lunch or I’ll just stop by your place one day on my way home. We can talk more about this partnership you’re thinking about.”
Micah started to laugh, and she wasn’t sure what she’d said that was so funny. “The Lord works in mysterious ways,” he said, still chuckling.
“What do you mean?” Montana asked as another man walked through the door.
“I mean, I wasn’t going to come tonight, but something kept telling me to be here.” He gestured between the two of them. “Now I know why. I was meant to speak with you tonight.”
“Thank you for coming,” Melissa said. “Some of you probably know Councilman Scott. He’s part of the library board this year, so I wanted him here.”
Montana sat on the edge of her seat, every muscle tense. Would they announce who’d won the bid tonight? Need more information? The email she’d received had been quite vague on that point.
As Harold Scott started to drone, Montana’s mind wandered back to Micah Walker. Not only was he a nice guy, he was an upstanding man. He’d done nothing wrong. The only person she was hurting with her bitterness and resentment was herself.
Please take this jealousy from me, she thought. I have no need for it anymore. He doesn’t deserve my resentment or bitterness or ill will either.
The meeting continued, and when it ended, Montana shook hands all around, promised Micah she’d call and set something up, and hurried out to the parking lot. She had so much to tell everyone, and she couldn’t wait to share her news with Bishop first.
Chapter Twenty
Bishop got out of the truck when he saw Montana burst through the library doors. She ran toward him, laughter trailing on the air behind her. “She got it,” he whispered, his thoughts flying to the prayer he and Mother had given together.
“You got it,” he said, jogging toward her too.
“I got it!” She squealed and launched herself at him. Bishop caught her in his arms and laughed as she did. “I got it, Bishop. Free and clear, I got it.” He set her down and peered down at her.
“I knew you’d get it.”
She wiped her hair out of her face, panting. “I can’t believe it. Micah Walker was in there.” She hooked her thumb over her shoulder just as the man walked out the doors.
“I see ‘im,” Bishop said.
“That’s my second piece of news,” she said, turning him away from Micah. “I got rid of my resentment for him. He’s actually nice, and he would’ve never hurt me or my business on purpose.”
Bishop smiled at Montana. She’d changed so much, and yet she was exactly the same woman he’d first met while she stood on his front porch and asked for a job.
“I’m not jealous anymore.”
“Congratulations again, Montana,” Micah called, and Bishop looked at him. “Oh, hey, Bishop.” Micah detoured over to them, and Bishop slipped his hand into Montana’s for Micah to see. “How’s Bear?”
“He’s great,” Bishop said. “How’s Jeremiah?”
“Oh, you know Jeremiah,” Micah said with a smile. “Since the fire, he’s gone all crazy about rules and frankly, I’m surprised Skyler hasn’t killed him yet. There are countless places to hide a body on that ranch.” He laughed, and Bishop and Montana joined in.
“Hey, thanks for that number for the counselor,” Bishop said, glancing at Montana. “We’ve put it to good use.”
Micah looked between Bishop and Montana. “Yeah? You two? Doing marriage counseling before you get married?”
“What?” Bishop asked. “No.”
“Not that,” Montana said, looking up at Bishop with questions in her eyes.
“Yeah, well, it’s not a bad idea,” Micah said. “I wish Simone and I would’ve done it.” He chuckled. “Then again, we got married during an audition and didn’t even know it for three weeks. So. Probably wouldn’t have worked out anyway.”
“You what?” Montana asked, plenty of incredulity in her voice.
“I have not heard this story,” Bishop said, intrigued.
“I’ll tell y’all about it when we meet.” He checked his phone. “I’m late. Sorry, I have to go.” He walked away, with Bishop and Montana staring after him.
“We’re meeting with him?” Bishop asked.
“Another bit of news,” Montana said. “He asked me to do some partner work with him, and we’re going to meet to talk about it.”
Bishop could only stare at her. “How long were you in there?”
She laughed, and Bishop did love the joy coming from her. She’d been happy before, but this was a new level of that happiness. He fell further in love with her, and Bishop was pretty sure he was well