Big Bear Blunder: BBW Werebear Shapeshifter Suspense Romance (Sweetwater Brides) by Anya Nowlan, Rory Dale Page B

for excuses to cause trouble. That wolf had a choice and he made the one he thought was right. Don’t take that away from him. He knew what the consequences might be. We live in a predatory world, that is the hard truth. There’s no time for blame and regret,” Everett said forcefully, hoping the words penetrated.
    Sara was silent for a second before nodding and giving Everett a brief smile.
    “Okay,” she said, straightening up and squaring her shoulders.
    “That’s my girl.”
    Everett smiled and helped Sara shove her toiletries into a bag. They stopped at the grocery store before heading to Everett’s cabin. Evan’s wife, Karen, had given Everett some cooking lessons, and he planned to wow Sara with his culinary skills.
    Boiling pasta is a skill, right?
    The sun was already starting to dim a bit when they finally arrived, the sky taking on a pinkish hue. Sara went to take a shower as Everett unpacked the groceries and started on dinner. It felt comfortable and familiar, a routine one could easily fall into and enjoy.
    Everett whipped up some spaghetti Bolognese, the sauce still simmering when Sara emerged from the bathroom. She was wearing a tank top and pajama bottoms, her hair still damp. She smelled like the air right after rainfall. The scent was clear to him, even over the smell of garlic and tomato. Everett tore his eyes away from her, needing to concentrate on the food.
    “Relax on the couch over there, food will be ready in just a bit,” Everett said, stirring the rich red sauce.
    He could hear a soft rustle of fabric as Sara sat down. She didn’t say anything, but Everett’s keen senses could feel her eyes on his back.
    “You know I can tell you’re staring at my ass, right?” he finally commented with a laugh.
    He turned around to see Sara sitting cross-legged on the couch, hands on the backrest, body angled towards the kitchen.
    “Caught me,” she said, biting her lip.
    Everett turned back to the food, chuckling. He got two plates and loaded them up with pasta and sauce, walking over to Sara and placing them on the coffee table in front of the couch. Then, he went back to the kitchen, grabbing two beers from the fridge before sitting down next to Sara.
    “Dig in,” he said, handing her an ice-cold bottle.
    Sara made appreciative noises as she ate, giving Everett a thumbs up in between bites. Everett went back for seconds, and thirds, while Sara groaned on the couch, patting her stomach.
    “Where do you put it all?” she asked, staring incredulously at Everett’s stacked plate.
    “I’m a bear, remember?” Everett replied, spreading out on the couch so that his body touched Sara’s.
    His skin hummed the same old tune at the contact.
    “I for one am stuffed,” Sara noted, sipping her beer. “You want me to clean up?” she continued, glancing at the kitchen.
    “It can wait. I think we’ve earned some rest and relaxation.”
    Everett grabbed a remote from the coffee table and turned on the TV. Sara settled into his shoulder as they flipped through the channels together, talking about their favorite movies and TV shows.
    “How can you not like Kickboxer ?” Sara demanded, pulling away and sounding like Everett had just said he ate kittens for breakfast after they’d been talking and channel surfing for a while.
    “I never said I didn’t like it, I just think there are better Van Damme movies,” Everett said, laughing at Sara’s crossed arms and offended expression.
    “Name one,” Sara huffed, challenge in her tone.
    “ Universal Soldier ?” Everett offered, hoping the answer wouldn’t trigger Sara’s wrath.
    She considered it for a moment.
    “I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion,” she said diplomatically, snuggling back into his side with a yawn.
    “Are you tired? I can make up the couch,” Everett offered.
    Sara grew still.
    “The couch?” she asked cautiously.
    “I just didn’t want you to think that since you’re staying here you’re obligated to