The Littlest Cowgirls--A Clean Romance

by Melinda Curtis

  “It isn’t polite to ask a woman about her sweet tooth. But, yes, I took two.”

  Wyatt stopped mere feet from the two-lane highway. He grabbed her purse and opened it.

  “What are you doing? Those are for later.” She tried to reclaim her small bag. “If you wanted cookies, you should have taken your own.”

  Bingo. Two cookies sandwiched her little vodka flask. Wyatt flung them into the woods. Something big moved slowly out of the shadows. He aimed his flashlight toward the sound.

  “Look at the cute little bear cub.” The size of a Labrador retriever. Genevieve bobbed her head, trying to get a closer look. “Are we supposed to feed the bears?”

  “Nope.” Wyatt hustled her across the road and to the safety of the inn.

  All without telling her that behind that bear cub had been a much larger bear.

  Arkoudaphobia. The fear of bears. It was real. And now Wyatt had it, too.

  * * *

  “WHAT’S THAT SOUND?” Laurel was sitting in her chair, supervising the baby-shower cleanup.

  Ashley stopped bagging the trash to listen. The others—Mitch, Gabby and Dr. Carlisle—stopped their cleanup efforts, as well.

  “It sounds like someone’s banging a pot.” Mitch went out on the porch to look. “What are you doing?”

  Wyatt climbed up the porch steps, a saucepan in one hand and a metal serving spoon in the other. “There are bears in the woods. When I was a kid, we used to scare them away with noise. I wouldn’t leave any trash or food out.”

  Fear raced through Ashley’s veins. Although she’d seen bears when she’d been camping with Grandpa Harlan, she’d never seen one as big as the grizzly hanging around Second Chance.

  “Nobody panic.” Mitch went to Laurel’s side. “That mama bear prefers easy pickings, like trash cans that don’t lock.”

  “I knew there had to be a drawback to this place.” Dr. Carlisle was Laurel’s doctor, based in Ketchum. Shane had contracted her to update the clinic in the hopes that she’d realize Second Chance would be a wonderful place to practice. She had planned to stay the night in the clinic, but at the moment, she looked pale. She adjusted her thick glasses and tucked her blond hair behind her ears. All nervous gestures.

  Shane wouldn’t be happy to hear Dr. Carlisle was rattled by wildlife. Second Chance was in the middle of a forest.

  Wyatt handed off his noisemaking kitchen items to Gabby and asked her to stand on the porch and continue to sound the alarm. He came to stand near Ashley. “This is not one of your horror movies.”

  Ashley nodded. “It’s just life in the mountains.”

  “Yes,” he said, sounding reassured. And Wyatt was reassured, encompassing her in a heated, almost passionate, gaze.

  Ashley inched away. Given their intimate conversation before the shower, levity was called for. “It’s more treacherous to navigate a career in Hollywood than escort my mother to her hotel.”

  “Yes, even without bears.”

  They both laughed and the moment passed.

  Laurel stared their way with concern in her eyes.

  “I’m fine,” Ashley said in a loud voice. “In case anyone was wondering.” In case anyone thought she’d forgotten that she and Wyatt were acting as if they were dating to create photo opportunities for Monroe accomplices.

  Mitch began organizing. The food was packed up and put away in the refrigerator. The trash would be carried down and put in the inn’s large metal bin. The presents would be left in the clinic. And they’d all march down together.

  “I’ll stay here.” Dr. Carlisle looked much calmer than she had when Wyatt had first announced the bear’s presence. “I’ll be fine. Everything is clean and put away. I’ll lock all the doors and windows.”

  “Are you sure?” Ashley glanced out into the darkness. “If I was staying here, I’d jump at every noise all night long.”

  “I’m sure.” Dr. Carlisle had a confident smile, which probably helped her when she guided women through childbirth.

  They left her in the clinic and made their way back to the inn without incident.

  The group milled about the lobby, wide-eyed and smiling, as if they’d just accomplished a grand feat, not walked home without encountering wildlife.

  “Nicely done, Halford.” Mitch shook Wyatt’s hand.

  “I may not have the mad horseback riding skills of Ashley,” Wyatt said half-jokingly. “But I know a thing or two about living in a small town in the woods.”

