by Tyler, Jules
“Jesse, for the last time, I have a polar bear inside of me. That does not make me a snowball,” Brady grumbled, folding his arms over his chest like a toddler throwing a fit.
Stella grinned up at Jesse, "You know I will, but only if you promise to come back."
"We promise," the guys said in unison, all three giving Stella a boy scout salute.
Stella nodded, "Good. Now get your butts out of here so you can hurry and come back."
Brady watched his friends go get on their bikes and drive down the road before turning to Stella and smiling at her. "What do you want to do?"
"Stir up trouble," Stella giggled, pulling him to his feet.
"What kind of trouble?" Brady raised an eyebrow as he raked his eyes over her body as though this was the first time he was looking at her.
Stella winked, "I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"Count me in," Brady grinned, letting Stella guide him into the cabin.
This feels like the beginning of something amazing. I can't wait to see where we go from here.
Epilogue
Liz tied her curly brown hair up into a messy bun and plunked down into her computer chair with a steaming cup of coffee. She had finally had enough of her boss Shawn's sexual harassment last night at work and quit. She'd been telling herself for months that she needed to quit that soul sucking job and she'd finally done it! While her heart was celebrating and dancing around like a teenage girl drunk for the first time on Boone's Farm, her head was screaming her impending doom at her. Such was the life of a woman who had dreams and ambitions but also struggled with her anxiety.
Dammit Elizabeth, get a grip on yourself. You can't keep using your anxiety as an excuse to not live your life anymore. Where's your sense of adventure? Get your shit together.
Heaving a sigh, she logged into the online job boards to look for chef jobs. She was hoping maybe she could find someone that needed a private chef that she could travel with and finally see the world, but who knew if that was even a real thing. If the girl from Young and Hungry could land a boss like Josh, why couldn't she? She had the experience working in several fast paced, high end restaurants and could improvise better than any of the best chefs on Chopped or Iron Chef. There was no reason why she couldn't at least apply for jobs like that.
Scrolling through job after job flipping burgers somewhere, she finally found something promising. Clicking on the listing that read, Woodland Escape Seeks Luxury Chef, Liz read over the requirements with excitement. She met every single one of these and then some. At the bottom of the listing she found the email where she could forward her resume and several original recipes she had whipped up on a late-night binge of Hell's Kitchen. A few minutes after sending the email, there was an alert on Liz's inbox letting her know someone had responded.
It was a response from her resume she had just sent out. Wow, that was… Fast. They must be desperate. Opening the email, Liz read over the response, once, twice, then a third time for good measure before squealing with glee.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for reaching out to Silver Creek Resort and Hot Springs in regard to our recent opening for a Luxury Chef.
Upon reviewing your resume, we have to say we are quite impressed with your experience. The owner's mother wants you to know that she is very interested in learning how to cook your personal recipes as well. We would like to invite you up to do a working interview with us next Monday, June 27th, for two weeks. If, at the end of that two weeks, either party decides to go their separate ways, we will still compensate you for your time.
If you are still interested in the job, please reply to this email with two character references and their details so that we can confirm your experience. Once these are confirmed, we will respond with a recommended packing list for you for your time with us.
Wishing you well,
Stella Eastern
Not wanting to give her anxiety a chance to talk her out of the opportunity, Liz quickly provided her references and clicked send. Everything was going to work out for the best after all.
The End
Acknowledgements
Where do I begin? There are so many people that I need to thank!
First and foremost, I have to acknowledge my family. You never complain when I spend long hours at my desk instead of coming to bed or watching a movie with you. You’re the rock in the storm that is my life, and I appreciate you more than you will ever realize.
To Liz and Britt, the women that I always have when I need them the most. Here’s to many years of girls’ nights and cocktails. You helped me to become the woman I am today.
My Idaho girls: Kati, Amanda, Courtney, and Kater. Who knows where I would be without you? I am forever blessed to have you all in my life. Thank you for being my sounding boards when I need you to be and reminding me to stop writing to go get food when I’m head down in my books. I might die of starvation if it weren’t for you ladies.
