The Cowbear's Mail Order Bride (Curvy Bear Ranch 6) (12 page)

“Come in,” Madison called.

Cindy entered to find the new mom propped up on a pile of pillows. She rocked the swaddled baby who kept crying.

“I don’t know what’s wrong,” Madison said.

“Babies cry a lot after they’re born. When was the last time you fed him?”

“Thirty minutes ago.”

“Changed his diaper?”

“Right after I fed him.”

“Did you burp him?” Cindy asked.

“I tried but nothing happened.”

“Can I try?” Cindy asked.

“Okay.” Madison gently handed her son to Cindy.

“What’s his name?”

“We named him Gregory, after Mack’s father.”

“That’s a strong name. I like it,” Cindy said. “Are you a gassy little guy?”

Gregory balled his fists and wailed as Cindy held him against her chest and let his chin rest on her shoulder. She rubbed his back before giving him a pat. A tiny belch came out. He stopped crying. As she cradled him in her arms, he looked up at her with huge brown eyes that reminded her of a deer’s.

“He’s a very cute baby,” Cindy said. “My daughter looked like a little alien when she was born. She grew into her beauty.”

“Hopefully he doesn’t grow out of his,” Madison said as Cindy handed her son back.

“I doubt it. He has beautiful parents.”

“Thank you.” Madison laid the baby in her lap. He closed his eyes and nodded off. “How’s everything going with Drew?”

“Much better than it was a few days ago. He asked to meet my daughter,” Cindy said.

“That’s a big step in the right direction.”

“It is. I’m so happy that my mom agreed to bring her here. My dad’s coming too.”

“I can’t wait to meet them. When will they arrive? I want to make sure Mack has a room set up for your parents.”

“I’m not sure yet, but I’ll talk to Mack as soon as I know,” Cindy said. “I was actually on my way out to find Drew. I just got off the phone with my mom and haven’t told him yet.”

“He stopped in an hour ago or so,” Madison said. “I think he went with Mack to the main house. They’ve been working on a crib for Gregory for the last few weeks. I don’t know how a crib could take weeks to complete. They’re probably sanding the wood to death.”

“Maybe. That’s sweet that they’re making one from scratch,” Cindy said.

“With all the available wood, it makes sense.”

“True. Do you need anything before I go?” Cindy asked.

“Other than more sleep?” Madison asked with a raised brow.

Cindy laughed. “Good luck with that. I don’t think I slept more than thirty minutes at a time the first three months.”

“So you’re saying I
will
get to sleep again at some point in my life?”

“Yes,” Cindy said. “Eventually.”

Madison chuckled as she settled back against the pillows.

“When you find Drew and Mack, let Mack know I need another foot rub,” Madison said.

“I will.”

After leaving the room, Cindy hurried downstairs. She slipped into a thick, button down sweater and boots. As she stepped off the porch into the sunlight, she smiled. Everything was finally going to be all right. She’d be able to have her daughter by her side again and live in peace on the beautiful ranch.

She crunched through the snow on her way to the main house. Reflected light glistened bright enough to blind her. As she held her hand up to her eyes, movement in her peripheral vision caught her attention. But before she could turn to see what it was, a gloved hand clamped over her mouth and another ensnared her waist. Her muffled scream died on the wind.

“I finally found you, bitch.”

Liam. Oh God.

Terror weakened the muscles in her legs. She willed them to move, to kick, to fight, but the acute rush of panic kept her frozen.

As he dragged her toward the woods, overwhelming fear pounded in her chest. Every sound was magnified as she strained to find any sign of Drew or his brothers. The ranch was crawling with people. Where was everyone?

Chapter 12

When they reached the tree line, Cindy summoned every ounce of strength and kicked back against his shin. He shrieked in pain and released her. She bolted toward the house but he pounded through the snow right behind her. She’d never make it to safety out in the open, so she changed direction and rushed back into the woods.

At first she tried to keep to the tree line, but Liam stayed less than ten feet behind her. She leapt over fallen branches and wound past bushes and trees in an attempt to escape. He slowed down enough that a spec of hope welled up inside her. If she could get far enough ahead of him, she could hide.

As she rounded a corner, she ran across a previous set of tracks. She’d have to double over them and create multiple paths in order to confuse him. After zigzagging across a central point several times, she chose the direction with the least amount of snow and hurried deeper into the forest.

Her breath whooshed into the air, creating puffs of condensation. She slowed her pace, listening intently for any sign of his location. If she could double back toward the houses, she’d have a chance.

“I know you’re out here you sneaky bitch,” Liam snarled from somewhere off to her left.

Her head whipped in that direction as she stepped behind a large pine tree. A hundred yards away, she caught a glimpse of his dark green jacket. It blended into the trees so that when he stopped, she had a hard time making out his form.

He turned in a slow circle, peering into the woods. She forced herself to stay calm. If she moved, he’d either hear or see her. She sent up a silent prayer that Drew would realize she was missing and come looking for her. But she couldn’t wait to be rescued.

