Evernight Publishing ®
www.evernightpublishing.com
Copyright© 2015 Vanessa Devereaux
ISBN: 978-1-77233-490-6
Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs
Editor: Audrey Bobak
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.
This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
DEDICATION
For my godparents.
A BEAR’S BABY
Kalispell Shifters, 10
Vanessa Devereaux
Copyright © 2015
Chapter One
Jenna glanced at her watch. She’d arranged to meet her new client, Brady Walsh, at 1:00 p.m., but her previous appointment had run longer than she’d planned.
Her father had always instilled upon her and her brother that it was better to be early than late when meeting a client, especially on a first appointment. It was a rule she still tried to follow. She pressed the accelerator just a little harder while hoping there weren’t any cops around. Starlight Café wasn’t far away, so she’d only be ten minutes late at the most. Surely her father wouldn’t have found fault with ten minutes.
She’d never met Brady in person before, although he had hired her for another case last month. In their previous telephone conversations his voice always sounded so deep and sexy. Self-assured, too. She was sure he was a man who knew what he wanted, and somehow always seemed to get it.
The sign for the café was up ahead. Jenna indicted right and turned into the parking lot that it shared with both a book and craft store. Ever since a woman named Hannah had purchased it and revamped the menu, Jenna had heard good things about Starlight. She found a space at the side of the café, parked, and shut off the ignition.
She glanced in the rearview mirror. Her father had also taught her appearance and first impressions were essential in law. She fluffed her hair and smacked her lips together to make sure the lipstick she’d quickly applied before leaving the office still looked presentable. She grabbed her bag and exited the car. Snowflakes circled in the air. They’d had a warmer than normal fall, but she knew winter was around the corner.
As she opened the café’s door, the bell tinged. Jenna stepped inside and smelled odors that reminded her just how hungry she was.
“Hi. Table for one?” asked a woman in her early thirties.
“No, actually I’m here to meet with Brady Walsh.”
“You must be Jenna,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Hannah McWilliams. Brady’s waiting for you.”
Jenna took off her gloves and followed Hannah to the table.
Five men dined in the café, but Jenna guessed which one was Brady. She hazarded a guess he had dark wavy hair and broad shoulders. Only a man with those qualities would own the deep voice she’d heard on the phone. He tackled a Sudoku puzzle. The speed at which he filled in the numbers amazed her. His hand moved across the book like it was on fire.
“Brady,” said Hannah.
He looked up. Behind glasses, he had the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Strong features, high cheekbones, and a cleft chin. Her knees went weak, her heart beat picked up, and her pussy did a happy dance.
Her father’s words rang in her head. Always keep it professional. Remember it’s business and your livelihood depends upon it.
“Jenna’s here,” said Hannah.
He pushed his glasses up on his head and stood while extending his hand. “Ms. Paxton, or is it okay for me to call you Jenna?”
She slipped her hand into his. Wow, her hands weren’t small by any description, but she felt lost in his palm. What would his hands feel like touching her body?
This is a client, Jenna. There will be no patronizing with people you’re paid to work for.
For some reason she couldn’t get her father’s words out of her mind today.
I can dream, can’t I?
“What?” asked Brady.
Holy cow, she must have said that out loud.
“Yes, please call me Jenna.”
She still had hold of his hand or, did he have hold of hers? The latter was probably true.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, pulling out a chair for her.
Jenna sat and then took off her coat. Hannah placed a menu down in front of her.
“Can I get you something to drink while you’re looking that over?” asked Hannah.
“Sure, you have hot chocolate?”
“We sure do. Would you like whipped cream on the top?”
Whipped cream. Yeah, why not. She’d almost given up on her diet anyway. Ski season was around the corner so she could burn off the calories then.
“Perfect,” said Jenna.
Hannah walked left and Brady was about to close his puzzle book.
“It looks like you solve those easily,” said Jenna.
“I’ve always liked a challenge with numbers, so these are perfect for me.”
Hannah arrived with the mug of hot chocolate and placed it down in front of Jenna.
“I haven’t even looked at what I’d like to eat,” said Jenna, opening the menu.
“That’s fine, just take your time. However, I can recommend our special of the day, which is chili with our new herbed cheese bread.”
“Sounds tempting. Yes, sure, I’ll have that.”
“Make that two,” said Brady.
“I’ll put that order in straight away.” Hannah walked away.
“Have you eaten in here before?” Brady asked her.
“Never. I did see a great review for it in the Kalispell Herald.”
“I haven’t eaten anything here that I didn’t love.”
Jenna took a sip of her drink and put the mug back down. Brady smiled and touched his nose.
“I have whipped cream on my nose, right?” asked Jenna.
