He studied her, his expression calm. “Have you come to any conclusions about you and Michael?”
“I’m still working on it.” Like her dad, she’d been known to take days, weeks, even months to look at something from all angles. But that would mean torturing the man who’d put his heart on the line, the man she loved.
“Then don’t contact him about the shirt. You don’t want to muddy the waters with unimportant issues. What’s the other option?”
“Kendra McGavin.”
“Oh?” His gaze flickered ever so slightly. “Why would she have shirts?”
“She might not, but she put in an order last week. Wes and I spent several hours with her on Thursday and I know her a little better now. She’s very proud of what Bryce has done with that bar. Buying extra shirts is the type of thing she might do.”
“Then do you mind calling her?”
“Not at all.” She was curious about that flicker she’d seen in his eyes a moment ago. “But you’ve met her. Why don’t you call?”
A telltale blink of surprise. Then he relaxed into his easy-going cowboy drawl. “Guess I could, at that.” He pulled out his phone. “What’s her number?”
Roxanne gave it to him and settled back in her chair. Over the years, she’d been party to many of her dad’s conversations, but none quite like this one.
“Hi, Kendra. This is Quinn Sawyer, Roxanne’s dad.” He paused. “Yes, I got in yesterday. Uh-huh. Looking forward to it. Heard you might be wearing a bear suit.” Then he chuckled. “Should be interesting.”
Roxanne was fascinated. It wasn’t the conversation itself, but his tone of voice that was different. Lighter, more playful.
“I called because Roxanne thought maybe you’d have an extra shirt I could buy.” Another pause. “No, I’ll pay you for it. I—” He laughed. “All right. We’ll do some horse-trading later. A large should work fine.”
He smiled at Roxanne and gave her thumbs up. “I’ll locate you at the event. About what time? Got it. See you then, Kendra. Take care.” He disconnected and glanced at her. “She’ll hook me up.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“What are you smiling about?”
“Nothing, Dad. Ready to make some decisions about your new website design?”
“Sure thing, honeybun.”
* * *
At three-thirty, Ingrid tapped on Roxanne’s door. “You guys about ready?”
“Almost!” Roxanne opened the door and invited her in. “Dad’s changing his shirt.”
“You got him a logo one?”
“Didn’t think of it in time, but Kendra’s bringing an extra she had. He’s going to wear a regular t-shirt and put the logo one over it.”
“Extra layers will be good. It’s cold out there. I’m not looking forward to taking off my coat for the cameras.”
“We’ll be in a big crowd. Lots of body heat.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Rox.” She peered at her. “You doing okay?”
She took a deep breath. “Yeah. Still undecided about Michael. Dad’s given me some things to think about.”
“Talking about me?” Her dad came out of the bedroom pulling on a sheepskin jacket over a white t-shirt. “Howdy, Miss Ingrid.”
“Howdy to you, too. Roxanne said you’ve been dispensing parental words of wisdom.”
He laughed. “I read somewhere that’s my job. Hey, we’d better get a move on. I’m supposed to meet Kendra around three forty-five.”
Ingrid was right about the temperature. When Roxanne stepped outside she flipped up the collar of her jacket to block a cold wind. Then she took a yellow knit hat from the pocket and pulled it down over her ears. “Brrr.”
“Told you.” Ingrid followed suit with a blue hat. “Hang onto that Stetson, Quinn.”
“No worries.” He tugged the brim lower. “I’m not about to lose my best hat. Let’s boogie.”
As they joined the other pedestrians hurrying down the sidewalk, he took the outside track, a gallant habit he’d taught her brothers.
Ingrid flashed Roxanne a smile and mouthed he’s so cute.
I know. Evidently he was crushing on Kendra. Like Wes said, it wouldn’t amount to anything when they lived seven hours apart, but it was fun to watch.
They’d made it halfway to the Guzzling Grizzly when he glanced at Roxanne. “Something just occurred to me. Can’t believe I didn’t think of it before. Your logo started all this. Won’t CNN want to interview you?”
“They might, but I—”
“Wow, he’s right.” Ingrid said. “I didn’t think of it, either.”
Her dad picked up the pace. “We should have left earlier so you’d be available. I’m surprised Michael didn’t set it up for you. It would be good for your business and he’s smart enough to know—”
“He wanted to set it up that way.”
“But CNN nixed it?”
“No, I did.”
He glanced at her in surprise. “Why?”
“Me, appear on national TV? That’s terrifying!”
“I agree it might be out of your comfort zone, honeybun, but what a great opportunity.”
“Probably, but…I’m willing to pass it up. Michael said he’d make sure they knew I didn’t want to be interviewed.”
“I see.”
“Would you have wanted to go on national TV, Dad?”
He hesitated. “I’d have a whole squadron of butterflies doing maneuvers in my gut.”
“See? I would, too! Just thinking about it made me sick to my stomach.”
“I understand. But your mother told me something a long time ago.” He grimaced. “Another thing I’ve failed to pass on.”
“What?”
