by Zoe Chant
Tara wasn't sure how long it would take her to become comfortable with Alec. But he did like her; his actions with her father had proven that. He just wasn't sure how to show it.
And they had time.
Alec noticed her watching him as he watched the others, and gave her a quiet smile, a twitch of the corner of his mouth. He was so different from his brother, reserved where Axl was friendly, restrained where Axl was outgoing. Of the two, she was glad she'd fallen for the brother she had; she wasn't sure if she could have dealt with Alec's dark moods, while Axl filled her heart with sunshine. But she hoped Alec would find someone someday who would warm him as Axl warmed her.
"Hey, everybody!" Axl said suddenly. He held his beer in the air. "I'd like to say something."
Drinks of various types went up. All eyes were on him, everyone awaiting what he had to say.
"First of all, I'd like to propose a toast to Tara Malloy." His warm brown eyes, shot through with summer green, caught and held her, filled to the brim with love and affection. "Tara, who came into my life when I least expected it, and gave me joy I never thought I'd know. Tara, who has changed us all simply by being here. It's been a long time since this ranch has had a woman's touch. I think we could all use it."
"To Tara," Cody and, to her surprise, Alec chorused. Gannon didn't say anything, but he lifted the clay mug of water he was drinking in lieu of beer or soda.
"And there's one other thing."
Axl set his beer aside. He reached into his pocket, fingering something there. Then he got up and came around the firepit to kneel in front of Tara.
Cody murmured, "Man, Remy's gonna be pissed he missed this."
Alec hushed him, jabbing an elbow into his ribs.
"Tara Malloy," Axl said. "From the moment I first saw you, I was captivated. From the instant I looked into your eyes, I knew there would never be another for me. That mark on your neck is the bond of my people, but I'd like us to be bound by the laws and customs of the human world as well. I want the entire world to know that you're my mate—and my wife."
The thing he had taken from his pocket was a small gray box. He opened it and withdrew the slender gold band within, glittering with small white and green stones that made her think of his eyes.
"Tara, would you do me the honor of marrying me?"
She held her shaking hand so he could slip the ring onto her finger. "Yes," she said. "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes."
He took her face between his hands and kissed her, then wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She was dimly aware of the others clapping and cheering, Cody with playful catcalls, but her entire being was focused on Axl, who had become the bedrock of her world. And her heart fluttered helplessly, with a yes in every beat.
A thousand times yes.
***
A note from Zoe Chant
Thank you for buying my book! I hope you enjoyed it. If you’d like to be alerted by email when I release my next book, please click here to be added to my mailing list. If you'd like to contact me, my email is [email protected]. I love hearing from my readers.
Please consider reviewing Sheriff Bear, even if you only write a line or two. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.
Cover art - Man: Periodimages.com. Bear: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / ginabuliga. Ranch house: © Can Stock Photo Inc. / tashka.
***
More Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant
Sheriff Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 1). A small-town sheriff + a wrongly accused BBW on the run + deadly enemies and dangerous passions = a sizzling forbidden love!
Bad Boy Bear. (Bears of Pinerock County # 2). Biker bear on the open road + BBW runaway-bride hitchhiker + evil motorcycle gang = an unforgettable red-hot road trip!
Bodyguard Bear. (Protection, Inc. # 1). A BBW witness to a murder + the sexy bear shifter bodyguard sworn to protect her with his life + firefights and fiery passion = one hot thrill ride!
Defender Dragon. (Protection, Inc. # 2). A curvy backpacker who loses a shoe at a ball + a lonely dragon prince facing an arranged marriage to a princess he doesn’t love + magnificent castles and deadly assassins = one thrilling romance!
Protector Panther. (Protection, Inc. # 3). A curvy paramedic who doesn’t know the meaning of fear + a mysterious panther shifter bodyguard with the power to inflict terror + sinister experiments and desperate passion = one heart-pounding romance!
Dancing Bearfoot. A single dad from the city + his daughter's BBW teacher + a surprise snow storm = a steamy story that will melt your heart.
The Billionaire Dragon Shifter's Baby. A curvy social worker in need of a break + a carefree dragon shifter + a baby dragon who needs her father = one hot and heartwarming romance!