  Other things Wyatt knew a thing or two about: scaring away bears and charming the ladies. Ashley filed that under things she shouldn’t think about when she thought about Wyatt Halford.

  Laurel sent Ashley a silent look that was worry filled.

  And maybe it was justified, because somehow Wyatt had taken hold of Ashley’s hand without her realizing it. And maybe she was letting her guard down too much where he was concerned, because their hands fit together.

  “Gabby, is your homework done?” Laurel asked, still watching Ashley.

  “No.” Gabby stared at her phone, spinning her hips back and forth, making her skirt eddy around her legs.

  Ashley tried to gently extricate her hand without causing a fuss. Wyatt held on. And Laurel saw that, too. The worry lines in her forehead deepened.

  Laurel thought Wyatt was trying to muscle past Ashley’s guard, the way Mom had warned. But he was only doing it to keep up the deception that they were dating. Anyone could come down the stairs or through the front door and see them. Mitch’s mother, for example. She didn’t realize that Ashley was like Letty Moody and Wyatt was like Jeb Clark. There was an attraction, but it was a train wreck of an attraction. Never destined to be.

  Ashley leaned away from Wyatt, hoping to slip her hand from his, hoping to reestablish some space.

  No dice. If his grip had been this firm on the saddle horn this morning, he wouldn’t have fallen off the horse.

  Laurel’s frown was in full force now. “Gabby, did you do the dishes?”

  “Yes. Before we left.” Gabby glanced up from her phone. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “Yes.” Laurel shooed her into the apartment, no doubt wanting to say something to Ashley or Wyatt or both.

  Like Ashley needed a reminder of the dangers of Wyatt up close and personal. “I’m headed for bed. Early morning and all.” She tugged a bit harder.

  And her twin was right to be worried, because Wyatt still didn’t let Ashley go. He held on and caressed her hand with his thumb as he led her upstairs. And Ashley didn’t protest because that might upset Wyatt, who’d actually seemed like he got along with people tonight, even Mitch. And wasn’t that part of the reason he was here, and Ashley was pretending to be his wedding date? To help unravel the knots tangling them all together?

  CHAPTER NINE

  THE MORNING AFTER the baby shower, Ashley hadn’t even gotten her tea from Cam when Wyatt entered the diner, beautifully sweaty.

  That shouldn’t be a thing.

  She’d spent much of the night tossing and turning, thinking about Wyatt and things she’d said—too much—and how he made her feel—too much—and vows she’d made to her sister. She’d wanted to go downstairs for a cup of tea in the middle of the night, but what if Wyatt was down there? She’d tossed some more, until Mom had poked her and commanded her to lie still so one of them could get her beauty sleep.

  Ashley had welcomed the chance to dive into the distraction of work this morning. And then what had happened? Her biggest distraction had walked through that door.

  She felt like slouching and hunching her shoulders in an attempt to be invisible. Instead, she rolled them back and reached for a smile that conveyed disdain for sweaty men who didn’t kiss women good-night.

  “Good morning.” Wyatt sauntered behind the lunch counter and washed his hands as if he was a long-term resident a
nd customer. “I’ll get my own water. I know you’re busy, Chef.”

  Cam tossed him a towel via the pass-through. “Thanks, man. Where have you been eating? I haven’t seen you in the diner.”

  “He’s eating clean,” Ashley said, a little unnerved by the ease with which Wyatt suddenly fit in to what should have been her world. “Nonprocessed foods he buys from the general store.” Mack had told her that when Ashley had stopped by yesterday to check out the Mike Moody merchandise displayed in the store window.

  “Does nothing I do go unnoticed in Second Chance?” Wyatt shook his head, but he was smiling.

  Just not at her.

  Which was good. It meant she could refuse to feel guilty that the pictures Second Chance residents had posted on social media were trending in popularity. Not that she should feel guilty. He’d posted a picture of her walking through the meadow and the one Gabby had taken of them yesterday during her homework interview. They were both doing their part to avert disaster. If only he’d agree to forgoing his rights to those babies, they’d be free and clear to go their separate ways. Instead, it felt like half of Hollywood was coming to witness what could be their career demise if things didn’t go smoothly.

