Page 49 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

As he slid onto the bar stool, she averted her eyes. What was she doing? She’d just cancelled her wedding a week ago and she was already checking out another man. Maybe she’d lost her mind. And why not? In an instant, her entire life had imploded. She’d gone from being the future wife of multi-millionaire Ben Illingworth, topenniless.

The cowboy next to her took a long swig of beer. His gaze met hers in the mirror for a moment before he turned his head to lookather.

His voice rumbled low and sexy. “You here onvacation?”

“Yes,”shelied.

“Going intoYellowstone?”

“Uh-huh.” Now she really wished she had enough money for another drink. But she couldn’t risk spending her last twentydollars.

“Hey, Steve,” the cowboy waved at the bartender. “Get this lady anothermartini.”

“Oh, I can’t…Imean…”

“Are you getting ready to drivesomewhere?”

“No.”

“Well then, have another drink on me. I’m Justin, bytheway.”

“Candy.”

She blinked as she said the name. Why was she telling so many lies? She was usually a very honest person. Maybe she’d finally snapped. She’d finally stopped crying two days ago when she’d found the advertisement for a management position at a bed and breakfast. She had an interview in the morning, so why not have some fun tonight? After all, if she got the job, it would be her last night of freedom for awhile.

Justin smiled. “Candy? Okay,Candy.”

God, why’d she give him astrippername?

The bartender returned with another huckleberry martini. After setting it on the bar in front of her, he gave Justin a sly grin. Maybe the cowboy was aregular.

“Come here often?” sheasked.

“Notmuch.”

“It’s a nicelittletown.”

“Sure is. I’ve lived here mywholelife.”

She took a sip of the drink. A bolt of white lightening burned down the back of her throat. This one was definitely stronger than the last. Maybe they poured stronger drinks for thelocals.

Justin leaned his right elbow on the bar and half-turned toward her. “So what’s yourstory?”

She froze for a second before remembering that she’d never see him again, so she could literally make up anything and it wouldn’t matter. For the first time in years, she could be anyone she wanted to be. She didn’t have to sit up straight and mind her manners. She could slouch and drink with a handsome stranger without worrying about theconsequences.

“I’m meeting up with some girlfriends tomorrow. We’re going into the park on snowmobiles. I can’t wait to see Old Faithful in thewinter.”

“So you’ve been herebefore?”

“Uh-huh.” She took a gulp of her drink. She wasn’t a liar at heart, so this was harder than she’d thought it was going to be. At least it hadn’t been atotallie. She’d been to the park a few years ago with somefriends.

“I like going into the park, especially in the winter. It’s peaceful, quiet. Not like summertime. When do you usually come, in the summer orwinter?”

“We usually drive through the park in thewinter.”

He arched a brow. “That’s kinda hard to do considering the roads are closed to cars in thewinter.”

“Uh, I mean, we drive through onsnowmobiles.”

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