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  “How many brothers and sisters do you have?” she asked.

  “Four brothers and three sisters.” He laughed as she widened her eyes. “There are a lot more McLeods around here than that.”

  “Good grief.” She smiled, “My parents and then my grandmother had their hands full with just Carrie and me.”

  “You grew up in Lake Havasu City?” he asked.

  “We lived in Albuquerque until we were teenagers.” Rae’s eyes softened. “Our parents both passed away the same year. The state sent us there to live with our grandmother.”

  “It must have been rough losing your parents so young.” Bear couldn’t imagine not having his own parents and big family around him. “How is your grandma?”

  “She passed away a couple of years ago,” Rae said.

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said.

  Rae shrugged. “We weren’t close. Grandmother kicked me and Carrie out when my sister turned eighteen, which was ten months after I turned nineteen. She was a hard woman.”

  Bear studied Rae. She’d shrugged like it was a casual thing that she’d said, but he could read her emotions beneath the surface and it was clear it hurt a lot more than she had expressed.

  They chatted more about family and King Creek. Rae was evasive about her before moving here, glossing it over rather than discussing it in detail. Something had happened to hurt her enough to run to his small town, but not enough to leave the state entirely. He supposed she hadn’t wanted to go too far from her sister and nieces, and she had her cousin to stay with.

  Eventually, she would feel comfortable enough with him to tell him the parts she had left out. At least he hoped she would.

  “Ever been horseback riding?” he asked.

  “Never.” She shook her head. “I’ve always been afraid I would fall off.”

  “That’s a common feeling people get.” Bear watched her for signs of true fear and didn’t get the impression she was terrified. More leery than scared. “What would you think about coming to my place to meet my horses? If you feel comfortable enough, we can get you up on a horse and let you ride around the corral. One of these days we can even go for a ride farther on out.”

  She looked like she was thinking it over.

  The way she’d been concerned about Arthur told him she had a soft spot for pets. “I have a menagerie, so if you like animals, I have enough to make you feel at home.”

  She brightened. “What do you have?”

  He listed them off. “Three rabbits, eight chickens, three ducks, two horses, a few head of cattle, two cats, and a macaw.”

  She laughed. “That certainly is a menagerie. Do you have a dog?”

  “Not now.” He shook his head. “I had a Border collie-lab mix, but Misty passed away a few months ago. I miss that girl. I’ve been waiting to adopt a rescue and haven’t had time to visit a shelter.”

  “I’d love to see your menagerie.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned her forearms on her thighs. “I do love animals.”

  “This afternoon?” He realized he might be pushing it. “Or tomorrow?”

  She appeared thoughtful. “I don’t have anything going on later today. Give me your address and I’ll see you in a while.”

  His insides warmed and he felt like a schoolboy, excited about his first date. “Would you like to stay for dinner?” He swallowed. Now that was pushing it. “Least I can do is feed you once you come out all that way.”

  “Is it that far?” She smiled. “Do I need to pack a lunch for the journey?”

  He returned her smile. “Not too bad. Twenty minutes outside town.”

  “I think I could handle that.” She looked suddenly happier, lighter than he’d felt from her before. “I’d love to stay for dinner. Is there anything I can bring?”

  “Dessert,” he said with a grin.

  She looked pleased that he’d suggested something she could bring. In his experience, when people offered, it usually meant they wanted to contribute in some way.

  “You’ve got a sweet tooth, I see,” she stated.

  “Yep.” He nodded. “I love pretty much anything. As a matter of fact, I can’t think of anything I don’t like.”

  “I’ve got some things to take care of before I visit your animals—and you,” she said with a smile. “So, I’d better get back to Marlee’s. When should I go out there?”

  As soon as she could, was his first thought. “How about three?” he said. “That’ll give you time to meet all the critters, and if you’re up to it, I’ll help you get up on one of my horses to get used to it.”

  “Deal.” She started to get to her feet, and he stood and held out his hand before she’d totally risen.

