Bear of Interest Read online

  “I have quiche and potato salad for us, anywhere I can put it?”

  “Sure, come on in and we’ll keep it in the fridge.”

  It was a small but cutely decorated house. A wedding photo of Liam and Lucy hung on the wall as she walked to the kitchen.

  “Let me take these for you. I’ve already set the table outside.”

  Sam handed the bag to Lucy but got sidetracked when she glanced out of the window and saw Cole shirtless chopping logs. The bag fell to the floor.

  “I’m so sorry,” said Sam.

  “It’s okay.”

  Lucy smiled obviously knowing what had distracted her.

  “He’s earning his keep,” said Lucy

  “What?”

  “Cole’s getting firewood ready for the wood burning stove in his cottage.”

  Cole, wood burning stove, snuggling up with him in front of it.

  “Only kidding,” said Lucy. “He volunteered to do it because Liam hates that chore.”

  “He looks like he’s in good shape.”

  That had slipped out before she’d realized it.

  “I mean not that…”

  “It’s okay, we’re girls together and we can check out guys just like they do us.”

  “What do we do to you?”

  It was Liam.

  “Check us out,” said Lucy.

  “And I take it you’re both checking out Cole?”

  “Sam was. I’m a married woman.”

  Liam tapped her on the nose, leaving a dirty mark on its tip where he had oil on his hand.

  “How about I show you the cars before we eat?” asked Liam.

  “Sure, that would be great,” said Sam.

  “Cole, Sam’s here,” shouted Liam out of the window.

  Cole looked over at house. He put the axe down and headed their way.

  Holy cannoli, his chest was glistening with sweat, and his chest muscles and biceps stood out like beacons for her. If only she’d brought another pair of panties with her, she’d change into them.

  “Hi Sam,” he said, stepping into the kitchen.

  “I’m just going to show Sam the cars I have for sale. Maybe you’d like to ride along with her and she can give them a test drive.”

  “Sure, I’d be happy to,” said Cole. “Let me go grab a t-shirt and I’ll be right with you.”

  Damn. T-shirt meant he’d be covering up that gorgeous body of his.

  Sam followed Liam outside and over to the first car.

  “This would be my preference out of the two cars. Two years old and low mileage. However, the other one is older but is four wheel drive which is perfect for winter driving in Montana.”

  “I have been thinking about getting one of those because I have a long drive from home to work.”

  Cole walked back out now wearing a blue shirt over his jeans.

  “So which one are we testing first?” he asked.

  “I think I’d like to take the four wheel drive for a spin,” said Sam.

  Liam dug the keys out of his pocket and handed them to her.

  “If you head out of here and around that bend there’s a good stretch of road where you can put your foot down and no cops are ever around.”

  “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,” said Sam.

  She got into the driver’s seat and Cole slid in beside her. He smelled sweaty but a good and different sort. Musk-like that made her pussy sit up and take notice. His arm brushed hers as she moved around trying to figure out where everything was.

  “He’s great with cars, nothing he doesn’t know about them so if you decide to buy one of them you’ll be getting something every reliable,” said Cole. He ran his hand over the dashboard. Strong hands, long fingers, and Sam imagined him running them over her body instead of the car’s interior.

  She turned the ignition. The engine already sounded smoother than her current car which was over a decade old. Cole slipped on the seat belt as she pulled out onto the road.

  “This is a pretty part of town. Well, every part of town is pretty in Kalispell,” said Sam.

  “Are you from here?” Cole asked her.

  “I was born in Great Falls, but I moved around while I was growing up.”

  “Did you have a parent in the army or navy?”

  “No, it’s sort of a long story.”

  She didn’t know him well enough yet to tell him her life story. It wasn’t one she liked to share. Sam had done her best to forget anything that happened to her before she’d turned eighteen, was able to leave the system, and venture out on her own.

  Sam turned onto the road that Liam had mentioned and put her foot down harder on the accelerator.

  “What happens when a cop gets picked up for speeding?” asked Cole.

  “We get a ticket?”

  “Really?”

  “I guess it depends on how fast we’re going over the speed limit which right now is just fifteen. I don’t think I’ve ever been along this route before. I don’t get west of town a lot.”

  “Liam’s brother died on this curve that’s ahead. He was into motorbikes and one night a drunk driver hit him on that bend and threw his body down onto the rocks.”

  “That’s awful. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “Yeah, Liam wasn’t that great to be around for a long time after that.”

  “I can understand why.”

  “But now he has Lucy and his nephew and it’s like he’s a new bea… man.”

  She wondered what he was going to say but then got back to concentrating on the road ahead.

  “Lucy is really nice. Liam is too,” she said.

  “Yeah, I’m lucky to have great landlords. So what do you think of this car?”

  “I like it.”

  “You want to turn back and take the other one for a spin?”

  “Yeah, I think I would like to compare them, although this one’s going to be hard to beat.”

  ****

  Cole helped Sam put the second car into gear.

  “It’s been years since I’ve driven one of these, and I thought it would all come back to me,” said Sam.

  She kangarooed along a few feet, and then the car stalled.

  “You know what? I think something’s telling me car number one should be my new vehicle.”

