Page 239 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

After taking the stairs two at a time, he trotted into the kitchen. Madison sat at the small table and stared out at the snowy landscape. When he entered the room, she turned to him. Her eyes flashed as she gave him an up anddownlook.

“Doing the walk of shame?” Madison asked with asmirk.

He coughed. “Uh, have youseenAbby?”

“Maybe. Are you going to tell me what happened between you two last night?” Madisonasked.

“Nope.”

“I didn’t think so, but it was worth a shot. We need some gossip around here. It’s so dull without a house full ofguests.”

“Don’t worry, spring’s coming. I’m sure you’ll wish you had more free time in a few months,”hesaid.

“In a few months, I won’t have any free time for eighteen years.” She rubbed herbelly.

“Good point.” Hechuckled.

“Abby seemed upset when she came down this morning. Did you two have a fight?” Madisonasked.

“No. Everything was fine lastnight.”

“More than fine from the sound of it,” shegrinned.

“Oh, God. Were wethatloud?”

“Loud enough to make me wish I wasn’t pregnant. Mack always wants to be so careful, but Itoldhim—”

“Okay…” He held up a hand to stop her. “No more details, please. I gettheidea.”

“I think Abby said she was heading down to the lake. She said something about wanting to paint agrizzly.”

“She did?” His bearperkedup.

“Yep. I don’t suppose you know where we can find one, do you?” Madison asked in ajokingtone.

“Actually, I do,” hewinked.

“Just be careful,” Madison said. “You don’t want her to discover your thousand-pound secret and give her a heart attack in the process. Trust me, I know allaboutthat.”

“I’ll shift in the woods,”hesaid.

“I know there’s a joke in there somewhere—if a bear shifts in the woods, is he still wrong?” Shelaughed.

“Don’t quit your day job.” He scrunched up his nose as if a bad smell had wafted intotheroom.

“Do you think you’ll be back in time for lunch?” Madisonasked.

“I’m not sure. Don’t worry about cooking. I can always whip something up if we gethungry.”

As he turned to leave, his bear growled. The creature never turned down a meal. He promised his bear he’d eatlater.

When he reached the woods, he walked several yards in before shifting. He turned and ran toward the tree line, eager to show Abby his bear. She’d never know it was him, but if he could make her happier and give her a fun experience at the same time,whynot?

He spotted her sitting at the picnic bench overlooking the lake. So as not to scare her, he circled around to the edge of the lake about one hundred yards to her left. He slowed his pace and ambled along the bank. Occasionally, he’d glance up at her to see if she’d spottedhimyet.

When he was about halfway to her, she looked up and gasped. She grabbed her watercolor brush and dunked it in a paper cup towetit.

He sauntered up the path, occasionally stopping to sniff the ground. After a furtive glance in her direction, he dug his nose into the snow. He couldn’t stand being this close to her, smelling her irresistible scent, and not being able to do anythingaboutit.