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Montana Wishes: A Clean Romance
Montana Wishes: A Clean Romance
Montana Wishes: A Clean Romance
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Montana Wishes: A Clean Romance

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Caught between friendship

and falling in love…

Amanda Harrison’s life is changing way too fast. Discovering that she’s really one of the Montana Blackwells was hard enough. Now Blake Collins—her best friend and the guy Amanda’s secretly in love with—is engaged to someone else. But Montana cowboy country has a way of claiming its own. And being a Blackwell means Amanda must learn how to fight for herself…and for the love she deserves.

USA TODAY Bestselling Author

From Harlequin Heartwarming: Wholesome stories of love, compassion and belonging.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateSep 1, 2020
ISBN9781488068232
Montana Wishes: A Clean Romance
Author

Amy Vastine

Amy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read. Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, three fun-loving children, and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog. Visit her at www.amyvastine.com

Read more from Amy Vastine

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    Montana Wishes - Amy Vastine

    PROLOGUE

    BLAKE COLLINS STOOD in the Harrisons’ driveway with arms waving above his head like he was trying to flag down a rescue vehicle. Thirteen-year-old Amanda was stuck in the back of the minivan with her younger sister Fiona, who couldn’t stop touching the new stud earrings in her ears. Amanda didn’t have earrings, but she wouldn’t dwell on it or she’d cry.

    Blake was there to offer her the perfect distraction. Of course, there was no fast escape to get to her friend. Climbing over any of the triplets sitting in the middle row would only lead to a huge shouting match and Mom sending them all inside to think about how they should speak to one another. She couldn’t risk missing out on why Blake was here. Whenever he came over unexpectedly, he had a surprise.

    Don’t forget you all have chores to finish before dinner. Your father will be home soon, Mom reminded them all, but Amanda knew it was directed at her.

    Lily groaned. Sixteen-year-old Peyton turned around in the front passenger seat. Hey, Lil, no worries. I’ll help you get yours done. Please don’t give Mom a hard time.

    You’re going to help her? She doesn’t even have the hardest chore, and I have a ton of homework, Georgie complained.

    Lily, Georgie and Amanda were the triplets. The middle children in this lively family of seven. If there was one thing the triplets constantly fought over, it was fairness. It always seemed nothing was fair, however.

    I have a broken wrist. Lily held up her bright yellow cast as if none of them could see it from a mile away. I need the help more than you.

    Well, maybe you should stop trying to copy everything Danny does and you wouldn’t get hurt so often, Georgie said, folding her arms across her chest.

    Maybe if you didn’t study so much, you could get your chores done and have some fun like Danny and I do.

    Girls, we just spent an hour at the mall having some fun. Can we not argue for like five minutes? Mom was getting irritated.

    Amanda tried to keep the peace like Peyton. I’ll help you, Georgie. Let me see what Blake needs first.

    Her mom pulled into the driveway and Blake rested his hands on his hips.

    I still can’t believe you’re friends with Blake Collins, Lily said. That boy is hotter than hot. And Tanya said he’s the best kisser in the entire middle school.

    And why would your friend Tanya know how all the boys in the middle school kiss? Mom asked, staring hard at Lily in the rearview mirror.

    It’s not like she’s actually kissed every boy in school. She has standards.

    "That means he’s the best kisser out of the popular guys at school," Georgie explained.

    He better not be trying to kiss you, Amanda. You know our rule about dating.

    No dating until sixteen and only after Mom and Dad met the boy. Peyton had yet to subject some poor kid to that torture.

    Oh, my gosh. We’re just friends, Mom. There’s no kissing going on. Please never talk about it again. Amanda didn’t want to think about Blake kissing her, Tanya or anyone else. Their friendship wasn’t about kissing. It was about having the same interests and volunteering at the animal shelter. Kissing at this age would definitely just ruin their friendship. No one married their middle-school boyfriend.

    Lily and Georgie both opened their doors and got out. Amanda jumped up, nudging Fiona out of the way ever so slightly.

    Please tell me you did not find another stray dog to wash in my bathtub, Mr. Collins, Mom said. I’m positive they do that at the shelter.

    I did not come here with a stray dog, Mrs. Harrison. His gaze flicked to Amanda. He wasn’t lying, but he was sure leaving something out.

    Do you like my new earrings? Fiona asked, pushing her earlobes out with her fingers.

    Um, they’re nice.

    Just so you know, getting these is a big deal.

    Blake nodded but looked confused. Cool.

    Amanda touched her own naked earlobe. It didn’t matter, she told herself. Blake didn’t care about earrings. She grabbed his hand and pulled him away.

