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

was her gut telling her he shouldn’t be trusted.
    I’m almost never wrong about these things.

Four

Everett
    E verett picked Sara up at the motel and drove them to his favorite little pub. It was a cozy hole-in-the-wall type of joint with cheap beer and a rustic vibe.
    “Wow,” Sara said, looking around after they had grabbed a table and their first pints.
    “Good ‘wow’ or bad ‘wow’?” Everett asked, suddenly unsure about his choice of venue, studying it with a frown.
    “I love it!” Sara exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “Hey, does that thing work? I think there’s a basketball game on,” she continued, gesturing to the small TV above the bar.
    “I think the last time that thing worked, my interests included finger painting and Hot Wheels,” Everett said with a chuckle. “Besides, no one can stand up to the Cavaliers with LeBron on the team,” he continued.
    “Golden State has Stephen Curry. I don’t recall LeBron being the NBA’s first unanimous MVP,” Sara countered, arching a brow.
    “I love a girl who can put me in my place,” Everett smiled, while his bear let out a low, content growl.
    Sara hesitated a second before speaking again. Her face scrunched up in the cutest way when she was unsure of herself – something that didn’t seem to happen very often.
    “So, how’s the truck coming along?” she finally said, twirling her glass on the table and looking a bit tense.
    “Quite a few pieces need to be replaced. Noah already put in an order. Now we just have to wait,” Everett replied, shrugging his shoulders.
    The notion of her being in a hurry to get away from him stung a bit too painfully.
    “I need to get an estimate to my boss, and he’s a real stickler about these kinds of things. He’ll probably want a second opinion,” Sara said, studying Everett’s face.
    “Most of the shops around here aren’t qualified to have an opinion when it comes to rigs like yours, but I’m sure we can figure something out. I can call some contacts from the town over,” Everett said, sipping his beer.
    Sara seemed to relax at that answer, settling into her chair with a small exhale.
    Guess her boss is a real hard-ass, Everett thought to himself.
    The night unfurled slowly and comfortably, the conversation flowing as freely as the beer. Sara’s carefree laugh bubbled in the air around them, filling Everett with a calm he had never experienced before. There was something about her that just set him at ease immediately, and he couldn’t put his finger on it. Hell, even his bear liked her and that had certainly never happened before.
    “Last call,” the bartender bellowed, rousing Everett and Sara from their happy little bubble.
    Sara’s eyes darted to the clock above the bar.
    “It’s two o’clock already?” she asked, eyes widening in surprise.
    “I guess it is,” Everett concurred, not taking his eyes off her. He reached across the table to take her hand in his, not caring if it was too forward.
    A familiar charge surged through his skin, exciting and a little scary. Sara gave a little start but didn’t pull away, indicating she felt the same.
    They sat there in silence for a while. Everett’s thumb smoothed circles into Sara’s skin as he edged closer, until their knees touched under the table.
    Sara bit her lip, making waves of desire swirl inside Everett. He could feel Sara’s pulse quicken as she looked away.
    “I don’t think you’re okay to drive,” Sara said, glancing at the empty glasses littering their table.
    “But I’m okay to walk you home,” Everett responded, not wanting the night to end.
    They made their way towards the door, hand in hand. He wasn’t willing to let go of her and she didn’t seem keen on it either.
    From the corner of his eye, Everett noticed one of the patrons staring at him from under a cowboy hat. He squinted, trying to make out the man’s face.
    Sara noticed, raising a brow.
    “What was that about?” she asked as they stepped outside,