They weren’t back at the lodge long before they heard some people talking about snowmobiles. And a tavern. Apparently there were pool tables at this tavern only a snowmobile ride away.

“Do you feel up to a game of pool?”

The thought of getting back out in the cold wouldn’t have been Charlotte’s first choice, but the thought of playing a game of pool brought a secret smile to her lips.

By the time they got to the tavern, Charlotte was freezing. The snowmobile ride had been fun for about ten minutes, then it had just been well… cold. And she wanted to be there already. At the moment, she was thankful she lived in Texas.

There were several other snowmobiles parked out front. Apparently this was the place to go when it snowed. And probably even when it didn’t.

She was impressed by Ryan. Not only could he fly a plane, he could drive a snowmobile, and knew horses. Probably just a few of his many talents.

They stepped inside and left their coats at the front. This was certainly a new concept. Charlotte usually kept her coat with her or left it in the car.

Just as the girl at the lodge had promised, there were two pool tables along with several dart boards along the wall. One pool table was already occupied by a group of people.

“Do you want a drink?” Ryan asked as they weaving their way to the other pool table.

“Just water.” Her morning experiment with champagne had been enough for one day.

“I’ll be right back.”

She watched him walk toward the bar to get a drink and her water. He was by far the most handsome man in the bar. He turned as he waited at the bar and smiled at her. Her heart did a little summersault. The most handsome guy in the bar was with her.

And he was not only handsome, he was a pilot.

She pulled her gaze away and choose a cue stick from the wall next to the pool table. When he came back, she was standing with the pool cue in one hand and her other hand against the pool table.

He grinned. “Here’s your water.” She took the bottle from him and noticed that he also was drinking water.

She watched as he arranged the balls in the triangle, putting the eight ball in the middle. Maybe he at least knows the rules. Why did guys always think they should be one to break?

“Wanna break?” He asked.

“Sure.” With surprise in her voice, she walked around the table and got into position. Charlotte wasn’t one of those dramatic players who took forever to line up their sights before hitting the balls. She just aimed and hit.

She hit the balls hard enough to send them all rolling. This part took more luck than skill. But her luck held. One solid ball went in the left pocket and one striped in the right.

“Solid.” She called. Intent on her next target, aimed and shot. She sank two more balls before she looked up to see Ryan staring at her.

She stood the pool cue next to her and shrugged. “You can have a turn if you like.”

“No. Don’t let me stop you.”

“I’ll let you have a turn.” She said, more to herself than to him.

She shot the cue ball toward one of his striped balls. It went straight to the pocket’s edge and stopped. She stood up and beamed at him. “Your turn.”

He closed his mouth and moved toward the table. “You set me up? How do you know I’m not a pool shark?”

“Surely you’re not talented at everything.”

His cocky grin was back. “You never know.” He tapped the cue ball sending his ball into the pocket.

He moved around the table mostly looking at her. Then, using a similar technique to what she used, he aimed and hit his mark. Another ball went into the pocket.

Then another. He stepped toward her. Locked his gaze onto hers. “Would you like a turn?”

With a small grin, she shook her head. “Go ahead. You’re not doing so bad.”

He chuckled. Sank one more ball, then missed the next.

“Why did you stop?” She asked.

“I missed.”

“You missed on purpose.” She accused as she walked past him.

He shrugged. “You’ll never know.” But she did know. She knew because it was an easy shot and he was wearing an innocent expression.

She took her turn and sank two more balls. She grinned at him. “Just remember. You asked for it.”

She focused her concentration back on the table. The last time she’d played pool had been with her dad, before he got sick. About four years, she calculated, maybe longer.

The memory brought a lump to her throat. She glanced at Ryan who grinned at her and she smiled back. She couldn’t help it. He had that effect on her.

Charlotte cleared the table, then with a satisfied expression, turned and looked at Ryan.

He was leaning against the wall watching her. “You didn’t even warn me.”

She shrugged. “I got lucky.”

“If you have that kind of luck, we need to bottle it up and sell it.”

She sighed. If only she had such luck in other areas.