Read Bear To The Bone (Bear Claw Security 1) for Free Online Page A

Janet was scruffy and skinny and kind of the opposite of Jessie’s golden beauty. But Carrie felt a special affinity to Janet nonetheless. If she were allowed to pick favorites… but she didn’t.
    “We’re glad you came by,” Willow said. “I know it’s been busy with work.”
    “Are you okay at the bar?” Thane asked, his red hair sticking up in all directions. He puffed out his eleven-year-old chest. “If those Aces come around, you tell me and Tim.”
    She grinned. What was it about little boys and playing at protectiveness? It reminded her of Cage and made an ache start up in her chest.
    She caught Willow looking over at her pensively and realized she was probably transparent to the woman who’d practically raised her.
    “After lunch, why don’t you all have some TV time so I can talk to Miss Carrie?” Willow asked.
    There was some grumbling, but it quickly stopped due to the fact that most of the kids loved TV time because they didn’t get a lot of it. Mostly, they were expected to play outside or do things inside. Willow liked to say TV killed your brain.
    Once the kids were ushered into the family room and had all found their seats after minimal fighting, Willow hooked her arm through Carrie’s and led her out the back door, closing and locking it behind them.
    Carrie felt her heart beating quick as they walked out over the beautiful land where she’d grown up. The trees here, the grass, each bend in the nearby roads, it was all as familiar to her as the back of her hand.
    “So,” Willow said, releasing her to walk a little bit ahead and then turning back to face her. “Cage is back, isn’t he?”
    Carrie’s mouth dropped open. “How did you know?”
    Willow sighed and looked out at the land around them. “There’s only one person in the world who can put that sad look in your eyes. Like you’re far away and not with us anymore. I knew something was different from the minute you showed up, but I didn’t pick up on exactly what until Thane mentioned the Aces.”
    Carrie shrugged. “He would. Thane’s father is still involved with them, when he isn’t stupidly drunk.”
    Willow wrinkled her nose. “Stupid, evil men. But I should thank them. Because of their idiocy, I get to take care of their beautiful, wonderful children.”
    “You’re an angel,” Carrie said, putting her arm around Willow’s thin, fragile-feeling waist. Though, she knew Willow was strong as an ox, even if she didn’t look it. “You know that, right?”
    “I’m just doing what I want to,” Willow retorted. “Nothing much.”
    “Well, thank heavens,” Carrie said, leaning against her.
    Willow let out a snort at that and set Carrie away from her. “Now, you stop changing the subject and tell me what that renegade Cage is doing back in your life. And also, let him know I’m going to kick his ass for not coming to see me.”
    Carrie grinned but felt slightly guilty because it was her fault Cage hadn’t come to see her. But she didn’t want Willow to find out he was with the Aces just yet. “Okay, I’ll tell him.”
    “Good,” Willow said, walking out farther in the grass, hands clasped behind her back as she strode. “Now tell me everything that’s happened. I’ll tell you just how to handle that rascal.”
    At that, Carrie threw her head back and laughed.

----
    C age knew he was taking a risk as he crept into the back office of the club. The Winter Falls chapter was small, and almost all their records over the years were back here. He opened a drawer and quickly rummaged through, hoping to find what he was looking for.
    A tapping of feet on the concrete outside had him snapping up straight and coming around the desk to stand in the middle of the floor. He was pretending to simply survey the place when the door swung open.
    Pete Sanders, one of the officers who had served with his father, walked into the room, looking pensive.
    “Thinking of your dad?” Pete asked gruffly, standing next to Cage and