Page 277 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“Ignore Mr. Grumpy Pants,” Kate said. “He just needs togetlaid.”

Cindy was mid-sip and choked on the cocoa. As she sputtered and wiped the liquid off her face, Drew jumped to his feet. He grabbed a tissue and hurried tohelpher.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “Sometimes I think I’m surrounded byteenagers.”

“I think Kate would agree,” Logan said as he grinned athiswife.

As she giggled and leaned in to kiss him, Cindy looked away. In a way, she felt bad for Drew. They seemed to tease him a lot. An occasional joke at someone’s expense done in jest was okay, but they seemedrelentless.

“I think its fine to be single,”Cindysaid.

“Says the woman who drove across the country to find a man,”Drewsaid.

“At least I tried.” She glaredathim.

“I never thought I would get married,” Logan said. “I was having fun living a no-strings-attached life. But then Kate came back into my life. Things can change so fast. You never know what fate has in storeforyou.”

“So true,”Cindysaid.

She crossed the room to a chair and sat. Since they didn’t look like they were leaving anytime soon, she may as well getcomfortable.

“When I came back to settle my dad’s estate,” Kate said, “I didn’t think I’d stay. But I couldn’t get rid of Logan. He came over every day to help me clean out my father’s things. I don’t think I could have gotten through it without him. It’s nice to have a partner in life. I know things didn’t work out quite like you planned, Sharon. But don’t lose hope. The love of your life might be right around thecorner.”

“Aw,” Logan cooed. “I love you,honey.”

“I love you too,” Katereplied.

Cindy glanced at Drew, who was watching them with a wistful expression on his face. As much as he claimed to like being alone, he sure seemed envious of his brothers’ relationships. She couldn’t really blame him though. If she’d been surrounded by happy couples, it would have made things ten times worse. But everyone in LA always seemed so angry and bitter. If they weren’t constantly stepping over other people on their way to success, they weren’t happy. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she never wanted to go back to a big city. She didn’t belongthere.

“Are you going to return to Florida at the end of the week?” Loganasked.

“I don’t know yet. I left everything behind to come here,”shesaid.

“You’ll find someone,” Drew said. “You’re marriagematerial.”

“And you’re not?” sheasked.

The edge of his lip tugged up in a pseudo-smile. “I’m too ornery. I don’t know what woman would ever want to put upwithme.”

“You’re a teddy bear,”Katesaid.

“I am not,”Drewsaid.

“I don’t know if I’d compare my brother to a cute, cuddly animal. He’s more like a feral polar bear. Used to being icy and grumpy,”Logansaid.

“Sorry I’m not all sunshine and rainbows,” Drew saidsarcastically.

“We love you anyway,” Kate said beforeyawning.

“We should get going,”Logansaid.

He stood and helped Kate to her feet. They walked toward the door then stopped to put on their coatsandhats.

“Have a good night,”Katesaid.

“You know I was just messing with you, right?” Logan saidtoDrew.

“Yeah,” he replied. “I just wish you’d let up for afewdays.”