Painted Montana Sky: A Montana Sky Series Novella by Debra Holland Page B

set down his work and stepped out of the barn to shade his eyes and look up to where she painted. For her safety , he’d told himself, even though he’d left Patches with her, and knew, if need be, the dog would protect her and bark loud enough to summon help.
    But now when he rode into the clearing, saw the graceful line of her body as she bent over the easel, her profile when she glanced at the purple and blue violets peeking out through the grass, Tyler realized he had no doubt about one thing. I love her.
    ~ ~ ~
    Lily sat at her easel in the middle of a beautiful alpine meadow overlooking the ranch. Wearing his harness, Chico grazed in the lush grass not far away. Dove curled up next to her, worn out from chasing birds and butterflies. Patches lay nearby, dozing, but alert. Every sound would bring the dog’s head up, ears pricking as he surveyed their surroundings. Once assured all was well, he went back to sleep.
    Today was her last day of painting. Her portfolio was already full with several drawings of each flower she’d chosen for Mrs. Regis-Smith. She just needed one more.
    Lily added a dab of lavender to the blue violet on her paper. Sitting back, she squinted from the picture to the real flower. I’ve done it!   She released a sigh of satisfaction and set her brush into a cup of water, knowing she’d accomplished the best work of her life right here at Green Valley Ranch.
    I want to stay. Explore the area, paint more new flowers, trees, and bushes. How will I be able to confine myself to gardens and parks after having acres and acres of wilderness to inspire me?
    She gazed down into the valley, absorbing the beauty of the vista. From the higher elevation, she could see over the whole ranch: the brown dots of cattle, the river like a silken gray ribbon—not frightening from this far away—and closer the ranch house and big barn, looking like children’s toys. She could even make out Mrs. Pendell, as tiny as a doll, hanging out clothes on the clothesline.
    I don’t have to live in Chicago just because my family’s there. Lily wondered if living in nature would be worth not being with her father and sisters. We could exchange visits . But I certainly couldn’t return to Sweetwater Springs. Seeing Tyler and Oliver, knowing she couldn’t be part of their family…would hurt too much. The truth was, when she left, Lily would be leaving a big piece of herself at Green Valley Ranch. Maybe I can make a home in Colorado or Wyoming…. The thought made her heart ache.
    She reached down to pet Dove’s head, rubbing her ears.
    The animal gave her a sleepy doggy smile and licked her hand.
    Lily looked up at the sky, saying a prayer for guidance. Afterward, feeling more at ease, she watched a squirrel jump from one branch to another in a tall pine, silhouetted against the deep blue hues of the Montana sky she’d come to love.
    With the sixth sense she seemed to have developed around Tyler, Lily sensed his presence before she heard Domino’s hoofbeats. In the last few days, Tyler had ridden with her while she drove the buggy to a spot where he thought she could safely paint. Then he’d leave to attend to his ranch work, returning to check on her several times, often bringing food or something to drink. Twice, they’d shared a picnic and talked.
    He hadn’t kissed her again, but the awareness of those moments in the moonlight had shimmered between them. He found little excuses to touch her, tucking her hair behind her ears, taking her hand to help her over perfectly even ground, tapping her shoulder to get her attention and then pointing out something of interest, sitting close to her when he drove her someplace in the wagon.
    Lily had welcomed every touch—stored them in her body like a stone gathered the heat of the sun. She knew now that prior to meeting Tyler, she’d only lived in the shadows. In these past few days, she’d finally stepped into the light and felt happy and alive. But each day was also