“We’re both having a good day.” His voice rose with excitement.
“You sold the house?” she asked, catching hold of his good mood.
“I did, and I bought a ring.”
Zoe squealed, something she never did, not in her human form at least, and never in excitement. “Tell me what it’s like.”
“No. It’s a surprise.” He chuckled at her exasperated sigh. “I should be home in a day or two, then you can see it.”
“I can’t wait for you to get back.”
“Not long.” He paused. “I’m going to call Dylan again and tell him I want to buy the house.”
“Wow, our first home together,” she said, more excitement bubbling up inside of her.
“Our only home together. On the drive here, I was thinking of how I’d like to renovate and then extend the house, for when we have children. I’d like to make it just the way we want it and never move again.”
“That sounds good to me.” She watched as her mom came out of the dressing room in a pale-yellow dress, with matching hat. “I want to set down roots with you, Caleb. Deep roots.”
“I’ll call him now,” he said firmly.
“Good, because I have to go. I love you.”
“I love you too.” His voice filled with longing, “I can’t wait to be there with you. It’s no fun in the city all alone.”
“Hurry back.”
“I will.” The call ended, and Zoe put her cell back in her purse, and went over to admire her mom’s dress.
“What do you think?” her mom asked.
“That’s the one, Mom,” Zoe said. “Absolutely.”
“Are you sure?” she asked, the same old nervousness creeping into her voice.
“It suits you perfectly. Look at the way it hangs.”
“It is perfect,” Melanie, the co-owner of Bear Brides, agreed. “I can make a couple of adjustments to the length. I think an inch or two shorter. But the color and style suits you.”
Her mom twirled around, a smile breaking out over her face. “I like it too.”
“Then let’s get it. My treat.” Zoe watched her mom’s face as it relaxed and blossomed. “Please, let me buy it for you.”
“Aren’t we supposed to pay for the wedding?” her mom asked.
“I have money. I’d really like to do this.”
Her mom turned to her, her face filled with emotion. “I never told you how proud I am of you, Zoe.”
Zoe stepped back as if she’d been pushed by a strong wind. “No, you never have.”
“I am. I…” At that moment, the door opened and her dad and Tony came in. The moment was gone, her mom never finished her sentence, but she didn’t need to. It was as if a chapter of Zoe’s life had shut, and as she tried on wedding dresses, until she found the perfect dress herself, she knew a new chapter was opening up before her. The Zoe who would fill those pages would be different, changed beyond anything she could ever have believed, thanks to a big bear, and a bunny who’d dared to take a chance.
***
“Close your eyes,” Caleb said. They were sitting on the lawn outside their new house. She had to pinch herself at the thought of those words. Dylan had agreed to the sale, and although no money or contracts had exchanged hands, he’d handed them the keys.
Now Caleb had something else for her.
“That’s it, hold out your hand.” His warm hand took hold of hers, and she had to fight not to look when she felt the warm band of gold slipping on her finger. “Now you can open them.”
She looked down at the ring on her finger, the ring that said she was his, his mate, his woman, his rabbit. She giggled.
“Not exactly the response I was looking for,” he said, with a wry smile.
“No, I love it. I really love it. It was only, before I came to Bear Bluff, I would never have thought I’d be about to marry a bear. You know, bunnies and bears don’t exactly mix.” She held her hand up and the light caught it, the diamond glittering as it nestled between the deep blue sapphires.
“We complement each other. Just like the gems in this ring.” He took hold of her hand and their fingers entwined.
“I know you’ve brought out a side of me I never knew was there. You make me feel as if I could conquer anything.”
“You’ve conquered this bear, that’s for sure. But you already had that strength and courage inside you.”
“So what have I brought out in you?” she asked, moving to straddle him as he sat on the grass.
“Where do I begin?” He thought for a moment. “I used to work to fill my time. I was successful, but only now I’ve met you, do I realize that I need something more. That’s why I want to make this house perfect for us.”
“I’d live in a hole in the ground if it meant us being together,” she answered, kissing him.
“I know.” He looked up. “They’re here.”
“Who’s here?” she asked, and then she heard the sound of a vehicle coming up the road.
“I thought we’d have a small engagement party.” He kissed her. “I hope you don’t mind. But since my mom had the results of her blood test, the tablets she’s been prescribed have made her into a new woman. My dad can’t keep her in the house.”
