Legend headed over to Stripper, pointing his finger at the man. "Either you go upstairs and put some clothes on or I'll-"

"Legend!"

He froze when he heard Gabe shouting for him. Legend's eyes went wide as he glanced between Colton and Stripper.

"Legend!"

The three raced up the stairs and hurried into Legend's bedroom. Gabe was close to the door, rocking on all fours. Perspiration coated his body as he cried out.

"Call the doctor," Legend said over his shoulder as he lifted Gabe from the floor and carried him to the bed.

Maxwell strode into the room, a cup of coffee in his hand. He appeared relaxed until his eyes landed on Gabe, who was trying his best to breathe through the pain.

Maxwell's eyes grew large. "Is he...in labor?"

"That about sums it up," Stripper said as he leaned his arm on Maxwell's shoulder. Maxwell glanced down at Stripper's naked state and then took a step to the side. "Get some damn clothes on."

Stripper chuckled and flexed. "What's wrong? Can't get used to my naked body?"

Maxwell set the cup aside and walked over to the bed. "No, you just have the biggest balls I've ever seen and they're disturbing as hell."

"If you guys keep insulting my nuts, I might develop a complex," Stripper said as he walked out.

Legend and Maxwell stripped Gabe down before Legend pulled a sheet over his mate's groin.

"This is probably the most bizarre thing I've ever witnessed." Maxwell brushed his hand over Gabe's head. "I always knew you'd do great things, but giving birth never entered my mind."

"Mine either," Gabe panted. "Now can we get this baby out of me or are we going to just talk our way through this?"

Maxwell chuckled. "Snarky."

"Pain," Gabe countered.

Legend moved in behind Gabe, supporting his shoulders as he tried to keep his mate relaxed until the doctor arrived. He hoped like hell the guy didn't take too long.

"Something's happening." Gabe blew out a long breath.

"What do you mean something's happening?" Legend asked. "You have to wait for the doc-whoa!"

"Holy shit!" Maxwell moved back from the bed as the line that ran from Gabe's naval to his groin began to open.

"What are we supposed to do?" Legend felt the panic set in as he gripped his mate's shoulders. He had no experience with this. When they'd gone to Columbia to rescue Milo and found the man in labor, Legend had stayed outside the hut to guard it.

"Get T-Rex in here!" he shouted at Milo. "He's delivered a baby before."

Maxwell took off as Gabe cried out. Legend cried out as well, matching Gabe's pitch. Fuck!

T-Rex walked into the room as if he were a pro at this sort of thing. "Don't worry, Legend."

"What the fuck do you mean 'don't worry'?" Legend shouted. "My mate is giving birth and the doctor isn't here."

T-Rex shook his head. "I don't think I'll ever get used to that sight." He rolled his shoulders as if he were getting ready to play some extreme sport and then moved to the bed. "Okay, let's do this."

Legend growled.

Gabe cried out.

Maxwell looked a bit green.

And then the shrill of a baby's cry filled the room. As T-Rex worked, the doctor walked in and Legend felt relief flood him. T-Rex and the doctor worked side by side until T-Rex glanced up and smiled at Legend.

"Well?" Legend asked.

Maxwell moved closer to the bed, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. "It's a girl."

Gabe collapsed against Legend, panting.

"What was your mother's name?" he asked his mate as he wrapped his arms around Gabe's upper body and held him tightly, so many emotions coursing through him that he didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.

"Sofia," Gabe answered.

"Then that's what we'll call her," he whispered into Gabe's ear. "Sofia Legend."

The doctor handed Sofia over to Maxwell and Legend watched as a solitary tear fell from the man's eye. "Hello, Sofia." His tone was light and filled with reverence, and he stared at his granddaughter as if she hung the moon and stars.

After crooning to her for a long moment, Maxwell carefully handed her off to Legend. He was a bit intimidated by the tiny bundle, but he took her into his arms and immediately knew exactly how Maxwell felt.

She was perfect. Legend's throat closed up, a lump forming as he glanced into her amber eyes. She squirmed a bit and then settled, looking right at him.

Legend would take on the world to keep her and Gabe from harm. He'd taken the assignment to keep Gabe safe because he was bored in Bear County.

But now, Legend could clearly see a lifetime of love and laughter with the family he had always dreamed of having.

THE END.

COWBOY LOVE.

Bear County.

Lynn Hagen.

Chapter One.

"Really? You want to do this to me now?" Harland eased his truck off of the road and into the filling station. "And to think I was about to give you a bath when we got home." He managed to stop right in front of the mechanic's bay door. At least something was going right for him. Thank goodness the truck hadn't stalled a mile back on the empty country road.

Harland shoved the gear into park and got out, slamming the door closed. He normally wouldn't treat his baby that way, but he was ticked off.

No one was in sight, not one single customer. Harland gazed around the place, wondering where the owner was. The white-and-blue building was like a silent sentinel as it stood there under the hot summer sun.

"Harland," Stork said as he walked out of the shop, wiping his hands on a rag. The guy was in his late sixties and skinny as a whip. The large gap in the man's front teeth always made it sound like there was a slight whistle when the guy talked. "What seems to be the problem?"

"It just gave out on me." Harland removed his black Stetson and swiped his hand over his head. "I don't get it. The truck is almost brand new."

Tucking the rag into his back pocket, Stork waved at the driver's door. "Pop the hood and let me get a look at her."

Harland would be the first to admit that he knew nothing about being a mechanic. That was Jed's specialty. Harland usually would have his friend look at his truck but, because Jed wasn't with him, he had no choice but to let Stork take care of the problem.