  She let him help her up. He liked the feel of her small hand in his and didn’t want to let it go.

  But he released her and gestured for her to walk ahead of him, out of the coffee shop. He gave a nod to Heidi as he passed her and she smiled and winked at him, as if knowing he was sweet on the woman he was with.

  He wondered if it was that obvious, then figured no doubt it was.

  When they reached her car and she’d unlocked it, he opened the door for her, and she climbed in, then shut it. She lowered her window as she backed up the car. “See you in a little while, Bear.”

  He couldn’t help a broad smile as she drove away.

  Looked like it was going to be the best day he’d had in a long time.

  * * *

  “I can’t believe I said yes.” Rae paced Marlee’s cozy kitchen, gripping an iced tea glass in her hand. “He was so sweet to ask me to his ranch to meet all of his animals. I couldn’t help myself.”

  Marlee kneaded bread dough as she spoke. “Don’t feel like you have to tell him everything the first date you have.”

  “Is that lying by omission?” Rae asked.

  Marlee kept kneading. “As long as you don’t wait too long to explain to him about the trial and the whole situation, you’re fine. You don’t need to throw it all at him when you’ve only just met. Don’t overwhelm the poor guy. Wait until the right moment.”

  “How will I know when it’s the right moment?” Rae sighed. “I mean if I let this go any farther.”

  “Slow down.” Marlee put the bread dough into a greased bowl and covered it with a tea towel. “You’re getting way ahead of yourself.”

  “You’re right.” Rae leaned back against the counter and sipped her tea. “I won’t know if there’s any real attraction until I get to know him.”

  “And you’ll tell him when it’s right,” Marlee said.

  Rae gave a slow nod. “The trial starts in just weeks. Somehow, I’m going to have to tell him long before then. That’s if we’re still seeing each other.”

  “I’m sure you will be.” Marlee smiled. “I have a feeling about you two.”

  Rae drank the rest of her tea, hugged her cousin, and grabbed the pink cake box she’d picked up at the bakery after leaving the coffee shop. She waved to her cousin, headed out to her car, and put the cake box on the passenger seat.

  At times she’d felt giddy and excited since seeing Bear this morning, then worried she shouldn’t let things go as far as she was, and then smiling and happy about it again. The up and down feelings made her feel like she was on a seesaw.

  She drove from Marlee’s place onto the highway and in the direction her GPS indicated she should go. Her mind continued to run a mile a minute as she thought about Bear and getting a chance to know him better.

  Soon enough, Rae reached the turnoff and drove onto the road that would lead her to Bear’s.

  The tires on her sportscar bounced on the road as she hit small rocks, and in her rearview mirror, dust roiled up behind her car. It was a wonder her little car hadn’t bottomed out on a rut, but so far so good.

  She turned left onto a dirt road when she saw the sign for Black Bear Ranch. She couldn’t help but think it should be called Honey Bear Ranch because he was such a sweetie. She came up on a sprawling ranch house with a
huge barn, a couple of buildings, and corrals. She parked in front of the house, next to a big white truck, and shut off her engine.

  Bear walked from around the side of the house and reached her car door. He opened it all the way then offered his hand to help her. She took it and stepped out into the heat. Perspiration instantly dampened her skin.

  She’d never been around a man who was a gentleman like Bear. It was sweet the way he opened doors for her and treated her like a lady. It was a refreshing change and made her feel warm inside.

  He gave her a big bear hug, appropriate for the big Teddy bear of a man he was.

  “I have dessert.” She stepped back and started around to the passenger side. He got to the door first and opened it for her. When he saw the pink cake box, he reached inside and brought it out.

  “You went to Rachel’s.” He held the box in one hand while closing the passenger door. “Her baked goods are the best.”

  “The red velvet cake looked too good to pass up.” Rae grabbed her purse and phone, then closed the car door. She dropped her phone into her purse and fell into step beside him as he strode in the direction he’d come from. “I saw the cake in the case through the front window and I was sold.”

  “I love her red velvet.” Bear met her gaze. “Great choice.”

