Montana Matheson has been shielded from the world, her heart fragile in more ways than one. But everything changes when she meets Logan, who ignites a spark she didnât know she needed. Just as their love begins to blossom, tragedy strikes, and their bond is tested in ways they never imagined.
Montana fights to save Logan from his demons, but just as light begins to break through the storm, betrayal and heartbreak plunge her into a downward spiral of despair. With a shattered heartâboth literally and figurativelyâMontana battles her own demons while desperately yearning for the man she loves.
Can they find a way back to each other or has fate pulled them apart for good? Discover the power of love and the strength of the human spirit in this compelling tale of heartache and hope that will leave you breathless until the final, unforgettable chapter.
Montana Matheson has been shielded from the world, her heart fragile in more ways than one. But everything changes when she meets Logan, who ignites a spark she didnât know she needed. Just as their love begins to blossom, tragedy strikes, and their bond is tested in ways they never imagined.
Montana fights to save Logan from his demons, but just as light begins to break through the storm, betrayal and heartbreak plunge her into a downward spiral of despair. With a shattered heartâboth literally and figurativelyâMontana battles her own demons while desperately yearning for the man she loves.
Can they find a way back to each other or has fate pulled them apart for good? Discover the power of love and the strength of the human spirit in this compelling tale of heartache and hope that will leave you breathless until the final, unforgettable chapter.
Chapter 1
As soon as their parentâs car pulled out of the driveway, Vanessa jumped up and grabbed her sisterâs hand, pulling her toward the bedroom.Â
âCome on,â she said. âWeâre going to a party.â
Montana tried to pull away. âNo, Ness, Mom will kill you.â
Vanessa stopped and turned around, her hands on her hips. âI donât think itâs right how Mom and Dad keep you locked away from the world, Tan. You need friends. You need to socialize. Besides, I want you to meet Josh. Weâve been dating for over a year, and youâve never met him.â
âWell, when are you going to bring him home?â
âI donât know. Iâm just not ready for him to meet Mom, ya know?â
âCome on, Ness, sheâs not that bad.â
âWhatever,â Vanessa scoffed. âSo will you come?â
âYou know I donât like crowds,â Montana responded.
âItâs just a small group of Joshâs friends,â Vanessa argued. âHere, let me put some makeup on you.â She sat Montana down in front of her vanity and started applying mascara to her sisterâs lashes. âJosh has a twin brother. I could fix you up.â She stopped, staring into space for a moment, the mascara wand still in her hand. âOh, wait, he already has a girlfriend.â She shrugged and went back to applying the mascara. âBut Iâm sure thereâll be some cute guys there. Iâll ask Josh if he knows anyone.â
âI donât want a boyfriend, Ness.â
âYouâre gonna be eighteen in less than six months. Are you planning on living with Mom and Dad your whole life?â Vanessa inserted the wand back into the mascara tube and tossed it onto the vanity. âDonât you want to get married and have babies someday? You canât do that if you never leave the house.â
Montana sighed. âItâs too complicated. Besides, whoâs gonna want me? Iâve got too much baggage.â
Vanessa put her hands on Montanaâs shoulders and turned her toward the mirror. âLook at yourself, Tan. Youâre like every manâs dream. I mean, I would kill for that figure. Youâd literally turn heads when you walk down the street. That is if you ever did walk down a street.â
The two girls stood side by side in front of the large mirror. Vanessaâs shoulder-length hair was chestnut brown like her fatherâs. Montana looked more like her mother, with golden-blonde hair that reached nearly to her waist. They had the same blue eyes.
âYouâre gorgeous, Tan. Anyway, when youâre in love all the other stuff doesnât matter. Thatâs how you know someone really loves you. They accept you no matter what.â She turned around and picked up her purse. âNow letâs go have some fun.â
* * *
Montana bounced her leg nervously as she sat in the passenger seat of her sisterâs car on the way to Bedford Falls. Vanessa had the radio blasting and was singing along to every song.
âHow many people are going to be there?â Montana asked.
âHuh?â Vanessa reached for the volume button on her radio and turned the music down. âWhat did you say?â
âHow many people are going to be there?â Montana repeated.
âJust a few of Joshâs friends,â Vanessa said. âRelax, Tan, itâs just a small party.â
Montana sighed and leaned her head back. She could feel the muscles in her neck tightening as her anxiety increased.
Cars lined both sides of the dirt road for a couple of blocks. People stood around the yard in groups. Vanessa honked as she drove past the yard and pulled into the first available space she could find.Â
âYou said it was just a few friends," Montana cried out in dismay. âAnd everybodyâs drinking.â Her eyes scanned the crowd of people and a wave of anxiety washed over her.
