Free The Cowboy Wins a Bride (The Cowboys of Chance Creek) by Cora Seton Page A

into his arms. But then he would lose the bet, and she didn't want him to lose, did she?
    Because then the ranch and Jamie would be off limits to her for good.
    She wanted him so bad. Wanted to make love to him again.
    Focus, Claire.
    Time to go score one of the biggest interior design contracts in Montana.
     
    * * * * *
    A half-hour later, she sat at a scarred wooden table in Linda’s diner, waiting for Carl Whitfield to join her, alternately checking her laptop to make sure it was set to show him her portfolio and playing with the engagement ring.
    The door opened, and Carl came in. At forty, he’d already made his millions and bought the spread next door to the Cruz ranch to live out his dreams of being a cowboy. When he’d arrived, everyone laughed at his shiny new boots and string tie, and they’d been angry at the way he bought his place for a song when he could have afforded to pay much more, but no one could turn up their noses at the way he was boosting the local economy with his building projects. And he sure seemed to love Lacey.
    “Hi, Claire, how’s it keeping?”
    “Hi, Carl. Thanks for meeting me.”
    “A man’s got to eat.” He smiled. “Plus I never turn away the chance to spend time with a pretty woman.”
    Claire cringed, but kept a smile pasted on her lips. “Would you like to see what I’ve been planning for Jamie’s house? That will give you a chance to see what I can do with a log home.”
    “How about we order first, then get down to business.”
    She took a breath and willed herself to calm down. She’d done a hundred of these meetings, so why was she acting like she was fresh out of school? “Sure, that sounds great.”
    Tracey Richards, the young, blonde waitress, stopped by the table and handed menus to each of them, her high pony-tail swinging. “Should I give you a few minutes?”
    “I know what I want,” Carl said. “A BLT, heavy on the mayo, a side of fries and a slice of apple pie.”
    “How about you, Claire?”
    Tracey had been several classes behind Claire, but she remembered her from high school, and besides, everyone knew everyone in Chance Creek. She scanned the menu. “Tomato soup and grilled cheese for me. Plus coffee when you have a minute.”
    Tracey hurried away, came back a moment later with coffee for both of them and hustled off again. Linda’s Diner was a standby in Chance Creek, and was always busy at lunchtime on weekdays.
    “All right, show me what you’ve got,” Carl said.
    Swallowing another wave of nervousness, Claire slid the laptop over to where he could see the screen and pushed a button. “Here’s a mockup of the interior of the log home Jamie’s building. Of course, it’s nothing compared to the size of yours….”
    “I should hope not. I plan to build the biggest house in Chance Creek. Only the best for my bride.”
    She wished he didn’t feel the need to talk quite so loudly. The last thing she wanted was a crowd to form around their table. “Of course. I’m sure yours will be twice the size of Jamie's.”
    “Twice? Try four times the size. Ten thousand square feet.”
    Ten thousand? With just him and Lacey rattling around in all that space? And the cost to heat it!
    Claire composed herself. “That is a big house.” Carl nodded smugly. “Think of what I’m showing you as just a hint of what I could do for you.” She clicked another button. “Here’s the entryway. Notice the slate floors…”
    “Everyone has slate floors. I plan to import marble from Bologna – it’s dark, imposing. Just the thing to let everyone know they aren’t dealing with a country bumpkin.”
    “Oh, well that sounds nice.” Marble from Bologna? She scrambled to note that down.
    “What else you got?” Carl scanned the diner as if he was losing interest already. Claire hurried to show him the next image she'd mocked up.
    “Well, here’s the great room…”
    “Great room? That looks like a closet to me. My great room’s going to be bigger