Chapter 2

LINCOLN

“I still can’t believe you’re leaving me for freaking Montana!”

I stepped out of the car, lifted my arms, and stretched. We were only an hour or so away from Hamilton, Montana. I smiled when I looked all around us. Emerald-green pastures were home to cattle roaming freely as they grazed. Pine trees covered the foothills, which gave way to snowcapped mountains where white, puffy clouds danced along the top. My heart felt full for the first time in years.

Any lingering doubt over making this move was completely washed away when my eyes went to the river. I nearly lost my breath. The mountain range was mirrored against the crystal-clear water. Surely something this beautiful couldn’t be real. It looked like a picture. One deep breath and I could smell crisp, clean air.

This was home. A fresh start to a new life. It felt like a beautiful dream finally coming true.

“Kaylee, how can you look around and not see how beautiful it is here?”

She huffed. “Yeah, it’s beautiful. Mountains, rivers, blah, blah, blah. I don’t see why you need to move here. There are plenty of jobs in Georgia. Lots of old mansions you can design up. You made your mama cry, Lincoln. Cry! A well-raised southern woman does not make her mama cry.”

I rolled my eyes. “You know the reasons why I left Atlanta. It’s not about the money. It’s about doing this on my own. Building a life for me on my own terms.”

“Aw yes, those reasons. Leaving the big city for something simple? Leave the disgusting heat of Atlanta for fresh, crisp mountain air? Get out from under the control of Daddy? Start fresh? That crap?”

“Yes, those reasons.”

“I know why you’re really here. You want you some northern country ****.”

It took everything I had not to laugh. “Northern country ****?”

She nodded.

My best friend leaned against my Land Rover Discovery, giving me a matter-of-fact look. We stared each other down, neither willing to budge.

Kaylee sighed. “It’s not fair. I’m going to miss you.”

“Move here! You’re a book editor! You can work from anywhere you want, Kaylee. Think of how much fun it would be.”

Chewing on her lip, she looked to be giving it some serious thought. I knew it would be good for her. A chance for Kaylee to get her own fresh start. Lord knows, with everything she had been through over the last few years, she deserved happiness.

The moment I’d told her I was moving, I’d seen her eyes light up at the possibility of starting over somewhere herself.

“I don’t think I could leave Georgia. It’s all I’ve ever known. I’m a southern kind of girl. I’ve got the twang finally down. I just don’t think I could make it up here.”

I raised a brow. “Did you see the hot guys in those jeans and cowboy hats at the last gas stop?”

A full smile broke out over her face. Her blue eyes lit up, and she nodded. “Heck yes, I saw them. Did you see the one wink at me? Lawrd Almighty, I thought I was gonna pass out!”

Laughing, I shook my head and did a few jumping jacks while Kaylee stretched and moaned about how tight her muscles were.

“Whose idea was it to drive to Montana?” she asked, slipping back into the passenger seat.

“I believe it was yours. ‘It’ll be an adventure,’ you said. ‘The scenery will be amazing,’ you said.”

She rolled her eyes as her seat belt clicked. “Well, scenery is overrated. How many more miles until we get to this little town? And is it safe? I mean, you bought this house because the guy had too many bad memories there. What happened? Was someone murdered in it?”

I paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. Slight panic raced through my veins. I hadn’t asked any real questions about the house. I simply saw pictures of the old place, and the only thing that went through my mind was how I could make this my home.

Holy crap . . . what if someone had been murdered in the house?

S haking my head pushed away my moment of freak-out. I knew what it felt like to want to get away from something, or someone, controlling you.

“Yes, it’s safe, and I don’t really know the full reason. All I know is, the Shaw family owns a ton of land. They have a cattle ranch and raise horses as well. Their son lived in this house and doesn’t want it anymore. All his brother Ty told me was that there were memories the owner wanted to leave behind. So they broke the house and a small parcel of land around it off from their main ranch, and they’re selling it for him. He didn’t even want to be involved in the process.”

Kaylee’s arms folded over her chest. “When was this house built?”

I gave her a wide smile. “That’s the best part. It was built in 1887.”

“Oh Lord. Your kryptonite.”

“Kaylee, the fireplace alone in the house was the selling point for me.”

“The fireplace?” she asked, a look of disbelief on her face.

“Yes!” I replied with a chuckle. “It’s begging to be brought back to its original state. I can picture it now: sitting in front of a roaring fire, a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. The kitchen is pretty big for the age of the house. And don’t even get me started on the wood trim throughout the place. Or the floors.”

“I’m gonna have to stay just to help you fix the place up,” she stated, staring out the window.

That was my best friend’s way of saying she wanted to stay but needed an excuse. Even though she knew I would be fine doing it all on my own, and she barely knew the difference between a hammer and a screwdriver.

“You know, I’m being serious about you moving here, Kaylee. It might be the perfect place for you to start over as well. A fresh start in a new city. New state.”

She nodded. “Yeah. Maybe.”

My chest squeezed as I reached over and took her hand in mine.