âRelax, sis, you donât have to drink if you donât want to.â Vanessa opened her car door and stepped out, straightening her clothes. âYou coming?â she asked, bending down to look at her sister.
Montana shook her head. âNo way am I going in there.â
âSuit yourself,â Vanessa said, straightening up. âBut youâve got to learn how to meet people someday, Tan. You canât spend your life holed up at home. You need to loosen up and have some fun. Text me when youâre ready to come in.â She closed the door and went inside.
Montana locked the doors and leaned her head back, trying to calm her racing heart as she imagined being surrounded by a large group of strangers. She wished she could be more like her sister, but the thought of going inside that crowded house tied her stomach in knots. She sat in the car for nearly an hour, but the night was warm, and the air was getting stuffy. Vanessa had taken the keys, so she was unable to open the window.Â
She took a deep breath, opened the door and walked around the yard to the side of the house, avoiding the partygoers. She seated herself on the ground with her back against the bricks. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes, breathed in the fresh air, and listened to the music. After a few minutes, she brought her legs up, hugging them tightly, and rested her forehead on her knees, her thick blonde hair creating a curtain around her.
âHey, are you alright?â
She raised her head at the sound of the voice, lifting her hand to shield her eyes from the light that suddenly shone into her face, temporarily blinding her.
âOh, sorry.â He pushed a button on his phone and the light turned off. He slipped it into his pocket then squatted in front of her.
Montana blinked several times, trying to clear the spots that danced in front of her eyes. A wonderful aroma of musk and cedar filled her senses, and when she opened her eyes again, she found herself staring into the face of a very handsome young man.
âYou smell good,â she said, then immediately clamped both hands over her mouth, her blue eyes wide with chagrin.
 âIs that so?â He chuckled, the concern in his eyes replaced by amusement. âIâll be sure and tell my sister. She got me this cologne for my birthday.âÂ
He stood up and looked around. âSo, whatâs a gorgeous girl like you doing sitting out here all alone? Are you hiding from someone?â
âI donât like crowds.â
âMay I join you?âÂ
âOf course.â
He sat down next to her and stretched his long legs out in front of him. She could feel his gaze on her, but she avoided looking at him.
âAre you drunk?â he asked.
She shook her head. âI donât drink.â
âYou donât drink, and you donât like crowds,â he reiterated. âWhy on earth are you here, then?â
She leaned her head back against the side of the house. âMy sister made me come.â
âI see,â he said, nodding knowingly. He sat silently for a few minutes, sipping his beer. âWhatâs your name?â
âMontana.â
He took another drink and stared at her. âMontana? Like the state?âÂ
âYes.â She closed her eyes momentarily. She had never really liked her name, but it somehow sounded musical coming from this handsome manâs lips. She found herself wishing he would say it again.
âHmm. Iâve never been there, but I heard itâs really nice. Is that where youâre from?â
She shook her head. âMy mother was born and raised there. She always talks about how wonderful it is.â
âIâm Logan, by the way.âÂ
âNice to meet you, Logan.â
Montana felt strangely at ease with this young man. He sat quietly at her side, not forcing her to talk. He finished his beer and held it up. âIâm going in to get another beer, do you want anything?â
âIâd like a bottle of water if they have any.â
âYou got it.â
He stood to his feet and disappeared around the corner, returning a few minutes later with a fresh beer, a bottle of water and a bag of chips. He sat back down next to her and handed her the water, then opened his beer.Â
âYou hungry? I snagged a bag of chips from the kitchen.â He opened the bag and held it out to her.
âThank you. Those are my favorite.â His full lips twisted into a lopsided smile when she reached into the bag.Â
âHow old are you, Montana?â
âSeventeen.â
âI have a brother thatâs seventeen. Maybe you know him. Do you go to Bedford West?â
âIâm home-schooled. I donât know anyone except the people from church, and thereâs no one my age there.â
âWell, youâre never gonna meet people if you sit outside instead of joining the party.â
âI know,â she sighed. âBut my stomach gets upset at the thought of meeting new people. And a group like this is enough to give me a panic attack. My sister said it was just gonna be a small group of friends.â
âI think it was supposed to be, but you know how it is when people hear thereâs a party. They come from everywhere.â He made a sound resembling a snort. âMy senior year in high school I invited a few friends to my house when my parents were out of town. One of my teammates found out about it and the whole football team showed up. They kind of wrecked the house.â He shook his head with a wry grin. âBoy, did I get in trouble.â
âSo, you were a football player?â
âYep. Quarterback. I was good, too. Got a full scholarship to play for the university here. But I threw out my shoulder the first year and couldnât finish the season, so I lost my scholarship. But my dad lets me work at his construction company to help pay my tuition.â
âWhat are you studying?â
âArchitecture.â He finished his beer and started peeling the label from the empty bottle. âWhen I was little, I used to build all kinds of things with Legos. My dad owns his own construction company, and when I was old enough, heâd let me help him with the designs, and I kind of fell in love with it.â
Montana started fidgeting. âAre you alright?â he asked.
