Page 15 of Bearly Believable Romance

“She sure is,” Bram agreed, his voice gruff with emotion. “I better go pick her up. You okay to finish setting up here?”

His mother shooed him toward the door. “Of course, of course! Go, fetch your lady love. I’ll handle everything here.”

Minutes later, Bram stood on Tabitha’s porch, heart hammering against his ribs as he raised his fist to knock. The door swung open before he could make contact.

“I thought I heard your truck pull up.” Tabitha smiled up at him, blue eyes sparkling. She looked stunning in a flowy sundress that hugged her curves, pale hair tumbling loose over her shoulders. Bram’s breath caught. His bear rumbled possessively in his chest.

“Tabby cat, you look absolutely stunning.”

She gave him a wide smile and his heart skipped a beat. “Thank you. I like the nickname.”

“It suits you. My little Tabby cat.”

Tabitha stretched up on her toes and brushed a kiss to Bram’s cheek, setting his skin on fire. “Ready to schmooze your family with our epic romance?”

Bram chuckled, twining his fingers with hers as he walked her to his truck. “Born ready, sugar. Just follow my lead. And maybe dial back on the marriage and baby talk this time, yeah? Nearly gave my brewery manager a coronary with that quip about picking out china patterns.”

Tabitha giggled as Bram helped her into the passenger seat. “No promises, honey bear. I’m just giving the people what they want.” She winked.

Bram shook his head, grinning, as he rounded the hood and climbed behind the wheel. Damn, he loved this woman. Loved her sass, her spirit, the playful way she kept him on his toes. Starting the engine, he vowed to himself he’d win her heart for real, no matter what it took.

Avelyn was waiting on the porch when Bram and Tabitha arrived. She hurried down the steps and enveloped Tabitha in a hug before Bram could even put the truck in park.

“Tabitha, dear, I’m so glad you could make it.” Avelyn stepped back, hands still on Tabitha’s shoulders as she drank in the sight of her. “Don’t you look lovely. That color suits you.”

A wistful smile curved Tabitha’s lips. “Thank you, Avelyn. This was my grandmother’s dress actually.”

“Oh, I remember it well.” Avelyn’s eyes turned misty. “Your grandmother and I were dear friends, you know. She wore that dress to my spring solstice party years ago. We drank too much dandelion wine and danced barefoot in the moonlight.” She sighed. “Those were the days.”

Tabitha blinked back sudden tears. “I feel like I don’t know much about her even with living in her house these days. Thank you for sharing that memory with me.”

Bram’s heart squeezed at the vulnerability in Tabitha’s voice. He wished he could gather her into his arms and soothe all her sorrow. But he settled for slipping a supportive arm around her shoulders as they followed his mother into the house.

As more guests arrived, Bram never left Tabitha’s side, his hand resting on the small of her back as he made introductions. She charmed each new acquaintance with her quick wit and genuine sincerity.

“So, Tabitha, have you and Bram set a date yet?” Aunt Gemma asked, eyeing the nonexistent ring on Tabitha’s finger. “Best get a move on before all the good venues are booked up.”

“Oh, we’re thinking a summer wedding.” Tabitha flashed a dazzling smile as Bram tried to smother a laugh. “On a mountaintop at sunset. Very intimate, just a few hundred of our closest friends and family.”

Aunt Gemma nodded sagely as if this wasn’t news to her. “Of course, of course. And have you thought about names for my future grand-nieces and -nephews? Personally, I’ve always been partial to Gemma for a girl.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Bram interjected smoothly, barely suppressing an eye roll. He squeezed Tabitha’s hip. “If you’ll excuse us, Aunt Gem, I think Ma needs help in the kitchen. Come on, Tabby cat.”

As Bram steered Tabitha away, she leaned into his side, shoulders shaking with laughter. “Maybe we should elope,” she stage whispered. “Avoid all this wedding planning madness.”

Bram’s heart stuttered at her casual mention of marrying him, even in jest. “Don’t tempt me, woman,” he growled playfully. “I just might take you up on that.”

Mischief danced in Tabitha’s eyes as she gazed up at him. But before she could retort, Avelyn called out that dinner was served.

The dining room was a riot of noise and laughter as the Hartley clan crammed around the long, overburdened table. Delicious scents wafted from the heaping platters of Avelyn’s famous roast chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and honey-glazed carrots, making mouths water and stomachs rumble.

Bram held Tabitha’s chair for her, fingers grazing the nape of her neck as she sat. Electricity zinged through him at the innocent touch and his bear purred in satisfaction having their mate so close. Tabitha flashed him a smile over her shoulder before turning to answer a question from Bram’s Aunt Louise across the table.

As dishes were passed and plates piled high, the teasing began in earnest. Bram’s brother Noah, five years his junior but no less brawny and bearded, leaned forward with a wicked grin.

“So, Tabby Cat,” he drawled, ignoring Bram’s warning growl at the nickname Bram had given her. “Has my brother told you about the time he got his furry butt stuck halfway up a tree while trying to impress Suzie Jenkins in eighth grade?”

Tabitha clapped a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking with barely suppressed laughter. “No, I don’t believe he has. But I’m all ears.”

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