Cowboys Like Us

New York Times bestseller 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. Visit her website at www.vickilewisthompson.com.

Cowboys Like Us

Vicki Lewis Thompson

Dear Reader,

Writing romance novels is my dream job. And when you’re lucky enough to have a job like that, the years go by like greased lightning!

This is the sixth book in my SONS OF CHANCE series, and I’m grateful for all of you who visit the ranch through my stories. I love hearing from you! You can e-mail me through my website at www.vickilewisthompson.com. Please do!

And finally, thanks to all the readers who’ve helped make Blaze such a roaring success over the years. Here’s to hot heroes and happily- ever-afters!

Yours,

Vicki

To my grandmother, Nellie Sharpe,

a die-hard baseball fan. Your legacy jumped two

generations to live on in your great-granddaughter

Audrey, who eagerly awaits that first crack

of the bat every spring.

Prologue

August 8, 1963 from the diary of Eleanor Chance

NOW THAT JONATHAN’S seventeen and chasing after girls, I decided to find a hobby so I wouldn’t be forever worrying about him. This summer I became a Chicago Cubs baseball fan! I figured that both Jonathan and my dear husband, Archie, would share in this new passion and we’d have some family togetherness listening to the games on the radio here at the Last Chance Ranch.

So much for that idea. Turns out neither of them have the slightest interest in the sport, but I love it! I don’t care if my Cubbies don’t win very often. They’re historic, dating way back, and Wrigley Field is a piece of history, too. Besides, I like the team’s name. Bear cubs are the cutest things ever, and I should know. Here in Jackson Hole we have bears aplenty.

I suppose I could have picked football or basketball, but I don’t understand those rules as well. Baseball has always made sense to me. Hearing the crack of the bat sends a chill down my spine, especially in games like today! Ron Santo hit a home run in the bottom of the tenth to beat the L.A. Dodgers, which is amazing because the Cubs aren’t doing so hot, as usual, and the Dodgers are leading the National League.

When I announced this thrilling victory at dinner tonight, Jonathan and Archie both smiled and said that was nice, but I could tell they don’t give a flip. Too bad for them. They’re missing some great entertainment. I’ve sent away for a Cubs baseball cap. I’m going to wear it, too.

1

Present Day

LOGAN CARSWELL, FORMER catcher for the Chicago Cubs, had two surefire remedies for a troubled mind, and he couldn’t use either one. Booze was out because he’d taken pain meds for his knee so he could dance at Alex Keller’s wedding reception in Shoshone, Wyoming. As for the second method, he didn’t know any of the women in this tiny town well enough.

Eventually, in spite of the meds, his knee began to bother him. Retreating to one of the Spirits and Spurs’s well-worn bar stools, he swiveled to face the dance floor, where Alex was two-stepping with his bride, Tyler. Logan had known him ever since they were both kids living in the same Chicago neighborhood.

Alex had never had trouble getting girls, with his all-American blond good looks. Add to that his natural charisma behind a microphone, and he’d been able to pick and choose. Apparently he’d chosen Tyler, a dark-haired Italian beauty, or she’d chosen him.

Near as Logan could tell watching the happy couple on the dance floor, they were both quite pleased with the situation. Alex was obviously in love and seemed to have his life together at last. Logan should be so lucky. But he refused to allow his problems to cast a shadow over this celebration.

“Can I get you anything, Mr. Carswell?”

Logan swiveled back to the bar and concluded that luck hadn’t totally deserted him. Of the two bartenders working the wedding reception, he’d drawn the girl instead of the guy.

He’d noticed her earlier. She wore her sun-streaked brown hair in a no-nonsense ponytail and didn’t seem to go in for a lot of makeup. Her hazel eyes tilted up slightly at the corners, adding a touch of the exotic to her girl-next-door appeal.

From her enthusiasm and ready smile, he guessed she might be exactly his type—a born optimist. He could sure use a dose of optimism right now.

As he gazed at her, he realized she was looking right back with similar interest. He’d built a night of outstanding sex on less. But Shoshone was a folksy town, and one-night stands wouldn’t go unnoticed around here the way they would in Chicago.

