Free Montana Homecoming by Jillian Hart Page B

woman who was as reserved as Brooke. After talking with her half the evening, she remained a great big mystery. She kept a part of herself hidden away just like Sidney did. Besides, he liked Brooke far too much for safety. That was the best reason to pull back.
    “Drive safely. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.” He eased onto the sidewalk while the engine started. Kept to the shadows. He could be a mystery, too.
    Brooke lifted her hand in a dainty little wave, giving him nothing more, not even a smile, before the truck pulled away.
    He watched the taillights grow smaller in the darkness until with a faint red flicker they faded away.
    * * *
    The crescent moon peeked over the trees rimming the trailer park. Brooke climbed out of the borrowed pickup and into the faint moonlight. Lights shone from neighbors’ windows but no one else was out. Not a single car motored by. No dogs barked. No cats prowled the shadows. Gripping her bag, she headed up the stairs, breathing in the sweet Montana air redolent with the scents of lilacs and early budding roses. Upset clung to her no matter how hard she tried to stop it. Just brush it off, Brooke. She paused on the porch to take a cleansing breath. It had been a close call tonight. Why had she let her guard down? She had no clue why Liam affected her that way.
    “Brooke, there you are! I thought I heard the truck.” The door swung open before she could reach it. Brandi held a bowl of ice cream in one hand, gripping the doorknob with the other. She looked adorable as always dressed in a Montana State University T-shirt and shorts with her light blond hair tied back in a long swooping ponytail. “You’re just in time. We’re having zero-calorie dessert.”
    “There’s a brand of ice cream with no calories?”
    “Sure. In my imagination.” Brandi laughed.
    “In mine, too,” Bree called with an identical cheer from the kitchen. She held a bowl in one hand and a freshly loaded spoon with another. “Come in and have some no-cal mint chocolate chip.”
    “I’m not sure I’m that imaginative. I see calories,” she teased. “Lots and lots of calories.”
    “Hey, I’m in denial over here,” Colbie called from the kitchen. “Don’t mess with my denial!”
    “Sorry. My bad.”
    “Don’t just stand out there, dear, come tell us all about it.” Lil gestured from her chair with the hand that wasn’t holding an enormous bowl of ice cream. “Did you have fun tonight?”
    “Oscar was a hoot.” She closed the front door behind her and plopped her purse onto the small entry table. “I found him a spot at the Dillards’ day care.”
    “Good choice. They’re such nice people.” Colbie scooped ice cream from the container and into a bowl. “I’m sure he’ll be happy there.”
    “That should keep him out of trouble, but that’s not what we all wanted to know.” Brandi waggled her brows as she dug into her ice cream. “So, how did things go with Liam?”
    “Yes, tell us all about Liam.” Lil hit Pause on the remote, freezing the legal drama on the screen mid-cross-examination. “He’s such a handsome man and a real gentleman. You two seem to get along.”
    “Looks can be deceiving. He’s a reporter. You guys could have told me what I was walking into.”
    “Guess I didn’t think of it.” Bree ambled out of the kitchen and gave her spoon a lick. “He asked me for an interview and I’m giving him one right after my testimony.”
    “He already got an unofficial one from me.” She hated to be the one to break their illusions about Liam, but she had to be honest. “He asked me a lot of questions, which I answered without knowing his agenda. Questions about you, Bree.”
    “I’m sure it’s nothing. He won’t use what you told him. Honestly. Trust me. He knows if he wants a quote, he can call.” She slipped into an overstuffed chair facing the TV. “Hey, did you get supper? We can warm up leftovers if you’re hungry.” That was Brianna, as sweet as could be.