The Grizzly Bear's Barista: A Howls Romance (The Shifters of Sanctuary Book 3)

by Kasey Belle

  Bow thought about that for a moment. She didn’t like being negative, but she also had to be realistic. This would be their first and possibly only date. If things didn’t go well, Bow didn’t want to be far from home. “Let’s go to the diner. We’ll see how it goes before we decide to take this thing on the road.”

  Saturday came much too soon. Bow was so nervous she fumbled everything she touched. The more the day wore on the more her stomach fluttered and flipped. She vacillated from feeling excitement to dread. Maybe she should just call Storm and tell him she changed her mind.

  “Good lord, Bow.” Megan chided after Bow knocked over a bag of sugar. “You getting high on your own supply? You’re as jittery as a cracked out chihuahua.”

  Rainbow chuckled at her turn of phrase.

  “Seriously. What’s up with you today?”

  “I have a date,” Bow blurted.

  “Ooooh. Do tell.” Megan fluttered her long dark lashes. “With whom?”

  “Storm Brightman.”

  Megan sagged against the counter and fanned herself. “That man is sex on a stick.”

  Megan’s dreamy expression made Bow want to snarl. She’d never been the jealous type, but the thought of anyone perving on Storm made her see red. Storm Brightman was hers. Okay, maybe not hers, yet. But a girl could dream.

  Megan clasped her hands together and held them against her chest. “What time is your date and where are you going?”

  “He’s picking us up at seven.”

  “Us?”

  “Me and Stevie. He asked me out Thursday afternoon when he came into the shop. I didn’t feel right asking Hallie to watch Stevie at the last minute. She’s sixteen. I’m sure she already had plans with her friends. I didn’t want her to feel obligated to break them. She’s so damn sweet you know she would.”

  Megan nodded her agreement. “That was nice of him agreeing to include Stevie.”

  “He suggested it, actually.”

  “He’s accommodating and sweet?” Megan asked that as if Bow had told her Storm was an alien. “You lucky girl.”

  Bow beamed. Yes, yes, she was.

  “Why don’t you take Stevie and go on upstairs? We only have a couple of hours left, I’ll close up.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “I don’t on one condition.”

  “What’s that?” Bow asked carefully.

  “You give me deets on Monday. I have no love life. I must live vicariously through you.”

  Bow snickered. “Fine, but it’s my discretion what deets I share. Deal?” She held out her hand.

  “Deal.” Megan took her hand, and they shook on it.

  Two hours later as she stared at the mess on her bed, Bow had never been so happy to leave work early. Every article of clothing she owned was in a huge pile. She’d tried on everything and nothing felt right. What the hell was she going to do. She only had three hours left. At this rate she would have no choice but to cancel their date.

  “Mommy?” Stevie stood in the doorway staring wide eyed at the pile of clothes. “What happened to your room?”

  “Um.” She glanced at the colorful pile. “I was trying to decide what to wear. It’s not going well.” Bow sighed in defeat and plopped her butt down on the mattress.

  Stevie skipped over, cleared a spot, then climbed onto the bed next to her. “You’ll be pretty in anything. You’re always pretty.”

  Bow wrapped her arms around Stevie and held him tight. She kissed the top of his head. “Thank you, baby boy.” She thanked the Goddess every day for her son. He was the best thing that ever happened to her.

  “Can I help you pick something out?”

  If anyone could help her with a fashion crisis, it was her son. The boy had mad skills. “Please.”

  Stevie knelt and began rifling through the pile. He held up a shirt, “No.” He tossed it over his shoulder onto the floor then chose another one. When he repeated the action, Bow stopped him.

  “How about I grab some hangers? That way you can hand me what you don’t think will work and I can hang it back up. No need to make a bigger mess.”

  Bow took one last look at herself in the mirror and smiled. Her boy was a genius. Diaphanous white tunic over a yellow tank top, dark washed skinny jeans, paired with black ankle boots. Her grandmother’s multi-colored glass peace beads hung around her neck. Her make-up looked excellent if she did say so herself. She fluffed her hair a bit and added light shimmery pink gloss to her lips. She checked her outfit making sure everything was in place.