Still, he could flirt with her a little without doing any harm. He tipped back the Stetson that Alex had insisted he buy, along with the requisite jeans, boots and yoked shirt. “I think this is the part where the teetotalling stranger orders a sarsaparilla.” He wished he could remember her name, but if someone had mentioned it, he’d forgotten.

She laughed. “Sorry. Don’t have that. But the root beer is excellent.”

“That’ll do.”

After placing a coaster decorated with a bucking bronco in front of him, she picked up a glass mug. Her nails were short and unpolished, her movements quick and efficient. “How do you like Shoshone so far?”

“Friendly place.”

“We think so.”

He grabbed the first conversational topic he could think of. “Is it true that this bar is haunted?”

“So they say. That’s why it’s called the Spirits and Spurs.” She filled the mug to the top, and foam oozed over the lip. “Personally, I’ve never seen a ghost in here, but some claim they have.”

Logan had never considered root beer foam erotic, but as it slid down the side of the mug, his balls tightened. Not much, but enough for him to register the sensation. Yes, a good romp in the hay with someone cute and personable like this bartender would be therapeutic, but he didn’t give himself much chance of having that any time soon.

She allowed the foam to settle before putting the mug on the coaster. “I’ve never talked to a major league ballplayer before.” She sounded fascinated by the prospect.

Oh, boy. If she had a fantasy image of him as some big celebrity, he needed to nip that in the bud. “I’m afraid you’re not talking to one now, either. I’m out of the game.”

She met his gaze with sympathy in her eyes. “I know. Alex mentioned it. He said if you were still playing, you wouldn’t have been able to come to the wedding.”

“Right.” He managed a smile. “At least some good came out of it.”

“Still, it can’t be easy. But kudos to you for putting on a brave face for the party.”

A knot loosened in his chest. Just kind words from a complete stranger, but they soothed him in a way he couldn’t explain. “No, it’s not.” He rarely admitted that to anyone, because nobody liked a guy who felt sorry for himself. But after tonight, he’d probably never see her again, so letting down his guard was easier.

“Josie said you were a starting catcher for the Cubs.”

That made him smile for real. This adorable bartender didn’t follow the game, or she would have known that fact without getting the info from Josie, Alex’s sister. Logan’s injury had come while defending the plate against a rather spectacular slide into home, and the news clip had been replayed a lot last year.

“Yes, I was a catcher,” he said. At least she wouldn’t be pestering him for gossip about the big-name players. Sure, his ego took a small hit because she wasn’t a fan, but all things considered, he counted it a good thing that she wasn’t.

He decided to extend the friendliness. “So how long have you been tending bar?”

“Not long. I was the restaurant waitress until recently, when Josie asked me to start easing into her job so I’ll be comfortable with it by the time her baby’s born and she has to take time off.”

“You seem comfortable with it now.”

“Only because she sent me to a crash course in bartending.”

Logan nodded. “I know all about those. When I was in the minors, I supplemented my income serving drinks.”

“Yikes. You probably know more about this than I do!”

“Nah. It’s been several years. Excuse me for not remembering, but what’s your name?”

“Caro. Caro Davis.”

“Karo like the syrup?”

“Caro like short for Carolyn. Josie started calling me that a while back, and I like it. I feel more like a Caro than a Carolyn, anyway.”

He thought the shorter name suited her. “Is Josie a good boss?” Logan remembered Josie as a pesky little kid who was constantly tagging after him and Alex. He had a hard time imagining her as a wife and mother-to-be, let alone the proud owner of a cowboy bar in Wyoming. She’d married Jack Chance, the oldest of the three Chance brothers, and seemed blissfully happy living at the Last Chance Ranch, located about ten miles outside town.

Caro grinned at him. “As if I’d tell you if she wasn’t. But she’s great. She managed to promote me to this position without upsetting Tracy, who’s a little young to take over Josie’s job, or Steve, who’s a new hire but knows bartending. Either of them could have resented me getting it. Josie handled it beautifully.”