A Werewolf’s Valentine. A BBW cat shifter who's turned her back on love + a handsome werewolf stranger who comes to town + a very special Valentine's Day = a hot and heart-warming romance!
The Bear’s Christmas Bride. A BBW who's alone at Christmas + a lonely bear shifter searching for his mate + a crowded house full of relatives = a snowy yet sizzling holiday romance!
Alpha Lion. A frightened but determined BBW + a sexy lion shifter martial artist + a dangerous enemy = one unforgettable romance!
Target: BillionBear. A BBW artist + an amnesiac bear shifter + a mysterious murder plot = an explosive blockbuster romance!
Hollywood Shifters’ Christmas. Three hot Hollywood shifters+ three curvy mates = three holiday romances in one sizzling story!
Guarding His Honey. A BBW in danger + the hot bear shifter who'll do anything to protect her + a dangerous fight with the mafia = one thrilling romance!
Hero Bear. A wounded Marine who lost his bear + a BBW physical therapist with a secret + a small town full of gossips = a hot and healing romance!
In the Billionbear’s Den. A stressed-out BBW in need of a break + a sexy billionaire bear shifter in need of a mate to share his home + the remote woodland house he built himself = one steamy romance!
The Bear With No Name. A BBW park ranger + a sexy bear shifter with amnesia + a town that needs their help = one unforgettable romance!
Bearing Your Soul. A shy BBW who’s been burned by love + a sexy veteran bear shifter + a family code of silence = one sizzling hot romance that defies all odds!
The Billionaire Wolf Needs a Wife. A shy BBW teacher + a sexy billionaire wolf shifter + a mail-order bride company = a white-hot wedding!
Choosing the Billionaire Dragon Shifters. A BBW in a small town + twin dragon shifters in need of a mate to share + the most hotly contested mayoral election Gray's Hollow has ever seen = one sexy story that's a win/win/win!
Hollywood Tiger. An investigator BBW + a hot maverick photojournalist tiger shifter + a sinister Hollywood studio = an explosive blockbuster romance!
Hollywood Dragon. A BBW singer + a billionaire music mogul dragon shifter + shifter battles and sizzling passion = one blockbuster romance!
Country Star Bear. BBW + country star bear shifter + a slippery night in New England = hot nights under the covers!
Honey for the Billionbear. BBW with a broken heart + mysterious billionaire bear shifter + an unexpected storm = one sweet and sexy story!
Loved by the Lion. BBW looking for a family + hot alpha lion shifter protecting his pride + a dangerous stalker = one sweet and steamy story!
Hollywood Bear. A BBW stuntwoman + a movie director bear shifter + Hollywood hijinks = one blockbuster romance!
Beauty and the Billionaire Dragon Shifter. BBW who's new in town + a dragon shifter who's new to being human + a very confused dog named Mouse = one sexy fairy tale romance!
Joining the Jaguar. A BBW doctor with no time for love + a protective alpha jaguar shifter + a kidnapping = one sizzling hot love story.
Bearly There. BBW + billionaire bear shifter + chocolate-drizzled desserts = one lick-your-fingers-good story!
Bear West. BBW city girl + bear shifter cowboy + a mail-order bride company = one Wild West romance that
's truly WILD!
Kodiak Moment. Workaholic wildlife photographer + loner bear shifter + Alaskan wilderness = one warming and sensual story.
Healing Her Wolf. A curious vet + a wounded werewolf + some tender loving care = one sexy, sizzling story!
A Pair of Bears. One lonely cat shifter + two sizzling hot bears who want to share + a whole lot of action (in and out of bed) = one wild and sexy adventure!
The Billionaire Dragon Shifter’s Mate. A BBW in search of adventure + a dragon shifter in search of a mate + a mishap on a mountainside = one sparkling and sexy story!
Bear Watching. BBW park ranger + bear shifter smokejumper + a lonely fire-watcher's post = one red-hot fire between the sheets!
Wild Flight. A BBW burned by love + a hot eagle shifter who's ready to dare + wild passion on a stormy night = a love that was meant to be!