After popping the hood, Harland walked around to the front and stood next to Stork, unsure of what he was looking at. It was just one big hunk of machinery to him. The mechanic fiddled around, cursed a few times, and then slapped his hands together as he brushed them off. "You need a new alternator."

A what? "You got one of those laying around here somewhere?"

"Got a whole shop of them."

"You do?"

"No," Stork deadpanned. "I'm gonna have to order it for ya."

The old man dropped the hood and nodded toward the store part of his station. "Why don't you get some cool air inside while I find out how long your part is gonna be."

The urge to kick the crap out of his truck was strong. He didn't have time for this. Jed was waiting on the supplies Harland had in the bed of his truck. But what was he going to do, walk the shit home?

Slapping his hat back onto his head, Harland headed inside. It was midsummer and the heat index was well over one hundred. There wasn't even a breeze to offset the muggy air.

By the time he entered the store, Harland was sweating like crazy. It took a moment for the air conditioner to cool his heated skin. As Harland gazed through the cooler for something cold to drink, he noticed a peculiar smell. It was like honey-sweet biscuits and strawberries all rolled into one.

He knew for a fact that the old man didn't have a bakery in here. Hell, most of the pastries were past their expiration date and wrapped in plastic.

But the scent grew stronger, urging Harland to find out where it was coming from. He sniffed along the shelves, wrinkling his nose when he passed the motor oil. His sense of smell was stronger than a human's. Being a bear shifter, Harland was pretty damn good at finding the sweets.

He was just stumped when he ended up at the counter. There wasn't anything there except a register, cigarettes and snuff on the back counter, and rows of beef jerky in every flavor to the side.

There was also a new worker sweeping the floor over by the old man's office. Harland leaned an arm on the counter and let his eyes skim up and down the slim guy's body.

What he wouldn't give to take a bite out of that little blond cowboy. "Excuse me."

The clerk jumped, squeaked, and slammed a hand over his chest. "Oh, you scared me!"

Harland wanted to hear more of that squeaking sound. Only he wanted both of them naked. He smiled apologetically. "Didn't mean to do that."

Setting the broom aside, the clerk hurried over, cleared his throat, and then gave Harland a crooked smile that was brighter than the sun outside. "What can I get you?"

"Your name."

The man tapped a tag on his powder-blue shirt. "Dresden."

In return, Harland tapped his own chest. "Harland Macy."

The soft laugh had Harland smiling. He liked this guy. He also noticed that the sweet smell was even stronger now. It had to be coming from Dresden. Harland wasn't sure how though. What guy smelled like fresh baked goods?

"What can I do for you, Harland?" A fine blush washed over Dresden's cheeks.

"You can give me your number for starters." God, the guy had the most stunning green eyes Harland had ever seen. They were as dark as summer leaves. He felt like he was melting into them. "And I'll take some of this beef jerky." Harland grabbed a handful and set them on the counter.

"You flirt with every guy you see?" Dresden set the broom aside and hitched a hip against the counter. Harland had to stop himself from pulling the man over the beef jerky.

"Just you, handsome." Well, that wasn't wholly true. Harland had flirted with the waiter down at the Ugly Broad Saloon. He had also flirted with the clerk at the Piggly Wiggly. Then there was that guy who had cut his hair last week and the assistant at the feedstore. Okay, maybe he was a flirt, but none of those other fellas had smelled this damn good.

"Why do I find that hard to believe?" Dresden asked, a slight teasing in his tone. "A nice-looking guy like you?" The clerk chuckled and the sound was as soft as silk. "I'm guessing you get plenty of numbers."

"I could say the same about you." Harland pulled his cell phone out and handed it to the clerk. "Now give me your number or you'll force me to come back until you do."

Harland was drawn to this man like bees to honey. Dresden's smile, eyes, and scent went straight to Harland's head. He'd never experienced sheer pleasure just by flirting with someone.

Dresden didn't take the phone. As a matter of fact, the smile faded from his face. Harland turned to see Stork standing in the doorway, his hands on his hips as he gazed between them. "I see you've met my nephew."

Stork's voice was clipped and impersonal, a one-eighty compared to how the man had talked to Harland outside.

Harland nodded as his defenses went up. He spoke in a slow and calm voice, trying to figure out why Stork was suddenly irritated. "Did you find out about my part?"

Stork eyed Dresden a second longer before he walked further into the store. Harland had a feeling Dresden wasn't here by choice and Stork would rather have hired someone else. "Be here after four. You can call the ranch for a ride. I'll let you know when your truck is ready," Stork said in a chilly snap.

In other words, Harland wasn't welcome to wait around. That was a bit strange. He'd never known Stork to be so unfriendly. The man had been the mechanic in Bear County for as long as Harland could remember. The human usually had a ready smile and a laugh or two waiting for his customers.

"I'll do that." Harland stood up straight as he used his cell to call Jed.

"What's keeping you?" Jed asked when he answered the phone.

"Truck died. I'm at Stork Station on Route 14. Do you think you can give me a lift home?"

"Give me fifteen and I'll be there." Jed hung up.

Harland noticed the way Stork kept staring at his nephew. It wasn't the least bit friendly. He wasn't sure what was going on between the two, but Harland had a gut feeling he shouldn't leave Dresden alone with the guy.

When Stork stepped into his office, Harland grabbed a lottery pencil and a piece of paper lying off to the side. He quickly wrote his number down and slipped it to Dresden. "Call me."

Dresden shoved the paper into his pocket before he grabbed his broom and went back to sweeping.

Even though he didn't want to, Harland left the store and waited outside for Jed.