Wildest Dreams: A Small Town, Single Dad Romance (The Wilds of Montana Book 3)

“I think this is what driving like the proverbial granny is like,” I mutter to myself as I pull onto the highway, scared to death that I’m going to do something to hurt Ryan’s gorgeous car.

I’m as bad as old Mrs. Wilburn, the lady who drives twenty-five miles per hour on this highway.

With my lip gripped in my teeth, I press the accelerator and feel my eyes bug out when the sexy little car picks up speed and wants to get me a speeding ticket.

Careful not to go too far over the limit, I make my way into town, loving the way the powerful vehicle handles, and wonder if I could borrow this more often.

Then I shake my head. It’s too much responsibility. If something happened to this thing, I could never replace it.

It’s a beautiful Saturday morning as I coast into Bitterroot Valley. My first instinct is to swing by the shop, but then I shake my head.

“You planned to stay away until Tuesday,” I remind myself. “The least you can do is give it until Monday to jump back in.”

But I do let myself drive by real quick to take a peek of the outside. I like the new display in the window, and everything looks fine from here, so I sigh in relief and continue on to my house.

I notice that the grass has been freshly mowed when I pull into the driveway, and I make a mental note to pay my neighbor boy later today.

I grab my purse and am sure to lock the car when I close the driver’s door and head inside. After unlocking the door, I push inside and stop cold, blinking slowly.

All of my packages from Paris, along with my luggage, are sitting neatly in my living room, waiting for me.

“Who the hell delivered those?” I wonder out loud and make another mental note to ask Ryan exactly that when I talk to him later.

I will admit, though, that it’s nice to have them here already, and I can unpack and sort and stow away everything when I’m ready to. I can’t wait to admire all my new clothes and bags and shoes.

“Was it a dream?” I murmur, and then look over at the bags from Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès and decide that it was very real.

With a happy sigh, I turn to go back to my bedroom and then pause once more when I realize that the living room is now open to the kitchen, and it’s finished.

The entire renovation is done, and my brand-new kitchen, which looks like it came out of a freaking magazine, is decorated and looks like it’s been this way for years.

“What in the actual hell?” I mutter as my feet slowly carry me toward the new space. First of all, I love that it’s now open to the other room. It feels so much bigger, and the tones of cream and sage green, with pops of pink here and there, are just so…pretty.

The lower cabinets are painted that lovely green, with the uppers cream, and the countertop is a gorgeous white marble. The appliances are top-of-the-line stainless steel, and even the light fixture is new.

“How did they manage to do all of this in a week?” I wonder as I stand here, just on the other side of the island, and turn a circle, taking it all in. There’s no sign that any construction took place at all.

How?

I mean, sure, he’s wealthy, but how did Ryan pull this off?

I shake my head in wonder and then step around the amazing new island to open cupboards and explore. My old dishes are there, but there are some new ones mixed in, too. New small appliances, and I realize there’s a door that wasn’t there before.

Upon opening it, I find a freaking pantry.

“Is he a wizard?” I turn again in awe. He managed to have a pantry added on, and my house isn’t that big.

I cross my arms over my chest and turn so I can see the whole space, the kitchen and living room, and when I see all the bags and boxes from our trip, my heart starts to beat faster.

This is a lot.

Add in the air conditioning he had installed not long ago, and Ryan Wild has spent a shit ton of money on me.

I frown and tap my finger to my lips.

“I wonder how much the trip cost.” I cross to my carry-on bag and pull my laptop out, open it, and find the website for the Ritz Paris, then price out what the Suite Coco Chanel costs each night.

“Holy fucking shit.” I cough, practically pee my pants, and have to back away from the computer.

It’s suddenly hard to breathe in here, so I grab my purse and walk outside, but frown at the Aston Martin, which is blocking my garage.

I don’t want to drive that.

So, I set off on foot toward downtown. I need to see Summer. She texted me the other day and said that she’s at her shop pretty much twenty-four seven as she gets ready to reopen, so I figure she’s probably there already this morning.

Even if she’s not, I need to clear my head.

Bitterroot Valley is beautiful any time of year, but I especially love it in the fall. The leaves have started to change color, and some are even falling to the ground.

I rub my arms, wishing for a sweater, and then sigh.

Of course, I forgot it at home. I forget everything.

But it’s not long before I’m turning down Main Street and knocking on the door of Paula’s Poseys. Summer comes around from a back room, smiles, and hurries over to unlock the door for me.

