Later that night, Dawn was grateful she’d accepted Garrett’s offer to go out for a drink with the guys because the hotel room had turned out to feel even colder and lonelier than she’d expected.

Maybe it was just the contrast of the small, cramped space in comparison to the beautiful, well-lit clearing that would be her home.

Maybe it was just the feeling of being alone instead of with the friendly guys at the work site.

Either way, she was glad to be leaving her room.

What she didn’t know was why she was bothering to put on makeup.

Even with all the effort in the world, she probably wouldn’t look like the type of woman these guys pursued.

They could have models and probably liked tall women that could reach them on tiptoes, not tiny women like her.

She stared at her reflection, at her straight, bright-red hair that hit her shoulders, at her plain but pleasant features and her quiet gray eyes.

She tucked her hair behind one ear and leaned in to touch up her red lipstick, the one accent she liked to do when going out.

Even if she would never look like the kind of woman who would fit in next to those men, she would do her best to be presentable and feel confident.

After all, she might be able to meet some new people tonight.

When she was done prepping, she dropped her lipstick in her purse and took one last look in the mirror at her gray sweater and skinny jeans, deciding she looked all right.

Luckily, the bar was just a bit down the street from her, so she locked her door and headed out into the cool night air.

It was just getting dark even though it was almost nine, and she marveled at how different the buildings in this town looked compared to the city she’d come from.

Some of the buildings were rundown, some were quaint and clearly restored. In particular, there was a little museum she wanted to explore at some point. There were also a few arts and crafts galleries, though she guessed those were only open at certain times when people would be passing through.

Her whole impression of the town had been that it was quiet and sleepy and that it would probably suit her well for the occasional trip into town. There were bigger towns farther out if she needed them.

When she reached the bar, warm light was pouring down the steps and onto the street, and she walked up toward the open bar with a little bit of trepidation.

Would Garrett and his friends be there already?

As she stepped up and walked into the bar, she saw rustic wood on every surface, from the floor to the roughly hewn tables to the beautiful knotted wood of the bar. Metal accents here and there caught her eye, aged to make the place look even more masculine.

And there wasn’t a single female in the place.

She gulped, adjusting her purse over her shoulder as a dozen or so male eyes locked on her.

“Hi,” she said, giving an awkward wave. “I’m new here in town. I’ll be living out by the pond, and…” She trailed off at the cold stares she was getting.

Oh dear, were there no women in this town?

But then as she stood there awkwardly, a woman appeared from the back room, and a smile lit her face as she saw Dawn.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” the woman said. She had dark hair streaked with gray and beautiful green-brown eyes. She looked to be in her mid-fifties, and she reached out a hand for Dawn to sit at the counter next to the bar, ignoring the stares of the men around them.

“Haven’t you ever seen a woman before?” the woman shouted, putting her hands on her hips, which were wide and generous.

The men looked away, ashamed, going back to their drinks and conversation.

“Sorry about that,” the woman said. “They don’t get to see pretty new women in here often. Not when it’s not tourist season.”

“And it’s not right now?”

“Heavens no,” the woman said. “It’ll pick up again in the fall, though.”

“So there aren’t any… women here normally?”

“Oh, they’re around all right, but they’re taken, for the most part.” She stretched out a hand for Dawn to shake it. It was callused and warm. “I’m Mina, by the way. My husband owns the hotel in town, and I own the bar.”

“Oh, yes,” Dawn said, feeling slightly guilty for her earlier, unkind thoughts toward the hotel room. “I’m staying there.”

“And you’re building out by the pond?” Mina asked. “I think I heard something about that. From those boys you must be working with.”

Dawn hoped the flush creeping up her neck wasn’t noticeable. “Oh, right. Garrett and his friends.”

“Right,” Mina said. “Garrett, Hunter, and Grayson. They’ve already made a pretty big mark on us. I hope a storm delays their schedule so they don’t have to go anytime soon.” Mina bit her lip. “Wait, I mean, I don’t want your house to not get built. I just mean—”

Dawn laughed. “I get what you mean. They’re nice guys. Not that I know them well yet, but—”

“Yeah, very nice guys. Cute guys, too.” Mina’s smile was mischievous, which caused Dawn to flush once again.

“So you’re at the hotel. That means you probably haven’t eaten, right? Did you order that god-awful room service?”

Dawn grimaced, not knowing how to respond.

“I knew it,” Mina said. “I told that damn husband of mine to fire his cousin, because he’s no chef. But you know how it is. Family.”

