Sterling-A Montana Dayton Novel

By Lynn Thompson

When Montana wakes up every morning wearing gorgeous jewels, and surrounded by priceless gems she doesn't know where to turn. She doesn't remember where, or who she's getting the glittery baubles from.
To make matters worse, Max has found her and insists they continue their relationship where they left off.
Montana has bigger concerns than dating Max, besides she's not sure whether or not she can trust him.
Where are the jewels coming from? And who is this guy threatening her family?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lynn Thompson
• Release date: Aug 16, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311268419

Lynn Thompson

Lynn Thompson’s place is in the Land of Enchantment, where the sky is turquoise blue, the fires rage, and there is rain and/or snow without a cloud in the sky.Lynn lives with her husband, son, dog, cat, and a tank full of fish. In her spare time she loves to hike, camp, read and write fiction.She has a degree in graphic arts and web design, but doesn’t have a specific genre that she writes her books in. She has two novels out: Blake-A Montana Dayton Novel and Sterling-A Montana Dayton Novel. She also has two short stories books out: Dark Fates and News Worthy.

Book preview

Sterling

By

Lynn Thompson

SMASHWORDS EDITION

PUBLISHED BY:

Lynn Thompson on Smashwords

All of the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The names, incidents, dialogue and opinions expressed are the products of the author's imagination and are not to be constructed as real. The events in this book are entirely fiction and by no means should anyone attempt to live out the actions that are portrayed in the book.

Copyright © 2016

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions. All rights reserved.

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Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

About the Author

Prologue

In the deep waters off the Florida Gulf Coast the sands shifted with the winds and tides of time, scattering all that has floated down to rest on the bottom of the ocean.

"Once will be again," the waters sighed.

Chapter One

ANTANA! ANTANA! CHARLIE shouted at me as she barreled down the stairs. Me and Dad are going swimming at the ocean today.

First of all that’s ‘Dad and I,’ my sister said, grabbing Charlie and swinging her up onto her hip, and secondly, I suggest you make those two words, like ‘Aunt Tana’ or ‘Aunt Montana.’ Now give me a hug and go get ready.

Charlie threw her arms around her mom while shooting me an I was just having fun look. As soon as she ran up the stairs, I laughed.

I’ve got to admit, ‘Antana’s a good one, I said.

Charlie’s my niece. She’s three years old, or should I say almost four years old. She has black hair like her father, blue eyes like her mother, and is very outgoing and happy. She loves people and animals, and is as cute as a child could be, but is also hell on wheels.

Try being called a parental guidance counselor, my sister said, blowing out a breath and smiling. She tried that one on us last month. We told her to stick with Mom and Dad. I don’t know where she comes up with this stuff.

That’s almost better than Antana. Can I call you parental guidance counselor?

No!

Aunt Tana! Charlie screeched, running back down the stairs with her dad in tow. Please come swimming with us. Ittlbefun!

Not this time, I said as I picked her up and tickled her. Your mom and I are going shopping. We’ll meet you at the Shed for lunch, before we go dolphin watching.

Okay, Charlie said, giggling.

Shopping wasn’t the real reason I didn’t want to go swimming. I hate shopping.

Last year I had bought a house up in the mountains. It was supposed to be my winter retreat where I could take time for myself. Unfortunately a government experiment escaped, and in a fight for my life I was left with some massive scars across my upper arm and side. I hadn’t told my family about it and wasn’t sure I wanted to. I like to think of them as my battle scars.

If I mentioned that time of my life to my family I would also have to explain about Max. I was trying really hard to forget about Max.

The scars were easy enough to hide until I decided whether or not I wanted to go through plastic surgery, but I wasn’t convinced all of the poison injected into me from those claws was out of my system. I wasn’t sure if I should have the surgery. My scars still burned periodically to this day.

Alright, hand her over, my sister’s husband Shawn said.

Shawn, my favorite husband, is what I usually call him, and Charlie’s father. He’s gorgeous, sensitive, and totally in love with my sister. He would do anything for her. That was the type of guy I wanted if I could ever get myself to settle down. He has short black hair, already starting to gray at the sides, and hazel eyes, along with a nice muscled body from working construction most of his life. He’s the kind of guy that wakes up with a smile on his face every morning, which is kind of disgusting, but he can be strict when he needs to be.

