Read Take Only Pictures for Free Online Page B

are very near to rascals who are practically heathens. I do apologize. Let me make it up to you? We’ve got a campfire going to warm your outsides and some drinks that are sure to warm your insides.”
    Gloria studied the cowboy, wondering if flirting was a staff requirement at the Lodge. “Lead the way,” she said. “I’m sorry you had to sit through my lecture. I imagine you and the other Boo-Boos must have a lot of experience with bears.”
    Gabe shot a broad smile and looked relieved. “Yeah, we do our best to keep them at bay. Haven’t had too many run-ins the years I’ve been here. Mostly the Dumpster down by the café and the campgrounds that get hit the hardest if I remember correctly.”
    “How long have you been working for Lodgepole Pines?”
    He laughed. “Everyone just calls it The Lodge.”
    “Thanks for cluing me in to that,” Gloria said.
    Gabe scratched the back of his head as he calculated. “This makes my seventh year here. Not that Leo gives out any fancy pens or anything.”
    Gloria felt scrutinized by the corral staff as she approached with Gabe. Eyes moved from him to her. A few of the cowboys gave Gabe a facial thumbs-up with the purse of their lips and slight nod. She didn’t see the one person she had hoped to see, the only one she wouldn’t want thinking she was here for Gabe’s company.
    “You’re welcome to sit anywhere,” Gabe said. “I’ve gotta grab my guitar from my truck, but I’ll be right back.”
    Gloria sat upwind of the firepit and watched the group work together to stoke the fire, sparks flying as they dropped on large sticks of wood. A short, broad cowboy with more facial hair than she’d ever seen on a human approached her.
    “Dozer,” he drawled, offering his hand. “Like a drink?”
    “I’m fine, thanks,” she said.
    “Let me know if you change your mind. I’ve got just about anything you’d want in my cabin there.” His chin jutted in the direction of the cabin behind them, and his voice dripped innuendo, confirming her suspicion about the flirting requirement.
    A woman slid a possessive arm around the man’s waist. “As long as it’s Jim Beam.” She held out her hand. “I’m Sandy. I’m cooking for Dozer’s trips this year.”
    And you’re welcome to that fine specimen of a man, Gloria thought as she shook the woman’s hand, not sure how to relate to her that she was in no way offering competition. “You weren’t at dinner,” Gloria said. She had a skill for remembering faces and names.
    “No time,” Sandy said. “I have to get my kitchen together. We’re off on the Horseshoe Meadows trip at the end of the week.”
    “Everyone is required to attend the rifle training with rubber bullets at ten on Friday,” Gloria said. “It’s my understanding that you typically sleep near the food to prevent nighttime raids?”
    “I’m there to do the protecting,” Dozer said, his chest puffed out. “I haven’t ever lost any food out in the backcountry.” He glanced around the campfire, missing Sandy’s eye roll. “Where’s Teeny? We lose her to the campground girls already?”
    Gloria’s ears perked at the question, remembering what the store clerk had said about this Teeny being good. The cowboys must be her source of information. The youngest cowboy at the fire looked surprised. “I thought she was joking about being invited down to the campground by one of our guests in Campsite Seventeen today,” he said.
    Dozer slapped his thigh. “Oh, ho! She got one already? Can’t say I’m surprised. Teeny always did take the girls seriously.”
    “Too bad you don’t take women as seriously,” Kristine said as she strode up to the fire, shrugging into a thick tan coat. Distracted by the banter, Gloria had missed Kristine’s approach, and seeing her again produced a tickle of excitement. Kristine pinned Dozer with a furious glare. “And it’s Kristine.”
    Kristine. Teeny. Gloria’s mind got busy matching the woman who had some