Sam sat up straight and looked up at Elliott. "Thank you very much, Elliott, but you really don't need to do this. I have money and I can take care of it myself.""I'm sure you can," Elliott explained, "but I want to buy your supper. Look, it's your first night in town. You're exhausted from your trip and your long walk to the diner. Tell you what. You can pick up the bill the next time. Okay?"She looked deeply in his eyes and saw only sincerity. "Okay," she agreed, "but I'll definitely get the next one.""Good! Would you like to have a drink somewhere? Jackson has some great places open late.""I'm sure they do, but I'm drained and ready for a good night's sleep. I only have a few days to find a permanent place to live and get to know my way around town. I have so much to do before I start work." She laid her head on her forearm lying on the bar. "Whew!" she said as she lifted her head. "I also have to make arrangements with the rental car company to get another car.""Let's get
Elliott wanted to wrap his arms around her and chase away her chill. "Before you know it, it'll be the Fourth of July," he said, wondering how long she'd be there.Most city slickers didn't last too long after the short summer and the long, snowy, cold winter. He couldn't, he wouldn't, get his heart involved again. He'd learned his lesson with Mariah. He'd fallen instantly and hard for her. His life changed when he'd met her. She wanted the same things in life he dida life with him and wildlife in her backyard. Home grown and beautiful, even on the day she died.Sam interrupted his thoughts when she stopped and turned to him. "I've had a wonderful time getting to know you tonight and I appreciate your hospitality." She turned with him as they walked toward the hotel's front double doors.Elliott stopped and stared into her eyes, pinning her to the spot. "I know we've just met but I feel like I've known you for a long time." He placed his hands in his coat pockets."Me, too. I feel
Within fifteen minutes, Elliott parked in his driveway. He didn't bother to pull into his attached garage. He'd be leaving in a few hours anyway. He inhaled the clean mountain air, glad to be home after a long day, but wished he would have kissed Sam's rosebud mouth before he let her go.Darkness shrouded the building. He flipped the indoor switch. Hanging his red plaid coat and Stetson hat on a hook on the wall, he walked into the kitchen, pausing to drop his keys on a nearby table. The blinds over the big glass sliding door were open, looking onto a small deck with wonderful views of the snow-covered mountains and a lighted ski run off in the distance.He opened the stainless-steel fridge and took out a beer. He shifted and leaned his back on the granite countertop, twisted the lid off the bottle and took a deep swallow.Not only had he had a productive workday, but he'd also met Samantha, Sam. He turned toward the short hall leading to three bedrooms: one for sleeping, one for an
Dirty piles of snow and slush run off seemed to be everywhere, in front of the stores, beside the curbs, and even down the allies. Apparently, this area didn't pay much attention to the calendar or the arrival of spring.After paying for her breakfast, Sam ventured outside. The sun had gone behind a cloud, and she shivered, quickly slipping on her light covering. As she turned around, the snow-capped mountain peaks off in the distance and a ski run nearby caught her eye. A typical winter-type town.Meandering along the main street, she peeked in the windows of the now-open stores, sporting their wares, being careful not to go too far from her hotel and risk getting lost. She kept glancing at her watch and at ten thirty she hurried back to her hotel to freshen up and finish waiting for Elliott there.After applying some light makeup and lipstick, she stepped outside the hotel into the bright sunlight. The warmth felt good on her back so she turned, lifting her head toward the sun and
Elliott parked his truck in front of the house and helped Sam out. She had her camera out of the bag and ready before she left the truck. She stood beside him and slowly made a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turn, trying to take in all the surrounding beauty."It's, it's so, so pristine out here, Elliott. Untouched except by Mother Nature. The air is so clean and the smell of horsesit's breathtaking." She laughed."I know what you mean. Every time I come out here, I feel the same way. Let's go play with the horses." Elliott took Sam's free hand, held it loosely, and strolled toward the barn. Leading her to the side of a nearby pasture, they stood in front of an old wooden fence. He let go of her hand, and placed his arms across the top rail, his one booted foot on the bottom rail.Sam started snapping away, taking pictures of frolicking colts in the nearby pasture. The horses, in various robust colors, were grazing, until they sniffed Elliott. One dapple-coated filly started to ambl
"Give me a half hour to check out the trail. I'll be right back," Elliott exclaimed as he moved out of camera sight. "I hope you didn't break your camera on pictures of me." His laugh echoed in the canyon quietness as he headed up the trail and out of sight.Sam sat on the rock Elliott had vacated and took in the stunning views, her camera always at the ready. Every now and then she took a picture of an eagle flying overhead or trees bending in the wind.She saw Elliott come over the rise before she heard him tramping through the brush.Sam continued taking photos until Elliott returned and they began their trek down to the four-wheeler."The sun will be goin' down soon and we don't want to miss a gorgeous sunset, now do we?" He held his hand out for her to help her off the rock. Then they started toward the four-wheeler, Elliott soon ahead of her."Did you get some good shots?" Elliott asked."I got some pristine photos, and I can't wait to download them onto the computer and en
"Montgomery, how the hell are you, bro? You look great. Marriage must be working well for you.""It's been great. Who's the chick you were stuck to? Huh? Huh?" Chase smiled at Elliott as he punched his shoulder."I just met her last night, so don't go and get any ideas. No wedding bells ringing here anytime soon, just 'cause you did the deed doesn't mean anything." Elliott ran his hand through his hair, trying to tame it from the cold wind whipping through the alley."Settle down, man. It's me, Chase. You can talk to me, remember?""I know, I know. Where has the time gone? It's been a while since we saw each other." Elliott looked across the street, his eyes searching."Yeah, we get tied up and busy. I understand. I took Lauren to Denver to the big sale last month, stayed a few extra days for a honeymoon.""Had a good time did ya?" Elliott asked with a big grin."Sure did. We didn't want to come home." Chase stuck his hands in his pockets and glanced at Elliott."Ranch doing ok
Sam hurried into her room, shut and locked the door. She couldn't believe how wonderful the day had been with Elliott. She sensed she'd known him all her life yet they had just met. What is wrong with me?She began to undress but stopped when she heard a knock. Grabbing for her clothes, she slipped them on while striding to the door, hoping to find someone from the front desk with her lost luggage. She looked through the peephole and saw Elliott standing there with her bouquet of daisies in his hands. Great! He's changed his mind. She unlocked and opened the door wide."I'm glad you came back, Elliott." She tugged her sweater down and moved to the side, opening the door wider for him to enter.Elliott stepped inside and handed her the flowers. "I brought these for you to put in some water. They appear a little droopy.""Okay, I'll have to find something to put them in." She turned and looked around her room, then turned toward the bathroom. After retrieving a cup meant for coffee s