Simply Bears: A Ten Book Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance Collection

by Simply Shifters

  “What happened?” Molly asked. Her jaw dropped as she surveyed the wreckage.

  “I…I don’t know.” Sierra stammered. “It broke. The bed must be faulty.”

  “Why didn’t you answer me?” Molly demanded.

  “I…uh…I don’t remember. I think I hit my head.”

  Molly proceeded to examine her head.

  “I’m fine.” Sierra insisted again.

  “You are not fine.” Molly said. “You were unconscious and you’re going to the hospital to make sure your head isn’t broken. Ambulance will be here any minute. I’m going to get you some clothes. Don’t move.”

  Sierra slumped back in the bed, unwilling to argue. Molly pushed herself to her feet. She paused to look at the palm of her hand, which had several long, cinnamon colored hairs on it. Molly glanced around at the fur covering the bed.

  “Are you hiding a dog?” she asked.

  “Joe got a dog. Must have rubbed off.” Sierra lied quickly.

  Molly accepted this without question. She tossed Sierra some yoga pants and a t-shirt out of the closet.

  “Should I call the Governor?” she asked.

  “I’ll call him.” Sierra reached for her cell on the nightstand.

  The sound of the doorbell emanated from the living room. Molly rushed out of the bedroom to let in the paramedics. Sierra pulled on her clothes and dialed Joe’s number. He picked up after the third ring.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he said cheerfully.

  “You have to get a dog now.” She said in a rushed undertone.

  “What?”

  Three EMTs rushed into the room, closely trailed by Molly.

  “Here, let me take that,” Molly said, taking the phone out of her hand.

  “How are you feeling ma’am?” an EMT asked.

  “Could you look up?” another said as he shined a flashlight in her eyes.

  They proceeded to wrap a blood pressure cuff on her arm and produce a stethoscope in a flurry of activity. Molly was talking to Joe.

  “I don’t know, it just broke…They’re checking her now…How do you know she’s fine? You’re not here. That’s what she keeps saying. She’s not fine. I had to take the damn door down!”

  The EMT with the stethoscope was listening intently.

  “Ma’am, do you feel any shortness of breath? Light headed?”

  “No.” Sierra insisted. “I’m fine. Really.”

  “She’s tachy.” He said to the other EMTs. “Heart rate’s 180.”

  “Temperature’s 105.6.” another said.

  Before she even had a chance to protest, two of the EMTs picked her up and deposited her on the gurney, while the other was asking Molly if she wanted to ride along.

  “Joe, they’re taking her to the hospital. I have to go. You can meet us there,” Molly said into the phone.

  The EMTs were cutting off her clothes and covering her with ice packs. Sierra shivered violently.

  “I’m fine,” she insisted again.

  “You’re not fine. We’re taking you to emergency. This is going to make you sleep.”

  “What will?” Sierra asked, and then felt the needle slide into her arm.

  “Count back from ten.” They instructed her.

  Her vision went gray around the edges.

  “10…9…8…”

  *

  There were no dreams this time, but there were several moments where she woke up, if only for a few seconds.

  The first time was in the ambulance. The siren was blaring. It made her head hurt. She saw Molly’s worried face floating over her own. Molly was holding her hand.

  “She’s waking up.” A voice said.

  Her eyelids felt so very heavy. She let them slide shut again.

  The next time she woke to bright lights in her eyes. She was being wheeled down a hospital corridor. Masked faces loomed over her, exchanging urgent comments in medical jargon her sleepy brain couldn’t comprehend. She squinted against the lights for a few moments, then allowed her eyes to close again.

  The next time she was looking up at the ceiling of a hospital room. It was quiet. Dark. There was moonlight shining through her window. It must have been hours later.

  Joe was standing at the foot of her bed next to a doctor. The doctor was counting a rather large stack of cash. Sierra tried to talk, but only managed a small moan. Joe smiled at her.

  “Go back to sleep, beautiful.” Joe told her. “Everything will be fine.”

  She obliged.