“I don’t mind at all.” She stood up, and watched as three cars came up the road and parked outside the house.
“Oh my, isn’t this the perfect house,” Viola said as she got out of the car. “I remember when the Carlisle family used to live here. Do you remember, Stan?”
“I do. It’s been in need of some TLC for a long time.” Stanley stood and looked at the house, appraising it. “Yes. It’ll be perfect.”
“And if you need a hand, just let your dad know,” Viola said to Caleb.
“We can all pitch in,” Dylan said, walking toward them with his wife, Steph. “I’m beginning to think I should be selling it at a higher price.”
“A deal’s a deal,” Caleb said. “And Dad, you work hard enough.”
“Did.” Stanley grinned. “We have an announcement of our own.” Viola came and stood beside him, holding his hand, which had an odd effect on Zoe.
Tears pricked her eyes, as she realized how lucky she was. Caleb would love her until they were old and gray, until their children grew up and had children of their own. And she would love him in return.
“Stan’s retired,” Viola announced happily.
“Of course, I decided to retire when I thought Viola was ill. Now she’s better, I might need to find some odd jobs to do.”
“Stanley!” Viola exclaimed.
“You know he doesn’t mean it, Mom. We’re all just relieved you are well again.”
“And that I can drink champagne, even with the tablets I’m taking,” she said.
Tony and Alice carried a basket from Stanley’s car. It was filled with food, and Dylan produced two bottles of champagne and some glasses. Jordan and his wife, Skyla, who was expecting their first child, joined them. They sat on the lawn as the afternoon wore on, talking and making plans for the future, and Zoe soaked it all up, her eyes occasionally straying to Tony, who was laughing with Caleb, and making plans with Stanley to build a boat.
All the ladies admired Zoe’s ring, and they talked weddings and dresses.
When they were finally alone, Caleb and Zoe toured the house, and he told her of his plans. And inside her head, a little rabbit lay down on a bed of ferns and slept, no longer having to be the brave one, because Zoe had found her own courage, with the help and love of new friends, and family.
***
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Other Books By Harmony Raines
Other Books By Harmony Raines
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***UK Harmony Raines Author Page On Kindle***
***
Bear Creek Clan and Bear Bluff Clan
Complete Box Set
Or available individually
suggested reading order
(each can be read as a standalone
but why not start at the beginning and get to know all of the characters?)
Rescued by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book One)
Finding Her Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Two)
Tamed by the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Three)
Snowbound With The Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Four)
Biker Bear Billionaire (Bear Creek Clan Book Five)
Bound To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book One)
Doctor Bear (Bear Bluff Clan Book Two)
Stranded With Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Three)
A Bride for the Bear (Bear Creek Clan Book Six)
Home Or Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Four)
Fated To Her Bear (Bear Bluff Book Five)
Lonely Bear (Bear Bluff Book Six)
Wolf Valley Raiders
Redeem the Wolf
To Catch A Wolf
Reclaim the Wolf
Awakening the Alpha
Christmas Bear Brothers
Santa Paws
Christmas Catastrophe
Bear Humbug
Biker Bears
Forbidden Bear
Secret Bear
Fated and Mated
Love at First Site
Her Scars To Bear
Her Choice To Bear
Her Russian Bear
Who’s the Daddy?
One Bear and a Baby
Her Bear and a Baby
Second Chance Bear and a Baby
Baby Protector Bear
Return to Bear Bluff
The Bear is Back in Town
His Bear’s Necessity
Black Bear Down
Who Bears Wins
Shifters Prime
Sleeping Lions
Living a Lion
Freeing a Lion
Fighting a Lion
Chosen by the Karal
Complete Box Set
Or available individually
Deceit
Love
Power
Hunger
Devotion
Warriors of Karal
Stranded
Found
Taken
Hunted
Allies
Sci-Fi Romance
The Princess and her Alien Rogue
The Princess and her Bounty Hunter
Her Dragon's Bane Serial
Soul Of The Dragon
Blood Of The Dragon
Heart Of The Dragon
Love Of The Dragon
Fate Of The Minotaur
Mate Of The Dragon
Bound To The Flame - A Virgin For The Dragon
When the dragon egg hatches for Trinity she becomes the Dragon Princess and must remain pure until the dragon comes back to claim her as his mate on her twenty first birthday.
