“I don’t care what it says. I love that woman, and I’m going to get her back—for the both of us. Stay here. She couldn’t have gone far. Call Josiah on his cell, and get him to come over, okay?”
Chloe managed a small smile. “Yeah. Go, Dad.” She practically pushed him out of the kitchen, but he didn’t need much persuading. He picked the truck keys off the table and raced out of the door.
As he started up the truck, Tanner prayed she hadn’t gotten a cab or she’d already be at the airport by now. But considering he’d seen Paul Moore, the only taxi driver in Jackson Hole, standing outside of Bubba’s Barbeque earlier clutching a brown paper bag, it wasn’t likely.
He pulled out of the drive and made his way down the road toward the main town. He headed to the bus station, praying he would find Heather there.
At first, the station looked deserted, but as he slowed down he could just make out a figure sitting at the far end of the shelter.
“Heather?” Tanner jumped out of the truck, leaving it idling by the side of the road. Her face turned toward his, startled. He could see that her eyes were red-rimmed from crying, and she looked so small and lost.
“Jesus, Heather, what are you doing?” He walked swiftly toward her, taking her frame into his arms, just as he’d done a moment ago with Chloe. She didn’t hug him back, but he just held on, feeling her body shudder with sobs.
“Tanner, stop.” She broke away from his grasp, hastily wiping her tears away, “I can’t do this. I’m so sorry. I wish I could stay, but I can’t.”
Tanner looked down at her, confusion written clearly across his face. “Heather, help me to understand. What’s going on?” His voice was gentle, and Heather was too fraught to hear the pain that simmered below the surface.
“I just… I can’t do it again,” Heather mumbled. She had covered her face with her hands, so ashamed at the dramatic state of events. She hadn’t meant for him to chase her here, causing a scene, disrupting the beautiful tranquility of his life.
“Do what again? Heather, sit down.” Tanner commanded her. He wasn’t getting any sense out of her like this. He ushered her back onto the station bench and sat quietly beside her. “Breathe. I want to know what’s going on.”
Heather took a breath and tried to calm herself. She looked into his eyes, seeing nothing there but reassurance and compassion. “I know that you want a companion, and when I came here, I was happy with that. Really, I was.” Heather hesitated, Tanner’s eyes had narrowed and his lips were pulled into a thin line of displeasure, “But now… now that I know… you, who you really are, I can’t. I just can’t.”
“Is this about my bear, about my past?”
“Yes,” Heather replied, “it’s about all of you. I’m completely in love with you, Tanner. Completely and utterly head-over-heels in love with you, and I can’t be your companion. It’s not fair to me, that’s not the way I feel.”
Tanner smiled at her words, he couldn’t help it. His entire body had heated on hearing that she loved him, some of the tension he’d been carrying since seeing the envelopes on the table left.
“Then I don’t understand. I feel exactly the same way about you, Heather.”
“But you’re bonded with someone else,” Heather cried out, exasperated, “You told me. You said that once you bond, you bond for life.”
“What are you talking about? Who am I bonded with?” Tanner was utterly baffled by the exchange. He thought he’d made his feeling clear earlier that morning.
“Chloe’s mother.” Heather whispered. She was less sure of her theory now.
“No! What the—how the hell did you reach that conclusion? I’d only known Chloe’s mother for a week! We had sex, but it didn’t mean anything. She was a dancer, I was about twenty-five, young and reckless. She was just traveling through, and we hooked up. Then she moved on. About seven months later, she turns up at my door saying that she’s pregnant. I laughed and was about to send her away, knowing I wasn’t able to father a child, but she collapsed on my front step. She wasn’t my mate, Heather. It’s you. You’re my mate. You’re the woman I’m in love with. We’re the forever, Heather, you and me, baby.”
Heather was stunned. She’d made such a huge mistake. “Oh, Tanner, I didn’t realize… I thought… I assumed…” she trailed off as a huge grin spread across her face. She blushed bright red and looked down at the ground, “I’ve been so stupid.”