“You’re home!” She wraps me in her arms and holds on tight. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Me, too, actually,” I reply. “I know I’m interrupting and you’re busy, but⁠—”

“Get in here.” Summer yanks me by the hand, pulls me into the shop, and locks the door behind us, setting an alarm. Her husband, Chase, is a stickler when it comes to alarm systems. “I want to know everything. Did you bring your new stuff to show me? Where is it?”

“At home,” I reply with a laugh. “It’s too much to bring to you. You’ll have to come over later, and I’ll unpack it all and show you as I put it away.”

“Wow.” Summer wiggles her eyebrows. “Score. I can’t wait to see. Did you have a magical time?”

“Yes.” Of that, I’m certain. “We had a great time, and Paris is amazing. It was everything I’d ever hoped for.”

“Aww.” She sighs happily. “You’re going to make me cry.”

Suddenly, Summer’s dog, Lily, saunters out of the back and hurries over to me to get some pets.

“Hello, beautiful girl.” I squat so I can give Lily attention, and the French bulldog happily licks at my face. “I missed you, too. Yes, I did. Are you a good girl?”

“Did you have all the French sex?” Summer inquires.

“Oh, yeah. Lots of that.” I laugh and stand, and Lily finds her dog bed, curls up, and immediately begins to snore. “Those Wild men…the orgasms are intense.”

“I know.” Summer winks at me. “And bless them for it. Tell me everything. I want to know about the shows and the parties and the celebrities you met! Oh, and don’t forget to fill me in on the story of this.”

She opens up her phone and turns it to face me, and there’s a photo of Ryan and me. I’m in the green dress, and he’s kneeling next to me. He had just fastened the strap of my shoe, and his lips are planted on my calf. My red lips are tipped up in a half smile as I gaze down at him.

My stomach clenches. I have to frame that picture.

“That might be the sexiest photo I’ve ever seen,” Summer continues and fans her face.

“Will you send this to me?”

“Of course.” She taps the screen again, and then my phone dings in my pocket. “There you go. Now, spill it.”

“I will. I promise. I’ll tell you every single detail, and I’ll use all the dirty words⁠—”

“Because you’re my person.”

“But I need some advice first.”

“Oh.” She blinks and then frowns as she really looks at me. “You’re a little pale. Are you okay?”

“I’m…confused.”

I lean on her new countertop and drop my head in my hands. Tears threaten, and before I can ask, there’s a tissue under my nose.

“Come on, tell me what’s going on. Was he mean to you? I’ll kick his ass. He’s my brother-in-law, and I love him, but that doesn’t mean I won’t kick his ass.”

I laugh through the tears and shake my head. “No, he wasn’t mean at all. The opposite, actually. Summer, he’s just so…generous. I looked up how much it costs to stay in that suite per night, and I know they increase the price during fashion week. That alone was in the six figures. He bought me everything I wanted. If I looked at it, he signaled for the sales associate to put it aside for me.”

“Atta boy, Ryan,” she says smugly, but I shake my head.

“Then I came home just a bit ago, and my entire kitchen renovation is done. Completely finished, and it wasn’t a minor thing, Summer. It was a big project, and he managed to make sure that it was done by the time I got home. It’s even decorated, and there are new dishes and stuff in the cabinets.”

“Wow,” she says, blinking in surprise now. “It took me three months longer than I was contracted for to get this place done.”

“I know! So, how did he do that?”

“Honey, I don’t think you quite understand just how rich Ryan is. I don’t think there’s much out there that he can’t make happen.”

“Isn’t that weird? It’s weird, right?”

I pace away from her now, on a roll.

“He had the AC installed in one day. And then this with my kitchen. And when I got home, all of my luggage and bags and boxes from Paris were in the middle of my living room, waiting for me. Who did that, Summer?”

“Mac has a key to your house,” she reminds me. “Ryan probably texted him and asked him to unlock the house so everything could be delivered. It’s not magic. He’s not some kind of wizard.”

“I think he is.” I let out a deep breath. “And this morning, we hurt Jake’s feelings. We didn’t mean to, but we were having breakfast at the new table, and when Jake walked in, his face was just crestfallen, Summer. That was supposed to be a special thing for the two of them, and there I was, horning in on it. I felt so guilty. They’re just hitting their stride together, and they don’t need me messing it all up for them.”

