Bear Meets Girl
Page 67

Thank you.
Youre welcome.
It wouldnt be bad if we had a better team.
They are trying. Loyal fans.
They both looked over at the panting, exhausted wild dog males whod volunteered to play. When they saw Nov-kov staring at them, they smiled and wavedstill panting.
At least we have our own cheerleaders, Crush offered.
Yeah. Blayne and the Wild Dog-ettes.
I must say, your woman has a lot of energy.
Shes had eight Shirley Temples. At this point, shes just out of control. Novikov sighed. I hate losing.
Me, too.
You have any ideas?
Nope.
Mr. Crushek?
Crush smiled down at Meghan and Josie. Arent you watching your mom fight?
No. No, thanks. Really rather not.
Crush and Novikov laughed.
Understood, Crush said.
I see you guys are losing, Meghan observedor stated the obvious, whichever.
Yes, we are.
Is it true those are ONeill lions? Josie asked.
The one doing the moonwalk ... thats Mitch ONeill. His half-brother, the one doing the rump shaker, is Brendon Shaw.
An ONeill is an ONeill, Mr. Crushek.
Not sure what that means.
Thats all right. Meghan smiled. Can you hold them off for a couple of minutes?
Sure.
The two girls walked off and Novikov asked, Thats really Malones daughter, huh?
You never met her before?
I have ... but I never really believed it.
Why not? They look alike.
And thats about it.
Hi, Gramps.
Meghan grinned up at her grandfather. The great Butch Malone.
Hello, my love, he said with a warm smile. Having a good time?
Im having a great time.
What about you, young Josie?
I always have a good time at the Ice Party, Uncle B.
Good. Good. Still cant watch your ma fight, though, huh?
Id rather not. If shes not getting pummeled, shes pummeling. Unfortunately, while walking over, Meghan had managed to get there just as Marly Callahan landed a right cross to her mothers jaw, sending the woman whod given birth to Meghan flipping back and almost out of the ring, the ropes the only things that managed to keep her in.
Its a mutual pummeling right now,her grandfather assured her. As if that helped somehow.
Great, Meghan lied.
Butch leaned down a bit. So what do you think of your mas new beau?
We like him. They really did, she and Josie. There was something about him. Something just ... honest. Her mother needed that in her life. More than she realized.
Good. I think she likes him, too, her grandfather confirmed.
We know she does. Too bad hes busy getting his ass kicked in football by an ONeill.
Every male Malone turned away from the fight, focusing on Meghan and Josie, just as the girls knew they would.
That bear is losing to an ONeill?
Sos Mr. Novikov.
What the hell ... ? Uncle Tommy glanced at his father. Whats going on?
Its just the two of them, really. The wild dogs are the only other teammates they have, and theyre kind of ... tiny.
What about MacRyrie, Van Holtz
All the Carnivores are playing with the ONeills, Josie said. Since she did sad well, Meg let her run with that.
Betraying bastards, her grandfather growled, all of Meghans uncles and male cousins agreeing.
What do you want us to do, Da? Liam asked.
What do ya think?
When Marly Callahan went down for a third straight time, Cella was declared the winner, her Aunt Kathleen raising Cellas arm in the air.
Nicely done, girl, the older Malone praised her.
Thanks.
While everyone went to get or pay their gambling money, Cella stumbled over to Marlys side, holding out her bloody hand. A big grin on her battered face, the She-lion grasped Cellas hand and let her haul her to her feet. Arms around each others shoulders, they pressed their foreheads together and Marly whispered, You took care of my brother, Malone. Theres a debt.
Dont worry about that now. Hes safe, thats all that matters.
Ma!
The two women looked down at Cellas daughter and Josie.
Your girl sure is a beauty, Malone.
She is.
And so is her mountain lion friend.
You keep your brothers grubby paws off my girls. Both of em.
But weve got some lovely RVs to trade, Marly teased.
Ma, Meghan pushed.
What is it?
Football. Remember?
Did Novikov start a fight with the guys?
Not exactly ...