Winter Tails: A Limited Edition Winter Shifters Collection

by Fox, Piper

  “Yeah, yeah. I'm getting up. I’ll call you when I’m in the car.” I slam the phone without saying goodbye. She is annoying. And I hate when my sleep is broken. I roll over and put on my slippers.

  I walk in the kitchen to find a million shards of glass on the floor. He even knocked down the white miniblinds and yellow curtains. I had escaped the hell of living in the house with Carl only for him to hunt me down.

  I pick up the pieces of glass, scraping my finger. The sharp prick of pain sets in, and blood trickled down my hand. I race to the bathroom to wash my hands when I see a familiar face in the mirror.

  Previously there was a bruised and battered woman staring back. That woman has died. Before me stands a strong, brave woman. Free from black eyes and busted lips. A robust woman.

  Cursing at Carl last night made me feel empowered. He no longer has control of me. I no longer need him to survive, mentally or financially. He controlled me for years because I didn't have the courage to leave. No more.

  I gather some plastic I have. Tacking the plastic up to the window reminds me too much of my old life. Next, I call the landlady. She promises she will have someone to come out today to replace the window. I’m just grateful she didn’t evict me. Last time Carl got violent and put a hole in the wall, we were tossed out on our asses.

  Eggs and toast soundd excellent right now. I am on a budget, so it wouldn’t be wise to grab breakfast from a restaurant. I like my eggs sunny side up but I never could make them that way. Scrambled will do.

  My stomach rumbled at the sight of the scrambled eggs and brown toast. I scarf breakfast down like it’s my last meal. Not eating for two days finally caught up with me. I never eat when I’m nervous or stressed.

  But now I’m free. I don’t have to worry about Carl stalking me. Or about making money. I just need to get these pictures. That’s easily a month of rent, maybe more. People will pay good money for mountain pictures.

  First, I grab the equipment I need for this trip. My camera and my mug filled with coffee. I put some food and water out for Ginger—two days' worth just in case it takes longer than expected to get the photos of the mountains.

  A shadow races across the kitchen wall. I close my eyes and open them again; the shadow is gone. No wonder this apartment was so damn cheap. It’s haunted. Or maybe I brought the shadows.

  I grab my duffel bag and slip on my down coat and head out to the car. I would normally canvass the area to make sure no one was watching, frightened that Carl would follow me and find out where I live. Not today. I'm not afraid anymore. I'm going to reclaim my life by taking one step at a time.

  The frigid winter wind slaps me across my face. I shiver and slip my hat and gloves on. The smell of fresh Denver air hits my nose. The sky is a gunmetal gray.

  I nearly slip on the ice of the unshoveled sidewalk. But I make it to my car. I hate the frosty weather. I’m fighting the urge to go back upstairs and get under the covers. Patting my coat pockets, I search for the car keys. You have got to be kidding me, I left the damn car keys in the house. Letting out a huff, I drop the bags to the ground then march back upstairs.

  Ginger sniffs and scratches at the front door. I don’t know how I left my car keys but still grabbed my house keys.

  I open the door; Ginger quickly rushes past me and down the stairs. She hates the cold so when the wind hits her, she will run back up. I grab the keys off the kitchen counter. As I'm walking down the hall to the front door Ginger rushes past me again, fast as lightning. I bust out in a laugh. “It’s cold down there, Ginger.” I take a sip of my coffee and lock the front door.

  I start the car and take a swig of my coffee. The mug has a chill on the outside but steam flows from the top. I touch the leather seats and nearly freeze. Leather is cold in the winter and hot in the summer.

  I look for my favorite audiobook to play through the car speakers. I scan through my iPhone Kindle and find my favorite book, Anywhere But Here. The book is exceptional and reminded me of myself. Staying in a toxic marriage for two years was the dumbest thing I’ve done this far. I would have rather been anywhere than with Carl. I place my mug in the cupholder and I'm off.

  Being home again is liberating and depressing. I ride past my old high school. The pool hall where three girls jumped me. The park where I had my first kiss. I only call this home because I lived here for three years. That’s the longest I ever lived anywhere.

