Out of the Storm (Buckhorn, Montana #1) - B.J. Daniels Page 0,33

bag as he thought of what she would do when she found him gone. When she pushed open the workshop door, when she asked his landlady, when it was discovered that he’d run without a word. He imagined the look on her face, what he would have seen mirrored in her eyes.

With a curse, he slowly began to put the money back. He couldn’t do this to her. Not after listening to her story about her husband and their daughters. He couldn’t just disappear like her husband had—because she would keep looking for him or someone who resembled him. She would keep chasing a ghost.

Worse, she might give up her chance for happiness because of him. He didn’t need that on his conscience. He had enough as it was. But staying in Buckhorn any longer had become dangerous. If he wanted go on living, then he had to convince her to move on.

He put the money back into the safety-deposit drawer and shoved the box back into its slot. He realized he’d have to hurt her, but it might be the only way to give her a little peace. There would be no peace for him, though, he knew. If anything, the woman and her questions about him would probably get him killed.

But as he drove out of town, he told himself that if this had to end, then let it end in Buckhorn.

* * *

“KATE, COME ON. Think about what you’re saying.” Collin raked his hand through his hair. Since he’d found Jon gone, they’d continued to have the same argument. She could see that he was losing his patience. She understood his frustration. Everything he said was true. Unfortunately, that didn’t make any difference to how she felt.

“Why would he leave if he isn’t Danny?” she demanded. That was the question that she kept asking herself.

Collin swore. “Because he didn’t want you coming back to his workshop day after day.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Baby, why would you want him even if he is your dead husband who left you not once but twice. Take the hint. He doesn’t want you. He left to get away from you.” He must have seen how his words landed on her and instantly stepped to her. “I’m not trying to hurt you. But Kate, we’re engaged to be married. I love you. I want us to spend the rest of our lives together. I thought this trip would be the beginning of something good for us. This man can’t offer you anything—even if he wanted to.”

“Maybe he’s not gone for good.”

Stepping away from her, Collin let out an explosion of air. “So, what are you going to do? Sit around here and wait to see if he comes back? Is that what you want to do? You want to break up with me for a shot-in-the-dark chance that this man is your husband, let alone that he’s going to miraculously remember you and want you again? Are you really going to live in that cabin out back of his workshop? Sell your house in Houston and spend winters in this town? Or are you planning to move him into your home in Houston? Maybe he could run his workshop out of your garage. Think about what you’re doing, Kate.”

He made it sound so ridiculous that she couldn’t help but see what a fool she was being. “You’re right,” she said. Jon Harper had left. She had to accept that, even if he was Danny, he didn’t want her or need her. He just wanted to be left alone. How much clearer could the man make it?

“Can we get something to eat before we leave town?” she asked, feeling weak and shaky. She felt sick at what she’d done. She’d run Jon Harper out of town. She hadn’t thought about what he wanted or needed. It had been all about her. All about finding Danny and her fantasy of bringing him home. Not to mention what she’d done to her relationship with Collin.

“Then I’m ready to leave with you,” she said. “I’m sorry I’ve put you through all of this.”

The relief on Collin’s face made him step to her and take her again in his arms. “We’ll get something to go at the café, and then we’re out of here.”

She nodded against his shoulder, wondering if she was going to be able to eat a bite. She couldn’t believe Jon would leave like that unless everything Collin had said