Mina, beside him, was thinking the same thing. She’d worry about whether or not she’d made a good decision later. Despite the concern of her friends, she was happier than she’d been in her life right now, riding down the highway in a pickup truck with a man so handsome that her whole body felt as if it were glowing from the inside. He’d wanted to take her out, when he could attract women as beautiful as Ida Merridan. She still couldn’t quite believe it.

“You said you’ve never been to a casino before,” he said.

She laughed. “I haven’t. Actually, I don’t drive very much. And especially not in snow. I tend to land in ditches.”

He chuckled. “I may have the same issue,” he murmured. “I can drive on muddy roads, though, so maybe it’s not so different.”

“That’s what they say.”

“I didn’t realize it would take so long to get here,” he said when thirty minutes had passed and they were still a half hour away from the reservation. “We’ll be late getting home.”

“I’m not afraid of the dark,” she teased.

“Oh yeah? But ‘the night is dark and full of terrors,’” he intoned.

She made a face at him. “Only another month until the last season of that wonderful show.” She sighed. “I guess it will be like a Shakespeare play. Everybody will die at the end.”

“Maybe so. But it’s been a great series to watch.”

“Yes, it has.” Her fingers curled closer into his.

His heart jumped. He smiled. No date he’d ever been on had been this much fun, and they were barely starting.

CHAPTER TEN

THE WIND RIVER RESERVATION was huge. There were plenty of tourists here, even in mid-March with snow still lingering on the sides of the roads. The hotel and casino drew people from all over this part of Wyoming, including tourists coming out of Yellowstone National Park.

Mina was fascinated with the crafts she saw. She started to buy a sterling necklace with a wolf’s head, only to have Cort lift it gently from her fingers and pay for it himself.

She tried to protest but he took the necklace from its packaging, unhooked the catch and draped it around her neck. The pretty wolf’s head, small but perfect, fit in the hollow of her throat. His hands lingered on her shoulders as he studied her, without smiling.

“You like wolves,” he said quietly.

“Yes. There’s a reason.”

“Because of that television series we both watch, and you like the family from the north?”

She shook her head.

“Tell me.”

She looked around uncomfortably.

He chuckled and caught her fingers in his. “I’ll find a more private place.”

He led her back to the casino and lifted her onto a high bar stool. He gave the bar man the order.

“Piña coladas?” she asked. “But listen, I’ve never had hard liquor…”

“I’m here to protect you,” he said gently. “And one drink isn’t going to affect you. Trust me.”