Some Like It Hot (Sweetrock Cowboy Romance Book 1) by Leighann Dobbs Page A

her success by talking badly about him. Even though she was thinking badly about him.
    Then again, she wasn’t exactly sure that making the cornbread cupcakes were within the rules, either. Surely, cupcakes weren’t nearly as bad as an actual bribe? Best to keep quiet about it, but if Nick was going to use the same bribe tomorrow then she was going to march right over there and have a word with him. She’d just make sure she didn’t have any cornbread cupcakes in her booth in case the judges decided to check things out.
    Tessa had the night off, and the fridge was empty. Neither one of them wanted to go grocery shopping, and they were both starving. Sam had had her fill of chili earlier in the week and hadn’t eaten much of anything all day. Since they’d overdosed on cupcakes the night before, they were both craving a real meal.
    “I know a great place where we can go and grab a really good burger,” Tessa said.
    Burgers had been their go-to meal in college when their budgets didn’t dictate that they ate ramen noodles. And when things were going badly for one of them, somehow a greasy burger oozing with cheese and dripping ketchup always made things better.
    Sam could use that right about now.
    “The Bull Sheep?” Sam asked.
    “No, someplace better. A real restaurant.” Tessa grabbed her purse. “I want to show you a real Montana burger made the way they’re supposed to be made. Thick and juicy.”
    Sam showered and changed into a brown tee-shirt with a white and black design on it and her favorite faded jeans. Her sophisticated Boston wardrobe had no place here in Sweetrock.
    Funny thing was, she was starting to really like the more casual attire. It was more comfortable. And she was developing quite a crush on cowboy boots. Tessa’s closet was full of them, in all colors and styles. Sam liked the way they felt on her feet—comfortable but sturdy. She liked the hollow thudding sound they made. Much more substantial than the clack-clack-clack of high heels. Not to mention that her slim leg jeans fit perfectly into the tops and the boots riding halfway up her calf gave her outfit a little pop at the bottom. Tonight she was wearing a brown pair with a black and white stitched design on the top that almost matched her tee-shirt. She was definitely going to have to look into getting some cowboy boots when she got back to Boston.
    “Maybe tomorrow night we can saddle up a couple of the horses in the barn and go on a ride,” Tessa said as they drove away. She’d been after Sam to try out one of the horses at the trail riding place where she worked, but Sam had been too busy with the contest. She had only been on a horse a couple of times and not since college. Sam had to admit the prospect was a bit daunting.
    “Maybe.”
    Tessa prattled on about horses as they drove down the winding country roads. It was clear to Sam that Tessa loved horses, and Sam’s heart gave a little tug at the thought of having an animal to take care of. Something soft and furry that was always happy to see you when you got home. And didn’t argue with you. Or cheat at contests.
    Of course, she couldn’t have a horse in Boston, but maybe a cat. Because they’d moved around so much when she was little, she’d never been able to have a pet, and she’d really wanted one as a kid. Of course, that would have to wait until she had an actual place to live.
    The road opened up ahead to reveal wide fields and far-away mountains. The sun was just setting behind them, and it splashed the mountains ahead in purple and pink while the field glowed golden-yellow. It was breathtaking.
    “Look!” Tessa pointed to the right, and Sam looked in wonder at the two deer in the field. One had its head down, grazing, and the other was looking straight at them, her ears alert like radar dishes. As they watched, a hawk swooped down, picked up a small rodent and flew off with the poor creature in its talons. Sam was mesmerized—you never saw stuff like