by Zoe Chant
I think he knows I'm pregnant. I haven't even told Cody yet. How does he know?
Beside them was Saffron, with Baz in her lap. Charmian was holding an empty seat for Alec, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Crystal—probably anticipating more little babies to add to all those photos in her house.
Tara reached the end of the aisle and went to sit beside Axl, who quietly took his rose-petal-covered daughter and draped the little girl on his shoulder.
My family, Crystal thought, the words measured out with each step she took. My clan.
My people.
And then she was there, at the bower in the sunshine, and Alec handed her off to Cody with a smile that encompassed both of them before going to sit with Charmian.
The actual ceremony was a blur. She could never say afterwards exactly what had been said. The only thing real in all of it was Cody's face, his gentle blue-gray eyes holding hers, and the pressure of his hand as he slid the ring onto her finger.
And when it got to "You may now kiss the bride," his lips closed over hers and he dipped her backward, and the garden erupted in raucous cheering. She was breathless as Cody set her back on her feet, breathless and laughing helplessly against his mouth.
She had come here looking for treasure. She thought she would find it buried in the ground or hidden in the walls of the old farmhouse. But the treasure she'd found was something she'd never expected—something beyond gold, beyond price, not to be traded for any reward.
She'd found home.
A note from Zoe Chant
Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you liked this book, the first three books in the Bears of Pinerock County series are now available on Amazon in a convenient boxed set, free on Kindle Unlimited!
If you’d like to be alerted by email when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. If you'd like to contact me, my email is [email protected]. I love hearing from my readers.
Please consider reviewing Hired Bear, even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
Baby Lexie’s name (Alexandra) was suggested by Ene Alexandra and Terry Austin on Facebook; thank you so much for the suggestion! I occasionally post contest opportunities at my Facebook page to reward my loyal readers, so you might get to name a character in one of my books, or even win a cameo in a future book! Follow my Facebook so you don’t miss any of those.
Cover art: © Can Stock Photo Inc.
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More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant
Ranger Griffin. A lonely reporter in deadly danger + a protective griffin shifter who thinks he’s a monster + a cozy cabin in the snowy woods = on exciting and heartwarming romance!
Bear Cop. (Enforcer Bears # 1). A BBW baker with a troubled past + a protective bear shifter cop with a secret of his own + an accident that leaves them stranded in the wilderness = one untamed romance!
Hunter Bear. (Enforcer Bears # 2). A BBW artist who fears she's lost her muse + a scarred, reclusive bear shifter hunting danger + a mysterious treasure map = one adventurous romance!
Wedding Bear. (Enforcer Bears #3). A curvy librarian in desperate need of a date + a bear shifter in search of a home + the past that's pursuing him = one sweet and steamy small-town romance!
Fighter Bear. (Enforcer Bears #4). A curvy veterinary technician longing for a family + a lonely bear shifter with a wounded heart + a family farm in jeopardy = one exciting rural romance!
Tropical Tiger Spy. (Shifting Sands Resort # 1). A unique shifter in search of her past + a tiger shifter spy on an undercover mission + a shifters-only resort with secrets to hide = a dangerous and thrilling romantic adventure!
Tropical Wounded Wolf. (Shifting Sands Resort # 2). A curvy math teacher on vacation + a wolf shifter who spent years in captivity + an accident that leaves them stranded together in a jungle paradise = one thrilling romance!
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!
Defender Dragon. (Protection, Inc. # 2). A curvy backpacker who loses a shoe at a ball + a lonely dragon prince facing an arranged marriage to a princess he doesn’t love + magnificent castles and deadly assassins = one thrilling romance!
Protector Panther. (Protection, Inc. # 3). A curvy paramedic who doesn’t know the meaning of fear + a mysterious panther shifter bodyguard with the power to inflict terror + sinister experiments and desperate passion = one heart-pounding romance!
Warrior Wolf. (Protection, Inc. # 4). A runaway dragon princess who wants to experience life outside of castle walls + an ex-gangster werewolf bodyguard with a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas + uptown parties, downtown nightclubs, and deadly assassins = one explosive good girl/bad boy 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!
Firefighter Pegasus. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 2). A curvy pilot wary of flighty men + a firefighter pegasus shifter determined to win her heart + a high speed air race with even higher stakes = one explosive romance!
Firefighter Griffin. (Fire & Rescue Shifters # 3). A curvy single mom burned by love + a unique half-eagle, half-lion shifter firefighter with a wounded soul + the little boy who brings them together = one heart-warming 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!
