Free Deal of a Lifetime by Rue Allyn

and other amenities available to visitors at the mountain end of their short trip.
    The view was stunning. A thin blue stream wandered through a carpet of snow-dusted pines and shivering, leafless aspens. Rocky outcrops poked out from melting snow fields like groundhogs emerging from winter burrows to test the air for warmth. In the distance a large hawk sailed the sky looking for food, dipping every now and then to skim the treetops. Tam leaned against the side of the car. Her eyes ate up the scenery like a kid consuming ice cream.
    Con’s gaze devoured Tam. He remembered when her avid hungry stare focused on him and swore it would again.
    “Please folks,” the employee said as the car approached the mountainside terminal. “Don’t go wandering alone. This time of year, most hibernating animals are waking up hungry, so they aren’t too particular about what they eat. If you go beyond the paved pathways, watch your footing. Snow melt loosens everything. What looks like solid ground or rock may actually be very unstable.”
    The tram car jerked to a halt beneath the terminal roof.
    “We’re expecting three more cars full of folks, so we’ll hold lunch until they arrive,” announced Buddswell. “Feel free to explore the shops or admire the landscape around the terminal complex. You’ll hear a warning horn when the dining room is ready to serve. We’ve got a healthy meal of Montana delicacies for your enjoyment, so work up an appetite. I’ll be making some announcements during lunch and expect all of you to be present.”
    With that, he led the way off the tram.
    A row of icons and large print signs pointed the way to the overlook, the shops, and other terminal facilities. His megawatt smile gleaming, Buddswell stood at the end of the row glad-handing his guests. When Tam and Con approached, Mike pulled her from the stream of people. Con, who was holding her elbow, went with her.
    “I want to talk to Tam about her proposal. She’ll be perfectly safe in my hands.”
    Con bared his teeth. Since Mike was eyeing Tam’s chest, Con had little doubt what Buddswell wanted. Talking wasn’t on the agenda.
    Well Con wanted her too and wouldn’t let Buddswell, past misunderstandings, or Tam’s present reluctance stand in his way. From the day Con realized he had the skills to escape the projects and his disaster of a childhood, he had always won, always succeeded, always gotten what he wanted. Except where Tam was concerned, failure and losing weren’t in his vocabulary. He’d leapt hurdles at every step. That’s what he faced now, obstacles to be surmounted or eliminated. He’d spike Buddswell’s guns, learn to forgive and forget the past, and turn Tam’s reluctance into eagerness. The two of them belonged together. The alternative didn’t bear thinking. If he lost Tam again nothing else would have meaning.
    She opened her mouth to reply. Con forestalled her. “I’m afraid this isn’t a good time. Tam insisted I show her the lookout and trailheads before lunch.”
    She gave him a narrow-lidded glare. “I can give Mike five minutes. Then I’ll meet you at the overlook.”
    “But…” So much for spiking Mike’s guns. Con couldn’t just haul her away.
    “I’ll. Meet. You. In. A. Few. Minutes.” She gave his arm a far from gentle shove.
    He had no choice. Her message was clear, and he was forced to concede for the moment.
    “I’ll be waiting,” Con muttered. He wanted his message clear too. Go on, but you’ll always be mine . Then with ill grace he strode off to the overlook.
    Tam watched him go. She’d intended to put Buddswell off, but she was so tired of Con’s interference that she’d reacted less cautiously than she should. Now she was stuck fending off Mike’s advances for at least the next five minutes. She knew his reputation and prayed that five minutes would be too little time for him to attempt the seduction he clearly had in mind.
    “What is it you wanted to say?”
    “Let’s go