Red's Bear (Erotic Shifter Fairy Tales)

by Hines, Yvette

  “That diet is ridiculous. No fish, no honey… who has ever heard of anything so ridiculous. What kind of vegetarian is she trying to be?” Her grandmother went off on a rant about her mother and Lillian Hoodman’s rearing style.

  Rena knew that just like when her mother went off about her grandmother this could go on for almost an hour.

  “Well, you know I’m allergic to those things, grandmother.”

  “Allergic. Hm. Maybe you should have your doctor retest you.”

  Laughing at the heavy attitude in her grandmother’s voice, Rena said, “You may have a point. Especially in the last month or so I’ve been having a craving for both of them. Particularly honey.”

  Just saying the word made her mouth salivate and images of the golden syrup flash into her mind. Her hand around the phone began to shake. She switched hands and took a deep, steadying breath. It will pass. It will pass.

  “Red sweetie, did you say you’ve been craving fish and honey?”

  Rolling her bottom lip between her teeth, she licked it and her mind tried to imagine the taste of it—honey.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Her throat was tight making the words come out high and squeaky.

  “Hmm hm. Look, dear, since you have time off now, why don’t you come here?”

  “Oh, that would be nice. But, all I can do for the most part is lay around. You’re so active, Grandma, I don’t want to be in your way or slow you down.”

  “Nonsense. That was the reason for my call. I will be away from home for a few days and I need someone to keep an eye on my house.”

  “You live in the middle of the woods. Have you been having trouble with people coming around…bothering you?” Rena’s body was on full alert. Her grandmother was extremely vital for a woman of her eighty plus years, but Rena still worried about her.

  “Oh, no one’s stupid enough to be in Den County where they don’t belong. Not without great risk,” Genma declared. “Anywho. I have a landscaper coming to do something around the house. So, it’s really about having someone let him in or tell him where I want things. Come on and help your old granny out.”

  Not caring about the pain it caused her, Rena let out a loud laugh. “Grandma, you have never been old.”

  “That’s true and I don’t plan to ever be.” Her grandmother’s robust chuckle flooded the line. “What do you say?”

  Pulling her legs to her chest, Rena stared through the rails of her porch and considered her options.

  “I really think the woodland air will do your body good. I’ll bake you a batch of my famous muffins. People love them here.”

  “Now you’re just playing dirt. But it worked.”

  “It always does. When can you come?”

  “You’re the one taking a trip. When do you leave?” Getting up, Rena went back into her apartment. Leaving the patio door open, she went to the couch and sat.

  “On Monday. Can you be here Sunday?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Excellent. I’ll get everything set for your arrival.” If it was possible, her grandmother’s voice was filled with even more vigor.

  “Please don’t go through too much trouble.”

  “You just keep yourself healthy enough to make it here. I’ll handle the rest.”

  Smiling, Rena, was getting excited too about the trip. It had been way too many years since she’d seen her grandmother. Mostly because of her mother’s wishes, but also because of distance, Rena’s schooling and trying to excel at her job. Now, she hated that she’d given so much of her time to her career only to have it disappear.

  “You got it. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Red. Call me once you have your flight arrangements. I’ll pick you up from the airport.”

  “I can just take a cab to your house, Grandma.”

  “See that proves you have been away for way too long. A cab will not come this distance nor be allowed into Den County at that time,” her grandmother declared.

  Frowning, Rena asked, “Not allowed?”

  “Don’t worry about it. Talk to you soon, dear.”

  “Grand—” Rena held the dead phone away from her face, shocked at how fast her grandmother rushed from the phone.

  Shrugging it off, she set her cell on the table and curled up on the couch. As she pulled the throw blanket up over her body she admitted that she felt a little better with the plans to visit her grandmother. Even though physically she was still ill, emotionally she felt bolstered and recharged.

  Closing her eyes, her last thought as she drifted off to sleep was…Maybe things will be better for me after this trip to Den.

