Free Bearly Apart (Big Paw Security Book 5) by Becca Fanning

 

    He looked flustered for a moment and then said, “Aren’t you always up at the cows?”  

    Jamie nodded. “We lost one last night. Killed by a wolf.”

    “That’s unfortunate, but it’s the circle of life I guess.” Oliver said and walked over to the coffee pot. He grabbed a mug from the cupboard and poured himself a coffee. Then he sighed, “Well I’m going up to change.”

    “Where were you all night?” Jamie asked. She was in no mood and something about her cousin was annoying her more than ever.  

    He sipped the hot liquid and met her stare. “I was out on a date.”

    “Who with?”

    “You don’t know her, she’s from Pritchard. We watched the sunrise together. What’s it to you?”

    “Nothing,” Jamie said and turned away. She needed a holiday from her life.  

    Just then Jesse came back in smiling. “My guys will be here in about an hour. Then we’ll get busy. Oh hi Oliver,” he said extending a hand to him. “I’m Jesse.”

    “I’m Operations Manager of this place. I know who you are,” Oliver said not shaking his hand.  

    Jesse smiled and took his hand back. Then he leaned a little towards Oliver and nodded once so slightly Jamie almost missed it.  

    Suddenly the kitchen was the last place on earth that Jamie wanted to be so, taking Jesse’s arm she led him outside.  

    In the yard she stopped walking when they were halfway to the barn.  

    “He annoys the living shit out of me!” she swore.  

    “That I can see,” Jesse said smiling. “Hey it’s okay. He seems like a douche bag.”  

    “He is. But do you think my father sees it? Oh no! Oliver got his degree in business management and now my father thinks the sun shines out of his ass.”  

    Jesse chuckled. “You are so cute when you’re angry.”  

    Jamie slapped him on the arm, but it was half-hearted. “I’m serious!”  

    “So am I,” Jesse said smiling at her.  

    Something came over Jamie then. She was never sure if it was the morning sunlight on Jesse’s blonde hair making him shine like an angel, or the smile that really would be the undoing of saints, but she stood on her tip toes and gently planted a kiss on his lips.  

    At first Jesse was clearly surprised. Jamie sank back down and was about to turn when Jesse pulled her to him. “You call that a kiss?” he said and he leant down to her. Then he kissed her. Jamie felt her knees go weak. He tasted as fresh as he smelled and it didn’t help that she could feel his tight, muscular body pressed up against hers.  

    After an age, they separated and Jamie looked around. “Sorry,” she said feeling the blush start. “I don’t know what came over me.”  

    “Oh, it’s not your fault,” Jesse said, “It’s my animal magnetism, you were powerless to resist it.”

An hour later, Jesse’s friends arrived. Tyler was the first one out of the truck and he enfolded Jamie in a bear hug.  

    “Jamie!” he said squeezing her. “You look tired and stressed, but do not fear, your salvation has arrived.” Then he turned to the rest of them his arms wide, “Am I right?”

    “You’re an ass,” Jesse said but he hugged his brother. “Thanks for coming, bro.”

    “Hey, it’s nothing and you know it,” another man said. He was tall and broad shouldered with dark blonde hair and a joker smile. He extended his hand to Jamie, “The name’s Kyle, ma’am. Pleased to be of service.”  

    “Jamie,’ Jamie said. “Ma’am was my mother.”  

    Kyle nodded gravely. “Good woman from what I hear.”

    ‘She was,” Jamie said.  

    Then she was introduced to the last two members of the gang. They were Ryan Hunt, tall with dark hair, and Wyatt Wade, who doffed his hat to her.  

    “And just so as you know, Wyatt’s about to get married so no flirting with him,” Jesse said. Jamie slapped his arm again.  

    “Do you have any social filters at all?” she asked.  

    He shook his head. “Not really.”  

    They took