Free Montana Homecoming by Jillian Hart Page A

have assumed. I should have tattooed it on my forehead or something.” That quip garnered a better reaction. He could feel her smile and the knot of tension wedged in his chest began to ease. “Your family knows what I do for a living. It’s not a secret.”
    “No, I get it. I understand.” So she said, but the distance between them didn’t change. Her tone didn’t warm. Her guards didn’t go down. “I see what happened.”
    “You don’t have to worry about Roger. He’s mostly harmless. He wouldn’t have grilled you like Tasha tried to do.”
    “It’s not Roger I’m worried about.” She exhaled, a sigh of frustration. “You basically interviewed me without my knowledge or permission.”
    “Interviewed you? When?”
    “All those questions about Bree.”
    Realization hit him like a hammer. The blow struck hard, reverberating through him down to his bone marrow. What an idiot he’d been, a complete and utter dummy. No wonder she was upset. He risked taking a step closer. “I never intended to print anything you’ve told me off the record. That’s the way I am. Ask Lil. Ask Colbie. They know.”
    “I guess we’ll see in tomorrow’s paper.” Her dark silhouette moved slightly, her chin going up. She didn’t believe him.
    He drew himself up to his full height but he didn’t feel tall enough, good enough, not any longer. Not in Brooke’s eyes. She was wrong, but he knew what she saw, what this looked like. He disliked it, he really did, because he’d hurt her. At least, she thought he had. “I wasn’t using you. I wasn’t on the job. Nothing that happens between you and me off the record or with any member of your family will wind up in an article of mine. My word of honor.”
    “I’ve heard that phrase before.”
    “You haven’t heard it from me. All I’m asking for is a chance. Wait and see what kind of man I am before you quit on Oscar.”
    “I didn’t say anything about quitting on Oscar.” The confession scraped from her, grating against her throat.
    “I know, but it’s something I fear.” A hint of humor, always that humor lightening the moment. She could see the shadow of a day’s growth along his square jaw and smell the night air on his shirt. He crossed his arms over his chest, a powerful pose, a handsome one. But did it affect her?
    Not even close. Her guards were up and they would stay that way. She gave a little prayer of thanks as Liam followed her down the last of the walkway. Streetlamps rained a puddle of light over the pickup, guiding her, leading her away.
    “Thanks for everything you’ve done. You went beyond the call of duty, Brooke.” He ambled over to opened the pickup’s door. Sincerity defined him. Tall, solid, real. “You saved us.”
    “Hardly. I just helped a little, that’s all.” She should hop onto the seat, start the engine and drive away, but something held her back. It was concern for the dog—yes, that’s what it had to be. “I hope Oscar likes day care.”
    “Me, too. I didn’t know what I was thinking just picking up a dog with no forethought or preparation. I don’t know the first thing about owning a dog.”
    “I can see how it happened. Who would think twice when it comes to Oscar? Of course you wanted him.” She smiled, beauty in the night. “Goodbye.”
    “Wait. What do I owe you?” He reached for his wallet, but she waved him away.
    “We can decide that later. After we see how successful I am. You may change your mind about me and want a real professional.” She shook her head, scattering tendrils of dark, silken hair. Those gossamer strands brushed against the curve of her cheek and the line of her jaw the way his hand itched to.
    He didn’t reach out as much as he wanted to. Brooke had put distance between them and he wasn’t going to cross it. Distance was a good idea. So good, he took a step back, barricading his feelings with all his might.
    No way was he getting involved again and if he did, it wouldn’t be with a