The Cougar and the Cowboy

“Drop dead, Will! The only decent part of the entire experience was meeting Jace. He was our guide and the owner of the Wilderness Trips Company. He also owned The Branding Iron, a bar.”

“So tell me, was he good looking or rich or possibly both? That seems to be what attracts you, Lorna. Since I’m not rich, you must like me for my outstanding physique and my ruggedly handsome face.”

She smiled a slow smile. “He was very handsome and I believed he was wealthy. I mean he owned two businesses for heaven’s sake. Unfortunately, I found out he wasn’t. In fact his bar was in financial trouble. That’s when I left and went back to California.”

“Of course, you did. I wouldn’t expect you to stick by someone and see them through a rough time.” He was joking with her but he knew his words were true.

“You are absolutely correct, my friend. I’m a firm believer in self-preservation, at all costs. I have no sympathy or empathy for people who find themselves in financial straits. It’s always due to their own stupidity. Jace has obviously changed something though or inherited a windfall.”

“What makes you think that?” Will asked as he proceeded to drain his coffee cup.

“I must have signed up for emails from the local newspaper when I was there and I’ve never taken the time to unsubscribe. I saw a half-page ad about some band playing at the bar the next two weekends. They’re not local, either and they just played in Seattle at a music festival. The bar must be doing well to afford that kind of entertainment.”

Will couldn’t quite decide how he felt about Lorna. She was a manipulative, money-grubbing shrew, for sure. She was also intelligent, fun, sexy and a key component in helping him secure the job he wanted. ‘That makes you two of a kind, Will. You probably deserve each other.’

“We have time, Will. Let’s stop in Bozeman long enough to say hello. If nothing else, it will totally tick Maggie off if I show up and who knows, if your precious Camille really is there, she might come to the bar to hear the band. Maybe we’ll both get lucky.” She laughed at the double meaning in that statement.

***

Collier called Camille to check on her. When she didn’t answer, he became concerned and drove to her house. He’d been hesitant to leave her alone last night and even offered to stay and sleep on the couch…no strings attached. He knew the news of her mother’s death had to affect her on some level, even if she didn’t admit it. When there was no answer at the door, he walked around to the back. He found her sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee she hadn’t touched, on the table beside her. She appeared to be napping but smiled at him when she heard him approach.

“What are you doing here, Collier? After playing hooky yesterday, I thought you’d have a bazillion things to accomplish today.”

“A bazillion and one, to be precise. I was worried about you Camille, plain and simple.”

“I’m sorry my mental state has been pushed off onto you. I’m fine, really, I am. I was following your example. I wouldn’t be able to find my way back to the spot we were enjoying yesterday, so this was the next best…feeling the sun on my face and enjoying the peacefulness of the scenery and the mountains in the distance.”

“Has it helped alleviate some of your worries or concerns about how to proceed with…you know, things?”

She reached out and placed her palm on his cheek. He was the kindest man she could recall ever meeting.

“Yes, I have, Collier. I spoke to the man who called yesterday. He said he was Barbara’s attorney but I suspect he was more than that.”

When he raised his eyebrows a bit, she nodded and stated, “Oh yes, Barbara ma

y have been distant to me but she liked men and was always in a relationship with someone. Weird to think of your parent in those terms, isn’t it? It’s true and I’d be willing to bet there would be a parade of them at her funeral - if there was going to be a funeral - and if they weren’t probably all deceased.” She paused for a bit, then continued. “He’s going to call when everything is finalized. It will be determined then if I need to be present for the reading of the will. I don’t know why I would need to be there…I know she didn’t will anything to me and that is perfectly fine with me.”

“Do you think you’ll feel up to going to The Branding Iron tomorrow evening? Half the

town is talking about it and I’d love to take you. Maybe a bit of dancin’ will lift your spirits.”

‘You better go, Camille. After all, you’re the cougar who paid for the entertainment.’

“Yes, I’d love to go with you, Collier. I’m looking forward to it.”

As she watched him walk away, she wished with all her heart she had been truthful with him from the beginning. Now there were too many secrets and deceptions on her side of their friendship.

***

“What is that heavenly smell?” Dani asked as she entered the back door. She removed her work gloves and boots and proceeded to the stove where Dean was stirring something.

“Just a little beef stew with a few secret ingredients,” he explained.

She kissed his cheek and told him, “Whatever it is…I’m starving. Y’know I miss Luke being here. That kid could eat a person out of house and home but it seems lonely without him. Don’t you think so, Dad?”

“Yep, I do,” was his only reply to her question.

“Who’s joining us for dinner?” Dani asked when she saw the table set for three and her father ladling up a third bowl of stew.