“That the butterflies in the gut feeling might not be fear. It could be excitement at the idea of a new challenge. A chance to grow.”
She didn’t want to hear that. “Trust me, Dad. It was fear. Sheer terror.” Maybe. Or maybe…just maybe…oh, God, what if…what if she’d passed up this TV gig…on everything… because…she was a coward?
Talk about butterflies. Those videos of migrating Monarchs? The closer she came to the Guzzling Grizzly and the crowd gathering in the parking lot, the more her insides played that video.
Police barricades blocked the street in front of the GG and a large white van was the only vehicle parked there. A camera crew was filming a precision riding demonstration put on by four cowboys wearing logo shirts and carrying logo flags.
Bryce and Nicole’s music filled the air, but they weren’t on the temporary stage set up near the front entrance. Instead, dancing energetically to the music pouring from a set of speakers were…bears. A second cameraman was filming them.
“Five?” Her dad stared at them in consternation. “I thought Kendra was the only one who’d be wearing a bear costume.”
Ingrid laughed. “Evidently not.”
The number ended and the bears bowed and curtsied as the crowd applauded. Then one bear stepped to the mic. “Thanks for humoring us, folks. We’ll depart now and let the real stars of this event take the stage.”
“That’s Kendra’s voice,” her dad said. “I have her pinpointed.” He looked at Roxanne and Ingrid. “Will you excuse me while I go fetch my shirt?”
“Sure, Dad.”
His gaze sharpened. “You okay, honeybun? You look a little green around the gills.”
“I’m fine.” It’s just that all these butterflies are having a party in my stomach.
“Okay, then. If you stay right here, I can find you again.”
“We will,” Ingrid said. After he left, she turned to Roxanne. “You are kind of pale.”
She swallowed. “I almost made a big mistake, but I can fix it. I hope.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“I don’t—” She paused as Michael came out of the GG and vaulted onto the stage. Didn’t bother with the stairs and railing that had been constructed. No coat, either, of course. He wasn’t about to let a little
cold air keep him from displaying his beloved t-shirt in all its glory.
He stepped up to the mic. “Let’s hear it for the Whine and Cheese Club bears and our precision drill team!”
After the applause died down, someone called out from the crowd. “Hey, Michael, when should we take off our coats?”
“Soon, Alfred! I’ll be back in three minutes to give you the signal.”
“Where’s your coat, Michael?”
“At the cleaners!” He jumped down from the stage.
She had three minutes. She turned to Ingrid. “Yes, you can help. Stay right here so Dad can find you again. Tell him…tell him he was right about the butterflies.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Grow.” Heart pounding and stomach jumping, she threaded her way through the crowd to the GG’s front door. A tall cowboy stood on either side.
She recognized one of them from pictures Kendra had shown her on Thursday. The brilliant blue eyes would have pegged him as a McGavin, anyway. “You’re Ryker.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m Roxanne Sawyer, the person who created the logo. I need to talk to Michael.”
“I’m sorry. He’s very bus—”
Michael came out the door and nearly mowed her down. Grabbing her shoulders, he held her steady. “Hi! I didn’t—”
“Listen.” She gulped in air. “There’s no time to explain, but can I be onstage with you, after all?”
He hesitated. “Um…okay. Yeah, sure.”
“Go ahead and do the bit about me being a local girl who made the logo.” She sucked in another breath. “But after that I have an idea that’s guaranteed to get a ton of viewers.”
“What?”
“I can’t tell you. Then it might look rehearsed. Just go with it, no matter what, okay?”
“But—”
“Say yes,” drawled the other cowboy in a distinctive Southern accent. “When a beautiful woman tells you to go with it, I guarantee somethin’ good is comin’.”
Michael glanced at him. “Thanks, Badger.” Then he gazed at Roxanne for a moment before he held out his hand. “We’re on.”
* * *
Just go with it? Michael hoped to hell he wasn’t making a huge mistake. He was gambling with the biggest promo opportunity the Guzzling Grizzly had ever had, maybe the biggest one it would ever have. But Roxanne seemed to know what she was doing.
“Wait. I have to ditch all this.” Stuffing her hat in her pocket, she quickly took off her jacket. “Where should I—”
“I’ll hang onto it.” Badger reached for the jacket. “It’ll be waitin’ for you when you’re done.”
“Thanks.” She took Michael’s hand and followed him up the steps to the stage. “That vaulting thing you did was impressive.”
“Is that why you’re here?” He glanced back at her. “You were impressed with my manly vault?”
“There’s a lot more to it than that, but seeing your muscles in action doesn’t hurt your cause any.”
“Good to know.” He held tight to her hand as he moved in front of the mic. “Okay, Eagles Nesters. Bryce and Nicole will come on stage next and I want you to make some noise. Then when they hit the first chord of their number, strip off your jackets and coats. Leave ‘em off until the song’s done. Dance if you feel like it. You’ll keep warmer that way.”
