“Oh. I have nothing to wear. I don't think I've worn a nice dress – well, since my wedding, to be honest.”
“We're going to change that right away! What are you doing next Saturday?” Lauren said. Lori shrugged. She was too shy to ask anyone to look after Nancy for her. “Nothing? Good! We’ll ask Connor to look after Willow and Nancy, and we’re all going out dress shopping. How about it?”
“Umm,” Lori mumbled. The truth was that she hated shopping for clothes. Hated changing room lights, and the way nothing ever fit her right.
“We hate clothes shopping too, don’t worry,” Melissa broke in. “But there are a few boutiques in Hope Valley that cater to curvy girls, and we mix the shopping up with fun stuff, like lunch and going for coffee.”
“Ok, thanks. That sounds great,” Lori said.
*
The girls were right: shopping could be fun when you were with your best friends. By early evening on the following Saturday, Lori’s feet were killing her from all the walking they’d done that day, and she was the happy owner of a cobalt blue crepe dress. It had a floaty neckline and was loose over her bust, then it cinched in at the waist, before flowing into an unstructured skirt. It was beautiful. It made her look taller and way slimmer than she was.
“You look great, little sis,” Andrea said, looking at her admiringly. “It really enhances the color of your eyes.”
When they got home, Magnus was out, and when Andrea called him to find out where he was, they were surprised to discover that he was hanging out with Connor.
“I’m just getting some parenthood practice,” he said with a shrug, when he came back home with Nancy in his arms. He was trying to teach her to ride on his back, while he crawled around the floor on his hands and knees, but she wouldn’t cling on tight enough and she kept slipping off, and collapsing in giggles as he caught her and tickled her. He was just too adorable. Andrea’s eyes were full of light as she watched him, looking forward to the moment when he became a father himself.
“Don’t worry, you’ll find a guy one day. When the time is right for you,” she said to Lori, catching the look of sadness in her eyes. “I’m absolutely sure of it.” Lori smiled at her, but didn’t say anything. She didn’t think she’d ever find another guy, but that was ok with her. As long as she had Nancy, that was all that mattered.
*
The Saturday after, the day of the ball came. It was late spring, almost summer, and it was already warm enough to go out without a jacket. The sky was cloudless, and the sun was shining, and all the girls were getting ready excitedly. There was a nursery at the ball, and everyone had agreed to take turns watching the kids there.
Lori got dressed and applied her make up. Then she appraised herself in front of the mirror. She’d lost weight recently from all the stress she’d been under, but, much to her surprise, it didn’t look good on her. It made her look a little gaunt and unhealthy. She had always been chubby as a kid, but she hadn't had a real issue with her weight until Rob had started calling her names. She was never going to be happy with her body, but she wanted to get back to the point where she kind of accepted it. She placed her hands on her waist. It was her favorite part of her body, as it went in nicely, giving her an hourglass shape. She loved her dress. It maximized her curviness, while preventing her from looking dumpy. For the first time in she didn't know how long, she put on a pair of high-heeled pumps. Rob hadn't liked her dressing up in a feminine way. ‘Slutting herself around’, as he used to call it. So she was used to wearing shapeless, baggy pants and loose T-shirts, which couldn't have been less flattering. Her tummy was in knots at the thought of going to the ball. She was half excited, half nervous at the thought of seeing so many people. She'd lived such a quiet life in recent years, and she wasn't used to being around lots of people at the same time. She brought her face up close to the mirror, so that the image of herself became blurred, and she looked at the reflection of her eyes. All she could see were two violet-colored smudges. It was a game she used to play with Andrea when they were kids. Whenever anyone used to tease them about their weight, they would tell each other that they had magic eyes, which gave them special powers. Ok, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, she told herself. She picked up Nancy, her baby bag and her purse and headed downstairs.
Magnus drove them into town and parked close to the town hall where the ball was being held. It was beautifully decorated in colorful banners and flags and flowers. Lori grinned at it in delight. She loved that there was such a strong sense of community in Hope Valley, and people really made an effort on festive occasions. The others had arrived at the same time and they greeted each other at the door.
