of Luke and his brothers working at young ages doing any jobs they could find to help support their family. She’d heard the edge to his words, and she studied him. He’d done what he’d had to do to survive. Luke had started overcoming challenges early. He’d learned to accept life as a challenge and to want to overcome it.

  She was amazed by him. And she admired him. Talk about a complete turnabout on her part.

  “How old were you when you started working?” she asked.

  “About ten—if you count small odd jobs I did for people. It was good for me. There’s nothing wrong with working. We—my brothers and me, are good at that.”

  “I bet you were. Are.”

  He gave a small grunt of a laugh. “Yeah, Jess and Colt say we were due for retirement by the time we were in high school.”

  She chuckled. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.”

  He gave that shrug that she’d come to learn was his. No big deal, it said. “You do what you have to do. We’re the men we are today because of the kind of man my dad was. He was the worst role model around, and frankly, I could be bitter about it. And I’ve had my moments, believe me. But—” he gave an assuring look “—we’ve made peace with our childhoods. All three of us, in our own way. We each know what we don’t want to be—my dad drank himself into an early grave. I couldn’t do anything about that. Mac Matlock opened the Bible and showed me Galatians 6:4. It says. ‘Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.’”

  He rubbed his thumb along the edge of the granite counter and studied it as he did it. “That’s what I’m trying to do.”

  Montana didn’t have the words. She was trying to process all he’d said when he reached for the plates and stood up, as if needing to move.

  “Those are strong words,” she said. “You are doing great.”

  “I’m trying. My mother married a couple more times, then decided to give it up. She lives in Fredericksburg and manages a small restaurant. She loves her life now, and that’s important to us. We tried to talk her into moving out here, when we bought the ranch last year, but she wouldn’t hear of it. She has her church family there that she’s involved in. She wouldn’t budge.”

  Placing her elbow on the counter and her chin in her hand, Montana marveled at his attitude. His mother had left him in charge of his two younger brothers and a drunk dad, and yet he was acting as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Wasn’t he angry at her?

  She was angry for him.

  What kind of woman did that? She’d left her boys to fend for themselves, and now Luke was talking as if they were best friends.

  It was hard to swallow, especially in light of what was happening with her dad. She reached for the collar of her shirt, feeling hot suddenly. Galatians 6:4 played in her head. It said test her own actions…

  Her hand trembled slightly as she thought about that. She had to change the subject before she said something she would regret. He had moved on with no anger—she was moving on, too, but she couldn’t lose the anger. Not yet, anyway.

  “Can I ask you something?” She got up and went to help clear the dishes away, hoping it would help her calm down.

  “Sure,” he said, opening the dishwasher.

  “If you and your brothers have a need to own this ranch so you’ll have a legacy for your families, why aren’t any of you married?”

  He placed a glass in the dishwasher.

  “I figure Jess and Colt just haven’t met their matches yet. Sure, I want to leave a legacy, but for me that includes helping Colt and Jess build theirs for their family. I’m not getting sidetracked until I do that. My brothers will fall in love, and I’m determined that this ranch will be something they can be proud of when that happens. That’s my legacy.”

  It suddenly made sense. He was the protector. His mother had left him in charge of Colt and Jess, and he was doing that. It didn’t matter that they were strong, capable men; this was a
challenge he’d accepted, and he was seeing it through. He was taking pride in himself, like the verse said.

  Focused. That’s what he was, just like she was focusing on her riding. But he was also thinking about God’s direction in his life, too. She was more amazed by him with every moment that passed. “We’re a lot alike, it seems, Luke Holden.” Not exactly, but sort of—what was she saying? She’d handed him the emptied glasses. He took them and his fingers brushed hers. His touch sent her pulse skittering. They were standing close enough for her to see the light flicker in the depths of his eyes.

  “How’s that?” he asked, his voice smooth as he held her gaze.

  Thoughts of his arms around her slammed into her. “We…we’re alike—” Her mind went totally blank and she had no clue what she’d been about to say.

  He cocked a brow ever so slightly, and one corner of his lips turned up. “We’re both focused,” he prompted. “And we know what we want.”