Tanner barked out a laugh, “Yeah, you have. You can’t leave me, Heather.” His tone turned somber and he covered her shoulders with his hands, “I get it. I get why, after Bertram, you would think that way, but Heather, you’re what I’ve wanted all my life, the missing piece of me. I promise you, if you come home with me now, I won’t ever let you doubt that again. I will spend the rest of my life showing you how loved you are.”
Tanner bent his head down, not waiting for a response. His lips sought hers, and the answering kiss was sweet and salty all at the same time. Heather wound her hands into his hair, flooded with lust and a warm, tranquil contentment. She was home.
Epilogue
Chloe admired the gentle waves that the hairdresser was creating in Heather’s shiny chestnut hair. Her make-up had already been done, and she was chatting animatedly with the woman, occasionally glancing over at Chloe, a light, content smile resting on her lips.
Chloe looked down at her own dress; she was the flower girl, maid of honor and chief bridesmaid, all in one. It was easily the happiest Chloe could ever remember being, including the day that Heather had returned. That night, she’d tucked Chloe into bed, the engagement ring glinting on her finger, and Chloe had known then that everything was going to be okay.
She made her way over to the window, watching as the band set up in the back yard. The ranch and its substantial grounds had been completely transformed, wisteria weaving its way around every bench, table, and through the small pine pagoda where the ceremony would take place. Bouquets of peonies, calla lily, sweet pea, and hydrangeas covered the table tops and toppled out of the seat backs. Fairy lights, Chloe’s idea, were tacked everywhere, so come evening, the place would look like something out of a magical kingdom with Heather as its beautiful queen.
She searched for her father. He was talking to his brother, Uncle Derek, and looked incredibly handsome in his three-piece suit. She felt a rush of pride as she watched him. Not long after he and Heather had gotten engaged, they had told Chloe about his bear. She smiled to herself. She knew she’d seen a grizzly on the outskirts of the surrounding forest. She’d been sworn to secrecy, which she thought was awesome. It was something special that just her family knew. She was sad she’d never be a bear, but then, neither would Heather, so it was okay.
The guests were milling around, admiring the flowers, and she spied Wesley over by the stage, helping set up the sound system for Uncle Derek’s band to play later. Kellie Lane was hovering, but Wesley was completely ignoring her. Chloe hoped he noticed her tonight. Her dress was a lapis blue to match the flowers she’d be carrying. Both she and Heather had roughly designed it together before sending it off to New York to be made.
“Are you ready?” Heather had risen from the chair, her hair finished and tumbling down her shoulders perfectly. Chloe nodded and took her arm. Together, they made their way down the stairs.
Josiah was waiting for them in the kitchen. He was going to be giving Heather away today.
“Everyone’s ready for you. Chloe, you go in front,” he commanded. Josiah took Heather’s elbow, and she smiled at him, nervously.
“Don’t be nervous. It’s going to be perfect,” he reassured her.
Chloe took one look at the pair behind her and made her way to the door. She signaled to Derek, and his band began the opening chords of the wedding march. Everyone turned to look. Practically the entire town of Jackson Hole had wanted to be here today, and it made Chloe extra proud at how her parents were so loved by everyone. Heather had opened a small patisserie on the town’s main road. The locals
raved about it, and already tourists were venturing from nearby cities to taste Heather’s divine creations.
She could see her best friend, Lucille, in one of the back rows. Lucille was practically green with envy as she surveyed her friend’s dress. That just made Chloe all the happier, and her smile just that bit wider, as she walked slowly down the makeshift isle on a soft bed of rose petals.
She looked up to see her father’s smiling face, grinning at her. Chloe watched as the grin was replaced with a look she couldn’t quite ascertain as he gazed past her at his soon-to-be wife. Chloe quickly checked over her shoulder to see if Heather was okay, but whatever was in Tanner’s look made Heather blush bright red and smile, averting her gaze to the floor. Chloe shrugged and continued her slow march to the front.
