Page 19 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“Your meanfriend?”

“He’s just upset right now. He’s usually a really nicefriend.”

Jimmy scowled. “He betterbenice.”

As her mom reached for Jimmy’s hand, she chuckled. “Let’s go make cookies,honey.”

Rachel watched him walk into the tiny kitchen. They’d had a Christmas tradition of making cookies as far back as she could remember. Some of her favorite holiday memories happened during their hours-long bakingsessions.

She stood and walked halfway to the door before she remembered the dead car battery. “Oh,Mom?”

June poked her head out of thekitchen. “Yes?”

“My car battery died last night. That’s part of why Brady and I ended up together. Can I borrowyours?”

“I don’t know if it will make it all the way. I hardly ever use it anymore. Everything I need is within walking distance. Do you have your cell phonewithyou?”

She checked her coatpocket. “Yep.”

June handed her the keys. “Call me if anything happens. I’ll get Carl to fix your car whileyou’regone.”

“Carl?”

Her mom blushed. “He works at Sal’s Garage. He’s prettyhandy.”

Rachel smiled. “I can’t wait tomeethim.”

“Oh, we’re just friends. He comes over and does odd jobs for me,that’sall.”

Rachel suspected he did more than just odd jobs when he came over. Good for her. The woman took care of everyone else; it was nice to know someone was taking care ofhertoo.

Jimmy came around the corner. He already had a puff of flour on his nose. “I’ll make you a special cookie,Mommy.”

“Thanks, honey. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” She quickly exited before the first tear could roll down hercheek.

On the way to the ranch, she cringed at every squeak and groan of her mom’s old VW bug. Her mom didn’t make a lot of money running the bakery, but she really needed to upgrade the car. If Rachel could get back to working full time, she’d give her extra money for a new car. Right now, she could hardly help herself, which was frustratingashell.

As she bounced along the snow-laden road to the ranch, she sniffed back tears. She really missed teaching. She’d been the kindergarten teacher at Little Elm Elementary for one year. The minute Jimmy entered cancer treatment, she’d had to put in for a leave of absence. She hadn’t thought much about her job until now. She really missed the kids’ smilingfaces.

The sign for Curvy Bear Ranch glistened with icicles. Last night’s storm had blanketed the ground with a fresh layer of fluffy snow. The only other set of tire tracks in the snow belonged to Brady’s truck. She parked nexttoit.

After turning off the engine, she took a deep breath. Normally Brady could be reasoned with, but right now, she wasn’t sure that he’d listen to anything she hadtosay.

She stepped out of the car, shut the door, and turned just as Mack bounded down the stairs on the front porch. With long, quick strides, he closed the distance. A scowl scrunched uphisface.

“What the hell are youdoinghere?”

Apparently, Brady had already shared the news with his brothers, and this one looked like an angry bear ready tocharge.

“I came to seeBrady.”

“He doesn’t want to talk to you. After what you did, he doesn’t have anything to saytoyou.”

She peered over his shoulder. “Whereishe?”

“That’s none of your business. You need to leave the ranch. Now.” His nostrilsflared.

She rose up to her full height. “I’m not leaving until I talk toBrady.”

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