Page 33 of Caught Bear Handed
Beau tensed, just for a moment.But if these guys were shifters, they wouldn’t have missed it, either.
“Nope, I sure didn’t.”Beau beamed.He’d make a good actor, gaining his composure quickly.“Gina, this is Baron and Dallas Channing.They’re Sawtooth pack wolves, and we volunteer on the fire department together.”
“Hey!So nice to meet you!”My greeting felt overly bubbly, but every character felt like wearing clothes that didn’t fit until I found my groove.“I’ve got to tell you boys that I’ve been up all night with this one perfecting his chili recipe.It’s so good.Where’s the competition table?”
Baron raised a brow.“After all that, you still managed to make chili.”
“Once I make a promise, I don’t break it.”He motioned to the crock pot.“I should probably get this over there.”
“There’s plenty of time for that.”Dallas waved his hand.“I want to hear all about how you met your new friend.”
They’re not testing you,my wolf said.They’re genuinely happy for Beau.
“I met him right as he completed his assignment.Of course, it was top secret, and even if I knew the details, I wouldn’t be able to share them with you.And when he said he was coming to celebrate Independence Day here, I had to check it out.I’m such a fan ofThe Real Werewives, I was hoping maybe I’d meet a few.Wait.”I inspected my new friends closely.“You two weren’t on the show, right?”
“We weren’t, but we’ve got good news for you.”Baron pointed toward a giant stage.“The Werewives are doing on-the-spot interviews.It’s not confirmed whether or not they’re doing a new season.”
“Gina doesn’t need to go on a reality show to find her mate.”Beau wrapped his free arm around me, and there was a full body bear rumble in progress.
“I can still go fan girl.”I faked a pout toward Beau and then turned back to my new friends and brightened.“Are any of the former contestants here?”
“Everyone is here,” Dallas assured me.“The Werewives aren’t the only celebrities here.Did you know that Amelia fromThe Wolf’s Moonis Sawtooth pack?”
“No!”I clasped my hand to my mouth.“I freaking love that show.Is she actually here?”
Baron chuckled.“No wonder the two of you get along.I’m sure you know this guy loves it too.”
“He’s got a thing for…never mind.”Dallas grinned.
“Careful,” either Barrett or Bellamy growled loudly into my earpiece.“Put an end to the conversation.”
Beau tensed, but if the brothers Channing noticed or heard the message, they didn’t let on.
I touched Beau’s arm.“Can we go find the Werewives?”
“We should get that chili over to the table before the judging starts,” Baron said.“You did all that work, and I’d love to see the Fire Department place in the competition.Bragging rights are a big deal.”
“Where’s the tent?”Beau asked.
“At the end of the row.”Baron motioned us in the right direction.
“Fuck,” Beau growled as we walked away from his fellow volunteers.“This is harder than I thought.”
“I didn’t know you were back.”Someone else approached before I had a chance to answer.Definitely a bear.His attention quickly turned to me, and he offered his hand.“I’m Brad, since this guy hasn’t introduced us.”
“Gina.”I registered Beau’s growl, but I kept going.“I’ve heard about you.”
“All good things, I hope.”Brad beamed.
“Just that Beau does all the work and you take the credit.”I laughed.
Brad feigned shock, gasping, and put his hand to his chest.He was slightly older than Beau, taller and lankier.“And I was just about to tell Beau how much I missed him.”
“Of course you did.You had to do all the work.”Beau snickered.“What happened while I was gone?”
Brad cautioned a glance at me.“We’ve been busy, and making progress.Didn’t think the job was done.”
Interesting.Brad didn’t know Beau’s assignment, or he was playing the part.We’d have to debrief…as soon as possible.With all these people here, it would be really easy to lose control of the situation.