Big Bear Blunder: BBW Werebear Shapeshifter Suspense Romance (Sweetwater Brides) Read Free Page A

truck and now hoped her stay wouldn’t drag on or she’d run out of clean clothes. She changed from a towel into a t-shirt and high-wasted shorts before heading towards town, thoughts of the hunky mechanic filling her head.
    Sara strolled lazily through the smoldering streets of Sweetwater, towards the diner Everett had pointed out earlier. She chose a booth in the back, ordered a burger and a milkshake and settled in.
    Sara loved people-watching, making up stories about their lives, trying to guess what they were thinking. Seeing as she was on her own most of the time, she’d gotten exceedingly good at it, too. She spotted someone familiar looking sitting at the counter. He noticed her, as well, and made his way over, breaking her little observation session.
    “Sara, was it? Decided to stick around?” Keith said, plunking down in the seat opposite her with a friendly smile that Sara didn’t quite buy.
    “Hey, Keith. Actually, my truck kind of decided for me. Seems ya’ll are stuck with me until I get it fixed,” Sara responded, finding Keith’s company unobtrusive enough to keep the conversation going, though there was something in the back of her mind that kept telling her to be careful with this one.
    “Lucky us,” Keith said, leaning forward. His smile grew predatory, prompting Sara to inch backwards in her seat.
    “Actually, I think you know the guy who’s fixing it, Everett Grimpaw,” Sara commented, trying to change the subject.
    A shadow flicked across Keith’s face, if only for a second.
    “Sure, good old Everett. Quite the businessman. Don’t let him rob you, though. Make sure you get a second opinion. Just a friendly suggestion,” he said with a wink.
    “What exactly do you mean?” Sara huffed, crossing her arms and frowning.
    “Oh, nothing, nothing, probably just rumors,” he dismissed it with a wave. “So, what are your plans for tonight? Such a pretty lady shouldn’t be eating all alone,” Keith continued, spreading his hands towards Sara’s mostly empty plate.
    “I’m used to being alone. Besides, I’m meeting Everett for drinks later,” Sara said, quickly growing tired of Keith’s flirting and also unsure of what to think about his hints that Everett had an unsavory reputation.
    If there was anyone in Sweetwater that struck Sara as untrustworthy, it was definitely not Everett.
    “He doesn’t waste any time, does he?” Keith laughed. “I guess when you’ve dated all the girls in Sweetwater already…” he trailed off suggestively.
    “It’s just drinks,” Sara shot, feeling defensive.
    So he’s a ladies man, so what. It’s not like we’re running off to get married, Sara thought, fighting a twinge of disappointment.
    “Of course,” Keith said, his tone placating. “Tell me, how did a woman like yourself get into trucking anyway?” he continued.
    “I like big machines, I like the road, seemed like a perfect match,” Sara answered without missing a beat. She had gotten this sort of question more than once.
    “And you don’t have a man back home to take care of you? You should be treated like a princess, a gorgeous girl like you shouldn’t have to spend her time on dusty highways,” Keith said, his smile sparkling.
    He probably thought he was being charming, but he was starting to annoy Sara. Something about his presence was simply… grating.
    “Not much for princesses, always did prefer playing with toy soldiers,” Sara retorted coldly, looking at Keith with silent challenge in her eyes.
    “Well, I’ll leave you to your lunch. Maybe I’ll see you around town, soldier,” Keith said, a bit flustered before getting up.
    “Maybe. Nice to see you again,” Sara replied, trying to sound sincere and failing fabulously.
    Sara finished off her milkshake, thinking back on her conversation with Keith. Everett definitely didn’t seem like a scammer, but then again, she barely knew him.
    Sara grew anxious as she thought about seeing Everett again. She wondered if it