  She woke again later to the sounds of Joe and Molly talking. It was morning now. Bright beams of sunlight passed through the window, illuminating the dust particles in the air.

  “Well, I’m gonna call my lawyer.” Molly was insisting. “This is medical malpractice.”

  “She’s fine, Molly.”

  “She is not fine.” Molly hissed. “Why does everyone keep insisting she’s fine? She had a 105-degree fever and her heart was trying to beat its way out of her chest. They can’t just call it a fluke and release her.”

  “I’m being released?” Sierra asked sleepily.

  Joe rushed over to her.

  “I’m going to take you back to the mansion just as soon as you feel like getting up.”

  Sierra sat up in bed.

  “Could you give us a minute?” Joe asked Molly.

  “Fine.” Molly said. “I’m gonna go call my lawyer. This whole place should be condemned.”

  Molly exited the room, still muttering darkly about inept doctors.

  “You need to get dressed and we need to go before Molly seeks a second opinion. I already had to pay off one doctor, three EMTs, and two nurses. Not to mention the paparazzi, who snapped your picture on the way in here. I will have to release a statement to the press now. And I’m not getting a dog just because your roommate is nosey,” Joe said in a rush.

  “She’s not nosey. She is concerned and lacks boundaries. You are so getting a dog because I didn’t have a better explanation for the bear fur all over my broken bed. What is going on with me? Why didn’t you tell me this could happen?”

  “I’m sorry. Look, we have to leave, okay? You can’t ever go to the hospital. You won’t need it, anyway. Your body is very good at healing itself. But your heart rate is faster than a human’s now and your temperature runs hotter and…I don’t really know what else is different, but I do not want them to cut you open and figure it out.”

  There was that note of fear again, and Sierra didn’t need to be able to read his mind to notice it this time. Anger fading, Sierra got up out of bed.

  “Okay. Let’s go.”

  She hurriedly pulled off the hospital gown and took the bag of clothes Joe was offering. In the bag was a new pair of jeans, black leather flats, a beautiful lace bra and panty set, and a blue silk top from Bloomingdale’s, all exactly her size. Joe’s personal assistants really were amazing sometimes. Sierra made a mental note to bring them coffee the next time she came over. And perhaps ask how on earth they figured out what size panties she wears.

  “What are we going to do about Molly?” Joe asked her.

  “I really don’t know.” Sierra responded as she slipped on the shoes.

  “I don’t suppose we could duct tape her mouth and throw her in a closet?”

  “Tempting, but no.”

  Joe held the door for her as they stepped out into the hallway.

  CHAPTER 9

  “You should have warned me.” Sierra told Joe.

  They were back at the Governor’s Mansion now, safely tucked away in Joe’s bedroom, far from prying eyes and nosey roommates.

  “About what?” Joe asked.

  “About the telepathy. About having the resting pulse rate of a humming bird. About destroying my furniture by shifting in my sleep. Have you ever done that? How do you hide this with all these people around you all the time? I can’t even keep it secret from Molly.”

  Joe chuckled and sat down on the big oak four-poster bed.

  “I invest in stu
rdy furniture. Also, you’ll have more control when you’re older. Last time I shifted in my sleep was in a French brothel in 1949. That was awkward…”

  “You’re going to have to tell me that story.”

  “Beautiful, I’m going to my grave with that story.” Joe replied. “Do you remember what you were dreaming about?”

  Sierra sighed. She sat down on the bed next to him and took his hand.

  “Strangers,” she said simply.

  “What are you talking about?” Joe asked.

  Angry, Sierra pulled her hand away and stood up.

  “You know exactly what about! I’m talking about whoever was out there in the woods that scared you!”

  “What makes you think I was scared?” Joe demanded defensively.

  “You aren’t as good as shielding your thoughts as you think you are.” Sierra responded.

  Never mind that all she caught was a single word. He didn’t need to know that.

  Sierra took some satisfaction in watching his eyebrows raise as he puzzled over how much she knew.

  Joe sighed.

