Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 112(@200wpm)___ 90(@250wpm)___ 75(@300wpm)
Clay, our grizzly shifter cousin from Honey Pot Hollow, moved to Glacier Pass with Bethany, his wife, a few months ago. Bethany opened a little bakery called Honey Buns II, and the entire town has been going crazy over her delicious treats.
“I don’t like chocolate in my coffee.” Grant drags my attention back to his distress as he flashes his version of hurt puppy dog eyes that usually ensure he gets his way.
“Suck it up and drink it or drag your rear end down to Rise & Grind and get what you want.” Grant’s fake ass gesture is wasted on Gianna. She’s my mother’s mini-me.
I swear Grant’s bottom lip wobbles as he grabs the cup from Gianna and mutters, “Thanks,” before dropping down onto the brown leather sofa.
“You’re welcome.” Gianna rolls her eyes and comes over to stand next to my desk. “Now, how can I help you out?” I glance up at my sister and swear I can see a bright halo shining above her blonde head.
“Can you finish up this payroll for me?”
She pulls out the big guns. “If you promise me you’ll be on your best behavior for the interview and actually give Emilia a chance.”
“Deal.” Right now, desperation leads me to agree to just about anything.
Several long and frustrating hours later, I turn off the computer after completing the work assignments for the rest of the week. Winter is coming to an end and the snow has tapered off, so it’s going to be a light week for my company, Bearly Frosty Snow Removal.
Glacier Pass usually gets snow eight out of twelve months, but this year has been one of the snowiest in recent history. I’ve had to hire two new part-time employees to keep up with demand, especially after Harold Helson’s shady company went under.
The fucking little weasel who scams his way through life thought he could easily steal all my customers and run me out of business. When he suddenly started undercutting me on bids, I knew the fucker was playing dirty. I hired my cousin to investigate how the badger shifter was managing to steal my clients.
It didn’t take Clay long to figure out Rhoda’s betrayal, and I fired my longtime friend before her duplicity cost me my business.
I tell myself to forget about the betrayal as I lock up the shop and head out for the night. Luckily, my business is attached to my home, so my after-work commute takes exactly two minutes.
As I walk down my garage stairs, I realize I can’t stomach the thought of spending the evening alone and find myself heading straight to my truck. Before giving myself a chance to think better of it, I drive the five miles to Glacier Pass and pull into the parking lot at The Grizzly Bar & Grill.
After shutting off my truck, I walk through the busy parking lot and notice Gabe’s black truck parked a few spots down. At least I won’t have to drink alone, I tell myself as I push open the heavy wood door.
Loud music slaps me in the face as a rotten odor reaches my sensitive nose. Fucking hell. I’d know that weasel bastard’s sent anywhere. My human side wants to turn around and avoid confrontation, but my inner polar bear is hungry for a fight. Glancing around, I see several of my employees and other friends and tell myself the badger would be an idiot to start something with me tonight.
As I head to the bar, I see my other brother’s dark head bent over, reading something on his phone. “What are you doing?” I sit on the barstool next to Gabe and glance over his shoulder.
“I just got a notification telling me you’re close.” He glances up and smirks. “I was wondering if I had time to hide before you saw me.”
I rub my middle finger up the side of my head. “Asshole.”
When Gianna insisted on placing the family tracking app on all our phones, I should’ve stuck to my guns and refused. Now, every fucking member of my family can find me no matter where I go.
“Harold is sitting in the corner plotting world domination and your demise.” Gabe laughs and points over my shoulder. Glancing over, I see the weaselly little fuck staring at me, and it takes everything in me not to wave at him.
Turning back to my brother, I grumble, “I’m not too worried about the little fucker. Let him try something. I’ll kick his ass up one side of Main Street and down the other.”
“God, I’d pay good money to see that.” Harold has been a royal pain in the ass since grade school. The fucking badger shifter has a chip on his shoulder the size of Canada, and he lives to make everyone else as miserable as he is.