“You look amazing, girl!” Lauren exclaimed as she kissed Lori.
“So do you!” Lori replied. She did. She was wearing a cerise-colored raw-silk dress that hugged her curves all the way, along with a large pink flower in her hair and matching elbow-length gloves.
“I’ve got a bit of a thing for pink,” she admitted. “I always say you can never wear too much, but I’m not sure that Connor agrees with me!”
Connor, Logan, Roman and Magnus all looked so handsome in their tuxes, their crisp white shirts startling against their tanned skin. And when Lori entered the town hall, she gasped. She’d never seen so many hot men in tuxes in her life before.
“What is this – a male model convention?” she muttered to Andrea. “I’m practically drooling!” Andrea laughed.
“Like I was saying, sis, there are a lot of eligible men in Hope Valley!”
The decorations inside the hall were totally charming. There were tables around the edges of the room, covered with checkered cloths and laden with sandwiches and canapés. Trestle tables at either end of the room served drinks, and the glass doors at the back were open to the garden, where a brass band was playing swing jazz. The nursery was in a separate room, but most of the kids were happily running around among the adults.
Connor and Logan had their babies in slings on their chests. They looked adorable. “Do you want to put Nancy in the nursery, so you can relax?” Andrea asked.
“I think I’ll keep hold of her for a while. At least until she gets sleepy,” Lori said, bouncing her on her hip.
Everyone helped themselves to drinks and wandered out into the garden. Lori had a wrap with her, but it was such a lovely day that she didn’t even need it. The winters were harsh in Turnersville, and it was good to feel the first sun of the summer on her skin. As they were drinking and chatting, a group of men came over to join them, exchanging rough bear hugs with Logan and Connor. Bruno, the firefighter, was among them. Lori suppressed a gasp. He looked so different in a tux. She recalled how huge and muscular his body had felt when she’d impulsively hugged him when he brought the suitcases over several days earlier, and was awed that he’d managed to make it fit in such stiff, formal clothing. It suited him though, and, to a woman, a man containing his rugged masculinity like that was a sexy sight. But she also sensed that he couldn’t wait to strip it off and get back to the jeans and faded t-shirt he’d been wearing the other day.
“This is Timo, Ryzard, Olsen, Leigh, Niall, Dalton and Frankie,” Logan said. “And I think you know Bruno? Guys, this is Lori, Andrea’s sister, and her baby, Nancy. She’s recently moved to Hope Valley.”
“Hi Lori and Nancy!” they said in unison, with friendly waves and smiles.
As the conversation resumed, Bruno walked over to her.
“You’re looking well,” he said.
“Thanks,” she replied, with a hint of shyness.
“So how have you been?”
“Good.” She nodded. “My leg is all better now, and I’m settling in well. I’m still staying at my sister’s place, but I’m going to get a cabin built as soon as my ex-husband has finished selling the house.”
“That’s great,” he said, his eyes crinkling with warmth, and Lori was aware once again how handsome he was. He had the rugged kind of features that she really liked in a guy. His narrow eyes were so str
iking, and he had a nice, strong jaw. “And how’s everything else?” She caught her breath, knowing that he was referring to her emotional state.
“Better,” she said, after a pause, while she figured out how much she should say to him. “I’m over the worst of it with my ex-husband. Having some distance from him has allowed me to see what an asshole he was. It hurt when he dumped us, but, honestly, I’m so glad it happened.” Nancy grizzled and squirmed in her arms, and she hoisted her up on her hip. She was growing fast, and would soon be too heavy to hold like this.
“Would you like me to hold her?” Bruno said, holding his arms out. Without stopping to think, Lori passed her over to him. Then she blinked; she should have assumed that he was just being polite, and refused. He laid Nancy against his shoulder, and she settled down immediately, becoming drowsy and placid.