  “I can’t hide anything from you, can I?”

  “I’m an investigative journalist. Of course, you can’t hide anything from me. Nor should you, if you’d like to sleep with me sometime ever again.”

  “Well, I’m a politician and a shifter. I should be capable of lying to anyone. Even gorgeous and annoyingly tenacious journalists.” Joe muttered.

  Sierra sat back down.

  “So, who are they?”

  “I don’t know.” Joe said.

  Sierra’s eyes narrowed.

  “Really!” Joe insisted. “I don’t know who they are. I didn’t recognize their scent. They shouldn’t have been in my territory. There were at least five of them, and I didn’t like the odds on a confrontation. You can’t even run and not fall down.”

  Sierra was confused.

  “Five of them, you said.”

  “At least.” Joe said.

  “Five…what?”

  “Shifters.”

  “So…there’s…other bears? Besides the ones that live in Sleuth?”

  Joe shook his head.

  “Well, there are other bears, yes. But they weren’t bears.”

  “There’s other kinds?” Sierra asked.

  Joe nodded.

  “I’ve met bobcats, cougars, hawks, foxes…I met a lion once when I was in Germany. And yes, there are such thing as werewolves. We don’t tend to socialize much. Most of us don’t trust other shifters. I try to keep an open mind, myself…but there’s an order to things. We have rules. They should have come straight to me and asked permission to be in my territory. The fact that they didn’t…they’re either young and don’t know the rules….or…”

  “Or they’re breaking the rules deliberately,” Sierra finished.

  “Precisely.”

  Sierra stared out the window at the manicured courtyard below. There were Canadian geese nesting in the pond. The scene was peaceful. Serene, even. It didn’t jibe with the worried feeling curling in her gut. Something told her these strange new shifters were not simply unaware of the rules.

  “I don’t suppose they might just be were-bunnies or something?” Sierra asked without much hope.

  Joe shook his head.

  “No. Afraid not. They were some kind of predators for certain.”

  “What are we going to do?” she asked.

  “We keep an eye out. That’s all we can do right now. I’ve doubled the patrols around Sleuth, and sent search parties into the woods. They clearly don’t want to be found just yet.”

  “And when you do find them?”

  Joe shrugged nonchalantly.

  “I’ll ask them why they’re here. If I don’t like their answer…we’ll figure it out then.”

  He squeezed her hand.

  “It’ll be fine. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I believe that.” Sierra told him. “I believe you can protect me. Just promise me you won’t try to protect me from ever knowing about the danger in the first place, okay?”

  “I promise.” Joe said solemnly.

  “Now what can I do to make it up to you?” He trailed his fingers over the buttons on her blouse.

  “You can get a dog.”

  *

  They named her Cinnamon.

  She was a brown poodle mixed with who knows what. She was fifty pounds and more fluff than actual dog. Sierra had a theory that if they shaved her she might just disappear altogether. She had soulful big brown eyes that begged them to take her home.

  Sierra was amused and faintly alarmed to discover that when you’re the Governor, adopting a dog requires three consultants, several charitable donations, and a press conference. Simply walking into a pet store and buying a puppy was out of the question. It had to be an adult dog. One from a shelter, who would have otherwise died had Joe not rescued her. The shelter couldn’t be one that puts animals to sleep with abandon. It had to be one that would love to be a “no kill” shelter if not for a tragic lack of funding. Then, of course, came the sizeable donation from Joe to rectify the lack of funding.

  A groomer had to be brought in to make sure Cinnamon looked pristinely clean and fluffed before exiting the shelter. She had a new patent leather collar and a silver, heart shaped ID tag. Sierra and Joe were also spiffed up for the occasion; Joe in his trademarked rolled up shirtsleeves and slacks, Sierra in a burgundy form fitting dress, pearls, and heels to match her dress, looking every inch the respectable partner.

  It was, after all, an election year.

  A small mob of press were waiting outside, including Kelly, the new girl at the Post who basically held her old fluff piece job. It was strange for Sierra being on this side of the microphones. She had, of course, promised Kelly an exclusive photo shoot later.

