Renegade: A Werebear Paranormal Romance (Lone Star Cowbears Book 2)

by Liv Brywood

  Violet cringed as she stuffed the phone in her purse.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I told them not to call me unless it was an emergency. I guess they’re just used to having me around all the time. They called for a very small issue, something they could have handled themselves.”

  “It’s fine.”

  Aaron looked straight ahead, barely acknowledging her. The scowl on his face was angry enough to strip the paint off a tractor. She bit the edge of her lip. She didn’t blame him for being mad. Work problems had a way of popping up at the worst possible time, but she couldn’t ignore the call. She’d have to find a way to make it up to him.

  They walked in silence toward the front of the fair. When they passed the gaming area, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward a balloon dart game.

  “Let’s play this one,” she said.

  “I’m pretty tired. I think we should head home.”

  “Don’t be like that.”

  “Like what?” he snapped.

  “I thought we were having a good time. I don’t want it to end yet.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need to get back to work?” he asked bitterly. “I wouldn’t want to keep you from your job.”

  “Please don’t do this,” she said. “It was one call. It’s over. And frankly, it’s not fair that you’re getting angry about something I have no control over.”

  “You could turn your ringer off.”

  “I could.” She reached into her purse and flicked a switch to turn it off. “Happy now?”

  “No.”

  “What will it take?” she asked. “I don’t know how to please you anymore. Everything I do is wrong.”

  “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we can’t be together.”

  “What are you talking about? We’re together right now and we were having fun until you decided to start pouting.”

  “I’m not pouting… all right, maybe I’m pouting a little bit,” he admitted.

  She tried to hold back laughter but failed. The expression on his face softened until a small smile spread across his lips. She stepped into his arms and hugged him.

  “Up on the Ferris wheel you were going to tell me something. What was it?” she asked.

  “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

  She sighed and rested her ear against his chest. The steady beat of his heart soothed her frayed nerves. He pressed his lips to her forehead.

  “I want you to stay,” he said. “I was hoping tonight would help convince you.”

  “It will take more than one night at a fair to convince me.”

  “What will it take?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Her phone rang.

  “Seriously?” she growled.

  “I thought you turned the ringer off.” He stepped back and narrowed his gaze.

  “My parents can still get through. I set it so I’ll never miss a call from them.” She answered the phone.

  “Violet, it’s Mom. You have to fly to Houston right away.”

  Her stomach plunged through the floor. Oh God, something was wrong with Nicole. She sagged against Aaron.

  “What happened?” she whispered.

  “Nicole’s awake.”

  “What? She is? Oh my God. I’ll be there in an hour.”

  “An hour?”

  “I’ll explain when I get there.”

  She hung up and flung her arms around Aaron’s neck. She sobbed in his arms.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “She’s awake.”

  “Thank God.”

  “I want to go see her right away.”

  “Of course.”

  She discreetly wiped tears from her eyes as she let him lead her back to the truck. The drive to Houston took an eternity.

  “I can’t believe she’s awake,” she choked. “I was losing hope.”

  “We’re almost there.”

  When he reached over to squeeze her hand, she clung to it, grateful that she had him to lean on. He’d always been strong and dependable, a person she could count on. A rarity these days.

  They reached the hospital in record time. As they walked hand-in-hand into Nicole’s hospital room, her mom arched a brow. Her dad rushed forward to give her a hug. Over his shoulder, she spotted her sister. Her eyes were closed and she had a peaceful expression on her face.

  “Is she asleep?” she asked.

  “She was conscious for about ten minutes,” her mom said. “The doctor said she might be sleeping off and on for the next few days.”

  Violet moved toward the bed. The incessant beep of the heart rate monitor droned on. An IV slowly dripped into her arm.

  “Hey, Sis,” Violet said. “I know you’re sleeping right now, but I’m glad you’re back.”

  Aaron came up behind her and put a hand around her waist. A wave of silent support moved through her.

  “How long have you been in town?” her mom asked.

  “A day or so.”

  “And you couldn’t call to tell us?”

  “I had some other things to take care of,” Violet said.

  “Apparently.” She eyed Aaron. Her lips pressed together before relaxing. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, it’s just—”

  “Never mind it,” her mom said as she stepped forward to give her a hug. “I’ve got both my daughters back. I don’t care about anything else right now.”

  Violet held back tears as her mom pulled her close. Over the years, their relationship had become frayed to the point of breaking. They’d been holding onto a thread for so long she’d thought it would snap. But now it seemed like she’d been forgiven. Maybe it was temporary, but she’d take it.

  When her mom stepped back, Violet smiled.

  “You know I love you, Mom.”

  “I know. But it’s hard to see it when you’re never home.”

  “I’ll try to come and visit more often. I’m going to stay a few extra days so I can talk to Nicole when she wakes up.”

  “Only if she’s up for it,” her mom warned.

  “Of course.”

  “We should all go home and get some rest. We can come back and check on Nicole tomorrow,” her dad said.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” her mom said.

