Read Online The Cowbear's Mail Order Bride (Curvy Bear Ranch 6) by Liv Brywood - Free Book Online Page A

a nice man, not a big dick,” she said.
    He blanched and then burst out laughing.
    “What?” she asked.
    “I… you just…” He couldn’t stop snickering long enough to finish his sentence.
    “I’m not all white doilies and innocence,” she said.
    “I’m starting to see that.”
    “Too bad you’re not interested in a relationship,” she teased.
    “Hmm,” he said noncommittally. Before they went too far, he needed to put an end to this conversation. “Ready to go?”
    “Sure.”
    She cocked her head as if trying to read him. The crinkles around the edges of her eyes slowly dissipated. He had no doubt she’d been smiling under the helmet, but his sudden change in attitude had quashed her joy. Too bad. He didn’t want to give her the wrong impression. Although he liked talking to her, he wouldn’t trade a lifetime of solitary contentment for someone he’d just met.
    After climbing back on the snowmobile, he waited for her to get settled before pushing the throttle. His stomach rumbled, but not for food. His damn bear clawed at his guts in frustration. He understood the beast’s need to escape and promised him that he’d shift later tonight. If nothing else, he needed to expel the desire she’d awakened.
    They reached Mammoth a few minutes after noon. On the left side of the road, stepped platforms of steaming white rock rose up to create the Minerva Terraces. Cascading milky water glistened as it trickled across the surface.
    He drove past the geothermal feature and parked in the ranger station’s parking lot. After they’d had a chance to stretch their legs, he opened the compartment at the back of the snowmobile. He pulled out bags of cut meat, cheese, crackers, and grapes. A large bag of chocolate chip cookies followed. He handed everything to her before reaching in for the Thermos of hot cocoa.
    “Are you warm enough?” he asked. “We could go sit inside while we eat.”
    “I’m fine. I’m actually pretty hot in these snow pants.”
    “Yes, you are,” he blurted. Crap. He hadn’t meant to hit on her again. He needed to keep his damn mouth shut.
    “Thank you,” she murmured. “I never thought I’d be the snow bunny type.”
    “You could put most of them to shame.”
    “You’re such a smooth talker when you want to be,” she said.
    “I suppose,” he said. “But I just tell it like I see it.”
    He grabbed a space blanket out and shook it open. As a small group of tourists passed, an elderly man arched a brow as if to say, Are you crazy? It’s too cold for a picnic .
    Drew smiled in response. The snow-covered grass didn’t seem like the best place to set up, so he led her to a picnic bench near the terraces. He helped her spread out the feast.
    “Did you happen to pack plates?” she asked.
    “Shit, I knew I was forgetting something,” he said.
    “Don’t worry. It’s all finger food anyway.”
    She tore open a package of butter crackers and slapped a slice of cheddar cheese onto it. After adding some salami, she stuffed it in her mouth. So much for dainty. But he liked it. Some women ate like birds and were constantly whining about every calorie. Nothing could be more annoying than having someone stare you down with hungry, judgey eyes while you tried to eat. She ate with gusto—a woman after his own heart.
    “I’ve always thought this was one of the most interesting places on earth,” she said between bites. “I wonder how it all works.”
    “There’s a giant vault of magma under Yellowstone. The heat pushes up and comes out through various natural features, like the terraces.”
    “I know that much, but how did they form? Why are they so white?” she asked.
    “Calcium carbonate melts into the water. As it cools, it creates the terraces,” he said.
    “Isn’t that the stuff in antacids?”
    “It’s similar.”
    “So if I eat too much cheese, I can just lick the hot spring?”
    “Uh, no. Not unless you want your tongue to burn off,” he said.
    “You and