The Snow Leopard's Home (Glacier Leopards Book 3)

by Zoe Chant

Zach beat it. He left Cal’s office and went to work at the visitor’s center, but the whole time, he had a huge grin on his face, and happiness buzzing through his entire body.

  ***

  Teri’s morning was glorious. Joel was still out, so she had the house to herself, and she was able to find plenty of space in Zach’s drawers and closets—the man was not a clotheshorse—to fit all of her things.

  Throughout the process, the house was quiet. She didn’t have to worry about anyone looking over her shoulder and telling her she was unpacking wrong. She wasn’t interrupted by anyone insisting that she’d done too much and she had to take a break. There was no peremptory demand to come listen to something important, followed by a litany of complaints about a minor problem.

  In short, it was heaven.

  And then it was time to leave and catch the bus to meet Zach, and that was glorious too: getting her shoes and coat on, leaving plenty of time, not having to dart out the door after shouting that she was leaving, hoping that she wouldn’t get caught before she was safely gone.

  She was already safely gone. And she wasn’t going back.

  And it was a beautiful spring day, sunny and almost sixty degrees. Maybe she’d stick around the Park after lunch and go for a walk. Or even a hike. She felt so much better now that she’d been changed, healthy and strong.

  Maybe she’d find someplace completely deserted and shift. Climb a tree somewhere and enjoy the day safely out of sight, as a snow leopard.

  Someday she wanted to get up into the mountains in her leopard form, go to places that weren’t safe to reach for one person on foot. But she’d wait to do that until Zach was with her, she thought; it’d be safer if there were two of them. One person falling into a crevasse this spring was enough.

  And it would be a fun adventure. She smiled to herself.

  When she got to the Park, she took one long minute to enjoy standing in the sunshine before she got too impatient and went to find Zach. Sunshine, as wonderful as it was after three months of winter and being trapped indoors, had to take a backseat to her mate.

  He was in the visitor’s center, talking to a group of kids about safety in the Park. Teri leaned against a wall, out of the way, and watched him, smiling. He was cheerful and funny—the kids laughed several times—but very clear about the rules for safety. He made them repeat the most important points back to him, and then sent them on their way with a smile.

  Teri came up just as he was shaking hands with the teacher and waving goodbye, and he turned and grinned at her. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” she said. “You’re pretty good at your job, there.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He smiled, and it looked...secretive? “Let’s have a quick lunch, and then I have a surprise for you.”

  Teri’s eyes went wide. “A surprise?” she asked, startled. “I wasn’t expecting a surprise.”

  “Well,” Zach said thoughtfully, “I guess that might be why it’s called a surprise.”

  Teri punched him in the arm, and he laughed. “Come on. Lunchtime.”

  They took food to go and ate it sitting out in the sunshine on a bench. Zach snugged one arm around Teri and pulled her into his side as he ate his sandwich one-handed. Teri basked in the sunshine and thought that she’d never been more content.

  When she’d finished her last bite, she turned to look at Zach. “So what is this surprise I’m hearing about?”

  Zach checked his watch. “It’s almost ready. Come on.”

  They got rid of their trash and went to...ranger headquarters? Teri frowned at Zach. “I don’t know if I should even be in here.”

  “You should. Come on, we can wash our hands.”

  Teri followed him inside. It looked almost exactly the same as she remembered it from when she’d volunteered here in high school. She thought wistfully about how much fun that had been. Maybe if it took her a long time to find a job, she could volunteer here again in the meantime. Or maybe on her days off, if she did find a job quickly.

  She hoped she could. She didn’t want to be a burden on Zach, and...she just needed to feel like she was accomplishing something with her days. Even if it was just retail work, she needed something.

  “Come on.” Zach led her down the hall toward Cal’s office.

  “What are we doing?” Teri asked.

  Zach looked over his shoulder and grinned. It made him look boyish and mischievous. “It’s a surprise, I told you!”

  Teri shook her head in exasperation and followed him.

  Zach knocked at Cal’s door. Teri swallowed yet another objection—Zach couldn’t be playing a prank on her, he wasn’t that sort of guy, and he certainly wouldn’t involve his boss. So this had to be something to do with the Park.

  “Come on in,” Call said. “Teri. Nice to see you again.”

  “You too,” she said politely, biting off a sir at the last moment. She still remembered that Cal hated to be called anything except his name. Teri didn’t even know if Cal was his full name or if it was short for something.

  “You impressed me yesterday with the Morrisons,” Cal said bluntly. “You were smart and levelheaded and you kept them calm.”