Liam stalked off in the opposite direction, giving her an opportunity to head back toward the ranch. As she set off, she hoped she was going the right way. But within minutes, she’d passed the same triad of trees for the fourth time. She walked in circles. Sweat cooled on her clammy skin. She wiped a hand across her forehead. Think, dammit. Which direction would lead back to the ranch?

“Cindy,” Liam cooed. “Do you know what I’m going to do to you when I catch you?”

She stilled. He came into view at a further distance than before, so at least she’d made some progress.

“I bought a new knife. Twelve inches.” His chuckle sent ice water down her spine. “I’m going to cut you up into little pieces and feed you to the birds. They’ll never find your body.”

Her knees knocked together. The soft chuff of fabric coupled with her shaky breaths increased the tension in her body. If she couldn’t stop shivering, he’d find her.

“You’re not strong enough to outrun me,” he snarled. “You never were. Weak willed and pathetic. I don’t know what I ever saw in you.”

Then why are you still chasing me?
she wanted to scream, but she couldn’t give in to his taunts.

“I’ve been watching you,” he continued. “For days. And you had no idea. That backwoods cowboy didn’t have a clue either. He’s more your style, isn’t he? I know you’re already spreading your whore legs for him.”

She waited until he took a step in her direction. She backed up, trying to move when he moved.

“Well I won’t have it,” Liam hollered. “I won’t have my wife whoring around with another man.”

His head rose and he looked directly at her. She screamed and ran as fast as her legs would go. Behind her, footsteps pounded on the frozen earth. As her chest tightened, her pace slowed. She stumbled. When she righted herself and took another step forward, Liam grabbed her sweater and ripped it off. She wriggled out of it and sprinted away. But she only made it another ten feet before he leapt and tackled her into the snow.

***

Drew whistled as he stood on the front porch of the main house. A slow breeze carried through the trees, rustling the leaves. The scent of pine and fresh snow invigorated his senses. He couldn’t wait to share all of the seasons with Cindy. They had a few more months of winter, and then spring would come to heat the earth. Maybe they’d plant a new flower garden this year. Or spread wildflower seeds around the B&B. He’d leave it up to the Grant women. They were all so opinionated that they’d override his suggestions anyway.

He took another sip of coffee and set the mug on the porch railing. They’d let the horses out into the front pasture to graze for a few hours, but he needed to round them up soon. Afternoons were short in the winter and long rays of sunshine already stretched across the valley floor.

The front door opened and Mack stepped onto the porch.

“I’m heading over to the B&B to check on Madison. I don’t like leaving her alone too long,” Mack said.

“Cindy should be there with her.”

“True, but I can’t stop holding my kid.” Mack grinned with pride.

“I hear you. When you get up there can you let them know I’ll be up in a few minutes? I want to finish my coffee.”

“Sure.”

As Mack trekked off around the side of the house, Drew sat in the porch swing. He hated to admit it, but Madison had been right. Finding a mate had added something to his life that he’d been missing. Sure, he had a huge family now, thanks to his brothers, but he felt so much more complete with Cindy by his side.

He took another swig of coffee. He’d have to thank Madison later for finding Cindy. Maybe it hadn’t been the most ideal way of meeting someone, but it worked. The longer he thought about Cindy, the more he realized that his bear was right. They were meant to be together.

Told you so,
his bear huffed.

Fine, Bear. I believe you,
Drew responded.

It’s about time.

He couldn’t agree more.

After taking the last sip of coffee, he carried the mug back to the sink. He rinsed it and set it in the dishwasher. Back in the foyer, he checked his reflection in the mirror. He batted down his hair before sliding a Stetson on his head. He couldn’t wait to get back to the B&B to give Cindy a huge kiss. And maybe a little something more if she was in the mood.

But first, he had to secure the horses.

He headed out to the paddock and rounded up the horses. He brought them back to the barn and secured them in their respective stalls. After tossing them some hay, he washed his hands in the sink.

He turned to find Mack striding through the barn. One look at his face and Drew went on alert.

“What’s wrong?” Drew asked.

“Cindy’s missing.”

“What?”

“Madison said she left the house an hour ago to look for you,” Mack said. “She was headed for the main house. Did you run into her at all?”

“No.” Dread pooled in the pit of his stomach. “Did you see any tracks?”

“I wasn’t really looking. I just wanted to get over here as fast as I could to see if you’d met up with her.”

“No.”

Drew jogged out of the barn toward the B&B. Half-way there, he spotted a set of tracks that veered off into the forest.

“Those look like drag marks,” Mack said.

“He found her,” Drew whispered as panic welled up in his chest.

“Who found her?” Mack asked.

“Her ex-husband. He’s dangerous as hell. Get the others to meet me in the woods but don’t come with them. Stay at the B&B in case Cindy shows up there.”

“Be careful,” Mack said.

