Read Online Just Perfect by Julie Ortolon - Free Book Online Page A

back. “Do you think she called up and said, ‘I need a private ski instructor, and by the way, I’m tall, blond, and gorgeous’?”
    Alec tuned his friends out and went back to watching Christine as she accepted a frosty mug of beer from the bartender. All he had to do was think of an “irresistible” date, then go over there and ask her out. While he was racking his brain, some guy he didn’t recognize turned on the stool next to her and struck up a conversation. Alec scowled when Christine smiled at the stranger rather than giving him the brush-off. No, no, no! Dang it! Now he had to go over there, beat the crap out of some tourist— which wouldn’t please the sheriff—then ask her out.
    The stranger said something that made Christine laugh.
    Alec downed the last of his beer in one big gulp and shot to his feet. “Hey, looks like we need another pitcher. Y’all hang tight, I’ll be right back.”
    Christine knew the instant Alec headed over. Her skin tingled in anticipation even before she glanced in the ornate mirror above the bar to find his reflection coming toward her. She mentally kicked herself for staying. The second she realized he was here, she should have left. Had she honestly thought he wouldn’t approach her?
    No, if she were being honest, she’d admit she’d hoped he would. She’d been so proud of herself earlier when they had parted at the end of her last lesson—until she was alone and realized that was it; she’d successfully resisted him for five straight days. Game over. She had won.
    How thoroughly depressing.
    No more lessons meant no more seeing him every day.
    But now, here he was coming toward her and her whole body perked up. Her gaze ran eagerly over his image in the mirror. She’d formed the impression that he was on the skinny side, but from the way the brick-red pullover hugged his torso, she realized there were muscles on that tall, lanky frame! Some really nice muscles that let him move as agilely here as he did on the slopes.
    “So where are you from?” the stockbroker from Kansas said.
    Before she could answer, Alec slipped between them to lean against the bar facing her. He smiled so broadly, she couldn’t hold back answering it with a smile of her own.
    “Hey, funny seeing you here,” he said as if just noticing her. “I thought you didn’t like bars.”
    “I never said that. In fact”—she looked around— “this place is great.”
    “You picked a good night since Michael Hearne is playing.” He gestured toward the four-piece band on the stage that had a guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, and drums. “He’s Bill Hearne’s nephew.”
    “Who?” She frowned as the fiddle player and singer sawed their way through a torch-and-twang number she’d never heard before.
    “Bill Hearne,” he said. “You know, Bill and Bonny Hearne?”
    “Am I supposed to know them?”
    He gaped at her. “I thought you said you were from Austin.”
    “I also said I don’t get out much to enjoy the music scene.”
    “They don’t actually play there anymore, but dang, Chris, they’re legends!”
    “Sorry.” She shrugged.
    He gave his head a sad shake. “Well, stick around the mountains long enough, you’ll hear all the good bar bands.”
    “Uh, excuse me?” The stockbroker tapped Alec’s shoulder. “We were in the middle of a conversation.”
    Alec turned to him, all smiles and good cheer. “Hey, thanks for keeping Chris here company while she was waiting for me. Can I get you a drink? Harvey!” He called to the bartender. “Set me up with another pitcher and get this dude a drink on me.”
    Christine hid a smile at his audacity.
    Mr. Hi-I’m-Bob-from-Kansas looked from Alec to her then back to Alec, who’d straightened to his full height. A look passed between them that she couldn’t read, but Bob seemed to understand it completely. He held up a hand, palm out. “No problem. I didn’t know she was meeting a date.”
    “He’s not my date,” she tried to