  His beautiful eyes and sexy smile made her feel like giving a happy sigh. It was ridiculous how this man made her feel, but she had to admit she was enjoying it. No man had made her feel this good, ever.

  “I probably should have brought you around to the front door,” he said as they walked up to a side door. “Came this way out of habit.”

  “You don’t have to be formal with me,” she said. “As a matter of fact, the less formal the better as far as I’m concerned.”

  He opened the door and stepped aside to let her in. Cool air conditioning met her as she walked into a spacious kitchen with tall oak cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and black granite with green marbling. Every surface was sparkling clean and dust-free. Did he go on a cleaning spree because she was coming over?

  Across the kitchen she saw an arcadia door, and through it she caught a glimpse of a lawn and trees.

  A small whimper caused her to look down and she saw a kennel with a familiar dog in it.

  “Arthur.” She got on her knees and rested on her haunches as she studied the bandaged dog. “How are you, boy?”

  He thumped his tail and looked at her with his big brown eyes, in a way that made her want to draw him into her lap and hold him.

  “If you were well,” Rae said, “I’d give you a big hug.” She reached into the kennel and stroked his head. “As a matter-of-fact, when you feel better, I am definitely going to give you lots of hugs.”

  Arthur looked like he felt better just by her scratching him behind his ears.

  Bear crouched down beside her, the cake box no longer in his hands. “He’s a good boy and a good patient.”

  Arthur thumped his tail harder and moved as if trying to get up.

  “Rest, boy.” Bear gave Arthur an affectionate pat on the head.

  “Bear has company,” a voice came from Rae’s left, and she turned her gaze up to see a macaw in a large cage on a tall pedestal, on the other side of the refrigerator. “Pretty lady, pretty lady.”

  Rae laughed and glanced over her shoulder. “Mervin the macaw?”

  “Should have remembered to warn you. Pay no mind to anything he says.” Bear gave a sheepish grin. “Except for the pretty lady part.”

  Rae rose and moved to Mervin’s cage. She studied the red bird with green and blue-green feathers. “You’re gorgeous, Mervin.”

  The macaw bobbed his head. “Gorgeous Mervin, Gorgeous Mervin.”

  Bear came up to stand beside her. “Compliments go to his head.”

  She looked at Bear. “How did you end up owning a macaw?”

  “I adopted him.” Bear took the lid off of a nearby clay jar. “Mervin’s former owner fell on hard times and couldn’t afford to keep all of his animals.” Bear brought out a few cashews from the jar. “Give him a couple of these and he’ll be your best friend.”

  She took the cashews. “He won’t bite?”

  “Mervin is a sweet bird.” Bear opened up the cage and let the bird walk up his arm to his shoulder.

  The bird nuzzled Bear’s ear before he raised his head. “Mervin sweet bird.”

  Bear gave the macaw a cashew.

  Mervin took the nut and ate it. When he finished, he said, “Thank you, Bear.”

  “You’re welcome, Mervin.” He gestured to Rae. “Pretty lady is going to give you a nut.”

  Mervin bobbed his head. “Pretty lady, pretty lady.”

  Rae fed Mervin the cashews and each time Mervin said, “Thank you, pretty lady.”

  “You’re welcome, Mervin.” Rae couldn’t help but wonder how many pretty ladies Bear had brought to the ranch. She had a feeling it wouldn’t have been many. He definitely wasn’t the player type—she’d seen enough of them to know one when she saw him from a mile away.

  Bear returned the macaw to his cage, closed the gate and double-latched it. He glanced at Rae. “Ready to meet the rest of the crew?”

  She nodded. “You mentioned you have two cats?”

  “Maggie and Katie will appear when it’s time for their dinner,” Bear said. “They hide when someone new shows up, but they’ll come out for dinner. Sometimes they get curious enough to come out before dinner and investigate.”

  “I love your kitchen.” Rae looked around the large space, noticing the pink cake box now on the huge island. “I have a feeling your whole house in great.”