I blew out a breath and smiled. This had turned out to be a better vacation then the winter one I’d planned, and it was all because of my sister. She wants another baby. What better way to make one then sun and beaches? I’m happy for them, and much better equipped to be an aunt than a mom.

You two enjoy your swim. We’ll see you at lunch, I said as I gave Charlie a big smooch on the cheek.

I grabbed my purse and stepped out onto the porch with Zoë behind me. The weather down here in Florida was absolutely fabulous. The perfect amount of heat and humidity warmed up my body. And the water wasn’t too cold either.

It’s perfect down here, Zoë said, pulling out her sunglasses. Just perfect.

My thoughts exactly: not quite summer yet, so not too hot or humid.

Charlie’s not going to try to ride Killer again, is she? I asked.

Killer’s my chocolate lab/bullmastiff mix. He’s still a puppy even though he weighs about a hundred pounds now. If there’s a mean bone in his body I haven’t seen it yet. Charlie tried to ride Killer like a horse a few days ago. He wasn’t very happy about it. He lay down and rolled over on top of her, pinning her, but not hurting her.

She promised she wouldn’t. She didn’t like being stuck under a hundred pounds of dog.

Good. Charlie was usually good about keeping her promises.

The house we were staying in was only a short walking distance to the Watercolor Resort and all of its shops and restaurants, but still far enough away for the privacy I craved. We took our time walking to the storefront.

***

There’s someone following us, my sister said after the third shop we’d stopped at.

There’s always somebody following us. We’re beautiful people, I mocked jokingly. I really hadn’t been paying attention.

We had won the lottery a little over a year ago and I’d finally gotten used to people looking at me like I was familiar.

I’m serious, Montana. She tried to point, but her hands were too full of bags with clothes and shoes in them.

Don’t point, just tell me where.

Really hot, sexy guy on the corner to your left, she whispered, taking a step back so I’d be able to see. Black hair, sunglasses.

I turned my head slightly. My heart dropped into my chest. An electrical bolt sizzled through me.

I normally wear dark lens sunglasses. I was glad I had them on now. They hid the emotions that I’m sure were flitting through my eyes.

Keep walking. We’re almost to the restaurant.

You should go talk to him.

No. If I ignored him he might go away.

My sister’s mouth fell open. She closed it quickly, grinning at me. You know him, don’t you?

My lips thinned. I thought I’d put a good amount of distance between us when I left the mountains, but his job was tracking down people, and other things, so I wasn’t surprised he’d found me.

He’s hot! she exclaimed, blatantly staring at him. Oh, he’s gay, isn’t he?

I smiled, wishing that were the problem.

What’s ‘gay’ Mom? What does ‘gay’ mean? Charlie had snuck up behind us while my sister stood gawking.

She bit her lip. Happy, honey. It means happy.

Who are you staring at? Shawn asked as he walked up to join us.

My sister nudged me. That guy over there. He’s been following us.

Shawn looked over at Max. Yes, Max, the guy I’d been trying to forget about.

Before I had the chance to say no, Shawn crossed the street and stalked toward Max. Shawn’s a formidable person, but Max was worse.

Oh shit! I replied too late. I bit my tongue.

Auntie Tana, that’s a bad word and you’re not supposed to say it! Charlie frowned at me while tapping her toe.

Sorry, Charlie. I put on my best forgive me face. I’ll never do it again.

My sister couldn’t keep her eyes off Max and Shawn.

What do you think they’re talking about?

Max is inviting himself to lunch. I grimaced. And most likely Shawn will let him.

Max loved to invade my space. Now that he’d been found out I was pretty sure that was going to happen. They both started heading toward us. My first reaction was to turn tail and run, which I would have done if my family weren’t here with me. Instead I stood firmly, taking in his powerfully built body. Max had this affect on me – I always felt like the proverbial moth being drawn to the flame around him.

He doesn’t look gay, my sister whispered as he strode over.

Montana, Max drawled.

Max. Even with his sunglasses on I felt his eyes linger over my body. I glared at him behind mine.

Max will be joining us for lunch, Shawn mentioned. Max, this is my beautiful wife, Zoë, and our even more beautiful daughter, Charlie.

Nice to meet both of you, Max grinned.

I headed into the restaurant, leaving them behind. I needed a beer and maybe a bottle of rum. I’m not really a drinker, but now might be the time to start. How dare he track me down? I’d been having a great time until he showed up. Trouble followed him.

