Chapter Seven
Cole slid open the bathroom drawer, revealing a pack of plastic combs. He peeled back the cellophane and laid two on the granite countertop, one wide-toothed, one slender.
“Pick your poison.”
Aftyn chose the wide-toothed one. “Thank you. I need to get through it before it dries. I’ll be right out.”
“Would you like something to drink?”
“Coffee would be nice.”
“I’ll get that started. We can catch a movie while your clothes dry.”
“Okay.” She smiled as he pulled the door closed behind him.
In the kitchen he snapped a K-cup into the brewer and pressed the button.
The machine hissed and rich coffee aroma spread through the air.
He leaned back against the counter, arms folded, thinking about how close he’d come to kissing her.
He knew she wasn’t sticking around. But maybe that was fine.
Maybe they could just enjoy each other while she was here.
Aftyn’s footsteps pulled him back. She came into the kitchen with the oversized T-shirt hanging loose around her hips like a casual dress, sweatpants rolled around her ankles.
He grinned. “You could wear that as a dress.”
She laughed, stroking the fabric at her shoulder. “It’s so soft. I love wearing big clothes when I’m being lazy. I have to say though, the underwear is sliding down.”
Cole chuckled. “Is that the plan for the rest of the day?”
“Unless you want to take me home?” She cocked an eyebrow.
Cole studied her for a beat, then shook his head. “I think I’ll keep you here.” He held her gaze. “You have no way to leave.”
Aftyn feigned horror. “I’ll ask one of the ranch hands.”
“He’ll be fired.”
She laughed. “You wouldn’t.”
“Want to bet?” Half serious, half invitation.
She moved to the coffee maker, measured out two spoonfuls of sugar, added a splash of cream, stirred, and inhaled before taking a sip. “So good.” She glanced at him. “Were you going to have a cup?”
“No. One or two in the morning is my limit.”
“I drink it all day.” She shrugged, leaning against the counter. “I got used to it during my residency. Some of those shifts were brutal.”
“Did you always want to be a surgical nurse?”
“No, I wanted the ICU. But one of the doctors thought I’d be great in surgery.” She smiled, though a glimmer of worry crossed her eyes. “Turns out he was right. I love it. I just hope I can find another position.”
“With your experience you could probably walk into any hospital and land something.”
“Maybe.” She sighed, running a hand through her damp hair. “Right now, I just want to find Avery.”
“I’ll help however I can. Now that I know what she looks like, I’ll get in touch if I spot her.”
The relief on her face was immediate. “I’d appreciate that. I’m hoping she’ll wander into the diner eventually.” She grinned.
Cole grinned. “I’d love to see the look on her face if she does.”
“Oh, you and me both. Or Judd.” She laughed, shaking her head.
“Let’s watch a movie.”
“Sure.” She cradled her mug as they moved to the living room, the scent of coffee following them. They settled on the sofa and Cole lightly touched her hair, making her look at him.
“Are you alright?”
She blew out a slow breath. “That bear terrified me.”
“A mama bear with cubs is about as dangerous as it gets. She’ll fight off male grizzlies twice her size to protect them.”
“Why would males go after the cubs?”
“Competition mostly. Males see cubs as rivals for food and resources. They have no attachment to them, sometimes killing even their own to bring the female back into heat.” He shook his head.
“She knows what they’re capable of, so she doesn’t back down easily.
Most males will retreat from an aggressive sow, but not always. ”
“That’s heartbreaking.”
“It is. Nature’s brutal that way.”
“Did she come after you?”
“She charged, but the rifle shot sent her off.” He said it simply, as if it hadn’t been much.
“Is it really illegal to kill a grizzly?”
“Yes. In Montana, it is illegal to harm, harass, or kill grizzly bears except in cases of self-defense or the defense of others. If you do kill one, you have to report it to FWP, fish, wildlife, and parks, then they’ll investigate the shooting.”
“It’s good that they’re protected though.”
Aftyn’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. “Do you mind if I take this? It’s my aunt.”
“Of course not.” He lifted the remote as she slipped into the kitchen.
****
Aftyn pressed the phone to her ear and leaned against the counter. Through the half-open blinds, sunlight slanted in, dust particles drifting lazily through the beam.
“Hi, Aunt Ping.”
“Hi, sweetie. Any luck?”
“She’s been here in Clifton. Two places told me she was looking for work. She must have run out of cash or found out the cards were frozen.”
“And Judd? Is he with her?”
“I think so. He has money, but unless he quit his job he can’t stay away too long.”
“Call one of your friends at the hospital,” Ping said firmly. “Find out. I don’t trust him.”
Aftyn smiled. “I know you don’t.”
Ping’s voice softened. “How’s the apartment?”
