Page 83 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

The bedroom door creaked open. “I know you’re in there,Maddie.”

As soon as she recognized Mack’s voice, relief washed over her. But she couldn’t bring herself to move. Regardless of whether or not he was back to his normal self, he’d turned into a freakin’bear. She had no idea what it would take for him to transform back into a bear. Until she could understand what was happening, she couldn’t risktrustinghim.

“I know you’re scared,”hesaid.

Noshit.

“But if you come out of there, I’ll tell youeverything.”

Her voice quivered. “How do I know you won’t turn into a bearagain?”

“I cancontrolit.”

“If you can control it, why did you turn into a bear and try tokillus?”

“I wanted to teach Ben a lesson. I wasn’t going tokillhim.”

“What about me?” sheasked.

“I would never hurt you.” His tone carried a hint ofsadness.

“I can’t trust you, not after what Ijustsaw.”

His voice came from just outside the closet door. “Please, come out and let meexplain.”

When the closet door opened, she cautiously peeked between the suits. Mack stood on the other side of the threshold in all his naked glory. She swallowed as the ethereal sensation of his caresses ignited every nerve ending alongherskin.

He said, “My clothes are in the closet. I think you’ll feel more comfortable if I’mdressed.”

She nodded slowly but didn’t move from her spot. As Mack stepped into the closet, she searched his face for any hint of anger or malice. She found nothing but regret. A thread of empathy caught hold of her heart. Although she’d only known Mack a few days, she didn’t sense any evil from him. If anything, he was a strong, gentle, passionate man, not amonster.

When he finished dressing, she stepped out from behind the suits. He held out his hand. Her fingers trembled as she set her hand in his. As he led her to the bed, she took a moment to look around thebedroom.

Deeply masculine, the room had the rugged feel of a Montana cowboy. A pair of well-worn boots sat with their toes tucked under the bedframe. An earth-toned quilt covered the bed. Fabric curtains stamped with a bear pattern covered the window, and a large pine dresser had been alignedunderneathit.

Mack sat on the edge of the bed. She ran her hand over the soft comforter. The subtle warmth of the room put her at ease. A monster wouldn’t live in a roomlikethis.

“Did your mom make this?” sheasked.

He nodded. “She made that for me the winter beforeshedied.”

“She must have been quite theseamstress.”

“Yeah. She could sew anything and everything. She sewed all of our clothes when we were growing up. It savedmoney.”

He shifted slightly on the bed to look at her. “I know you’re nervous, but don’t be. I really can control the shift unless I get really mad. When that guy insulted you, rage filled my body and the next thing I knew, I wasshifting.”

“How long have you beena…a…”

“Shifter?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ve been a shifter my whole life. I shifted for the first time when I was thirteen years old. It usually doesn’t hit until puberty. After the first time, the other shifters teach you how to control theimpulse.”

“There are moreofyou?”

“All of my brothers are bearshifters.”

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