Page 32 of His Determined Bear

“Dry? Your brownies are never dry.” His brow crinkled, “Why would you ask that?” Kian studied me, and his brow furrowed. “Is everything okay? You seem a little off today.”

I shrugged, “Don’t mind me. I shouldn’t be so sensitive.”

“About what?” Kian asked.

“Someone told me my brownies were dry.” Gods, it sounded odd referring to Cooper as anything but mine.

“Dry?” Kian snorted, “Are you sure they weren’t just pushing your buttons? Your brownies are fantastic. I bet they were probably just being contrary.”

“You think?” I shouldn’t care. I really shouldn’t, but I did.Because it was Cooper.

Before he could reply, the sound of crying came through on the monitor, and Kian jumped up. “I better get whoever that is before they wake everyone else up.”

Kian was up the stairs before I even got up from the stool. I grabbed the plates and mugs and took them over to the sink, rinsed them out, and loaded them into the dishwasher. Deciding to be helpful, I opened the fridge to find the baby bottles there.

Kian came down carrying my nephew Rafe. I knew it was him because, unlike his sister Izzi, his hair was a riot of curls, while hers was almost straight.

I held up the bottle, “Wasn’t sure if it was Beau, Rhett, or the younger ones. Otherwise, I would have had this warmed up for you.”

He smiled, “Thanks, this guy has a tooth coming through, and that’s miserable, isn’t it,” he cooed at Rafe.

I put the bottle in the warmer and turned to watch Kian walking and bouncing while singing softly to Rafe. The problem was all I could see was Cooper. I couldn’t help wondering what he would be like with our cubs. The image of him big with our baby damn near stole my breath. He would be beautiful.

I got the bottle out and handed it to Kian, who had taken a seat on the sofa in preparation for it.

I watched them for a while until I couldn’t take it any longer. I had to speak to my mate.

“I’ll check in on you later. I have something I have to do,” I said and placed a quick kiss on top of Rafe’s head.

Outside Gabe’s house, I got my phone out and sent a text to him.

Graham: Do you want to do something together?

After sending it, I paced back and forth, wondering if that was too vague. Then the ping sounded on my phone, and I lifted it up.

Cooper: I’d love to.

My heart jumped, and I wanted to dance a jig. Not even sure I knew what that was.

But then another message came in.

Cooper: But gotta go into the city. Mom wants me to help her pick out a dress. Not home till tomorrow or maybe the day after. We’re making a night of it. Raincheck?

I didn’t have to think about it.

Graham: It’s a date.

Now I just had to think about something good for us to do together. And maybe even show him a bit more of Asheville.

Maybe he would like it here. But maybe I should start researching opening a bakery in LA just in case. For my mate, I would take Three Bears to the west coast.

Chapter 12

Cooper

As we drove back into Asheville, my reaction to the ‘Welcome to Asheville’ sign was quite different this time, and definitely in a good way. My insides, both body and soul, were vibrating with excitement. I’d tried not to think about Graham over the last two days, but that had failed spectacularly.

And you did something you shouldn’t have.

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