Page 368 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“How long ago?” Greg asked indesperation.

“Just a couple ofminutes.”

Greg hurled himself down the porch steps and raced toward the road. He could run faster in his bear form, so he gave up thirty seconds to shift. Bones cracked and ligaments tore as he morphed into a bear. The minute his paws found purchase, he boundedafterthem.

He didn’t care if the rest of her group discovered his secret. He didn’t care about anything but getting her back. He’d diewithouther.

His paws pounded the dry earth, spitting up dirt and gravel in his wake. Although he could run thirty miles per hour, he wasn’t fast enough. A thin trace of dust floated in the air, but they’d passed through here faster than he could run. He couldn’t give up. He didn’t. Not until he reached the mainhighway.

When he skidded to a stop in the middle of the road, a station wagon carrying a load of people careened around him to avoid hitting him. He didn’t care. If they’d smashed right into him it couldn’t have hurt less than the pain in his heart the moment he realized shewasgone.

He sat on his haunches in the middle of the road, willing another car to end his misery. But when another station wagon appeared on the horizon, he scrambled out of the way. He’d never risk an accident which could hurt innocentpeople.

With his head hanging, he stumbled back toward the farm. Halfway down the road, he slumped down. His legs splayed out in every direction. He couldn’t move another inch. All of the energy in his bodywasgone.

He laid his head on the ground and let out a mournful howl. He didn’t move for hours as the sun beat down on his back. He panted as heat coaxed him into a delirious state. Something moved in the distance, but he didn’t care. And even if he did, he couldn’t do anythingaboutit.

He must have passed out because the next thing he knew, his brother Aaron stoodoverhim.

“Get up,” Aaroncommanded.

Greg grunted inresponse.

“Dad’s going to kick your ass for being gone so long,” Aaron said. “I know you’re freaking out because that girl left, but you have to get it together before Dad finds you. Did you go out to the road like that? Did anyone see you? You’d better shift before hefindsout.”

Greg tried to summon the strength to shift but hecouldn’t.

“Can you even shift right now?” Aaronasked.

Greg dragged his chin across the ground from sidetoside.

“Well, you have to. Shift and we can talk about it,”Aaronsaid.

When Greg didn’t move, Aaronhuffed.

“Fine, I’ll just tell Dad you’re here and he can deal with you,”Aaronsaid.

After his brother had stomped off, Greg urged his bear to retreat, but the creature was too strong. He gave up and let his furry cheek rest on the coolearth.

The sun dropped below the trees, taking the heat of the day with it. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. What he wouldn’t give for a drink from the lake. He placed his paws underneath him and stood on shaky legs. He cut a path through the forest towardthelake.

After he reached it, he dunked his head under the water and took a huge drink. The liquid slid down the wrong pipe and he jerked back. Sputtering and shaking his head, he didn’t realize someone had walked up behind him until he smelled his dad’sscent.

“Son?”

Greg turned and plopped onto his butt. Great. Just what he needed—a lecture from hisfather.

“I know you’re upset right now,” his dad said. “But her leaving was forthebest.”

Greg bared his teeth inwarning.

“Don’t you do that,” his dad said. He stepped forward and swatted him across the nose. “You will not disrespect methatway.”

Greg hunghishead.

“She wasn’t wife material. There’s more to a good match than just a pretty face,” he said. “I’m going to tell you something I’ve never toldanyone.”

Greg cocked his head tooneside.