LITMIR.BIZ

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handed him another jacket and quickly stepped back, as if afraid Montana would take a swing at him.

      Montana shrugged into the garment. The sooner he got through this, the better. He knew what size jeans he wore and the brand that fit best. When he needed a new pair, he walked into the store, picked them out of the stacks and headed straight for the checkout counter. The end.

      As the jacket settled around his shoulders, Montana hated to admit Tazer was right. This one wasn’t nearly as constricting and actually felt good on his body.

      “Much better. Now, button the jacket.” Tazer and the attendant converged on him. While Tazer tugged, the clerk pinned. When they were done, Montana was afraid to move for fear of being stuck by one of the hundreds of pins sticking out of the material. He felt like a cross between a voodoo doll and a dressmaker’s dummy.

      Then they went to work on the trousers, tugging and tucking the hem and the waistband. When they were done, Montana was hot, cranky and ready to be out of the building.

      “Let me have the jacket.” Tazer held out her hands.

      Montana started to take it off and was jabbed by a pin. “Ouch!”

      “Here, let me.” Kate stood, eased the jacket from his shoulders and handed it to Tazer.

      Tazer handed the jacket to the attendant, who hustled out of the room, presumably to take the garment to the seamstress.

      “Now, out of those trousers.” Tazer held out her hands again.

      Kate backed away. “Sorry. Can’t help you there.”

      “Hurry up.” Tazer snapped her fingers. “We don’t have all day. Trust me, you don’t have anything I haven’t seen before.”

      Montana glared. “You haven’t seen my anything before.”

      Kate’s lips stretched into a wide grin and she turned her back, chuckling.

      Montana stripped out of the trousers and slipped into his jeans.

      “I’ll be back shortly with the clothes you’ll wear out of here.” Tazer left the dressing area.

      Montana buttoned his jeans. “You can turn around now.”

      Kate faced him. “I would have thought a SEAL would have no trouble stripping in front of a woman.”

      “My mama—”

      Kate waved her hand. “Yeah, yeah. Your mama taught you better. But you’re a SEAL. You fight hard and play rough.”

      He shrugged. “It’s just who I am. I was taught to respect women, no matter how young or old.”

      Kate shook her head. “You can take the cowboy out of Montana, but you can’t take the Montana out of the cowboy?”

      “Something like that.” He tipped his head toward her. “What about you? Where did you grow up?”

      She shook her head. “I was a military brat. We moved fifteen times before I turned eighteen. I’m not from anywhere.”

      “What about your folks? Did your father retire somewhere you call home?” he asked.

      Kate nodded. “He passed away. My mother has a condo in Wisconsin and she now works for a pediatrician.”

      “I take it you don’t see her often.” Montana sat in one of the chairs and shoved his foot into one of his cowboy boots.

      She stared in the direction Tazer had gone. “Not often enough. What about you?”

      “I haven’t been back to Montana in two years. Just never seems to be enough time.”

      “Where in Montana?” Kate turned toward him, her gaze capturing his.

      “On a ranch south of Bozeman.”

      “So you’re the real deal, then.”

      “If you mean I’m a real cowboy, then yes. I’ve done just about everything that needs doing on a cattle ranch.” He pulled the second boot on and stood. “Enough about me. What about you? Why did they demote you in the CIA?”

      She turned away, her mouth thinning into a firm line. “I’d rather not talk about it.”

      “Suit yourself. But the more we know about each other, the better we will be able to work together. If I didn’t know my buddies on my SEAL team as well as I do, I wouldn’t be able to anticipate their reactions to different situations.”

      “Fine.” She faced him, a frown pulling her brows together. “I screwed up. I fell for my partner, and he just happened to be a double agent for Russia.” She sighed. “I was a green rookie. I thought everyone who signed on with the CIA had been fully vetted and loved our country as much as I do.” Kate lifted her chin and stared straight into Montana’s eyes. “I learned my lesson. Don’t put your full faith and trust in anyone. And don’t fall for your partner.”

      Montana nodded. “I’m sorry that happened to you. Must have hurt pretty bad.” He stepped toward the door. “You don’t have to worry about this partner. I’m a confirmed bachelor, and I’ve never even been to Russia.” He winked at her. “Let’s go find Tazer. It’s your turn to play dress-up.”

      Montana had asked the hard question, but he’d rather know who he was working with and what made her tick. When the crap hit the fan, he wanted to know what she was made of and how she would react.

      Kate McKenzie had taken a hit. More than likely, she wouldn’t trust him easily. He’d have to ease into her confidence a little at a time. He sure as hell hoped they had time to make that happen. In a life-and-death situation, Kate needed to know he had her six. He already knew she had his, based on the flying tackle she’d initiated earlier.

      While the seamstress worked on the suit jacket and trousers for Montana, Tazer led them to the exclusive shop next door. Where the men’s shop was all dark wood and masculine, this one was light and airy. What amazed him was the lack of clothes racks. “Are they hiding the ladies’ clothing?” he whispered into Kate’s ear.

      She glanced around. “No idea. Normally, I can’t afford to walk into a shop like this. Royce must have one helluva budget.”

      The beautifully dressed and tastefully made-up attendant in high heels and perfect accessories shot a glance at Kate and Montana and then turned her attention to Tazer. “How might I help you?”

      If the woman had thought to have an attitude about finding clothing for Kate, Tazer set her in her place quickly.

      Tazer took Montana’s arm, pointed to a cushioned seat and ordered, “Sit.”

      The attendant took Kate to a dressing room and then disappeared into the back of the shop with Tazer. They returned with a handful of dresses, blouses and trousers, and disappeared into the dressing room.

      Already antsy and ready to be outside, Montana rose from the cushioned seat and paced.

      Tazer emerged from the dressing room, looked around and spotted Montana. She pointed a finger. “You. Come with me.”

      She took him to the back of the salon, where a barber’s chair stood in the middle of a small office. A woman with bright blue hair, armed with scissors and a comb, smiled at him. “Let’s get started.”

      Unsure as to what they were to “get started” on, Montana shot a glance at Tazer.

      She hooked his arm, led him to the chair and pointed. “Sit.”

      Montana’s brows rose. “I’m beginning to feel like a dog in training.”

      “Then act like one, and do as instructed.” Tazer clapped her hands sharply. “Come on, we don’t have all day. You two have a meeting tonight.”

      “We do?”

      “Yes. I’ll fill you in once we’re through the transformation.”

      Half

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