“Wait, are you telling me that you don’t want to be with Ryan?”

“No.” I shake my head and then sigh, feeling tears coming again. “This jet lag is stupid.”

“Oh, honey.” Summer hurries around the counter to pull me in for a hug. “You’re overwhelmed; that’s what this is. And I get it, that’s a lot, even if it is all good stuff. Except the part about Jake. That sucks.”

“I feel so guilty,” I admit out loud for the first time. “I feel guilty that I’m pulling some of Ryan’s attention away from Jake because that kid deserves every bit of Ryan’s attention, Summer.”

“I know he does.”

“I should have known better.” I pull away from her and dab at my eyes. “I knew that they hadn’t used it yet. I knew. But I was in this haze of hangover from the best trip of my life and all the amazing sexy time and how good I feel when I’m at Ryan’s house, or just with him at all, and I was thoughtless.”

“Uh, Polly? You were simply human. You’d just traveled a long way, it was morning, and you wanted breakfast. Cut yourself some slack.”

“You didn’t see his face.”

“That’s fair. I didn’t. Okay, you need to chat with Jake. What else do you feel guilty about?”

“Make that guilty and ungrateful,” I say as I wipe my hand down my face and lower myself into a new chair in the corner of the store. “You put chairs in here?”

“For the brides,” she confirms. “When they come in for consults.”

“Oh, smart. Love that. Good idea. Anyway, he dropped too much money on me. Not just on Paris, but on my house, too. It’s too much, Summer. We’re just dating. We’re not engaged or married, or anything like that.”

“But you’re exclusive, right?”

“Well, yeah. I mean, we haven’t said the words, we’re exclusive, but we’re not seeing anyone else. And exclusivity doesn’t mean that he should drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on me.”

“Okay, I’m going to be real with you here,” she says with a sigh. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I don’t think you really understand just how wealthy that man is. Polly, he’s not simply rich. He’s filthy rich. The filthiest rich there is. What he’s spent on you? It’s pocket change for him. He’ll never miss it.”

“I—”

“Whoa.” She puts up a hand, stopping me. “I love that you don’t want to take advantage of him, but you’re not, Polly. Ryan is a generous guy. He paid for a good portion of our house.”

I feel my eyes go wide. “What? Why?”

“That’s between Chase and Ryan, but I think part of it was as simple as because he loves his little brother and wanted to buy him a house.” Summer shrugs. “I don’t know. I wasn’t there for that conversation. He’s generous, and he likes to give like that.”

I worry my bottom lip with my teeth. “He did tell me that his love language is gifts.”

“He didn’t lie,” she confirms. “He’s not trying to impress you or buy you. He just wants to give you nice things. And he can. It’s actually really romantic.”

“And really overwhelming.”

“Do you hate the kitchen? Did he overstep and approve something that you don’t like?”

“Are you kidding? It’s beautiful. It probably doubled my property value.”

Summer laughs. “I can’t wait to see it. It’s okay to get spoiled. You’re not a jerk about it or anything.”

“I guess.” I sigh, feeling marginally better. “But maybe I should take a few days and keep a little distance. Let Jake and Ryan settle back in and smooth those ruffled feathers.”

“I don’t know that I agree, but you know them better than me.”

My phone pings with another text, and I pull it out to check it.

“This is from Jake,” I say, surprised.

Jake: Sorry I was a big jerk. I’m glad you’re back and had fun. Dad didn’t make me send this.

I laugh and show it to Summer, who grins at me. “I think those boys like you, my friend.”

“Yeah, I think they do. Okay, I feel better. Have you been over to my shop lately?”

Suddenly, Summer looks guilty.

“What aren’t you telling me?”

“I promised I wouldn’t say anything until you were back.”

“I’m back now, so spill it.”

“Well…oh, hell.” Summer shakes her head. “Grace quit while you were gone and left the others in a bit of a bind. They’ve been working extra shifts to cover, but it’s been rough being down two people, you know? I actually went in and helped one afternoon, but I don’t really know what I’m doing.”

“Holy fucking shit!” I can’t believe this! “Why didn’t anyone tell me? I would have come home.”

“That’s exactly why no one told you,” she says. “Because although it’s been tight, they’ve done it and will continue to do so until you’re back to work.”

“Which will be today.” I check my watch and want to cry. “Shit, that’s in an hour. I’d better get home and change so I’m not late.”