  Cole smiled. Wise woman.

  She turned the car around and drove in front of Liam’s garage.

  “That was quick,” said Liam.

  “I’d like to buy the first car,” said Sam.

  “Okay. Now are you thinking of selling your old one privately or would you like to trade it in with me? I’ve looked it over and I’m guessing with a little work I can easily sell it.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  “Shall we say an even $5,000 for the new car?”

  “Liam that’s more than generous.”

  He raised his hand. “You work with Trent, Cole’s vouched for you, and so that’s the price. And don’t offend me with any higher counteroffers.”

  “Okay, you have yourself a deal.”

  “Are you guys ready to eat because I’m starving?” shouted Lucy.

  “We’ll be right there,” said Cole.

  He put his hand on the small of Sam’s back as they walked across the yard. Lucy had set up the picnic table on the grass between their house and his rented cottage.

  “I hope everyone likes quiche and potato salad,” said Sam as they all sat down.

  “I love it,” said Lucy.

  She cut it into slices and then passed the platter around.

  It wasn’t one of Cole’s favorite things but he didn’t admit to it. “Did you make this?” he asked.

  Sam shook her head. “Nope, the kitchen and I are not the best of friends.”

  “You do know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach?” asked Liam.

  “I…”

  “He’s giving you a hard time so ignore him,” said Lucy.

  “Whoever made this it’s great,” said Cole
.

  “We have to head out to Sam’s softball game in about an hour so you can show Sam the cottage and please take note of the interior design,” said Lucy.

  “It’s what Lucy does for a living,” said Cole.

  “Really.”

  “I’ve had no training, no prior experience but I love it so if you know anyone who would like a consultation put a word in for me.”

  “I’ll certainly do that,” said Sam.

  “She’s great. It’s what sold me on renting the cottage,” said Cole.

  “Have you thought about buying one of Brady’s new condos when they finally get finished?” asked Liam.

  “No because I doubt he’d even sell me one. He’s a nemesis from school,” Cole told Sam.

  Liam laughed. “Brady is filthy rich, the most competitive guy you’re likely to meet and gets what he wants and these two, well I think they should have their own reality show.”

  “He’s also a sweetheart underneath that tough business exterior,” added Lucy.

  “You’d say that because he hired you,” said Cole. “Maybe fatherhood will take the edge off his gruffness.”

  “So you all went to school here?” asked Sam.

  “Most of us. Me and Brady were in the same class. Liam, weren’t you in Dane’s year?” asked Cole.

  “Sure was, and his first wife Lucinda was in our class too. Danny went to school with Christopher Renner.”

  “And Trent?” asked Sam.

  “I think he was a year behind me,” said Cole.

  “Wow, it must be so nice keeping in touch and hanging out with your school buddies,” said Sam.

  “And you didn’t?”

  She shook her head. “Like I said I moved around a lot.”

  Liam looked at his watch. “We have to get moving because we’ll miss the start of Sam’s game and we’ll never hear the last of it.”

  Lucy began clearing the things away. Cole stopped her. “I can do that, you go get ready.”

  “You sure?” asked Lucy.

  “I can help too,” said Sam.

  “Okay, and we’ll probably see you again when you pick up the car.”

  Sam liked this, maybe liked it a little too much. Being with people and socializing. Something she’d tried to avoid. That concrete barrier she’d worked so hard to construct around herself could be in danger of crumbling. It had started to get chipped away when she’d had a date with Cole.

  “You want to come and see my place? Lucy’s got talent if you ever want to hire her.” asked Cole.

  She looked up seeing him standing at the door of his place, shaking his head for her to go ahead of him. Every minute she spent with him that concrete barrier would be in danger of another piece being chipped away. Once it was gone, what would be there to save her, protect her from the outside world?

  Take your first step, Sam.

  She walked toward the door and stepped over the threshold. He was right. The place looked wonderful. The hallway led to a living room and kitchen. The beige colors were subtle, yet added major impact as you made your way through the tiny space. A dome air vent sat over a stove top that had been built into an island. It was small but everything looked like it had been well chosen.

  “Would you like a glass of wine?” asked Cole, reaching up for a bottle from the rack above the refrigerator.

  “Sure, that sounds good.”

  “White okay for you?”

  “Perfect.”

  She didn’t wait to be asked to take a seat, but decided to sit on the couch while she waited for him to pour her drink. She saw he had some mystery novels sitting on the coffee table.

  “I take it you like suspense stories?” she asked him.

  He glanced over at her. “I do. Well, that is when I have time to read.”

  “Being a doctor must keep you busy.”

  He carried over two glasses of wine, handed her one before sitting next to her. “It does, and I read a lot of medical journals so that cuts into my fun reading time as I call it.”

  Sam took a sip of the wine. “Umm, this is good.”

  “I joined an online wine club and this is the first selection,” said Cole. “How’s your investigation coming along?”

  Sam leaned over and placed the glass on the table. “Still no new leads, although we did have someone come forward and say they saw Margo with an older man the night she died. And in the Kalispell area so that explains why someone from Missoula died locally. I still think it’s weird that you didn’t see that bear when you were jogging. Those tracks were so fresh.”

