Montana Reins
Valerie J. Patterson

Taking one last look in the mirror, she decided the pale pink suited her healthy, tanned complexion. The form-fitting bodice of the dress made it clear to any eye that she was indeed a woman, giving witness to firm breasts, slender arms, and narrow waist. The full skirt cascaded over her long legs, swirling gracefully at mid-calf. She put on leather sandals and stood staring at the reflection in the mirror. A wry smile tugged at her lips. “Dad would have to hear me talk before he would believe it was me wearing this dress,” she said aloud, wishing silently that he were waiting downstairs for her instead of Ethan Sterling.

Drawing a deep breath, Montana mustered up some enthusiasm and left her suite. As she neared the upper landing she heard the hearty laughter of the men downstairs and wondered where the voices of the women were. Ethan Sterling’s warm hazel eyes followed her as she made her way down the stairs and across the room to where the group of hired hands stood chatting and joking. Before she could blend in with the rest of the group, Ethan was at her side.

“You look lovely, Ms. Reins.”

She looked up, meeting his eyes against her will. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling, for the compliment as well as for your assistance earlier.”

Ethan nodded. “You’re welcome, Ms. Reins. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Water,” she replied, finding the intoxicating effect of his presence more than enough without the aid of alcohol.

“Should you be hitting the hard stuff this early in the evening?”

Witnessing the sparkle of humor in his eyes, she relaxed slightly. “Have you a recommendation?”

“I think I have something you’ll like. Excuse me.”

She nodded, watching him as he walked to the bar at the far end of the massive room. Standing off by herself, she studied him in an easy casual way that didn’t call attention to her appraising eyes. He spoke easily with the men gathered around the bar, drinks in hand. Someone told an amusing story and she heard his deep laughter rise above the others. He quickly became involved in a conversation with three other men so she used the opportunity to leave the party.

Tana walked through the short hallway and out onto the balcony. The time passed quickly while she stood in the quiet of the evening, allowing the beauty to envelope her. Leaving the friendly sounds of the dinner party behind her, she turned away from the closed door and looked out at the vast canyon cloaked in dusk. The quiet orchestra of the night tuned nature’s instruments and soft notes fell gently on her ears as the sun set in majestic glory.

Leaning against the railing, Tana reflected over the events of the day. Her father would have been asking her a million questions. He had told her many good things about Ethan Sterling and his ranch. If she told him how difficult her first day had been, would he be disappointed? Would he frown just the way he always did if she told him Ethan Sterling had not welcomed her readily?

She pondered the questions she herself posed and smiled. She knew what the answers were without hesitation. He’d tell her to use her second impression of Ethan and discard her first. He’d tell her every man deserved a second chance. Of course, she’d argue against Ethan Sterling’s second chance, and he’d talk her into it.

***

Ethan stood at the door to the balcony, watching his newest hired hand. He couldn’t take his eyes from her. The moonlight danced along the long lines of her hair, the fine thick sections falling over her shoulder and curling in toward the body he knew to be warm and soft despite the obvious power and strength he’d never seen so evident in any other woman.
His thoughts turned to their first meeting—the one in his office earlier that day. He hadn’t been able to take his eyes off her then, either. Even as she caused his temper to flare, she caused his blood to boil—but not from anger.

Something about her drew him to want to know more about her, where she was from, what made her smile. Would he ever be able to get past the anger he nearly always saw when she looked at him?

Shaking his head and scattering his thoughts, he looked at the glass of wine in his hand, wondering if she’d like it or if he’d made yet another mistake.

***

Looking up into a sky dusted with stars, she smiled, feeling her father’s invisible embrace.

“Making a wish?” a deep voice asked behind her.

Startled, she turned quickly around and met the dark eyes of Ethan Sterling. “I stopped making wishes a long time ago, Mr. Sterling.”

“That’s too bad,” Ethan replied quietly. Moving to stand beside her, he handed her an expensive crystal wineglass with a sweet aromatic wine in it. “I think you’ll like this. It was my mother’s favorite.”

“Wine?”

“A Chardonnay. Taste it. If you don’t like it, I’ll get you something else.”

Tana tried to keep the frown from her lips. She never had much use for wine, or any other alcoholic beverage, and she pondered the effects. Ethan stood watching her. She held the glass to her lips and tentatively sipped the pale golden liquid. Sweetness washed over her taste buds and warmth cloaked her body. A delicate hum escaped her lips, and she noticed the slight sound brought a grin to his lips.

He looked at the rosy flush in her cheeks. “You can tell me your honest opinion. You don’t have to drink it just to please me.”

“I wouldn’t do that,” she returned, an indignant edge to her voice.

“No. You wouldn’t,” he agreed.

Did he realize just how serious she was when she’d said it, that she wouldn’t say or do anything just to please a man? Especially him. She noticed his gaze was still on her, as if he couldn’t tear it away.

An uneasy silence surrounded them and Tana wondered if the truce between them had ended. The silence stretched on until it became uncomfortable there, with all the beauty around them.

“You were right,” she told him, reluctantly speaking first. “The scene from this balcony at sunset is beautiful. I hope you don’t mind that I caught it tonight.”

Silence.

“Why don’t you make starlight wishes?” he asked when she’d finally given him her eyes.

“I guess I never really thought about it.”

“You’ve never heard the poem?”

Okay, she’d bite. “Poem?”

“Star light. Star bright. First star I saw tonight. Wish I may. Wish I might. Have this wish I wish tonight.”

She nodded her head, returning her gaze to the heavens. “It’s been a very long time since I last heard that. I remember my dad whispering it when we’d go out on the porch back home—while I was growing up.”

“Go ahead. Make a wish.”

“What on earth would I wish for?” Suddenly, the mental vision of her father appeared, and she knew what she would wish for if wishes could come true.

“I guess it does sound silly,” he said. As if sensing she didn’t really want his company, he excused himself. “Please, stay out here as long as you like.”

She turned too quickly, finding herself face-to-face, and too close, to him. “Uh...thank you for the wine. I really do like it.”

He nodded. “Ellie will let you know when we’re ready to sit down for dinner.” He crossed to the door, then turned back to her. “I hope you’ll spend some time with the people inside. Sam can introduce you around.”

Tana smiled. “I’ll make sure he does.”

Ethan went back inside, not lingering but a few moments after the conversation had ceased.

Tana turned her attention back to the stars and took another sip of her wine. She surprised herself. Not only was she giving him a second chance, but her opinion of him was changing, too.