Page 173 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

She closed the visor and returned her hands to his waist. Leaning against the big, strong man while straddling the vibrating machine was enough to awaken an avalanche of lust. All of the stress of seeing her mother for the first time was getting to her. The sudden rush of desire had nothing to do with him. She’d just enjoy the day for what it was—adistraction.

The snowmobile rumbled as Hank drove onto the road. When they passed under the Curvy Bear Ranch sign, instead of turning right to continue on the road, he turned left and cut a path through the pristine wilderness. She looked over his shoulder as trees whizzed past. Through the branches, sunlight cast a glow across sporadic patches ofsparklingsnow.

It didn’t take long to reach town. They flew past a few brave shoppers who hurried from store to store in the below-freezing temperatures. Weighted down with shopping bags, they smiled and waved as the snowmobile passed. That would never happen in New York. Making eye contact on the street was either considered weird or an invitation to fight. It was refreshing to be around people who weren’t constantly riding the edge ofinsanity.

When they reached the grand entrance to the park, Carol’s eyes began to water. Something about being out in nature always touched her soul. Maybe it was the peacefulness, or the silence. She felt so much closer to her true self when she was outside. In the past, she’d considered moving to upstate New York. She could definitely get closer to nature there. But she’d been too afraid to leave the city in which she’d spent herentirelife.

Hank flashed a badge at the park ranger, who waved him through. As they cleared the entrance, they passed a sign which readRoad Closures: Canyon to Norris. She barely had enough time to read it before the snowmobile rushed forward faster than ever. She squeezed Hank until he reached down and patted her hand. She was probably smothering the poor guy, but she’d never felt so physically exposedbefore.

To the left, a huge river rushed past them. She blinked as light flashed across the rolling water. Momentarily blinded, she snapped her eyelids closed. When she opened them, she gazed across the river to the snow-laden prairie. A few trees dotted the landscape on the far side of the river, but they weren’t nearly as dense as the trees to herright.

She tried to take in the beauty of the forest, but they were going too fast. He’d said he’d stop at some point, so she’d wait. It wasn’t like they were suddenly going to run out oftrees.

After a few more minutes, Hank pulled into a turnout on the river side of the road. He turned the engine off then flipped up his visor. She didthesame.

“We’ll stop here for a minute,” he said. “I’ve always loved this spot in the river. If you’re really quiet, you can hear the water rushing over therocks.”

He climbed off the snowmobile and held out his hand. She took it and joined him. As they walked toward the river, she realized that there wasn’t anyone else around. Back at the ranger station, she’d seen a sign that cars weren’t allowed into the park during the winter. When she took off her helmet, the babbling, rolling sound of water greeted her. Other than Hank’s soft breaths, it was the only sound formiles.

She inhaled the chilly air. When she exhaled, she felt as if she’d expelled all of the toxic city air from her lungs. She’d never smelled air so fresh and clean. It was a refreshing change from practically having to chew the air where shelived.

In the distance, an eaglecried.

“There’s a nest up the road a little bit,” Hank said. “We can’t pull over because we don’t want to disturb the birds, but it’s on the right side of the road. I’ll point when we get close. You can’tmissit.”

“I can’t imagine living so close to a place like this. I think I’d go into the parkeveryday.”

“I drive through here a few times a week. Even though there’s a lot of work to do at the ranch, we try to give each other some time off. Don’t get me wrong, I love my brothers. But if I had to spend time with them 24/7, I’d probably losemymind.”

“I guess I can see how that would happen.” She chuckled. “I never had any brothers or sisters, just the other kids at the orphanage. I used to wonder what it would be like to have a bigfamily.”

“It’s awesome. I wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said. “Ready toheadout?”

“Sure.”

“Before we get going, although I like having your hands wrapped around me, my ribs need a little room so I can breathe.” Hegrinned.

“Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I know the first time on a snowmobile can be nerve-racking. I’ve been driving them since I was a teenager. I promise I won’t tipusover.”

“I trust you,”shesaid.

The look in his eyes changed from playful to filled with desire. Her breath hitched as he stepped closer. When his hands cupped her face, her heart pounded in anticipation. He moved in slowly, first brushing a kiss across her forehead, then across her nose, and finally across her lips. She melted against him and wrapped her arms around his neck to drawhimin.

The kiss lasted so long that by the time he pulled away, her body burned with desire. If they weren’t standing outside in the middle of winter, she would have dragged himtobed.

“Should we get going?” he asked in a throatyvoice.

“Mm-hmm.”

He gave her one last soulful look before swinging his leg over the snowmobile. She slid in behind him and wrapped her arms around him once again, this time with lessforce.

A few minutes later, he pointed up and to the right. She glanced up just in time to see a huge nest in the trees. It wasn’t very easy to see it through the visor, but she caught a glimpse of a wing. Apparently Mrs. Eaglewashome.

Carol smiled. For a bird, she had one hell ofaview.

When they reached a junction, he turned right then made another right into a small parking lot. She spotted a small building with bathroom signs for men and women. Good thing, because she’d downed several cups of coffee atbreakfast.