âI need to pee,â she whispered.
âWell, looks like you might have to go inside after all.â He chuckled and stood to his feet. âUnless youâd rather go behind those trees.â He motioned to a small group of trees a few feet away.
She shook her head, her nose wrinkling as she looked over at the trees.Â
He laughed and extended a hand to her. âCome on, Iâll run interference for you.âÂ
She grudgingly took his hand, and he pulled her to her feet. âWhatâs run interference?â she asked as they walked.
âYouâre not a football fan, are you?â
âNo, sorry.â
âItâs when the blocker keeps people from getting to the guy with the ball.âÂ
âOh.â
âThe bathroomâs this way,â He led her through the crowd of people and down a hallway and tried the door.Â
âOccupied!â a womanâs voice called out.
âI guess youâll have to wait,â he said, leaning against the wall with his shoulder.Â
Montana felt his gaze on her and looked up at him. His eyes were caramel colored, and a mop of golden-brown curls covered his forehead.
âI do believe youâre the most beautiful girl Iâve ever seen,â he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. The sincerity in his eyes sent shivers down her spine, leaving her breathless.
She dropped her head but couldn't help blushing as warmth spread through her. Butterflies danced gracefully in her stomach, and her heart rate increased as he continued to stare. The bathroom door opened, and a young woman emerged. Her face lit up when she saw Logan.Â
âHey, Logan.â
âBrittany,â Logan nodded to her, then returned his attention to Montana.
Her smile faded when she noticed Montana standing next to him.
Montana ducked inside and locked the door, her heart thumping wildly in her chest. Before she left the room, she splashed cool water on her still flushed cheeks. She stared at her reflection for a moment, then ran her hands through her long blonde hair before turning to leave.
Her heart sank when she emerged from the restroom to find the hallway empty. She peered into the crowded living room but didnât see any familiar faces. She sighed and started toward the door, but was intercepted by a man with long dark hair wearing a red ball cap.
He leaned close to her. She could smell the beer on his breath. âWell, hello gorgeous! Donât believe Iâve ever seen you around. Are you a friend of Trinaâs?â
âI donât know Trina,â she said. âIâd like to leave, please.â
âWhatâs your hurry, princess? Why donât you stay and have a drink with me?â
âNo thank you.â She tried to go around him, but he stepped in front of her again. âPlease let me by,â she said softly.
The man put his arm around her shoulders. âCome on, princess, I just want to talk. I wonât hurt you.â
Montanaâs breath hitched in her throat. Her heart pounded in her chest, and a wave of panic washed over her, making it hard to breathe. She squeezed her eyes closed and hunched her shoulders, trying to lean away from the man.Â
âI donât think the lady is interested, Levi.âÂ
She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Loganâs voice. Levi removed his arm, and she stepped close to Logan.
âDamn, Logan. I didnât know she was with you.â He returned his gaze to Montana. âYou got yourself a hot one there.â He touched the bill of his cap and ducked his head. âSorry, maâam. No harm meant.â He turned and went back toward the kitchen.
âIâm sorry, Montana,â Logan said. âI just stepped away for a moment. Are you alright?â
âIâm fine. Iâd like to go back outside, please.â
âOf course.â He put his hand on the small of her back, gently guiding her through the crowded living room, grabbing another beer from a cooler as they went past.Â
âDo you drink a lot?â she asked.
âNot usually, but tonight Iâm celebrating. Itâs my birthday.â
âOh. Happy birthday.â
âThank you.â
âMy momâs birthdayâs in June, too,â she said. âHow old are you?â
âTwenty-one. Legal drinking age.â He held up his beer and took a long drink. âJake says Iâm a mean drunk,â he said, his brow furrowed. âBut I think heâs probably lying.â He looked thoughtful. âOf course, I never remember anything that happened when I drink too much, so I guess I really have no way of knowing.â
âWhoâs Jake?â
âHeâs my cousin. And my best friend.â He took another drink. âYouâd like him, heâs funny.â He turned his head toward her. âDo you wanna meet him? Heâs inside.â
âI ââ Her cell phone dinged, and she reached into her pocket and pulled it out.