  “Eating keto doesn’t mean he has to eat plain.” Cam diced something with a series of quick chop-chop-chops.

  “What’s on the agenda today?” Wyatt sat down across from Ashley, scrubbing at his face and neck with the towel, removing all that sweat, just not any of his beauty.

  “I’m very busy.”

  “And I’m very bad at taking a hint.” But he said it with a smile that softened his words and threatened to soften her resolve. “It’s a skill I learned from having two older sisters.”

  She didn’t want to imagine him as a precocious young boy who followed his sisters around. Had he been an angel like little Adam Clark? Or more of a mischief-maker like the middle Clark boy, Charlie?

  “I’m very busy with boring preproduction work.” She had to review the portfolios of set directors and their pitches to dress Second Chance for the film. “And then I have to squeeze in a special project for Shane.” She was directing the street production of The Legend of Mike Moody for his Old West Festival on Sunday.

  “Yes, where is Shane?” Wyatt set his elbows on the table and leaned forward. “I have a bone to pick with him, not to mention he owes me a set of spark plugs.”

  “I thought you went to the Bucking Bull yesterday.” Cam butted into their conversation as if he’d been invited. “Shane lives there now. He’s getting married to Franny on New Year’s Eve.”

  “Thank you, Cam.” Cousin Blabbermouth. She gave him a dirty look.

  Wyatt’s expression darkened.

  “I don’t expect to see Shane today,” Ashley barreled on, still intent upon trying to shake Wyatt loose. “I’ve got wedding details to go over. It’s all boring stuff.” But it wouldn’t be if Wyatt were along, of that she was certain.

  “Is Wyatt coming to dinner?” Cam wasn’t much good at reading Ashley’s hints. “I’m making vegetarian surprise.”

  “What’s the surprise?” Wyatt asked.

  Cam shrugged. “Whatever comes in my food delivery today. It’s hard to predict.”

  “I’ll be Ashley’s plus-one for dinner,” Wyatt said, flashing her a grin. “Wouldn’t want to miss vegetarian surprise.”

  “Then your day is free until about seven.” She tried not to sound too relieved.

  “Yeah, I like yesterday’s work better.” Wyatt took a draft of water. “Tell me when you go back to the Bucking Bull to practice stunt work. I’ll enjoy that and requesting Shane return my stolen property. An actor can never let his skills get rusty, be they riding or using his fists.”

  Oh, come on. Ashley was about to reiterate that she didn’t think Wyatt needed to join her because he wasn’t right for the part of Mike Moody when the front door of the diner was flung open.

  “I raced all the way over here for fear of running into that bear.” Gabby hurried inside, wearing a hoodie and toting a backpack. “I need to do my online homework without distractions, so I’m knuckling down over here for a few hours. There were too many early risers at the inn.” She sat on a stool at the lunch counter. “Cam, can I have a breakfast special? Whatever the special is today, anyway.”

  “You’re my kind of customer, kid.” Cam poured a yellow mixture into something Ashley couldn’t see. “The kind who doesn’t ask what the special is but just orders it anyway. I’m making bacon-and-red-pepper egg cups.” Cam slid a tray into the oven. “One special, coming right up.”

  “I thought you weren’t open.” Wyatt sat up, looking toward the kitchen and Ashley’s cousin. “Egg cups? Is that keto?”

  “It is keto. If you’d bother to look, we have a diverse breakfast menu.” Cam sounded annoyed. “But we’re closed for all but our hometown heroes. Gabby once saved my fiancée’s life.”

  “I heard about that,” Ashley said gently, because Laurel had told her it had been harrowing not just for Ivy, but for Gabby. “Do you need a hug, Gabby?”

  “No.” But Gabby squirmed in her seat as if she were uncomfortable.

  Ashley got up and gave her a hug anyway.

  “I save people on the big screen.” Wyatt grinned at Ashley and held out his arms as if he, too, needed a hug. When she gave him a scowl instead, he said, “And, Cam, I could do with anything you whip up if you aren’t going to offer me your egg cups. Surprise me.”