Two years ago, Kaylee’s fiancé had killed himself. The hardest part for her was that he’d only left a note that said he was sorry. That was it. She fell into a pit of depression and refused to leave her apartment for months. The thought of seeing someplace John had loved to go caused her to nearly hyperventilate.

She had come such a long way, with help from her grief counselor. She’d finally started talking about the idea of dating again about six months ago.

“Look!” I cried out when I saw the sign that said HAMILTON: 30 MILES.

“Great, but your GPS says we’re still sixty miles from the house.”

We both laughed as I pushed a little harder on the gas pedal. Kaylee wasn’t the only one ready to get out of the car.

As we pulled down the dirt driveway, I saw the little white two-story house come into view. I gasped and felt my stomach flip. The front porch caught my attention first. Immediately my mind went to adding soft blue shutters to the windows, a swing on the left side of the porch, and wicker furniture with a pop of color on the right. Plants could line the wide steps on both sides and fill the air with the aroma of lavender and roses.

I lifted my eyes and took in the second story of the house. Two high windows looked out over the front yard. Even from here, I could tell it was the original glass from the ripples reflecting the sunlight. The house had been well maintained. Right down to the new silver metal roof.

I wanted to let out a girlish scream, I was so excited.

“Oh my gosh, is that it?” Kaylee exclaimed.

My heart thundered in my chest at the sight of the house. “Yes! Isn’t it precious?”

Bouncing in her seat like she was about to get a buttload of candy, Kaylee clapped her hands. “Lincoln, it’s perfect! It looks like they kept it up real nice too.”

I nodded. “Yep! I cannot wait to get inside.”

As my car got closer, Kaylee and I both leaned forward a little to look at the guy leaning against a post on the porch.

“Who is that?” Kaylee asked.

Shrugging, I replied, “I guess that’s Ty Shaw.”

Her head snapped over to look at me. “Ty? The son who owns it?”

“No, his name is Brock. Ty is the brother who’s been pretty much the go-between with Brock and the title company.”

She motioned with her hand to stop talking. “Shut up! Do you not see how hot that guy is? Like, look at him. His chest is huge!”

I giggled. This was the first guy since John who’d had Kaylee excited. The first guy she’d really looked twice at and the first guy who was apparently making her drool. When I saw her wipe her mouth, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Horny much, Kaylee?”

“My goodness. Save a horse and ride a Montana cowboy.”

I pulled up and parked to get a better look at Kaylee’s cowboy. Yep, he wore the part very well.

Cowboy boots? Check.

Black cowboy hat? Check.

Tight jeans that made his *** look like you could probably bounce a quarter off it? Check.

And he was currently making his way over to my car.

“Dibs,” Kaylee said, looking back at me.

“What? Did you really just call dibs on this guy?” I asked as I turned off the car.

“Yes, I really did.”

Before I’d had a chance to even open my door, Kaylee had jumped out of the car. I followed her lead, and Ty stopped in front of us while we both greeted him with a smile. Kaylee’s a little wide and a bit eager looking.

Ty grinned at us both before he focused on me. “Lincoln?”

I nodded. “That would be me.”

He reached for my hand. “It’s great to finally meet you.”

“It’s a pleasure.”

Turning to Kaylee, his smiled widened, and he didn’t hide the fact that his eyes swept over her. “You must be Kaylee.”

She turned back and looked at me. Her mouth dropped open. She mouthed I think I’m in love before placing her hand in his. “I am. Kaylee Holden. Pleasure meeting you.”

He tipped his hat. “Ty Shaw Junior.”

It wasn’t lost on me how Ty and Kaylee were staring at each other. It was like they were both trying to figure out what in the hell was going on. I hadn’t seen Kaylee look at another man like this in . . . well, I’d never seen her look at a guy like this. Not even John.

I quirked a brow and studied them for a moment. I finally had to clear my throat to get them to break the intense eye contact they had going on.

“Ty?” I asked, attempting to get him refocused.

He finally looked my way, and when his eyes met mine, my breath might have caught in my throat.

Okay, I totally got why Kaylee had been lost in this man’s eyes. They were bluer than the sky.

Wow.

“Like I said, it’s a pleasure finally getting to meet you, ma’am.”

“Ma’am?” I asked, my nose scrunching up. “Call me Lincoln, please. And you’ve met my best friend, Kaylee.”

He tipped his cowboy hat and smiled. “Will do, ma’am—I mean, Lincoln. Yes, we’ve met.”

The hungry look he threw Kaylee’s way made her turn pink in the cheeks.

I glanced back to the house. “Wow, it’s more beautiful in person.”

“I’m glad you like it. My mama’s great-granddaddy built this house.”

“The clapboard siding is just . . . beautiful,” Kaylee stated. “It’s been so well maintained.”

“Well, would you like to see the inside of your new place?” Ty asked, glancing between me and Kaylee.

“Very much so!” I stated.

Ty focused on Kaylee. “Are you, um, moving here from Georgia as well?”

Kaylee froze before looking my way. I arched a brow and waited for her answer.

“Well, no. I mean, I’m not really sure what my future plans are. Maybe.”

