Crazy For the Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page A

the coffee mugs on the bar. Then he decided to plant some information to shore up his reputation as a force to be reckoned with. He wanted Ike to pass the news on to Georgie so she’d know the plan hadn’t been scrapped. “Just an FYI while you’re checking your supplies—we won’t be drinking as much tonight. We’re riding out first thing in the morning to find the Ghost.”
    Ike gazed at him. “You realize I’ll have to report that to Georgie.”
    â€œI’m counting on it.” Vince left the saloon feeling a little like the old boys in
High Noon.
Georgie had thrown down a challenge, and he’d be damned if he’d back away from it.
    *   *   *
    When Mac and Travis walked into the store, Georgie expected Vince to follow. When he didn’t, she was surprised. And disappointed? Surely not. He was the testosterone-driven cowboy who thought chasing a wild stallion made him a hero.
    She smiled at Mac and Travis. Yesterday Mac had seemed ready to give up on the idea of rounding up the Ghost, so obviously he wasn’t as committed to the project as Vince. That earned him points in her book. “What can I help you with, gentlemen?”
    Mac glanced around. “I’ve been thinking about getting one of those self-inflating air mattresses, the thermal kind that’s supposed to keep the cold from seeping up from the ground.”
    Travis looked at him in surprise. “You have? I didn’t know that.”
    â€œI don’t tell you everything.” Mac turned back to Georgie. “You have a mattress like that?”
    â€œSure, but . . .” She hesitated, torn between wanting the sale and knowing that the Bickford General Store wasn’t Mac’s cheapest option for such a thing. The average cowboy didn’t make a lot of money. She suspected he was buying this mattress to help her out, and she appreciated that more than he knew.
    Finally her conscience wouldn’t let her do it without warning him first. “You’d get a better price in one of the big camping stores in Amarillo or Lubbock, or maybe even online.”
    â€œI know.” He smiled. “I’d rather buy it from you.”
    Hidden behind the grocery aisle where she was stocking paper goods, Anastasia sighed in obvious delight. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” Then she walked into view. “I don’t know your name, mister, but I can tell your heart’s as big as Texas.”
    Both men stood a little straighter as they gazed at Anastasia. Georgie hadn’t given much thought to Anastasia’s outfit, but seeing it through the eyes of two single cowboys gave her a new perspective. Anastasia wasn’t overweight, at least not in Georgie’s opinion. Evelyn thought Anastasia needed to diet, but Georgie disagreed. She was healthy and she looked good.
    But dressed in a white knit shirt and snug jeans, she might look a little too good. Her sensible ponytail now seemed sassy and provocative. Thank goodness both men were leaving tomorrow.
    â€œAnastasia, these are Vince’s friends, Mac Foster and Travis Langdon.”
    â€œI thought so. Pleased to meet y’all.” But Anastasia seemed far more pleased to meet Mac than Travis, although she extended her hand to both of them because she’d been raised to be polite. Her adoring glances, though, were all directed at Mac. “Anyone who’d choose to make a purchase at the Bickford General Store instead of driving to a discount place surely wouldn’t want to chase some poor horse around God’s creation.”
    Mac looked flustered. “Uh . . .”
    â€œDid Vince mention what I told him about the Ghost?”
    Travis spoke right up. “Yes, ma’am. I’m willing to believe it, too.”
    â€œYou should.” Looking pleased, she glanced over at Mac. “How about you?”
    â€œAnything’s