“She’s right about that, too. I can fill you in later, but we can make almost double the money we make from ranching if we get more horses and spend the time raising them. Plus, you’ve got to admit, it makes us feel good to help out that way.”
Rick was already nodding before Gunner had finished speaking. “It’ll take time to phase out of the cattle business, but I’m game.”
“Then you agree to my terms? If you do, I’ll be proud to be your mate. Both of you.”
“Then it’s a deal.” He pulled her to him. “I never figured I’d have to negotiate to keep my mate, but I’d do anything to make you happy.”
“Would you paint a calf and put the message on YouVideo?” She laid her head on his chest and heard the steady beat of his heart. Could he hear hers? It was pounding loudly enough.
“Okay, now you’re going too far,” joked Gunner.
She laughed, then leapt up and grabbed Gunner’s hand to pull him onto the bed along with her. “Aw, shit. You ain’t seen nothing yet. I’ve got a lot more ideas.”
Their groans were louder than her laughter, filling her with a joy that was boundless. She’d come to Shatland to fight against animal cruelty and had ended up finding two animals of her own. They were her men. Her bears.
Epilogue
“Where are you?” Mallory held the phone to her ear as she stood at the railing of the enclosure and watched Gunner and Rick work with the new horse. For two bears, they had a special way with horses that should’ve sensed their inner beasts and been frightened. Instead, the horse was responding nicely to their commands.
After phasing out of the cattle business in less than two months, they’d started buying more horses and spending their days training them. Even they admitted that they enjoyed that more than herding cattle then having to send them to the slaughterhouse. The last shipment to the meat packing facility they’d used since dumping Lawson Industries would go out next week. Once that happened, she’d breathe easier.
“I’m almost there. Be patient, girl.”
She’d missed Kid so much in the short time since she’d moved to their home. Giving up her bank job was easy, aside from leaving Kid behind, and helping the men with the therapy horses was much more fulfilling.
Her life had changed so much in a few months, and all she could see was a bright future. She couldn’t wait to share her life and her good news with Kid.
“And your mom? How’s she doing?”
Gunner lifted his cowboy hat to her, taking his attention away from the filly. He jumped to the side when the animal whirled first one way then the other, trying to get the men away from her. Misty, as Mallory had named her, would soon fall under their spell just as all the other horses had. Just as she had.
“She’s doing great. Back to her old self. Although now that you’ve found love, she’s pushing for me to get busy and settle down, too.”
“And you should. I highly recommend it.”
“Yeah, well, find me a cute little cowboy with a tight ass and I’m there.”
“Hey, I’m looking. It’s not easy to find anyone good enough for my best friend.”
“Ain’t that the truth?” He laughed, the sound bellowing in her ears.
“I can’t wait for you to get here.”
“Yeah? What are you doing right now?”
“I’m watching my hunky men train a new horse.”
“And what color is that horse?”
“What color?” It was a strange question, but then again, it was Kid. “Um, it’s black with white around its hooves. There’s a name for that part of the horse, but I can never remember it.”
“Ooh. And the white star on its forehead is pretty, too.”
“It is.” She paused. “Hey, wait a sec. How’d you know it has a star on its forehead?”
Gunner and Rick turned, their gazes going past her as they started striding her way.
In the next moment, she was swept into the air. She let out a yelp, then started laughing as she recognized the huge arms engulfing her.
“Kid, put me down!”
He dropped her to her feet. She spun around and jumped into his arms, hugging him around the neck.
“Hey, watch who you’re hugging, big guy. That’s our woman.” But there was no menace in Gunner’s voice.
“I know.” Kid’s grin was as wide as his face. “I heard you three are a thing now. Of course, I knew you were meant for each other from the moment we met.”
“Come on. Let’s get the grill out and get those steaks to cooking.”
She rolled her eyes at Rick. They were still eating meat while she feasted on vegetables, but she knew that was one thing she’d never change about them.