Patreous sat still as Mandy cut his hair and Honey looked on. Crossing his arms, Honey let his mate know his displeasure through eye-speak with every minute that ticked by. She started humming and refused to acknowledge the trouble she caused.

Mandy whipped the towel off the bear's shoulders. "You look much more handsome, but a good bath would help with the smell," she teased.

"No, ma'am, I've paid my wager." He wouldn't look at either Mandy or Honey.

Honey spoke ...