He drew Roxanne over to a corner of the stage as Bryce and Nicole appeared accompanied by thunderous applause. He put his mouth close to her ear. “What’s this all about?”
“Butterflies.”
“Excuse me?”
She started to say something else, but the music began and they were right next to a speaker. She smiled and shook her head.
Butterflies. Nothing was adding up. When he’d first come on stage he’d searched the crowd. She’d been in the back with Ingrid. Her dad had been joking around with the bears.
Maybe her dad had convinced her to get up on stage and claim her rightful place, but why so last-minute? He wouldn’t find out until she did whatever she had in mind. At least he was standing beside her holding her hand and breathing in her sweet scent. She’d improved his life immensely simply by being here.
When the song ended, Bryce and Nicole took their bows and went back inside. Michael stepped up to the mic again. “Okay, everybody, you can put on your coats. Now I have the great pleasure of introducing you to the woman who created this logo that we all love, local graphic designer Roxanne Sawyer! Give it up for Roxanne!
More whoops and hollers from the crowd.
Roxanne squeezed his hand and edged him away from the mic. “Thank you, Eagles Nesters! I’m thrilled that my crazy logo has resulted in this amazing celebration that’s brought so many of us together. This town rocks!”
That brought more cheers and applause.
“On a personal note, this logo also brought me and Michael together. As most of you know, he’s a great guy. It will come as no surprise that I’ve fallen deeply in love with him.”
He gasped and stared at her.
“If you folks will permit me a moment of your time, I have something very important I need to ask him.” Slowly she turned and gazed at him, her cheeks bright pink and warmth in her big brown eyes. “Michael Murphy, will you marry me?”
The crowd went totally silent.
He gulped, tried to say something. Failed. Cleared his throat. “Yes.”
The silence was shattered with wild applause, whistles and shouts of congratulations.
“Kiss her!” someone yelled.
“Great idea!” He called back. Slowly he drew her into his arms. “Butterflies?”
“I’ll explain that later. I love you so much, Michael. So very much.”
“I love you, too. I can’t believe you proposed in front of this crowd, in front of the cameras, in front of the whole country.”
She smiled and wound her arms around his neck. “What crowd? What cameras? I see only you.”
“And I see only you.” He captured her sweet lips. She tasted like joy, like promises, like forever. He’d thought he needed luck to win her. But all he’d needed was love.
But Wait, There’s More!
Want your very own Guzzling Grizzly t-shirt, shot glass or coffee mug? Then head on over to the Guzzling Grizzly Country Store!
* * *
Coming in May! A COWBOY’S CHARM, book nine in the McGavin Brothers series. Quinn Sawyer’s been waiting a long time for the right woman, and he has his sights set on Kendra McGavin!
Saddle up for all the stories in the McGavin Brothers series!
* * *
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FREE McGavin Brothers Prequel!
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Want more cowboys? Check out my Sons of Chance and Thunder Mountain Brotherhood series!
MIDNIGHT THUNDER – (TMB #1) Cade Gallagher must save his foster parents’ ranch and win the heart of the woman he left behind.
WANTED! – (SOC #1) Can sexy cowboy Nick Chance convince a beautiful photographer to see the man behind the muscles?
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Praise for Vicki’s cowboy series
“Vicki Lewis Thompson has a reputation for putting enough sizzle between the pages to actually create steam.”
Fresh Fiction
“This modern cowboy tale expertly balances sex and emotion with a touch of humor. It’s one of the hottest western romances of the year!”
RT Book Reviews
“Once again Ms. Thompson’s writing is crisp and straightforward, with an uncanny ability to weave the beautiful western landscape of the Grand T
etons into the storyline. Overall a hot, sexy read.”
Harlequin Junkie
Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson
The McGavin Brothers
A Cowboy’s Strength
A Cowboy’s Honor
A Cowboy’s Return
A Cowboy’s Heart
A Cowboy’s Courage
A Cowboy’s Christmas
A Cowboy’s Kiss
Thunder Mountain Brotherhood
Midnight Thunder
Thunderstruck
Rolling Like Thunder
A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe
Cowboy All Night
Cowboy After Dark
Cowboy Untamed
Cowboy Unwrapped
In the Cowboy’s Arms
Say Yes to the Cowboy
Do You Take This Cowboy?
Sons of Chance
Wanted!
Ambushed!
Claimed!
Should've Been a Cowboy
Cowboy Up
Cowboys Like Us
Long Road Home
Lead Me Home
Feels Like Home
I Cross My Heart
Wild at Heart
The Heart Won't Lie
Cowboys and Angels
Riding High
Riding Hard
Riding Home
A Last Chance Christmas
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson’s love affair with cowboys started with the Lone Ranger, continued through Maverick, and took a turn south of the border with Zorro. She views cowboys as the Western version of knights in shining armor, rugged men who value honor, honesty and hard work. Fortunately for her, she lives in the Arizona desert, where broad-shouldered, lean-hipped cowboys abound. Blessed with such an abundance of inspiration, she only hopes that she can do them justice.
Connect with Vicki online!
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