ROMANCE: Time of the Werebears (Scottish Historical Time Travel Shifter Romance) (Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance)

by Sky Winters

  Daisy could see the mammoth mountain range soar up above her like a living thing. Everything in its path was encased in shadow, including the sprawling ranch that sat right at its feet. Right in front of the simple little manor was an enclosure that sported one dapple-grey horse.

  “How many horses do you have?” Daisy asked searching for others.

  “Just the two,” Austen replied.

  “Only?”

  “I sold the rest of them earlier this year,” Austen replied bluntly.

  Daisy nodded, sensing an edge to his tone. “Do they have names?” she asked keeping her tone light.

  “This one here’s Bodie,” Austen replied. “And the mare in the pen is Shelly.”

  “Are they the only animals you have?”

  “Yes,” Austen replied. “We used to have a dog though.”

  Daisy had to crane her neck, but she could still see only part of his face. He spoke without much expression and that made it hard for Daisy to read him. There was a small part of her that was relieved. His personality made it abundantly clear what was expected of her. Daisy had no doubt that they would share the strange marriage that Austen had described in his ad.

  Daisy got out of the buggy without difficulty and watched as Austen removed the saddle and bridle from around Bodie’s mouth, allowing him to enter the pen with the graceful mare. He worked slowly but precisely and Daisy couldn’t help notice how gentle his large and callused hands were. She followed him into the little cottage manor without a word.

  Daisy could imagine how beautiful it might have looked in its early years, when age and neglect hadn’t taken its toll. As it stood, everything had been thrown into disarray. It was certainly the home of a bachelor, Daisy thought as she walked through the rooms of the house. At the kitchen, she stopped waiting for Austen to show her to her room. He stood by the door, looking awkward and uncertain.

  “I’d really appreciate a lie down,” Daisy said. “I’ve been travelling forever and my bones need a rest.”

  He nodded. “Yes. Follow me.”

  The room was roomier than Daisy had expected. There was a double bed pushed to one corner that lay just underneath a large window that overlooked the red-brown mountains of Nevada. There was a chest of drawers to one side of the room and a large, oval mirror that hung over a dressing table in the other corner. The walls of her room were a soft, pastel blue that made her feel strangely lighter. It was nothing like the rest of the house. In fact, it was clean and orderly. Daisy realized that Austen must have got the room ready for her and she felt an instant rush of gratitude that she had not expected to feel.

  “This is lovely,” Daisy said honestly.

  She turned, but Austen was nowhere in sight. He must have abandoned her after she had crossed the threshold. Unable to suppress her smile, Daisy closed the door and collapsed into her new bed. It was thin and hard but she had a feeling it would bring her good dreams. She felt a sense of calm settle over her as she let her new reality sink in. She was no longer a prisoner to her father’s every whim and command. She was a free woman who was embarking on a new journey.

  The freedom engulfed her and she let herself enjoy the moment. It was a heady feeling, the knowledge that she would never have to see Blake Adams for the rest of her life. The last few words struck an internal cord and Daisy looked down at her left hand. The ring there was plain and silver and strangely, it felt heavy on her finger. Daisy sat up and stared at it trying to process the enormity of the decision she had just made. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a noise from outside her window.

  Daisy rose and peeked outside. She saw Austen appear on the periphery with both horses walking behind him. He began brushing down both horses and tending to them with a sensitivity that caught her unawares. She watched as he started talking to the horses. From her distance she couldn’t understand what he was saying. All she knew was that his words came easier around Bodie and Shelly than anyone else. Daisy watched him for a long time and she came no closer to figuring him out.

  “Strange man,” Daisy whispered to herself, but then, she conceded, she was plenty strange herself.

  Chapter Five

  The next day, Daisy woke up feeling refreshed and well rested. She hadn’t slept so well since she was a little girl and her endless optimism had led her to believe that it was possible her life would change for the better. It took her a moment to remember where she was and when she did, another wave of relief sped through her. Just under its heels however, there was a small nugget of worry and doubt.

  She had committed her entire life to a man who was a complete stranger to her, but their relationship was more complicated than just that. They were not the typical married couple, which led Daisy to wonder exactly what kind of couple they were. Legally they were tied together, but according to Austen’s ad that bond didn’t extend to a physical relationship or apparently an emotional one. Daisy was fine with that- marriage had never been a priority for her but she just wanted to make sure that she had understood the boundaries of their unusual partnership.

  She dressed and walked outside. The house had been cast in rays of orange-gold light that was streaming in from its many open windows. Daisy walked through the space, examining all the rooms and crevices trying to determine what needed to be done in order to make the house more livable. That was when it struck her. The house with the exception of her room, looked as though it had been recently abandoned. There was nothing to suggest that anyone was living there.

  After she had been around the house once, Daisy realized that Austen was nowhere to be found. She went outside to see that both horses were missing. Immediately, Daisy set to work. She found a small, dust filled cupboard that held a soap bucket, a broom, a brush and a mop. She started with the kitchen considering that was where she would need to prepare meals. Within an hour she had the kitchen gleaming. She sorted through the cupboards and found an assortment of different foods, some of which she was forced to throw out.

