Page 3 of The Grouchy Lumberjack’s Bride

It's poker night at my buddy Linc's house. I know as soon as I get there that something is different. Off, somehow. First, he's got girly beer here. Second, his fridge is stocked with tin-foil-wrapped platters.

“What the fuck is this shit?” I ask, holding up the beer bottle with the artsy logo.

Linc is about to answer me when the other two in our poker group arrive.

“You’re such a fucking idiot,” Landry says as they bust through the doorway.

“You better bite your tongue, boy, because I can and will kick your ass,” Grayson threatens his younger brother.

I’m still holding up one of the bottles from the fridge.

Landry storms over and grabs the bottle from me. “It’s an IPA.”

Grayson makes his way over to the fridge. “What the fuck, man?”

The guys pull out the platters, drop them on the countertop, and rip off the foil. We all stare at the contents. Perfectly cut vegetables and fruits drape artfully with cheese cubes and… I’m pretty sure those are roses made from salami slices.

I arch a brow and look at my buddy. “New hobby?”

“Natalie!” Linc hollers.

“You’ve got a chick here?” Landry asks with a goofy grin.

Linc exhales slowly. “She’s old man Carson’s niece, and she’s staying here for a couple of days.”

Grayson releases a low whistle as the curvy, brown-skinned beauty comes out of the back of Linc’s cabin,

Landry mumbles something under his breath about a walking wet dream.

“Damn, how long you been hiding her in your bedroom?” Grayson asks.

“Show her some fucking respect,” Linc snaps.

His entire demeanor changes when he faces Natalie. His gaze softens as he looks at her. The grizzly bear transforms into a teddy bear.

Natalie’s gaze shifts to the counter where we’ve pulled out the food, and she smiles. “You found the charcuterie boards. Although, they’re more like charcuterie platters than boards. They didn’t have a good selection of wooden cutting boards or trays at the store.”

“I can make you some,” I offer before I can think twice about it.

Linc glares at me, and just like that, the bear is back.

She barely looks in his direction since her eyes are locked on my face. Her lip quivers in a tiny movement I would have missed had I not been staring at her. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, shortcake. Everything is perfect,” Linc reassures her. “We’re just dumbass mountain men and need you to explain a few things to us.”

She smiles again and stands beside the counter. “So this is the savory board. A selection of specialty meats and cheeses with nuts and some crudities.”

Landry raises an eyebrow. “Crude what?”

“Cut vegetables,” Linc explains.

“This is the dessert board with fruits, chocolates, and bite-sized treats,” Natalie continues.

“You bought the beer,” I say, finally understanding.

“I did. It’s supposed to be very hoppy.”

“The fuck?” Grayson murmurs to his brother.