  When seven o’clock came with a knock at the door, she blew out a breath and answered it. Storm’s eyes roamed over her body, looking as though he wanted to devour her. Stevie would definitely get an extra helping of dessert tonight.

  Chapter 6

  Sunday was Bow’s day off. It was the only day she allowed Megan and Heather to work the shop without her. She and Stevie always went to the park after enjoying breakfast at the diner. Today was no different. Okay, maybe it was a little different.

  Last night’s date with Storm turned out to be surprisingly painless. It seemed as though Bow’s nervousness had been for nothing. She didn’t even have to try and make conversation. Stevie kept them all entertained. When he dropped them off after their date, Stevie invited him to join them for their usual Sunday outing. Bow had wanted to ask but wasn’t sure how to broach the subject without appearing clingy. Of course, Storm had just parked the car and told them to get out. He’d done the gentlemanly thing and walked them to the door. Before leaving he’d given her a sweet kiss on the lips and Stevie a hug.

  Storm arrived at her door bright and early this morning with Casey. Bow had called Nikki last night asked if Casey could join them. The two besties would entertain themselves while she and Storm got to know each other on a more personal level.

  Stevie and Casey ran ahead of them making a beeline for the swings. Storm escorted Bow over to one of the empty picnic tables that sat near the playground equipment. He pressed his hand to the small of her back. The warmth of his touch radiated throughout her body.

  Instead of sliding into one of the benches, she climbed up and sat on the table top facing the playground. She loved to watch the children play. She found their laughter and innocent enthusiasm invigorating. Storm grinned and shook his head before joining her.

  Bow bumped his shoulder. “No offense, but I didn’t think you’d fit.”

  “You’re probably right.” He looked at her from the corner of his eye. “Does my size bother you?”

  “No. Of course not. I happen to like how big you are.” She really did, like a lot.

  “Good thing since there really isn’t anything I can do about it.”

  “I wouldn’t change a thing about you, Storm.” She held his gaze until she was sure he saw the truth in her eyes. She loved everything about the man. She loved him. Even though it was too soon. Way too soon. Like stage five clinger too soon. But there was just something about him that drew her in. “Should we play get to know each other?”

  Storm snickered. “Sure.”

  “You go first.”

  “Alright. I’ll start with something easy.” He stopped and thought for a second then asked, “What is your natural hair color.”

  “Blond. A lighter shade than Stevie’s.”

  “I like the color it is now. Or should I say colors?” He touched her long locks as if testing the softness. “Your turn.”

  “What size are those giant shoes.”

  Storm snorted a laugh. “Fourteen. Where did you grow up?”

  “Northern California.” Bow nibbled on her lower lip trying to decide if she should divulge more about her childhood. Well what she could anyway. The information was usually met with either snickers or snotty comments. Storm didn’t strike her as callous or judgmental. She sighed. Might as well get it over with and find out for sure. “I grew up on a commune with my grandmother. She raised me.”

  “Like a hippy commune? The ones you see in those old docume
ntaries about the flower power days?”

  She nodded.

  He cocked his head. “Huh. Interesting. I’ve never met anyone who grew up on a commune before. What was that like?”

  “It was pretty awesome, actually. I grew up surrounded by old hippies and nature. I learned to appreciate a simpler life full of books, outdoor fun, and made from scratch food.”

  “Were you homeschooled?”

  Rainbow giggled. “Oh hell no. My grandmother insisted I go to public school. She said she was in no way qualified to teach, plus I needed to experience the real world. She didn’t want me to grow up completely sheltered. I also think she needed her me time.”

  “Sounds like a smart woman.”

  “She was.” A usual sadness wrapped around her like a blanket as she thought about her grandmother. She missed Gran terribly.

  “Can I ask what happened to your parents?”

