The Cowbear's Christmas Bride (Curvy Bear Ranch 4) by Liv Brywood Page A

lip-locked with one of the guests. Although, if she did say something, it would be like the pot calling the kettle black considering she’d met Mack when she’d started working at the B & B, then ended up engaged to him after a week.
    He turned and trudged another ten paces before a scent sweeter than honey drifted into the room. His bear stood at attention as he sniffed. She was here. Downstairs.
    As he hurried toward the dining room, Madison gave him a teasing wink. Ugh. Nothing got past that woman.
    When he entered the dining room, he spotted Carol in a seat at the far end of the table. Why she always chose to sit so far away from his family was beyond him. But maybe she didn’t see herself as anything other than a guest, which she was. It wasn’t like she was part of the family. She couldn’t be. She’d be leaving at the end of the week, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t spend more time with her between now and then.
    “Good morning.” He slid into the seat next to hers.
    “Hi.” She met his eyes for a moment before dropping her gaze to the table. A flush of color stained her cheeks.
    Surprised, he sat back against the chair. He’d been right. The kiss didn’t mean anything. Although maybe she was just embarrassed by her behavior the previous night. Not only had she ended up in his lap in the truck, but she’d also tried to coax him into her room when they’d arrived at the B & B.
    Crap. He’d never meant to make her uncomfortable. That was the last thing he’d wanted to do. But she’d been so soft and had smelled so damn good. Besides, it wasn’t really his fault that she’d tried to use him to take away her pain. He’d only been trying to give her a hug.
    “Whatever Madison is cooking smells great,” she said.
    “I think it’s a sausage and spinach quiche. It was one of my mother’s recipes.”
    “Was your mom a good cook?” she asked.
    “The best. She used to make a killer huckleberry pie. Madison found mom’s old recipe book in the attic and she’s been working her way through it.”
    “I don’t know if my mom’s a good cook or not. Isn’t it funny that I don’t know something as simple as that?” Her tone held a hint of sadness. He instantly wanted to reach over and comfort her. It was all he could do to keep his hands in his lap.
    “She just needs time,” he said.
    “You really think after a day or two she’ll want to see me?”
    “It’s possible.”
    “I guess I’ll just wait here a few days and try again. I saw the library in the living room. You have some really great books here,” she said.
    “So you’re a reader?”
    “Yep. When I was at the orphanage, most of the other kids didn’t stay long enough for me to make friends, so books became my friends. I love getting lost in a good historical romance, but I also like to read books about science and astronomy.”
    “I love astronomy too. I can name every constellation in the sky,” he said.
    “Really? I’ll have to test you on that sometime.” She flashed a smile warm enough to melt his heart.
    “What are your plans for today?” he asked.
    “I was going to take a few books up to my room and just hang out there.”
    “Have you ever been to Yellowstone Park?”
    “No. I’ve seen pictures though. I’ve always wanted to visit Old Faithful. I’ve stared at its static image on the postcard long enough that it makes me want to see it in person,” she said.
    “Have you ever been on a snowmobile?” he asked.
    “No.”
    “If you want to see Old Faithful, we can hop on my snowmobile and drive out there. It’s about thirty miles from here. It’s going to be a cold ride, but I have built-in seat warmers.”
    “Really? Is it like riding a motorcycle?” she asked.
    “No. It’s much more stable. You have to really try to tip one over.”
    “I don’t want to impose on your day.”
    “You wouldn’t be. I was planning on heading out there sometime this week anyway. I love going into the park during the