“Thanks,” Lori said, unable to hide the surprise in her voice.
“I miss having a baby sleeping on me, ever since Tad got too big to be picked up,” he said with a grin.
“Where is Tad?”
“Oh, tearing around somewhere.” He pointed at a small boy sprinting across the garden, accompanied by another boy and two girls.
“He’s a lovely boy,” she said. “You’re obviously doing a great job of bringing him up.”
“He’s an easy kid to take care of. He’s always so happy and excited about the world. But it’s not always easy feeling like I need to be his dad and his mom.”
“I understand,” Lori said, wondering what’d happened to Tad’s mother. “I think I’ve always felt the same, even when I was with my ex. He didn’t take an active role in parenting, so I might as well have been by myself.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Bruno said. She shrugged.
“I guess it’s prepared me well for single parenthood.” Bruno nodded, quietly understanding.
“And are you recovering from the accident?”
“I think so,” she said slowly. “I’ve had a few weird moments, but nothing major.”
“As in flashbacks?” She nodded. “It’s like I’m dreaming, but I’m actually awake, watching TV or something. Suddenly, from nowhere, I’ll feel like I’m in the car again, knowing that the engine’s going to blow. My heart starts to pound and I get really overheated. And then I feel crazy emotional.” An intense look came into Bruno’s arctic-blue eyes. It was sympathy, but more than that. It was as if she was describing something that was very familiar to him. Empathy. That’s what it was. He knew exactly how it felt. She gazed at him, lips parted, as a wave of tenderness washed over her. She was desperate to ask what had happened to him. Then she mentally shook herself. He was a firefighter. He was probably used to seeing traumatic things. But how does he do it? How does he go home after almost being blown up while cutting two strangers out of a car, and be normal and hang out with his son? He’s so brave.
“It must be tough being a firefighter,” she said, cursing herself at the same time. No, Lori, being a firefighter is like a walk in the park! Duh. What a dumb comment!
“It can be,” he said. “But I couldn’t do anything else. I think of it as my vocation in life.”
“Did you always want to be a firefighter when you were a kid?” she asked.
“No, I wanted to be a tree surgeon. Which was my career for ten years, actually. I've only been a firefighter for the last four years.”
“Can I ask why?” At her words, his face shut down. His eyes narrowed and his lips hardened into a thin line.
“I guess you could say I developed a passion for it. One day I woke up and just realized that this was what I had to do.”
“I bet Tad loves that his dad is a firefighter?” she said. Bruno laughed.
“You betcha! He's always writing stories about firefighters, and painting pictures of fire engines. And I’m always being dragged into his school to give talks on fire safety and what it's like to be a firefighter. A couple of times a year, we have an open day at the fire station and the kids can come in and look around. They always want to slide down the emergency pole. I think that's why most of them want to follow in my footsteps, to be honest!” They both laughed. Lori noticed that he had a nice, easy-going way about him. When he wasn't speaking, he looked a little dark and brooding. But when he was obviously enjoying the conversation, he kind of came to life. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and he got these little dimples in his cheeks.
“I'm just going to grab a beer from the drinks table. Can I get you one, or –?” he said, trailing off to avoid asking awkward question.
“I’m still breastfeeding,” she said rescuing him. “But I would like a soft drink. I'll come with you for the walk, as I haven't had a good look at the place yet. Shall I take Nancy back?”
“No, she’s as light as a feather,” he said, and she did look very comfortable, fast asleep on his shoulder.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” They walked across the room together.
*
“Do you see what I see?” Lauren sang out to the other girls, inclining her head towards Bruno and Lori.
“Who is that?” Kristin said. “I know he's part of the clan, but I never really see him around.”
“That's Bruno. He’s a full-time firefighter, and he has a nine-year-old son, so he doesn't have much time to hang with the other bears.”
“He's very good looking. From a purely objective point of view,” Kristin said.