  Yes, that was true. She leaned against the counter and he did the same, his arm touching hers as he watched her, amusement lighting his eyes. Her heart suddenly was pounding inside her chest, and there was a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. “Yes, that’s right,” she managed. Did she truly know what she wanted? Looking at Luke, she seemed to forget for a minute.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, leaning closer, her heart thumping like a rabbit’s foot.

  In the other room, Tate stirred and whimpered. The sound was like an ice chest of cold water being dumped on her head. She snapped to attention and immediately put distance between them.

  “Gotta check on Tater Man!” As if on cue, he started crying. Scooping him up she hugged him to her—unceremoniously, using him as a shield again as she turned back to Luke. He had stopped at the edge of the large area rug. He looked about as uncomfortable as she was—she had a feeling he’d felt exactly what she’d been feeling. There was no way to kid themselves that they weren’t attracted to each other. But that was all it was. Attraction. Nothing more…well, admiration. And that was dangerous to her.

  “I need to change his diaper,” she said, glad to have an excuse to bring this impromptu dinner to a close.

  He yanked a thumb toward the door behind him. “I need to head out. I’ve stayed longer than I should have.”

  She wasn’t about to suggest that he stick around—oh, no, that was not a good idea. She held Tate closer. “Okay, see you later. Sorry there was no meeting.”

  “You mean sorry we were set up?” He gave a light smile.

  Was she sorry? Not exactly. “That’s right. Watch out for the posse in the bushes.”

  He laughed as he strode toward the door. “I’ll let myself out. You tend to that little guy.”

  She trailed him to the front door but held back a few feet. “See you.”

  “Yeah.” He opened the door and grabbed his hat from the hat rack next to the door. Snugging it onto his head, holding her gaze the whole time. “Good night, Montana. You aren’t half-bad.”

  She laughed. “You, either.”

  Grinning, he strode out, closing the door behind him. Through the bank of glass windows she watched him stride off toward his truck. His stride long and sure, his shoulders straight—she liked the proud, strong look of him. Especially after hearing about his childhood. “Not half-bad at all,” she said to Tate. “Not half-bad at all.”

  Luke couldn’t get the picture of Montana holding Tate in her arms out of his mind. Her bright eyes, her soft skin, and the gentle look of a loving mother touched him. He thought about that all the way home. She was focused, perceptive and interesting. He was drawn to that. As a rule, he didn’t talk about his personal life on his dates. At least not like he and Montana had done. He didn’t care to rehash a past that he hadn’t enjoyed nor been able to control. He didn’t like thinking about his dad. What kind of man would destroy his own life and then almost destroy his own sons? It was something he’d never understood. And nothing he’d ever talked about. Though there had been a moment there when he’d been tempted to tell Montana everything. He’d been tempted to see what her take on his dad would be. How she’d analyze Leland Holden. She’d pegged his mom’s motivations dead-on. Like hitting the nail with a hammer in one strong strike she’d done so with his mom. It was almost as if she understood because of insight. Deep insight that only came from a true understanding.

  Pulling into his carport, he turned off the ignition and sat staring out at the darkness. What in Montana Brown’s background gave her that kind of insight into his life?

  Chapter Eleven

  “Luke! Watch it—the calf,” Jess yelled from where he was separating the calves from the herd. The air was thick with the sound and scent of dusty cattle.

  “Sorry,” Luke said. “My fault.” He was supposed to be opening the gate.

  “Where’s your head, man? That’s the fourth calf I’ve had to cut out again.”

  “It’s on Montana,” Colt called from where he was giving shots at the chute. “I heard he got set up last night.”

  “Oh, really now,” Jess rested his arm on his saddle horn. “Why haven’t I heard about this? I’m in town way more than Colt.”

  “I thought we were working cattle. Not talking about my private life.”

  That got hoots of laughter from both his brothers.

  Colt gave the calf its shot, looking up as he released it from the steel chute. “Private. What’s private about it? All they’re talking about between conversations about the rodeo and festival is you and Montana. What I heard at the diner first thing this morning was the posse got you out there to a false committee meeting. App said you had dinner with Montana.”

