by Anya Nowlan
Farmer Bear
Black Oak Bears
Anya Nowlan
Contents
Copyright
1. Riley
2. Max
3. Riley
4. Max
5. Riley
6. Max
7. Riley
8. Max
9. Riley
10. Max
11. Riley
12. Max
13. Riley
14. Max
15. Riley
16. Max
17. Riley
18. Max
Epilogue
Want More?
About the Author
Thank you for reading!
Copyright © 2017 Anya Nowlan
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Farmer Bear
Black Oak Bears
All rights reserved.
No part of this work may be used, reproduced, transmitted in any form or by any means by anyone but the purchaser for their own personal use. This book may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Anya Nowlan. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material is prohibited without the express written permission of the author.
Cover © Jack of Covers
One
Riley
“You need a break,” the voice on the phone said, as Riley sank into her couch, feeling her scalp tense and throb.
It was nearly midnight, she had only just gotten home, and there had been no time for dinner. Her lunch had been eaten in her car, hurriedly and with little enjoyment. And it was only when she had stepped into her apartment and checked her phone, did she remember that she had promised to return Addison’s call. Two days ago.
Better late than never?
“I don’t have time for a break,” Riley sighed. “You know how it is. Or you used to, before you disappeared off the face of the Earth.”
“I moved to Utah, not to the Moon,” Addison laughed.
“What’s the difference again?” Riley asked.
“Utah’s a lot easier to visit, for one thing,” Addison replied.
As hints went, it wasn’t very subtle. Then again, her friend had never been shy about saying what she meant. Riley kicked up her feet, sore from a day of running around in heels. You would think lawyers just sat at their desks all day.
Not the case, unfortunately.
“I know, I know, I promised I’d come see you,” Riley said. “But right now I’m in the middle of this deposition…”
“You’ll never have time unless you make it,” Addison cut her off.
Riley could easily picture the furrow between her friend’s brow as she said it. Auburn-haired, with green eyes and a smattering of freckles she most always covered up with make-up, Addison had been in the same boat as she was not so long ago – trying to make a name for herself in the legal world of Chicago.
She had quickly risen through the ranks at Reid Atherton’s law office, mirroring Riley’s own trajectory at Latham & Ellis. That was before Addison had shacked up with her boss’ brother in a town she hadn’t even heard of before – Black Oak.
“You know, I’d be more inclined to take your vaguely Zen advice if you hadn’t been the one busting your ass as hard as me no more than a year ago,” Riley replied.
“God, have I really become that person?” Addison laughed on the other end. “If I promise not to start talking about how much fresher the air is here or how I’m woken up by birdsong, will you come? I know you must have a ton of vacation days stacked up.”
Now that was true. She hadn’t taken a vacation or even a sick day since… Well, she couldn’t remember. It must have been before she even started at Latham & Ellis. It’s not like she had a lot going on in her social life at the moment, so she didn’t really mind burying herself in her work.
The dull throb at her temples and the blisters on her feet begged to differ, but she ignored it.
Riley shook her head, despite knowing Addison couldn’t see it. Smoothing a hand down her dark, frizzing hair, she let her head fall back, knowing she only had five or six precious hours of sleep waiting for her until she had to get up, shower, and do it all over again.
“Shannon is already breathing down my neck with these depositions, which she dumped on me at the last second, as usual,” Riley said, rolling her eyes at the thought of her boss. “I can only imagine the face she’d pull if I asked for time off. I’d never hear the end of it.”
“Shannon is not more important than your well-being,” Addison gently, yet firmly, reminded her.
The note of concern in her voice told Riley that she must be sounding as exhausted and worn-down as she felt. Yet another reason to crawl into bed as fast as she could. The last thing she needed was Shannon looking at her with that mock sympathy she had perfected, asking if she was feeling well.
As if Riley couldn’t see the bags under her eyes herself, thank you very much.
“I know she’s not,” she replied, stifling a yawn. “Look, I’ll think about it. No promises. But right now, I’ve got to go to bed before I pass out on my couch.”
“Oh, of course,” Addison quickly replied. “Good night. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Good night,” Riley replied, heaving herself off her sofa.
And here’s to a better morning.
By the time it was three o’clock, Riley was on her last nerve, and on her third cup of coffee. Shannon has been even more demanding than usual, and with many of their staff out with the flu, everyone was working double-duty.
The last straw came when Shannon popped her head into Riley’s office, an insincere smile on her thin, garishly pink lips. The pantsuit the woman wore hung off her thin frame, with her expensive perfume now filling Riley’s office.
As if I didn’t have a headache already.
“Riley, dear,” Shannon started, her gaunt face barely angled her way as she glanced back at the open office. “The machine in the kitchen has stopped working and we need someone to go on a coffee run. You don’t mind, do you?”
