“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Mrs. Humphries shook her head, and then luckily Mrs. Harold reached the counter and she had to go and ring up her groceries. “You can fill me in, in a minute.”
“So you mean the picture on the profile, the person who messaged me, that wasn’t his picture?” She frowned, wondering who would possibly put the wrong picture up on a dating website for shifters. Wasn’t that the whole point, knowing your mate when you saw them?
“Yes, another message came through, it was from Tad’s brother.”
“Who is Tad?” Viv asked.
“Tad is your mate. Or at least I hope he is your mate. His brother put his picture up instead, because Tad was away for a few days. He was kind of testing the site.”
“Right. And the picture has been changed now?” Viv asked hopefully. Although she was really worried she was just going to be let down again. What if, even though this Tad had put his real picture up, it still wouldn’t be her mate?
“Yes, the picture is the right one now. Have a look on your phone. I’m sure Mrs. Humphries won’t mind.” Her mom’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. Viv looked round the store quickly to see if anyone else was there, but Mrs. Harold was the only remaining customer.
Reluctantly, she pulled out her phone, scared of what her reaction might be. If he wasn’t her mate, then she would be disappointed, but if he was her mate, she wasn’t quite sure what her response would be. Then she had an idea.
“Listen, I was going to ask if I could carry Mrs. Harold’s groceries home. So I’ll do that, and then I’ll check the picture. What you think?”
“I think that sounds like a plan.”
Trying to control herself, she waited for Mrs. Harold’s groceries to be scanned, and then she helped pack the bags. “I’ll help you get home safely, Mrs. Harold,” Viv offered.
“It’s very kind of you, Viv. The weather is terrible out there, are you sure?” Mrs. Harold asked.
“Absolutely. I’d be worried if you walked home on your own. Just in case you slipped in the snow. These bags are a bit heavy.” Viv picked up the shopping bags, two in each hand, and was absolutely certain that Mrs. Harold wouldn’t have gotten home safely with them. She told herself she was doing her good deed for the day, even if she did have a bit of an ulterior motive.
Her mom opened the door for her and they went out into the snow, Viv immediately wishing she hadn’t volunteered, because without her big thick coat, she was freezing. Luckily, Mrs. Harold didn’t live too far away, so they hurried there, her mom linking arms with the old lady to make sure that she stayed on her feet. When they reached her house, Mrs. Harold ushered them into the warm kitchen, where Viv deposited the bags.
“Thank you so much, both of you. I don’t know what I’d have done. But I knew I had to get some groceries, because if this storm gets any worse I won’t be going out for a few days.” Mrs. Harold began unpacking the shopping.
“If you need anything, just give me a call,” Viv said. “It’s no trouble for me to just pop around with some shopping for you.” She wrote her number down on the pad next to Mrs. Harold’s phone. It felt good to be doing something for someone else.
“That’s so kind of you.” Mrs. Harold said, putting the kettle on. “Tea?”
“We should get back,” her mom said, linking arms with Viv and pushing her towards the door.
“Next time,” Viv said, seeing the disappointed look on the old lady’s face. She knew why her mom was ushering her out, and felt nervous. A cup of tea might have been what she needed.
“Check your phone now.” Her mom hovered in the porch way.
“I could wait until later.” Suddenly, she didn’t want to look, didn’t want the pressure that would come with having a mate. She could live a simple life here in Bear Valley. No boyfriends, no men, no mate.
“Viv,” her mom said knowingly.
Sighing, she reached in her back pocket for her phone, for once praying she didn’t have Internet access. But she did; despite the heavy snow-filled clouds in the sky, she had full bars.
Scrolling to the website, she clicked to see the updated profile picture of her mate, not expecting to feel anything. However, the Earth moved, or at least that was how it felt. Her mom grabbed her arm, and stopped her from slipping over. She didn’t need to ask if he was the one, it couldn’t be more obvious.
“He lives a few miles down the road,” her mom said.