    What’s going on? she asked when she got farther from her family.

    I wish you had a cell phone, Harrison. I would have called you and told you to hurry.

    Blake was one of the only kids in school with a cool new flip phone. Benefits of being an only child.

    Well, I’m right here. You don’t have to call me. You can tell me.

    I found something. I had to hide them. Them? Behind Amanda’s house there was a shed. Her dad kept his lawn mower in there and other tools. Blake grabbed the door handle. Are you ready?

    Amanda could feel her heart pounding in her chest. The excitement was almost too much. Open the door!

    Inside the shed was a box with a cat and three little kittens. The mama was busy cleaning her babies.

    Triplets! Amanda felt connected to the kittens instantly. They’re so cute!

    Kyle found them under his deck and called me, Blake said. I would have taken them to the shelter, but it’s closed for the night. You know my dad is allergic or I would take them home. It’s supposed to rain tonight. I’d hate to leave them in here. What if they get scared? You think your mom would—?

    He was so adorable. Sweeter than all three kittens combined. We’re going to have to sneak them in. We’ll hide them in my room.

    What about your sisters? Will they tell?

    Amanda shook her head. She and her sisters could argue, but when it mattered, they were there for one another. They’ll help us. We might have to bribe Peyton, but she should have our backs.

    I’ll grab the box. You go ask your sisters to cause a distraction.

    Not a problem for the Harrison girls. Amanda rallied the troops. She found Lily first because she was the only one not doing chores. She got Fiona up to speed while Amanda brought Georgie on board.

    I’ll have Mom come inspect my work in the kitchen. That should give you enough time to get them inside, Georgie said.

    Perfect.

    Blake came in through the back door. We have a problem.

    What?

    I brought the box out of the shed and they all hopped out, he whispered. And scattered in four different directions.

    Fiona and Lily came in the room. Amanda looked at Georgie.

    I got Mom. You guys get the you-know-whats, Georgie said.

    You two, come help, Amanda told her other sisters.

    What are you guys up to? Peyton appeared and there was no way they could lie. They needed her to help.

    Peyton, I need you to think about how much you love us and not how much we annoy you right now.

    Her older sister narrowed her eyes. What did you do? She focused her glare on Blake. She knew there could be only one reason he was here and that it had to do with a helpless animal. She softened immediately.

    It’s a rescue mission. Are you in or are you out? Lily asked.

    Peyton took a deep breath and tightened her ponytail. I can only imagine what I’m getting involved in. I’m in.

    Georgie went to distract Mom, and the rest of them went out to find the kittens and their mama.

    The four girls and Blake went on a kitten hunt. Peyton found the first one under their mom’s rosebushes in the far corner of the backyard. Oh, my gosh, it’s so cute!

    Found one! Fiona had snatched up the mama cat.

    Here’s one, Lily said as she chased a kitten out from behind the air conditioner. Blake and Amanda both tried to corner it by the side of the house.

    Amanda thought they had it, but it managed to run right through Blake’s legs.

    Blake!

    I got her! Lily and her broken wrist dived for the kitten and somehow caught it.

    Amanda thought her heart stopped. If Lily hurt herself again, Dad would be so mad. Her ever-resilient sister jumped up like it was nothing.

    The last one is all yours, Amanda, Lily called out.

    Come on, Harrison. We’ve got this, Blake said. His belief in her meant everything.

    Where could the last one be? Blake spotted it hiding under the table they had on the patio. Amanda didn’t want the kitten to be afraid. She tried coaxing him to come to her.

    Hey, little buddy. It’s okay. We’re here to help. We want you to be with your family. Don’t you want to be with your family? Your mom is missing you. Come on. I promise I’ll take care of you.

    Without hesitation, the kitten came scampering into her arms.

    You’re the kitten whisperer, Blake said. So cool.

    No one called Amanda cool. No one but Blake.

    Let’s get these guys inside before Dad gets home, Peyton said.

    The five of them sneaked back in the house with the four cats and the box. They would have to hide them in Amanda and Lily’s closet. Once they got them all settled, Georgie came in with a bowl and a cup of water.

    For the mom. She’s going to need to stay hydrated so she can keep up feeding the babies.

    Hello! their dad called out when he came in the house.

    Amanda closed the closet doors and thanked her sisters for getting them this far. She tried to ignore the fear that was coursing through her veins. If her dad knew about the kittens, he would make them sleep outside.

    Her dad appeared in the doorway. He was quite the imposing figure, dressed in his naval uniform. He crossed his arms against his broad chest. What are you all doing in here?

    Georgie sat on the bed like there was nothing unusual to see here. We’re hanging out. She giggled awkwardly. She hated lying.