As Mack ran toward the main house to get his brothers, Drew sprinted along the tracks. When he reached the edge of the forest, he stopped and sniffed the air. Fear lingered, along with the scent of his mate. His bear roared. Before he could stop him, the beast burst free.

Drew dropped to all fours as his muscles twisted and contorted. His spine stretched. His feet and hands formed paws. As his nose elongated into a snout, he sniffed the ground. The second the transformation was complete, he took off into the woods. He tracked her scent until he reached a muddled section of intersecting trails.

Which way did she go?

He rose up on his hind legs and chuffed. He sucked in deep breaths, searching for her smell. It was subtly stronger to the east, so he took off in that direction. His nostrils flared as the scent of terror filled the air. If her ex had so much as touched her, Drew’s bear would tear him to pieces.

***

Cindy’s head jerked back as Liam yanked her hair.

“Bitch,” he snarled.

“Help,” she shrieked.

“Good. Get your cowboy out here too. I’d love to cut him up while you watch.”

She flailed and clawed at his hands but his grip tightened.

“He’ll never let you catch him. He’s ten times the man you ever were,” Cindy snapped.

Liam released her hair and spun her around. He backhanded her hard enough to send her careening into a pile of snow. Her butt slammed against the ground, sending a shockwave up her tailbone. She yelped.

He pulled a huge hunting knife out from behind his back. Her eyes went wide. The serrated edges glinted in the light.

Oh, God. And she’d thought the kitchen knife had been bad.

“I’ll make sure my daughter forgets she ever had a mother,” he snarled. Spittle spilled from his lips. “I know she’s at your parent’s house. I left her there because they’re taking good enough care of her, for now. I couldn’t hunt you down and make sure she got to school at the same time. And I’m not about to ruin my daughter’s education because she had a whore for a mother.”

Cindy scanned the ground looking for anything she could use as a weapon. Frantic desperation made her movements jerky. Nothing. Not even a measly tree branch.

In the distance, a crashing sound came through the woods. She looked up and caught a glimpse of something brown and furry pounding through the trees.

A bear. Oh, God. If Liam didn’t kill her, they’d both end up mauled to death.

Liam spun just as the bear rushed toward him. The bear leapt and knocked him to the ground.

Cindy scrambled to her feet and turned to run. The bear roared. She glanced over her shoulder as it swiped a huge paw at Liam. Her ex screamed as the bear pinned him to the ground.

She turned and slammed right into a tree. Dazed, she grabbed the trunk for support. Her vision doubled and twisted. For a moment, two bears came into view. But there were two Liams too. Her legs wouldn’t hold her, so she slid down to the base of the tree.

When she looked up, Liam grabbed the fallen knife. In a wide arc, he brought the knife up and stabbed the bear in the shoulder. The bear roared and backed up. It twisted and screeched as its muscles rippled. Its fur receded. Paws became hands and feet. Its snout morphed into a nose and when it was finished, Drew lay on the ground where the bear had stood.

Her jaw dropped. Was she hallucinating? What the hell just happened?

Liam rose to a crouch, knife in hand. He stalked toward Drew.

Without thinking, Cindy pushed off the tree and ran toward Liam.

“No,” she yelled.

She launched herself through the air at Liam and tackled him. They rolled to the ground together and then everything stopped. She scrambled off of Liam who looked up at her with fading eyes.

“I would have loved you forever,” he gurgled. A thin trickle of blood slid down the side of his mouth.

The knife’s handle stuck out of his chest. In the melee, he’d managed to stab himself. She stood unmoving, until his eyes went glassy and he stopped moving.

Behind her, Drew moaned. She scrambled to his side.

Cody, Hank and Logan came crashing through the forest.

“He’s hurt,” she yelled.

The long slash across his shoulder was covered in blood. She couldn’t see how deep the knife had gone. Drew’s brow furrowed as he groaned.

“What happened?” Cody demanded.

“My ex, he tried to kill me. And he stabbed Drew. But Drew…he was a…a…” She struggled with a way of describing what had happened.

“A bear?” Hank asked.

As she whirled around to face him, the whole world tilted on its axis. She fell forward against Logan, who quickly rushed to her aid.

“Hang on there. Why don’t you sit down for a second,” Logan said.

She let him set her on the ground next to Drew. As the brothers moved to help him, she could only stare. A bear? Hank said
bear
. Jesus. Why would he say that?

Her foggy gaze slid to Drew. Cody was putting pressure on his arm while Hank ripped a piece of his shirt off. He wrapped the cloth around Drew’s arm and tied it tightly.

“That should hold long enough to get him back to the house,” Cody said.

She looked from Cody to Logan. No one seemed surprised by Hank’s comment. Did they all know? Holy shit, were they bears too? How hard
had
she hit her head? Maybe she had a concussion.

As Logan scooped her up, she didn’t protest. Even if she’d wanted to walk, she couldn’t.

“I think she’s going into shock,” Logan said.

It was the last thing she processed before the world narrowed to a tiny pinpoint then went completely black.