The Cowbear's Christmas Bride (Curvy Bear Ranch 4) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to find an empty reception desk. She waited for several minutes. When no one appeared, she eyed the door which led to the back portion of the office. Maybe she should just poke her head in to see if anyone was there. It was nine a.m. and they were clearly open for business. Maybe they were in a meeting already?
    Before she could decide what to do, the door swung open. A tall man with thinning gray hair and wire-rimmed glasses strolled into the room. He jumped when he spotted her.
    “Oh, I wasn’t expecting any clients today,” he said.
    “I didn’t make an appointment,” she said.
    “Well, I’m Mr. Hollingsworth, what can I do for you?”
    “I’m trying to find my birth mother. I think she may have lived in West Yellowstone around the time I was born,” she blurted.
    “What makes you think she was from here?” he asked.
    “Well… I don’t know for sure. I was left at an orphanage and this was in the blanket with me.” She pulled the postcard out of her jacket pocket and handed it to him.
    “Let’s go into my office,” he said. “Can I offer you something to drink? Usually my secretary is here to do that, but I always give her the week before Christmas off. I only keep the office open for emergencies.”
    “I’m fine, thank you.”
    “This isn’t much to go on,” he said as he studied the postcard.
    “I know, but it’s all I have.”
    “I don’t think I can help you. This doesn’t even have a name.”
    She leaned forward. “I know. I was hoping someone might remember a pregnant woman who disappeared for a while and came back without a baby. I know it’s a stretch.”
    “Things were different back then. If she’d been an unwed mother, she would have been ostracized. Her parents might have sent her away to have the baby.”
    “Do you remember anything like that happening to one of the residents? Hank said you’ve lived here a long time,” she said.
    “Hank Grant?”
    “Yes, I’m staying at the Curvy Bear Ranch Bed and Breakfast.”
    “Good man. Good family. I was friends with his parents for over thirty years. It was a damn shame that they died before they got to see their grandkids. I wish I could help you, but with nothing to go on, there’s not much I can do,” he said.
    “Okay, thank you.”
    “I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help.” He stood. “Was there anything else?”
    “No,” she mumbled.
    As she left the room, her leaden feet refused to cooperate. She stumbled, then righted herself.
    “Are you okay?” he asked.
    “I’ll be fine. I went this long without knowing. Maybe I can find the information another way.” She tried to infuse hope into her voice, but failed.
    “Take care,” he said as he ushered her out the front door.
    A blast of icy wind curled into her lungs. She coughed as she crossed the street. At least she’d be warm in the diner. Maybe then she could figure out what to do next.
    As she entered the restaurant, the scent of greasy burgers filled the air. While the waitress led her to a booth, she eyed the food on the plates in front of the other patrons. She’d been too nervous to eat earlier, but now she couldn’t wait to cram a handful of French fries into her face.
    “I’ll have a bacon burger with seasoned fries…” For a second she considered ordering an unsweetened iced tea. Screw it. “And a large chocolate milkshake.”
    After the waitress left, Carol pulled the postcard out and set it on the table. She’d studied the clue on and off for years, but it was useless. She’d never even considered trying to find the person who’d abandoned her until she’d transformed into a bear. If they didn’t want her as a baby, they sure as hell wouldn’t want her now.
    The waitress returned with the milkshake just as the bell over the front door rang. Hank walked in. When he spotted her, he smiled and hurried over.
    “How did it go?” he asked.
    “He couldn’t tell me anything.”
    “I’m sorry,” he said while covering her hand with