Page 46 of Bear in a Bakery
Blake glanced at Allie, spun, and advanced on her. Her eyes went wide as the bear barreled down on her. Allie skittered around the tree trunk and peered around it. Dax burst after him, his jaws clamping on Blake’s hind leg. Blood burst into his mouth as he sunk his teeth deep and pulled. The smaller bear jerked to a halt with a roar.
Blake flopped to the ground and twisted, his front claws swiping at Dax’s face. A burning line sliced over his cheek as the claws made contact, but Dax refused to let go. Grunting, he jerked his adversary backward by increments until he was safely away from Allie.
Dax let go and pounced over the smaller bear. With a grunt, Blake scrambled to his feet, knocking Dax back, and burst out of the trees. Look at the little fucker, run. Primed for the chase, Dax enjoyed the pursuit. They sprinted across the grounds, through the spiral garden. People screamed and jumped back as the black bear crashed through the dessert tent. Allie’s cupcakes and sweets scattered everywhere. Frosting flung in all directions, splattering clothes and shoes as guests scrambled to get out of the way.
Dax didn’t care. Allie—hisAllie—had been through enough because of this dickhead. When he’d witnessed Blake grab her throat, his rage knew no bounds. Murderous anger pumped through him now and it wouldn’t be satiated until Blake’s fur and flesh ripped beneath Dax’s claws.
He got the chance as Blake plowed through another table and skidded headfirst into a large water fountain. Dax rolled the other bear and pinned his shoulders. The smaller bear’s head fell under the torrential spray. He gurgled and fought, but Dax only dug his claws in, satisfied as streaks of crimson began to run down with the water. The basin turned dark pink as Dax drew more blood. He bared his teeth and opened his jaws wide.
“Stop!”
Marybeth hefted a shotgun off her hip and cocked the trigger. Dax froze for a second, then slowly pulled back his claws. People clamored around them to get away, some watching from a distance. Their collective heartbeats were loud in his ears. He pulled away from his opponent and dropped onto all fours.
Marybeth had no idea he could be on top of her in a flash, knocking that fucking gun from her hands before she could even blink. But for the safety of the guests, he played it tame.
“You... you beast!” She lifted the weight of the gun higher, with shaking hands. Her gaze slid to Blake. “Go turn human or something!”
Her attention turned back to Dax. “And you! You are going to be caged up like the goddamned heathen you are.”
“For fuck’s sake, Marybeth, that’s enough.”
Dax turned toward Ben Rowe as he parted the crowd and came after the gun with an outstretched hand.
“Go back where I put you, Benny.”
“I said, enough.” He grabbed the barrel of the gun and pulled it from her hands.
Marybeth gasped, her face going red. “You’re embarrassing me, sweetheart.” Her voice had gone small and sweet as if she were talking to a child. This woman was loonier than a methed-up clown. She reached for Ben and tipped her head up, as if waiting for a kiss.
Dax looked toward the trees where Allie was, moving to go to her now that the threat of buckshot in his ass was gone. She was there, coming toward him them. Dax’s heart soared.
She faltered a bit as she got within a few feet, her eyes searching his form with a mixture of fear and awe. Dax turned to her and slowly nuzzled her palm. She let out a breath and dug her fingers into his fur.
Ben sighed right before his voice dropped. “Marybeth, I didn’t want you two years ago when you were sending me nudies while your husband, the mayor, was dying from cancer in your bed. I didn’t want you when you showed up at my house in nothing but a trench coat and a smile the same day you buried him. And I don’t want you now.”
Her mouth dropped, her eyes bugging out.
Dax had never been so thankful for super-sharp hearing in his life.
Ben produced his cell phone. “I’ve saved all the images and dates you sent them, in case you’d like to see them again.”
She put a hand to her chest, apparently speechless. Another damn miracle.
“Well, then, I suppose the local press would love a raunchy story about the town gossip. Unless, you’d like to explain why you’re fucking with my daughter.” Ben’s voice was louder now, clearly including Allie into the conversation. MB looked between Ben and his daughter, then straightened her spine. She rolled her eyes and patted her hair, clearly unhappy at being cornered like this. When she didn’t respond right away, Dax took a step forward and growled.
She squeaked and stepped back.
“Fine. I’ve made a large investment in Bella Blu and there’s simply no room for two bakeries in Estes Park. Sticky Sweet is a lesser business, so it has to go.”
Allie stepped forward. “The raccoons, the mice... all this to try and shut me down?”
“Allie, your cupcakes are delish, but face it, you were never competition.”
“And Blake?” Ben asked.
“He’s a lawyer, of course. He... drew up the paperwork and took an investment percentage for himself. Now, let’s talk about how you’re going to — “
Allie stepped into Marybeth’s personal space, nearly close enough for them to chest-bump. Dax’s chest filled with pride at the steely confidence on Allie’s face.
