His Montana Homecoming. Jenna Mindel

blushed.

      He held the door for her, liking this girl. Sure, she’d talked his ear off, but there was something open about her. Nothing disguised or put on. “Come on. The least I can do is buy you lunch.”

      Looking deliciously tousled, Faith slid out of the car and finger combed her hair. “Lunch, yeah. I could eat.”

      Dale couldn’t ignore the avalanche of awareness coursing through him, making him light-headed. Hunger did that to a person. Despite not being a big morning eater, he shouldn’t have skipped breakfast. These unsettling feelings were nothing more than hunger. Plain and simple.

      * * *

      Faith stifled a yawn as she slipped into the chair held out for her by the restaurant host. “Thank you.”

      The host nodded but didn’t look impressed, with a pinched nose and thin smile.

      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.