His Montana Bride. Brenda Minton

      He’d started thinking he might put a wildlife camera outside. Just to catch her in the act. He thought it would be fun to watch her creeping in with whatever feminine assault she planned.

      The house had three bedrooms upstairs. He had an office and a family room at the back of the house on the main floor. More than enough room for a bachelor who spent most of his time outside. Katie followed Marci to the kitchen. He’d gotten sidetracked and the two of them were ahead of him, laughing about something. He watched Katie lean down to hear something Marci said. The moment caught him by surprise.

      It was good for Marci to have these moments. Life would change soon enough. There was nothing he could do about what would happen in the coming days, weeks or months. He shoved away the troubling thoughts and smiled at Marci, the girl who was going to need him more than anyone ever had.

      That thought was enough to put him back on track and keep him focused on what was important in his life.

      “Is there something I can do?” Katie stood in his kitchen, red hair that framed her pretty face and green eyes that were studying him, as he moved toward the fridge.

      “I’m going to put some sandwiches in a pack, maybe some chips, cookies and bottled water. It shouldn’t take long to get it all together.” Okay, the truth was that Sandy Wilson, his parents’ housekeeper and right-hand woman, had already made the sandwiches. Four of them, bagged and ready to go. He grabbed them out of the fridge and tossed them on the counter.

      Marci headed out the backdoor. He whistled and she stopped, turning with a smile.

      “Where are you going?”

      She looked innocent as a fox in a henhouse. Funny how a kid with blond braids and wide brown eyes could look so ornery. “I’m going to feed your dog.”

      He shook his head. “Not that cookie you have in your pocket.”

      No, he hadn’t seen a cookie, but he knew how she worked. He’d been in her life a long time.

      “Okay, no cookie.” And out the door she went.

      “She’s cute.” Katie shoved water bottles in the pack he’d put on the counter. “Are you okay?”

      Her back was to him and she didn’t turn to ask the question. Probably because she knew she was overstepping the boundaries, or something to that effect. He had invited her on a picnic, but he hadn’t invited her into his life. Or Marci’s life.

      “Why do you ask?” Not exactly the “back off” response he’d planned.

      But then, he’d invited her today. He’d put her squarely in his life. He’d enjoyed the subtle scent of oriental perfume that had lingered in his truck, a reminder of her presence. And because of that, he’d extended an invitation that had taken him by surprise. He probably wasn’t the only one questioning the invite.

      She added the sandwiches to the pack. “You looked a little lost for a few minutes. I just thought... I’m sorry, it isn’t any of my business.”

      “No, I guess it isn’t.” He sighed and brushed a hand through his hair.

      “Marci, she’s your...”

      “Goddaughter,” he offered the one detail. “And it isn’t really something I can discuss right now. But I appreciate that you asked.”

      The backdoor opened, ending the conversation. Maybe God would hear this one prayer of his—that Lulu Jenson would be okay and that he wouldn’t have to break Marci’s heart. As they headed out the back door, a hand brushed his. The touch took him by surprise and when he glanced Katie’s way he thought maybe it took her by surprise, too. What stunned him more than the touch was that the simple gesture, her fingers against his, made him want to be less of a rock, handling everything on his own.

      Once, a long time ago, he’d thought he’d be married, have kids, and have someone to be a partner in the tough times. It hadn’t happened, obviously. And it had convinced him there weren’t many women interested in a relationship that included a child that wasn’t even his.

      It had been a long time since he’d trusted.