Riley blinked at the woman, feeling her temper starting to flare. She waited until Shannon actually looked at her before speaking, trying to keep her voice neutral.
“I’m actually very busy right now,” she replied, her fingers hovering over the keyboard in front of her. “And that’s not my job.”
“Oh, of course, but since Ellen is sick and you’re the least tenured person here…” Shannon trailed off. “I have the order list all ready to go,” she added, waving a piece of paper at Riley.
At that, Riley couldn’t keep her cool any longer. It wasn’t enough that she was running herself ragged, regularly taking on a downright impossible workload, now she was also supposed to fill the role of Shannon’s personal assistant?
With Addison’s words from their conversation last night ringing in her head, Riley shot up from her seat, her face flushing with anger.
“I work just as hard as everyone else here, and I’d like to know why you insist on treating me like I’m not,” she said, unable to hold back.
Shannon raised her brows as she slid into the office, closing the glass door behind her. Riley hadn’t raised her voice, but there had been an edge to her tone nonetheless, and Shannon did not look like she had appreciated it.
“I’m sorry, were you under the impression you had chosen an easy career path?” she asked.
Spine straight, Riley faced her, unwilling to back down. She could apologize, say she spoke out of turn, and go get the damned coffee. But with the year she’d had �
�� working until exhaustion, not to mention the exceptionally lousy dating decisions she had made when she had still had the time for such things – push had finally come to shove.
And Riley was sick of getting pushed around.
“I didn’t become a lawyer because it was easy,” Riley replied. “But that’s not the point. Have I ever complained, or given you reason to be displeased with my work?”
Shannon stared at her, silent and unmoving, which Riley guessed was as close to a ‘yes’ she was going to get.
“No,” she answered herself, and Shannon didn’t argue. “Yet you treat me like some rookie, despite the fact you obviously think I’m good enough for dumping your own work on to take credit for later.”
Now Shannon looked like she was ready to protest, but Riley was on a roll. All the things she had ever wanted to say came pouring out, and the relief of finally speaking out was too great for her to even consider stopping.
“I haven’t been to the movies in years,” she said. “People keep making references to books and TV shows I know nothing about. I used to love music, and going to concerts. I don’t even listen to the radio anymore, fearing it would distract me.
“I order take-out, because it’s less time-consuming than going to an actual restaurant. I have given this place my life, and I’ve gotten nothing in return. I’ve had enough.”
Shannon’s eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing, yet she said nothing.
“I’m leaving,” Riley announced, slamming her laptop shut and reaching for her purse. “I think the flu might have finally gotten to me, too. Either way, I have some time off coming up, don’t I?”
Frowning, Shannon folded her arms in front of her, but Riley could tell there would be real no fight coming from the woman. Her boss would never admit it, but Riley was too valuable for Shannon to actually try and stop her and risk her throwing in the towel for good.
“How long will you be gone?” Shannon sputtered.
“I don’t know,” Riley simply shrugged, gathering her things and heading for the door. “Now if you’ll excuse me…”
I have a plane ticket to book, she smiled to herself, brushing past her boss.
Two
Max
“Come on, let’s go see Auntie Addie, all right?” Max cooed, scooping his daughter into his arms.
It would be the little girl’s first birthday soon, and she was already taking her first, tentative steps. It wouldn’t be long until he would be chasing her all around the house. As if reading his mind, Olivia let out a mischievous giggle as she grabbed at his shirt collar with her chubby little fingers.
With her brown eyes and hair, Olivia looked more like Max than her mother, or at least that’s what Max liked to think. Either way, she was his little girl, and everything Olivia needed, he would provide.
“Come on, let’s not keep her waiting,” he said, resting Olivia on his hip.
Making his way through the small house, with some of his moving boxes still pushed up against walls, he pushed the front door open and strolled the short distance to the main house. Olivia babbled away, the only word he could make out being dada.
Pride swelled in his chest at that. After never thinking of himself as the dad type, and having been thrust into fatherhood the way he had been, the strength of his love for Olivia had almost taken him by surprise.
And now, he couldn’t imagine his life without her.
The main building of the Atherton ranch was a large, two-story family home, not new by any means but very well maintained. It stood out from the rest of the smattering of smaller buildings thanks to its blue color. All the other houses, including the guest house he was staying at, were red.
Addison was already waiting at the door, dressed impeccably as always in a white top and a pair of jeans, with her auburn hair pulled up. She smiled at them, friendly and warm, and for at least the tenth time, Max felt happy that his friend had found a mate like her.
“Hey Max, hey Olivia,” she said, holding the door open for them.
“Good morning,” he replied, stepping out of his boots.
Addison led them to the kitchen, where the table was already set with everything you could want, with puree and banana slices for Olivia. Max sat himself down with Olivia on his lap, while Addison filled his cup with coffee.
