Which she couldn’t access.
Tears started to drip down her face as she walked inside and sat on the very formal sofa in the front living room. The trust fund was considerable, enough left for her to live comfortably for a while. Only problem was, she couldn’t access the principal until she turned twenty-five. Until then, she would only receive the interest. Which would probably pay for the taxes and maybe heating.
She wiped at her tears. This wasn’t helping. She took in a shuddering breath. “So, I need a job. That’s fine. I can do this. And I could sell the car and buy an automatic.”
None of that was really the reason she was sitting here crying and she knew it. She missed Bear. She missed him so much. The last two nights as she’d lain in bed, she’d held her phone and stared at his number. She’d written him into her contacts as Daddy Bear.
Except he wasn’t her daddy anymore.
She let out a little sob. She wanted him. She wanted to feel his arms around her.
“Buck up, Ellie. You can do this. You can do this on your own. You don’t need anyone.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Getting involved with Bear hadn’t been a bright idea in hindsight. It had revealed parts of her she hadn’t even realized she’d been keeping hidden. And now that she knew what a relationship with someone like Bear could be…hell, there was no one else like Bear. She only wanted him.
If only he felt the same way.
The doorbell ringing startled her and she moved into the foyer and opened it cautiously to find a UPS man on the other side. He held a box under one arm.
“Hello,” she said.
He nodded back then held out a small electronic pad. “Sign here.”
She wrote her signature and moved over to where she’d left her purse to grab a tip.
“Don’t worry, ma’am. Already done,” he told her cheerfully, leaving her standing in the doorway, holding the small box. She turned and shut the door, carrying it inside. No return address. Who even knew she was here? She set it on the coffee table and pulled off the tape, her heart beating rapidly as she drew out the most gorgeous teddy bear, she’d ever seen. He was fluffy and soft and wore the cutest little vest.
There was a note around his neck.
To replace Jeremiah the bear.
A sob shook her. Okay, so maybe he did care. She hugged Jeremiah and maybe she could do this. Now that she had someone with her.
* * *
Bear kept checking his phone. He couldn’t help himself. He knew she’d gotten the bear. He’d been alerted when it had been signed for. He’d expected her to text. Not that that was the reason he’d sent it.
He just hadn’t wanted her to be alone.
He finally forced himself to go eat at the dining hall, even though he didn’t feel like company at the moment. Everyone was giving him a wide berth after he’d spent the last two days snapping and snarling at them all.
He couldn’t help it. He’d had a few days with the woman meant for him. And then he’d had to let her go. Because she was better off without him.
When he was climbing into bed that night, his phone chimed. He glanced at it, not expecting it to be her.
Thank you for the bear. I love him.
He was surprised she texted in full sentences. But he texted back.
You are welcome.
He wasn’t ready to end it there, though. With a sigh, he sent another text.
How are you?
He waited impatiently.
Good. Got a job working at the diner.
That surprised him. Hadn’t the lawyer said there was a trust fund left by her aunt? But then, maybe she wasn’t working for the money. Perhaps it was just to meet people. That made sense. He sent another next.
Did you meet with the lawyer? Everything okay?
Yep. All good.
He wanted to ask more but it wasn’t his place.
And you have been to the doctor?
There was a longer wait now. And he started to think she wasn’t going to text back. Then his screen lit up.
Not yet.
He frowned.
Little girl…
Shit. He probably shouldn’t have texted that. But she knew he expected her to go to the doctor. This time five minutes passed without a reply. Finally, he couldn’t wait any longer.
Do I need to come and take you?
The reply was instant this time. Part of him was disappointed. It would have given him an excuse to see her.
I feel fine.
Ellie. You need to go.
Okay. I’ll make an appointment.
He could almost hear the exasperation in her voice.
Have you had any headaches?
I’m fine, Bear.
He was aware that wasn’t an answer.
I better go to sleep. I start work tomorrow.
All right. Good night. Go to the doctor.
Good night.
Somehow, he felt even worse after having texted her than he had before. He longed to lay down some rules. To tell her she was coming to live with him and he didn’t give a shit about her need for independence. But he wouldn’t take her from one controlling relationship to another. She didn’t need that. He glanced around the cabin that was his home on the ranch with a sigh. He didn’t even own his own house. He didn’t ever have plans to be more than he was. There was no doubt in his mind that Ellie deserved far better than him.
11
“What the hell is wrong with Bear?” Kent asked as he stormed into Clint’s study.
Clint looked up with irritation. “What? You don’t even knock anymore?”
“I’ve never fucking knocked.” Kent started to pace up and down the room.
Clint sat back in his chair with a sigh. “I don’t know where I went wrong. There is no respect for authority around here.”
Kent shot a look. “Authority? We are in this together, brother.”
“Yes, but I’m the oldest. Therefore, I should get respect.”
Kent rolled his eyes. “We’re not the fucking mafia.”
“Sometimes I think it would be a lot simpler if we were. Then I could just shoot anyone who disagreed with me.”
