Free Montana Fire by Vella Day Page A

she’d done it. “It was really, ah, warm. Thank you.”
    Admit it. I suck at interacting with someone new. Not that she was looking to date Max in particular, but she was tired of putting
     her life on hold. After the incident with the break-in, she wanted to be more proactive.
     Too bad the whole idea of starting again was not only unsettling, it was downright
     scary.

Chapter Seven

    M ax stopped right in front of the clinic, and put the car in park. “You should consider
     wearing something more substantial next time. Your jacket looks thin.”
    Max reminded her of her dad. Every time she went out to play in the snow, her father
     would insist she wear her mittens and hat.
    “I was in a hurry this morning and didn’t think about the forecast. I do have warmer
     gear.”
    “Bundle up tomorrow. There’s supposed to be a storm coming.”
    “I will, thanks.” Max was a kind man. And a considerate one, too. He was also really
     good looking, and the combination of compassion and physical appeal had her senses
     reeling.
    Max nodded. “Once I make sure your vehicle has been taken care of, I’ll give you a
     call when it’s on its way to the shop.”
    “Thanks, again.” This Max Gruden was different from the man at the wedding. This side
     of him she liked. A lot.
    The tension across his face eased. “I’ll also let you know when I hear what’s wrong
     with Grayson.”
    His use of the Subaru’s nickname spiked her pulse for a second. “I appreciate it.”
    She should be calling the shop, but since she didn’t know where her car would end
     up, she’d let Max help one more time.
    Jamie pushed open the car door and hurried into the clinic before he had the chance
     to set up a time to pick her up. If she could find someone else to take her home,
     she wouldn’t have to inconvenience him. Hell, she probably should just call a cab,
     but the fifteen-dollar fare would eat into her budget. The free clinic didn’t pay
     like the hospital did.
    As soon as Jamie stepped into the waiting room, the familiar surroundings brought
     her some peace. With a quick glance at the few patients who were waiting, she headed
     into the back, and tried to push aside thoughts of the enigmatic, but intriguing Max
     Gruden.
    Her first patient needed some blood work, the second antibiotics for an infected toe,
     and the third a few eardrops. The simple chores helped center her again.
    The rest of the morning continued as usual, for which she was grateful. Max had called
     around eleven, but she’d been with a patient and hadn’t been able to talk. His voice
     message said her car was at Richardson’s Automotive, and that they’d have an estimate
     by the close of today. She had hoped they would have repaired her car by then, but
     she wasn’t holding her breath.
    Around one, she finally had the chance to take lunch. She was halfway to the door
     when she remembered she didn’t have her car. Crap. She blew out a breath and spun
     around.
    Her coworker, Sasha Langley, was standing there, purse in hand. She raised a brow.
     “Forgot you don’t have Grayson?”
    “Unfortunately, yes.”
    “I’m on my way to lunch. I can drive.”
    “That would be great.”
    They managed to get the same lunch hour about twice a week and usually ate together.
     Jamie had wanted some solitude to think about the break-in, the terrible fire, her
     broken car, and Max Gruden, but she’d have to put that off until tonight. Jamie would
     have suggested a drive through, but when Sasha was on one of her diets—which she was
     right now—she refused to stop at one. “Where do you want to go?”
    “Valley Café?”
    “Sure.” Jamie loved the place. They left, hustled across the street, and slipped into
     Sasha’s car that she’d parked in front of the recently shut down bookstore. “Valley
     Café will be crowded, you know.”
    Sasha shrugged. “Every good place will be.”
    Jamie was about to suggest Italiano’s until she remembered Zoey had