Is he worried about me? He could have just talked to Rose or Chase to know I was all right.

Table for five, I told the waiter.

Of course that’s what Max did for a living--track people, things, creatures, but still. How dare he?

Max slipped up behind me as I reached the table, wrapping his arms around my waist, sending goosebumps over my flesh.

I told you that you belong to me, he whispered in my ear.

Oh brother. We only had one night together; he left me to heal on my own, and I was his property. I stood still, reining in my control. I wanted to jump him and punch him at the same time.

He stood back and pulled out a chair for me. I sat down and glanced around for my family.

Bathroom breaks, Max said.

I looked over at him, was just about to ask him what he was really doing here, when Charlie came bounding up, followed by mom and dad.

Are you gay? Charlie asked Max.

My sister’s jaw dropped, Shawn glared at Charlie, and I broke down into laughter.

His eyebrow rose. No.

That’s what I thought. You don’t look very happy to me, Charlie replied.

I laughed a little harder as my sister gave Max an apologetic gesture.

Remember your restaurant behavior, Shawn mumbled into Charlie’s ear as he plopped her down in her seat.

Yes, Dad. Charlie sat up straight, sighing.

We sat in silence until the waiter took our order. I decided to forgo the beer and rum; I’m really not much of a drinker. I ordered coffee, water, and a salad instead. My appetite had deserted me at the first glance of Max.

So what brought you to Florida? Zoë asked Max.

Montana and I have some unfinished business, Max replied, smiling at me.

You told me you were her neighbor, Shawn grumbled, eying Max.

He is my neighbor, I agreed. All I needed was for Shawn to get his feathers in a ruffle. Mine were ruffled enough for all of us.

My sister gave me a he’s your neighbor and he’s not gay--why didn’t you tell me? look.

I ignored her.

So what business do you have with my sister?

I glared at Max. If he so much as mentioned anything about last winter I would kill him.

She’s housing some of my horses. We were supposed to write out a contract for how long, and what the payment would be, but I got called out for work. I don’t like leaving my debts unpaid.

You could have called her.

I could have. I’d rather conduct business face to face.

I exhaled a long silent breath. They didn’t need to know Max and Rose already had an oral contract that worked well. Rose took care of my mountain property while I traveled, and Max paid Chase to take care of the horses, including mine, and Roses cat Pumpkin, along with Pumpkins new litter indefinitely. Chase worked for Max.

I’d been to his property. Even though he’d told Rose he was building his own barn, I didn’t see one being built, and no room around his cabin for a barn either. Unless he decided to cut down a ton of trees.

So what do you do for a living? Shawn asked.

I was expecting him to say it was classified.

I’m an independent contractor.

My eyebrow rose. The last time I’d talked to Max he still worked for the government.

Max grinned at me.

The waiter stopped by our table to take our plates and offer us dessert.

I’m good, I said, pushing away my barely touched salad. We should probably finish up here if we’re going to catch the boat.

About that, my sister said, looking guilty. We’re going without you this time.

Max tried to conceal his grin.

It was a request, Zoë said, picking up Charlie.

We’ll see you tonight, Shawn replied, while watching Max.

I threw some money on the table and followed them out the door. Max caught up to me as I was waving goodbye to Charlie. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close to him before brushing his lips over mine.

We should go back to my place, he growled softly under his breath.

No! I sighed, exasperated. I stepped out of his embrace. I turned toward the beach, kicking off my sandals as soon my toes touched the sand.

What is my problem? He was hot! He wanted me. He already had me. It was only one night, but it was one unforgettable night! What is wrong with me?

I didn’t trust him, or maybe it was me I didn’t trust with him.

Montana, we need to talk.

I shrugged my shoulders and kept walking. We strode side by side in silence, away from the public beach until I veered towards the ocean. My eyes glazed over; all of a sudden, I had this deep desire to go for a swim.

Max caught me before I dove into the ocean fully dressed. He threw me over his shoulder and carried me back up the beach. He sat down on a small mound of sand with me on his lap.

Montana. He snapped his fingers in front of my eyes. Come back to me. He gave me a gentle shake. Montana.

It took me a moment to focus on him, instead of the horizon beyond the ocean.

Montana. He tilted my face towards his and kissed me deeply.

I kissed him back before I realized what I was doing. I pulled away, disgusted with myself. I didn’t want to lead him on.

How did I end up in your lap? I somehow lost a couple of minutes