The truth was this morning had been a little too cozy.
Between the children, whom he liked, and the mother-in-law, who had a right to be suspicious, Sam was definitely out of his element.
The beautiful Lucia Swallow, with all that silky black hair and laughing eyes and a body that a goddess would envy, had tempted him. Loneliness had made him stupid. Boredom had made him reckless.
Lucia needed a man like Jerry Thompson, a guy with roots. Sam had walked past Jerryâs house on his way to buy the flowers. It was an impressive home, easily the grandest in town. Sam shuddered at the thought of living in a home like that. Heâd spent much of his childhood dreaming of escaping the house with the wide staircase and the gleaming floors.
Heâd been crazy to invite himself to go with Lucia to the concert, but he didnât know how to get out of it without lying to her.
Dear Reader,
Last autumn, after spending three months without television, the first show I watched in a Montana motel room was something Iâd never seen before: River Monsters, on the Animal Planet channel. I have never pretended to be the least bit outdoorsy, but there was something about the combination of myth, mystery, dangerous locations and fishing for âthe big oneâ that entranced me. I was, if youâll forgive the expression, hooked. The showâs host, handsome and articulate adventurer Jeremy Wade, had his own appeal, so I gave The Husband Projectâs hero some of Mr. Wadeâs adventurous attributes.
I so hope you love the townspeople of Willing, Montana, as much as I do. Iâve spent so many months with them and want them all to live happily ever after. Iâd love to hear from you and promise to answer any and all emails. Thank you so much for spending time in Willing with me.
Love,
Kristine Rolofson
[email protected]
www.kristinerolofson.wordpress.com www.welcometowillingmontana.wordpress.com
Author of more than forty novels for Harlequin, Kristine Rolofson (along with her husband of forty-two years) divides her time between Rhode Island, Idaho and Texas, where her handsome and brilliant grandson entertains her with drum solos. When not writing, she quilts, bakes peach pies, plays the fiddle and sings in a country blues band. She collects vintage cowboy boots and will not tell you how many are in her closet.
CHAPTER ONE
SAM HOVE TOLD three people where he was going.
His agent was thrilled at the news. Surely in a place without temptations Sam would finish writing his book at last. The manuscript was long overdue and, according to Robert, was certain to be well received. At least by fellow anglers and zoologists.
His doctor took note of the location. Willing, Montana? Where the heck was that? He then reminded Sam to call if he had any questions and wished him luck. He also asked Sam to autograph a photo for his kids.
His best friend and cameramanâ Well, who knew what he thought, since heâd been much harder to contact directly. Russ was in the Amazon again. Sam had left a message in Belize with Russâs latest unstable girlfriend. Russ preferred women âon the edge,â heâd once explained. Sam kept his opinions to himself. Womenââon the edgeâ or otherwiseâwere either a luxury or an irritation that Sam couldnât afford.
Not that it mattered to a man with a damaged heart and three cracked ribs.
A surprisingly easy flight dropped him and his two battered leather bags in Billings, where heâd arranged, via the internet, for transportation to Willing. Finding a way to make getting to Willing work hadnât been easy, but Sam had tracked down someone online who knew someone who knew someone. Samuel Barlow Hove was accustomed to getting wherever he wanted to go. In fact, heâd made a living out of it.
A tall young man standing next to a black Cadillac SUV the size of a tank waved at him. Heâd parked along the curb and seemed oblivious to the swirling snow.
âMr. Hove?â
âTheo Porterman?â
âYes, sir,â the young man replied, and walked swiftly over to shake Samâs hand. He looked about twenty-five, with a large square face, an easy smile and hands like a wrestlerâs. Theo happened to be an auto mechanic who lived in Willing and he supplemented his income by chauffeuring when a trip happened to coincide with picking up auto parts.
âYou visiting someone in town, Mr. Hove?â Theo, wearing a flannel shirt, thick vest and jeans, hefted Samâs two bags into the backseat, then settled himself behind the wheel. He kept his leather gloves on. âCold day,â he said, adjusting the heater knobs.
âSam. And no, Iâm working,â he replied, climbing awkwardly into the passenger seat. Heâd known Montana would be cold, but the wind and the snow surprised him. He was grateful for his new wool shirt and down jacket, not to mention the waterproof boots, all compliments of Cabelaâs online catalog.