  “Honey, I’m taking you home. You’ve been wound up tighter than an eight-day clock and you need to rest,” her dad said.

  “Okay. But I want to come back first thing in the morning.”

  “Of course.” Her dad turned to Aaron. “It’s good to see you, son. I take it Violet’s staying over at your place?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You take good care of my girl.”

  “I will.” Aaron smiled at her. “She’s very special to me.”

  “Really?” Her mom perked up. “How special? What’s going on between you two?”

  “I, uh…” Violet wasn’t sure what to say. Now didn’t seem like the right time to tell them about the baby. Her mom would have a fit.

  “Honey, let’s leave that for another day.” Her dad guided her mom toward the door. “Everyone’s tired and we all need some rest.”

  “I want to know what’s going on,” her mom protested.

  “We’ll get it all figured out tomorrow.” Her dad steered her mom into the hall.

  The minute they were out of sight, Aaron turned toward her and grinned.

  “Dodged that bullet.”

  “I don’t even know what I’d say to them right now,” she said.

  “Tell them you’re in love,” came a weak voice.

  “Nicole!”

  “Are they gone?” her sister asked softly.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank God. They were driving me nuts hovering like squirrels under an acorn tree,” Nicole said.

  Violet raced to her sister’s bedside.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Like I hit a hornet’s nest with a short stick.”

  “That good?” Viole
t asked with a sly smile.

  “I’m glad you’re here,” Nicole said. “And Aaron too? I almost wish Mom was still here to grill you two. Are you together?”

  “Yes.”

  “No.” Violet glared at Aaron. “We don’t… we haven’t talked about it.”

  “I’m glad you’re on the same page.”

  Her sister flashed a weak smile before breaking into a fit of coughing. Violet grabbed a cup of water with a straw from the bedside table. She held it to Nicole’s lips.

  “Thank you,” she murmured after having taken several sips. She lay back against the pillows.

  “Can I get you anything else?” Violet asked.

  “A new head. New legs. A new body would work too.”

  “You’re going to be okay,” Violet said. “We’re all here for you.”

  “Please tell me you didn’t move back.”

  “No. I still live in California.”

  “Don’t get me wrong. I’d love it if you came home for good, but I know you’re focused on work.”

  “We’re about a month away from the IPO,” Violet said. “After we launch, I’m going to try taking a vacation so I can come out and help you recover.”

  “You are?” Aaron’s eyes went wide.

  “I have to make sure the timing is right, but I might be able to get a few weeks off.”

  “I miss you, Sis.” Nicole’s eyelids drooped. “Will you be back tomorrow?”

  “Absolutely.” Sensing that her sister needed to sleep, she leaned over and kissed her cold cheek. “You get some rest. You’ll be back in tip-top shape before you know it.”

  “I doubt it. I’m broken in too many places.”

  “Don’t worry, Humpty Dumpty. I’m sure we’ll find a way to get you back into one piece.”

  Nicole smiled and closed her eyes. Her heart rate slowed as she fell asleep. Violet waited several minutes to make sure her sister was okay before turning to Aaron.

  “Ready to head home?” he asked.

  “Sure.”

  She left the hospital with a spark of hope in her heart. Her sister was alive and her mom was speaking to her again. For the first time in years, she felt as if her family were unified. She couldn’t leave now. Brad would be able to handle the business if she stayed a few more days. It would also give her time to figure out what to do about the flutter in her heart every time Aaron was near. Maybe spending more time with him would help clarify her feelings. It couldn’t hurt.

  “I’m going to stay,” she said.

  “You are?” He swerved onto the shoulder of the highway before correcting back into the lane.

  “For a few days. I don’t want you reading into this or anything, but I’d like to spend more time with my family…and more time with you.”

  “I’d like that.”

  Her cell phone rang. She picked it up, glanced at the number, and dropped it back into her purse. For once, work could wait.

  Chapter 12

  Aaron hustled through his chores the next morning with the strength of a hundred men. He may as well have been walking on air. His heart hadn’t felt this light in weeks. Violet hadn’t agreed to stay, or even confirm that they were in a relationship, but she was still on the ranch and that was all that mattered.

  As he hauled a brand-new water trough out of the back of his truck, Diesel ran over. He’d just pulled up to the house and was still wearing his rehabilitation therapy scrubs.

  “You need a hand?” Diesel asked.

  “I wouldn’t want you to ruin your work clothes. I got it.”

  “I can run in and change.”

  “Nah, I got it. How’s it going with Mrs. Branson? Is she up and walking yet?”

  “She’s doing more hobbling than walking, but she’s a stubborn old bird. I don’t see her giving up anytime soon. She’s my favorite patient. I love the fighters who aren’t ready to give up after five minutes.”

  “Nicole woke up.”

  “How’s she doing?” Diesel asked.

  “She’s pretty banged up and weak, but awake. She’s going to need a lot of rehab.”

  “There are a lot of great therapists in Houston.”

  “You should talk to Mr. Olsen. I’m sure they’d be happy to hire you to help her. Then she could come home,” Aaron said.

