Montana Cherries Read Online Free

out a shy “Thank you” herself. The latter touched Ben’s heart. Jenna and Haley had gotten along like long-lost friends all afternoon. She’d even smiled a couple of times throughout dinner. And she’d eaten most of the food on her plate.
    This was apparently what he’d needed the last few weeks. Another child for his daughter to feel comfortable around. Hopefully by being around Jenna, Haley would eventually feel more at ease with him.
    “As far as I can tell,” Ben started, glancing at his daughter as he spoke and going for a teasing tone, same as he’d heard earlier from Dani, “she’s some kind of meat loaf whisperer.”
    Jenna laughed at his words. Haley merely blinked.
    Damn.
    “What’s a meat loaf whisperer?” Jenna asked.
    Ben pretended his daughter was as interested in his answer as her friend was, and included them both in his explanation. “It’s someone who can take a pound of beef”—he lifted both hands and moved them like he was molding and shaping a block of clay—“and work it, and coax it into this magical”—he wiggled his fingers and waggled his eyebrows—“amazing meal we just ate.”
    Jenna laughed again, her chuckle lighthearted and fun, and Haley almost lifted one corner of her mouth. He let the air out of his chest. It would have to do.
    He snagged Dani’s gaze over Jenna’s head as her blue eyes locked in on him. He’d caught her watching him several times throughout the meal, and he couldn’t help but wonder what was going through that brain of hers. Had she picked up on just how much his daughter hated him?
    Or was she thinking about the past? About them?
    Whatever had been running through her mind, he was appreciative of the warm welcome from everyone. Being included brought him back to good times. He’d always enjoyed being here. It felt like family.
    And he’d always enjoyed the pleasant scenery that was Dani. That hadn’t changed.
    Her dark hair, piled on top of her head, formed a soft halo around her features, and her soft gray shirt had a way of accenting her eyes. He hadn’t thought about her too much over the years. He hadn’t let himself. But sitting here, sharing a meal with her tonight, had flooded him with memories. She’d always done the cooking. She’d always done the cleaning. And she’d never once complained.
    Dani Wilde was a sweet, hardworking, amazingly capable woman.
    Whose innocence he’d taken the last time he’d been here.
    Guilt closed his throat as he glanced away from her. That night had crossed his mind about a thousand times over the last week. He’d known, if he planned to come back here, he would have to face what he’d done.
    Not that she’d been innocent in all of it.
    She’d come on to him first. Then she’d showed up at his room later that night and practically stripped naked just inside his door. But he should have at least called after he left. Or something. Sent a thank-you card? An “I’m sorry” card?
    Made sure she didn’t leave his room that night?
    Or . . .
    He glanced down at his plate. He could have not slept with her at all.
    Heaviness sat in his chest as Max began telling a story about a trip he and Gloria had recently taken to the East Coast. Ben tried to focus on the words, but his mind wasn’t through playing with the past.
    Dani had been a virgin. At twenty-two.
    He never would have imagined that.
    On the other hand, he should have known. Hadn’t she told him during one of their many talks that she hadn’t really dated in high school? She’d been too focused on getting a scholarship. Then her mother had been killed in a car accident and after only two months at college, Dani had come home to help her dad finish raising her brothers. When would she have had time to sleep with anyone?
    And what right had he to take that from her even though she had offered it? After all her family had done for him. He’d felt like a heel.
    And he hadn’t known she’d been a virgin.
    “Dani will have to check it