“Lovely. You’d adore this town. All these little shops and brick storefronts. I imagine it’s magical at Christmas.”
“Send me photos. Do you need money?”
“No, I’m managing. It’s just the car that’s going to hurt. The engine needs replacing and there’s only one mechanic in town.”
“I told you I’d help you get a new one.” Frustration edged into her aunt’s voice. “For God’s sake, Aftyn, let me.”
Aftyn stared out the window above the sink, the phone cool against her cheek.
“I can’t do that,” she whispered.
A soft sigh drifted through the line. “You’re just like your mother. My sister refused help every time too. One stubborn woman.”
Aftyn smiled, remembering her mother’s hearty laugh, the way she’d stomp her foot and declare she could do anything herself. “She was, wasn’t she.”
“She’d be so disappointed in Avery.” Ping’s voice quieted. “I miss her.”
A beat of silence, then Ping shifted gears. “I found a PI and I’m sending him to Clifton to help you.”
“Aunt Ping—”
“Don’t you ‘Aunt Ping’ me. We need help and he’s already on his way. His name is Sterling Peterson. Highly recommended. Can I give him your address?”
Aftyn twisted a loose thread on the sweatpants. “Give him the diner instead. He can ask for me there. I don’t know him well enough to let him into my apartment.”
“Smart girl. I’ll tell him to go in and ask for you. Are you enjoying your day off?”
Aftyn glanced into the living room where Cole’s cowboy boots sat beside the sofa, late afternoon light striping the floor. “I’m spending it with Cole.”
“Cole? The man who saved you from that bull?”
“Yes.” She grinned. “Last night we went to a local bar, and today we rode out across his property and fished at the pond.” She hesitated. “Until a grizzly bear came out of the woods with her cubs.”
“Good heavens.”
“She wasn’t happy to see us. She stood on her hind legs and let out a roar that echoed off the mountains. Cole got me in the saddle and told me to ride for the barn. I heard a shot but didn’t look back.”
“Did he shoot her?”
“Fired close to her feet to scare her off. She ran with the cubs right behind her.”
“Those cubs are the only reason she charged.”
“I know.” Aftyn’s shoulders loosened. “But we’re safe. We’re about to watch a movie.”
“I know you said he’s handsome but send me a photo. Let an old woman dream.”
Aftyn laughed. “You’re not old. I’ll call you after I talk to Mr. Peterson.”
“Alright, honey. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
She stepped into the living room. Cole rose from the couch, broad shoulders filling his T-shirt, the pale glow of the TV casting shadows across his face.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“You have impeccable manners,” she said, smiling. “I know I’ve said it before.”
He grinned. “Come sit. Is this alright?” He nodded toward the screen where the opening credits of Necessary Roughness scrolled past.
She sank beside him, the cushion warm beneath her. “I’ve never seen this movie. Who’s in it?”
“Scott Bakula, Sinbad, Jason Batemen, just to name a few.”
“Okay. I’d love to see it.”
He glanced at her. “Everything alright?”
“Yes. That was Aunt Ping. She’s arranged a private detective to help find Avery. He’s coming to the diner tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Ping?”
Aftyn grinned. “Her real name is Pauline. Her brother called her Ping as a baby, and it stuck. You’d love her. She says exactly what she thinks and never loses a moment’s sleep over it.”
Cole grinned. “I prefer people like that. Why beat around the bush?”
“She’s always been that way.” Aftyn settled back against the cushions. “I’m hoping Peterson finds something useful.”
The television hummed as they leaned into the film, easy in each other’s company. But Aftyn’s mind kept drifting back to the pond, to the moment just before the bear crashed through the tree line. She studied Cole’s strong jaw in the shifting light.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked.
“Were you going to kiss me? Before the bear showed up?”
“I was.”
“Why didn’t you after?”
He glanced toward the window. “I’m not looking for another broken heart. You’re leaving, and I know how that ends.”
“I’m not looking for that either.” She turned to face him. “But I don’t see why we can’t enjoy each other while I’m here. We’re both attracted to each other. Neither of us wants more than that.”
“So, you’re saying just a sexual relationship?”
“We’re adults, Cole. Nothing wrong with two people enjoying each other.” She paused. “I want you to know I don’t do this. I’ve been with two men in my life, and I was in love with both of them. So, this is new territory for me.” She grinned. “First time for everything.”
Cole nodded slowly. “How about we let it happen naturally. Go out, get to know each other, dinner, Dewey’s, whatever. But we go in with our eyes open. You’re leaving, I know that. I’ve had my heart stepped on enough times. I’m not doing it again.”
“Agreed. Just fun.”
“I’m not going to push you into anything you don’t want.”
She leaned in and kissed him softly. “I want.”