  “My father was my mother’s college English professor. Her married professor. Needless to say, he didn’t want me, nor her after he found out she was pregnant. My gran told me his name, but I’ve never met him and have no desire to do so. My mother didn’t name him on my birth certificate either, so it’s not like I could claim him without it turning into a circus. My mom left when I was a few weeks old. I’m not sure where she is.”

  “Do you want to know?”

  Bow shook her head. “Nope.” She made the p pop. “She made her choice.” Bow cleared her throat. “What about you? Where did you grow up?”

  “Knoxville, Tennessee, ma’am,” he responded in an exaggerated twang.

  “Does your family still live there?”

  Storm shook his head. “My parents and sister died when I was eight. Carbon monoxide poisoning. The old furnace malfunctioned.”

  Bow’s heart broke for him. At least she’d had her grandmother into adulthood. “I’m so sorry, Storm.”

  He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”

  “Doesn’t make it hurt any less. Was there anyone to take you in?”

  “No. I went into the system. Lived in foster homes and group homes until I aged out. I joined the Navy after graduation.”

  Wow. Bow couldn’t imagine making such a life altering and adult decision at eighteen without parental guidance. “Did you like the Navy?”

  “Yeah. I did. It fit me well.” Sadness flashed in his eyes then it was gone just as quickly. There was a story there. One she knew he wasn’t ready to share. “What made you leave the commune?”

  “My grandmother.”

  “What?” Storm snarled. “She kicked you out?”

  Bow giggled at Storm’s outrage. “No. She wanted me to go to college. She said I was never meant to live with her forever. Gran wanted me to spread my wings. I did. I went to culinary school. I loved it. My grandmother died before I graduated.” She gave him a sad smile. “Aneurysm. Sudden and quick. I didn’t handle it well.” Bow paused. She’d met Kip after Gran died.

  “What is it? You can tell me anything.”

  She believed him. He wouldn’t judge her. Plus, she’d rather get the who’s your baby daddy convo out of the way now rather than later. “Gran’s death left me without a rudder I guess you could say. I was lost and so alone. Lonely. I met and fell for the first man who talked a good game. You hear stories about girls giving their virginity to the wrong man and you swear it will never happen to you. He was careless, and it took all of ten minutes. On top of that, the condom broke. I want to be pissed about it, but I can’t. If it wasn’t for Kip Thornton, I wouldn’t have my Stevie.”

  ****

  “Kip? Who the fuck names their kid, Kip? You have to know your kid will turn out to be a douche when you do shit like that. However, now that we have a name we can hunt the fucker down,” Bear snarled. “You know that’s not the whole story.”

  “I know. But we aren’t going to press for details. If our mate wishes to tell us, we’ll listen.”

  “We’re hunting though, right?”

  “No.”

  “What the hell do you mean, no? That bastard hurt our mate. We must avenge her.”

  “She doesn’t need a hero.”

  “We agreed to that before we had all the information.”

  “Still not happening.”

  “You suck.”

  Bear fell silent. He’d pout for a while, but eventually he’d get over it.

  “Will not.”

  “May I ask what happened?” Bow’s question jolted him back to reality. “How you injured your eye?” She offered him an apologetic grin. “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s okay. It won’t hurt my feelings.”

  Did he want to talk about it? The only people who knew what happened outside of the military was his old boss at the construction company and he only knew the watered-down version. Koda hadn’t asked. He only told Storm if he ever wanted to talk, soldier to soldier, spec ops to spec ops, he was there to listen.

  Storm took his mate’s hand twining their fingers together. His sweet mate waited patiently for him to decide what if anything he wanted to tell her. The idea of opening up to her, well as much as he could anyway, didn’t sound like such a bad thing after all.

  Storm opened his mouth, and everything came spilling out. He even broke his oath and disclosed classified information, prefacing after the fact she couldn’t tell anyone what he told her. She readily agreed. Of course, she did. Bow was his mate. She would never betray him. “When we were going down, I felt so helpless. There wasn’t a fucking thing any of us could do to stop it. We looked at each other. No one spoke. We just nodded our goodbyes accepting the inevitable that some or all of us wouldn’t survive. Turned out it was most.”