He smiled again and nodded. Before she could open up her napkin and wipe it. He’d taken care of it by leaning over the table and swiping his finger over her nose. It tickled, causing her nose to twitch. They looked at one another, neither one saying anything until finally Brady broke the uncomfortable silence.
“While we wait for our food why don’t we talk business?” He took out a letter from his jacket pocket and slid it across the table to her. “The City Council is insisting I stop work on my townhouse project so they can take soil samples and have them tested.”
Jenna took the letter and read through it. Basically it was ordering Brady’s company, Walsh Enterprises LLC, to halt work while they ascertained if the soil was contaminated. The letter stated that since work on the project had begun, residents in the area had reported foul and dark smelling water. Ten people had been treated with rashes and flu-like symptoms. She looked up at him. He had the glasses on again. She bet he was as smart as he was handsome.
“Can they do that?” he asked.
“If enough people have complained about the water and gotten sick, then yes, they can. You probably know the state’s had some problems in places like Butte with leftover contaminants from the copper mining days. This could be the same problem happening in a different area.”
“So there’s nothing you can do, no legal way around it?”
“I can look into this for you. I’ll be your legal representative and make sure they don’t procrastinate testing the soil and water. In fact, I think I’ll draft a letter outlining that you will comply, but if no contamination is found within a
certain time frame, you’ll have the right to resume your construction.”
Brady nodded. “You have any idea how long these things take? I know red tape and councils often drag their feet when it’s not their money on the line.”
“We’ll make it clear. I’ll outline parameters of what we will consider reasonable disruption for your business.”
“I like the sound of this already. I can tell I’ve made a good choice in picking you as my attorney for dealing with this matter.”
Hannah arrived with the two bowls of chili. A waitress followed behind with a basket of the herbed cheese bread. As she sat it down between them, Jenna’s mouth watered. The bread was still warm and it made the smell of the herbs double pungent. The chili looked divine, too.
“Enjoy your meals,” said Hannah.
“You mind if I keep this letter for my file?” asked Jenna before folding it up.
“Sure, and if you need more information or anything else, here’s my business card.”
She ran her finger around the cute bear logo by the words Walsh Enterprises LLC. She wasn’t sure what the connection was between it and the bear, but the illustration caught her eye.
“That’s my direct line and the other number is for Maggie, my assistant. If I’m not available she can usually help you out or get you any info you’ll need.”
Jenna put both the letter and card into her bag. It was way past her usual lunchtime, so she tucked into the chili.
Brady broke off some of the bread.
“Wow, this chili is the best I’ve ever tasted,” said Jenna. “My father used to make a huge batch every winter using the meat from the bear he’d hunted that fall.”
Brady stopped eating and looked across the table at her. He gave her the stink eye. She’d said something wrong, but she wasn’t sure what. Maybe he was an animal rights advocate. Maybe he’d belonged to PETA. Maybe he’d used a bear as his business logo because he thought they were cute and cuddly.
Another rule of her father’s was to get to know a client before meeting with him or her. It was important not to offend him or say something controversial. Stay away from anything connected to religion and politics. Never say anything of a sexual nature.
“So do you ski?” asked Jenna. Change the subject and maybe he’d forget all about the comment about the chili made with bear meat.
“I do when I have time.”
“Yeah, sounds like me, too. I didn’t go at all last year, but I’m determined to this year.”
“Finding time for personal things is sometimes tough when you have a career or a business that ties up most of you time,” said Brady.
And not to mention dating. She broke off a piece of the bread and popped it into her mouth. It, like the chili, was heavenly. Now that she’d tried this café out for herself, she’d definitely be back for more food.
“So how did you stumble upon my law practice? I mean for Ash and Chloe’s case?” asked Jenna.
“I knew Ash McWilliams was in a bind because his girlfriend was arrested and hauled off to Texas. So I went online, saw your name, and that you had lots of experience in family law.”
“I’m just glad I could help Chloe out. The adoption’s being finalized in the next few weeks.”
“I have to thank you for traveling to Austin on a moment’s notice. You probably had other clients to deal with so that was very nice of you.”
“It was my pleasure. And you paid me double the going rate which was very nice of you, too.”
He smiled, showing off not only the cleft in the chin, but the dimples in his cheeks. He had to be, hands down, the best looking client she’d ever had. She wondered if he had a wife or girlfriend.
No patronizing with the clients.
It was almost as if her father was sitting on her shoulder knowing what she was thinking about.
“I’ve been invited to Ash and Chloe’s party to celebrate them becoming Sophie’s legal parents,” said Jenna. Which reminded her she had to pick up a gift for the baby.
“Did they tell you that they’ve chosen me as Sophie’s Spirit Guardian?” asked Brady.
“No, and what exactly is that?”
“Well, Hannah and her husband, Bear, will be godparents, but the Spirit Guardian is something that we shif … we…
It was as if he was suddenly tongue tied and he seemed to have way too much finesse for that.