“He is,” Dina agreed. “He seems like a really nice guy as well, from the little I’ve spoken to him. But there's always something kind of dark and tortured about him. Like, sometimes he drops out of the conversation, and you can see a flash of real pain in his eyes.”
“If the way he saved Lori is any indication of what he gets up to on a daily basis, then that kind of explains it,” Andrea said. Connor walked over with Willow still attached to his chest.
“What are you ladies gossiping about?” He said.
“Uh, what gives you the idea that we’re gossiping?” Lauren said, her voice full of mock outrage. Connor grinned.
“Let me see: number one, you're all staring at the same two people. Number two: you're speaking in that tone that women only have when they’re trying to prevent anybody from outside the group from hearing their conversation. And number three, now I've mentioned it, you all look really guilty. Case in point!” he finished triumphantly. Lauren made a hmph! sound.
“Honey, just be grateful that you’re as good looking as you are, and that you’re the father of my child or you’d be a very sorry bear right about now!” she said. He kissed her on the cheek.
“So are you going to enlighten me now?”
“Bruno is single, right?” she said.
“Single, as in he doesn't have a mate. But he’s not looking for one either. He doesn't date.”
“But why?”
“He's been that way ever since he lost his mate five years ago.”
“Wow, that's terrible. Poor guy,” Dina breathed. Connor nodded.
“Yeah, it's really sad. He's never really got over it. But he keeps himself busy with work and caring for Tad.”
“Maybe he needs some encouragement to get out there and meet some nice curvy ladies,” Lauren said. Connor nodded again.
“The guys and I have been saying the same thing, but he's just not interested. He says that he and Tad are a family unit and that's all he needs.”
“Perhaps you should suggest that he puts a profile on Shiftr. At least then he can see who’s out there and it might help him realize what he's missing,” Kristin said. Connor sighed.
“I have thought about it. But he just closes down when I mention the prospect of dating, so it's not easy. You're right though. He deserves to find his perfect match, and it's the duty of our clan to help him do that.”
“Speaking of Shiftr, maybe it's time we let somebody else into the secret, don't you think?” Lauren said once he’d left, directing her question at Andrea.
“That has crossed
my mind, more than once,” Andrea replied. “I just didn't want to rush my sister into anything she wasn't ready for. But I feel like she's recovering well from her divorce, and it would do her good to start dating again. Her ex-husband treated her like crap, and made her feel like she was worthless. I'm sure she’ll get a huge confidence boost from the flood of emails she’s bound to get when she posts a profile.”
“And maybe if we and the bears get those two onto the app at the same time, they’ll be able to find out if they’re compatible?” Lauren said. Andrea frowned.
“I am so grateful to him for saving her and Nancy, and he’s obviously a great guy. But he seems kind of damaged. I feel like Lori has had enough darkness in her life. I'd rather see her with somebody chilled out and happy-go-lucky.”
“I see your point,” Dina said. “And in that case, there are plenty of other guys in the clan who'd be low-maintenance mates.”
“Maybe she and Timo would be good together. I can actually see them getting on pretty well,” Melissa said. Melissa and Timo had dated unsuccessfully for a little while, without her even knowing that he was a bear shifter, before he broke it off with her, saying that he knew they weren't fated to be together.
“Perhaps,” Andrea agreed. “It'll be fun to see what the app comes up with anyway.”
“When shall we tell her about it?” Melissa said, almost jumping up and down in excitement.
“Maybe tomorrow afternoon? I’ll just need a little time to have her approved by Tamika first. Are you ladies all free to come over for tea?” Andrea said.
“Yes!” They all said.
“I’ll need to think of a way of easing her into the shifter secret though. The poor thing has had enough shocks lately.”
The girls all went to get food, piling their plates high from the buffet. They helped themselves to cheeseburgers, fries, chilidogs, chicken wings, onion rings, nachos and quesadillas. They all had a rule that they'd eat exactly what they wanted on festival days. There was no point only half enjoying yourself at times like that.
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love (Lori) BBW Bear Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 5) Page 4
