His Montana Homecoming. Jenna Mindel
Faith looked around. A casual place when it came to customer dress, but everything about it screamed expensive. A fancy wine collection covered one of the brick walls. White linen tablecloths complete with fresh flowers graced the tables. Yup, expensive.
Dale checked his phone and texted, oblivious to the disdainful looks he received from the maître d’. Dale accepted the menu without a word. He was used to being waited on, probably in places even nicer than this.
“How’d your meeting go?” Faith couldn’t take the silence, or the uncomfortable feeling that she’d crashed someone else’s party.
He pocketed his phone. “Went well.”
By the tight look on his face, she’d guess it didn’t. “You don’t look happy.”
He flashed a smile, signaling a change of subject. “What do you say we do some shopping after we eat? You were right, I need casual clothes.”
She frowned. He didn’t want to talk business, and that was okay by her as long as they talked about something. Anything to keep her mind off the dream she’d had of him while sleeping in the car. “What are you looking to buy?”
“Jeans. Maybe some boots, so I don’t have to use your brother’s. There are quite a few shops here.”
Faith snorted. “You’ll pay through the nose.”
He cocked an arrogant eyebrow. Money wasn’t an issue.
Faith gulped her water. Then she looked him straight in his handsome face. “Can I ask a favor?”
“Name it.”
She took a deep breath. “Would you shop in Jasper Gulch instead?”
“I didn’t see a clothing store.”
Faith grinned. “Our hardware store has a clothing section. Boots, jeans, socks, shirts. Anything you might need for the outdoors or casual rugged living.” She quoted their advertisement and then added. “The Walkers could really use the patronage.”
Faith knew they’d increased their inventory because of the centennial celebrations, hoping to appeal to shoppers and increase business.
He narrowed his gaze, zeroing in on her again. “Sure. On our way back.”
She twisted her napkin in her lap. “Great, thanks.”
His green eyes softened. “You’re welcome.”
Faith shifted her attention to the menu, but the words blurred out of focus. She felt his gaze still on her. “What?”
“You really care about your town, don’t you?”
Silly question. “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“But you genuinely care. It’s your nature, isn’t it? Caring.”
What was he getting at? And why did he look at her as if she was an interesting new toy? A plaything. Dale Massey probably discarded new toys as a kid once the novelty wore off and his interest waned. She wouldn’t be surprised if he did the same thing as an adult.
Faith pulled out the big guns with ammo she knew from experience had the power to dampen a man’s ardor in a hurry. “The Bible says love thy neighbor as thyself. In Jasper Gulch, that isn’t too hard to do. Most of the time.”
Dale’s brow furrowed and then he laughed. It was a deep, belly-rolling sound she’d never have expected to come out of a New York prince. “Nice move, Faith.”
She stared at him.
“I’m trying to figure you out and you quote scripture. Good blocking maneuver.”
No sense denying it. “Well, quit trying to figure me out.”
“Why?”
Because you make me uncomfortable and my heart races when you smile. Because I dreamed of kissing you.
Faith didn’t voice her thoughts. She didn’t have to because the waiter dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants chose that moment to arrive and take their orders.
Without hesitation, she asked for a well-done cheeseburger, fries and a pop. Dale did the same. Smiling at her with that secret-sharing smile all because they’d ordered the same thing. It made her stomach flutter. Ridiculous man! He poured on the charm a little too thick.
After the waiter left and returned with their soft drinks, Dale leaned forward. “Why don’t you date your young minister? He seems like a nice guy.”
“He is.” Faith sipped her pop. “But he’s not my type.”
“What’s your type?” The flirtatious glint was back in his eyes.
And that was a good thing. It meant she was safe. Scripture always came to the rescue when needed. Faith tipped her head and raised her glass. “I’ll let you know when I meet him.”
Dale’s smile grew wider.
And Faith’s stomach dropped. She had a bad feeling she may have misspoken, because Dale Massey was exactly her type.
Dale couldn’t remember a time when he’d enjoyed a meal with a woman more. For one thing, Faith ate her food instead of picking at it. He didn’t know where she put it all, but the girl could eat. If he had a dollar for every woman he’d been out with who ordered salad and then left it unfinished, he’d be an even richer man.
Faith was real. And rather charming, too, in an honest, chatterbox sort of way. A bright spot in an otherwise inconvenient errand.
“You sure you don’t want to have a look around the stores while we’re here?” Women loved to shop, right?
Faith shook her head. “No, no. I’m fine.”
He glanced at her. She’d slipped out of her puffy jacket. She wore jeans and a sweater. A band of silver wrapped around her index finger and a watch encircled her wrist. “You’re not much into frills, are you?”
Faith shrugged. “I like a nice dress now and then.”
She wasn’t giving anything away, but Faith Shaw was not playing hard to get. He’d seen that role before and this wasn’t it. Dale knew he impressed most people, women in particular. So why was this woman indifferent to who he was but not what he was? He could tell she found him attractive. No surprise there. He found her attractive, too.
After the check had been paid and they walked side by side to the parking lot, Dale held out his hand. “Would you like me to drive?”
“Sure.” Faith hesitated only a moment before handing over her keys.
“To the Jasper Gulch hardware store.” He held the passenger-side door open for her.
She slipped in and buckled up. “Thanks.”
He leaned toward her. “My pleasure.”
She shook her head and laughed, making him want to try harder. Faith Shaw had poise, and a guard higher than most. Well, he was pretty good at scaling walls.
With one last glimpse of the mountains surrounding them, Dale tossed his cashmere coat over the backseat and then slid into the driver’s side, adjusting the seat to accommodate the length of his legs. “Do you ever ski here?”
“I’m not much of a downhill skier, but I like cross-country and snowshoeing. I paddle my way around the ranch when we get a good snow, but I’ve been to Lone Peak before. There are beautiful trails here.”
Dale imagined that was true. Although desolate, the scenery was postcard pretty. He pulled out onto the road mulling over what Faith had told him. Cross-country and snowshoes made sense. Faith Shaw kept her feet firmly planted