Sheriff Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 1). A small-town sheriff + a wrongly accused BBW on the run + deadly enemies and dangerous passions = a sizzling forbidden love!
Bad Boy Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 2). Biker bear on the open road + a BBW runaway-bride hitchhiker + evil motorcycle gang = an unforgettable red-hot road trip!
Alpha Rancher Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 3). A take-charge alpha with commitment issues + a midwife who's not about to give up control of her well-ordered life + a roadside winter disaster = an explosive romance that's about to blow up everything they both thought they wanted!
Mountain Guardian Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 4). A mountain man with a tragic past + a curvy amnesiac + two deadly secrets = one explosive romance!
Dancing Bearfoot. A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
A Pair of Bears. One lonely cat shifter + two sizzling hot bears who want to share + a whole lot of action (in and out of bed) = one wild and sexy adventure!
Bear Watching. A BBW park ranger + a bear shifter smokejumper + a lonely fire-watcher's post = one red-hot fire between the sheets!
The Hawk and her LumBEARjack. A BBW hawk shifter + a lonely bear shifter lumberjack + ice storm = one red-hot weekend!
Bear Down. A BBW biologist + a bear shifter pilot + huddling for warmth in the wilderness = one blazing-hot story!
Bought by the Billionbear. A curvy single woman + a billionaire bear shifter + a bachelorette auction = one broiling-hot story!
And many more!
Zoe on Audio
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!
If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love these books!
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 fu
ll-length novel.
Prisoner (Werewolf Marines # 2), by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine DJ Torres is a born rebel. Genetically engineered assassin Echo was created to be a weapon. When DJ is captured by the agency that made Echo, the two misfits find that they fit together perfectly. A full-length novel.
Partner (Werewolf Marines # 3), by Lia Silver. DJ and Echo’s relationship grows stronger under fire… until they are confronted by a terrible choice. 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.
Guard Wolf (Shifter Agents # 2), by Lauren Esker. Avery is a lone werewolf with no pack; Nicole is a social worker trying to put her life back together. When he comes to her door with a box of orphan werewolf puppies and danger in pursuit, can two lonely people find the family they've been missing? A full-length novel.
Dragon’s Luck (Shifter Agents # 3) by Lauren Esker. Gecko shifter and infiltration expert Jen Cho teams up with sexy dragon-shifter gambler "Lucky" Lucado to win a high-stakes poker game. Now they're trapped on a cruise ship full of mobsters, mysterious enemy agents, and evil dragons! A full-length novel.
Tiger in the Hot Zone (Shifter Agents # 4) by Lauren Esker. In her search for the truth about shifters, tell-all blogger Peri Moreland has been clashing with tiger shifter and SCB agent Noah Easton for years. Now she and Noah are on the run with an unstoppable assassin after them and a custom-made plague threatening the entire shifter world! 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.
And keep reading for a special preview …
If you enjoyed this book … try Bear Watching by Zoe Chant!
A BBW park ranger + a bear shifter smokejumper + a lonely fire-watcher's post = one red-hot fire between the sheets!
Some women would hate being stuck in a remote fire-watch tower, but for curvy Angie Dearborn, it's a peaceful retreat to nurse her broken heart. Love? Who needs it? She's got books, a dog, and the world's most solitary job. And she likes it that way. Until Hudson comes into her life ...
Bear shifter and firefighter Hudson Pierce knows Angie is his destined mate as soon as her touch sets his body and soul aflame. Emotionally wounded Angie doesn't believe they have a future together, but this sexy smokejumper is determined to mend her broken heart and prove to her that their love is possible.
Will it take a real forest fire to ignite their fire?
Preview:
Today Angie had spent the morning watching a bear through the binoculars.
They didn't get bears very often. Usually the largest animals she saw were mule deer. But she'd spotted this bear when she first climbed up to the tower, a tiny dark speck moving across the distant hills. Throughout the morning she watched its lazy start-and-stop rambling. It was clearly having fun, a bear out for a stroll in the sunshine. When the day started to get hot, it wandered down into a cool, shady ravine and she lost sight of it.
She wondered if she should shut Cyclone in the cabin today. If the bear didn't get distracted by anything, its ambling trajectory would eventually bring it fairly close to her location. She wasn't worried about herself; she'd be perfectly safe up in the tower. But she didn't want her dog to get hurt.
The bear was likely to sleep through the hottest part of the day and then resume its trek in the evening, though, so she probably didn't have to worry for a while. Maybe she would forgo her evening walk with Cyclone just to be on the safe side.
