Kyle's Modern Montana Bride (The New Montana Brides Book 6) by Susan Leigh Carlton Page A

to fly with me?”
    “No, of course not, it’s nothing like that.” she said.
    “I love to fly, and having you fly with me is icing on the cake.”
    “I know, but I’m wondering if we’re moving too fast, you and I.” she said.
    “I want to be a part of your life, and Zach’s too. I’m going to pay for Zach’s upkeep, but I want to see him. You too,” he said.
    “I’ll accept your help with him, and it’s only right that you see him,” she said.
    “Susannah, are you doing the same thing to me your sister did?” he asked.
    “No,” she said furiously. “Don’t you dare compare me to her. I care for you. Too much, and that’s the problem. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I’m not sure I’m ready to give that up.”
    “Would it make any difference if I lived in Phoenix?” he asked.
    “It might. No. I don’t know. I’m really confused right now.”
    “That’s exactly what Ashley did. She said if I went into the Army, then it was over.
    “Now, you’re basically saying if I lived in Phoenix it would be different. Well, that’s not going to happen. This ranch is my home. It’s my business. Pop is going to retire in a few years, and it will be mine. I have to learn it and I can’t do that in Phoenix.”
    “That’s not what I’m saying at all. I would never ask you to give up the ranch.” She was crying now.
    “Do you want to see me?” he asked.
    “Yes, but I need for you to give me some time,” she said.
    “Take all of the time you need,” he said. “I’ll just sit here and twiddle my thumbs while you decide.”
    “Why don’t you just jump in your little airplane and go fly off somewhere,” she said. She was bawling as she ran into the house.
    Five minutes later, his mother came out. “What in the world did you do to that girl? She’s crying her eyes out.”
    “She’s doing the same thing Ashley did. She doesn’t want me to fly them home. She wants me to give her some time.”
    “Well, what’s wrong with that?” his mother said. “You’ve really only known her for a week Forget all the time before. It doesn’t count. You go in there and make it right. I mean it. Right now. Go.”
    Zach came out on the porch. “Did you and Aunt Susannah have a fight?”
    “No, we had a disagreement, that’s all,” Kyle said.
    “Then why is she crying? It was about me, wasn’t it? I wish you hadn’t found me.”
    “Zach, wait. I promise it wasn’t about you. Come on, I’ll prove it.” He led the way to Susannah’s room and knocked. “Susannah, we need to talk. It’s important. This time it’s me asking for your help. Would you please open the door?”
    The door opened, and she stood there, her beautiful eyes, all puffy and red from the crying. “What do you want?”
    “Zach thinks we argued because of him. He thinks it’s all his fault. He told me he wishes we hadn’t found him. Help me here, honey, please,” he pleaded.
    “Zach, we didn’t fight and the argument wasn’t because of you.” she said.
    “Can we talk again?” Kyle asked. “Zach, can you give us a few minutes?”
    “Susannah, I guess I overreacted. I do want to be a part of your life,” he said.
    “I opened myself to you in a way I have never in my life done,” she said. “It scared me. I want to think it through. I don’t want to rush into something that won’t work. When I marry, I want it to be forever.
    “I agree with what you’re saying,” he said. “What are your ground rules?”
    “How much time do you need?” he asked
    “Give me a week, but I may need two. I need to do some thinking I need to decide if I’m ready to relocate again. I have an obligation to my clients. As far as that goes, what do I want to do about the business? Don’t you see? It’s not a snap decision. It requires some thought.”
    “Can I call you? Will I see Zach? Will I ever see you? I need answers to those questions,” he said.
    “Okay, here’s the deal; you give me a week to ten days, don’t call