The hope in Ty’s eyes wasn’t hard to miss. It was fast, though. If I hadn’t been watching him, I’d have missed it.

Interesting.

He turned and started for the house—with a slight limp in his gait—as we followed.

“So, did you remodel this house?” Kaylee asked, practically skipping behind him.

He let out a hearty laugh. “Hell no. I’m a rancher, not a builder.”

“You don’t like working with your hands?” Kaylee asked.

I turned to look at Kaylee. What in the hell kind of question was that?

Ty shot a sexy grin over his shoulder as he replied, “I like working with my hands just fine. Do it every day on the ranch . . . and in other cases that warrant something needing a soft but firm touch. I’m pretty damn good at that, if I say so myself.”

Okay, that was a serious flirt directed toward her. Kaylee’s cheeks heated again, and she looked away.

Leaning closer to her, I said, “You asked for that one.”

She pushed me and shrugged. “I didn’t mean it that way!” she hissed.

Ty unlocked the door and then handed me the set of keys. “It’s all yours now, Lincoln. Mama wanted to know if you needed anything while you were getting settled in. If you need to be shown around town or anything like that.”

My goodness, are all Montana cowboys this sweet? With a polite smile, I replied, “No, thank you. I appreciate it, though.”

He nodded. Then he tipped his black cowboy hat again and grinned once more.

Is that a dimple?

Yep, that’s a dimple.

That was all Kaylee needed to see.

I stepped inside, followed by Kaylee. Ty walked around us once we were all inside the house.

“Back to your other question, Kaylee, I didn’t remodel the house, but my brother Brock did when he married Kaci. My parents gave them this house as a wedding gift.”

He smiled again, and this time his dimples were on full display. Kaylee moaned slightly from next to me, and I had to jab her in the side.

“Oh, that’s so sweet . . . but why don’t they live in the house anymore?”

Ty looked uncomfortable.

Lifting my hand to wave off my last question, I said, “Never mind. That’s none of my business, and I’m sorry I asked.”

A rush of embarrassment swept over my body. I of all people should have known better than to ask such personal questions. Here I was, attempting to start my own life over in a new town, and the first person I met, I asked a question that was truly not my business.

Ty let it go. “It’s been empty for a few years now. I think you’ll enjoy fixing the house up even more, with your career and all. My mother said you’re an interior designer.”

I nodded. “Yes, I am. I owned a pretty big design firm in Atlanta and needed a change. I sold it and decided it was time to explore something new. I’m hoping to find a simpler, less complicated life here in Hamilton.”

Ty’s eyes widened. “You’re not from a small town, are you, Lincoln?”

“No, born and raised in Atlanta.”

Glancing to Kaylee, Ty asked, “And you?”

“I was born in Georgia too.”

He nodded. “Your southern accent is heavier.”

Kaylee beamed with pride. “Well, I’m from a smaller town in Georgia originally, but I’ve been working on my southern twang for years. I think it’s finally set in.”

The poor man looked perplexed by my best friend. “Well, I’ll let you ladies go so you can explore the rest of the house. Do you need help with your luggage?”

“Yes!” Kaylee said at the same time I said, “No.”

Ty laughed. “If you pop the trunk, I’ll grab your stuff.”

I pulled out my keys and did just that. Kaylee and I stood there and watched as Ty stepped out of the screen door and walked down the gravel path.

“Is it just me, or does that man have an *** to die for?” she whispered.

I turned to look at her. It wasn’t like I wasn’t happy to see her showing interest in someone; I truly was. I believed it was time for her to jump back into the dating world. She needed to move on past the hurt. Back in Georgia, she’d never so much as looked twice at a guy, no matter how good looking he was. I wasn’t about to hold her back. “No, it’s not just you. He has a nice ***.”

“If that’s how they make the men up here in Montana, I just might be sticking around for a longer visit.”

Lacing my arm through hers, I grinned. “If there are more cowboys who look like that, you might never want to leave.”

“Right?” she said with a giggle.

Deep down in my heart, I prayed she would seriously think about staying. I wasn’t being selfish in my reasons why I wanted her here. Of course I wanted my best friend with me. I would miss her terribly when she went back to Georgia. But I honestly felt like a new start was exactly what Kaylee needed. A place that didn’t have a memory around nearly every corner she turned. A place where she could let go of the hurt and allow herself to move on. Somewhere to start over where no one told her what to do. A place to forget the past and look forward to a future.

I paused for a moment in my thoughts. Was that what I wanted for Kaylee . . . or for me?

I wanted that for both of us.

“How many brothers do you think he has? More than the one?” she asked as we watched Ty take our suitcases out like they weighed nothing.

Watching the muscles flex in Ty Shaw’s arms almost felt sinful. It had been a long time since I’d even allowed myself to look at a man like this. The last time I’d given my heart to someone, I’d ended up regretting it.

With a slight chuckle, I shook my head. Maybe it wasn’t time for only Kaylee to start dating but me as well. A nice Montana cowboy is exactly what I need. It had been over a year since I’d had a man’s hands on my body. I was beginning to remember what that pleasure felt like.

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out before I said, “One can only hope.”

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