“Thank you,” he said, as he carefully put a plastic spoon in Olivia’s hand.
Drinking his coffee with one hand, he helped Olivia scoop up her breakfast, and made sure it reached her mouth. It was a feat in multitasking he had mastered with months of practice. Addison sat back in the spacious, sun-filled kitchen, biting a piece of toast.
“You two are too adorable together,” she commented.
“I’ll try to dial it down,” he replied with a smile. “Are you sure you can watch her for a few hours? I feel like I’ve already intruded enough…”
Addison cut her off, shaking her head at him.
“It’s my pleasure,” she assured him. “I love spending time with Olivia, and you are not intruding at all. Friends are always welcome here. Oh, and while I’m on that subject, I have a friend of my own flying in. So once you get done with the house hunt, do you mind swinging by the airfield on your way back?”
“Of course,” he replied. “It’s no problem.”
“I’d have Gage do it but he’s still at the vet with Ace,” Addison sighed.
Ace was Gage’s horse, recently injured, but it wasn’t anything serious as far as Max was aware. But Gage wanted to make sure Ace was getting the best of care, and that had taken the man over to the neighboring town, to a horse veterinarian with an impeccable reputation.
“I’m happy to do it, really,” Max told Addison. “You guys are letting me stay here, it’s the least I can do. Just tell me who I’ll be picking up, and consider it taken care of.”
“Riley Sheridan,” Addison replied. “She’s an old friend of mine. Dark hair, big hazel doe eyes – she’s beautiful. You won’t miss her.”
Max only shrugged, taking a moment to wipe Olivia’s face clean. His daughter was the most important woman in his life, so he didn’t really care how beautiful Addison’s friend was.
“Okay,” he said, not really giving the arriving guest another thought.
A good three hours of looking at real estate behind him, Max hopped in his truck and started it, sighing to himself. The bear inside him was restless. Coming back to Black Oak had been good for his animal side at first.
The clean air was familiar, and the scent it carried was unmistakable – shifters. The town was full of them. His clan had welcomed him back with open arms, with Gage and his mate being most hospitable of all.
He knew he had made the right decision, even in his frustrated state. A new father with no support system, there had been little to keep him in Carson City. Here, he already had a job at Gage’s ranch that allowed him to be near his daughter all day long.
A number of women from the clan had offered to watch Olivia if need be, and Addison was also a great help, even though the law office she had in town kept her busy. All in all, it was a pretty perfect arrangement, if not for his living situation.
It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate Gage letting him stay in the guest house, not at all, but Max had been crashing there for nearly a month, and he didn’t want to overstay his welcome. Besides, he needed a real home, a place he and Olivia could call their own. A child needed that kind of stability, especially after what Olivia had already been through.
But Black Oak was still a small, tight-knit community, where families had been living in their houses for generations. Homes that had become empty for one reason or another had quickly been snatched up and turned into coffee shops or stores. There was even more than one bed and breakfast in town now, which Max almost found shocking.
But that also meant the remaining available spaces were mostly small apartments meant for bachelors, or rented out to people who wouldn’t be staying that long. Not the kind of places he wanted to r
aise his daughter in.
It was these uncertain thoughts that made his bear growl in dissatisfaction somewhere deep inside him. But it didn’t mean he was giving up. Olivia was going to have the perfect home, even if he had to build it himself.
Keeping that resolve in mind, he started the truck and headed toward the airfield, a lonely strip of worn asphalt where small passenger crafts dumped the disoriented tourists that chose to spend their summer vacation rediscovering the charm of small-town America.
He still knew the way there by heart, despite his years away. And as he rolled his windows down and turned up the music, his mood began to lift.
It wasn’t as if he had expected everything to magically fall into place as soon as he arrived in Black Oak. The search for the perfect home would continue, and sooner or later, something would have to come up that suited his needs.
Max arrived at the airfield in time to see the plane start its descent. He himself had chosen to drive to his old hometown, but he still remembered leaving on the same rickety old thing that was getting ready to touch down now.
And if this Riley Sheridan was as much of a city girl as Addison used to be, she was probably not enjoying the ride. Watching the plane bump down onto the landing strip and slowly skid to a halt, Max hopped out of his truck, ready to help Addison’s friend with her luggage.
Dark hair, hazel eyes, he reminded himself of Addison’s earlier description.
He should have been focusing on the beautiful and hard to miss parts, though, as that was turning out to be more helpful. A striking woman wobbled down the metal stairs of the plane, her heels catching in the small grates in the steps.
Her sharp, elegant features were perfectly offset by her round eyes and pouty mouth, making Max freeze in his tracks to admire her. Dark hair contrasted pale, creamy skin, and there was a quiet confidence to the way she carried herself.
