by Zoe Chant
“Cottage fifteen sounds nice,” Darla agreed breathlessly.
The night outside was quiet after the noise and merriment of the event hall, and Darla’s hand in his was warm and perfect. She leaned her head against him as they walked past the abandoned wedding aisle and through the garden towards the pool and the cottages beyond.
“This morning I thought I was never going to see you again,” she said softly.
“I thought that very same thing when Eugene rolled over on me and broke all my ribs,” Breck confessed. They were still sore.
“Did I fail to impress upon you what a terrible idea it would be to challenge?” Darla scolded him.
Breck stopped walking and faced her. “Eugene swore he would let it stand,” he said. “But even if he hadn’t, even if I was hopelessly outclassed as a fighter, even if Wrench had been right and I was utterly doomed, I had to try. I wouldn’t have been alive without you, Darla.”
She made a little whimper. “I know. I know. I wasn’t alive before I met you.”
“I could wish things had gone a little better,” Breck admitted wryly. “But I’m not sorry. I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you, and that’s the happiest ending I can imagine.”
Darla answered with her mouth, stretching up to kiss him hungrily and run her fingers through his short hair. Breck gathered her into his arms and drew her down to a garden bench that waited beside them. It was much, much later that they made it to cottage fifteen… and Breck knew that there would be music to face from Graham by the time they were done.
Epilogue
“Charter’s coming in,” Graham called from the back kitchen door.
Chef answered him with the chorus of an opera in Italian, and Darla left a warm kiss on the cook’s cheek as she untied the apron from her waist. “I’ll be back when they’re settled,” she promised. “It should be before the dinner rush.”
Her kiss for Breck, at the back door, was considerably longer, and not limited to his cheek.
“Travis won’t hold the van for you,” Breck warned her at last, and she reluctantly pried herself away.
“I’ll see you soon,” she said.
They’d been married nearly two weeks, and it still felt impossible and precious and fragile. Darla kept expecting someone to tell her she wasn’t allowed to feel this happy, and to take it all away from her.
Travis was waiting at the van and made a point of looking at his wrist, but his eyes were dancing. The noisy journey down to the tiny island airstrip prevented any real conversation, and Darla spent most of it looking at her hands, thinking about how much her life had changed in just a few short weeks.
Her nails were short and practical, without a trace of polish. She was developing calluses from the cutting knives, and her fingers were rough from dishwater. She had sold her jewelry and designer clothing to pay for getting the rest home residents plane tickets and was dressed in a simple resort uniform: a green polo shirt and khaki shorts. Her hair was back in two braids, lovingly — if not expertly — put there by Breck, not styled at a salon.
She rose every morning before dawn, which would have felt ridiculously early at any other point in her life, and made bread dancing around the kitchen with the love of her life.
When the van finally pulled in at the gravel strip, Darla was smiling foolishly.
She could honestly not imagine a more perfect life.
Liam looked considerably less content than she did as he ushered the eight senior citizens from the charter plane.
“It was an interesting trip,” he confessed, looking thoroughly ruffled. “Mrs. Asher got lost in the Mexico City airport, and Mrs. Snaffit fell asleep in her luggage and you have no idea what someone shifting into a bear does for the weight and balance of a small plane. Thank goodness it was on the charter, and not the commercial airliner.”
“Interesting sounds like an understatement,” Darla laughed, and she stepped forward to help Mrs. Snaffit down the last of the steps from the plane. They didn’t have a wheelchair for Mr. Danby, who had been sedated for the trip to keep him from shifting into a mammoth mid-flight, but Liam gathered the old man easily into his arms and carried him to the waiting van as Travis assisted the chattering old ladies into their seats.
The seven ladies had a great deal to say about the road to the resort, the heat, the sun, Travis’ big muscles, the flowers, and, when they finally saw them, the cottages that Scarlet had assigned to the retirement community.
The resort owner had allotted four houses for the new residents, and Travis had constructed a large shelter for Mr. Danby; it was warm enough now that a roof over slat walls would more than suffice, and they had some time before storm season to come up with something more weather- and mammoth-proof.
The hedges between the four building had been removed, so it was a cozy community of homes, all at the same level, situated on a long, seamless lawn. One of the houses had been set up as a common area, with a dining table and chairs, couches, recliners, and televisions. The remaining three cottages were living quarters, and each of the new residents had a private room with a bed and a chair.
The seniors had a great deal to say about their rooms and after checking Mr. Danby’s vitals, Liam and Darla left them to unpack and explore their new campus.
