How’s life treatin’ ya?” Luke grinned at Montana’s perky, playful greeting. They were standing near a fragrant rose bush at Lacy’s. The shadows from the oil lantern cast a soft glow on Montana’s skin—she looked beautiful. “I’m fine, Montana. Life’s fine. I can’t complain. How about you? Enjoying the party?” He’d arrived at the barbecue at the Matlocks’ a little while earlier, and mingled while Montana made the rounds talking with groups of people Lacy had introduced her to. He’d caught her looking at him a few times across the crowd. Something about her drew him, and he got the feeling she was just as curious about him. She took a sip of sweet tea, watching him with steady blue-green eyes. “The party—it’s good.” “I agree.” He caught that she didn’t say anything about how life was treating her and he wondered about that. “How’s your riding going?” “Okay. Murdock’s a little happier with me today. He wants to win, and he knows the problem is me.”
