Page 171 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“We should call the cops and send them to check inonher.”

“On what grounds?” heasked.

She bit the edge ofherlip.

“I know you want to help your mom. Trust me, I understand the need to help people. But maybe your mom really doesn’t want your help,”hesaid.

Her hands started to tremble, so she shoved them under her thighs. Afraid that her voice would crack when she spoke, she turned away and stared into thedarkness.

“Give it a few days. We’ll go back and check on her. We have no reason to believe she’s in any danger, okay?” heasked.

“All right.” The first fat tear rolled down her cheek. She swiped at it while another fell and then another. Soon, quiet sobs rackedherbody.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay. She might just need a little time. Can you imagine how shocking it was for her to see you on herdoorstep?”

When she didn’t answer, Hank leaned over and unbuckled her seat belt. He pulled her into his arms. His large hands splayed across her waist, drawing her closer. She couldn’t hold back anylonger.

“It’s okay, honey,” Hank whispered as she let thetearsflow.

She curled up in his arms, taking comfort in his quiet strength. When she tilted her head back to thank him, moonlight caught the specs of gold in his brown eyes. His hands slid from her waist to cupherface.

“I wish I knew how to take away your pain,” hewhispered.

Her gaze dropped to his lips and she conveyed her need with a soft sigh. He dipped to brush a feathery kiss across her lips. When she moaned, he returned to deepen the kiss. And when she shivered in his arms, he parted her lips with his tongue and awakened a part of her she’d ignored for fartoolong.

Chapter5

Hank pacedaround the kitchen while he waited for Carol to appear for breakfast. He couldn’t stop thinking about the way she’d felt in his arms last night. After kissing her until his lips were half-numb, he’d driven her back to the ranch and gave her one last kiss before sending her toherroom.

He’d quickly left the B & B before his last thread of willpower snapped. He clung to that little filament of self-control until he’d made it to the banks of Hebgen Lake. Had it been up to his bear, he would have run back to the B & B and claimed Carol that night. As he dove into the lake, the freezing water sucked the heat from his body, effectively putting his bearonice.

As much as he’d wanted to return and take everything she wanted to give him, he couldn’t. She didn’t care about him; she only flew into his arms because she had nowhere else to go. He wasn’t an idiot. He recognized the reality of the situation, but that didn’t mean he didn’t want to see heragain.

He turned and stalked a path to the other side of the kitchen. Wherewasshe?

“You keep pacing like that and we’re going to have to replace the floors by spring,”Madisonsaid.

“Sorry. Nervousenergy.”

“What are you so nervous about?” sheasked.

“Nothing.”

There was no way he’d tell Madison the truth. She’d flay him alive if she found out that he’d been 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 afteraweek.

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 thatwoman.

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 nowandthen.

“Good morning.” He slid into the seat nexttohers.

“Hi.” She met his eyes for a moment before dropping her gaze to the table. A flush of color stained hercheeks.

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 theB&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 herahug.