Bears' Babe: BBW Paranormal Menage Shape Shifter Romance (Confessions of a Mail Order Bride Book 2) by Kate Kent Read Free Book Online Page A

briskly, following the noise coming from the fire trucks to an area around the corner.
    “Oh shit!” Evan grimaced, pointing to a building ahead of him. “The fire is at C and K Realty.”
    “It’s right near the coffee shop,” I said, surprised. “I was there earlier with Brad!”
    “It looks like it must have been set deliberately. It has the same M.O. as the other fires. Look at that!” Grant pointed to a high spot on the building.
    Evan and I glanced at where he was pointing. The words ‘FU Dirk’ were spray painted in bold, red letters on the side of the business.
    “Holy shit!” Evan exclaimed. “Come on. Let’s find out what’s going on.”
    As we moved closer to the building, I covered my nose to avoid inhaling the smoke. Dozens of people were hanging around rubbernecking as the firemen worked the blaze. Sherry’s wedding reception had been held close by. Thank goodness it had ended earlier in the evening. I recognized the waitress, Marcie Shore, from the coffee shop standing close to the building. She was next to a man in a police officer’s uniform.
    “I see Dirk Matthews,” Grant said, pointing to the man in uniform next to Marcie. “He’s the town sheriff. Let’s go talk to him and see what’s going on.”
    We made our way over to the officer. He saw us approaching and waved his hand. I nodded at Marcie, but she frowned as she acknowledged me. I had to wonder what I’d done to make her dislike me so much.
    “It looks like we have the fire almost under control now,” Dirk said. “Unfortunately, the fire department has had a lot of practice lately.”
    Evan nodded. “Sorry the fire department is so busy, but glad things are under control.” He pulled me next to him. “This is Judith, Judith Banks.”
    “She’s from Pennsylvania,” Grant added.
    “Dirk’s our town sheriff, Judith. He’s the best.” Evan said. “It doesn’t hurt that folks are afraid to cross him. He’s a tiger shifter.”
    The sheriff leaned in, his weathered face inching close to mine. “I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you Evan and Grant’s mail order bride?”
    I felt my face flush. What was I supposed to say?
    “We’re hoping she’ll be our bride,” Grant said, his jaw set firmly.
    “I met a pretty woman named Sherry at another fire. She’s a mail order bride too—she got married to one of my buddies, Adrian Landen, just today as a matter of fact.” Dirk grinned.
    I smiled. “Yes, I know her. I was at her wedding earlier. She was one of my co-workers before she and Adrian got engaged.”
    “You mail order brides sure do heat things up around here,” Dirk chuckled. “Just kidding, I know you had nothing to do with it.”
    “Any idea who started the fire, Sheriff?” Marcie asked.
    “I still think it was Max,” another man in uniform grumbled.
    “This is Deputy Bob Griffith, Judith,” Grant said, pointing to the man. “He’s Dirk’s right hand man.”
    I could see Deputy Bob wince at the words ‘right hand man’.
    Deputy Bob held out his hand. “Welcome to Shifter Villages. We’re known here for our rocky terrain,” then added sarcastically, “and our fires and theft.”
    “Don’t be scaring the lady, Bob,” Grant said. “I’m sure the culprit will be caught soon and Shifter Villages will be back to being the peaceful, loving town it is.”
    Dirk laughed. “Peaceful? This place can get hella rowdy, and don’t let anyone tell you any different Judith. But in the past it’s just been shifters having fun. But lately…well, it’s gotten pretty damn serious. I’ll get to the bottom of it,” he added sternly.
    “Have you looked into Brad Stanford? I don’t normally point fingers, but I hear he’s been having some money issues so he’s got the motivation. You better talk to him, but ah…he’s a little messed up right now, so he’s probably at home licking his wounds,” Grant said.
    “Messed up? Why so…have you boys been fighting?”
    Evan made a face.