The Cowbear's Christmas Shotgun Wedding (Curvy Bear Ranch 3) Read Online Free

died.”
    “I’ll just come back when you’re not here,” Mr. Milton rose to his feet.
    Logan got in his face. “Was that a threat?”
    “I don’t threaten people. I don’t have to when they’re smart and take what we’re offering.”
    Kate stepped between the men, with her back to Logan. “This is a hard time for me. Maybe you could come back in a few days.”
    “Consider my offer carefully,” Mr. Milton said.
    An undercurrent of darkness tainted his voice. Now that sounded more like a threat. Maybe Logan was right to send him away. She walked to the front door and opened it. “I’ll give you a call if I decide to sell.”
    Before leaving the house, he shot a murderous look at Logan. His mouth twitched as if he’d been holding back another comment.
    After closing the door, she turned to find Logan directly behind her. She tilted her head up to look at him. He hadn’t looked this tall from across the room. All six foot two of the hunky shifter towered over her. She considered take a step back, but didn’t. If anything, she wanted to move closer. Dangerously closer. Into his arms closer.
    “That guy’s dangerous. If he comes back here, call me right away. Okay? If I’m not home, tell one of my brothers and they’ll come running. We could never prove it, but we think Milton burned down the Jenkinses’ barn. Shortly after that, they sold to those corporate goons.”
    “I just want to put this house behind me.” She wrapped her arms around her belly to keep them from reaching for him. What the hell was wrong with her?
    “I’ll help you find someone who isn’t going to turn this place into a playground for the filthy rich,” Logan said.
    “It’s really not necessary. I grew up on the ranch. I can fix a window or nail new siding on a barn myself. I don’t need your help.” She stepped back.
    He scoffed. “This isn’t the kind of work a woman should be doing.”
    “Really? Please , school me in the ways of womanhood.”
    Anger. That was good. Much better than the rising tide of need currently threatening her sanity. She didn’t need his help back when she was in high school and she sure as hell didn’t need it now.
     
    ***
     
    Logan stomped away from the house. Damn stubborn woman. She’d kicked him out without even giving him a slice of bacon. If Milton hadn’t shown up, he’d probably be in the kitchen convincing his sexy neighbor to let him fix the windows today. He could have ended up spending the day with her, giving him the time he’d need to talk her hot little butt into bed.
    His bear grumbled both from a lack of food, and a lack of sex. And when his bear wasn’t happy, he wasn’t happy. At least he could take care of one of those needs right now.
    After changing direction, he headed toward the Curvy Bear Ranch Bed and Breakfast. He sniffed the air appreciatively. They’d had a bit of a rocky start with Madison, the new manager. When she’d first arrived at the ranch, she couldn’t boil water without setting something on fire. But then his brother Mack had fallen head over heels in love with her and had taught her how to cook. To her credit, she’d been a fast learner.
    As Logan opened the front door, a family of four staying at the B&B bounced past him. Bundled in matching Christmas sweaters, they were the picture of holiday cheer. Well, bah humbug. Christmas wasn’t good for anything other than making you feel alone. Even though he was surrounded by his brothers, something was missing from his life. He just didn’t know what it was.
    He strolled into the kitchen to find his other brother Brady’s fiancée, Rachel, arguing with Madison over the proper way to line a cake pan.
    “My mom always takes the butter out of the fridge and lets it rest until it’s soft before greasing the cake pan. Then you lightly flower it,” Rachel said.
    “You get too much butter in the pan that way,” Madison corrected. “If the butter’s still firm, you won’t get divots in the top of