“This is wonderful,” Liam said, coming back out into the sunlight. “How did you get it all done so fast?”
Travis, hauling in the last of the luggage, was pleased with the praise. “It wasn’t that much to do,” he said modestly. “Though I couldn’t answer for Graham and the landscaping. He can work miracles with the green stuff around here.”
“Speaking of miracles…”
Breck was standing in the doorway of the common cottage. Darla ran to give him a kiss.
“The breakfast crowd was small, so Chef let me out a little early to help Mrs. Shandy get settled in with all our new guests,” he explained, putting a hand around her waist.
“Is she fitting in well?” Darla asked.
“They’re already planning a backgammon tournament,” Breck said with a grin. “I don’t think they know what they’re up against.”
“I don’t know,” Liam said. “Mrs. Asher can hold her own if there isn’t any cheating.”
“Welcome back,” Breck said, offering a handshake that Liam warmly accepted. “How was the trip?”
“Grueling,” Liam said wryly. “I’m glad that it’s over.”
“How is your mom?” Darla asked. Alison had graciously declined Scarlet’s invitation to move to Shifting Sands, but had promised to keep it in mind when — if — Jubilee made good on her threats.
“She’s doing great, sends you a kiss.” He gave her a sideways look. “How’s your mom?”
“We got the earnest money back on the warehouse, less fees,” Darla was happy to report. “With the rest of the jewelry that Saina fenced for me, we have the dowry to pay back. We’ll be free and clear of the whole thing.” She played with the cheap fabric of her polo shirt. “There’s no word about a lawsuit yet, but it could happen at any time. I think she’s been busy having vapors over the fact that Eugene was manipulating her psychic. She hasn’t paid the remainder of the bill, of course.”
She had terribly mixed feelings. She had spent her life admiring her glamorous mother from a distance, but the real person behind the dazzling image had been so cold and heartless and Darla was only beginning to recognize how controlling she had been.
Liam gave her a look that suggested he understood the depths of her confusion. “I’m hoping for the best,” he said simply.
Darla smiled at him. “I’ll settle for not awful,” she said sincerely.
“I would be perfectly satisfied with ‘not awful’ at this point also,” Scarlet said, startling them all by suddenly being at the corner of the community house.
“I’m sorry for —” Darla started automatically.
Scarlet waved her off. “I’m not blaming any of you for circumstances,” she said firmly. “You don’t need to co
ntinue apologizing.” She gave the area a critical look. “I hope that this will suffice for now.”
“It’s fine,” Liam said gratefully. “More than I could have hoped for. Your generosity…”
He trailed off at Scarlet’s dismissive wave. “I’m not running a charity,” she said briskly. “And I hope I can count on you to keep your charges under control and out of the way until further, more permanent, accommodations can be arranged.”
“Of course,” Liam said swiftly.
Scarlet’s voice gentled. “Once you are settled, I’d like to go over meal schedules and talk about accessibility needs that might still need addressed. I would also appreciate your attendance at our senior staff meetings in the future, as I am assigning you the responsibility for the rest home and I will require you to coordinate your needs with the rest of the resort.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Liam agreed.
“Just Scarlet is fine. We’ll be meeting at one o’clock this afternoon. Darla, I’d appreciate your attendance as well.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Darla squeaked, drawing to attention automatically. “Er, Scarlet. Ah, why?”
Scarlet looked amused. “Because we’ve got an important wedding party coming in tomorrow, and I thought you might have some useful input based on your own experience.”
Darla smothered a nervous giggle. “I have lots of ideas what not to do,” she agreed. “Is it a very big wedding?”
Scarlet actually smiled, and Darla wondered if she was being teased. “Very small, actually, and the bride and groom are mates, so we aren’t likely to run into the same sorts of problems that you faced.”
Breck looked at her suspiciously. “Mates, you say?”
Scarlet gave him a narrow-eyed look and then smiled as she explained, “Mary and Neal are coming back to get married. Amber and Tony are coming as bridesmaid and best man.”
Breck gave a laugh of delight. “No one in the world would have thought I’d get married before those two.”
“You know them?” Darla said, smiling at his contagious joy.
“Neal was a captive in that zoo across the island that Gizelle came from,” Breck explained. “And his mate Mary was a guest here. Tony is our friend from the Shifter Affairs agency. He and Amber were the ones who uncovered the zoo and were key in taking it down.”
“So it will be a pretty important reunion, then,” Darla guessed. “But probably not a disaster of a wedding like ours was.”
