2

Her face was really starting to hurt from faking a smile. In another week or so, it would all be over, and the bulk of the men in the bar, most of them the annoying ones that pissed her off so much, would be back in the city and away from Bear Valley. Another week or so. Maybe a month, if the incoming cold front didn't stick around for long.

Did she get less work and less tips during the colder months? Of course. That was the nature of the beast.

But she knew what she was doing, and how to prepare. All summer long, she had been saving up and purchasing food that was in season, and also taking advantage of online shopping while trucks could easily get through the mountain passes to bring deliveries. It wasn't her first winter in the far north, as she had lived here her entire life, and she was ready for life to slow down. Her little cabin on the edge of town would become her solace, save for when she ventured to the bar to work a shift or two each week, and enjoy a warm meal not from her own kitchen.

The only hard part about winter was spending it alone. Many of her co-workers would also head into the city, despite many of them insisting this was the year they would stay in town. Their rentals were all seasonal but no local would say no to having a tenant over the colder months. They would always insist on staying, and then the first bit of snow would drop, the roads would become impassable for a few days, and as soon as they were cleared again...

This year, however, was going to be different, because she wasn't spending it alone. It was a pity Bethany's cabin was only one room, because then her cousin Cordelia could share a place with her. Cordelia had finally given into her years of begging and moved to Bear Valley a few weeks earlier but was force to stay elsewhere until she had a bigger place. Mrs. Free's building was only a few minutes' walk away, but once the snow was down, it would be an adventure for either of them to make the trek. Even still, they would both do it every few days, giving Bethany the companionship she longed for when she went a little stir crazy.

And by next winter, she and Cordelia could go in on building or buying a larger cabin together, one with two bedrooms, a large fireplace, and maybe even a little hen house and a larder underneath. It was all Bethany had ever dreamed of, beyond, well, the whole becoming a mother thing, but that was a dream she still questioned, particularly if she and Cordelia moved in together.

Between the two of them, they could do practically anything. Bethany was more than self-sufficient, able to cut her own wood and preserve her own food and hunt and trap and fish, and Cordelia was amazing with a needle and thread, had more money in the bank than anyone could know what to do with, and was passionate about learning everything she could about how to survive on the edge of nowhere. Where Bethany had to practice learning how to do things, Cordelia always had a knack for picking it up quickly.

They would be the unstoppable cousins, the two hottest single women in Bear Valley, and if they ever did come across anything they couldn't do themselves, there was always willing men venturing through town who would be glad to help in exchange for a warm meal and their smiles.

But not Kyle, thankfully, who was on his last night in town now that construction season was over. The ground would be frozen soon, too many vehicles would get stuck if they remained when the ice took over, and he would be gone. She had been dodging his flirtations all summer long, but this was the first time he had ever been bold enough to try and put his hands on her. She had shown him how likely that had been with a single punch, but now her hand was throbbing, and she still had another hour left until she could take the fake smile off and head home.

Lunch through dinner shift absolutely sucked, but at least she wouldn't still be there while all of the drunks got sloppy and tried to be one of the lucky few to take a girl home that night. The ratio of men to women was enormous, and they would all have better luck with each other than trying to pick up one of the few women who didn't have a seasonal boyfriend by that point. They should have taken their chances at the start, when they were throwing around cash like it was impressive.

Idiots.

With the beer once again pouring smoothly and not foaming up, she scanned the bar, looking for anyone without a drink in front of them. Most had already been taken care of, with food in front of them as well if they were eating, but then her eyes shifted to the section she had been putting off until last, where Kyle and his friends had been sitting. There was now one man sitting there, by himself, and he wasn't one she knew by name.

That was strange. By this point in the year, she normally knew all of them by name, as even if they weren't big drinkers, this was the lone bar and restaurant in town. The work crews would come in for lunch regularly, so he couldn't be one of the construction guys, nor one of the timber crew. She knew most of them pretty well as well, as it was often the same group each year.

Perhaps a trucker, or maybe a trapper, although he looked far too big to be a trapper. Those guys were normally smaller, lithe, able to easily make their way across the snow and get around on snowmobiles. This man, however, was huge. Even seated, she could tell he was a giant, and broad as well.

She did like them broad, and big enough that she could steal a shirt or two and not struggle with covering herself.

"And what can I get for you, stranger?" she asked as she approached, her cheeks hurting a little less than normal as she smiled.

His mouth opened and she waited for his request, either the menu, or the list of beers they had as the sign wasn't viewable from his seat, or maybe something harder. After a few seconds, it appeared she would have to wait a while longer, as out of the corner of her eye, she could see two empty glasses raised, needing to be refilled.

Laughing to herself, because that was the only way she could avoid getting frustrated, she shook her head. "You think about it for a minute, and I'll come back to you. Make your decision quick. I'm in hot demand tonight."

Just like every night, as she would fake a smile rather than snap at men's flirtations. The other two women who normally worked behind the bar were also the ones that typically closed, and neither of them had any patience for drunks trying old pickup lines on them, as if it would get them hot and bothered.