    Dad didn’t care what the girls were doing in there. He was much more interested in Blake. Mr. Collins, I thought we had an understanding. Amanda, you know boys aren’t allowed in the bedrooms.

    We were practicing this thing we need to do for drama class. Peyton and Fiona were giving us some feedback, Lily lied.

    One of the kittens meowed and the girls froze.

    What was that? their dad asked.

    Me, Amanda said. Meow. Meow.

    We have to play cats in the skit we’re doing for class, Lily added.

    The cat meowed again, so Blake started meowing over it. Lily joined in, too. Georgie acted like she was a cat swatting at something invisible dangling in front of her.

    I think you need to meow a little deeper, Peyton said, critiquing Blake. She showed him how to do it.

    Dad looked suspicious but started to back out of the room. Is this really what they’re teaching you in school?

    Everyone nodded.

    Okay, well, you can practice your little cat routine in the family room. No boys in the bedrooms. Ever.

    Yes, sir, they all said at the same time and followed him out.

    Amanda and Blake slyly high-fived. They had done it. Thanks to the help of her sisters. She and Blake were an awesome team. Always would be, she hoped.

    I wish I was a Harrison, Blake said. You guys are awesome.

    Amanda’s heart swelled in her chest. As chaotic as it was sometimes, she was proud to be a Harrison. There wasn’t anything she’d rather be.

    CHAPTER ONE

    SHE SAID YES.

    She said yes to what? Amanda tightened her grip on Clancy’s leash. The Irish wolfhound had a good forty pounds on her. If he wanted to take her on this walk instead of the other way around, he could. Had it been anyone other than her best friend and business partner on the phone, she wouldn’t have answered it during this particular walk.

    I asked Nadia to marry me and she said yes!

    For some reason this news was a punch in the gut. Amanda had the wind knocked right out of her. Blake had been dating Nadia for no more than two months. Two months! She stilled to catch her breath. Clancy, however, had no intention of taking a break and nearly yanked her arm from her body, causing her to lose her balance and tumble forward. Her phone went flying as she put her hands out to break her fall.

    Her knees and palms burned as they scraped on the pavement. She felt like that clumsy adolescent Blake had befriended back in middle school. She’d been the girl who had grown over three inches taller in less than a year, completely throwing off her center of gravity. He had been the popular three-sport athlete all the girls loved. Even though Amanda had been the least cool of the Harrison sisters, she and Blake had bonded over their mutual love of animals while volunteering at the local animal shelter and remained friends for over fifteen years.

    Amanda brushed some gravel from her palm and took hold of the dog’s leash. Thankfully, Clancy was more worried about his human companion’s well-being than he was excited to be free. He sniffed her from head to toe to make sure she was okay.

    Good boy. I’ll be all right. Don’t worry about me, she said, giving the giant pup a pat and getting to her feet again. Her hands and knees would heal. Her heart was another matter. She needed to find her phone, which had ended upside down a few feet away. She picked it up and groaned when she flipped it over and saw it was cracked.

    Amanda? Amanda! Blake called out from the other end of the line.

    She put it to her ear. I’m here. Clancy gave me a lesson on how not to walk a hundred-and-sixty-pound dog.

    What happened?

    I fell and did so with all the awkwardness you have come to expect from me.

    You fell? Are you okay?

    It was sweet that he had been worried. Blake always worried about her and he always had her back. When she let him, at least.

    I’m fine. Georgie would tell me it’s nothing a little hydrogen peroxide and some antibiotic gel can’t fix.

    Don’t give me a heart attack like that, Harrison. You know better. She could picture him shaking his head.

    The only one handing out heart attacks today was him. Had he really told her that he’d proposed to Nadia? Had he thought this through? Was he sure he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Nadia? Not that there was anything wrong with her. She seemed nice enough, but... There was something holding Amanda back from rejoicing.

    Are you going to say something about the fact that I told you I’m getting married? Blake asked.

    I would, but...I’m speechless. She cringed, knowing she had to come up with something better than that. Blake desperately wanted Amanda and Nadia to be friends. His favorite pastime had become sharing all the ways in which the two women were alike. He couldn’t believe they both liked vinaigrette salad dressing and thought the movie Sixteen Candles was the best. Apparently, that made them practically twins!

    As a triplet, Amanda had an identical twin and a fraternal twin. She didn’t need to play twinsies with anyone else.

    Deep breath, she told herself and silently scolded herself for being rude. Nadia was...nice. Amanda should be happy for them. Blake was her best friend. There was no one in this world who deserved good things more than he did.

    That’s all you have to say? Amanda Harrison is never speechless. What does that mean? She could hear the worry in his voice. She was the worst best friend.

