Page 324 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“Okay, babe,” River said as he looped an arm around her shoulders. “Don’t worry. If those guys circle back, I’ll go ape-shiton‘em.”

“Thanks,babe.”

As Meadow stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, Daisy looked away. The two couldn’t stop groping each other for more than five minutes. In a way, she envied their passion. When she’d first met Tony, her Italian ex-boyfriend, he’d ignited a fire in her soul. Too bad she hadn’t burned bright enough for him.Jerk.Jenny Belloni could have him for all she cared. He’d probably end up cheating onhertoo.

She shook the past away as she reached the office door for the second motel. A red neon sign hung in the window. It depicted a bear holding a fish, which would have been cute if the animal hadn’t been captured mid-roar. The wordVacantflashed beneath it. At least they couldcrashhere.

As they filed into the room, she walked up to the Formica countertop. A transistor radio blared a song about incense and peppermints. She smiled at thegroovysong.

“No one’s here,”Meadowsaid.

“Hello?” Andycalled.

“One minute,” a woman yelled from inside a room behind thecounter.

When she stepped into the lobby, her eyes raked up and down their bodies. A pinched, hawk-like expression twisted herwrinkledface.

“What do you want?” sheasked.

“A room for the night,”Daisysaid.

“We’re full up.” The lady reached for a long string hanging from the bear sign and yanked it. “See, NoVacancy.”

“But—”

The lady held up her hand to silence Daisy. “We don’t need yourkindhere.”

“Your kind?” Andy asked. He puffed up his chest and rose to his full height to tower over the lady. “What do you meanyourkind?”

“We don’t serve hippies,” shechirped.

“Why not?” Daisy asked. “We have cash. We can pay you up front. We’ll be quiet and we’ll be gone in themorning.”

“Yeah, right. How many more of you are there?” She peered out toward theparkinglot.

“It’s just us,”Daisysaid.

“Four too many if you ask me,” the ladygrumbled.

“You can’t discriminate against us,” Meadow said. “It’s notright.”

“You kids wandering around like vagrants isn’t right. Don’t lecture me,younglady.”

“Will anyone rent to us?” Riverasked.

“Not in this town,” the lady said. “So get on with you. Scram. Go back to wherever youcamefrom.”

“Get real, lady. In a few years, we’ll be everywhere,” River said. “The establishment is falling, you’re just too old and square toseeit.”

“Leave before I call the cops,” theladysaid.

“Go ahead. Call the Man,” River said as he took a steptowardher.

Daisy grabbed his arm and pulledhimback.

“We can’t,” she whispered. “Let’sjustgo.”

The lady sneered at Daisy as she turned to leave. She ignored the old bitty. They’d just look for another motel. She’d seen several moreintown.

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