Free Somewhere Montana by MJ Platt Page A

a problem,” she responded hesitantly. “You won’t be far away if questions come up. As far as the cabins, you’re willing for me to help physically in their preparation?”
    “We’ve got time to go over the office stuff together before you’ll be on your own. Also got a couple new spreadsheet ideas you might be able to set up for me. The cabins won’t be all that physically hard to do. Either one of the hands or myself will be there to do any of the heavy stuff. Basically it will be removing the dust, making sure the beds are made and enough extra blankets and clean towels are available, and also ensuring the fridge and cupboards are stocked. You should be okay, if you’re willing to rest when I tell you or when you feel you need to.”
    “I’ll be with her, too,” spoke up Little Mouse. “My eagle eye is still sharp.”
    Mac grinned at the oh-no-I’ve-got-another-babysitter expression on Sage’s face. Two Feathers threw him a smart move wink and a knowing smile. He had figured out Mac’s reason for the proposition.
    “When would you like me to start?” she asked cautiously.
    “After breakfast, if you’re up to it. I can show you the office. Then you can come with me to check the cabins, see what needs to be done, and inventory the supplies,” he answered, trying to keep the smugness out of his voice. If he could make her feel important, needed, would it deter her plans for leaving?  His need to protect her was prominent in his thoughts. Yes, he loved her and thoughts of losing her sent shivers up his spine. After the survival camp was over, he would see what more he could do. Her leaving was not an option!
     
    * * * *
     
    The two weeks went by rapidly. Sage was so happy to be doing something useful she pushed her own problem to the back of her mind. If she tried to surpass her physical limits, Mac stepped in and shut her down. The times spent alone with him in the office were enlightening. He had a good head for business and his ideas were workable.
    Yet his closeness distracted her. When he leaned over her to point out something on the computer screen, shuffle papers to find a certain topic, or brace his hands on the desk to ask a question, his scent surrounded her. The light, musky aroma of his aftershave, the smell of fresh air that was always a part of him, plus the redolence of pure male had her body responding in ways it never had around other men.
    She imagined those large, work roughened hands stroking her skin, the long fingers touching more intimate areas. She wasn’t listening, but was staring at his hands.
    Those hands moved to her shoulders and squeezed gently as he leaned in close. “Information overload?” he whispered, his breath brushing her neck. She shivered and wondered what she would do if he placed his lips on that spot just below her ear. She needed him to back away.
    “Tomorrow I have to go into town for supplies for the cabins. Come with me,” he said, moving over to lean against the fireplace mantel.
    “Not a good idea. I’d probably scare small children .” Her posture stiffened and a frown developed. Fear was aroused in Sage as she looked up at Callum.
    “I doubt that. At first, you may get some questioning looks. I did when I got home. But the people around here are willing to accept you as you are. They know you from when you were here before. The media coverage of what happened to you never reached this area. Nobody’s going to pick up a phone to let the world know where you are. You will still be safe. And you need some jeans and shirts. You’re ruining your good clothes.”
    “Maybe. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
    “You need to get back out into the world. Your work won’t wait forever. What do you do?”
    “Technically, I don’t really have a job. I graduated from college with a double major, Business Management and Hotel Management. I was hoping it would give me the in with Dad. So far, no luck. So I’m volunteering at a rec center in