Montana Sky

target cans. “I think it’s natural, before, you know. When you just can’t know how things will be, whether you’ll do something wrong or make a fool of yourself.”
    “It’s pretty basic stuff. What could you do wrong?”
    “A lot of things. I did a lot of things wrong. Or thought I did. But I wasn’t afraid with Adam. Not when I realized he cared for me. I wasn’t afraid at all with Adam.”
    “Who could be?”
    A smile played around Lily’s mouth, then she sobered. “You haven’t said anything about . . . I know that you know that I’m—with him.” She let out a breath, watched it fog in the chilly air, then disappear. “That I’m sleeping with him.”
    “Really?” Willa tucked her tongue in her cheek. “Ithought he waited for you at the side door every night, then walked you back at dawn because you were holding a secret canasta tournament. You mean you’re having sex? I’m shocked.”
    The smile came back. “Adam said we wouldn’t fool anyone.”
    “Why would you want to?”
    “He . . . he asked me to move into his house, but I didn’t know how you’d feel about it. He’s your brother.”
    “You make him happy.”
    “I want to.” She hesitated, then slipped a chain from under her shirt, keeping her fingers closed around something that dangled from it. “He wants . . . He gave me this.”
    Stepping closer, Willa looked at what rested in Lily’s open palm. It was a simple ring, Black Hills gold etched with a diamond pattern. “It was my mother’s,” Willa whispered as her throat closed. “Adam’s father gave it to her when they were married.” She lifted her eyes to Lily.
    “Adam asked you to marry him.”
    “Yes.” He’d done so beautifully, Lily remembered, with simple words and quiet promises. “I couldn’t give him an answer yet. It didn’t feel right. I made such a mess of things before—” She broke off, cursed herself. “I was in such a mess before,” she corrected. “And I’ve only been here a few months. I felt I had to speak with you first.”
    “It has nothing to do with me. It doesn’t,” Willa insisted when Lily began to protest. “This is between you and Adam, completely. I only have the benefit of being tremendously happy. Take it off the chain, Lily, put it on, and go find him. No, don’t cry.” She leaned forward and kissed Lily’s cheek. “He’ll think something’s wrong.”
    “I love him.” Lily slipped the chain over her head, slid the ring off. “With everything I have, I love him. It fits,” she managed as she put the ring on her finger. “He said it would.”
    “It fits,” Willa agreed, “beautifully. Go on and tell him. I’ll finish up here.”
    • • •
    A S THEY BUMPED ALONG THE ACCESS ROAD . TESS stretched luxuriously.
    “You’re looking awfully smug for someone who just lost a shoot-out.”
    “I’m feeling smug. I don’t know why.” Lowering her arms, she scanned the scenery, the snow-covered mountains, the long lay of the land. “Life’s a mess. There’s a mad killer still at large and I haven’t had a manicure in two months. I’m actually thrilled with the prospect of going into some little bumfuck town and window-shopping. God help me.”
    “You like your sisters.” Nate shrugged at her arch look.
    “You’ve gone ahead and bonded despite yourselves. I watched the three of you out there, and I’m telling you, Tess, I saw a unit.”
    “A common goal, that’s all. We’re protecting ourselves, and our inheritance.”
    “Bull.”
    She scowled, folded her arms. “You’re going to wreck my fine mood, Nate.”
    “I saw the Mercy women. Teamwork, affection.”
    “The Mercy women.” She laughed carelessly, then pursed her lips. It has a ring, doesn’t it? she mused. “Maybe I don’t think Will’s quite as big a pain in the butt as I did. But that’s because she’s adjusting.”
    “And you’re not?”
    “Why would I have to? There was nothing wrong with me.” She trailed a finger up his thigh. “Was there?”
    “Other than being stuck-up, ornery, and hardheaded, not a thing.” He hissed through his teeth when her fingers streaked up, found his weakness, and pinched.
    “And you love it.” Inspired, she struggled out of her coat.
    “Too warm?” Automatically he reached down to adjust the heater.
    “It’s going to be,” she promised, and tugged her sweater over her head.
    “What are you doing?” Shock made him nearly run off the road. “Put that back