Her Bah Humbug Bear (A BBW Paranormal Holiday Romance) Read Free Page A

but he saw a movement by the big picture window. No doubt, she was straightening out the branches, preparing the tree for decorating.
    Oh, what he wouldn’t have given to have stayed with her. Shared her simple meal. He could have watched as she’d decorated the tree. Watching the sway and bounce of her hips as she climbed up and down the stepladder she’d need to reach the highest branches. Immediately, the thought of her on a ladder tightened his gut. What if she fell?
    His bear growled at the thought just as it had when he’d realized her wood box was empty and she’d have to fill it up herself.
    Protect. Provide.
    All the instincts a bear had to care for its family, its mate.
    The wave of loneliness, regret, and pain that he’d been carrying around for decades, washed over him. Never, he thought, never would he be able to do those things. He’d given up that privilege when he’d failed to protect his first family. He’d lost everything years ago. His family. His clan.
    He glanced at the clock on the dash and realized he needed to go back to the lot and help Henry close up, but he didn’t know if he could face anyone else today. One handed, he sent a text to the man, saying he was taking off for the day. It was sad to say that Henry was used to his erratic behavior. Even before the incident that had made Dirk retreat from contact with any other living thing, he’d been a loner. Needing only the company of his family to enjoy life.
    And when they had been taken away… Dirk’s heart had been ripped from his chest.
    He’d been honest with Mercy when he said Marcus had taken him in. The other bear shifter had done him a good turn. When Dirk arrived on the outskirts of Riverton six months ago, he’d been filthy and half-starved, having lived in his bear form for nearly five years, unable to tolerate the continued interaction with humans. Or even other shifters. Marcus had taken one look at him and offered him a warm place to stay and plenty of good hunting grounds. Being rogue, Dirk had learned to make due with whatever game came his way as he’d roamed from place to place. Marcus had offered Dirk the use of a cabin high up on the mountain and a job tending an overgrown patch of trees. It had been a reason to get up in the morning. As Christmas approached, he’d joined the logging team, cutting trees as orders came in from all over the country.
    The older bear had a golden touch when it came to evergreens, making money hand over fist during the holiday season. Hell, he’d even started a fresh wreath business. Was that what Mercy planned to do with the leftover branches? Make a wreath for her fireplace or for her front door?  Maybe he could bring her some supplies.
    Stop it, he admonished himself. He did not get involved with women, especially humans. It had been almost seven years since he’d sought the company of a female for satisfaction of his and his bear’s most basic instincts. Lust. Need.
    He snorted. He hadn’t ever felt need as he had today, triggered by the sound of a shy voice and the touch of a soft hand.
    Mate.
    No, no, no. Not mate. Woman. Sex. Fuck. That’s all Mercy represented. A way to quench his need.
    She wasn’t his mate.
    He had no mate. No female would want a bear who had been unable to protect his family. Or who had decimated the pack of wolves who had dared to touch what was his.
    ****
    Dirk pulled into the long driveway leading up to the small cabin he’d called home for the last few months. It really didn’t surprise him to see Marcus making himself at home on the porch that surrounded the house on three sides. There was more square footage on the outside of the dwelling than on the inside.
    “Did you have a good day at work, honey?”
    Dirk raised his hand and gave the other man a one-finger salute. He knew it was rude, but didn’t care. His insides were in such turmoil he didn’t care if he pissed off the man sitting before him. If he kicked him out that would solve his