Debbi Rawlins - Her Cowboy Reunion

“Oh, that’s so sweet,” she said. “I’m sorry, we don’t have champagne. We do carry a couple of decent wines, though.”

“You’re right. That was very sweet.” Savannah forced a smile and touched Ron’s hand. “I’ll take a beer. Whatever you have on tap.”

The woman nodded and looked at Ron.

“Be right back,” Savannah said, withdrawing her hand and making a break for it before he could say anything.

She dug several bills out of her jeans pocket to get some change then leaned on the bar near the jukebox while she waited for the bartender to finish pouring a line of shots. Another hour with Ron and she was going to be ordering some of that tequila herself.

Nina was two bar stools away, still laughing it up with the long-haired cowboy. When she noticed Savannah, she said something to the guy, and he disappeared. Left his mug of beer, though, so he couldn’t have gone too far.

When Nina gave her a questioning look, Savannah realized her mistake. She’d only wanted to get away from Ron and to browse the jukebox selections. Hopefully find something that wasn’t country. But now Nina thought Savannah was trying to get her attention.

The bartender glanced over at her. “Be with you in a minute,” she called out from halfway down the bar.

“Take your time,” Savannah replied. “And I mean that with all my heart.” She smiled at Nina. “My fiancé is driving me nuts. So I’m ditching him for a while.”

“Ah.” Nina dialed down her grin. “Well, if you’re only at the engagement stage, there’s still time.”

“Don’t I wish.”

“My heart goes out to you.”

“Thanks.” Savannah laughed and peered down the row of customers sitting on the stools. Mostly cowboys in their twenties and thirties. Nobody she recognized, but she really didn’t expect to see anyone she would remember. Or who would remember her.

Earlier, at the diner, she’d bumped into an older woman who looked familiar, and that had put Savannah on edge. But it was just nerves, which she suspected had more to do with Ron and how he seemed to be shadowing her every move.

“Are you visiting?” Nina asked, just as the bartender was approaching.

Savannah nodded. “You?”

“Yep. I’m from Nebraska. On my way to Glacier National Park.”

“Traveling alone?” Savannah asked conversationally.

“Yep.”

The bartender smiled at Savannah. “What can I get you?”

“Change for the jukebox, please.”

“You got it.” She opened the register and glanced at the dollar bills Savannah laid on the counter before she started digging out quarters. “Couldn’t help overhearing,” she said. “For what it’s worth, men outnumber women two to one in this county.”

“Wow.” Nina’s eyes lit up. “Good to know.”

“Yeah, lucky you. Hey, my fiancé is pretty good-looking,” Savannah said, as the bartender dropped the coins in her palm. “I’ll trade you.”

Both women grinned.

A waitress called out, “Mallory,” and the blonde bartender gave her a nod. “You guys need anything else, let me know,” she said, slapping the bar before heading off.

“You knew that, didn’t you?” Savannah murmured. “That’s why you stuck me with Ron.”

Nina laughed. “Nope. That switch was all his idea.”

Savannah sighed. Even so, Nina should’ve cleared it with her first. “I’d better get back before he comes over and bothers me.”

She swung around and ran right into a wall of hard, solid male. Her breath left her in a whoosh, and she stumbled back against the bar with a fair amount of force.

A hand shot out to steady her. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Are you okay?”

“Fine.” She brushed the hair away from her warm cheeks. The bar had to be made of solid oak. She’d hit it at an odd angle, and it would probably leave a bruise, but she was more embarrassed than anything else.

“Did I hurt you?” He eased his grip on her arm and lowered his hand.

“It wasn’t your fault, it was mine.” She finally looked up at his face. Classically handsome. Dark hair, cut short. Dark eyes. Tall...

Oh, God. She knew him.

Mike something. His family had owned a ranch about three miles from where she’d lived in that run-down cabin. They hadn’t actually spoken...he was older, but he’d always waved when he saw her walking to the creek, where she used to hide out, anxious to get away from her parents’ endless arguments until her dad had finally left.

One time, Mike had even offered her a ride in his truck. Savannah had always had a book with her. That day, though, she’d been carrying three heavy hardbacks and enough snacks to last her a week. Just in case she had gotten brave enough to run away. It was the only time she’d seen him up close. She remembered because she’d thought he had kind eyes.

Burnett. That was his last name.

Nina touched her arm. “Are you okay?” she asked, clearly concerned.

“What?” Savannah blinked at her. “Yes, I’m fine.” Her gaze went back to Mike. “How about you?”

His mouth quirked up a little at the corners. “Right as rain.”

“Good. Okay.” She swallowed at the way he was staring at her. Didn’t mean he recognized her. He probably just thought she was some crazy woman. “Again, I’m so sorry,” she said, stepping around him and then hurrying to the table.

“What the hell was that about?” Ron asked.

“Nothing. I wasn’t paying attention and plowed into that guy.”

Ron frowned. “So why were you staring at each other?”

“I—I don’t know. I was in shock.” She touched her side, which barely hurt. “Plus I think I bruised my ribs.”

“Want me to have a look?”

“Gee, how kind of you to offer.” She turned away from his boorish grin. And sneaked another peek at Mike.

He picked up a mug of beer the bartender had just slid over to him and then carried it into the back room. Even if Savannah hadn’t seen him up close, she would’ve recognized his loose, easy stride. It was pretty amazing, the things that had stuck with her. The smell of the first day at the public school. The sound of the creek near the cabin. The way the kids had stared at her that awful day. And the kindness of her neighbor.

“Did you hear me?”

Savannah had vaguely heard him say something about Kalispell. “What about it?” she said, starting to pick up the beer the waitress had left. Only then did she realize she was still clutching the handful of quarters. “Oh, damn. I forgot to choose some songs.”

Her heart picked up speed. From here she couldn’t see Mike. But from the jukebox she’d have a great view of the back room. The thought worried her. If anything, she should be staying clear of him. Just in case...

“Come on, you don’t really want to stick around. There’s gotta be a lot more happening in Kalispell than this hick town.”

“But their mayor didn’t hire us, did he?” She should’ve lowered her voice. “You know what? You’re right.” She reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out the rental key. “Go. Have a good time. I’ll team up with Nina.”

“Ah, you’re anxious to get rid of me.” He took the keys, raising his right eyebrow at her. “So you two can pick up all the cowboys you want.”

“Don’t be an idiot.”

Ron glanced toward the back room. “We’re supposed to be the happily engaged couple,” he said, returning his arm to the back of her chair and leaning close. “What would people think?”

“Okay, I was wrong about the town and our approach. Is that what you wanted to hear? We don’t need to see how they roll out the carpet for a special occasion. This isn’t that kind of getaway. So feel free to hit Kalispell. On the company’s dime.” At this point, Savannah would gladly pay his expenses out of her own pocket. “Stay a few days, write up something that relates to Blackfoot Falls and I’ll take care of it from there.”