  He gave her a little grin. “The critters are what make this a great home.”

  “I’m looking forward to meeting them all,” Rae said with a smile. “Do you have someplace I can set my purse?”

  He gestured to an old-fashioned coatrack by the backdoor. “Will that work?”

  “Yes, perfect.” She hung the strap on a hook.

  “Ready to meet the rest of the crew?” he asked.

  “Definitely.” She crouched next to Arthur’s cage again. “See you when we get back.”

  Arthur thumped his tail.

  Rae stood and Bear inclined his head toward the back door. “You can meet Roxie and Angel first.”

  Chapter 5

  Bear and Rae left the house for the barn, walking into the heat. They strolled in the direction of the big red structure, the sun beating down on them. A pasture was fenced off to the right of the barn and a corral to the left. Two horses trotted up to the fence, stopping in the shade of several huge Arizona ash trees.

  “I owned three horses. Chester, the Quarter horse I’d had since I was a kid, passed away not long after Misty.” Bear’s shoulder brushed Rae’s as they came into the shade.

  When they reached the pair in the corral, Bear stood between the horses and stroked their necks. He nodded to the black horse with a diamond on its forehead and a black-spotted white rear-end. “This is Roxie. If you’re not familiar with the breed, she’s an appaloosa.”

  “I don’t know anything about horses.” Rae stopped next to Bear. “She’s beautiful.” She looked to the other horse, which had a golden coat and a white-blonde mane. “She’s is just as gorgeous.”

  “Angel is a palomino.” He stepped aside. “Why don’t you pet Angel first?”

  Rae touched Angel’s neck and felt a thrill at being able to stroke the smooth coat of the palomino. She all but gleamed in the sunlight that flickered through the leaves. “She looks like a river of gold.” She glanced at Bear while she touched Angel’s mane. “Did you adopt them, too?”

  “They came to me in different ways,” Bear said. “Angel is from a ranch on the other side of King Creek. The old man passed away and he didn’t have any heirs, so he willed her to me. I was her vet, and he wanted her to have a good home.”

  He rubbed Roxie behind her ears. “Roxie came from a farm where her owners abused her.” His face clouded.
“When the equine rescue organization got involved, I took her in, and she became a part of the family.”

  Rae reached out to touch Roxie’s forehead as she marveled at the big-hearted man. She’d never known any man as kind and generous as Bear.

  “Angel doesn’t shy away,” Rae said. “She doesn’t act abused.”

  “She’s been with me for six years.” Bear smiled at the horse. “I worked with her for a long time before she trusted people. Now she’s as gentle and sweet as can be.”

  He faced Rae. “After you meet the others, would you like to sit on one of them? Maybe take a ride around the corral?”

  Rae’s pulse quickened. “I think so.”

  He nodded in the direction of the barn. “The chickens are in a coop on the other side of the barn and the ducks are in a pond in the back. The rabbit hutch is in the barn.”

  They left the horses and the shade. The sound of chickens came to her as they neared their location and she saw structures beneath more shade trees. She smiled at the sight of the auburn-colored chickens that ran up to the gate when they saw Bear and her approach.

  “Are they hungry?” she asked.

  “Always.” Bear laughed. “They’re Rhode Island Reds. They’re exuberant, friendly, and inquisitive. They each have different personalities.”

  “I never realized chickens have personalities,” she said.

  “They do.” As they neared the coop and entered the shade, a couple of the chickens came closer to the gate and made excited-sounding chicken noises. “Rhode Island Reds are also exceptionally talkative.” He gestured to the two closest to the gate. Some more than others.”

  “I can hear that.” She watched the pair. “What are their names?”

  He pointed to the smaller of the two. “That’s Taco.” He gestured to the other. “And that’s Pot Pie.”

  Rae laughed. “Pot Pie? Really?”

  Bear flashed her a grin. “My niece, Kaycee, named them.” He nodded toward the others. “We also have a Dumpling, BBQ, Buffalo, Kabob, Nugget, and Sesame.”