“He does?” she asked, bewildered.
“Uh-huh. Why don’t you go there?”
“I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Here, drive carefully.” Her mom pushed the car keys into her hand, and her fingers automatically closed over them. Then she tried to give them back.
“I can’t, I have to work.” She just wanted to run back to the store, and bury her head in the cookie aisle. However, her bear wouldn’t let her, and neither would her mom.
“Don’t you do this, Viv. You get in that car and go find him. Here.” She put her hand in her pocket and drew out a piece of paper.
“What’s this?” Viv asked.
“The address. Now go.”
“How did you…?
“Doesn’t matter. You go, I’ll cover for you at the store.”
Somehow, Viv found herself in her mom’s car, driving very carefully along snow-covered roads, to meet her mate. She only hoped he was expecting her.
Chapter Six – Tad
“So where did you disappear to?” Tad asked his brother. They were walking back along the road towards the cabin that served as their makeshift office. He wasn’t sure what was wrong with his brother, but he had been acting odd all through lunch. Now he was insisting they go into work, even though it was mid-afternoon, and any calls they received would be diverted to their cell phones.
“I had an errand to run,” Jay said evasively.
“What kind of an errand?” Tad asked. He knew his brother well enough to know he was hiding something. And Tad wanted to know what that something was.
His brother took his phone out of his pocket, and checked it one more time. Then he picked up their pace a little. Frowning, and hoping Jay wasn’t in some kind of trouble, Tad kept up with him, trying to figure out what was causing his brother to act so oddly.
“You aren’t going to tell me.” Tad looked sideways at Jay.
“Nope.” Jay looked at him and smiled. “I might show you, though.”
“Show me?” Tad was starting to feel exasperated, he was still feeling tired from the days out in the mountains, and he has certainly not in the mood for Jay to act this weird. He really wanted to go home and go to bed, especially after his mom’s wonderful cooking, which he had eaten too much of, as usual.
“Yes,” Jay said, and then he slowed down, standing in the middle of the snow-covered street. He pointed to a small car pulled up outside the cabin. “There.”
“Where?” Tad asked, wondering if his brother had fallen and hit his head while Tad was out on the mountain.
“That car. You’ll understand. And just … don’t hate me. I never meant to mess things up for you.” With that, Jay gave Tad a shove forward, and then turned to walk back the way they had come.
“What is going on?” Tad asked, turning around, about to follow him, wondering if this was some kind of practical joke.
“Just go. And you are welcome.” Jay shooed him away, and Tad stood, not knowing what to do. “Go.”
Tad turned around, and looked at the car: was there someone in it? Tad had this sudden worry that his brother had set him up on a blind date to make up for the fact his mate had not answered his message. He knew that wasn’t something Jay would do; they hadn’t interfered with the other’s sex life since college.
As he stood, contemplating his next move, he felt his bear stir inside his head, clawing at the corners of his mind, as if there was something wrong. Tad let his bear come closer, almost letting him loose, although they both knew that could not happen here in the middle of town.
Sh
e’s close, his bear said.
“Who’s close?” Tad asked, wondering if whatever was wrong with Jay was contagious.
Our mate. Tad took a step back, as if he had been punched in the gut. What the hell did Jay have to do with his mate? This was beginning to feel more and more like a setup, but his bear was never wrong. Not about women. Not about their mate.
Tad took a step forward, and then another. Now his bear was becoming more excited, and Tad was becoming more certain that she was here, in the car. Trying not to run, in case he fell over, not a good first impression, he hurried towards the car. But as he got there, and looked inside, he realized it was empty.
“Where is she?” he asked out loud, looking around. His bear nudged him forward, and Tad looked across the street to the diner. It was if the whole world warped; the only point it came back into focus was the booth by the window, where a woman sat all alone.