“Hey, Caro.” The tall guy sharing bartending duties glanced her way. “Orders piling up down here.”

“Be right there, Steve.” She smiled at Logan. “Excuse me. Gotta do my job.”

“You bet.” He watched her walk away, ponytail bouncing. Damn, that smile of hers really cheered him up. He’d love to see more of it. He’d love to … no, he shouldn’t start imagining how her perky self would react in bed. He shouldn’t, but he did.

“Hey, Logan, don’t be hitting on my best employee.” Josie took the bar stool on his left and punched him playfully on the shoulder. She was more dressed up than he’d ever seen her, all blue satin and lace. Instead of braiding her hair in one strand down her back as she usually did, she’d created an upswept arrangement that made her look like a princess.

He winked at her. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Yeah, right. You were sizing her up just now, and don’t try to deny it.”

“Just having some innocent fun.” Thoughts weren’t deeds, right? “By the way, you look terrific, Josie. This Jack character must be treating you right.”

“Don’t try to change the subject.” But her gray eyes, so like Alex’s, sparkled with obvious pleasure at the compliment. “Caro has enough on her plate without having you swoop in and dazzle her with your big-city ways.”

“Big-city ways?” He pressed a hand to his heart. “You make me sound like an operator. I’m wounded.”

“You know what I’m talking about, Logan. A guy can’t live the life you have without picking up a boatload of polish and sophistication.”

“Now that’s more like it.” He winked at her. “Thanks for the compliment, Josie.”

“See, that sly wink is exactly what I’m talking about. And I can tell she’s impressed with you.”

“You think so?” His poor ego could take all the help it could get.

“Don’t mess with her, okay?”

“I had no such plans.” He’d already decided that getting cozy with a local girl would be a mistake. Now Josie was warning him off of this particular one, which was more than enough to cool his jets. He really wasn’t here to cause more problems. He already had enough to handle, like what the hell to do with the rest of his life.

But he couldn’t help being curious about the cute little bartender. “What did you mean when you said she has enough on her plate?”

“It wouldn’t be my place to tell you.”

“Man troubles?”

“No. Listen, take my word for it.” Josie patted his arm. “Caro’s become a close friend in addition to being an employee, so I can tell you with certainty that she doesn’t have time for romance right now, and she especially doesn’t have time for someone who will be gone in a couple of days.”

“Is that when my guest privileges expire?”

She flushed. “Uh … no! You can certainly stay as long as you want. I just thought, with Alex and Tyler leaving on their honeymoon tomorrow, that you’d … well, you’d want to go back to Chicago.”

She had no idea how much he dreaded going home. The season was in the middle of its usual August frenzy, with billboards and TV ads reminding him every ten seconds that some guys were playing ball and he was not. He was thrilled to get away from the unspoken message that he was a washed up has-been at the tender age of thirty-two.

“Well, yeah, I need to get back eventually,” he said. “But I’ve never spent time on a ranch, so I was thinking, as long as I’m out here, I’d like to play cowboy for a few days. Unless I’d be in the way.”

“Of course not. We’d love to have you. Are you thinking about riding?”

He wasn’t sure what he was thinking about, except that the Last Chance felt like a haven, and he could use one. “Riding would be great. I’ll need a little instruction, but—”

“What about your knee?”

“It’s my right knee that’s dicey, and I vaguely remember you mount from the left, so I should be fine.”

Josie smiled at him, understanding in her gray eyes. “You can stay as long as you want, Logan. Glad to have you.”

“I appreciate it.” More than she knew.

“But leave Caro alone.”

“You’ve got it.” And to emphasize his willingness to ignore the lovely bartender, he left his half-full root beer on the bar and held out his hand to Josie. “May I have this dance, Alex’s little sis?”

“Might as well. Can’t drink!”

“That’s right, you’re on the wagon for the next few months. I’ll bet you’re popular as a designated driver these days.”

“I am, at that.” As they arrived at the edge of the dance floor, she moved into his arms. “I must say, you picked up country dancing really fast for a guy raised in the city.”