A few more beers and a few cringeworthy pickup lines later, Bethany was finally able to return to the awkward stranger, a smile back on her lips. "Alright, big guy. Tell me what you're thinking about."

Her words were a little open-ended, perhaps, maybe even prompting him to say something just as gross as the rest of the patrons in the bar. That would have quickly burned out any interest she had in him, not that she did have any interest, but hey, the nights were getting cold, and so was her bed. If he was leaving town soon, again not that she was interested, then she would have to assess him quickly.

As it was, she was too disgusted with everyone else by this point in the year to give them a chance.

"Beer," he answered, staring into her eyes, and looking nowhere else.

Impressive. Anyone else would have not only looked her up and down, but also stared directly at her cleavage, not that there was much of it on display tonight. She had all of the curves, both in the right and wrong places according to some, and she wasn't afraid to show them. Tonight's shirt was more clingy and less skin showing, given how it was growing cool outside, and didn't leave much to the imagination.

And he hadn't even glanced.

"I have a lot of that," she answered, laughing softly. "Any particular one?"

"You pick," he prompted, his voice still very deep and gruff.

Her pick? Hmm. A man like this was probably one who preferred top shelf liquor, maybe on ice, maybe not. Something more refined. He was older, her age or more, and had more of an aura to him that would make him welcome at the Chester's place, which was more or less a pub, save everyone brought their own drinks and would share, and it was locals only. He had a gruff feeling to him, the mountain man woodsman type. Leaving it to her, the bright and bubbly blonde? She didn't want to disappoint.

"You got it," she confirmed with a smile, thinking about one of the IPAs that were rarely touched. They were a little more expensive, and the party drinkers considered it too bitter to consume in large quantities, but something about this man told her he would enjoy something a little heavier on the hops and taste.

She had to dig around in the ice box to find it, but once she did, she twisted off the top and set it down in front of the stranger. "A big man like you needs a beer with a lot of flavor. Tell me what you think."

For some reason, she was dying to know if she got it right.

"What do I owe you?" he asked, confusing her slightly. Paying out immediately? No plans to stick around? Odd.

"First time in here, right?" she asked as she braced her hands on the counter in front of her and leaned forward. "I haven't seen you here before."

"I don't come into town much," he answered, telling her far more in those words than he could have guessed. So, he wasn't a new arrival, perhaps with the timber crew or one of the hunters or trappers. It was a little early for all three, but with timber, some of the guys arrived ahead of time. Probably still leaving, though. Maybe one of the surveyors the government sends out, or one of the rangers from the national park. Not someone she would see often, as she had never seen him before that night.

He finally picked up his beer and took a sip, and she watched, waiting for his answer. He didn't shudder or even look at the label, but instead, took another long swig. He didn't hate it, then.

"Tell you what, it's on the house, so long as you tell me your name." That was bold of her, but she was known for being bold. There was no point in dodging around words when days were short and winter was long.

"What's yours?" he asked, not giving her an answer.

She laughed again, feeling a little flirtatious. It was rare anyone even asked—most seemed to know every woman's name, given there was so few of them. "I don't give that away for free. Come on. Pay up."

He took another swig before answering. "Rick."

"Rick?" she questioned, raising a brow at him. That name felt too simple, too ordinary, for a man like him. She had expected something... older, perhaps. Maybe it was just a nickname. "Hmm. Not what I was expecting."

"What were you expectin'?" he asked, seeming to relax a little right before her very eyes.

Something better to call out in bed, her naughty mind supplied, not that she would say that.

"Not sure. But okay, Rick. Welcome into town."

She was just about to turn away and leave him to his drink when he suddenly reached out, nearly touching her hand where it was now on the bar top. She hadn't even remembered moving her hands there. He stopped himself, though, and she looked from his hand, still hovered in the air, then back up at him. That was... interesting. "Yes, Rick?"

"Your name?" he asked, sounding a little hopeful.

"Bethany." The smile he gave him felt far more genuine than one she had worn in weeks. It was... nice. "It's nice to meet you."

Bethany was dead on her feet tired as she made her way around the bar, shoving another tip from the jar into her pocket. She was just about at the end of her shift and ready to stop walking, but she couldn't help herself as she made her way around, once again checking in on Rick. He was still working on his beer, taking the occasional swig while sitting by himself. Another man had come by at some point to talk to him, confirming that he was on some sort of crew at least, but she hadn't gotten a good look at the other man as he was walking away when she turned the corner. He was another giant as well, so two giants working on the same crew. Probably timber, then. A lumberjack... or more like a lumber- snack.

"Bethany, you're good to go," Anette, Bethany's manager, called out. "Till checks out."

"Thanks, Anette," she called back as she grabbed a few coins that had been tossed into a tip jar. "Alright, boys. Looks like I'm heading out for the night!"

There were a few sounds of complaints, but most were too drunk to care, as Avery was now clocked in and making her way around the bar to check if everyone still had a drink. She would take none of their bullshit but all of their money, so Bethany knew they were in good hands.