  My phone vibrates, and I already know it’s Lisa.

  “Good morning, sunshine.”

  “You’re already out?” Lisa says.

  “Yes, and close to the mountains to get your pictures.”

  “Thanks, I was sure you were still in bed. Is it snowing?”

  “Not yet, but it’s coming.”

  “Okay. Call me once you get the pictures.”

  The mountains are in view, and they are breathtaking. The morning sun sparkles on the ice. Snow has settled on the caps of the mountain with icicles dangling from above.

  The roads are slick so I stay calm and ease my foot off the gas. The traffic is moving fast. Too fast for such slick roads. I tried keeping up, but I'm not willing to go over forty-five miles.

  Snowflakes hit my windshield, and an uneasy pain settles in my chest. Great, the snow has started. If there is one thing I hate, it’s driving in the snow. My vision blurs as the snow gets thicker. I should turn around and go home, but I’m almost there now. Besides, I have to make some money.

  My hands tremble at the sight of the winding road ahead. Driving in the mountains sucks. The cars ahead zoom around the steep curve. I'm panting, unable to breathe. My car shakes as an eighteen-wheeler passes me in the opposite direction. It feels like an earthquake.

  The snow is sticking to my windshield and my wipers don’t seem to keep up with the speed of the snow. Ahead, I see a police car. I can stop and ask them to escort me back down these mountains.

  My vision gets blurrier but I see a small mammal come out onto the road. I swerve to avoid hitting the animal. Then, the car is spinning out of control. There must be black ice covering the pavement. Lord, please help me. The guard rail is up ahead. If I don’t stop this car, I will go over the rail and fall to my death. I didn’t escape Carl’s wrath to die going to get some fucking pictures.

  I’m swerving around the road and nearly pissing my pants. The squad car is within feet of mine. I’m trying not to hit the car, but it will stop this car from going over the cliff. I missed the small animal by inches but I can’t save my life. My tires screech while I try to gain control of my car. I gasp and hold on for dear life.

  Maybe it was my time to go. I have no reason to stay. A family who abandoned me at birth. An abusive ex-husband. A life I lived by myself, a loner with no future. I want to live. I want to love. But is it too late?

  Jared

  Look at the snow. A winter wonderland. I stared from the kitchen window of the lodge, with Lance looking over my shoulder.

  It falls thicker and quicker. Why do I have to work today? Damn, so much for the snow starting tonight.

  Lance glares at the snow, and a sneer comes upon his face revealing his huge dimples. He shoots an intense glare my way, his green eyes sparkling.

  Rubbing his hands, Lance says, “I’m off today. No one will be out in this snow selling pharmaceuticals, But I will.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “What?”

  He stands there with a confused expression on his face. He doesn’t see a concern.

  “Is that all you think about?”

  “What?” He shrugs.

  “How much money you will make?”

  When it snows in the mountains, there are dozens of emergencies. We are on call, and since we are first responders, we are out all night.

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Do you remember what happened during the last snowstorm?” I wrinkle my forehead.

  I trot over to the fireplace. Lance better not leave me by myself this time. Last snowstorm, I worked
sixteen hours straight while Lance was home in a warm bed. On call, my ass.

  I grab the poker next to the fireplace.

  “I’ll be on call if you need me,” Lance says while walking toward the door.

  After putting the fire out, I lock the lodge up. It’s time we go, unless we want to stay overnight. We’re expecting five to seven inches by morning.

  This driver has lost his mind, or he must be drunk. A swerving Ford is coming full speed, headed towards my squad car.

  The screeching tires and the horns blowing make me tremble. My heart thuds against my rib cage. I’m concerned for the driver. I’ve seen a lot of accidents up here in the mountains, but never a car twirling swiftly without a destination. My body temperature soars.

  Whoever was in this car would either hit the guardrail and go over or slam into my squad car. Neither is good for the driver.

  “What the fuck?” Lance screams as he walks closer to the door, avoiding the path of the car.

