Vicki Lewis Thompson - Cowboys Like Us

August 8, 1963
from the diary of Eleanor Chance

N OW THAT J ONATHANS seventeen and chasing after girls, I decided to find a hobby so I wouldnt be forever worrying about him. This summer I became a Chicago Cubs baseball fan! I figured that both Jonathan and my dear husband, Archie, would share in this new passion and wed have some family togetherness listening to the games on the radio here at the Last Chance Ranch.

So much for that idea. Turns out neither of them have the slightest interest in the sport, but I love it! I dont care if my Cubbies dont win very often. Theyre historic, dating way back, and Wrigley Field is a piece of history, too. Besides, I like the teams name. Bear cubs are the cutest things ever, and I should know. Here in Jackson Hole we have bears aplenty.

I suppose I could have picked football or basketball, but I dont understand those rules as well. Baseball has always made sense to me. Hearing the crack of the bat sends a chill down my spine, especially in games like today! Ron Santo hit a home run in the bottom of the tenth to beat the L.A. Dodgers, which is amazing because the Cubs arent doing so hot, as usual, and the Dodgers are leading the National League.

When I announced this thrilling victory at dinner tonight, Jonathan and Archie both smiled and said that was nice, but I could tell they dont give a flip. Too bad for them. Theyre missing some great entertainment. Ive sent away for a Cubs baseball cap. Im going to wear it, too.

Present Day

L OGAN C ARSWELL , FORMER catcher for the Chicago Cubs, had two surefire remedies for a troubled mind, and he couldnt use either one. Booze was out because hed taken pain meds for his knee so he could dance at Alex Kellers wedding reception in Shoshone, Wyoming. As for the second method, he didnt know any of the women in this tiny town well enough.

Eventually, in spite of the meds, his knee began to bother him. Retreating to one of the Spirits and Spurss well-worn bar stools, he swiveled to face the dance floor, where Alex was two-stepping with his bride, Tyler. Logan had known him ever since they were both kids living in the same Chicago neighborhood.

Alex had never had trouble getting girls, with his all-American blond good looks. Add to that his natural charisma behind a microphone, and hed been able to pick and choose. Apparently hed chosen Tyler, a dark-haired Italian beauty, or shed chosen him.

Near as Logan could tell watching the happy couple on the dance floor, they were both quite pleased with the situation. Alex was obviously in love and seemed to have his life together at last. Logan should be so lucky. But he refused to allow his problems to cast a shadow over this celebration.

Can I get you anything, Mr. Carswell?

Logan swiveled back to the bar and concluded that luck hadnt totally deserted him. Of the two bartenders working the wedding reception, hed drawn the girl instead of the guy.

Hed noticed her earlier. She wore her sun-streaked brown hair in a no-nonsense ponytail and didnt seem to go in for a lot of makeup. Her hazel eyes tilted up slightly at the corners, adding a touch of the exotic to her girl-next-door appeal.

From her enthusiasm and ready smile, he guessed she might be exactly his typea born optimist. He could sure use a dose of optimism right now.

As he gazed at her, he realized she was looking right back with similar interest. Hed built a night of outstanding sex on less. But Shoshone was a folksy town, and one-night stands wouldnt go unnoticed around here the way they would in Chicago.

Still, he could flirt with her a little without doing any harm. He tipped back the Stetson that Alex had insisted he buy, along with the requisite jeans, boots and yoked shirt. I think this is the part where the teetotalling stranger orders a sarsaparilla. He wished he could remember her name, but if someone had mentioned it, hed forgotten.

She laughed. Sorry. Dont have that. But the root beer is excellent.

Thatll do.

After placing a coaster decorated with a bucking bronco in front of him, she picked up a glass mug. Her nails were short and unpolished, her movements quick and efficient. How do you like Shoshone so far?

Friendly place.

We think so.

He grabbed the first conversational topic he could think of. Is it true that this bar is haunted?