Page 1 of Home Town Knight

CHAPTER ONE

Genevieve

Hart County,Colorado, had a few things going for it. First off, the spectacular views I’d glimpsed on my drive in. Craggy mountains in all their snowcapped majesty.

Second, the charming main streets that dotted the county’s winding roads. Like this one, in the tiny almost-town on the outskirts where I had stopped for the night.

And third?

The hunk who had just slid onto the stool beside me at the busy hotel bar.

I didn’t gawk, because I was far too ladylike to be so unsubtle, but I studied him from the corner of my eye. A large frame, sharp jaw line. He wore a Carhartt snapback with the brim pulled low over his eyes. A cozy-looking navy sweater. He rapped his knuckles lightly against the bar top, glancing around. Then sighed like he’d had a long, frustrating day. I could relate.

“Bartender went into the back to get more limes,” I said. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”

Mr. Handsome looked over at me. His hair was buzzed short under the hat, and his chin had a sprinkling of stubble. “Limes for what?”

“The second round of Mai Tais the table in the back ordered. Looks like they’re having a fun night.” I hooked my thumb over my shoulder. Four guys were laughing it up, empty glasses already littering the table. Their camo hunting gear was a dark pattern, not the best choice given all the snow in the mountains right now. Maybe it was a fashion statement.

His eyes flicked over to follow. “Then I envy them. But Mai Tais in this weather?”

“I know, right? At the very least, they should be kicking back in the hot tub while downing icy tropical drinks.”

“What do you want to bet their swim trunks are that camo print too?”

“Nah,” I shot back, “camo print Speedos for sure.”

He barked a laugh, grinning at me. It had just gotten several degrees warmer in here. I took a sip of hot green tea, which made my skin flush even more.

This was supposed to be a work trip, and I’d had mixed feelings about it when I’d left Denver that morning. A springtime storm had made my drive out here take hours longer than it should have. Which meant I couldn’t make it to the cute B&B I’d booked for my trip, a place called Last Refuge Inn & Tavern. It was located in Hartley, which was the county seat.

But I hadn’t made it that far. The Alpine Hotel, where I’d stopped for the night, was bland and corporate. Plenty of lone travelers dotting the bar, like me, plus that loud group of maybe-hunters who were getting drunker by the minute.

Normally, I was wary of meeting men in hotel bars. But the good-looking man beside me wasn’t leering, and he had a decent sense of humor. Maybe this was a positive sign. Hart County was more welcoming than I’d hoped.

Mr. Handsome nodded at the plate in front of me. “How’s the special tonight? Any good?”

So he was a local. Or at least, he knew the dishes here well enough to infer I was having the special. I hadn’t seen him look at any menus.

Which led me to my next question:could I pump him for info? A quote or two?

Ugh, no. I wasn’t in the mood to work. I wanted to relax, eat my dinner, and go to bed early so I’d be well rested for my meeting tomorrow.

“Short ribs with a spicy citrus glaze over creamy polenta and braised greens. It’s amazing, actually.”

“Sounds like it. They’ve upped their dinner game around here.”

“You must come in a lot.”

“Sometimes,” Mr. Handsome hedged. “When I’m in this part of the county. It’s a big place.” His indigo eyes slid over to me, his lips parted on whatever he was about to say next.

But just then, the bartender reappeared with a plastic container of limes. He smiled when he saw the man beside me. The two men bumped fists. “Hey, Tex. I’ll be right with you.”

“Tex?” I asked. “That fits.” Mr. Handsome had a soft drawl to his speech and some country-boy swagger. The best I could tell as a certified city girl, anyway.

He laughed. “My old call sign. Dean here is an old buddy from the Marines, and I couldn’t get rid of him. The man followed me out here.”

“The ego on this one,” the bartender said. “I came west for the snowboarding, not you.”

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