It did make her aware of how isolated she was here, and how many things could go wrong. She carried the emergency satellite telephone with her all the time, even shoving its bulk into her knapsack when she went hiking. But what if she did have to deal with a bear? Or fell down the tower's stairs and broke her leg ... or worse?
"You'd fetch help for me, wouldn't you, Lassie?" she called down, leaning over the edge. She was starting to get used to the dizzying drop. Far below her, lying in the tower's shade next to his water bowl, Cyclone looked up and thumped his tail.
Angie grinned. Who needed a boyfriend? The most steady and stable guy in her life had four legs and a tail, but he was still the best friend a girl could ask for.
Men. Who needs 'em. Not me.
She scanned the hills again for the bear, hoping to see it so she knew where it had gone, but the only movement in the hills was a jackrabbit.
After lunch, I'll leave Cyclone in the cabin for the afternoon, she thought. It would be hot and he wouldn't be happy about it, but it was better to be safe than sorry out here in the middle of nowhere.
She was starting to think about coming down for lunch when Cyclone gave a sudden soft woof. He wasn't a barker—she'd never been quite sure if it was a breed trait or simply part of his natural personality, but if Cyclone barked, it meant there was something important to bark at. Thoughts of bears made her heart leap into her throat. She circled the tower's little observation hut, looking out from all sides, the whole time expecting to see a dark shape padding around the cabin.
There was no sign of a bear, but Cyclone was on his feet, tail wagging. Then, to her alarm, he bounded down the path to the cabin.
"Cyclone!" she called, but the dog either didn't hear her or chose to play deaf.
He vanished into the cabin's shadow. To her surprise, Angie heard a voice—a male voice. The words were unintelligible with distance, but the tone was a talking-to-dogs sort of croon.
Not a bear at all, she thought, limp with relief. Just a hiker.
A minute later, the hiker appeared around the corner of the cabin. From here, she could make out nothing more than the flash of a light-colored shirt. "Hello, the tower?" he shouted.
"Up here!" Angie called, and waved.
The hiker climbed the path to the tower in long, easy strides. He must've been out in the sun all day to have hiked here—and there was no other way he could have reached the cabin, because in the rural silence she'd have easily heard a vehicle—but it didn't seem to have dampened his energy. Cyclone bounded along beside him, delighted to have found a new friend.
At the base of the tower, Hiker Guy stopped and looked up at her. Broad shoulders strained at his sweat-dampened shirt. "Well, this is a nice surprise! I didn't realize this old fire tower was staffed anymore."
"They just started again," she called down. "The whole Southwest is a tinderbox right now, and even with all the modern technology we have, we still haven't come up with anything better for some of these remote locations than an actual human being with binoculars."
"Good news for me," he called back.
"How's that?"
"I'm a firefighter. A smokejumper, to be precise. You're up there keeping me and my buddies safe!"
Angie laughed, dangling over the side. "Keeping you out of a job, you mean!"
"Hey, have you ever seen a dry-season wildfire? The fewer we have to fight, the safer we all are." He scratched Cyclone's ears as the dog leaned against his leg, then gave a sudden, fast grin. "Gotta say, though, when I saw your binoculars flash in the sun up there, I was expecting some grizzled old park ranger. I feel like I'm talking to Rapunzel here."
Angie ran a hand through her tousled, curly hair. "Sorry, even if you asked me to let down my hair, it's not long enough to do a whole lot of good. And besides, I was just coming down anyhow."
"That'll save us both some neck strain," he said with another grin.
Angie realized as soon as
she set foot on the top step that he was going to have an excellent view of her ... assets on her way down. Well, let him look! She didn't mind.
Her own boldness surprised her. She certainly wasn't looking for a relationship, not after Larry, but she was really having fun talking to him. The loneliness must be getting to me a little bit, after all. It's nice to have company.
"Rapunzel's tower could have used a good set of stairs," Hiker Guy said as she circled around and around on the descending steps. "You have to climb those every day?"
"Twice a day, at least," she said, pausing on one of the landings.
"No wonder you have such great legs."
This made her miss a step.
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Click to keep reading Bear Watching for free on Kindle Unlimited!
You can also read Bear Watching in a two-book boxed set with Bear Down, another standalone bear shifter romance from Zoe Chant. When their plane goes down in the far north, a wildlife biologist and a hunky bush pilot start their own fire! Click to start reading now!