Page 27 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

“I don’t want to put you out,”Rachelsaid.

“Are you kidding? I hardly ever get to see my grandson. Maybe I’ll take him Christmas shoppingtonight.”

Brady glanced out the window at the growing darkness. “It’s probably too cold to take him out and stores will beclosingsoon.”

June said, “You’re probably right. I guess I can watch that cartoon bear movieagain.”

“He loves thatmovie.”

Brady puffed up his chest. “I’m glad you’re teaching him a bit aboutbears.”

Rachel said, “I didn’t want him to be shocked later in life, so I thought I’d at least get him to like bears while he’syoung.”

“Good idea.” He turned to June. “If you really don’t mind taking him, I think it would be good for Rachel and me to spend some time together. We have a lot of catching uptodo.”

June smiled knowingly. “Just be sure to have her back first thing in the morning. I can’t leave all the pie-making to my assistant. It’s too much work for oneperson.”

“I’ll make sure she’s home bysunrise.”

He looped his arm around Rachel’s waist. “Let’s get going before you turn into apumpkin.”

She flashed a wicked smile. “Just don’t turn me intopumpkinpie.”

Chapter7

Rachel stoodat the window in her hotel room. When Brady came up behind her, she sighed and relaxed against his solid warmth. “Another storm’srollingin.”

He set his chin on the top of her head. “Where did we gowrong?”

“I let my ego get in the way. I was so hurt when you told me you wereleaving.”

“I was hurt that you didn’t support my decision. I had to go. But sometimes… I wish Ihadn’t.”

She turned slowly to face him. “What happened while you were overthere?”

“I don’t like talkingaboutit.”

He released her and walked over to the bed to sit. She crossed the room to sit next to him. Outside, wind whipped through skeletal branches. Solid chunks of snow fell from the roof to land in the growing snowdrift on the side of the motel. Even with Brady in the room, a sense of lonelinessoverwhelmedher.

He spoke softly. “When I joined the Marines, I knew I’d see action in the Middle East. But it’s nothing like they’re reporting on TV. It’s dirty, hot, and sand gets into places you wouldn’t dream of. I think I’m still shaking sand out of every nook andcranny.”

She laced her fingers through his. “Was it worthgoing?”

“I’m glad I went to defend my country, but I wish I could forget the thingsI’veseen.”

Rachel said, “I thought about you every day since you left. Every time I look at Jimmy, I seeyourface.”

“Why couldn’t we work things out that night?” hewhispered.

“We just weren’t honest with each other. I should have told you aboutJimmy.”

“When did youfindout?”

She sighed. He wasn’t going to like this, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell him another lie. “I went to tell you the night you told me you wereleaving.”

“You knew that night and you didn’t tell me?” His voicebroke.

“I wanted to. I almost did. But then you told me that you wanted to leave and I was shocked. I didn’t want you to have to make the choice between your obsessive need to join the Marines and your child. I didn’t want you to end up resenting him and hating me. I couldn’t stand the thought of you leaving, but I also couldn’t stand the thought of you rejecting our baby. I wasn’t willing to take thechance.”

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