Wolf Home. Sexy werewolf with pack problems + hot new werewolf seeking a home + arranged marriage = one sweet and sexy story!
The Hawk and her LumBEARjack. BBW hawk shifter + lonely bear shifter lumberjack + ice storm = one red-hot weekend!
Undercover Alpha. BBW + hot werewolf bodyguard + undercover action (and action under the covers) = one unforgettably sexy story!
Bear Down. BBW biologist + bear shifter pilot + huddling for warmth in the wilderness = one blazing-hot story!
Bought by the Billionbear. BBW + billionaire bear shifter + bachelorette auction = one broiling-hot story!
And many more!
If you love Zoe Chant, you’ll also love these books
Laura’s Wolf, by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine Roy Farrell, scarred in body and mind, thinks he has no future. Curvy con artist Laura Kaplan, running from danger and her own guilt, is desperate to escape her past. But together, they have all that they need to heal. A full-length novel.
Prisoner, by Lia Silver. Werewolf Marine DJ Torres is a born rebel. Genetically engineered assassin Echo was created to be a weapon. When DJ is captured by the agency that made Echo, the two misfits find that they fit together perfectly. A full-length novel.
Partner, by Lia Silver. DJ and Echo’s relationship grows stronger under fire… until they are confronted by a terrible choice. A full-length novel.
Mated to the Meerkat, by Lia Silver. Jasmine Jones, a curvy tabloid reporter, meets her match in notorious paparazzi and secret meerkat Chance Marcotte. A romantic comedy novelette.
The Christmas Tree Bear, by Rosie Lynne. Bear shifter Willis Barnett meets his fated match in Charlotte Caldwell when she hopes to earn extra money as Santa Helper’s on Willis’ family farm turned Christmas Tree Town for the holidays. A romantic comedy novella.
The Strength of the Pack, by Jorrie Spencer. Seth Kolski, a werewolf, hides his heritage and passes for normal. Until he meets Jamie.
Taming the Beast, by Honey Dover. Beauty is a paranormal investigator hired to deal with a man cursed to become a monstrous beast. Helping him recover his humanity will change her life.
Claimed by the Wolf, by Candi Jackson. Zenobia Jones ends up pregnant after a night with a billionaire—and lands herself in a war between werewolf packs. A full-length novel.
The Right Bear's Arms, by Nora Eli. After a sizzling one night stand with bear shifter Jake, curvy Katie realizes her perfect man is everything she's tried to avoid. If they can both stop running from their pasts, they may find a destined future together.
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing, by Lauren Esker. Curvy farm girl Julie Capshaw was warned away from the wolf shifters next door, but Damon Wolfe is the motorcycle-riding, smoking hot alpha of her dreams. Can the big bad wolf and his sheep shifter find their own happy ending? A full-length novel.
Handcuffed to the Bear, by Lauren Esker. A bear-shifter ex-mercenary and a curvy lynx shifter searching for her best friend's killer are handcuffed together and hunted in the wilderness. Can they learn to rely on each other before their pasts, and their pursuers, catch up with them?
Guard Wolf, by Lauren Esker. Avery is a lone werewolf with no pack; Nicole is a social worker trying to put her life back together. When he comes to her door with a box of orphan werewolf puppies and danger in pursuit, can two lonely people find the family they've been missing?
Discovering the Dragon, by Sofia Stone. When reporter Chloe Martin investigates Lancaster Gold, she finds herself tangled up with the oldest son—Isaac Lancaster, billionaire dragon shifter.
And keep reading for a special sneak preview …
Next in the Bears of Pinerock County series …
Bad Boy Bear
When the Circle B Ranch’s resident bad boy Remy Hayes picks up a runaway bride hitchhiker on the side of the highway, he's about to get himself into some sweet and sexy trouble ...
Chapter One
In the woods behind the town of Silver Hill, where she'd lived all her life, Saffron Blake ran as hard as she could.
She ran for her virtue, for her honor, and perhaps for her life.