  ~YH~

  “I’ll have a big bowl of your famous stew, Ann.” Cord leaned back in the booth seat and smiled up at Ann Gobi, his good friend Theo’s aunt.

  Ann and her husband Paul owned Gobi’s Diner. It was the only home-style eatery in town.

  “You got it. I’ll get you some bread out here, too. A growing man needs all his nourishment with the coming week ahead.”

  “Bring me some of your wonderful sweet butter to slather on the bread while you’re at it, please.”

  “I sure will.” She winked at him and moved toward the kitchen.

  He turned and stared out the window. There really wasn’t any need for anyone to remind him that the First Frost Moon was coming up. Everyone in town was abuzz about it. People were already moving stands and tents into the field on the far end of the park. It was the most exciting time in Den for all residents.

  On Sunday, his father, as the mayor of Den, would be making a speech officially closing down Den for the week of the festival. There would be games, shows, cookouts, family picnics and people selling various foods and items that they had made during the year. All of it just celebrated who they were as Weres.

  There were not many visitors to Den, but blocking off all the outside roads that led to town kept anyone from ‘happening by’. He chuckled to himself as he thought about how the cinderblocks had not been a barrier to Theo’s mate ending up in their town. Presently his friend and his family were out of town visiting Theo’s mate Riley’s family.

  Through the diner window, he watched all the families and couples moving about the town and felt a deep ache in his gut. They appeared happy and content, as the male and female Were-bears made eyes at each other or walked with arms linked as kids followed behind. This week, the festival, was all leading up to one thing–the Bear Run. It happened the last night of the festival. All of the eligible female and male Weres ran through the woods in hopes of finding their life mate. The females would scatter through the forest and the males would give chase, allowing their noses and hearts to lead them by the scent of the one the Great Spirit meant for them.

  Rarely was there ever a mistake. Rarely was there a Were-bear who just selected one that was available without the soul tie. However, that would be the case for him. He wasn’t looking forward to it.

  “Hey, Cord.”

  He picked up on her scent before she’d spoken. Hibiscus. That’s what Marcella’s smell reminded him of. The floral woodsy aroma wasn’t offensive, just notable. Since she was frequently around, he picked up on it quite often.

  “Marcella. How’s your day going?” He brought his gaze around to her. At five-five with a small frame and dark brown straight hair, the Asian woman was a small brown bear, but one of the quickest females in town.

  Her cheeks tinted, but she didn’t take her eyes off him. “Very well now. You mind if I join you or are you expecting company?”

  He didn’t want to encourage her. He knew she was interested in him. Over the years since he’d returned from his wandering time, she’d let him know that she was available and attracted to him. They’d messed around a few times in the past, but for him there hadn’t been any connection. During the last time, she’d asked him to bite her and it had been like a bucket of ice water tossed in his face.

  Not yours. His bear had screamed within him.

  After that encounter
, he’d let her know that he wasn’t ready for a commitment yet and she should consider that being around him might be keeping her life mate away. Last run he’d gone away for a month surrounding the festival hoping she’d participate and someone would claim her. No such luck.

  “Not expecting anyone. Just came in for a quick lunch.” He owned Digging Deep Landscaping, even though his warehouse was in town, he spent most of his time working on jobs with his crew. When he was able to get a meal in at Gobi’s it made his week. However, it made avoiding Were’s he preferred to stay away from a little more difficult. Like Marcella.

  Sliding into the seat on the other side of the booth, she gave him a small smile as she beguilingly tilted her head. “I’ll just keep you company.”

  “If you want.”

  “So, are you looking forward to—”

  “Here you go, Cord. A nice steaming bowl of soup, warm bread and lots of honey-sweetened butter.” Ann’s timing was perfect as she came to the table and placed the food before him.

  “Ah, Ann, you steal my heart. I do believe I’d starve if not for you.”

