Page 273 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“Almost made it,”hesaid.

“Thanks. I almost face-plantedthatone.”

“It happens,” he said. “She’s usually not skittish, but she can sense a nervousrider.”

“I’m not nervous,” she said. To prove her statement, she sat up taller and looped the reins through her fingers. “See,I’mfine.”

His mouth twitched as if he wanted to say something, but he held back. Unlike her, he hopped onto Killer like a seasoned pro. Well, hewasa cowboy, so obviously he could probably ride circlesaroundher.

“Ready?” he asked. “We’ll take it slow for the first few minutes, then pickitup.”

“Where are wegoing?”

“The back pasture,” he said. “We’ve spent a good portion of the winter mending the fences. I just want to make sure everything stilllooksgood.”

“Sounds likeaplan.”

As they rode past the edge of the frozen lake, she took in the stunning scenery. Rolling white hills covered much of the landscape, but paled in comparison to the large mountains in the distance. Everywhere she turned, snow blanketed the land, giving it an etherealshimmer.

As they descended a hill, she glanced over her shoulder. With the houses out of view, it felt like she and Drew were the last two people on earth. If only that were true. She could get used to watching him bounce in the saddle. Every once in a while, he’d lift that tight butt up, giving her agreatview.

Too bad he hadn’t turned out to be the real deal. She could have hidden out in a place like this for years without fear of being found. Maybe she could have even brought her daughter with her. No one would ever find her here, especially if she continued to be careful with her digitalfootprint.

She’d been as careful as possible, but every once in a while, she’d had to stop at a bank to withdraw more funds. Each time, she’d wondered if she’d be detained. It was her own damn money, but she couldn’t be sure they weren’t tracking herthatway.

Ten minutes later, Drew circled back to ridebesideher.

“You’re good in the saddle,”hesaid.

“Thanks. My brother taught me how to ride when wewerekids.”

They rode along in silence for several minutes. She fought the urge to steal glances at his rugged form. Out of the corner of her eye, she took in his large presence. He had to be at least six feet tall. Broad shoulders and a tapered waist only added to his appeal. How could fate be so cruel as to put someone like him in her path only to steal him away monthslater?

“I want to ask you something, but I don’t want to offend you,” he said in a tentativevoice.

“Shoot.” Her heart kicked up a fewnotches.

“Why on earth did you have to go online to find a husband?” he asked. “You seem like a fun girl and you’re not bad tolookat.”

“Thanks?” she said in anincreduloustone.

“That came out wrong,” he said. “You’re just really pretty, so I can’t understand why you’re stillsingle.”

“Thank you, for the pretty part,” she said. “Relationships can get… complicated. I guess I’m just looking for theperfectman.”

“And you thought I was the one?” heasked.

“Yeah.”

“Oh, Madison.” He sighed. “I can’t apologize enough for her. She’s a good person. She just doesn’t know when to stopsometimes.”

“It probably didn’t seem like a big deal to her, but things slowly slipped out of control. Igetit.”

“Sometimes I wish I were an only child,”hesaid.

“Being an only child is a lonely life. Be happy you’re surrounded by family,”shesaid.

“I thought you said you had abrother.”