  Ever since her story on the “escaped bear” last year, Sierra’s career had really taken off. Now she did stories on elections, important trials, and political scandals. They no longer sent her out to cover the exciting world of celebrity pet adoptions.

  Sierra stood a little behind Joe, holding on to Cinnamon’s leash, as he gave his statement. Cinnamon was quite excited about all the attention. She was happily wagging her tail and drooling on Sierra’s shoes.

  “Cinnamon, like all the animals here, just wanted a good home, with a loving family. I wish I could take every one of these cats and dogs home, but I can’t. That’s why I need your help. If you’re thinking of getting a new pet, consider adopting one of the many cats and dogs from shelters just like this one. If you can’t adopt right now, your donations ensure that these animals receive food and shelter.”

  Joe opened the floor up for questions.

  “So will you be a single parent? Or will you and Ms. Christie be raising Cinnamon together?” one reporter asked.

  Joe turned to Sierra and smiled.

  “I’ll be taking care of Cinnamon myself,” Joe said. “Though I’m sure she’ll enjoy visiting with Ms. Christie as much as I do.”

  Cinnamon barked, as if in approval, eliciting laughter from the press.

  A few more questions and many adorable photographs later, Joe, Sierra, and Cinnamon were in the town car on their way home.

  “Perhaps I misspoke.” Joe mused.

  “What do you mean?” Sierra asked as she scratched Cinnamon behind the ears.

  “Maybe we should be raising her together.”

  Sierra laughed.

  “I don’t know. Me? A parent? I’m not sure I’m ready for that kind of commitment,” she joked.

  “I’m serious.”

  Sierra considered it.

  “Wouldn’t we have to live together first?” she asked. “Won’t that upset the conservative voting demographic? Us shacking up? Living in sin with our bastard child?”

  “So let’s get married,” Joe replied without missing a beat.

  Sierra choked on her water.

  “Was that a proposal?” she asked him, bewildere
d.

  Joe fell into shocked silence, thinking on the words that had just come out of his mouth.

  “No,” he said, finally. “No, of course not.”

  Sierra felt her heart sink. The feeling surprised her. She had never considered herself to be the marrying kind. She valued her independence too much to be tied down by a traditional family life. Yet, when she thought about Joe, the possibility of marriage and babies, or even fur babies, didn’t seem so bad. Maybe she really was the marrying kind. She just hadn’t found the right guy yet.

  “I wouldn’t just propose to you in an offhand manner in the back of a town car. If I were to ask you to marry me, it would be special. There’d be music and moonlight and champagne and roses. I’d get down on one knee with the biggest diamond I could find and beg you to be mine. That would be how I would propose. Not like this.”

  Sierra smiled.

  “Well…” she said slowly, “I’ll look forward to that.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Joe dropped her off at her apartment. Sierra floated up the stairs to her floor, her thoughts full of champagne bubbles and engagement rings. She found herself humming as she opened up her front door.

  She was greeted by the sight of Zeke lying naked on her coffee table.

  “Oh my god!” she exclaimed, and quickly averted her eyes.

  “Sierra!” Zeke yelled in surprise.

  He jumped off the coffee table and scrambled to cover himself up. He picked up a small potted cactus and held it in front of his crotch.

  Molly poked her head into the room.

  “You’re home early,” she said cheerfully.

  “Molly, what the hell?” Sierra said.

  She noticed the easel set up in front of the coffee table, along with Molly’s paints.

  “Oh,” Sierra said, feeling embarrassed. “You’re modeling for her. Okay.”

  “Yup.” Molly confirmed. “Also, we’re having sex.”

  Zeke blushed furiously. Molly tossed him his pants.

  “Sweetie, maybe you should go home now.” Molly said to him.

  “Right.” Zeke awkwardly pulled his pants on. “Ma’am, I’m sorry I was naked on your coffee table.”

  “It’s no problem.” Sierra assured him.