Free Bearly Begun (BBW/Bearshifter Romance) (Bachelor Bears of Yakima Ridge Book 1) by Isadora Montrose

electrical panel.” Maddie showed them how the benches on her deck had lids that lifted so they could store stuff. “Put the baker in here, so no critters get into the food before we do. Doug built this deck last summer.”
    “It’s great,” said Hannah mirthfully. “Not as great as a new electrical panel, but pretty great.”
    Both women laughed.
    “I don’t get it. You both have huge engagement rings. What’s your problem? Don’t you like that Doug is fixing up the house?” Erin was baffled by their lack of gratitude. Didn’t they realize what good men they had?
    “You don’t understand.” Hannah waved her ring around still laughing. “Jack gave me this as a warning to other men.” Hannah paused for effect. “He told me so.”
    Maddie bent double and whooped. “Doug told me that I could have any ring in the shop so long as it was large enough that other men could tell I was taken at twenty paces. His idea of romantic is home repair.”
    “They’re such he-men. But we do love them and we appreciate the things they do. And they are always working to make us happy,” Hannah said earnestly when she realized Erin thought they were ungrateful.
    “See all those planter boxes.” Maddie waved her hand. “Those were Doug’s idea. They’re empty now, but I came home one day last summer, and he had bought half a nursery and filled them with made up tubs. So I had an instant deck garden. “
    “It was practical and thoughtful and beautiful,” Maddie declared. “But he was absolutely not trying to be romantic. Sure he wanted to please me, but it wasn’t a gesture, he was taking care of me. He didn’t want to discuss it. He only wanted to make me happy.” Maddie led them back indoors.
    “Sounds romantic to me,” Erin said.
    “I only mean that I’ve had empty romantic gestures, and I prefer my bear. Doug is worth ten of my ex, but modern metrosexual he’s not,” Maddie explained.
    Hannah patted Erin’s shoulder. “Len is just the same. You’ll see.”
    “Oh, Len and I aren’t dating, he’s just helping me out with my brothers.” Erin tried to set them straight.
    Hannah and Maddie both roared with laughter. “You’re not dating because Len doesn’t want a date. He wants a, um, wife. You’re being wooed French Town style,” Maddie informed her.
    “How do you mean wooed? He hasn’t touched me. Not even a pat on the ass.” Unless dreams counted?
    “Len would never pat you on the butt unless you were alone.” Maddie was emphatic. “But he is sure as shooting courting you. He didn’t take on your two hellions because he’s a nice guy. Well, he is a nice guy—none nicer—but that’s not why. He took one look at you and decided you needed help with those two and stepped up to provide it.”
    “I don’t think so. I think I would know if a guy was interested in me.” Erin tried to end the conversation.
    “Has he made your life easier?” asked Hannah.
    “Oh, has he ever. Just not having to worry about Hunter and Cord, especially Hunter, has been such a relief. And because Len’s in charge I’ve been able to go back to making deliveries instead of working in food prep, which is a big improvement in my paycheck I can tell you.”
    “Uh huh. Anything else?” Maddie inquired as she heated more milk.
    “Well,” Erin thought, “Last Saturday morning, when I showed up at the house he had gotten my car working again. Hadn’t been able to drive that puppy in seventeen, eighteen months.”
    “That’s how these guys court a woman,” Maddie said. “They do stuff for her. Show her they can take care of her. They’re not much for talking. They don’t buy romantic presents—unless you count windows and doors—but if you need something, they’re on it. Did you tell him about the car not working?”
    Erin shook her head. “It was obvious we didn’t have one. Hunter and Cord must have said something.”
    “What was wrong with it?” Hannah asked.
    “What wasn’t? Mechanic wanted