The Cowbear's Mail Order Bride (Curvy Bear Ranch 6) by Liv Brywood Page B

rugged machine between her legs. What woman wouldn’t?
    Off to the left, something shimmered. She turned her head and watched sunlight sparkle across a river. Rippling water reflected and bent the light until it glittered like a rush of tiny diamonds.
    To her right, snow clung to every pine tree along the side of the road. Clumps fell off as they rode past. Everywhere she looked, pristine wilderness spread out as far as she could see. Thank God Congress had set aside the land to preserve it. She couldn’t imagine the destruction it would have undergone had people been allowed to build housing developments in it.
    As they rushed passed the sign for a campground, she let out a wistful sigh. She’d always wanted to go camping, but her ex hated the outdoors. He’d told her countless times that only poor people went camping. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
    Plenty of other doctors and nurses at the hospital went on camping trips, sometimes together. She envied their stories of all-day hikes and eating s’mores by the campfire. Her mouth watered. Oh, to smoosh a gooey marshmallow between two graham crackers and a layer of chocolate. It was a fairly simple fantasy, but one she’d never lived. If she ever cleaned up the mess she’d made of her life, she’d take her daughter on a camping trip.
    The engine’s roar downshifted to a purr as they reached Madison Junction. He turned right and then made another right and pulled into a near-empty parking lot. After he’d turned off the snowmobile, she stood and stretched. He unstrapped his helmet and set it on the snowmobile.
    “This is the only chance we have for a bathroom break and a warm drink for a while,” he said. “Even if you don’t think you have to go, try. You don’t want to have to squat in the woods in ten-degree weather.”
    “I’d have to agree with that,” she said.
    “I’ll meet you over there.” He pointed to a trailer.
    “Okay.”
    She followed him into the building that housed the bathrooms. It was much warmer than she’d expected.
    After she’d finished, she found Drew. He stood inside the trailer in front of the counter. She arched a brow when she spotted the menu. They had quite a variety of options considering they were running such a small operation.
    Drew ordered coffee while she ordered orange pekoe tea. As they waited, she studied the maps and photos on the walls.
    “We’re here,” Drew said as he pointed at a large map. “We need to go up here.”
    “That looks like a long trip.”
    “It’s not bad, but there is a pretty big elevation change. So it’s going to get colder. How are you doing so far? Are you warm enough?” he asked.
    “I’m sure I’ll be fine after I drink the tea.”
    “Order number twenty-three,” called the cashier.
    “That’s us.” Drew retrieved the steaming cups and handed her one. “Be careful. It looks pretty hot. You don’t want to burn those lips.”
    He froze. With the cup halfway to her mouth, she paused. He looked like he wanted to melt into the floor. When she cracked a smile, he mirrored it.
    “Totally not awkward,” he said in a self-deprecating tone.
    “I liked it,” she whispered.
    “What?”
    “Kissing you.”
    He swallowed hard enough to make his Adam’s apple bob. As he bent to sip his coffee, he looked at her over the rim of the cup. His sudden shyness only added to his attractiveness.
    They finished their drinks in silence. She noted his sidelong glances but didn’t comment on them. He was so skittish that she didn’t want to scare him away. Even though she wanted to fling herself into his arms, it was out of the question.
    When they returned to the snowmobile, he turned and looked at her with such hunger in his eyes that her knees trembled. He stepped closer until less than a foot separated them. She tilted her head up to meet his smoldering gaze.
    As he cupped her cheeks with his gloved hands, she shivered. The intensity of his movements underscored the sensual longing