Now, to go home, kick off her boots, put up her hair, and build herself a fire to stave off the cold.

She paused, however, as she looked towards Rick one more time. He was looking at her, which was unsurprising, as he seemed to always know when she looked his way, but his shoulders were now slung and the beer in his hand was just about empty. There was a sadness to his eyes, though, that had been the real thing to stop her in her tracks. Was he sad she was leaving? Well, it wasn't like he was staying, as he had turned down her and Avery's offer for another drink.

Maybe it was the icy cold front moving in. Maybe it was because her vibrator wasn't charged. Maybe it was the fact that in a few days' time, he would be long gone. Or maybe it was just her wild side that needed to come out. Whatever it was that she could later blame, it was urging her to walk around the bar and straight to him. She tried to ignore it while grabbing her bag from under the counter, and quickly shoved the coins and bills from her pockets into the open bank bag she kept her tips in, and pulled the zipper closed so she could pull out the key and shove that into her pocket.

But with that taken care of, and a need to walk by his seat on her way towards the door...

She shoved her bag back under the counter where her jacket was also waiting, then made her way straight towards him. She would leave in a minute, after she said bye. Just a quick goodbye, and then she would be out the door and on her way to cozy slippers and a warm fire.

"It's a pity you waited until now to venture into town," she said as she approached, pleased at the way he had turned himself, and the chair, fully, so that his body was turned towards her. She was correct in her original assessment—he was a big boy. Well, man. Everything about him confirmed he was a grown man.

From his worn boots to the rugged pants to his flannel shirt to his well-groomed but full beard, he was all man. Thick and muscular and probably able to pick her big ass up and carry her around like nothing. Her theory of him being a lumbersnack was growing more and more sure, which could very well mean his remaining time in Bear Valley wasn't as short as she feared.

"And why is that?" he asked, sounding a little uncertain in his words.

"Because if you had, you might be comfortable enough tonight to ask me to dance."

Maybe it was the lighting, or maybe she had overpoured the shots she took herself over her shift, but if she didn't know any better, she would think his eyes were glowing.

"I'm not much of a dancer," he said, his words sounding a little hesitant, and sad.

"Really? Because I love dancing. Something about it, losing yourself in the music, following the beat... I wouldn't say I'm good at it either, but it's fun, and I love having fun."

He looked away from her and towards the nearly empty beer bottle in his hand, then drained it before setting it down on the counter and shifting out of the chair and onto the floor. He was even taller now, taller than her by more than a foot. It made her skin prickle slightly at the implication. Height was something she never really cared about in men, but something about the bulk of him had her heart racing.

"I think it could be fun, if I was dancing with you," he finally said, and lifted one of his big hands towards her in question.

Oh, yes. A lot of things were very fun with her. And he was about to find that out.

Bethany led him towards the dance floor, not that there was much of one, but it was an open area with no tables and other people dancing. The music was country, unsurprisingly, so an easy beat to follow, and as they reached an open space, she turned towards him and put her hand on his shoulder. He surprised her almost immediately by stepping with the beat, and she stepped with him, quickly losing herself in the movements.

His gaze, however, wasn't on her, and his focus was intense. She glanced over her shoulder to see where he was looking, and saw another couple dancing similarly to them. Another glance up at Rick, and she realized he was copying their moves, save, his other hand wasn't touching her but instead hovering. She moved her hand on his shoulder to grab his forearm, and moved his hand to her lower back. Warmth spread through her at his touch, and she moved her hand back to his shoulder as she shivered slightly as his rough touch met the slightly exposed skin underneath the edge of her shirt.

The song changed, and then his gaze was on her once again, moving to the new beat and no longer following someone else. Bethany smiled, and then he was pulling her closer right before letting go of her back and spinning her. The move seemed to come out of nowhere, and she laughed, spinning away and then back to him. He was grinning as well, the look making him appear younger and more carefree. She was closer now, her hand resting easily on his shoulder despite the height.

He was strong, she could tell, just from touching his shoulder with her fingers curling onto his back. Strong and powerful. He could easily crack her back.

She wanted it. Wanted more. Wanted him.

"You're right, this is fun," his voice still deep despite him having to half yell over the music, given how close they were to the speakers.

"A lot of things with me are fun," she answered with a grin.

Something... vibrated... against her hand. Maybe his phone was in his shirt pocket and that was it, but she thought she had heard it as well, low and deep and...

A growl. She had thought she heard a growl.

That was strange.

But Rick didn't look around for any strange sound, so neither would she, instead moving closer, since she suspected he was too polite to do so himself, much like how he had been too polite to put his hand on her back. She liked that, liked how he was looking at her face and not her body, and didn't touch her without permission.

She would love to know what else he would need permission to do, if she let him know all cards were on the table.

The song changed again, this one slower, and she moved in right as his arm tightened. His hand moved across her back as she slid her arm behind his neck, and...

Yeah. All cards were on the table.

If for no other reason than he could build the fire in her cabin, and make her bed a little less cold.