“Do you think it’ll really matter if you’re a few minutes late, given that you’re not even supposed to be there today?”

“You know what I mean.” I hurry to her and hug her close. “Thanks for the advice. I think that I panicked.”

“Understandable. Don’t get in a wreck on your way home.”

“I’m on foot. I don’t have my car because I took Ryan’s Aston Martin home this morning, and it was blocking my garage with my car inside, so I just walked.”

Summer smirks. “Oh, you took the Aston Martin.”

“Shut up.” I turn and walk away, pausing while she unlocks the door for me. “See you later!”

“Good luck!”

Ryan: I’m headed to town for a bit. I can pick up the car, if you’d like?

I grin as I rush out of my house, changed and ready to go to the shop for the day, coffee in hand.

I sit in the car and get situated and then return his text.

Me: Yes! Please take this car back before I do something horrible to it. I’m too clumsy to be responsible for it. I’m headed to work, so you can pick it up in front of the shop.

I sip my coffee and wait while that little bubble bounces as he replies.

Ryan: You’re not clumsy, but I’ll pick it up at the shop. Why are you working? Thought you were taking a few more days?

Me: Seems there were some issues while I was away, so I need to go in. My vacation is over. I guess that’s what happens when you’re the boss. I hope you are able to take today off!

More bouncing bubbles, and then,

Ryan: I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll pop my head in when I get there. See you soon!

With that settled, I start the car and drive the short distance downtown, parking in front of my store. When I reach for my coffee, it slips in my hand, the lid pops off, and half of it spills all over this amazing vehicle, drowning my phone.

“You have got to be fucking kidding me!” I groan, paralyzed. What do I do first?

I decide that first, I say fuck about seven more times, and then I whip my shirt over my head—there’s no time to run in for towels—and sop up most of the coffee.

My phone won’t even turn on at this point, so I think it might have given up the ghost. I look around, make sure no one is looking this way, and then I rush into the shop. They opened twenty minutes ago, so the door is unlocked.

“I’ll be right there,” Melissa calls out from the back, and I frown. Melissa and Jessica should be here until Katie gets here after school.

I rush over and pull a green T-shirt in my size off of the table and yank it over my head, then pair it with a cute, white button-down shirt to go over it.

I’ve just finished tucking the tee into my jeans when Melissa comes around the corner, and her face immediately goes white as snow.

“Oh.” Her mouth bobs open and closed. “Hi, uh, Polly. Welcome back.”

“Thanks.” For the first time since walking in here, I look around and feel my anger from earlier fill me up all over again. “Melissa?”

“Yes?”

“What in the actual fuck?”

“I know it’s a little messy, and I planned to have it cleaned up before you got back, but with Grace quitting—oh, she quit, by the way—and now Jessica’s out, too⁠—”

“Why is Jessica out?”

“Her dad died.” Melissa cringes and then shrugs. “She’s taking leave until after the funeral next week. So, it’s just been Katie and me figuring things out⁠—”

I hold up a hand, stopping her from saying any more.

Suddenly, the bell above the door dings, and I turn to find Ryan striding in, looking fresh and perfect, with no sign of jet lag anywhere to be found.

“Hey, babe,” he says with a grin and leans in to kiss me. When he pulls back, his eyes narrow. “That bad?”

“Yeah, I think so. Listen, about your car.” I wince and feel close to tears, but suck them in. I’m so mad and embarrassed and tired. “I spilled my coffee inside, and I sopped up most of the mess, but it’s going to need a detail. I’m so sorry, Ryan. I told you that I’m not to be trusted with nice things.”

“Stop,” he says and drags his fingertips down my jawline. I want to lean into him. I want to go home with him and cuddle up on the couch and just be. “It was an accident, which could happen to anyone. I’ll take care of it.”

He’s totally calm, as if the fact that I spilled coffee all over that incredible leather interior doesn’t bother him at all.

“That’s it?”

“What did you expect? That I’d scream at you?” he asks and shakes his head. “It happens, no biggie. I’ll call you later.”

He kisses me once more, and then he’s gone, and I didn’t even get the chance to tell him that I think my phone was a casualty in the Polly versus Coffee war.

With a sigh, I turn back to Melissa, who’s managed to pull herself together. Something doesn’t feel right here, and I’m determined to get to the bottom of it. I have a feeling that I have some long days ahead of me.

“Come on,” I say with a weary sigh. “We have work to do.”