Chloe stood to the side of the ceremony, gently wiping away tears that she repeatedly wished wouldn’t fall but couldn’t be helped. Watching her mother and father together, she gave a small smile of triumph. Her plan had worked, against all the odds. Chloe closed her eyes and sent up a small prayer of thanks to the God of bear shifters, amazing moms who could love, cook, and hug properly, and the families that got their happily ever afters.
THE END
NEXT BOOK IN THIS SERIES…
Derek Holt has finally achieved the pinnacle of success. Why does success feel so hollow? He knows the one woman who could fill the void. But women like Red are way too good for men like him.
Audrey Reid, AKA Red, has had a difficult past. As a single mother of a young son, the last thing she needs is a party guy like Derek Holt in her life. Now if only her brain could convince her heart.
When she’s tasked with “babysitting” Derek, she finds it harder than she thought to rein in her feelings. Especially since the more she gets to know the real Derek, the more he’s proving he’s not the hard drinking, womanizer she thought. Not even close.
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(Get the entire Jackson Valley Shifters Series HERE.)
Nathan: Billionaire Bear
Shifters of Denver Book 1
What happens when a matchmaker meets her match?
Chloe Carpenter is an account manager at a public relations firm and a natural matchmaker. She’s smart, funny and talented, but Mr. Right just hasn’t made an appearance. Not for her, anyway.
That doesn’t stop Chloe from playing mix and match with friends.
When Chloe sets up a weekend camping trip, her intention is to match up a coworker. But, while deep in the darkened forest, she comes face to face with a sexy-as-sin forest ranger who is the stuff of her own wildest fantasies.
Nathan Varga is a bear shifter and a highly successful CEO of a multi-billion-dollar Fortune 500 company. His raw masculinity tempered by power, strength and control is enough to command the fear and respect of any Ivy League business competitor.
Nathan always expected that he would one day meet his mate. He never expected that she’d be human. That complicates things. Not only does he have to figure out a way to explain his bear and reveal that he’s not really a forest ranger, but he also has to convince her that he is the match for her.
1
Jason’s lights flashed us from behind.
“I think he wants us to pull over,” Tim stated the obvious.
I turned my gaze to the left side window. Sure enough, a sign for a gas station emerged from the overgrowth of trees.
“Great, I could use a coke.” I was dangerously low on caffeine intake, and felt that the responsibility of keeping this camping trip upbeat rested mainly on my shoulders. If I was going to play matchmaker, then I needed fortification.
Both cars pulled into the parking lot and I hurried out of the backseat, instantly overcome by the ferocity of the afternoon heat. It was intense, practically suffocating, without a hint of a breeze.
Tim and Jake, the two guys up front, followed me out. Laker, one of my coworkers who’d been riding in the back with me, groaned as soon as his shoes hit the hot pavement.
“Chloe, you need to use the restroom. Don’t you?” Brianna approached me, her hands jammed on her hips. Behind her, Jason and the rest of his passengers were making their way inside the station.
“Sure… um… yeah,” I replied brightly, feigning innocence. I knew that Brianna was annoyed with me.
We walked to the restroom in silence. Once we were inside Brianna checked the stalls and then turned on me.
“What the hell’s going on?” She hissed, “Why am I riding in a car with complete strangers, while you ride with both Laker and Jake?”
“You know Jason!” I replied defensively.
“No, I met him a couple of times – but all those guys know each other, and its super awkward – not to mention that Janine is insanity personified.”
Janine was Tim’s ex-girlfriend, and admittedly, a total nightmare. She and Tim dated for years before he finally managed to break it off, but she still seemingly refused to let him go anywhere without her.
“Sorry ‘bout Janine,” I sighed, “I was really hoping that you and Jason would hit it off…”
My sentence spluttered into silence as Brianna narrowed her eyes in a vicious glare.