“Ah, yes,” Dawn said. But she really didn’t. She hadn’t had any family be good to her except for her grandpa, so she didn’t really know what it meant to feel an obligation for anyone just because they were related.

“You hang tight,” Mina said. “I’m just going to whip you up a quick sandwich. And in the future, don’t bother with room service. Just come over here. I’d like the company, and I can make you anything better than that damn cousin of my husband’s.”

Dawn laughed. “I’d like that.”

“Except in the morning,” Mina said. “You’d be best getting your breakfast at the cafe. Might even see me there since we don’t open the bar ‘til the afternoon.” Then Mina disappeared with a wave into the back room.

Dawn turned to the bar and pulled out her phone awkwardly, far too aware of the quiet in the place now that Mina was gone.

She could feel eyes on her, knew that the locals were appraising the new girl, and really wished there was another woman around.

Or that the internet was better so she could get online and talk to her friends.

She heard the footsteps of someone entering the bar and looked up to see a man staggering in with some friends, looking already drunk.

He had short, dirty-blond hair, and his blue eyes looked already bloodshot, as if he’d had a few drinks before even visiting the bar.

While his friends went over to a group in the corner, he stood there slightly swaying, his eyes fixed on her.

She looked away from him, turning back to the bar, hoping he’d go away if she just ignored him.

No such luck.

She heard a creak and a thump as he set his hand on the bar next to her, leaning down in a way he seemed to think was charming.

Alcohol emanated off of him in waves.

“Hey there, new girl,” he said in a dazed voice. “Wanna get a drink with me?”

“Back off, Nelson,” one of the guy’s friends called. “You’re drunk.”

Dawn sent the man a grateful glance, but Nelson was clearly determined not to listen.

He put a hand on Dawn’s shoulder, trying to make her look at him.

She immediately slapped his hand away, offended that he’d even try to touch her. He looked like he was going to try it again, when he suddenly made a gurgling sound as he was lifted off his feet by his collar by something behind him.

A ghost, maybe?

But no, it was Garrett, who swiftly dragged the man past Hunter and Grayson, watching mildly as Garrett deposited the man in the dirt outside the bar and shut the door behind him.

Garrett brushed off his hands and smiled at her as he came over.

Hunter and Grayson gave her a quick wave and went to join a group in the middle of the bar that was playing cards.

She knew her eyes were still wide, but she couldn’t help it. Carrying two-by-fours was one thing, but manhandling full-grown men like they were toddlers was… something else.

Something hot.

She sat down, pushing the other stool toward Garrett, though he remained standing.

“Sorry I was late,” he said. “Just really determined to stay on schedule. His chocolate-brown hair was tousled and gorgeous, and he smelled fresh and clean. Had he stopped by his trailer to shower before coming out?

Why would he bother doing that in a town full of men?

“He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“Good,” Garrett said. “Did you meet Mina yet? She usually keeps those types out.”

Just then, Mina appeared from the back room again, a plate with a sandwich in one hand and a bag of chips in the other.

She grinned at Garrett as she set the meal down for Dawn on the bar. “Well, Garrett, you tall drink of water. You going to buy this sweet little lady a drink?”

“If she’ll let me,” Garrett said, looking at her with a mild grin.

“Of course,” Dawn said. “As soon as I eat my sandwich, I mean.”

“I know just what will go well with it,” Mina said, going behind the taps.

Outside, a bunch of banging on the door and shouting started, probably from the guy Garrett had just thrown out.

“Oh geez, he came back tonight?” Mina asked Garrett.

Garrett nodded. “Tried to come on to Dawn.”

“Of course he did,” Mina said. “And I’m assuming you dispatched him?”

Garrett’s grin widened, showcasing an adorable dimple on his left side. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Don’t you yes ma’am me, you charming piece of man candy.” Mina fanned her face. “Wish you guys could just stay here forever. Not that I could look at anyone but my husband, not really, but it sure is nice having you all around.”

“You want me to take care of him?” Garrett asked, looking at the doorway.

“No,” Mina said. “I’ll call the cops to pick him up. Normally, I’d take you up on that, but you got a pretty little girl here to talk to, so I’ll leave you to it.”

Dawn was sure her face was bright red right now, so she took a big bite of her sandwich as Garrett finally took the seat beside her, dwarfing her with his height.

“So,” he said, taking one of the drinks Mina had set on the counter and sliding it toward her. “How about that drink?”

Oh yes, liquid courage was just what she needed to talk to this solid, handsome man right now.