She blushed. “I don’t want to talk about that.”
He gave her a knowing look. “But he’s got one flaw. He has a bit of a self-esteem issue when it comes to women. See, there was this woman a while back. Her name was Maria. He met her in a bar. He doesn’t go out much, but she was gorgeous and pretended to be sweet and submissive.”
“What happened to her?”
“They started dating. She lived in Wishingbone, and she kept pressing him to take her to the ranch. So, a few weeks into the relationship he took her out there.”
“And?”
“And turns out the only reason she sank her hooks into Bear was to get to me. She was all over me as soon as she got through those gates.”
“Oh no, poor Bear. Why would she want you over him?”
“Ouch.” He rubbed his chest. “That was a direct blow.”
“Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean…it’s just…” She blushed, feeling awful.
He winked at her. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s a good thing that you like him. It’s what he needs. Someone who thinks the sun rises and falls on him. Someone who will be loyal to him. Maria really did a number on his ability to trust. You’re the first woman he’s shown any interest in in a long time. So, you can understand why I feel protective of him. I don’t want him hurt again.”
“I bet he really appreciates that,” she said dryly.
“Funnily enough, he doesn’t. No one on the ranch appreciates what I do for them.”
She rolled her eyes. “You poor baby. So now you’re here to decide if I’m good enough for your friend?”
Perhaps she should have been offended by that. But actually, she thought it was nice that Bear had someone looking out for him. Made her wish she had the same.
“I really miss him,” she confessed, looking down at her hot chocolate.
“He misses you too, little girl. But you’re going to have to be the one to go to him. I saw the way you two looked at each other. He’s been in a right mood this past week. How you been doing without him?”
Bear had been missing her? Really? “Are you sure he’s missing me? Maybe he’s upset for another reason?”
“Nope. I’ve known that man all my life, nothing much upsets him. But he’s been in a hell of a mood since we left you here. Now answer my question.”
Jesus, he was demanding. What had been his question? Oh, yeah, how had she been without Bear. That was easy. “I’ve been miserable.”
He nodded. “Good.”
“Well, thanks, glad you think my misery is a good thing.” He really was a strange man.
“It is if it means you care about him.”
“I do.” More than he could possibly know.
“And you’d give this up to come live at the ranch with him?” He waved his hand around at the house.
“In a heartbeat.” This was a lovely house, but it wasn’t home. That was with Bear.
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“But how does this change anything? How will I convince him that I want him? We’re not even talking.”
“Leave that up to me.” He studied her for a moment. “You look exhausted. You haven’t been sleeping?”
She shrugged. “Not really.”
“You been to see a doctor and have him check you over?”