  My mouth drops and I gulp hard. Screams fly out of the mouths of onlookers. The car slams into my squad car. The vibration of the collision sends fear skittering up my spine. Lance and I race toward the car. I hope this driver is okay. Why was she driving so fast? Other drivers race to the car to help. We’re a small, closely knit community and everyone helps each other.

  I get to the car and the sight of a body slumped over with her head against the windshield makes me wince. It’s not a great situation for the driver. Blood trickles down her face from her head. The impact caused the airbag to deploy.

  Lance lets the seat back and unsnaps the seat belt on Inside is the prettiest woman I have ever seen. My heart flutters at the sight of her face and her brown hair. The prettiest pink lips. My inner bear growls.

  Lance turns the car off and touches her wrist with his fingers.

  “I got a pulse!” Lance yells.

  The crowd gets larger and louder with chatter.

  “Everyone step back and let us do our job,” I yell.

  Lance and I get the beautiful girl into the lodge. I rush to the trunk of my squad car and grab my medic bag. I was well versed in first aid because whenever paramedics can’t get up the mountains, they send me or Lance.

  Rushing through the doors, the girl lies on the couch with coagulated blood on her forehead. I grab some saline and gloves from my bag.

  Her bare skin is cold but her faint pulse throbs beneath my fingertips. I wipe the blood from her smooth skin, which is free from wrinkles and makeup. She has a natural beauty and the smell of expensive perfume that’s driving me wild. Lance takes her boots off and slides her pants leg up to scan for injuries. Her leg was pinned against the dashboard.

  She moves slightly as I whisper in her ear, but she never fully wakes up. The radiant beauty makes my heart flutter. She might have a hell of a headache but she’ll be okay. I assess the cut on her forehead and bandage it with gauze and paper tape.

  I go back out to her car and grab her keys out of the ignition as well as her purse. The car was clean and fresh with a cherry scent. She doesn’t have kids; there are no car seats or scattered toys. A camera was on the back seat. One of the expensive kinds in a case. I’m sure she would want this. Picking up the camera, I expect cracks and dents. I’m pleasantly surprised the camera is in perfect shape. No visible damage at least. Which is a miracle considering how hard she smacked my car.

  The crowd has dispersed, but the Ford is still pinned up against my squad car. There’s no way a tow truck will make it up the mountains tonight. I could keep her warm and safe in the lodge until the storm disappears.

  I don’t know why I’m so infatuated with this woman. My inner bear keeps telling me she is the one for me. But I already have a beautiful girlfriend who my father would love me to marry. Bella’s dad and my dad were best friends until he passed away. Bella is a shifter and a part of the clan. Since we were kids everyone expected we would be forever mates. But I know Bella isn’t my fated mate.

  I go back to the lodge trembling, hoping she is okay. When I was in her presence peace overflowed my body, from the crown of my head to the bottoms of my feet.

  Who is this mysterious woman?

  Kaitlyn

  The scent of burning wood hits my nose. I must be dreaming. I twist in the bed, pulling the cover over my head. The fire aroma becomes more intense. I gasp and my eyes snap open. I’m snug under a floral comforter that’s not mine. I peel the cover away from my face and see I’m surrounded by wood logs. The walls, the ceiling, all wood.

  What the hell happened? Why am I here? Where is my bed, my room? The bear hanging on the wall stares at me. The hair on the back of my neck stands as sweat rolls down my back. I sit up in the bed and bang my head.

  Easing my way back into a lying position, I grab my head. A cloth-type bandage is plastered across my forehead. I peel the tape off. What the hell is going on here? I have the worst headache of my life and a bandage covering my head.

  “We can keep her here until the storm passes and then call for help,” a tenor voice suggests. The voice is nearby. Another responds, the words muffled.

  The two deep voices frighten me. I scan the room in search of an escape route. After I locate a window a sharp pain pounds my head again. I close my eyes until the pain eases.

  Forcing my eyes open, I shoot a sharp stare at the window through the crack of blue plaid curtains. The snow was falling quick, and I don't drive well in the snow. I concentrate, in search of my purse or keys. I come up emptyhanded.

