Katy wasn’t sure she’d ever had a conversation with someone that was at once the most entertaining, lighthearted, fun she’d ever had…and also the most intimate, the most heartwrenching, the most soul-bearing.

She certainly hadn’t experienced anything like it while on a date.

Once dessert arrived at their table, the conversation turned back to lighter topics, though she couldn’t quite shake the feeling that the deep-seated fears and wants she’d accidentally uncovered while talking to Dax wouldn’t just fade back into the background.

But she needed time to process, time to think it through and figure out what to do with these new insights.

These new emotions.

This trip to Montana was supposed to have been about work, nothing else. It was supposed to be a duty, an assignment—one she grit her teeth and got through.

It wasn’t supposed to be fun. It definitely wasn’t supposed to be life-altering. And she sure as heck wasn’t supposed to be having eye-opening, soul-searching conversations with a cowboy who was quickly becoming as necessary in her life as water and air.

As dinner wrapped up and Dax paid the bill, she reminded herself of their earlier agreement. They were supposed to be enjoying this rare connection while this trip lasted. That was it.

She’d have all the time in the world to explore these new realizations and emotions once she was back in LA.

The thought of leaving filled her with dread. It was ridiculous but true. She needed more time. Maybe with a little more time she’d have this all sorted. Maybe Dax would be out of her system by then.

Yeah right.

She ignored that voice and then forgot about it all together as Dax helped her out of her seat. Her initial reaction was to get huffy.

She didn’t need help getting out of her chair, for mercy’s sake. But she just couldn’t find it within herself to get irritated. She was starting to recognize that Dax’s old-fashioned ways had nothing to do with backwards, chauvinistic thinking and everything to do with being raised to be a polite gentleman.

There was a difference and, sadly, she just wasn’t used to seeing the latter in action out in the real world. She’d actually started to think that sort of behavior only existed in old movies.

Old movies and Lulu, Montana, she thought with a grin.

“What’s so funny?” he asked as he held the door open for her. She shook her head. “Nothing. Just happy.”

“It looks good on you,” he said. He’d leaned down a bit to say it close to her ear. He’d done it so the people passing by them to get into the restaurant wouldn’t hear, but the effect was still heady. She’d felt his breath on her neck and a shiver ran through her as the deep timbre of his voice reverberated through her.

Wow. She would happily curl up on her sofa and listen to this man read the phone book. She wondered if anyone had ever talked to him about narrating audiobooks. He would make a killer narrator for a steamy cowboy romance.

She giggled at the image in her head of an actual cowboy narrating a cowboy romance. He didn’t ask her what she was laughing about this time, but he gave her cute grin as he reached for her hand.

It was too easy. That was about the millionth time she’d had that thought, but it was true. It was just too easy with Dax. Holding hands had never felt so natural. Talking about intense emotional baggage had never been so effortless. Seeing someone for who he really was had never been so instinctual.

After a moment she realized he was steering her away from the truck, through town once more. But he seemed to have a mission.

“Where are we heading?” she asked.

He turned back with a grin. “You’ll see.”

Soon enough she did see. He led her off Main Street and through some side streets before it opened up to a clearing where hundreds of people were lying out on blankets or talking in groups.

It clicked once she saw some kids run past with sparklers. “Fireworks?”

He nodded. “It’s a Lulu tradition. Claire’s mother runs it.” He shook his head as he led her toward the center, giving a small wave or nod of greeting when people called his name.

She was suddenly incredibly aware of the fact that everyone here knew Dax. Not only that, but he was clearly beloved. She’d thought that earlier when they were walking Main Street. She knew she’d been right that most of the interest in her had to do with the fact that she was there with him. With everyone’s favorite hometown cowboy. The man who stayed to take care of his sister and his family’s land.

She felt a surge of emotion that she couldn’t quite explain as she let him lead her to a clear spot, where a couple of lawn chairs were waiting for them. It was a bittersweet feeling of pride at being with this solid, dependable, beloved man and a little heartache at knowing that he wasn’t hers to keep.

Dax gestured for her to take one of the seats. “My lady,” he said with a flourish as he pulled a blanket from a stack of goodies she hadn’t seen beside the chairs.

She gaped at the seating setup for a moment. “Where did this come from? I’ve been with you pretty much all day.”

“I have my ways.” His grin was wicked and delicious. This was an entirely new side of him, one she had a feeling most didn’t see.

She loved it. Playful and mischievous, flirtatious and intimate. This was a side of him only a woman he was in a relationship would see.

Or a woman he was dating for one holiday weekend.

She held back a sigh and forced a smile as she sank into the lawn seat. She found herself blushing when he draped the cozy blanket over her bare legs. She wasn’t embarrassed by the display of affection or even irritated at being spoiled. It was just so new. This feeling of being taken care of…but in a good way. There was nothing condescending or controlling about Dax.

Sure he might be old-fashioned but she never once felt like he doubted her competence or wanted to have some sort of power over her. The lucky woman who ended up with Dax would be an equal partner—cherished and respected. That woman would never have to doubt his fidelity or his honor, that was for sure. And she wouldn’t have to fear that he would try and steal her independence to compensate for some sort of overdeveloped male ego.

This time she did sigh and Dax, who’d just sat beside her, leaned over. “Is everything okay?”

Her smile was genuine as she leaned forward too so their noses were nearly touching. “I was just thinking that you are quite possibly too good to be true.”

He widened his eyes in surprise before bursting into laughter. “I doubt that, but if you could say something to that effect to my siblings, I’d be much obliged.”

She laughed too. “Speaking of your siblings…” She caught sight of Cole and Claire a short distance away watching them with encouraging smiles.

Dax looked too and rolled his eyes. “Okay, fine. My secret is out. I called ahead and asked Cole to give me a hand setting up while you and I were at dinner.”

“That was nice of him,” she said.

“That’s what family’s for.” He said it so quickly, so easily, she knew it was something he said often. Probably something they’d all grown up saying.

“You’re lucky, you know that?”

He must have heard the seriousness beneath her light tone because his gaze met hers straight on and he turned serious. “I know that.”

“I don’t have any siblings,” she said. “I often wonder if maybe I would have turned out differently if I did.” Like maybe her father wouldn’t have been so crazy controlling and maybe she would have had people around her to help navigate the dating world so she didn’t end up with someone exactly like her father.

He studied her expression. “I often wonder how different I’d be if my parents hadn’t died when they had.” He gave a little shrug. “I wonder how different we’d all be, me, Cole, and Alice.”

She nodded. “Well, from where I’m sitting, you three turned out pretty darn well.”

Their gazes locked for so long that she forgot what they were talking about. She forgot where they were and what they were doing. They could have been sitting anywhere and talking about anything. All of it was secondary to this overwhelming feeling of rightness.

This feeling of belonging, of being home for the first time in her life, this feeling had nothing to do with Lulu but everything to do with this man.

The sound of the first fireworks finally interrupted their gazing and hand-holding, and brought her back to the moment. They were being watched but she didn’t care. Not anymore. His hand was firm around hers as she leaned back in her seat, tipped her head back, and watched brilliant lights fill the night sky.

After a moment she felt him lean in her direction and heard his voice close to her ear. “I’m glad you’re here with me, Katy Hunter.”

She smiled up as another round of fireworks filled the air.

She couldn’t have said it better herself.