  “Thank you.” Teri wasn’t sure where this was going. Cal was looking her right in the eye, and Teri couldn’t help but notice the iron-gray color of his own eyes. She wondered suddenly if he was a shifter too.

  “I’d like to offer you a job,” Cal said.

  “A job?” she said stupidly, as though she hadn’t understood. Maybe she hadn’t. There was no way he could just be handing her a job.

  “A job,” he repeated. “We had an administrative position open up recently. It’s entry-level, but I know you’ll work hard enough to move up. Maybe be a ranger yourself someday, if you want.”

  “I do want,” Teri heard herself say. “Yes. Yes, thank you. I would love a job here. When can I start?”

  “I’ll see you here tomorrow morning at eight-thirty,” said Cal. “Now both of you out of my office, I have work to do.”

  Out in the hall, Teri turned to Zach with what felt like a blinding smile on her face.

  She was so full of happiness, she wasn’t sure she could contain it. It felt like it was just going to spill over, flow out of her into her surroundings, like it wasn’t enough happiness for one person to hold.

  Zach’s eyes seemed to kindle as he looked at her, and he swept her up into his arms and kissed her thoroughly right in the hall. “Good surprise?” he murmured into her mouth.

  “I love you,” Teri said, too overwhelmed for anything else.

  “I love you, too,” he rumbled. “I can’t wait to come to work with you every day.”

  “Me, either,” Teri said, and smiled helplessly and kissed him again.

  Epilogue

  “You don’t have to be nervous,” Zach said for the umpteenth time.

  Teri glared at him. “I’m not nervous! I’m...excited to meet everybody.”

  “They’re going to love you.”

  Teri wasn’t so sure. They were having a little dinner party at their place tonight, for Zach’s friends in the rangers and their mates. Teri had met all the rangers a number of times, now that she’d been working at the Park for a couple of weeks, but she’d never met the women and she was—fine—a little nervous about whether they’d get along or not.

  The doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Zach said, forestalling her. “You finish here.”

  Teri was putting the appetizers out. They were all store-bought, which made her a little ashamed, but her cooking skills were not up to crazy Pinterest-style hors d’oeuvres. So, olives and cheese and crackers it was.

  She was setting the last little plate on the coffee table when a little face appeared in the doorway to the living room.

  “Hi,” Teri said tentatively.

  She was met with a solemn expression. She wasn’t sure how to respond—what did you say to a dubious baby?

  “Emily!” Suddenly the baby was swept up, and
a woman came forward, holding out her free hand. “I’m so sorry, she’s just getting good at walking and she likes to run off into strangers’ homes, I guess? I’m Leah.”

  “Teri.” She shook Leah’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Yes, I’m so happy to finally get the chance. I kept meaning to come by the Park and say hello, but, well.” She hefted Emily in one arm. “Somehow life keeps getting in the way. So I’m really glad you’re having this party.”

  “Me, too.” Another woman appeared behind Leah. Where Leah was dressed smartly but sensibly, in a sweater and nice jeans, this woman was wearing a gorgeous cocktail dress and strappy heels, with dramatic makeup that showed off her large eyes and full mouth. Teri barely kept her own mouth from dropping open.

  “I’m Alethia,” the beautiful woman said, holding out a hand. “Hi! Leah and I are so happy to have another girl around to help hold the fort against all these men.”

  “This is the first I’m hearing of this,” said Jeff, the cheerful young ranger who was Leah’s fiancé.

  “I respect it,” said Grey, Alethia’s mate, coming up behind Jeff. His voice was quiet but deep, the kind you automatically wanted to listen to. “They need a pack just like we do.”

  “So,” Zach’s voice drifted in from the hallway, “we’re going to let them chat while we take our manly selves into the kitchen and take care of the food.”

  “What are you cooking?” Jeff made an immediate about-face and went to follow Zach, and Grey sighed and trailed behind him.

  Leah shook her head, looking after Jeff with a fond smile. “That man really loves to cook.”

  “Adadada!” said Emily, waving her arms.

  “That’s right, dada,” Leah told her, transferring her fond smile to her daughter. “That’s dada.”

  “Sit down,” Teri managed, realizing that she’d forgotten her manners in the sudden flurry of people. “I think we’re all here. Joel begged off because of other commitments,” which really meant that he’d rather spend the night in the mountains, but Zach had just sighed and shook his head and told her not to insist, “and we invited Cal, but...”

  “But Cal thinks hanging out with people just for fun is a waste of time,” Alethia finished, with a bell-like laugh. “That’s okay. One day we’ll drag him out somewhere.”

  “Good luck,” Teri couldn’t help but say.