  “Uh…” Diesel ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know if that would be a good idea.”

  “Why?”

  “We… she…”

  “Oh hell, what did you do?” Aaron asked.

  “Nothing. I didn’t do a damn thing.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Really?” Aaron deepened his tone.

  “I might have pissed her off a bit.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Well, about six months ago, she was hinting around that she might be looking for a date, so I told her to sign up for one of those online dating sites.”

  “You didn’t,” Aaron said. “No woman tells you something like that unless they’re interested in a hard ride on your hot bronco.”

  “I can’t. It would be weird. I’ve known her my whole life.”

  “I’ve known Violet my whole life and it’s not weird with her.”

  “That’s different. You dated Violet in high school,” Diesel said. “Speaking of which, how are things going with you two? Did you tell her about your bear yet?”

  “Not yet. And don’t think I’m letting you off the hook about Nicole.”

  “The longer you wait, the worse it’s going to be when you do tell her,” Diesel said.

  “I don’t know how to tell her.”

  “Spit it out. Maybe she’ll be pissed—most likely—but you have to tell her the truth. She’s going to have a shifter baby and needs to be prepared.”

  “I know.” As Aaron dragged the water trough toward the gate to the front pasture, his brother shadowed him.

  “Do you need me to come with you when you tell her? As backup.”

  “Nope. And don’t tell Beth about this. I don’t want her running off at the mouth to the rest of our family.”

  “You’ve got until sundown, then I’m tellin’ everyone.” Diesel grinned.

  “Not unless you want me tellin’ everyone about how Nicole’s got it bad for you but you won’t man up and take her out.”

  “Now you’re just playin’ dirty.”

  “Damn straight,” Aaron said.

  Diesel smirked as he headed back toward the house.

  “You tell Beth and I’ll kick your ass,” Aaron yelled.

  After he’d situated the new trough, he pulled off his work gloves and wiped his hands on his jeans. Diesel was right. There was no good way to tell her, so he might as well get it over with. It’d be like ripping off a Band-Aid… only much, much worse.

  As he walked over to the cottage, he ran through a bunch of ways to begin the conversation. Nothing would soften the blow. She’d be furious at best. Terrified at worst. And probably madder than a wet hen.

  By the time he reached the door, he’d decided to take his brother’s advice and just spit it out.

  As he knocked, his heart hammered in his chest.

  “One minute,” Violet called.

  He tensed, ready to turn and run, but he couldn’t. He’d never run from his responsibilities before and he wasn’t about to start now.

  “You’re early,” she said as she opened the door. “Come on in. I’m almost ready.”

  As he followed her into the cottage, a whiff of her perfume woke his bear. The beast stretched and sniffed the air. Fortunately she had her back to him.

  “Where are we headed today?” she asked. “I hope you’re not going to take me someplace romantic like the top of a grain silo.”

  “Well crap. And here I was thinking it would be the perfect make-out spot.”

  “It is if there’s nothing else around,” she said wryly.

  “Before we head out, I was hoping we could talk about something,” he said.

>   “Sure.” She crossed the room and plopped down on the edge of the bed. “What’s up?”

  “I’ve been searching for a way to tell you this… but I can’t find the words.”

  “If you’re about to say three words hang on. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” she said.

  Oh, it was three words all right, just not the three she was expecting.

  I’m a shifter.

  The words lodged themselves in his throat. His tongue stuck against the dry roof of his mouth until he willed it to move.

  “I…” He swallowed. “I’m a shifter.”

  “A what?”

  “I can shift into a bear,” he said.

  She blinked twice before bursting out laughing.

  “You’re so funny. A bear. That’s a good one. Is that a hint? Are we going to a zoo?”

  “No. I’m serious. I can transform into a bear.”

  “I can morph into a unicorn,” she mocked. “Want to see? I shit glitter too.”

  “Violet!”

  The smile on her face faltered.

  “I should have known you wouldn’t believe me,” he said.

  “Are you feeling okay?” she asked. “We can postpone if you’re not feeling up to going out.”

  He sighed and paced the length of the room. How could he make her understand? Well, there was one way…

  “Let’s go outside,” he said.

  “Okay.” She frowned but stood and took his hand.

  He led her toward the back of the property to the edge of the fence line by the bayou.

  “I don’t want you to be afraid,” he said as he pulled off his boots. “But I’m going to shift into a bear. I won’t hurt you.”

  “You’re scaring me,” she said. “You’re acting so weird. This isn’t like you.”

  “I swear I won’t hurt you.” He shucked his clothes and prepared to shift.

  “If you wanted to make love, you could have just asked me.” Her mouth quirked into a smile.

  He backed up several steps before summoning his bear. The beast roared forward, clawing at his chest, unable to contain its excitement to finally meet its mate.

  As he dropped to all fours, fur sprouted on his hands and arms. His back cracked and twisted, elongating into a thick spine. His face flattened as his nose stretched into a snout. The transition only took a few seconds, and when he finished, he tilted his head up and inhaled the scent of his mate. The scent of fear and panic quickly followed.