He focused on the gift in his hands. “Maybe I’ll get a chance to meet her. Thank you.”
Tara nodded. Then she turned and started walking away.
Brody wanted to call to her. But he didn’t know why or what to say to make her stay. Or why he should even try. It was the oddest feeling to have your life so entwined with someone else for tragic reasons. They’d been on opposite sides of a no-win situation. Pursuing this sudden connection with Tara Mitchell was the last thing he needed in his life. It would only serve to complicate something that was already far too complicated.
He glanced down at the bowl and took in the vibrant colors that seemed to tell a story all by itself. Why had Tara done this? They’d said everything they’d had to say to each other the other day when she’d apologized. Instead of giving them both a clean break, he held a constant reminder of the woman whose eyes lit up like fire when she was excited or angry. It made him wonder how much fire he’d see when she felt desire.
Sweet Montana Outlaw: Chapter Six
The man completely unnerved her, and she didn’t know why. Okay, forget the fact that they had a history, and it wasn’t a good one. That alone would be enough for anyone to be on edge whenever Brody Whitebear was around. No one would blame Tara for never talking to the man again.
As she rearranged items in the store to make it look like the shelves were still stocked, she thought of what she’d seen in him when he’d opened her gift at the ranch. When Tara had dropped the bowl off at the ranch the other day, she foolishly thought it would be the last time she’d see him except in passing. They lived in the same town. He was sure to occasionally go to the hardware store or the diner across the street. The bank was just up the road, for cripes sake. She could hardly ignore him.
She turned quickly and spotted him outside her newly reinstalled picture window. She hadn’t had time to schedule the Murhall Sign Company to come out and redo the lettering with the shop name and logo on the window yet, which gave her a clear view of Brody standing outside inspecting the pieces she’d put on the display on the sidewalk.
Since the break in, she’d considered not putting her wares out on the sidewalk anymore. But Dixie’s idea had been a good one. They’d had a few days with stellar sales and she couldn’t attribute it to anything other than Dixie’s marketing idea working. In fact, it would be great to have a few more days like that this month to make up for the things that weren’t covered under insurance, like her high deductible.
She kept her eye on Brody as he picked up the items on the outside shelf and then carefully placed them down. What was he doing here? Was he really interested in the dinnerware she had on display? He lifted his head as if just now getting a whiff of the cinnamon and huckleberry rolls Norma had baked special for the shop. The whole store was filled with the sweet aroma, teasing both her and Dixie all morning.
She turned toward the bakery counter and was just about to ask her to take care of Brody if he came inside, but then stopped short.
“Are you okay, Dixie?”
Dixie turned around quickly and covered her mouth. “I’m not feeling so good.”
Tara quickly waved her hands toward the back room. “Go. Rest in my office if you need to.”
Dixie quickly ran into the stockroom and then she heard the bathroom door slam shut. Tara had noticed Dixie seemed a bit off her game that morning. She’d chalked it up to nerves over the new summer classes Dixie had signed up for that she knew were causing Dixie stress. But now she wasn’t sure.
The doorbell chimed indicating someone was coming into the shop and she knew she was stuck. She’d have to wait on Brody. She pasted on her usual business smile and turned to him as he slowly made his way through the shop.
“Good morning,” she said.
“Hi.”
“Did you come in here to catch a bite to eat? You must have smelled those cinnamon huckleberry rolls Norma baked just for us.”
He glanced at the bakery case. “Is that what I’m smelling?”
“Yes. Did you want one or three?”
His smile was quick. “You’re good at sales.”
“I like to think so.”
Brody’s eyebrows pull together in a frown, making him far more handsome than she thought possible. She shouldn’t be thinking he was a handsome man. There was too much history between them. And he was getting under her skin. She hated every second of it. And yet, she couldn’t turn away.
“I’m not hungry. Mercy, the ranch’s cook, usually makes breakfast and lunch for the ranch hands. So I had my fill.” He tapped on his stomach and continued to look around the shop.
“Ah, my competition.”
“Yeah.” Brody turned back to her. “I was hoping I could talk to you about something you said to me the other day.”
“What did I say?”
“You said you knew bunkhouses looked void of color.”
“But you said you don’t live in the bunkhouse.”
“The ranch manager’s house is just more of the same. I didn’t realize how much until I put that bright bowl on the table.”
She smiled. “You like the bowl.”
“No. I love it. I read Shana’s proverb again. Then I really looked at the bowl. Lots of rivers. Lots of beginnings.”
“Like life.”
“Yeah. She’s quite an artist. Without saying much, she tells a story.”
“That’s why I love her work. I wish I could pay her what she’s worth. A lot of people don’t look beyond the item to see the story.”
“No?”
“They’re usually interested in whether or not the colors will go with their expensive décor. Not that I’m complaining. I like to think I’m helping create a beautiful environment