Desiree, Jessica, Samantha, Grace, T, and Steph! We laugh together, cry together, and lift one another up. I love each of you. Thank you for being the voice of reason when I’m running on low and ready to quit. Without all of your guidance, I would not be where I am today in this industry. May we all see our own success in the years to come.
Moxie and PA, you guys probably put up with my crazy muse more than anyone else does these days. Thank you for being my cheerleaders and for forcing me to focus on the words even when I doubt myself. You ladies are my saving grace some days.
I also have a whole list of people that I need to thank for their hard work behind the scenes.
First, I’d like to thank Brandon Vance…Where do I begin with you? You went above and beyond for me on yet another cover, and I am so glad I get to call you a friend. Thank you for tolerating my insanity.
Summer of Red Pen Revolution, it’s like they’re my words butt better, right? I still get a giggle out of your puns when we start editing. Thank you for cleaning up my commas, even though I know they drive you nuts. Also, thank you for being a fantastic friend. You take good care of me. We’re going to the top this year, love. Here’s to our future success!
Last, but definitely not least, thank you to my readers! Wow, I cannot say thank you enough for your support and your reviews. This journey would not be nearly as satisfying or fun without you. You’ve stuck with me despite all of the typos, the heartache, the missed deadlines, just everything that life can throw at me. I would not be where I am today without all of you. Thank you for being the amazing people that you’ve been. I look forward to many more memories between Facebook chats and signing events. I love you all. Stay strong and love hard.
Also written by Jules Tyler
McKinzy Regan is a woman in hiding. Unsure who to trust in a world where the government decides which shifters are a danger to the public, she keeps to herself and keeping the monster inside of her locked away from the world. Things start to change quickly for McKinzy when she takes a job at the Snake River Prison Camp. As Warden in a strange place that seems to have more secrets than she does, she begins to unravel a secret that she isn’t sure if she is ready to know.
Sergeant Adrian Brenton is a beast of a man with one thing in mind when an enticing woman shows up to fill the open Warden position; don’t get too close to her. Everyone has skeletons in the closet, but Adrian has shut his heart off to the prospect of love. He doesn’t like to be challenged, but this woman might be the most delicious challenge he’s found in a very long time.
Together they will face something far more dangerous than they ever expected to unravel. Can they learn to trust each other with their secrets? Or will their secrets get them hurt?
Also written by Jules Tyler
Caylan, the fearless leader of the foxen rebels, is bound and determined to free his people from the blood bond they have to the demon, Khain. With his life dedicated to capturing and defeating foes, the one thing that continues to elude him is the only thing he wants the most: his One True Mate.
And it’s the one thing Caylan truly believes he’ll never have...
Raised to run and trust no one, Tansy has lived a lonely life. With the words of her cautious mother filling her mind, words that warned her to live like the devil was always on her heels, Tansy wants more, so much more than anything she has experienced before.
But will she slow down long enough for Caylan to capture her heart?
If Caylan and Tansy can learn to trust one another, maybe they’ll discover that there is so much more in store for their lives, more than either of them could even imagine...and, along the way, maybe they'll find the key to the secrets that will unlock their freedom.
About the Author
Jules is from a small town outside of Boise, Idaho. She grew up listening to her grandmother tell her stories and sing her whatever silly songs came to mind on their drives into town. As she continued to grow, she fell more and more in love with the written word. She knew this is where her heart belonged.
Now here she is years later, finally living her dream. The words call to her and she wouldn't be able to do it without the support of her grizzly bear husband and dragon girl daughter. They also have two huskies that keep her busy outside of writing as well.
She continues to write the words of her heart and is so thankful to you, the readers, for supporting her on this journey. She loves giving you strong male characters with even stronger female characters to give them a challenge. You are the reason why she continues to write. Thank you for your support.