  Swatting his arm, the older woman laughed. “All you Den males are such charmers. You know your momma taught you well.”

  “That she did,” Cord agreed. Eating was something that Were-bears loved and with the winters being so heavy in the area, everyone learned young how to cook.

  “Can I get you anything, Marcella?” Ann turned to the younger woman.

  Cord could only imagine what Ann was thinking. Everyone in Den probably expected that he’d choose Marcella during the run. The only person that didn’t agree was his bear.

  “No, thanks, Ann. I’m fine,” Marcella said.

  “Alright, let me know if you change your mind.” Ann moved back to her place behind the counter.

  “How’s the salon going?” Cord wanted to get her on another topic before she journeyed back to the one about the festival. Tearing off some bread, he smeared a healthy amount of butter on it before dipping it into the salmon chowder soup then placing it in his mouth.

  “Good. Real good. Mama actually listened to some of my ideas about it. In the spring she’s going to have Theo start on a second floor where I can begin some of the treatments and spa services.”

  “Well, that’s great. I know how important that is to you, being able to use your massage therapy degree.”

  “It is.” Her dark brown eyes lit up. “I’m glad you remember.”

  Oh, shit. Did I make a mistake? “Of course. I try and recall those things about my friends that they hold dear.” Spooning the thick, creamy soup into his mouth, he hoped she’d picked up on his emphasis on friend.

  Stretching her hand across the table, she cupped the back of his hand that was holding another piece of bread.

  He could feel the heat in her hand, but other than that his body had no response. Not even a residual bubble of lust from their past.

  “I was hoping that we could be more than friends again, Cord. I’ve never gotten—”

  Dropping his chin to his chest, he took a deep breath and sighed heavily. “Marcella. I don’t want to lead you on. I can’t make any promises about Friday night.”

  “I’m not expecting you to. I just want you to know that I’m more than willing to be—”

  “Cord, there you are!” Genma Berend came bustling into the diner with all the energy and vigor she always had. Beside her was her partner in crime, Octavia Bjorn, his grandmother.

  Thankful for the timely interruption, Cord set his spoon down, moved his hand from beneath Marcella’s and rose to greet the two older women.

  “Nana.” He kissed his grandmother’s cheek first then her best friend’s. “Ms. Genma.”

  “I went by your business and Rand said you were here.” Genma prattled on.

  “What can I help you with?” he looked from one to the other.

  His grandmother looked pointedly at Marcella, then him. He couldn’t read her expression, he hoped that she wasn’t about hassle him like the rest of the town was over choosing Marcella.

  “We’re not disturbing anything are we? You don’t mind excusing us do you, dear? I see you don’t have anything to eat or drink, I assume you were just briefly stopping by.” Octavia was anything but subtle even with the wide grin on her mouth.

  Apparently, his grandmother figured whatever she and Genma had to discuss with him was more important than what Marcella was talking about.

  “We don’t want to hold you. I know how busy the salon can be at lunchtime. Especially with the festival coming up next week.” Genma gave Marcella a sweet smile.

  Cord feared that if Marcella didn’t leave soon the two older Were-females would shift and bodily move her from the seat.

  “I do need to get back.” Rising, Marcella looked at him, a cloud of emotions shadowing her eyes as if she were attempting to communicate something with him. “Cord, I’ll see you later, so we can finish our talk.”

  “Take care, Marcella.” He shook his head as he saw the female walk away, swaying her hips. It would probably take an act of the Great Spirit to get her to see there was no future for them.

  Once the two precocious ladies had taken up the seat Marcella had vacated, he sat and resumed eating. He knew his grandmother and Genma wouldn’t need any prompting to speak.

  “Cordy-bear—”

  “Nanaaa…” he growled, at thirty plus moons old, his grandmother still wouldn’t stop calling him by his childhood nickname.

  “Okay, okay. Sweetheart, you know that since Genma and I don’t have any grandcubs…” She allowed those words to hang in the air.