Logan guided her expertly into the crowd of two-stepping couples. “Thanks. Guess it’s the athlete in me.”

“Guess so.” She twirled under his arm. “The Chance brothers are famous for their dancing. You’re not quite in their league, but given more practice, you could be.”

Logan grinned. “See? I have the boots, the jeans, the hat and the dance moves. I’m halfway to becoming a cowboy already.”

THE RUSH OF DRINK ORDERS finally slowed, but when Caro returned to check on Logan, he’d hit the dance floor with Josie. He’d left his unfinished root beer behind, though, which meant he might be back. She felt a little jolt of excitement as she remembered the way he’d looked at her with obvious interest.

And she’d looked right back. She had no business flirting with anyone right now, but those deep brown eyes temporarily made her forget her obligations. And that, she realized with a pang of guilt, was nice for a change. She just couldn’t let it get out of hand.

Her grandma Bonnie, who had raised her, joyfully and without complaint, deserved all Caro’s free time. Caro had been a baby when her parents divorced, and Bonnie had welcomed her daughter and granddaughter into her house. When Caro was twelve, her mother had died in a blizzard on her way home from work. Grandma Bonnie’s strength had seen Caro through those dark days and taught her that a person had to be resilient to survive life’s tragedies.

Her dad had started a new family by then, but Caro had never seriously considered living with him. She’d stayed with her grandma in the only home she’d ever known. Selling that beloved house so that she could afford assisted living in Jackson for the increasingly frail Bonnie had broken both their hearts.

Caro visited her grandmother every day in hopes she wouldn’t feel abandoned, but she obviously wasn’t happy with the move, necessary though it had been. For the first time since Caro had known her, Bonnie had lost her resilience and optimistic outlook. Caro had to be optimistic enough for both of them.

Lately Caro had done nothing but work and visit her grandma. No wonder she’d been bewitched by a heated glance. Besides, she’d been predisposed to find this ex-baseball player intriguing.

Alex had warned everyone to tread carefully around Logan, whose wicked knee injury had ended his career and the dream he’d cherished from the age of seven. He’d made it to the big leagues and then to the Cubs, the team he’d always wanted to play for. Now he was done.

Caro had never been able to resist a person in need of comfort, a trait she’d picked up from her grandma. Besides, Logan was gorgeous, the kind of gorgeous that made her think of hot nights on cool sheets. Good thing he’d be gone soon. Once Alex and Tyler left on their honeymoon, Logan would have no reason to stay.

She filled several orders while Logan whirled around the dance floor with Josie, but somehow, about the time he returned to his root beer, she happened to be standing at that end of the bar. She hadn’t meant to.

Oh, shoot, yes she had. He was the most exotic man to come her way in quite a while. Mostly she dealt with cowboys. Logan might be wearing the outfit and dancing the two-step like a pro, but he was no cowboy.

Instead, he was a professional athlete from the big city. She didn’t know much about baseball, but she knew Logan was hot.

He settled onto his stool and heaved a sigh. “That’s challenging.”

“But you do it well.” The action of those tight buns on the dance floor had created a serious distraction from her bartending duties.

“Close enough for jazz.” He took a long swallow of his root beer.

“What does that mean?”

He glanced up. “What?”

“Close enough for jazz. I’ve never heard that before.”

“Sorry. It’s something jazz musicians say, meaning that there’s a lot of improv going on when they perform.”

She felt a little bit like a hick, but she was fascinated, nevertheless. Besides, if she kept this conversation going, she’d have an excuse to gaze into those brown eyes. “Chicago’s known for its jazz, I guess.”

“It is. I don’t suppose that’s the kind of music you …”

“Not normally, but I’m always ready to learn something new.” No, that statement wasn’t strong enough. She hungered for something new, something different. She’d lived in Shoshone all her life. Travel had been a luxury she hadn’t been able to afford beyond an occasional trip to Yellowstone.

But this man, who’d jetted around the country for years, represented adventure beyond her wildest dreams. She found that irresistible.

Picking up a bar rag, she began wiping up imaginary spills. “Shoshone must seem small to you after spending so much time in big cities.”

