Mallory's Bears by Jane Jamison Page A

longer? She wouldn’t have minded that one bit. In fact, she’d wondered what it would be like to live there with the two men she loved. Was she sure she loved them? As much as she didn’t want that to be the case right then, she couldn’t deny her feelings. She’d thought Rick had felt the same, but maybe she’d gotten that all wrong.
    “Shit, Rick. Why the hell are you—”
    “Shut the fuck up, man.” Yet Rick pointed a finger at her instead. “You better be ready to go on time. Got it?”
    “Hell, if you want to get rid of me, why not take me there now? I’ll get a hotel room for the night.”
    “Shatland’s a small town. They don’t have a hotel. Not to mention that you wouldn’t be safe there.”
    “Why not? Are there monsters in Shatland?”
    Gunner groaned and dropped his head to his chin.
    Why didn’t they say there weren’t? Did a town like Shatland have lots of criminal activity?
    “Like I said. Just be ready to leave in the morning.”
    She watched Rick eat up the distance to the barn. Anger and hurt swirled amid the flow of the strange sensation that always existed between them. Before they’d gotten into the argument, she’d plan on asking them more about it. Was it fate? Or just an excuse to get laid?
    Now it looked as if that next time would never come.
    “It’s okay, baby. Give him some time.”
    Burning tears stung her. “No. He meant what he said.”
    “No, he didn’t.” Gunner snatched his hat off, then held it to his chest. “I don’t want you to leave and neither does he.”
    “He sure has a fucked-up way of saying so.”
    “Yeah, he does. But that doesn’t mean he means what he says. Especially when he gets riled up. Let him calm down.”
    “No. I’m sorry. I have to go.” She couldn’t take it any longer. Even if Gunner cared for her, it was all too evident that Rick’s feelings didn’t run as deep. She couldn’t imagine a world with just one of them, much less a life living on the ranch with the other brother around, tempting her day in and day out. She knew enough to know the brothers would never separate.
    “Baby—”
    “Don’t call me that.” Darting away as he tried to take hold of her, she rushed into the house. Tomorrow morning couldn’t come fast enough. Or, if she wanted to admit it, slow enough.

Chapter Six
     
    Mallory woke up early then remained in bed and listened to the birds singing outside her bedroom. She’d slept fitfully throughout the night, at one time hearing the howls of wolves, but she hadn’t gotten out of bed to investigate. The idea of leaving Rick and Gunner had drained her of any desire to do anything but lie there and wipe away the tears that kept rolling down her cheeks.
    Could she tell Rick she was sorry? She’d stood up for her principals, but had she lost the loves of her life by doing so?
    She no longer cared that they raised cattle. They were right in saying that it was a necessary business. People ate meat. How else were they supposed to get it? And wasn’t it better to have the cattle raised by men who cared about the health and well-being of their animals? Men who would make sure that they were put down using humane methods?
    Damn it. I’ve made a mess of everything.
    She could hear them moving around downstairs. Although they hadn’t knocked on her door, she assumed they were waiting for her. As soon as she’d packed her suitcase, she’d have to hold her head high and go downstairs. She wouldn’t bother with breakfast. How could she eat knowing she’d never see them again?
    It was just a stupid argument. She could make things right if she’d get over her bullhead stubbornness. What if she told them that she loved them? Would that make everything right? Or would it give Rick another reason to ask her to leave?
    Wiping away what she was determined would be her last tear, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and headed to the bathroom. A quick shower would give her the strength she needed to get through