  “Nope, didn’t see any wildlife, apart from some birds.”

  “Have you ever run into a bear when you’ve been out jogging?”

  He didn’t answer straight away and she wondered why.

  “The odd one or two.”

  “Aren’t you scared of them while you’re out there? I mean you jog in prime bear territory.”

  “Nothing to be scared about. And what, you don’t like bears?”

  For some reason he was getting a little defensive. Maybe he was one of those animal rights people. Or the types that protested when ranchers shot wolves that attacked their livestock. Yeah, there was a big war brewing between those factions.

  “I can’t say that I like or dislike them. Never met a bear so I won’t pass judgement.”

  “That’s a good thing because they’re wonderful creatures.”

  “I’m not going to have to snap some of those plastic cuffs on you when you’re at a wildlife protest am I?”

  “Would you like to?” he asked.

  He put his wine glass down and turned to look at her. He ran his finger along her jawline and then over her lips. “Hope you don’t mind me doing this,” he said.

  Cole’s lips were on hers before she realized it. No, she didn’t mind it, and yes, she would like to cuff him to the bed. Yeah, she’d even like him to cuff her.

  His breath tasted of the wine, his lips soft, and his tongue flicked across her lower one. Before she knew it they had their arms wrapped around one another, the kiss getting deeper, Cole running his hands up her back.

  She’d never gotten involved with a man so quickly and she wasn’t about to start now.

  She pulled away, hoping he wouldn’t take it the wrong way because she did want to have sex with him, but she’d only be able to totally let go when she knew him better.

  “Something wrong?”

  “Yeah, you’re still a person of interest in my murder investigation.”

  It had been a joke because she really did think he was just a guy who’d been passing by that day. Wrong place, wrong time, but he looked like he believed her.

  “I wasn’t aware of that…”

  She put her hand on his forearm. “It’s okay, I was kidding with you. I’m a take it real slow sort of girl. I don’t like rushing into something I’ll regret later. Not that I think I’d regret having sex with you, but I want us to get to know one another.”

  “I totally understand. In fact, I like a woman who doesn’t jump into bed ASAP.”

  “Good, so then we’re both on the same page.”

  “Absolutely and how about I take you out to the Starlight Café for salmon night and we can get to know one another better?”

  “Salmon night, wow. You know how to win a girl over.”

  Cole smiled. He had a cute smile, and little dimples formed in his cheeks.

  “Shall I pick you up or will you meet me there?” he asked.

  She had to take that first step. “You can come pick me up. It’s 345 Sycamore Street, number 45.”

  “Okay, I’ll be by around 6.30 p.m. if that’s okay with you?”

  She nodded. She finished the wine. “I have to be going, but today’s been fun and I have myself a new car and a second date.”

  ****

  Cole watched her drive away. Damn, he was hoping they’d be having sex right now. Although he hadn’t lied when he said he liked a woman who didn’t jump into a man’s bed. Some of
the shifter women, especially when there were close to their mating cycle, did just that. He pulled on the front of his pants. Since they’d sat on the couch he’d had a continual erection and now it was hurting like hell. He made his way into the bathroom and unzipped his jeans and dug inside his boxers and pulled out the object in question. He wasn’t putting this hard on to waste. He moved his hand down his shaft and took a deep breath. He could still smell her. He loved her perfume, light and flowery, and the scent of her body too.

  Cole moved his hand faster, closing his eyes and wondered what she’d look like naked. Wow, his release took him by surprise. He panted and groaned. That had been pretty good but he was still worked up over Sam. Maybe he’d go chop some more wood to get it out of his system some more.

  He went outside and lined up the logs and began pounding on them. Looked like they might get some rain later. They needed it because the rain the other night hadn’t been nearly enough to lower the risk of forest fires. He turned around to see Liam and Lucy driving back in.

  “How did Sam’s team do?” asked Cole.

  “They won and Sam got a home run.” Liam pulled out his phone and showed Cole the photos of Sam in his uniform. He was missing one of his front teeth and was turning into quite the young man. His resemblance to Danny was uncanny.

  “He’s going to be athletic just like his dad,” said Liam. “Only wish he could be here to see him and that Danny would have had more kids for me to spoil.”

  “You can look forward to having your own,” said Cole, winking at Lucy.

  “Do you guys want me to bring some beers out for you?” she asked.

  “Sure. I have some in the fridge,” said Liam.

  Lucy went inside while the two guys sat at the table. Lucy came back out and handed them the bottles.

  “I’m going to grill some steaks, you want one Cole?” asked Lucy.

  “Guess I wouldn’t say no.”

  Liam took a sip of his beer. “So how did things go with Sam?”

  “Why do you think I was chopping wood like a crazy bear?”

  Liam laughed. “Humans need lots of wooing before you can make love to them.”

  “Wooing,” said Lucy, lighting the grill.

  “Yeah, I wooed you,” said Liam.

  “You seduced me.” She blew him a kiss.

  He loved these two and what they had. They were perfect mates.

  “Whatever you want to call it, but make sure when you get Sam into bed you give her the slapping cock treatment.”