Page 1 of Montana Born

Chapter One

Sullivan Cole ignored the woman’s pointed look. Although alluring, her hair askew after making love, he wouldn’t allow her to guilt him into spending more time together.

Her pout more annoying than sexy, she patted the bed. “Come back to bed Sully. Bet I can change your mind about spending the weekend together.”

“I have a business meeting out of town. I can’t linger any longer.” He bent over the bed and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I had a great time.”

“Is that all it was? Does this mean you’re about to pull the famous Sullivan Cole tap and disappear?”

It was hard not to show frustration, but somehow he restrained the urge to snap at her. “I told you from the beginning. No strings, just sex and a good time. You agreed.”

“Fine. Whatever.” She crossed her arms looking anything but fine. “Hope your business meeting goes well...if that’s really what you’re doing.”

He didn’t owe her an explanation. Although she’d agreed to a casual affair, it was obviously time for him to move on. “Yeah. I’ll see you around.” Pulling on his shirt and not bothering to button it up, he left the bedroom and walked straight out the front door of her ostentatiously decorated house.

The sound of the car’s engine soothed his annoyance just enough and Sully was able to drive away without leaving any rubber in his wake.

Growing up, a true cowboy listens to his elder’s advice, treats his horse well and no matter what, respects a woman. All other things that come after fall naturally into place.

At least that’s the way Sully was raised. Driving away toward his late uncle’s land, the heaviness of guilt set in. Although he’d been honest from the start with his latest lover, it did not excuse leaving her upset. He pushed the call button on the cell phone.

Her voice was hopeful. “Sully?”

“I want to repeat to you I had a nice time. You’re a great woman. Just understand I’m not the man for you. Not just for you, not ready for a relationship right now.”

“Okay.”

“Friends?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

First his grandfather and later his uncle Henry never missed an opportunity for a life lesson. When younger, it was fishing, doing well in school and such things. Unfortunately as he got older it became harder to heed their advice. And yeah, he paid for that.

Some time later he finally pulled into the gates marking the property and drove to a familiar spot. Sully looked across the expanse of Cole land and wished he could discuss his current predicament with someone.

He took out his cell and called his father.

“Hey Dad.”

His father was straight to the point. “Do what feels right. If you sell the land, I trust it’s for a good reason. Otherwise, it’s not worth giving up a piece of our heritage.”

Sully leaned back on the hood of his dark green Jeep allowing the serenity of the surrounding landscape to engulf him. Too many years had passed since he’d stayed for an extended period in Alder Gulch, Montana. The last time he’d visited, it had been just for a couple days to help his uncle with the sale of horses. The next time he visited, it was for Henry Cole’s funeral.

This afternoon however, there wasn’t much to do but wait so he finally had time to actually take his time and absorb the surroundings.

Time stood still on Cole lands it seemed. The natural beauty of the property never faded, but remained enthralling, picture perfect even. In over a hundred and fifty years, that his family owned the vast acreage little had changed. His uncle had been proud of that fact. Sully wondered if perhaps, change was inevitable.

The century-old cabins remained on the property. The remnants of stables and fencing survived as enduring reminders of generations of Coles who’d always lived on the land and a testament to good workmanship.

In the distance just past a large pond, there was a newer structure. It was his uncle’s log cabin, a stark contrast to the older dwellings. The home blended well with the surroundings, two stories tall with a beautiful rustic yet modern interior.

His uncle, a wealthy rancher had ensured the property remained maintained while at the same time the beauty of the land untouched.

Many a summer as a child he and his siblings had returned there along with cousins for family gatherings or to spend time with his aunt and uncle who doted on children.

As they’d grown into adulthood, and their uncle became too old to keep up with the upkeep of so many acres, a company had been hired to maintain the grounds near the older man’s cabin and to see after the horses.

Through the years, the rest of the Coles spread all over Montana and Wyoming had continued on with their lives, rarely returning to Alder Gulch.