Saffron was wearing a wedding dress with a heavy leather jacket thrown over the top of it. The jacket helped protect her otherwise bare arms from whipping branches, but long folds of white tulle swished around her legs, catching on twigs, getting tangled under her feet. She stumbled, ripped them free, and kept going. The lacy dress, snow-white and unblemished a half-hour ago, was quickly becoming a ragged, dirty wreck.
Saffron didn't care. She hadn't picked it out. She hadn't wanted any of this at all.
She hoped her parents wouldn't be in too much trouble for helping her escape. She hated to leave them behind, to leave all her friends and family at the mercy of the Black Wings gang. But right now, the most important thing was getting out of town before she was irrevocably trapped in a lifelong nightmare from which there was no escape.
It had only been two weeks since her twenty-fifth birthday, when all of this had started. On that day, the leader of the Black Wings, the shifter gang that had run Silver Hill since the days when it was a frontier mining town, had walked into her father's hardware store and announced that Saffron was going to marry him.
She'd lived all her life in Silver Hill, and all that time she'd watched the Black Wings riding through town on their sleek motorcycles, and the way everyone turned away in fear when they passed by. People spoke about them with veiled fear and hatred, but were afraid to speak in more than whispers. The Black Wings could march into any shop in town and demand anything they liked.
Even if what they wanted was her.
Saffron's family had protested. They'd first tried to talk the Black Wings out of it, and then threatened them with lawyers, although Saffron knew that her family's shaky financial situation meant they'd probably have to sell the store to afford it. Meanwhile the neighbors had drawn away, isolating her family and leaving them to face the Black Wings alone. Saffron had become a pariah in town; people she'd known all her life turned away when she walked down the street. No one wanted to draw the gang's anger.
Meanwhile, the wedding dress had arrived on her doorstep in a large silver box. It was more expensive than anything her family could ever have afforded, and she absolutely hated it. It just figured, Saffron thought grimly, tripping again and leaving yet another length of tulle tangled in the bushes, that the one chance she had to run, she'd be wearing the stupid thing.
Ever since Creed had selected her as his bride, she hadn't been allowed to leave her house. There were always four or five Black Wings hanging out in the yard, trampling her mother's flower garden and leaning on the leather seats of their bikes. But her family had talked Creed into letting her go to Tina Hopewell's dressmaking shop to have alterations done. The dress had to fit her properly, didn't it?
And Tina Hopewell had been friends with Saffron's mother ever since they were little girls. There was a door out the back of the shop. Saffron wished she'd had time to change, but with Tina and her mother distracting the gang, all she'd been able to do was grab her jacket before she fled.
She had always been a jacket-and-jeans kind of girl, cultivating a b
ad-girl persona, at least by the standards of her small town. As a teenager she had dyed a purple stripe in her hair, and gotten a few little tattoos. Now she wished she hadn't, because she thought that might have been what attracted Creed. He was probably thinking how nice she'd look sitting on the back of his bike.
I'm not sitting on any damn bike. Not for you.
She thought about shifting to her fox, leaping out of her dress and running through the woods on four paws instead of the two human feet that were currently wearing uncomfortable white slippers, highly impractical for running through the woods. But then she'd be completely naked when she shifted back—and, anyway, the highway was right ahead of her.
She scrambled up the embankment, just as a trucker came roaring along in an 18-wheeler. Wildly she waved her arms, but he didn't see her, or if he did, he didn't bother to stop.
Panting, she sank down in a heap of wedding dress remnants. For a moment she thought about how she must look: a woman in a black leather jacket over the top of a torn-up wedding dress. Her hair had been pinned up at the dressmaker's, but now it was falling down in a messy tangle of dark curls with leaves and sticks caught in them.
No wonder the trucker had driven by, she thought, ruefully picking a leaf out of her hair. She must look like a crazy woman.
Another truck was coming. Saffron pulled herself to her feet, limping in her stupid little white shoes. She stuck out her thumb, but the truck showed no signs of slowing down, and didn't even bother pulling over to give her more room. It whipped past mere feet from her face, swirling her messed-up hair and what was left of her white skirt in a cloud of blowing dust.
"Yeah, same to you, buddy!" she yelled after him.
