Rancher Dragon by Terry Bolryder (best ereader for manga .TXT) 📕

getting acquainted,” Harrison said, stepping into the room, arm around Marian.

“So what, am I cooking?” Beck asked.

“If you want,” Harrison said. “But we got all the supplies there, and we figured we could cook together.”

Beck shook his head. “Nope. In that case, I’m cooking.”

No way was anyone else going to cook for her when he had the chance to.

“I can help,” Sierra offered.

“Don’t worry about it. I got this,” he replied. “Go sit yourself down and rest.”

“But you’ve been working all day,” she said, cocking an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

He scowled. “Yes, I won’t have you doing any work right now.”

She looked like she wanted to object, but instead, she just shrugged and went to sit at the counter next to Marian.

Curses. Now she was across the room from him.

“Get up here, wolf,” Beck said, in a bad mood for some reason. “You’re helping me cook.”

“Right,” Reno said, standing up to help. “No problem.”

As Beck and Reno fixed the meal, everyone chattered and talked. Everyone except Dallas. He rarely ever spoke, but he seemed to be enjoying himself all the same.

Beck himself mainly just watched Sierra, enjoying her smiles whenever they appeared, wishing he could make her laugh and smile like that.

“So,” Reno said, cutting vegetables next to him. “How’d you end up needing to be saved? Harrison hasn’t told us anything.”

Beck grunted. “It was a bad storm. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Reno knew better than to push him, so he just shrugged and went back to chopping vegetables.

At that moment, however, Clancy moved over and leaned against the counter next to Beck.

“Fine woman you brought with you, Beck,” he said. “Very sweet.”

Beck gritted his teeth. “Yeah, she is.”

He wanted to punch Clancy in the face for that remark, but it wasn’t really fair. She might have been the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on, but they weren’t together. He was just doing her a favor, and a monster like him could never be with someone as sweet as her.

“Did you show her your sandwich-making skills?” Reno asked, grinning.

“Maybe,” Beck replied with a grunt, his face heating. “Maybe not.”

“Is that right?” Clancy asked amusedly. “From what I hear, it was pretty outstanding. Listen.” He pointed across the room to where Sierra was telling Marian about everything that had happened so far.

Beck only caught a few words. “Hardest worker,” and, “Best sandwich ever.” He couldn’t help but grin that she thought his sandwich was the best.

He also caught Marian’s reply as she wiggled her eyebrows at Sierra. “See? What did I tell you about dragon talons?”

The two women laughed as Beck turned back to his cooking.

Sierra had been alone for quite some time. It was nice to see that she was getting along with Marian.

“See, Beck? She doesn’t just like your sandwiches. She thinks they are the best,” Reno said with a grin.

“Who knew you were such a charmer, Beck?” Clancy mused. “What was that about never giving your dragon talon to anyone?”

Beck flushed at that, then shrugged. “I thought I was dying, and I told her to give the talon to Harrison. Then Harrison gave it to her.”

“That’s why he’s the boss,” Reno said. “He knows what he’s doing.”

“Setting us up for disaster?” Beck muttered under his breath.

“No, looking out for you,” Clancy said, nudging him. “Come on, you want this woman, and she wants you. It was as plain as day as soon as you walked in.”

“I don’t, and she don’t either,” Beck replied stubbornly. “I’m just paying my debts is all.”

Clancy raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you wouldn’t mind if I made a pass at her?”

On the contrary, Beck would mind a lot, but there wasn’t anything he could say without confirming that he did, in fact, feel something for her. And him feeling that way wouldn’t end well for anyone.

He gritted his teeth. “Not my business.”

Beck hated the words as soon as they left his mouth and wished he could have them back, but it was too late. Clancy had shrugged and walked back over to the table to sit next to Sierra and the others.

From there, Beck’s bad mood only simmered, and Reno slowly retreated to the edge of the counter while he helped Beck cook the meal.

As Beck watched Clancy flirt with Sierra, possessiveness and anger welled up in his stomach. So much so that he looked down to see he was making dents in the cutting board.

“Uh, Beck?” Reno said nervously. “You all right?”

“Fine,” Beck said, shoving a dish into the oven. “Just fine.”

The rest of his time cooking continued this way, Beck slowly getting more and more possessive, until it finally came to a head at dinner.

It started when Beck, still flustered, sat down at the table without pulling the chair out for Sierra. Clancy was quick to swoop in.

“Beck, where are your manners?” he chided, clicking his tongue. “You have to be gentlemanly to the lady and get her chair for her. Not to mention, ladies always sit first. Then men follow.”

Sierra looked amused but also slightly uncomfortable as Clancy pulled her chair out for her. “Um, thanks, Clancy, but you really don’t have to.”

“It’s no problem,” Clancy said. “It’s what gentlemen do.”

Beck nearly growled at that but realized it probably wouldn’t help his case with Sierra, compared to Clancy. Instead, he reached down, grabbed the leg of her chair.

Slowly, while glaring at Clancy ominously, Beck dragged the chair until it was almost touching his, leaving no guessing as to whom she was sitting with.

Panic hit him right after, and he looked down to see if she was mad at him for this possessive display, but to his surprise, she simply beamed up at him.

He could feel heat crackling in the air. His dragon pacing.

And he couldn’t help giving Clancy a smug look.

Instead of being angry, however, Clancy just laughed, gave Beck a thumbs-up, and sat down across from them.

After everyone began to eat, Sierra leaned over to Beck.

“What was that about? she asked.

“Sorry,” Beck muttered. “That probably wasn’t