Breck pulled her close. “Our wedding was perfect,” he said in mock offense. He shot Liam a laughing look. “It was your wedding to that guy that made the tabloids.”
“Don’t remind me,” Darla groaned. Photographs from the wedding debacle had made all the major shifter gossip publications.
“I’m expecting far less drama from this union,” Scarlet said mildly.
But Breck was making distracting swirls on her neck with his thumb and Darla barely heard her. “I can think of parts of the wedding I’d like to do again,” he said quietly. “Maybe not the being crushed by a bear part, but there were some lovely moments afterwards…” He pulled her into a spontaneous dance across the lawn, and Darla laughed and stepped willingly into it as he spun her around and dipped her.
“There were some lovely moments before, too,” she reminded him.
“Not so much the night before,” Breck said, mouth close to hers. “But the night before that.”
“And the night before that,” Darla reminded him, blowing on his ear.
“And the night before that,” Breck added, kissing her jaw and her nibbling at her neck.
“One o’clock,” Scarlet reminded them firmly, and Darla heard her sensible heels click away in exasperation as Liam muttered, “Baffling!” and went to check on Mr. Danby’s vitals again.
Breck lifted Darla back to her feet but didn’t offer to let her go. “We’ve got a little time before the meeting,” he told her, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
“Want to go recreate one of those nights?” Darla grinned.
Breck’s perfect mouth curved into a smile. “There’s a tire on the van that needs changed…” he said leadingly.
Then they were running, hand in hand, for the entrance of the resort.
Note from Zoe Chant
I hope you enjoyed Breck and Darla’s story as much I enjoyed writing it! I am looking forward to telling more stories about the senior shifters who have just moved in to Shifting Sands, and am already thinking that Liam’s happy ever after will be a Christmas tale. But up next are Graham’s (mis)adventures in love... read to the end for an eyeful of his cover and the first chapter of his book!
I always love to know what you thought – you can leave a review at Amazon or Goodreads or Bookbub (I read them all, and they help other readers find me, too!) or email me at [email protected].
If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter. You are also invited to join my VIP Readers Group on Facebook, where I show off new covers first, and you can get sneak previews and ask questions.
The cover of Tropical Leopard’s Longing was designed by Ellen Million – visit her page to find coloring pages of some of my characters, including Gizelle, Hugh (from Fire and Rescue), and more!
More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant
Dancing Bearfoot. (Green Valley Shifters # 1). A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
Bodyguard Bear. (Protection, Inc. # 1). A BBW witness to a murder + the sexy bear shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her with his life + firefights and fiery passion = one hot thrill ride!
Bearista. (Bodyguard Shifters # 1). A tough bear shifter bodyguard undercover in a coffee shop + a curvy barista with an adorable 5-year-old + a deadly shifter assassin = a scorching thrill ride of a romance!
Firefighter Dragon. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 1). A curvy archaeologist with the find of a lifetime + a firefighter dragon shifter battling his instincts + a priceless artifact coveted by a ruthless rival = one blazing hot romance!
Royal Guard Lion A curvy American shocked to learn that she's a lost princess + a warrior lion shifter sworn to protect her + a hidden shifter kingdom in desperate need of a leader = a sizzling romance fit for a queen!
Find many more at Zoe's Amazon page!
Zoe Chant on Audio
Dancing Bearfoot – Audiobook - A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
Kodiak Moment – Audiobook - A workaholic wildlife photographer + a loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.
Hero Bear - Audiobook - A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!
Zoe Chant, writing under other names
Rails; A Novel of Torn World by Elva Birch. License Master Bai knows better than to dream about his Head of Files, Ressa. A gritty and glamorous steampunk-flavored novel of murder, sex, unrequited love, drugs, prostitution, blackmail, and betrayal.
Laura’s Wolf (Werewolf Marines # 1), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine Roy Farrell, scarred in body and mind, thinks he has no future. Curvy con artist Laura Kaplan, running from danger and her own guilt, is desperate to escape her past. Together, they have all that they need to heal. A full-length novel.
Mated to the Meerkat, by Lia Silver. Jasmine Jones, a curvy tabloid reporter, meets her match in notorious paparazzi and secret meerkat Chance Marcotte. A romantic comedy novelette.
Handcuffed to the Bear (Shifter Agents # 1), by Lauren Esker. A bear-shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them? A full-length novel.
Keeping Her Pride (L
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Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.
The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.
The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie. A full-length novel.
Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life. A novelette.
Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.
The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together. A novelette.
Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter. A novelette.