McFarlane's Perfect Bride / Taming the Montana Millionaire: McFarlane's Perfect Bride. Teresa Southwick

were. You’re no better than a vulture, McFarlane. And I wanted to say that to your face.”

      Connor said nothing. With a curt nod, he turned for the door. Grant made no move to stop him.

      As he drove down the mountain, Connor tried to remind himself that he’d been called worse things than a vulture. In the past, he’d never cared. He went after what he wanted and he got it and what people said didn’t mean a thing.

      Now, strangely, Grant Clifton’s harsh words rankled. And he found himself worrying about Melanie and Russ, about their reaction when they learned he had plans for the resort. Tori had warned him he’d better tell Melanie what he was up to.

      So he detoured to the Hopping H. He found Melanie in the kitchen, baking cookies. The kids, she said, were out in the barn with Russ.

      She took a sheet of great-smelling snickerdoodles from the oven and set them on top of the stove. And she turned to him. She frowned when she saw his face. “What? You look like somebody stole your dog.”

      “I never had a dog.”

      She chuckled. “Mother never would have allowed that. ‘They are so filthy, darlings.’“ She imitated their mother’s cool, aristocratic tones. “‘And the shedding.’“ She faked a delicate shudder. “‘No. Impossible.’“

      He laughed—and then instantly grew serious. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

      Now she looked worried. Really worried. “What? Is it about CJ? I think he’s doing much better.”

      “He is. It’s not about him.”

      “Well?”

      He laid it on her. “I came here this summer for him. And to spend some time with you.”

      “I know that, Connor. And I’m pleased that you’re here.”

      “And also to buy the Thunder Canyon Resort.”

      “Yes,” she replied. “What else?”

      “What do you mean, what else?” he demanded grimly. “That’s it.”

      “That you want to buy the resort?”

      “Yes. I want to buy the resort and I thought you should know.”

      She took off the fat oven mitt and waved her hand airily. “Oh, that. I knew that.”

      He groped for a chair and lowered himself into it. “You did?”

      “You’re my brother, Connor. I know you. I know how your mind works. The resort is a different type of property than McFarlane House usually takes on. That makes it a challenge and you love a challenge. Plus, you can probably get it for an excellent price. Of course, you’ll go after it.”

      His mouth was hanging open. He snapped it shut. “You knew all along.”

      “I did. And I knew that you’d tell me about it eventually, when you were ready to discuss it.”

      He confessed bleakly, “Grant Clifton just called me a vulture.”

      Her eyes grew sad. “Yes, well. Grant found his calling, managing the resort. It’s killing him to watch it fail. I’m sorry to hear he lashed out at you. Please don’t take his cruel words to heart. He’ll settle down in time. And my guess is that when he does, you’ll get an apology.”

      “But … he and Russ are best friends, aren’t they?”

      Now her expression was tender. “You’re worried about Russ being angry with you?”

      “Think about it. Russ and I didn’t exactly get off to a great start. I’ve felt like we’re slowly getting on a better footing. But I’m afraid if he gets an earful from Grant, I’ll lose all the progress I’ve made with him.”

      She sat down at the table with him and put her hand over his. “A girl could do a lot worse than to have a brother like you.”

      Her words pleased him. Very much. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

      “It’s only the truth.”

      “Well, lately, at least.”

      “At least.” She chuckled. “And don’t worry about Russ. He never liked the resort, thought it brought a lot more growth and questionable ‘progress’ than Thunder Canyon ever needed. And he always believed that Grant was meant to be a rancher like his father and his father before him. Russ is not going to resent you because Grant might have to consider a career change.”

      That night, as planned, Tori had Connor and the kids over to her house for dinner. She thought it went well. And she couldn’t help but notice that CJ actually looked at his father when he spoke to him.

      Plus, there was a new contentment about Jerilyn. She said she liked the job at the Hopping H. And her dad seemed better. The day before, Butch had found a therapist from the list Tori’s dad had provided. Insurance would pay the therapist’s bill.

      “It’s a start, I think,” Jerilyn told them.

      At a little after nine, Connor left with the kids. He would take Jerilyn home. Ryan would come with him and CJ to their house to spend the night. Gerda would take the boys out to the ranch in the morning, stopping to pick up Jerilyn along the way.

      Tori stood out on the porch and waved as they drove away, and wished that he would be coming back later to see her alone. But Connor would be leaving first thing in the morning for Philadelphia, gone until Friday evening. She missed him already and wished they’d had a little privacy to enjoy a more intimate farewell.

      But then she chuckled to herself. If she’d wanted to be alone with him tonight, she shouldn’t have engineered dinner with the kids. She went inside, took a long, hot bath, watched some TV—and wasn’t all that surprised when her doorbell rang at ten past twelve.

      She didn’t say a word. Just held out her eager arms to him.

      Connor headed for Bozeman at five the next morning to catch his flight. The trip took longer than it would have in the past. In an effort to cut costs, he flew commercial rather than enjoy the pricey comfort and privacy of a McFarlane House jet.