  Genma lowered her head and shook it slowly as if the thought of her not having small ones to spoil was depressing.

  Biting a healthy piece of bread, he rolled his eyes. This must be good if they were starting with a guilt trip.

  “We’ve decided to go away for a few days this week,” Octavia continued.

  “Nana, everyone loves your wicker baskets. You’re not going to sell them this year during the festival?”

  “Your sisters have agreed, since they have another year before they can participate in the run, they will man my Bjorn Basket tent.”

  He chuckled as he lifted his glass of honeyed tea and took a swallow. His sisters were all about the festival events and making sure they riled up all the Were-males their age, flirting. It was doubtful that the two girls volunteered willingly. However, he knew better than to contradict his grandmother.

  “Lola Shardik has agreed to sell my muffins with her honeycombs,” Genma explained. “So, no one will even miss us.”

  “Not likely,” he commented and pushed his empty bowl to the side. “What do you all need from me?”

  His grandmother looked at Genma and Genma returned the look. It was full of secrets and a deeper level of communication. If they were Were-male and female, he would have believed they had a mindlink going on.

  Pulling a napkin out from the dispenser he wiped his mouth, using the moment to cover his smirk.

  “I need some repairs around my house. Odds and end things done to my yard,” Genma explained. “Winter flowers planted.”

  “Not forgetting the re-soiling and fertilizing of your garden for those awesome winter vegetables,” Octavia added.

  Genma looked at her and smiled. “Oh, thank you. This year I’ll probably plant beets, carrots, some parsnip, maybe fava beans and brussel spr—”

  “Ladies… ladies, can we please get to what you need?” Cord ran his hand over his head, knowing that these two ladies were anything but tangential. Everything they did had a plan and purpose. They were too sharp-witted for normal elderly babbling.

  “Sorry, dear.” His grandmother reached across the table and patted his hand. “Anywho. We were wondering if you could take care of it while we were gone.”

  “During the festival week?” For a moment he was willing to take back all his thoughts about these two women being incisive.

  “I know it’s a no work wee
k, but it would really mean a lot to me to have it done. Then I can start my planting when I return.” Genma took hold of his other hand.

  Looking from one woman to the other, one black with a short silver twist in her hair and the other white with wheat blonde locks cut in a bob below her chin, as they gave him puppy dog eyes, Cord shook his head. Pleading eyes from these two meant trouble.

  Unable to refuse them anything, he nodded. “Fine. Fine. I’ll take care of it. I wasn’t planning to do much around the festival anyway.”

  “Fit it in when you can.” Genma patted him then moved her hand away. “I’ll have lots of muffins inside for you. Heavy on the honey-glaze, right?”

  He cocked a smile at his grandmother’s best friend. Genma knew him too well. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Their job done, his grandmother slid from the bench first, followed by Genma.

  Needing to get back to work, he rose as well. After tossing cash down on the table for the meal and tip, he escorted the two scheming ladies out of the diner.

  “Thanks again, dear. I knew I could count on you.” Octavia stepped to him and kissed him on the cheek. She didn’t immediately step away, but cupped his face, her gaze full of sincerity as she said, “Soon, life will look up for you. I just know it will. Don’t fret.”

  Staring into deep set, coal eyes that mirrored his own, he took her words to heart. “If you say so, Nana, I believe it.”

  Giving her a quick kiss on the top of her head, he turned and left the two best friends on the sidewalk. Crossing the road he headed to his truck wanting to get back to work. He’d had enough of the women in his life for the rest of the afternoon.

  Chapter Three

  “Grandma, I forgot how beautiful your home is.” Rena closed the door to her grandmother’s wagon-style sedan. Taking a moment, she looked around and just allowed herself to absorb the pure, crisp natural air.

  “Ah, it’s nothing. Just my little slice of heaven, that’s all.” Her grandmother, still a statuesque woman for almost eighty, came around the front of the car.