Mail Order Bride - Westward Secrets: A Clean Cowboy Romance Novel (Montana Mail Order Brides Book 13) by Linda Bridey Page A

of the ingredients,” Gina said.
    “Tell you what; you get out that recipe and we’ll see what we can do about getting it all together.  I know what’s available around here and what’s not,” Rick said.  “It’ll be like a scavenger hunt.”
    “That’ll be fun,” Gina said.
    “Yes, it will,” Rick agreed.
     
    Gina hadn’t been in a place like the Watering Hole for a long time and had forgotten how noisy it could be.  Rick introduced her to Jake, who poured the drinks they ordered, and they moved into the barroom.  Though he put his hand on the small of Gina’s back to guide her, Rick still stayed slightly in front of her to shield her from any danger.  As he approached the table that had unofficially become the ‘bouncers’’ table, he noticed that Ben Walker sat at it.
    As he helped seat Gina, Rick introduced her to Ben.
    “So you’re one of the doctors in town?” Gina said.
    “Yes, although I’m trained as a surgeon, I still see general ailments,” Ben said in a Georgia accent.
    “That sounds interesting,” Gina said.
    Ben’s green eyes twinkled.  “Some days yes; some days no.”
    Gina thought him an attractive man with his black hair and well-muscled body.
    Rick said, “Ben used to be one of our bouncers until he hurt his hand a while back.  He was a damn good bouncer, too, from what I understand.  I didn’t get to see you in action really, so I wouldn’t know.”
    Ben flexed his left hand.  It stiffened up on him from time to time, but on the whole, he’d had a good recovery.  He didn’t like to think about that dark time very much so he said, “Yes, it was a lot of fun.  I enjoy fighting, but I have to modify it now so I don’t have to use that hand much.  I can’t risk breaking it again.  I don’t want to lose the ability to perform surgery.”
    “Well, we may have lost a bouncer, but we gained a talented piano player,” Rick said.  “Ben and his sister, Rebecca, Jake’s wife, play piano beautifully.”
    “Thank you, Rick,” Ben said.  “You’re being nice.  What’s wrong with you?”
    Rick said, “Can’t I just give you a compliment?”
    Ben gave him a deadpan look.  “You know that’s not your normal personality.  Where’s your pal?”
    “Where do you think he is?” Rick said.
    Ben called Curtis and the ferret bounced onto the table.  However, he never got a chance to hold Curtis because the chair was knocked out from under him.  Gina let out a cry of surprise, but Rick laughed.  Ben got up and faced Reckless whose black eyes danced with mischief.
    “Damn you, Reckless!” Ben shouted and held his left hand against his chest.
    “Oh, Ben, I am sorry,” Reckless said, suddenly contrite.
    Ben’s right fist caught Reckless in the stomach and Ben laughed.
    Reckless caught his breath and said, “That was dirty.”
    “But fair since you snuck up on me,” Ben said.
    Rick looked at Gina and said, “This is our other bouncer, Reckless.  That’s his name, although the adjective applies.  Reckless, this is Gina.”
    Gina said, “I’m happy to meet Joe’s very brave brave.”
    Reckless laughed.  “I see he has been talking about me.  I do not know if this is good or bad.”
    “It was all good things, I promise,” Gina said.
    She studied Reckless since she’d never had contact with any Indians.  He was a handsome young man and seemed very friendly despite his prank on Ben.  During the skirmish, Curtis had bounced around on the table, becoming very excited.  He now hopped over to Ben and scurried up onto his shoulders.
    Ben grabbed him and cradled him like a baby so he could pet Curtis’ belly.  Curtis lay still, enjoying the attention.
    “Hey, Dr. Dummy, don’t put him to sleep.  He’s here to work,” Rick said.
    Ben put Curtis back on the table and gave Rick a dirty look.  “Gina, it has been a pleasure meeting you.  I must go warm up a little before we start.  Have a nice time.”
    As Ben walked over to the stage,