  Then she cut up the usable vegetables and put a pot on the fire to make a stew. While her stew was brewing and everything in the kitchen was organized she moved into the living room and started working with single-minded purpose. She was so engrossed in her task that she didn’t even hear Austen enter the room. She turned to start sweeping and almost did a double take when she saw him standing there in the threshold of the door.

  “Dear Lord,” Daisy exclaimed. “I didn’t see you there.”

  Austen said nothing. His eyes scanned the room as though he were seeing it for the first time. “You’re cleaning,” he said unnecessarily.

  “Well… I thought it needed some tidying,” she said.

  Daisy had always been a good judge of character. She had watched all manner of men traipse in and out of her father’s saloon and that had given her keen insight into the male psyche. So it made her uncomfortable to realize that she wasn’t able to read Austen. Even now, she could not discern if he was impressed by the transformation she had made of his house in such a short span of time or if he was irritated by it.

  “I made some stew for lunch,” Daisy said.

  Austen dipped his head down in reply.

  “I’m almost finished here, we can sit down to eat soon,” Daisy went on.

  “Alright,” was all Austen said before he moved into the kitchen.

  A few moments later, Daisy joined him there. Her stew was almost done so she got out two bowls and some wooden spoons. She saw Austen retrieve some bread from a cupboard in the corner that she had overlooked. He set it down on the table and sat down. A moment later, Daisy joined him. They spent the first few minutes of their meal in silence, with Daisy shooting calculated glances in his direction. She had to admit that he had a lovely face, but there was something about him.

  The lines of his face were calm, almost serene, but there was something lying just beneath the surface, an expression that was contained underneath a mask of emotionlessness. His blue eyes made his face somehow brighter and the da
rk brown of his hair complimented its brightness.

  “Austen?” she said tentatively, breaking the silence.

  “Yes?”

  “I have a few questions.”

  His brow furrowed slightly. “About?”

  “Well… my duties around here,” Daisy replied. “Your ad stated that hard work was required.”

  “It is,” Austen nodded. “I need someone to help work my land, look after the house and the horses now and again. You will not be alone. I will help in everything but…”

  “I understand,” Daisy nodded. “There is a lot to do around here.”

  “There is,” Austen replied. “Are you… ready for it?”

  Daisy smiled. “I grew up working under the whip of a hot tempered gambler for a father and a saloon full of drunks. I know what hard work looks like and I’m happy to do anything that doesn’t involve me having to sacrifice my pride or dignity.”

  “Well that at least I can promise you,” Austen said.

  Daisy nodded. “Thank you for getting my room ready,” she said.

  He looked down as though he was embarrassed. “You’re welcome.”

  “Your land is beautiful,” Daisy said changing the subject.

  “It’s been in my family for three generations,” Austen replied.

  Daisy sensed a tiny kernel of pride beneath his tone, but it was so subtle she almost missed it. “I let you sleep in this morning,” Austen said. “But I’ll need you to be up at five o’clock each morning.”

  “Daisy bristled slightly. “You could have woken me up today as well.”

  “You had a long journey,” he said shortly, putting an end to the conversation as he rose from his seat.

  “Where are you going?” Daisy asked.

  He seemed surprised by the question. “I need to tend the horses.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Daisy said as she rose from the table too.

  “You’re… coming with me?” Austen repeated.

  “Well, I need to learn and if I don’t watch you then I won’t,” Daisy explained.

  “Very well,” Austen said with a nod.

  They made their way outside. The sun was high in the sigh but its rays were softened by the coolness of the breeze sweeping through the land. Daisy couldn’t help but look up to admire the shadow cast by the brilliant mountains they were surrounded by.

  “Is this all your land?” Daisy asked.

  “I have another plot just over that first hill,” Austen pointed out. “The land is course but it can be worked.”

  “How do you work it?”

  “It takes hard manual labor,” Austen replied. “It’s a strain on the horses but there’s no help for it.”

  Daisy followed Austen out to the little barn where the horses were stabled. There were many other stalls but only two of them were occupied. Shelly and Bodie stood contentedly next to one another in their adjoining stalls with their noses sticking out. Daisy moved towards the horses immediately. They licked her fingers good naturedly, whinnying occasionally when Austen moved closer.

  “They’re beautiful animals,” Daisy complimented.

  “They were both bred on this ranch,” Austen replied. “I sold Bodie’s mother last year.”

  Daisy was curious about the state of Austen’s land and home. She wondered how one man could handle so much, it was no wonder he looked so worn. His hands exhibited signs of the backbreaking task he had obviously assigned himself. Daisy wondered why he had not hired more ranch hands, but she realized almost immediately that he would have to pay them, and it didn’t seem as though he were able.

  “How many acres do you have?” Daisy asked.

  “Two hundred and sixty,” Austen replied.

  “That’s… massive,” Daisy breathed and she knew immediately that it was also impossible. It did not matter how hard Austen worked. It did not matter how hard she worked. At the end of the day, they were only two people and no amount of toil would be able to maintain and cultivate the harsh land that Austen owned. She bit back her words and turned her attention to the horses.