  The two men continue conversing. I have to get out of here, but I don’t know how. I try sitting up again but this time slowly, when I hear footsteps. Shit, I hope they are not coming in here. I can’t run; I can’t get up. My heart thuds against my rib cage. My breathing intensifies as the steps get closer.

  I slip back under the covers and shut my eyes. The doorknob twists while on the inside I’m crying. I hope they are not killers or worse. The footsteps get closer to the bed.

  I open one eye just to get a glance at the person. I open both eyes. The most beautiful man I have ever seen is within feet of me. He stands next to the bed with glowing skin and gleaming green eyes. Tattoos galore grace his tall frame. Our gazes meet and lock.

  He is breathtaking, and a flash of relaxation floods my body.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Okay, but my head hurts,” I explain. My voice is raspy and my mouth uncomfortably dry.

  “Hold on, I’ve got something for that.”

  He walks out of the room. Immediately I force myself to stand. I walk closer to the window. There is a forest of trees laden with snow. I can't see anything else. I have to be in the mountains—I don’t even see a road.

  He returns with a bottle and a glass of water.

  “Here is a bottle of Tylenol. It’s not open.”

  I grab the glass of water and the pills and chug them down. My head hurt so much I didn't see how many milligrams the Tylenol were. But I don't really care as long as the headache disappears.

  “What happened? Why am I here?” I move to the edge of the bed. I glance down at my feet and view my multicolored socks; my blue UGG boots are missing.

  He grabs a chair and moves it closer to the bed. “You had an accident. Don't you remember?” He plops in the chair.

  An accident? What was he talking about? Last thing I remember is driving in the mountains to get pictures for Lisa.

  He chuckles. “You hit my squad car.” He extends his hand. “I’m Jared, the town's sheriff.” I take his hand and give it a quick shake. His grip is firm and clammy. Or maybe it’s my sweaty palms. I just want to go home.

  “You’re awake?” another voice asks. I glance over to the doorway. A tall man stands there. He’s not as attractive as Jared. But still handsome. He didn’t have on a sheriff’s uniform. He was a thin man with big black boots.

  “How is the bump on your head?” Jared says before reaching his hand toward my forehead.

  I jerk back and move farther
away. I look down at the planked floor.

  There is a lot I want to say, a lot of unanswered questions, but I can’t muster up the words to ask. I’m in a strange place with two strange men. The scariest thing is Jared. He is waking up feelings in me I thought were long dead.

  I glare at his nametag, making sure he is the sheriff. A wave of gratitude comes over me toward the handsome strangers who reported finding me in my crashed car. However, I wanted to know where my car was. How would I get home?

  “Where is my car?” I dart my gaze toward Jared.

  “It's outside, but you won't be able to drive it today.” He chuckles. “You hit my car pretty hard. But I assure you when the storm is over, we can get someone up here to tow your car home.”

  I nod my head; I just want to crawl in a corner. Not only am I stuck here, but my car is damaged.

  A rustling sound travels from the window as twigs snap. It is the sound of someone coming…or something. A growling roar darts through the silence from a wolf or another animal.

  My eyes widen, and I stare at Jared.

  The other guy chuckles, his face beet red. “You are not from around the mountains. You must be from the city.”

  My posture relaxes and my heart rate decreases. I nod my head.

  “I’m Lance. I'm a deputy. I work with Jared.”

  The trampling sound from the outside becomes intense. Lance twists toward the door and Jared springs to his feet.

  The bed squeaks as I reposition myself to view the door. Lance grabs the rifle that sits on a rack above it. He swings the door open, and a huge grizzly bear sits on the stoop. Jared closes the door behind Lance.

  Frozen with fear, I can only imagine Lance being mauled to death by a bear. It was a big grizzly bear too. No one will believe that I was in a cabin with someone being killed by a bear. I’ve never even seen a bear that close before. I had seen one in the distance and on television. The one thing I know about bears is they are big and can kill you.

  What the hell, why didn’t he run or shoot? He didn’t seem nervous at all. The awful feeling I have has been making my stomach churn since I awakened in this strange place.