“Actually, it’s a nice break. I can see why Alex is so crazy about the place. The Grand Tetons are amazing.”

“I agree. They are. But I’m sure the Chicago skyline is amazing, too, especially at night.”

“It is,” he said with a decided lack of enthusiasm.

Damn. She felt like an idiot. Of course he wouldn’t want to talk about the wonders of Chicago and be reminded of losing the job he loved. “The Tetons are great, though. Wonderful for hiking. You should—” She groaned as she realized she’d made a mess of this discussion. “But you have a bad knee. You know what? I should just shut up.”

He laughed. “It’s okay. I forget about my knee all the time, until I stay on it too long and it lets me know.”

“Can you ride? Because you could take a horse up into the mountains, if it wouldn’t be too strenuous.” She’d bet he would look terrific mounted on a horse. Yum.

“I’ll have to brush up on my riding skills, but I’ve been thinking about that. Do you ride?”

“I know how, but lately I haven’t had the time.” She refused to allow herself to be resentful of her grandma, but still, a trail ride with Logan would have been fun.

“Caro.” Steve, looking pale, appeared at her elbow. His short buzz cut was dark with sweat. The room was warm, but not that warm. “I hate to do this to you, but my stomach’s going wonky. Feels like food poisoning. I must have eaten something bad earlier today. In any case, I gotta go home.”

She put her hand to her own tummy, which had immediately rolled in sympathy. “That’s terrible. Don’t worry about the bar. Just go home and get better.”

“Thanks. I can take your shift tomorrow if you want.”

“Only if you’re well enough. Get out of here, cowboy.” She sucked in a deep breath as Steve opened the hinged bar top and headed toward the back door. She’d counted on him to get her through this first big event, but she could manage, especially if the party started to wind down soon.

But Murphy’s Law was working against her. The minute Steve left, the band took a break and wedding guests swarmed the bar in search of drinks. Fighting down panic, she squared her shoulders and grabbed an order pad. No way could she keep all those drinks in her head.

“You handle the beer and wine. I’ll mix the drinks.”

She looked up from the order pad and discovered Logan had joined her behind the bar and was already reaching for a couple of martini glasses.

“No, you shouldn’t.” She put a hand on his shoulder—his very warm, very muscled shoulder. Instantly, that heat spread through her body. Whew. “You’re a guest. I’m sure Josie could—”

“She’s the sister of the groom. She shouldn’t have to work tonight. Besides, I want to.” He set the glasses on the counter and gave her a quick glance before picking up a bottle of vodka. “It feels great to be useful for a change.”

She couldn’t argue with that reasoning. Didn’t really want to, actually. If helping her would make him feel better about his lot in life, even for an hour or so, then she couldn’t deny him that. And she’d get the benefit of working side by side with the hottest guy in Shoshone.

“Okay, then,” she said. “But only until it slows down.”

“Right.” He picked up a martini shaker, flipped it high in the air and caught it behind his back.

Someone in the crowd whistled.

Logan winked at Caro. “You know, I’d forgotten how much I used to love this job.”

Oh, baby. He was positively delicious, and Caro was the lucky girl who got to co-bartend with him for an hour or so. She would never wish ill on anyone, but in that moment, she was really glad that Steve had ended up with food poisoning.

2

BEFORE JUMPING IN TO help Caro, Logan had spent a couple seconds weighing the pros and cons. Josie had asked him to stay away from Caro, but then again, Josie hadn’t anticipated Steve getting sick. Logan had seen the panic in Caro’s eyes when the band had stopped playing and the surge toward the bar had commenced.

Finally, deciding Josie shouldn’t have to worry about working tonight, and surely she’d rather have happy customers than obsess about Caro and Logan working together, he’d swung into action. He couldn’t pretend it was a selfless act. He’d told Caro the absolute truth—doing something useful felt fantastic.

And yeah, the idea of being Caro’s heroic savior for an hour or so was very appealing. The looks she gave him generated a sexual buzz he hadn’t felt in quite a while, and he was enjoying the hell out of that.