Crazy For the Cowboy Read Online Free PDF Page B

sandwiches? Or some of each?”
    â€œNo, thanks.” Travis’s face went from white to green and he bolted from the table.
    Myra frowned as she stared after him. “My goodness.” She brought her attention back to Mac and Vince. “If he doesn’t like chicken or tuna, I could whip up some ham salad.”
    â€œIt’s not that, ma’am,” Vince said. “Travis had a little too much to drink last night and he’s not feeling well.”
    Myra surveyed Vince and Mac. “Now that you mention it, you boys don’t look a whole lot better than your friend. You might want to reconsider that trail ride.”
    Vince decided retreat was in order so they could live to fight another day. “I think we will take that suggestion, ma’am.” He pushed back his chair. “Thanks for the coffee.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. Just go on back to bed, both of you.”
    Mac stood, too. “I promise we’ll do that, ma’am, right after we walk down to the stable and pay Ed for his trouble.”
    â€œNever mind about that. I can call him. It’ll be fine.”
    Mac looked tempted.
    â€œThank you,” Vince said, “but this is something we need to take care of. Ed expected the money and we intend to get it to him. The fresh air will do us good.” He glanced at Mac. “And while we’re at it, we’ll reserve the horses for tomorrow morning.”
    Mac’s eyebrows lifted, but he didn’t say anything. He touched his fingers to the brim of his hat. “Thank you for the coffee, ma’am. Sorry we wasted the food. Be sure and put it on my bill.” He left money on the table for a tip.
    â€œI wouldn’t dream of it. Get yourself jackets before you go outside. It’s nippy out there.”
    Vince looked at Mac and could tell he was thinking the same thing. If the two of them climbed the stairs to their rooms to fetch jackets, they’d never make it back down again. “We’ll be okay,” Vince said.
    But when they stepped out on the hotel’s front porch, he sucked in a breath. “Damn. She was right. Must be no more’n forty degrees out here.”
    â€œWe’ll walk fast.” Mac crossed the wooden porch and took the steps with care, as if worried that he might trip and fall down them.
    â€œI don’t think you’re capable of walking fast, old man.” Vince clattered down the steps and had to stop at the bottom while his vision cleared and the rocks stopped tumbling in his brain. “Whoa.”
    â€œYeah.” Mac fell into step beside him as they started down the sidewalk toward the stable. Fortunately it was only about two blocks away, a little beyond what people used to call the Bickford House where Georgie lived with her stepmother and stepsister.
    â€œRemind me not to suggest tequila shots tonight,” Mac said.
    â€œI will.” Vince started to nod his head and then thought better of it. “We would’ve been fine if we’d stuck to the beer, but adding those shots was the killer.”
    â€œDo you suppose Travis will wonder whether we went without him?”
    â€œI think Travis is praying that we left without him. That boy was in bad shape.”
    â€œI know.” Mac took a deep breath. “But one good thing, he got that stuff off his chest.”
    â€œAnd we won’t bring it up again.”
    â€œNope.” Mac looked to his right as they passed a boarded-up storefront. “That used to be an antiques store, didn’t it?”
    â€œThat’s what I remember. And beyond that was an ice-cream parlor.”
    â€œRight.” Mac’s voice was beginning to sound more normal. “Used to make damned tasty hot fudge sundaes.”
    â€œNot anymore.”
    â€œIt’s sad, you know? It was a quaint little town. Nice people. Good-looking women.”
    Vince couldn’t help but smile, in spite of his aching head. “The