“Is this whole trip one of your match-making sessions?”
Busted.
“No! Not exactly – Bri, listen, I just think Jason is an awesome guy, and I also think that if you’d only talk to one another, you’d see the same.”
“Chloe!” She hid her face behind her hands in frustration.
“I’m sorry,” I was starting to feel a little bit guilty, “I really did think this trip would be fun. Work’s been so crazy, and we’ve hardly spent any real time together – I thought we could all do with some getting back to nature-type activity.”
Brianna rolled her eyes at me, and then turned toward the mirror over the sink to inspect her make-up.
“It will be fun,” she replied eventually, “It’s fine. But promise me you’ll ease up on the Jason thing, he’s really not my type and I don’t think he’s into me.”
I smiled at her reflection. I had won. I also had it on good authority, from the man himself, that Jason was interested in Brianna. He just had no idea what to do about it.
“So,” continued Brianna, putting the pieces together, “You suffered the torture of riding with stalker Tim so I could hook up with Jason?” She asked with a small, mischievous smile starting to spread across her face.
“Yes!” I exclaimed, realizing I could win back some friendship points. “I did. Though to be honest, he’s been cool.”
Brianna nodded, but didn’t remove her smirk. Tim had pretty much asked me out every month or so throughout college, and then for another three years after that – including while he was dating Janine. The first few times I declined politely, after that it had gotten offensive, and now I was left in a place where I point-blank ignored his come-ons.
“That’s true friendship,” she laughed, “Okay. You’re forgiven.”
“Can we leave now, so I can get a soda?”
“Sure, but those things will rot your teeth.”
I gave her a mega-watt smile showing off my perfectly white teeth to prove a point. She shrugged and muttered something about home whitening kits which I ignored. Soda was a necessity.
2
“It’s creepy out here,” Janine whined, cozying up to Tim on the fallen log. We’d set up camp as soon as we arrived, finding a spot at the base of the mountain we’d all climb tomorrow.
The area was densely wooded, but we’d managed to find a small clearing where previous campers had artfully arranged fallen logs in a circle, around a burnt patch of soil. I thought we’d done really well on the set-up. The woods didn’t feel creepy at all; Janine was just using it as an excuse to get Tim’s attention. In a way, I was grateful.
Laker and Jake had collected dead branches and dried leaves to start a fire, and then argued for about a half-hour on the best way to arrange it. I lost my patience and built it myself.
/> Now our faces where lit by the flickering of red and orange flames, making us all look slightly sunburned as we sat and roasted marshmallows on the end of spindly twigs.
This was my favorite part of summer, the long evenings when it was still warm, the smell of wood burning and all of us speaking in low, muted tones so as not to disturb the creatures of the forest. I felt perfectly drowsy. We’d all had a couple of beers after dinner, and the alcohol combined with the hypnotic light of the fire sent me into a meditative state where time seemed to stand still.
I smiled over at the figures on the log opposite me. Brianna and Jason were finally talking, sitting slightly apart from everyone else. Bam.
As I watched, Brianna stood up and walked around the fire to where I was sitting.
“Hey. What are you doing?” I asked quietly, “You’re finally talking to him. Don’t stop now!”
Brianna sighed theatrically, “We’re just talking. I’ll go back later, but I need to pee. Help a girl out in her hour of need?”
“Oh.” This was the major drawback of outdoor pursuits as far as I was concerned. But I wasn’t about to let Brianna walk off into the forest by herself.
“Okay, fine. Let’s go. I’ve got a flashlight.”
I dug around in my backpack and fished out the equipment we needed: hygiene wipes, hand sanitizer, and a flashlight. Brianna was impressed, but not surprised. My hyper-efficient organizational skills fluctuated between being amusing and awe inspiring to the other employees at Barefoot PR, the public relations firm where we both worked. To me, being organized was a necessity and came as naturally as breathing.
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