Kent gave him an exasperated lock. He stopped pacing, resting his hands on his hips as he glared down at Clint. “Who the hell around here would disobey you?”
“Far too many people,” Clint said mournfully. “I should make it a blanket rule when people are hired on, no disagreeing with the boss.”
Kent snorted. “Like you’re not arrogant enough as it is. You already think you’re God.”
“All right, so as you’re already here and determined to interrupt me, so what do you mean, what is wrong with Bear?”
Kent sat in the chair across the desk from Clint. “Like you don’t know. You know everything that’s happening on this ranch.”
Clint rubbed his hand over his face. Kent wasn’t wrong. He did have a good idea what was wrong with Bear.
“It’s a woman.”
“A woman? When the hell did he meet a woman? Oh God, tell me he didn’t join Tinder?” Kent gave him a horrified look.
It was Clint’s turn to give him a look of disbelief. “How long have we known Bear? Do you seriously think he would join Tinder? I’m not even sure he knows how to use a computer.”
“For fuck sake, Clint. He is not a damn dinosaur. Of course, he knows how to use a computer. He’s got a phone. It’s just that he never dates.”
“And we both know the reason for that,” Clint muttered.
“Yeah, that bitch, Maria. He’s really found someone? Have you met her? Why is he in such a foul mood?”
“Because for some reason he’s denying that he wants her.”
“Who is it?” Kent asked.
“The woman he rescued nearly two weeks back during that snow storm. Her name is Ellie. She’s a Little.”
“You’re kidding me?”
“I am not.” When had Kent known him to joke around?
“Shit, what are the o
dds he’d meet a Little? Doesn’t she live in Russell? Has he been to visit her?”
“Bear hasn’t been off the ranch since he got back.” Clint knew all the movements on and off the ranch. Yeah, he could be accused of being controlling. But he liked to protect his people. “He cares about her but for some reason he’s keeping away from her. Maybe he needs a little nudge in her direction.”
Kent sighed. “Poor Bear.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’re about to interfere.”
“Well, isn’t that why you came to me? So, I could fix him?” Clint demanded.
“Don’t try to pretend with me, you were dying to interfere. It’s what you live for. Bear won’t be happy, though.”
Clint shrugged. “God doesn’t worry about whether people get pissed off or not.”
Ken rolled his eyes as he stood. “I suppose it’s pointless of me to point out that you’re not actually God.”
“Around here I am.”
* * *
“So, when are you going after the girl?”
Bear groaned as Clint walked up behind him.
“I’m headed home,” he told him as he trudged towards his cabin. He’d had his dinner. He was tired. He wanted to go to bed, not be interrogated by his boss.
“I’ll walk with you.”
Bear shot him a glance.
“Cold out tonight,” Clint remarked.
“It’s cold most nights.” What did Clint want? He never talked about the weather.
“Hope that girl of yours is keeping herself warm.”
“Not my girl.” So that was his plan. He was here to talk about Ellie. Bear hadn’t heard from her since that night she’d texted him when she’d received the teddy bear. That was nearly a week ago. He’d wanted to text her so many times but he’d held himself back.
She was busy building a life. Without him.
“But you want her to be, don’t you?” Clint asked.
“What I want has nothing to do with it.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t been in to check on her.”
He sighed and turned to Clint. “What do you want from me?”
“I want to know why you just left her there? It was obvious there was something between the two of you. And you just walked away and left her on her own.”
“It’s what she wanted.”
“What she wants isn’t necessarily what she needs.”
“Jesus, just because you’re a nosy bastard who likes to control everything around you, doesn’t mean you get to interfere in my life.” He glared at Clint. He wasn’t pulling this shit on him.
“You’re not usually this grumpy.”
“You mean I normally ignore you when you get like this,” Bear said to him. “But I don’t want or need your interference, Clint.”
“Doesn’t mean you’re not going to get it.”
Bear let out a huge sigh. “Why do you have to be like this?”
“I just want to help.”
“Well, don’t. I told you about her life with her parents. She wants some time to herself. Some independence. She doesn’t want another controlling relationship.”
“Come on, you’d hardly treat her like her parents did. She was their slave. She’d be your Little. Your sub.”
“It’s not what she wants,” he gritted out between his teeth.
“Did you ask her?”
He ran his hand over his face. “Look, she needs this time to herself and when she’s ready for a relationship, well, she deserves someone better than me.”
“Jesus, I knew it would be some bullshit like that,” Clint muttered.
“It’s not bullshit. Did you see that house? And you heard the lawyer, she’s rich. What the fuck can I offer her?”
Clint crossed his arms over his chest, giving Bear a look of disapproval. “This is all about Maria, because she used you to get to me. She was a gold-digging bitch.”
“I know that.”
“You think Ellie is like her?”
“Of course, she isn’t,” he yelled. Then he took a calming breath. “Ellie is kind and sweet and honest. Doesn’t mean I have anything to offer her.”