  “How did App know?” Luke asked.

  “He said Hank came in around six. Esther Mae had been out at Norma Sue’s—at the real committee meeting—and came home all excited about you and Montana having dinner together.”

  Luke scowled. “How did they know we had dinner?”

  “So you did have dinner.” Jess was all ears now.

  “I’m not denying it. I went out there thinking I was going to a committee meeting and it was just Montana watching Tate while Lacy and Clint went on a date. We ended up having dinner and talking.”

  “So, what did you think of her?” Colt stared at him through the bars of the squeeze chute. “I figured she might have sent you packing. Did she know it was a setup?”

  “She realized what was going on before I did. And I like her. She’s…” He paused, thinking about the evening. “She’s observant and funny and interesting.”

  He saw the wide-eyed look that passed between his brothers. “What’s wrong with that?”

  Jess straightened in the saddle. “Nothin’. We didn’t say anything. You, on the other hand, said plenty.”

  “I had dinner with her at her cousin’s house with a sleeping baby. What’s the big deal?” He wasn’t sure why he was being so testy, but he was. He’d had dinner with other women, no big deal.

  “Colt, you ever seen him get defensive over a woman?”

  “Nope. Never. What’s up with that, bro?”

  “I’m defensive because we’re supposed to be working.”

  “Not buying that.” Jess shook his head. “You’re the one letting the cows run free because your mind’s on some cute cowgirl.”

  True, but Luke wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of an answer just so they could hound him endlessly. He could give as good as he got, though, and if roles were reversed, he’d more than likely be the one digging and teasing. He looked nonplussed. “Colt, don’t you need to be done here and hit the road? I thought you had a string of bull-riding events lined up starting tonight?”

  He grinned, pulled the lever and let the vaccinated calf free. “I’ve got time. Don’t worry about me. I’ve got plenty of time to hear all about you and Montana.”

  Luke figured, sometimes it didn’t pay to have brothers. There was just no pity there at all.

  “Seriously, Luke, let’s talk ab
out this. You’re thirty-four. We’re out here working to build this business into something that we can pass on to our children. Something lasting. You know you aren’t getting any younger.”

  Colt chuckled from behind the protection of the squeeze chute. “That’s right, big brother. You might want to start thinking about starting that family, so you won’t be too old to play with your children.”

  “Jess, you’re thirty, that’s not far behind me. And Colt, you’re twenty-eight. One of you is going to have to step up before I do.”

  “You like this girl?” Jess asked, all kidding aside.

  Luke could have shrugged it off, made a joke, gone back to work. But his brothers understood him like no one else. It was a bond forged by years of taking care of each other. Teasing aside, he knew he could shoot straight with them. “Yeah, I do. There’s something about her drive and determination that attracts me. I honestly haven’t figured out what makes her different.”

  “That’s easy,” Colt called, as if Luke had just missed the obvious. “You like her because, unlike the ones who are looking to change you when they tell you they aren’t—” Luke shot him a sharp look that had Colt throwing up his hands. “Hey, I’m telling it like I heard it. As I was saying—this gal thinks like you do.”

  Jess tapped his hand on his thigh. “Maybe you need to not think so much about how you aren’t planning on getting serious, and let things just happen. Let yourself see where this leads.”

  “Yeah, what could it hurt?” Colt added.

  “I know y’all mean well. But do I seem unhappy to y’all? What’s the deal here?”

  “Nothing,” Jess said. “We just thought—”

  Luke interrupted him. “I’m good, okay. Or I was, up until matchmakers started zeroing in on me, setting me up. And now y’all are ganging up on me. I’m fine, and whatever I do or don’t do will be at my own time and pace.”

  Colt grinned, teasing, “Okay, okay, no need to get all in a huff. Right, Jess?”

  “Yeah,” Jess said, his own grin wide across his face. “Huffy isn’t good on a cowboy such as yourself. Rest easy, we’re not fixin’ to tie you down and haul you to the altar.”