The Lumberjack's Yuletide Bride: Country Brides & Cowboy Boots (A Cobble Creek Romance) by Krey Kimberly

Author:Krey, Kimberly [Krey, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Gelato Publishing LLC
Published: 2017-11-06T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“I don’t think you’re hearing me, Bear …” Kristen’s voice continued to pour from the receiver, but she was the one who refused to listen. How many times had he told her he was done traveling? Bear was half-owner of the company, for crying out loud. He wouldn’t be pushed around any longer, no matter the potential cost.

Yet the mere idea that there could be a cost tampered with the fear he’d snuffed out weeks ago. A fear that—like any dangerous explosive—could do a whole lot of damage if he let it.

He wouldn’t let it. Bear brought the receiver back to his ear and sighed. “Kristen …”

“Yes?”

“Did you read my proposal at all? The campaign I mapped out will cover more ground in a fraction of the time.”

The recliner caught his eye; perhaps sitting in it would force him to calm down. He stopped pacing, made his way to the chair, and moved to sink into the comfortable seat. He was about there when Max leapt from the floor, and settled into the spot.

“Max,” he hissed.

The lab shifted from paw to paw, eyes fixed on his master. If this was Max’s way of reminding him they were about to go for a walk, the dog needed a lesson on manners.

Bear broke into a pace again. “Listen, which one makes more sense? Your idea where I’d have to be at every forest awareness appearance across the nation, or mine, where we’d arrange a convention, further educate our managers and investors, and let them appear at local venues on the company’s behalf.”

“At a pretty price tag,” Kristen said.

“We can afford it,” he assured. “The convention will boost morale, give our managers a brief getaway, and save me from having to be everywhere at once.”

“You’re the face of the company, Bear.”

He tipped his head back and groaned. “Yes, and I will still attend the occasional event. But I refuse to fly all over the country trying to do it myself.”

“It’s not all by yourself,” Kristen said. “I’ll be at them too. And I was thinking that maybe we could share a room. Or even a bed …” She let seduction trace the last few words of her invitation. One he wasn’t interested in.

“Kristen, I’m not …” Bear glanced at the overnight bag by the door before checking the clock. “How about we discuss this when I come in?”

There was a long pause, and Max let out a whimper.

“I’m, um, actually not going to be able to meet tonight,” Kristen said. “I’m out of town. So don’t bother flying in.”

Angry heat pounded in Bear’s chest. He shook his head, the weight of disgust and discouragement combined. “We’ve had this scheduled for weeks. I already booked the flight.”

“Who cares?” she snapped. “We can afford it, remember? It’s a write-off.”

That was Kristen’s favorite go-to. “A write-off, huh? Just like your nights in the club. Are those write-offs too?” That’s right, Kristen. I saw your posts. Everyone did.

Not that he cared much. Bear was more interested in making a statement: Kristen couldn’t pretend she’d been pining after Bear this whole time.

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