Page 53 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“I’m just passingthrough.”

“Toobad.”

She smiled. “Who knows, maybe we’ll meet up againsomeday.”

“Maybe.”

She opened the door and jumped down into the snow. “I’ll see you around,cowboy.”

Chapter2

Maddie forcedone eye open and swatted at the vile alarm clock on the nightstand next to the hotel bed. How was it seven a.m.already?

As she raised her head, the room tilted on its axis. She dropped her face into the pillow and tried to smother herself. She probably looked like shit and she needed to be at the interview in an hour. There was no way she was going to get the job. Why bother? She could just stay in bed for the rest ofherlife.

A few minutes later, the second alarmwentoff.

“Ugh,” shegrumbled.

After slapping the button to kill it, she slid to the edge of the bed and rolled onto the floor. On her hands and knees, she crawled toward the bathroom. As she passed a full-length mirror, she winced. Dark smudges formed pits under her eyes. Mascara caked her eyelashes. A formerly pristine layer of foundation had formed blotches on her chin.Great.

She briefly considered abandoning her plan. She could run back to Seattle and beg her sister to let her stay at her house. But then she’d have to admit that her sister had been right when she’d warned her about Ben. Why hadn’t she seen the signs? Maybe she’d been too willing to ignore them because of the promise of afairytalelife.

The thought of going back to Seattle made her stomach churn. She wasn’t ready to face her friends and family, and she certainly wasn’t ready to face her ex. Knowing her luck, she’d run into him the minute shereturned.

As she made her way into the bathroom, she abandoned all thoughts of escaping the interview. This job was her only hope of earning enough money to buy her the time that she needed to figure out what to do next. She was living day to day without a plan. She had to get this job. She neededstability.

After standing on shaky legs, she turned on the shower. A minute later, she tested the water. Lukewarm, but better than nothing. She stepped into the bathtub and let the water cascade down her body. Her thighs were still sore from riding the hot cowboy. At least she didn’t regret that part of the night. She deserved a treat after everything Ben had put herthrough.

She dressed quickly and jumped into the rental car. She had thirty minutes to make the drive. It might not be enough time, but it was her own damn fault for getting wasted the night before. Oh well, at least she’d finally, epically, rejected her mother’s insistence on always having good manners. Even though her mother would never know about her torrid act of defiance, Maddie would know, and that was goodenough.

The turnoff to the Curvy Bear Ranch snuck up on her. She missed it and skidded to a stop on the side of the highway. After backing up, she turned onto the narrow road. She hit the odometer and watched it count up. The directions had said to drive for four miles then look forsigns.

Twenty minutes later, she glared at the clock. It blinked eight a.m. Damn, she was going to be late. She hated being late for anything, especiallyinterviews.

As the sign for the Curvy Bear Ranch came into view, she relaxed. At least she wasn’tthatlate.

She drove under the huge sign and onto a gravel road. The ground crunched under her tires as she pulled up to a large cabin-like home. She didn’t know much about the ranch, but she knew they ran a bed and breakfast in addition to whatever else it was thatcowboysdid.

As she hopped out of the car, her heel caught on a rock. She stumbled and landed on her knees. She quickly stood to inspect the damage. An angry red welt rose up on her right knee and scratches marred her left. She’d chosen a thick wool skirt and winter coat, but as the wind whipped in from the prairie, she wished she’d chosen somethingwarmer.

The front door opened. A big, burly man strolled out and descended the porch steps. “You must be MadisonCollins.”

“That’sme.”

“I saw you fall. Are you okay? Do you need aBand-Aid?”

“I’m fine. AreyouMack?”

“No, Mack’s my older brother. He’s out in the pasture right now. He asked me to have you wait in the kitchen over at the B&B. He should be coming in soon. Some of the cattle got loose last night and he’s leading theroundup.”

“Isee.”

“The B&B’sthisway.”

“I didn’t catchyourname.”

“I’m Hank, but don’t feel bad if you can’t remember my name. With five other brothers, we pretty much answer to any one of ournames.”