to the other, finally dangling them down his right leg like a drawn saber.
Was he being too forward? Shit. He hadn’t done this in a long time.
The CRJ 900 regional jet seemed to move in slow motion as it taxied toward the jetway, finally releasing its passengers into the newly renovated terminal. Reece waited as the plane’s occupants passed out of the secure area of the terminal: a cowboy, a traveling salesman, an elderly couple. He finally saw her through the glass. Her blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she dragged her roll-aboard suitcase, a copy of Brad Thor’s Backlash tucked under her arm. Wives shot dirty looks at husbands who’d turned to look as she passed.
Her face lit up when her eyes met Reece’s, and he felt himself smile. It felt good. She laughed and stomped her feet as she drew near, letting go of her bag as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her cheek, and she took his face in both hands, turning his head for a quick peck on the lips, erasing any doubts about where their relationship was heading.
“The mountains certainly agree with you!” Katie said approvingly. “You look great.”
“You do, too. You always do.”
“Stop,” she said, in mock embarrassment.
She turned his head and ran her finger over the pinkish scar on his scalp where the neurosurgeons had done their work. “Barely noticeable.”
“Not too rough looking?”
“Not by a long shot, though I’m not sure what I think about this,” she said, running her fingers across his beard. “Looking a little gray, Mr. Reece.”
“It’s the mileage,” he acknowledged with a raised eyebrow.
“Expecting someone special?” Katie inquired, nodding her head toward the flowers.
Reece suddenly became aware of the bouquet he’d picked up on the drive in.
“Oh yeah, sorry. These are for you.”
“They’re beautiful,” Katie said, bringing them to her nose. “Thank you, James. So thoughtful.”
Reece picked up her suitcase as they moved through the airport, his eyes subconsciously sweeping the area ahead; first hands, then bodies, then faces. The sixth sense that had kept warriors alive since time immemorial was reminding him that his peace could never last.
* * *
“This is spectacular!” Katie said, taking in the majesty of Montana.
Reece drove as they talked, steering the Land Cruiser up the Flathead Valley toward Kumba Ranch. “I’ve always loved the mountains. I also need to keep a low profile for security reasons. I’m still processing the fallout from Odessa and from… well, you know…”
“I understand. So,” Katie said, changing subjects, “what do we have in store for the weekend?”
“Nothing too crazy. I’d love to show you around the ranch and do some hiking. Raife and his family are dying to meet you.”
“Sounds great. I’m up for anything!”
“Ever fly fished?”
“I may have dabbled a bit,” she said coyly.
“What does that mean?”
“It’s the one thing my dad enjoys almost as much as golf. He and his doctor buddies would do one big fly-fishing trip a year. He started taking me and my brother out on weekends when we were kids.”
“I’m self-taught, so maybe you can give me some pointers.”
“I’d be happy to. I even brought my Winston four-weight.”
“What’s a Winston?”
“Oh, James, I have so much to teach you.”
“You’ll lose cell service in a minute and probably won’t have it again unless we come back to town. Do you need to make any calls?” Reece slowed the SUV and navigated the tight turn that wound through the timber.
“Nope. I’m all yours. No distractions.”
She powered off her iPhone and dropped it into her purse, then feigned dusting off her hands to symbolize her release from the electronic leash.
They caught up throughout the drive, Katie admiring the view and Reece pointing out various landmarks as he drove through the property. He paused the Cruiser at the crest of the hill above his cabin to give them a commanding view of the lake, then steered down the track toward it.
“Is this it?” Katie asked.
“This is it.”
“Wow! What a view!”
Reece pulled the truck sideways in front of the cabin and Katie was out before he could make it around to open the passenger door for her. She stood in the dirt driveway admiring the home.
“Incredible,” she said as Reece led the way to the front door, holding it open and stepping aside with a welcoming wave across the threshold. Katie stepped inside, taking in every detail. She walked to the center of the living room and looked upward to the vaulted ceiling. Reece stood silently just inside the door,