  She stayed with Austen for the better part of an hour. She watched how he brushed down the horses, cleaned out their stalls and their water troughs. He was ordered and patient with his work just as Daisy was with hers and she felt a kindred spirit in him. The way he was with the horses made Daisy question the blunt and expressionless façade he put on. His face softened considerably, his tone changed and the blue of his eyes became suddenly more vibrant, more alive.

  After the horses were fed and comfortable, Daisy excused herself and left the stables. She turned left at the door, but instead of going into the house she paused a moment. Almost immediately she heard Austen’s voice as he started speaking to his horses.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve worked next to someone,” he said. “It’s strange.”

  Bodie whinnied loudly in answer.

  “You know who she reminds me of don’t you?” Austen asked Shelly. “Not the face so much, just her manner. I didn’t expect that…. it makes everything harder.”

  Daisy frowned as she tried to figure out what Austen meant. He lapsed into silence and with that, Daisy picked up her skirts and walked back into the house wondering who Austen’s ghosts were.

  Chapter Six

  Land stretched out before her in an unending scroll. Daisy saw the task ahead of her and she sighed internally knowing that they would never meet their goals. She glanced at Austen, wondering whether he was delusional or simply sentimental.

  “You want to plant crops?” Daisy asked again to make sure she had heard him right.

  “Yes.”

  “This has to be… at two hundred acres,” Daisy guessed.

  “Two hundred and ten,” Austen replied. “I told you this would require hard work.”

  Daisy nodded. “And I accept that, but we need to ask ourselves if it is possible to do.”

  Austen’s eyes were harsh when they turned on her. “We’ll start from the top field and work our way down. Harness Shelly and ride her up there.”

  Daisy did as she was told, but she knew they were climbing an uphill battle. It was noon when Austen left her to get them some lunch. She was sitting in the shade by herself with Shelly grazing in left field when she noticed a tall shadow behind her.

  “Sorry ma’am, didn’t mean to startle you,” a balding man with a kindly face and loud voice approached.

  “Hello,” Daisy said rising.

  “You must be the Austen’s new Mrs.,” he said with a bow of his head.

  “I am,” Daisy replied. “I’m Daisy.”

  “It’s a pleasure ma’am,” he said taking her hand. “I am Horace Constance. I was hoping to speak to Mr Austen today.”

  “He should be back shortly,” Daisy replied. “What is this regarding?”

  “Well… I have spoken to Mr Austen before… I would like to purchase this land here,” Horace told her. “The very one you’re standing on now. I’ve given him a fair price…”

  “But?”

  “He doesn’t want to budge,” Horace explained. “He’s a proud man and I believe he thinks selling his land is beneath him. But he’s only one man and he can’t work this land alone.”

  Daisy nodded. “I see.”

  “I’d appreciate it greatly if you could talk some sense into him,” Horace said, twisting his fingers around in his hands as though he hated asking the question.

  Daisy could only smile. “I can only try Mr Constance, but I doubt Aus… my husband will listen.”

  “He’s a stubborn man to be sure,” Horace said with a smile. “But he’s a respectable one.”

  It was just at that moment that Austen rode up on Bodie. His face turned sour when he saw Horace standing there twisting his fingers together.

  “Horace,” Austen greeted without enthusiasm.

  “Austen,” Horace replied. “Congratulations on your beautiful bride.”

  Austen acted as though he had not heard that. “If you
’re here about the land Horace, my answer is still no.”

  “If you would just re-consider –

  “My final word is no,” Austen cut in. “And that’s not going to change.”

  Horace sighed and exchanged a short glance with Daisy. He bowed his head in defeat and took off the way he had come with a wave to Daisy. Austen watched him go with new steel in his eyes.

  “Is it a good offer?” Daisy asked cautiously.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Austen replied. “I’m not selling.”

  “May I ask why?” Daisy asked as delicately as she was able.

  “No,” Austen said bluntly before he led Bodie back onto the field.

  Daisy watched him turn his back on the world and go about his backbreaking task without the slightest concern. She shook her head, wondering what it was he was trying so hard to hold on to. She watched him mount Bodie and they raced through the land almost as though it was possible to fly.

  It happened out of nowhere. Daisy saw nothing specific. All she knew was that something spooked the horse and suddenly, Bodie was rearing upwards and Austen went flying off the horse. A mist of dust and earth rose around him, concealing him from Daisy’s view. Fear clutched at her heart as she ran towards Austen, praying that he was going to be fine.

  Chapter Seven

  He would need at least a week to recuperate that was what the doctor had told them. He had been specific and to the point, and Daisy was under no doubt as to what the correct measure of recovery was. Austen’s whole torso was tightly bandaged and he had extensive internal pain, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to get back to his crops the next day.

  In the end the choice was removed from his hands. As much as he wanted to, there was no way he was capable of doing hard labor or riding horses. He had to let his wounds heal, that was his only choice. In the days that followed, Daisy did her best to manage everything. She tended to the house, cooked the meals, and looked after the horses and most importantly she saw that Austen was all right. The one thing that had to be sacrificed was the land and the crops that Austen was so worried about. Daisy had no time to work the land and she refused to make that a priority.