Taming the Montana Millionaire Read Free Page A

experience he knew it was best not to lead with his bottom line. Get your target’s guard down.
    â€œNice day,” he said, glancing up at a blue sky with wispy white clouds floating lazily by.
    Haley looked up, then back at him. “Yes, it is. A little warm, though,” she added.
    â€œReally? You think so?” Maybe he was making her warm, which wouldn’t be a bad thing. Unless it increased her caution quotient. One look at her lips pressed tightly together told him that was the case. He let his gaze wander to the towering peaks in the distance. “The mountains here are different from the ones in L.A.”
    He had a condo near the beach in Marina del Rey, a short drive from where his company MC/TC was headquartered.The high energy of the bustling business center couldn’t be more different from Thunder Canyon, Montana.
    â€œHow are they different?” Haley asked. “Other than the fact that here you can actually see them.”
    â€œAh, a subtle Los Angeles smog dig?”
    â€œWas that subtle? I didn’t mean to be.”
    â€œFor your information, the California emission standards are actually making a difference in air quality.”
    â€œGood to know. But I prefer not to see the air I’m sucking in. I hope Thunder Canyon never has to clean up what we breathe because of too many cars on the road.”
    Now he was feeling the heat. Cars were not a subject he wanted highlighted in this conversation, since for the next month it would be illegal for him to drive one. Not only that, her eyes were still wondering what he was after.
    He glanced at her truck, standing beside them. “I couldn’t help noticing you have a refrigerator in your vehicle.”
    Her full lips curved up for a moment, chasing the guarded look from her eyes. “Nothing gets by you, does it?”
    He laughed. “Just a little something you picked up?”
    â€œIt’s a donation to the teen center,” she explained.
    â€œHow are you going to get it inside?”
    â€œThat’s a very good question.” She looked from the big white appliance to the back door of the center. “I figured I’d grab some burly men at The Hitching Post and impose on their good nature.”
    â€œI’m burly and here now. And my good nature is legendary. Impose away.”
    She folded her arms over her chest. “You’re going to move that heavy white albatross and put it where I say?”
    â€œThat’s the plan.”
    â€œDon’t tell me,” she said. “There’s a big letter S on your chest. The superhero swoops in to save the day.”
    He eyed the appliance critically and shook his head. “I was thinking more of two planks, a dolly and some strategically placed straps, then rolling it inside all by my lonesome.”
    â€œAnd just where would you get all that paraphernalia?” she asked suspiciously. “Wait, in your back pocket.”
    He shook his finger at her, a teasing reprimand. “You’re going to be sorry for mocking me.”
    â€œIt’s worth the risk.” The distrustful look slid back into her eyes.
    The expression on her face spoke volumes about the fact that she didn’t expect him to follow through. Based on their brief contact six years ago, he supposed it was understandable. But this was now, they were adults, and he had something to prove.
    â€œJust remember,” he said. “An apology is always good form when one is confirmed to be in the wrong.”
    Marlon reached for his cell phone and made a quick call to the Cates Construction office. “Give me thirty minutes and I’ll have that big boy inside ROOTS for you.”
    â€œRight,” she said skeptically.
    While he waited for his twin brother to bring what he needed, he helped Haley unload the paper goods from the cab of her truck. There were bags of plates, napkins, cups. They carried them into the small storage area off the main