Trying to act cool, despite his snowshoes, he walked across the street, a strange sensation inside him that only grew stronger as he approached the window. Knowing he could not stand outside and stare at her, because that would be freaky, he walked around to the door. He had to practically force himself to walk away from her, and then he almost forgot to take off his snowshoes in his haste.
Opening the door, he looked to the booth: it was empty. What the hell kind of game was this? Then his eyes swiveled around and he saw her. She had gotten up and come out of the booth, heading straight towards him.
His breathing became rapid, and his heart beat so loudly, she must be able to hear it. Then she was standing in front of him, and he could hear her heart beat, and she smiled shyly, making the sun come out despite the heavy snow clouds.
“Hi.” How original, he thought, but what did you say when you met your mate for the first time?
“Hi,” she said, smiling shyly, and then ducked her head.
“How did you know…?” he asked.
“I… Your brother sent a message. On your profile.”
“My brother?” he asked, trying to understand what Jay had to do with this. Although it was becoming obvious why his brother had disappeared earlier, before lunch. How had he gotten through to her when Tad had been unable to? Whatever he had done, Jay was right; he did have a lot to thank his brother for.
“Yes,” she said, her eyes flicking up to his. “And my mom came to find me and tell me. Then I came here.” He looked at her beautiful face, noting the flush of red on her pale cheeks, and the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled. Her hair was the color of horse chestnuts in the autumn, sleek and shiny.
“This is beginning to sound more and more like a conspiracy.” He smiled at her, unconsciously reaching out to touch her cheek, and she tilted her head to one side to meet his fingers. “But I don’t care how it happened, I’m just glad you are here.”
“So am I,” she said, and he believed her.
Chapter Seven – Viv
Waiting had been the worst. She had used her mom’s GPS to guide her to the address on the piece of paper, and then sat alone in the booth in the diner and waited. If it had been anyone else telling her to come and meet Tad, she would have thought they were jerking her around. But she trusted her mom, and so she stayed.
The minutes ticking by truly did seem like an eternity. Just when she thought about leaving, her bear had begun to stir, sensing his approach before Viv could even see him.
As he got closer, her bear was desperately trying to push her way forward, wanting to be the one to meet him, and Viv had fought her for control. Ever since Rhys, her inner bear had pushed for dominance. Viv knew it was an act of self-preservation, but it was tiring to always fight to keep her in check.
Now, with Tad next to her in the booth, ordering coffee for them both as if this was the most natural thing in the world, her bear was beginning to relax.
So relaxed in fact, she was sleeping in the corner of Viv’s mind, as if basking in his glow.
“This is weird, isn’t it?” he asked, and she was glad he felt the same way.
“Isn’t it?” she said, trying to work out her feelings for this man she had only just met.
“I’m intrigued as to how your mom and my brother fit into all this.” He was trying to keep the conversation light, put her at her ease, when, if he was anything like her, his emotions must be screaming out to kiss her, and more.
“It’s a bit of a tale,” she said. Viv didn’t want to get his brother into trouble, but she also didn’t want to begin their relationship with a lie. “I got your message last night, only when I looked at the picture on your profile, I got nothing. No mate vibes.”
“Really?” he asked. “Because I got it off your picture. Like a punch in the gut. Only much nicer,” he quickly added.
“Well, I looked at your picture again today, and that is exactly how I felt. Like someone had punched me in the gut.” The waitress arrived with their coffees, and she sat back, hoping that would end the conversation, and she wouldn’t have to tell on his brother.
While Tad thanked the waitress, she took a sidelong look at him, and liked what she saw. His hair was dark, a mahogany brown; his eyes were a similar color, but they had flecks of amber in them, making them look softer. Full lips, just right for kissing … she halted her examination there. It was too hard to take her eyes off them, and unconsciously she licked her lips.
“Sugar?” he asked, and she realized he had caught her staring, but those amber flecks sparkled with humor. She found herself smiling naturally, rather than feeling embarrassed.
“No, thank you.”
“Sweet enough?” He grinned. “Corny, I know, but I couldn’t resist.”