  Alethia smiled conspiratorially. “Trust me. I’ll make it happen someday.”

  “I wouldn’t put it past her,” Leah said, as she settled herself and Emily on the couch. “You want a cracker? I’m sorry, there’ll be crumbs,” she told Teri.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Teri assured her. “We’ve got a vacuum. Here, can I give it to her?”

  “Of course.”

  Teri took a cracker from the plate and held it out to Emily, holding her breath. She really didn’t have any experience with babies, and she hoped Emily didn’t start to cry or anything.

  She shouldn’t have worried. Emily grabbed the cracker immediately and focused all her attention on cramming it into her mouth.

  “You like that, huh,” Teri observed.

  “Food is a big win for her these days,” said Leah. “I’m enjoying it while I can, because I know the I Only Want Chicken Nuggets phase is coming for me.”

  Alethia was looking wistfully at the baby, and Teri wondered if she and Grey wanted children too. Probably too rude to ask. Instead, she tried, “So, you guys didn’t grow up around here, did you?”

  They both shook their heads. “But I love it,” Alethia said. “The Park is so beautiful. I’m so much more outdoorsy since I moved here.”

  Leah nodded. “I’m not as much of a hiker as she is, but she drags me out enough, and it’s great for Emily. I’m really happy she’s going to grow up somewhere so beautiful.”

  Teri eyed Alethia’s perfectly-styled, gorgeously clothed, precariously-shoed form and decided that she should stop making assumptions about people’s habits based on how they looked. It was hard to picture her hiking, but she wasn’t wearing hiking boots right now, was she?

  She took the plunge. “I want to be a ranger myself someday,” she confessed.

  Alethia’s eyes went wide. “Oh wow, that is awesome.”

  Leah nodded. “That’s really great. I’ve been thinking—it’s too bad, that Emily will grow up here and be running around the Park all of her childhood, but would only see men being rangers. I want her to know that she can be whatever she wants.”

  Teri felt a smile spreading across her face. “What about you guys, then?” she asked, settling back into her seat. “Do you have big dreams?”

  “Well,” Alethia started. “Let me tell you about all the clothes they do not sell around here, and all the clothes someone could sell around here if she were a savvy businesswoman.”

  Teri smiled. “Please. Tell me more.”

  And as they snacked on appetizers and talked about the future while their men laughed together in the kitchen, Teri thought that her life was fuller than she’d ever dreamed it could be.

  A note from Zoe Chant

  Thank you for reading The Snow Leopard’s Home! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’re starting the series here and you’d like to read more about Grey and Alethia, the first book is The Snow Leopard’s Mate (or here on my website for Apple users). If you’d like to read about Jeff, Leah, and baby Emily, the second book is The Snow Leopard’s Baby (or here). Please review The Snow Leopard’s Home, even if it’s only a line or two. I love to hear what my readers think.

  If you’d like to be emailed when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. You can also visit my webpage, or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.

  Page down to read a special sneak preview of The Snow Leopard’s Mate.

  The cover of The Snow Leopard’s Home was designed by Belle Arden.

  More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant

  The Snow Leopard’s Mate. (Glacier Leopards #1) A curvy waitress longing for a better life + a lonely lumberjack snow leopard shifter + a wild night that will change their lives = one sweet and steamy romance!

  The Snow Leopard’s Baby. (Glacier Leopards #2) A curvy single mom + a snow leopard shifter in need of a family + the blizzard that brings them together = a sweet and steamy 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!

  Lion’s Hunt. A curvy woman who longs for adventure + a daring lion shifter on a dangerous mission + evil experiments in a secret lab = one action-packed 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!

  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 adventure!

  Alpha Bear Detective. A brave woman in deadly danger + a bear shifter police detective who will protect her with his life + a frightening foe = one thrilling 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

  The Billionaire Dragon Shifter’s Mate. (Gray’s Hollow Dragon Shifters # 1) A BBW in search of adventure + a dragon shifter in search of a mate + a mishap on a mountainside = one sparkling and sexy story!

  Alpha Lion. A frightened but determined BBW + a sexy lion shifter martial artist + a dangerous enemy = one unforgettable romance!

  In the Billionbear’s Den. A stressed-out BBW in need of a break + a sexy billionaire bear shifter in need of a mate to share his home + the remote woodland house he built himself = one steamy rom
ance!

  And many more!

  Zoe on Audio

  Kodiak Moment – Audiobook - Workaholic wildlife photographer + 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 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.

  The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.

  The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie. A full-length novel.

  Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life. A novelette.

  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.

  Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.