  Roy tottered in, wearing his faded blue coveralls. “I saw folks coming inside.” He lived in a small cabin across the road next to the medical clinic. “Thought I’d mosey over since you were open early, Cam.” He sat next to Gabby. “How’s my girl?”

  “Overloaded with homework.” Gabby opened her laptop, a cue that Ashley should do the same. “So much for summer vacation.”

  “Want a special, Roy?” Cam was chopping again.

  “Sure do. Need me to make the community coffeepot?”

  “Sure do.” Cam grinned.

  Roy got back to his feet and moved to the table with the big metal cistern that allowed residents to serve themselves a cup of coffee without disrupting the workflow in the short-staffed diner.

  Wyatt’s stomach growled loud enough that Ashley heard. He frowned at everyone, but only Ashley seemed to notice. “Why does Roy get a special?”

  “The diner adopted Roy after his heart attack.” Cam was in chef mode, darting to and fro in the kitchen.

  Without removing her gaze from her laptop, Gabby raised her hand. “I was there to help save Roy, too.”

  “You know those things always happen in threes,” Wyatt grumbled.

  Gabby paled, whipping around to stare at Wyatt as if he was a teacher who’d given out an impossible assignment.

  “You shouldn’t say that to her,” Ashley said quickly.

  “My mom said it all the time.” Wyatt shrugged. “Bad luck comes in threes. It’s just an old wives’ tale.”

  “Hush.” Ashley kept her voice down. “Gabby’s worried something’s going to happen to Laurel and the babies.”

  “Actually, I’m worried I’m going to end up delivering those babies,” Gabby said, proving sounds carried in the near-empty diner. “Because that’s the kind of streak I’m on. And preemies need doctors.”

  “Delivering babies is my job.” Dr. Carlisle entered the diner, looking fully rested despite last night’s bear alert. “Never fear. I took a few days off to attend the wedding and watch out for Laurel.” She sat down next to Gabby. “I didn’t expect to see you up so early.” She glanced around. “I didn’t expect the diner to be open so early either.”

  “Do you want a special, Doc?” Cam called from the kitchen.

  “I do.” Wyatt raised his hand, schooling his features to look pitiful. “Honestly, I know CPR, and I once played an army medic. I can be heroic.” His st
omach growled loud enough for everyone to hear.

  And hear they did. Everyone turned to stare.

  Ashley rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Wyatt. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were using ventriloquism to make that noise.”

  He drew himself up and tapped his hands on his abs. “I’m starving and you make jokes?”

  “All right. Four specials coming up.” Cam banged around in the kitchen.

  Gabby got off her stool. “Unless someone wants to do my geometry homework, I’m going to be in the corner powering through this stuff.”

  Ashley was tempted to join her. She couldn’t get work done with Wyatt sitting across from her. She tapped her fingers on her stack of folders, gathering her courage to join Gabby.

  “Don’t do it.” Wyatt shook his head. “I’d just follow you over.”

  “And now you’re a mind reader?” Ashley scoffed.

  “It’s entirely possible.” He gave her a cheeky grin. “You and I both know actors pick up random knowledge when studying for a role.”

  Gabby snorted. “I bet that doesn’t include anything useful, like geometry.”

  * * *

  “I’M TELLING YOU, Wyatt, this is a good deal.” Wyatt’s agent let his impatience show. “If you sign now, when you see Jess Watanabe on Saturday, the two of you will be able to toast to the project.”

  “And I’m telling you it’s not the deal I want.” Wyatt wasn’t agreeing with his agent’s opinions or his attitude. It was late morning. His egg-cup breakfast was fast becoming but a memory. And Wyatt was getting hungry for more than food. He hadn’t seen or heard Ashley since breakfast.

  Brandon fretted. “If we press them any more, Wyatt, they’ll find someone else to play Captain Doohoon.” In that sci-fi thriller film with an option for two additional installments.

  Wyatt didn’t think twice about defending his position. “I’ve got another Ian Bradford film coming out at the end of summer. You and I both know it’s going to break box-office records.”

  “You and I both know there is no guarantee of anything anymore.” Brandon had taken his difficult pill today. All he wanted to do was argue. “Great job at trending on social media, though. Make sure to forward any more pictures you have. You and Ashley Monroe look like you’re getting along.”