“I don’t mind corny,” she said, thinking how open and unassuming Tad was. He promised her normal, at least as a normal as bear shifters ever got to be.
“So where do you live? Local, I guess, since you got here so quick.”
“Bear Valley, a couple of towns over.”
“I know it well. I’m a ranger, which means I have probably tramped right past your front door, more than once. I can’t believe we have never met.”
“I was working away for a couple of years,” she said, and picked up her coffee mug and blew on it. She didn’t want to get into the whole Rhys affair on this first meeting. He might decide that she did not fit into is normal life. She bit her bottom lip, telling herself to let it go, that was the past, and right here in front of her was six foot four of well-toned man flesh, who was her future.
“What made you come back?” He sipped his coffee, his eyes fixed on hers. “Most people who escape these small towns stay escaped.”
“I don’t know. I missed my parents.” It was only half a lie.
“Family, huh? I work with my dad and my brother, so there is no escaping them.”
“And you’ve always lived here in Grizzly Hollows?” she asked, trying to divert the conversation away from herself.
“Yes. The furthest I’ve gone this year is Bear Bluff for my sister’s wedding. She’s the one to blame for that dating website. She put it together.”
“Really? She’s smart, then.”
“Yes. Found her mate on there, too, which is how I knew for sure it worked. Maybe I should let her know it’s a little temperamental.”
She smiled. “You sure you’re not a sheriff? You have very subtle interrogation tactics.”
He raised his eyebrows innocently. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” Then he grinned. “I know my brother has something to hide, so I’m guessing he messed with my profile.”
She lowered her eyes, and before taking a sip of her coffee, she said, “He’s a good looking guy.”
“I knew it! He switched pictures. That is the one thing I never checked.”
“But he made it right. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
“They do, although I’m going to milk this one for a while. Then I’m going to insist he sets up his own profile. The amount of ribbing I’ve put up with from him.”
She smiled. He was just so damn good tempered. Her eyes flicked up to look at his. She had learned, during her time with Rhys, to guard what she said and did when he was around because she never knew what might set him off. That familiar sense of anxiousness was overwhelming.
“Are you OK?” he asked.
“Yes. Why wouldn't I be?” She knew she sounded defensive and couldn't believe how quickly she had slipped into her old ways.
“No reason. It's just you've gone very pale. Maybe it's the shock of finding me.” He said it as a joke, and she tried to smile. “Hey, I’m not that bad, honest.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right, it’s all been a bit sudden.” She drank the rest of her coffee, and her eyes slid to the door. She debated whether she could get out of it without him stopping her.
He might not stop her, but her bear would. Inside her head, her bear was trying to tell her to relax, he was her mate, he couldn’t hurt her, just as Viv couldn’t hurt him.
It works both ways, remember.
“Hey Tad, sorry to interrupt you two, but I wanted to say thanks for going out after Cody.” A pretty young woman stood by their table, smiling.
“Any time, you know that, Ange. I’m glad he’s safe.”
“Yeah, me, too. Although I gave him such an earful for not letting anyone know sooner.” She shook her head, her eyes casting an inquiring look over Viv.
Viv had the distinct impression Ange had a thing for Tad, but then you couldn’t blame her; he was a good catch in every sense of the word. Tad seemed oblivious to it, his manner polite but not suggestive, and she smiled at his lack of guile.
“Oh, this is Viv,” he said, suddenly twigging they hadn’t been introduced.
“Nice to meet you, Viv. Are you a friend of Tad’s from out of town?”
“I’m…” What was she?
Tad jumped in and said, “She’s from out of town, just, and she’s my girlfriend.”
“Oh,” Ange said, keeping her composure, but a sudden rise in color to her cheeks confirmed Viv’s suspicions. “I didn’t know you were dating.”
“I wasn’t. We just met.”
Her Scars to Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Dating Agency Romance (Fated and Mated Book 1) Page 3
