Page 10 of Cowboy Bear's Hope

I knew for a fact he was just being a dick. But that didn’t stop my inner Grizzly from wanting to tear his head off.

“Dante, can I talk to you for a second?” Emmet, our foreman, asked, and I nodded, tossing the sealant covered rag I was holding at Kian’s stupid face.

“Finish this up, douche canoe,” I mumbled.

“What’s the magic word? You know, I would happily do it if you just admit your feelings for me!”

“Shut. Up.”

“You can’t keep denying our love!”

“Easy,” Emmet said, eyebrows raised.

He glanced down, Demon shining in his eyes, and I followed his glare to see my hands had shifted into claws.

Fuck.

I was seconds from shifting into my Bear right there inside the barn.

That wouldn’t be good, seeing as how I was too fucking big for this place to contain me.

The damage alone would cost a fortune. Not to mention what Max would say if I killed that asshole Bull.

“You alright, man?” Emmet asked.

“Yeah. Sorry. What’s up?” I growled, rolling my neck on my shoulders and forcing the monster back inside.

“Kian only fucks with you because you react. You do know that, right?”

“Yep. I know it. Was that all you wanted? To impart those words of wisdom or was there a fucking point to you interrupting me, Emmet?” I snapped.

“Not a fan of small talk then, huh? I can appreciate that,” the Wolf said and dipped his chin.

“Well? What do you want?”

“Oh! It’s not what I want. There are two things actually. I caught a scent when I was checking the woods this morning.”

“A scent?”

“Ursine. Not yours. And not wild.”

“Alright. I’ll check. What else?”

“Oh, Penny called my wife because she came home early from the bakery.”

“And?” I asked and shrugged.

I mean, sure I cared about the women, and all. But really, what the fuck did Max’s mate coming home early have to do with me?

“And Jez says she’s not feeling too good,” Emmet continued, the duh was implied. “Of course, we think it might be the fact she’s carrying twins and doesn’t seem to know it. Boss hasn’t told her yet either.”

“Okay. And?” I asked, losing my fucking patience.

“Oh, the other and is she was supposed to pick up Avery and Rosie. They’re coming to work on decorations for the little one’s birthday party next week. We’re having it in the old barn.”

“Why isn’t Avery able to drive? Is she okay?” I asked.

I was curious, concerned, really. And yeah, I was already removing my tool belt.

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