âLEAVING NOW,â the text read.
âI gotta go,â Montana said, jumping up and hurrying toward her sister's car.
âWait!â he called out. âCan I get your number?â He started after her, but stumbled and fell, dropping his beer.
Montana barely got the car door closed before Vanessa hit the gas and sped away.
* * *
Logan cursed under his breath as he stood watching the cloud of dust that was all that was left of his dream girl. He stood for several minutes staring down the road before turning and going inside, angry at himself for not asking for her number sooner.Â
âLogan!â He heard Jake calling out when he re-entered the house. He searched the room, locating him near the kitchen. âWhere you been, dude?â Jake asked, draping an arm around Loganâs shoulder.
âIâve been sitting outside talking to my dream girl.â
âWhat? Where is she?â Jake glanced around the room expectantly.
âSheâs gone.â Logan sighed and leaned against the kitchen countertop, resting his head against the upper cabinets. âAnd I didnât even get her number.â
âGone how?â
âWe were outside talking, and she got a text, then said âI gotta go.â Before I could say anything, she was gone.â
âMaybe she was gonna turn into a pumpkin at midnight.â Jake nodded thoughtfully. âDid she leave a glass slipper behind?â
âDude, I just lost the girl of my dreams and youâre making jokes.â
âSorry man, that sucks.â He jumped up onto the kitchen counter. âDid you at least get her name?â
âMontana.âÂ
âMontana? Like the state?â
âYeah.â
Jake sucked on his beer, looking thoughtful. âThere canât be a whole lot of Montanaâs in this town. Whatâs her last name?â
âI didnât get it,â Logan said with a sigh, rubbing his forehead.
âDude! Whatâs wrong with you?â
Logan shook his head miserably. âYou should have seen her, Jake. Sheâs the most beautiful girl Iâve ever seen. Long blonde hair, big blue eyes, and lips just begging to be kissed. She was so sweet and shy, she was afraid to even come into the house.â He leaned his head back, staring up at the ceiling. âIâve got to find her, Jake. Sheâs perfect.â
âDonât you worry, weâll find her.â He took a drink, then nudged Logan, nodding his head toward the living room. âWhatâs up with Josh? He looks like he lost his best friend.â
They both approached the couch where Josh sat, his head bowed down.
âWhatâs wrong, dude?â
âVanessa and I got into a fight. She left mad.â
âAw, I wouldnât worry about it too much, little brother.â Jake plopped down next to him and draped his arm across Joshâs shoulder. âJust say youâre sorry and buy her flowers.â
âWeâre twins, Jake. Quit calling me little brother.â
âWell, I am three minutes older, so . . .â
âWhatever.â Josh pushed Jake's arm off his shoulder and pulled his phone out of his pocket. âIâm gonna text her.â
âDude. Never use text to apologize.â Jake shook his head. âCall her.âÂ
Josh stood to his feet. âYouâre right. She needs to hear my voice.â
âWhatâd y'all fight about anyway?â
âSomething stupid.â He started punching buttons on his phone as he walked toward the front door.
âMan, heâs got it bad for that chick,â Jake said to Logan, shaking his head while he watched Josh walk outside.
Montana's Heart was a love story that also had angst and tragedy attached to the main characters. I really liked that this was not your typical "bubble gum" "every thing is going great" love story. There was pain and angst, tragedy I did NOT see coming, and a love story that was built on actual acts of service and heart.
Montana's mother was so overbearing I wanted to scream. How did her father not realize that she was this obsessed with her? I get hovering over your child who is chronically ill. I have three children who have chronic conditions, but it serves them no good if I bottle them up and do not let them experience the world.
I loved the sister, Vanessa. She stood up for what she believed in, even though it was not always what her family wanted. She went for what she wanted and fell in love. She was an inspiration. If there was going to be sequel, I would want it to be with her. And one about the bully. I forgot her name already, but it would be nice for her to be able to redeem herself.
While I realize that about half of this book is set while Montana is in high school, there was a good portion that was just too juvenile for me to rate this book a 5. I also think that there should be a lengthier section for trigger warnings, as this book covers an array of sensitive topics. I generally do not have any topics that I don't read, but I don't recall seeing anything listing some topics I came across in this book.
Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion. Please be aware of any trigger warnings, as your mental health is most important.