An Heir For The Flame (Dragon Fantasy Romance)
The elder dragons have predicted that Trinity will conceive the new dragon child tonight. So she mates with ShanRohit under the full moon.
Waiting For Curves (Curves For Her Wolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Curves For Her Wolf Doctor (The Greystone Wolves - BBW Paranormal Erotic Romance)
Mistaken Curves (Her First Time With A Wolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Sold To The Wolf (Auctioned Curves For The Werewolf) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Curves For The Lone Wolf (BBW Erotic Romance)
An Auction Of Curves (BBW Erotic Romance)
Anna (Curves in the Family (BBW Erotic Romance))
Heated Curves (Curves For Her Firefighter) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Words Unwritten (Curves For Her Soldier) (BBW Erotic Romance)
Christmas Curves (BBW Erotic Romance)
Winning Her Curves (previously titled Virgin Curves)
Returning For His First Love
For The Love Of The Wolf (Erotic Romance Fairy Tales)
Marianne : Unmarked (His) (Paranormal Shifter Romance)
Bred By The Unicorn (Virgin Paranormal Erotic Romance)
The Escort Box Set
***
The Escort Series
The Escort (The Escort Series Part One)(Free in some regions)
The Escort (The Escort Series Part Two)
The Escort (The Escort Series Part Three)
A Curvy Christmas: Robin's Romance (BBW Romance)
Helen’s story:
His Secretary (Her Second Chance Book One)
His Secretary (Her Second Chance Book Two)
His Secretary (Her Second Chance Book Three)
Captured By The
Hannoth Barbarians
Captured By The Barbarian: Cilla Part One
Claimed By The Barbarians: Cilla Part Two
Taken By The Barbarians: Dinah
Tilda - Captured By The Hannoth Barbarians
Thandor - Captured By The Hannoth Barbarians
Princess Yolanda - Captured By The Hannoth Barbarians
Bound By The Barbarian: Tirim
Bound To The Barbarian: Tirim Part 2 (Reluctant Gay Sex)
Captured By The Barbarians: Scarla
Tamed By The Barbarian: Shona Part One
Hunted By The Barbarian: Shona Part 2
Teaching The Barbarian: Petra
***
Saved By The Pack
Alice
Sarah
The Dualis
(Mate of the Cave Bear)
Found (Book One)
Lost (Book Two)
Return (Book Three)
Shifters Of Spellholm - The Bears
Her First Time With A Bear (Book 1)
Too Much To Bear (Book 2)
Bear With Me (Book 3)
***
Curves
***
Curves For Her Bears (BBW Shifter Erotic Romance)
Saving You, Saving Me (Bad Boys Love Big Girls (BBW Erotic Romance))
Rachel (Curves in the Family Part One (BBW Erotic Romance))
Snowbound Curves (Curves For Her Brother's Best Friend BBW Erotic Romance)
BBW - Curves For Her Soldier
Longing For Her Soldier (Curves For Her Brother's Best Friend BBW Erotic Romance)
Return To Sender (Curves For Her Soldier) (BBW Erotic Romance)
BBW - Greystone Wolves
A Virgin For The Wolf (Curves For Her Werewolf Boss) (BBW Erotic Romance)
***
Curves For Her Cowboy (BBW Billionaire Cowboy Erotic Romance)
Betrayed Curves
***
A Virgin For The Billionaire
***
Behind Closed Doors
Stories filled with lust, sex and, of course, love.
***
Continue reading What Katy Did First (First Time Virgin Sex)
What Katy Did Next (Oral sex, Domination)
What Katy Did Then (BDSM, Sex In The Car)
What Katy Did With Her Billionaire Boss (Billionaire Erotic Romance)
Crystal and Roxie, Rockstar Sex (Ménage Threesome First Time Anal Sex)
Jamie, Cowboy Lust (First Time Gay Sex)
Jamie, Cowboy Love (Whipping Gay Cowboy Erotica)
Jamie, Cowboy Gangbang (The Initiation Of Jamie)
***
Sex And Marriage
Awakenings
Spank Me Professor(Spanking Role Play)
Who Bears Wins: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Return To Bear Bluff Book 4) Page 9