Bearly Living: Foxhollow Den #1 (Alaskan Den Men) by Kizzie Waller Page B

change. “I think I need a donut.”
    Grant didn’t hurry the short walk to the donut café. He found the back door unlocked and Bobbie inside the kitchen dipping batter into a several donut pans. Samantha’s voice echoed from the front dining area near the cash register. Knowing he only had a few moments to himself, he kissed Bobbie on the back of the neck.
    “Got a minute?” he asked.
    “Only if you taste my newest creation. Maple syrup with a bacon crunch.”
    Bobbie stopped pouring batter long enough to shove half a donut in his mouth. He talked through the donut half. “For the love of God, woman. You’re going to kill me with sugar. You’ve officially made me a donut guy. What are you going to call these?”
    “Moose butts.”
    Grant shoved another donut half in his mouth and picked up some flyers advertising the donut café. They were certainly professional in quality. The bottom of the design had a credit to B. T. While he chewed, he turned them towards her, asking a silent question.
    She shrugged a shoulder. “I’m getting my ad fix by creating marketing strategies for the café. No biggie.”
    “These are great.” He’d have to convince his dad to let her work on something for the hardware store. He’d show his parents Bobbie would be easy to love if they’d just get over themselves. Of course, he’d put it in much gentler terms.
    She finished with the batter and placed several pans on the double oven. “Why the serious face?”
    He wiped a hand across his mouth. “I’d like to tell my parents about us.”
    A bright smile lit up her face. “No more secret lover? That’s a little disappointing.”
    Everything in his body stilled. She’d said the words with a hint of disappointment, but her face showed him she supported the idea. His heart slowed and beat with hesitation as if the answer to the next question could break it. “More like an out-in-the-open mate?”
    “Mate?” Bobbie pulled the plastic gloves she wore while baking for customers off her hands and placed them on the counter. “That makes us sound serious.”
    He moved into her personal space. “I don’t want to keep you from your life in Florida, but my life has never been as full as it is with you in it. Will you have me?”
    She placed her hands on both sides of his face. “I was barely living a life in Florida. I’ve never been as happy, or so at peace, as I am here baking donuts. And with you.”
    The words coming out of her beautiful mouth were exactly what he’d been hoping to hear. “So you’ll stay?”
    “Yes. I think I’ve left that out-of-control city girl behind. I don’t miss her.” She wiggled her groin against his, bringing them closer. “I won’t lie though. I’m gonna need lots of lessons and rewards to keep the bear from rearing her ugly head.”
    “Good. I have something for you.” Grant pulled the ring out of his pocket. The lady in the jewelry store helped him pick out a rose gold band with a round Citrine stone accented with diamonds.
    The surprise shone bright in Bobbie’s eyes. “It’s beautiful.”
    “It matches your bear eyes. Those flecks of deep gold.”
    She held the ring between her finger and thumb. “But this isn’t an engagement ring, is it?”
    Grant shrugged and took it back from her. He placed it on her right index finger instead of her left. A perfect fit. “It doesn’t have to be. Although, if it is, this means you’ll be a Wright. You’ll have to switch teams.”
    “Taylor hyphen Wright. And this might have to be a long engagement.” She slipped the ring from her right to her left. “We need to wait for your sister to come home and set things right between the families, and I think it’s time someone brought her home.”
    “You’re right.” Caroline would love Bobbie as much as he did. Just like the rest of his family would. Or she’d win them all over with her donuts. He’d make some calls in the morning to see if he could start the process of getting his