RANCHER BEAR’S BABY(73)

Things hadn’t exactly been going superbly lately. Well, they were great in some ways and not so great in others. I’d finally gotten away from my lying, cheating, wretch of a husband, officially ex-husband. But, the only way he’d agree to a quickie divorce was if he got to keep everything. And he did mean everything. I left the marriage with only what shards remained of my dignity. While it was plenty for me, it sure as hell wasn’t enough to keep a roof over my head.

After a couple of weeks on my best friend’s couch, I was more than ready to have a real bed to sleep in. Even if it meant working for a woman from LA who had about as much sweetness to her as a bowl of lemons.

I slipped my phone into my pocket and went back inside to tell Star, my friend and temporary roommate, the good news. “I got the job!”

Star raised her eyebrow at me. “The one you applied for like five seconds ago?”

I nodded. “You’re looking at the personal assistant of Mandy Scott, from LA.”

That eyebrow shot up even higher. “Mandy Scott? The Mandy Scott?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know about ‘The’. Is she famous, or something?”

“Well, I’ve seen her on the cover of several magazines while I’m waiting at checkout counters. In fact, Mandy Scott is a regular tabloid fodder. She’s a socialite. Doesn’t do much of anything, from what I can tell. Just parties and looking stunning on a red carpet.”

“She must do something. Why else would she need a personal assistant?”

Star laughed. “You’ve got to get out more. Rich people don’t have to do anything to need a personal assistant. They want someone to handle their planner, their miniature dogs, their wardrobe, and probably even their diets. You’re about to become maid, cook, stylist, and dog walker.”

I rolled my eyes and went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. “Are you sure you just see covers of these tabloids? You seem to know a lot about this sort of thing.”

“I may have flipped through a few pages, here or there. That doesn’t matter. I just want to make sure you’re prepared to do that kind of work for some rich brat.”

I shrugged. “Maid, cook, stylist, dog walker? Sounds a lot like marriage and I did that just fine.”

“You just got divorced. I’m not sure that classifies as fine.”

“You know what I mean. I did the work part just fine. I’m divorced because my ex-husband couldn’t keep his junk in his pants. That, and he was, and is, a complete and total asshole.” I took a deep breath. “Anyway, I don’t have any other options right now. The pay and the perks are too good to pass up. I have to get off of your couch. I’m starting to become one with it.”

“Honey, you know you’re welcome to stay on my couch for as long as you need to. I love having you around.”

“I saw your latest man in all his glory last night. He walked right past me on the couch where I was laying, reading. He spotted me and, naked as a jaybird, continued on to get some milk. Which he drank straight from the jug, by the way. Then he nodded at me, looked down at his dick, and licked his lips. It’s time for me to go.”

She laughed. “Oh, god. No wonder you want to leave so badly. I knew Frank was an asshole, but I didn’t realize he was that big of one. I’m sorry, Bunny.”

I shook my head. “Don’t apologize. You’ve been so gracious in letting me stay here. I love you even more for it. I’m just in the way. Even if you love having me here, I’m still in the way. It’s time for me to get my shit together. And if that means scooping well-to-do Chihuahua doo-doo for a while, then so be it.”

Star wrapped her arms around me, in a big hug. “I’ll miss you. I hate that you won’t be on my couch when I need you.”

“You can call me, and I’ll call you. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of shit to get off my chest. After one conversation with Mandy Scott, I already don’t like her.”

“Look on the bright side. At least you’ll get a fresh start. You might actually get a chance to meet a nice, stable, boring guy who wants nothing more than to see you smile.”

I held up my hands and backed away. “Not interested. I can smile, live, and orgasm without a man’s help. I’ve got everything I need right here.” I waved my hands, motioning up and down the length of my body, “I’m not falling into that trap again.”





CHAPTER 2: John




I watched the sun set over the lake beside my house and did my best to squelch the growing anxiety in my chest. As a bear shifter, I shouldn’t be freaking out like a little boy. I was a man, a bear, and I had things under control. Only, a nagging doubt in the back of my head warned that maybe I didn’t have everything under control.