“Well, it’s sort of a thing some people like to have as an extra person to look after the child’s interests.”
“Spirit Guardian. I like the sound of that.”
“I’m gifting her a trust fund so she’ll always be taken care of should anything happen to Ash and Chloe. To prevent Hannah and Bear having any extra burden of money to raise her.”
She had done a little research on him when she’d taken the first case, and by the sound of things, he was probably in the billionaire range. He could afford to do it, but it was still a nice gesture seeing how Sophie would probably have extra needs all her life because she’d been born with Down Syndrome.
“That’s great, Brady.”
“I’m just glad I can help them and Sophie.”
Jenna didn’t want to seem rude, but she had another client to meet with in less than thirty minutes. “I’d love to stay and visit with you longer, but I have to get to my next meeting.”
Brady looked at his watch. “Glad you reminded me because I have an appointment in Missoula late this afternoon. I should hit the road, too.”
“I’ll draft the letter and I can either e-mail it to you for your final approval, or you can drop by the office tomorrow afternoon.”
“I trust you to write what you feel is in my best interest, but I would like to stop by and see your office now that I’ve officially hired you.”
“Okay, how about 5:00 p.m. tomorrow?”
“Great. How about I take you for a drink afterward?”
“Lunch has been plenty,” said Jenna. Her father’s words echoed in her head.
“I’m sure you don’t want to offend a client.”
Never do that. Her father’s voice again.
She shook her head. “I’d hate to do that.”
“Good. Then drinks it is.”
They stood and Brady put out his hand again.
“It’s great to finally meet face to face. Here’s to a long business association,” he said.
“To a long business association,” she said, as he gave her hand a tight squeeze. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
****
Brady watched as Jenna walked to her car and got inside. She was even more gorgeous in person. In fact, the photo on her law practice’s Web site was stunning, but it didn’t do her justice.
He tapped his fingers on the table. Apart from the sickening remark about her father making chili from bear meat, she was damn near perfect. He tapped faster. He wasn’t ready to settle for just one woman. He didn’t know if he ever would be. Didn’t even know if he’d settle in permanently in Kalispell yet. Yes, lots of shifters were here. He was related to some of them. But Brady Walsh always had a wanderlust spirit. Seeing where the next deal took him. The next adventure. The next shifter lady he could hook up with.
Jenna Paxton was human and gorgeous. If he remembered all of the above, having a little fun with her wouldn’t be so bad.
“I didn’t see Jenna leave.”
He jumped, being deep in thought, he hadn’t heard Hannah approach the table.
“Yes, she had to get to her next appointment and I have to be on my way to Missoula soon.”
“Doing anything interesting there?”
“Eh, well.” He hadn’t told anyone about his new hobby. It would be his secret for now. Maybe forever. Some of the shifters were going to laugh at him and call him a few not so very nice words. However, it was the perfect way to relax and unwind.
“Going there on business. Do you know anywhere around here that’s great for drinks, sort of early even
ing cocktails?” he asked. “I said I’d take Jenna for a drink after I look over the letter she’s drafting for me.”
Hannah raised her eyebrows.
“Business only. I never mix it with pleasure.”
That was usually true, but this time he was going to break the rule.
“There’s a new place over on 5th Street that also serves tapas.”
“Tapas, well that sounds promising.” He made a note on his Sudoku book.
“Anything else I can get you?” asked Hannah.
“No, just the tab, The food was top-notch as usual.”
“Glad to hear that. I’ll be right back with the bill.”
“I can meet you at the cash register if you want,” Brady said. He would be late for his appointment in Missoula if he didn’t get moving.
Brady put his coat back on while he waited to pay. Hannah’s son Sam headed in the café with his backpack slung over his shoulder. Brady went for the cash register.
“Hi Sam. How’s it going?” he said, putting his credit card down on the glass top.
“Pretty good. Uncle Liam’s teaching me and Lucy to ski this winter and Momma promised she’d take me shopping for clothes.”
“Oh Sam, I forgot all about that,” she said, taking Brady’s card and swiping it through the scanner. “Can you wait about fifteen minutes?”
“I guess.”
Brady smiled when he saw Sam rolling his eyes. He’d done a lot of that himself when he was young, not quite as young as Sam, but it was a whole different world now, and Sam was part human. Brady signed the credit card slip and handed Hannah a $10 bill for her tip.
“I’m sure I’ll see you around before Sophie’s adoption party,” he said, slipping on his leather gloves.
“Planked salmon’s on the menu Friday night,” said Hannah.
Brady couldn’t help but lick his lips. “Reserve me a table and make it for two.”
He had just the perfect dinner companion in mind.
A Bear's Baby Page 1