Read Online A Bride for the Bear (Bear Creek Clan 6) by Harmony Raines - Free Book Online Page B

kick out of that one.
    Parking her car, she got out and locked it, turning to be confronted by Graham.
    “Hello, Alli.”
    “Graham,” she said, hoping he wasn’t going to make a scene.
    “I thought I would come by and see how you are.”
    “I’m good, thanks,” she answered warily.
    “That’s good.” He paused, the silence uncomfortable. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry and to try to talk you out of making a mistake with that Kian person.”
    “Graham, please. It’s not a mistake.”
    “I know you went to him on the rebound.”
    “No I didn’t. I can’t explain it to you, but it’s just so right.”
    “Nonsense. You can’t be attracted to him, he is a loser.”
    “No, he’s not. Listen Graham, I am really busy, so if you don’t mind I want to get on. I’ve left Melanie looking after the shop.”
    “And you don’t trust her, just the same as I don’t trust her brother.”
    “I do trust her. But it’s been very hectic the last couple of days.”
    “So what? Has he asked you to pay for that house of his to be renovated? Nice move, shack up with a lonely woman and milk her for every penny.”
    “Right,” she said, squaring up to Graham. “You have no right to say these things. Kian is a good man. Unlike you, he is not after my money or my property.”
    “So how does he intend to pay for all of the work that needs doing? I mean you can’t exactly ask a woman like you to marry him and live there with a leaky roof.”
    “The roof doesn’t leak.”
    “You know what I mean. That house needs thousands spent on it.”
    “Goodbye, Graham,” she said firmly, walking past him and going into the shop.
    “Everything OK?” Melanie asked, seeing Alli so flustered.
    “I should be asking you that,” Alli said, trying to gloss over her encounter with Graham. Kian didn’t need to know her ex-fiancé had been sniffing around. She doubted Graham would come by again now he knew there was nothing for him here. Neither her nor her shop were going to slip into his hands again.
    “Fine. More well-wishers, of course. This sure is a friendly town, and so many of them are people like … me.” Her eyes darted to Alli, who was putting her coat away.
    “How does it feel?” Alli asked. “You know … to change.”
    “Weird, scary, especially at first. And then exhilarating, like nothing else in the world. You can run across open spaces, roll in streams, catch fish, and roar. I mean, really roar. A great way to relieve stress.” She smiled shyly.
    “It sounds wonderful.”
    “Well, it is now we are in Bear Creek, was a bit hard in the city. We used to have to drive for an hour to have the freedom we needed.”
    “So the farmhouse is perfect for you.”
    “Most definitely.” Melanie set her sewing down. “I hope you’ll like it there. Kian loves it, but he would sell and move into town if that suited you better. He would do anything for you.”
    “I know. Which is both scary and reassuring at the same time.” Alli walked over to where Melanie was working; she was so pleased with how things had turned out. Melanie was not a shy young lady after all, not when everyone started to come in and be so friendly. After stuttering through the first couple of conversations, she had found her feet, or at least her paws.
    “A little bit like this wedding tomorrow. I have already been asked to dance by two boys,” Melanie confided.
    “How exciting,” said Alli, pleased Melanie was going to go and enjoy herself. “What are you wearing?”
    “My favourite dress, the one with the tear.” She smiled. “I call it my favourite dress because it’s the only one I have, but don’t tell Kian, he’ll want to buy me a new one.”
    “That is a great idea!” Alli said, wanting something to take her mind off things.
    “What? Kian buying me a new dress he can’t afford is not a great idea.”
    “Come on, Melanie. Do you know how many dresses are in this shop? Not just wedding dresses but bridesmaids’, too.