“Except a man who will love and take care of her. Put her first. Treat her how she deserves to be treated. Cherish her for who she is. If she gets into a relationship with the wrong person, they will use her, walk all over her.”
He clenched his hands into fists, hating the thought of his Ellie with someone like that.
“Just stay out of my business, Clint.” He turned and stormed away. He’d done the right thing. He had.
He just wished he fully believed that.
* * *
She trudged her way home, trying to avoid the icy patches. It was growing darker and even though the streetlights were on, she wished she’d brought a torch. She’d thought once it stopped snowing that it would get warmer, but she was sadly mistaken. At least her house was nice and warm. She’d had all these ideas of what her life would be like once she left her parents’ house. Only, nothing was working out like she thought. The house she’d thought would be a haven felt scary and overwhelming.
The people in the town were nice, but she hadn’t met anyone she might make friends with. They all seemed to be in their own groups and she was left on the sidelines. She felt lost. And more alone than ever.
And it was all Bear’s fault.
He’d shown her what life could be like with someone who cared about her. Or who she thought had cared. But he hadn’t texted her except for that one night. And when he’d started to boss her around, she’d thought…well, she’d hoped…yeah, she was stupid. She’d thought that he would check back to see if she’d followed his order to see the doctor. So, she hadn’t gone in the hopes that he’d come storming in and …what? Spank her? Fuck her?
Both, please.
What an idiot she was. He hadn’t checked in on her again. He didn’t care. And she was on her own.
She kept her head down as she walked, concentrating on putting one foot in front of the other. She still hadn’t bought a new car so she was stuck walking everywhere. She needed to get a winter coat, but the shops in the small town were far too expensive, so she was stuck wearing the one Clint had left her. Which she was grateful for. But it was huge and at some stage she needed to return it to him.
She wasn’t concentrating on her surroundings so she didn’t see the truck outside her house. She should have, of course. But she blamed her inattention on tiredness. She wasn’t sleeping well. She spent most nights huddled under the covers with her new teddy bear, who she’d named Jeremiah Bear Junior.
She missed Bear so much.
“Do you always walk around without paying attention to your surroundings, little girl?” a deep voice asked.
With a startled gasp, she looked up to see Clint scowling at her. He was leaning against his truck, his arms were crossed over his wide chest, he had a cowboy hat secured firmly on his head, and he was wrapped up in a warm jacket.
She took a step back. Even though she knew Clint, she couldn’t help but feel a bit intimidated, especially since he was glaring at her disapprovingly.
She gasped in a breath, her hand to her chest. “What are you doing? You gave me a fright.”
“I was standing here for five minutes, watching you walk up the path. You didn’t look up once. You didn’t watch your surroundings. Anyone could have snuck up on you and hurt you.”
She looked at him in alarm. “Is that what you’re here to do?”
His eyes widened, his arms dropping to his sides as he gaped at her. “Of course, I’m not.”
“Why are you here then? Is it for your jacket?” She started to take it off.
“Leave that on, little girl. It’s too cold to be stripping off. Especially for a little thing like you. I’m not here for the jacket. You can keep it.”
“I was going to give it back,” she said defensively.
“What are you doing walking around in the dark in this sort
of weather?”
“It’s not late. I’ve just finished a shift at the diner. I’ve got a job now.”
“Yeah, Bear told me.”
“He talks to you about me? How is he? Is he doing okay?” She wished she hadn’t said anything when his eyes narrowed slightly. She should have acted disinterested. Shoot.
“Where is your car? You shouldn’t be walking when it’s nearly dark. You could slip and hurt yourself.”
She frowned at him. Had he forgotten already? But this didn’t seem the type of man who forgot things easily. “I crashed it, remember?”
“Yes, I remember,” he said impatiently. “I also remember the lawyer saying your aunt left you a car.”
“Oh yeah.” She’d forgotten he’d been there then. “It’s a manual transmission. I can’t drive it. I never learned how.”
“So, you’ve been walking everywhere?”
“Keeps me fit,” she said lightly.
“Did you tell Bear this?” he demanded.
“Nothing to do with Bear. And it’s nothing to do with you. If you came here just to grill me about my transportation options, then you can just go.” She was being rude, she knew. But she just wasn’t up to talking to him. Seeing him made her miss Bear even more. Tears pricked at her eyes and she was determined not to give into them. She tried to walk past him, but he stepped forward and reached out to grab hold of her arm.
“Wait just a minute, little girl. I’m not done talking and I didn’t dismiss you.”
Her eyes widened as she gaped up at him. She wasn’t sure whether to be horrified at his arrogance or impressed. “First of all, stop calling me little girl. I’m not a little girl. I’m a grown woman. And secondly, dismiss me? Really? I’m not some schoolgirl, and you’re not the principal.”
“Hell no. I’m not. Thank God. I’m not after a schoolgirl. And I don’t want to be murdered by Bear.”
She didn’t know what on earth he was talking about. Why would Bear get angry with him? “What are you doing here, Clint? Does Bear know you’re here?”
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