Page 76 of Cowboy Bear's Hope

Proud as I was to run after my little cub through the woods, to see her so wild and free, I couldn’t shake the knot of anxiety twisting in my gut.

How was Avery holding up with all of this?

Penny and Jezebel were inside with her, and I knew they’d be taking care of her.

That was good. I wanted that for her.

Avery deserved friends she could lean on, women who understood her in ways I might not.

Despite their squabbling and the days they’d spent apart, I knew the bond between them ran deep. They’d be there for her when she needed them, no doubt about it.

I was glad for that.

But no matter how much I trusted them, I couldn’t stop wondering what Avery was thinking right now.

What she was feeling.

What she was going to say to me when we finally faced each other.

Would she be upset with me? Disappointed? Angry?

I knew through our bond that her emotions had been all over the place today. And I couldn’t blame her. How could I?

Her entire world had shifted. Literally and figuratively.

Even so, she’d handled it with a kind of strength that left me in awe.

My sweet mate.

So damn brave.

So damn strong.

I’d always thought of myself as the kind of man who respected women, who appreciated my mama and understood what it meant to care for the people you love.

But Avery? She redefined all of that for me.

My breath caught in my throat, my chest tightening as I thought about her.

She’d been thrust into this crazy, impossible situation, and instead of breaking, she’d faced it head-on. She was incredible in every way, and I couldn’t stop marveling at how lucky I was to call her mine.

Beautiful. Sexy. Soft. Strong woman.

Mine.

But the question still lingered, heavy and unrelenting.

What would she say to me now?

I didn’t know.

And the not knowing was killing me.

Chapter Twenty-Three-Avery

I didn’t know how much time had passed since I had Rosie back in my arms.

Minutes?

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