Page 33 of Setup In Montana

She lay back next to him and looked up. Stars were popping out in the endless dark above them. She took a deep breath, smelling fall rising up from the creek, from the dried leaves blanketing the creek bank. She tried to relax, but all she could think about was the call Dub had received from his father.

“Your dad wasn’t too upset with us?” she asked without looking at him.

“He understands now why we left like we did. He’s just worried about us, but he trusts me—unlike my brother.”

She looked over at him. “You spoke to Tanner too?”

Dub turned to look at her and rolled his eyes. “He was the one who called on my father’s phone. He hopes I go to prison.”

“Why is he like that?” she asked, really wanting to know why Tanner had so much animosity for Dub.

“My friends think he’s jealous because I’m so much better-looking than him.” He chuckled to let her know he was kidding. “Seriously, I honestly don’t know. Tanner resents me I think because I left the ranch to attend the university. He calls me an overeducated ranch hand.” Dub shrugged. “He’s right. That’s what I am right now.”

“No, he’s not right. I hate that so many people put down education like it’s a bad thing, like it’s wasted if you don’t get a degree or work in your chosen field. I didn’t go to university, but I took online courses.” She smiled. “I’m an overeducated convenience store clerk and part-time rest home flunky with a degree in art and philosophy.”

He chuckled. “I got my degree in engineering with my focus on architecture. I always wanted to build things.”

“I would think that would be helpful in getting a new bridge built at your ranch,” she said, only half kidding.

“What would you do if you could do exactly what you wanted?” he asked, looking up at the stars again.

“Have a studio where I could paint. I know I couldn’t make a living selling my work, but maybe I could teach art. What about you?”

He smiled in the growing darkness. “I’d design houses.”

“So what’s stopping you?” she asked.

“Probably the same thing that’s stopping you,” Dub said. “We’re too busy working, you to survive, me because I live on a ranch and there is always work.”

“Couldn’t Tanner and your dad handle it?”

“Tanner would love it if I left, but I know my dad wants me to stay.”

“Does he know how badly you want to do something else?”

He shook his head. “He was all for me taking engineering at college. He even suggested I use what I learned about architecture to build my own house on the ranch after I get married.”

She stared at him, shocked that she hadn’t even considered he might have someone in mind he planned to marry. “You’re getting married?” Her voice broke.

He was too slow rolling up on his side to look at her in the starlight. She was fighting not to cry. It was silly, Dub saying he was going to marry her the first time they’d met, but somehow she’d believed he was kind of serious. She felt so foolish. She’d turned down this cowboy numerous times. She had no solid ground to stand on when it came to being jealous. But just the thought of Dub in love with someone else and getting married made her heart ache.

She finally breathed a little easier when she saw the flash of his grin. “Are you asking if I have someone picked out?”

“I would imagine there’s cowgirls around here that you’ve dated and thought about marrying.”

“Oh, I’ve dated my share,” he admitted, still grinning. “But none I considered marrying except one. Most everyone I know my age has already married and settled down. But you’re the only one I’ve told I wanted to marry. What about you? Ever consider getting married?” Dub lay back to stare at the stars as if bracing himself for her answer.

“No. Never. I didn’t want to marry young and not see at least a little of the world first.”

“How old are you?”

“I’ll be twenty-five in a few days.” She saw his eyebrow shoot up and swallowed.

“You are young.”

“How old are you?” she asked.

“I turn thirty-two in three months.” She’d just assumed he was close to her age.