    Well, you have to give me a minute. I’m still reeling from the fact that you didn’t tell me you were even thinking about this before you actually did it. In other words, she was mad that he hadn’t said something earlier so she could have talked him out of doing something so rash.

    I know. It was sort of spur of the moment. It’s all your sister’s fault. Lily inspired me.

    Until right now Amanda didn’t think she could be angrier with Lily for leaving her and her sisters to clean up the mess after she ran away from her own wedding. Adding to that, the runaway bride had since accepted a marriage proposal from someone else she’d known for all of a hot minute. Blake had decided to spontaneously propose to someone he barely knew because Lily was foolish enough to get engaged to a stranger? Lily also jumped out of airplanes and skied down double black diamond slopes. Of all of her sisters, did he really want to follow Lily’s lead?

    My sister agreed to marry someone after knowing him ten days, Blake. I’m not sure she really knows what she’s doing. Are you sure Nadia is the one? Is she your happy-ever-after?

    Blake didn’t answer right away. Amanda had made it back to her tiny bungalow and grabbed her mail from the mailbox before opening the door for Clancy. Was it selfish that she wanted him to admit he’d made a mistake?

    We’re twenty-nine, Amanda. I want kids. Lots of kids. And I want to be young enough to be a fun dad. Nadia wants a big family, too. She’ll be a great mom. I think that could make for a darn good happy-ever-after.

    The lump in Amanda’s throat made it impossible to respond. Blake was an only child, and for as long as she could remember, the only thing he’d wanted was a home filled to the brim with family. He used to love coming over to her house because there was never a dull moment in the Harrison household. With four sisters, Amanda had grown up in the midst of constant chaos. The good kind, most of the time.

    Amanda, are you there? he asked.

    A big family of her own wasn’t something Amanda would ever have. She pushed that pain aside and tried to focus on what was best for Blake. If Nadia could give Blake everything he ever wanted, who was she to not want that for him?

    Holding her broken phone to her ear with her shoulder, she tossed her mail on the kitchen table and tightened her long blond ponytail. She needed to man up. I’m here. I’m really happy for you. Both of you. I can’t wait to see the ring.

    Oh, well, no ring yet. Like I said, it was pretty spontaneous. I asked her before I even thought to get a ring. You’ll help me pick something out, right?

    Sure, she forced out. What could be more fun than shopping with the perfect man for the wedding ring he planned to put on someone else’s finger? Jumping out of an airplane while deathly afraid of heights sounded like a pretty good alternative.

    You are the best. You know that, right?

    Only the best for my best friend, she said.

    Thanks. I have to go. Looks like Nadia is finishing up her call to her parents and I still have to call mine.

    Amanda’s heart clenched. She had been his first call. Tell your mom I said hi.

    I would, but then she’ll know I called you first. I’m sure she’ll call you sooner than later to get all the gossip. She’s going to need to hear it from you that Nadia is good enough for her one and only baby boy.

    I’ll talk her up.

    Thanks, Harrison. Like I said, you’re the best.

    The best. Not the one. She tried not to acknowledge the way that stung.

    Amanda hung up and stared down at the crack running across her screen. Like a river with its streams, there were smaller cracks branching off it. She and her phone had one thing in common. Both of them were broken. Someone could repair the phone, though. No one could fix Amanda.

    After washing her hands and taking care of her scraped palms, she sat down to flip through her mail. Junk, junk, bill from Dr. Waters’s office. Dr. Waters, the best ob-gyn in town, according to everyone on the internet. Endometriosis specialist, they had said. A miracle worker who had helped those who had been told they were infertile to have precious little babies of their own. There were no miracles for Amanda, however. Dr. Waters simply confirmed what the other three doctors before her had said. The probability of Amanda ever having a baby was basically 0 percent. Given her pain and condition, she might want to consider a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy at age twenty-nine. There was something so wrong about that scenario.

    She fiddled with one of her stud earrings. She was the last of the Harrison girls to get her ears pierced. It was a tradition for the girls to get their ears pierced when they became a woman. Their mom then bought them earrings for every major milestone—turning sixteen, graduating from high school, getting their first real job. Now, not only did she not have her mom, but there were no other milestones for Amanda. There would be no wedding. No baby someday. No daughter to whom she would pass on the tradition.

    Amanda let out a somber sigh. She’d pay the doctor’s bill and be done with it. Done with doctors. Done with searching the internet for success stories. Done with hoping for some miracle to make her fertile.

    Her email popped up when she opened her laptop. There were several work-related emails. When she and Blake had started Sit, Stay, Play,

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