  “The pilot and copilot did an excellent job crash landing the bird, considering everyone but the pilot survived the impact. We were injured, some of the men were pinned or unconscious, but we were still breathing. When we hit, shit broke lose. My face felt like it was on fire. I was blind from all the blood. I didn’t realize I’d lost an eye until they rescued us. Anyway, I was able to get out. I helped Dr. Brennan get clear. Then went back for her husband. I wanted to leave him and help my team first, but the Drs. Brennan were the mission. I got them to safety. The copilot had managed to climb out, but he was badly injured, so he was next. I turned to go back for the others and the fucking helicopter exploded. They were my family. I should have been faster.” He was a fucking shifter for fuck’s sake. He should have been able to save them all.

  “You did everything you could. You were injured, yet you still tried to help them. You saved the doctors and the copilot. You did your team proud.”

  “They would have been pissed if we’d failed the mission.” He grunted a laugh. He could imagine Cobra bitching like crazy. “I miss them. I hated that I survived. That I was left alone once again. Now, I’m learning to be okay with it.”

  “That’s good. You should be. I’m happy you survived.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Mmhmm.” Bow laid her head on his shoulder. “If you hadn’t, I never would have met you.”

  Storm sucked in a breath feeling like he could breathe easily for the first time in years. Hope built in his chest once again. He’d always wondered why he’d been spared when both families hadn’t. Now he knew. He’d lived so he could find Bow. He wrapped an arm around his mate and held her close. He kissed her temple inhaling her scent as he did so. Maybe fate wasn’t such a fucking bitch after all.

  Chapter 7

  It was their fourth date. Stevie had joined them once again. Bow’s regular babysitter had come down with a case of food poisoning. Instead of calling Nikki or Ella at the last minute, Storm loaded his mate and cub in the car, drove to Missoula, cancelled their reservation at the steakhouse, and took them out for pizza. Afterward they hit up the putt-putt course and arcade.

  Stevie was still wide awake when they returned home. Home. Wherever Bow and Stevie were, was certainly home to Storm. His mate was reading a bedtime story to Stevie which left Storm time to work h
imself up into a good old-fashioned freak out.

  Storm paced the confines of Bow’s tiny living room. He’d never been so nervous in his life which was saying something considering he and his team dropped themselves into the jungle on the regular. Stuff was supposed to happen on fourth dates, wasn’t it? Like telling your mate that you’re a bear shifter and if you don’t claim her soon you were going to lose your mind? Damn. He wanted Bow so bad. His bear was losing patience.

  His ears picked up her light footsteps. He threw himself on to the sofa and tried his best to act casual while his insides churned with uncertainty. “Is Stevie asleep?

  “Yes.” She responded with a smile and joined him on the sofa. She didn’t seem to notice his inner turmoil. “He told me to tell you thanks again for today.”

  He wrapped and an arm around her shoulders and tucked her into his side. “It was my pleasure. I would have spent every penny I had just to see the smiles on both your faces.” Storm kissed her temple taking the opportunity to breathe in her delicious scent.

  “You say the sweetest things.” Rainbow ducked her head, but he didn’t miss the blush that heated her face.

  “Do it, Storm,” Bear commanded.

  He blew out a breath. “We need to talk.”

  “Okay.”

  Storm could have kicked himself when he saw worry overtake her expression.

  “Dude. Seriously?” Bear huffed in exasperation. “What are you a fucking amateur? Those four words are not the best way to start a conversation. People always assume it ends with it’s not you, it’s me.” Bear shook his head.

  “I know. I know. Shit.” Storm rushed to reassure his mate. “It’s nothing bad, but it is straight out of science fiction.”

  Bow’s face scrunched up, and she cocked her head. “Huh?”

  He should just say it. Like he was ripping of a band-aid. Just put his secret out there and hope she didn’t freak out too badly. That was the best way, right? Probably not, but he didn’t really have another plan and bear wasn’t being very helpful.