Cabin Bear Heat Box Set: A Paranormal Fantasy Bear Shifter Romance (A Bear Shifter Romance Retelling of the Billionaire Redemption Series Book 2)

by Love-Wins, Bella

  So much for peace and quiet.

  "We’re so lucky we found you, sir," said a young lady at the front of the group.

  Andrew thought something slightly different. He agreed it was pure luck they had found him. He had considered not leaving the warmth of his cabin for a split second earlier on. If he had not, they probably would never have survived the night. He was not glad to see them, though.

  “What are you people doing out here in this weather?” Andrew asked them.

  “Our car’s damaged back there,” the young woman answered, pointing back where they came from. “We hit the Broad Oaks Country Club gate by accident, and it’s banged up pretty badly. We figured if we came this way, we’d find some shelter. I’m Barb. Our friend here is hurt.”

  “Why did you think anyone would be down here? I’m the only one who lives here year round, at this corner of the lake,” he asked.

  “Our friend Ruth here has family in the area somewhere. We didn’t have much choice after the car hit the post.”

  “Where are you people from?”

  “We all live around Reno-Sparks. We were on our way to our colleges in San Francisco. Ruth here thought we could stop at her grandfather's cabin, which was supposed to be around here. Can you help us?”

  “Yes. Of course,” he answered. “My cabin is just a few hundred feet this way.” He noticed they all looked exhausted from carrying bags and walking so far. Broad Oaks wasn’t too far away, but in this weather, and on foot, they had to be running on empty.

  “Here. Hold the rifle. Let me carry her.” He passed the rifle to the young woman helping the other injured lady. She held it at the barrel with both hands, away from her body like it was hospital biohazard waste or something equally dangerous. It was clear she had never held a weapon before.

  At least she’s not likely to try anything.

  They were strangers, after all. Andrew moved close to pick up the young lady who was hurt. They made eye contact and both froze for a moment. There was something so familiar in her eyes. He had to find out later on why he felt like he knew her.

  “Okay, let's go. The cabin is this way.”

  He led them across the barely visible path, carrying the woman effortlessly in his arms. As exhausted as the rest of them seemed, they kept his pace. Within minutes, they were at his driveway and up on the front porch. He turned his body carefully to open it without potentially hurting the injured lady’s leg any more than it already was.

  “Come in,” he called to them. “The fireplace is in the room on your left.”

  He took the injured woman to the easy chair closest to the fireplace, setting her down gently. She pulled back her parka hood and craned her long, slender neck to look up at him with the biggest, palest green eyes. He was certain he had seen her before. He just couldn’t remember where.

  “Let me get my doctor's bag,” he said softly, on instinct. He regretted saying it the moment the words passed his lips.

  “You're a doctor?” the woman asked.

  “I don't practice anymore,” he mumbled gruffly before walking out of the room and down the hallway.

  Andrew was not looking forward to this unexpected group of visitors.

  They haven't even been here for a minute and already I’m getting questions about my past.

  Or maybe I’m being overly paranoid, as always.

  Andrew hoped the conversation would be kept to a minimum and that soon, he would have his solitude again. He pulled his medical bag from the lower shelf of the walk-in closet, and hurried back to the living room. The group had clustered together to soak up the warmth of the fire. They were young—adults, but definitely young. Only the injured young lady noticed when he walked back in.

  Where do I know her from?

  She seemed so familiar to him. He knelt beside the chair and looked over to the kids at the fireplace.

  “You,” Andrew called to the tall, blonde man who had been helping the injured woman. “Slide that ottoman over here to elevate her ankle. And when you're finished, the kitchen is on the other side of the front door. Get me an ice pack from the fridge.”

  “Sure thing,” the young man answered, dragging the ottoman in front of the chair. He gently propped her injured leg on top of it.

  Andrew slowly took off her boot, and began to remove her sock. He touched her injured foot gently, and when she jumped in reaction to the pain, he stopped and got a pair of scissors from the bag.

  “Sorry, I'll have to cut your sock off,” he looked up and said to her. “Not to worry, I'll replace it.”

  “It’s okay,” she said. “These were supposed to be my lucky socks. Now, I’m not so sure anymore.”

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine, really. I'm a licensed registered nurse. I know what you have to do. Go ahead and chop it off.”

  “You are?” He asked as he cut. “Good. Then you know that I have to feel the ankle, and around it to have an idea whether it's broken, fractured, or just sprained. You know it will hurt a bit, right?”

  “Yes.” She nodded and braced for his examination. “I can handle it. Go ahead.”

  One of the ladies left the fireplace and came to stand on the other side of the chair.

  “Here, Abby” she said, reaching out. “Just squeeze my hand whenever you feel any pain, okay?”

  “That’s really sweet of you, Ruth,” the injured woman said. “I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  Okay, her name is Abby. Andrew still wracked his brain to remember where he knew her from, and hoped desperately that it had nothing to do with the night of the accident. As he examined her lower leg, ankle, and foot, he knew it was not as bad as it could have been. Even so, Abby wouldn’t be able to walk for at least a few days. With the snow falling so heavily, no one would brave this weather to come get them. They’d be here for a little while. The reality of their presence at his cabin slowly sank in. He shifted in his squatted position to look at her again.

  “Well, miss, only an X-ray can confirm my prognosis, but for now, it doesn't seem that your ankle is broken or fractured,” he explained.

  “That's good.”

  “The bad news is that without crutches or an ankle brace, you'll need to stay off that foot for the next few days.”

  “That’s not so good.” She looked at him and nodded.

  “Not that you'd be able to walk anywhere for a few days, the way the weather is now,” he said, looking around for the blond man. "Where's your friend I sent for the ice pack?”

  “I'll go look for him,” the blonde girl, Ruth, answered eagerly.

  She walked towards the hallway that led to the kitchen, and the blond man almost bumped into her. He made a careful beeline around her, as though she was a leper.

  There is definitely something brewing between those two.

  “Hey man, this place is huge,” he said, walking toward them with a bowl of ice and two ice packs. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’ve never seen a cabin that looks like this. It’s a mansion, man. I got lost trying to find to the kitchen, and got lost again coming back.”

  Andrew did not respond. He nodded and gently placed the ice pack on her ankle. “Take this off in ten minutes, and replace it after the same amount of time. And repeat at least a few times tonight before you go to sleep.”

  “Thanks,” she answered. “I’m familiar with R.I.C.E.”

  “Yeah that's rest, ice, compress, elevate, right?” the blond man interjected.

  “That's correct.” Andrew looked back at Abby. “By the way, my name is Andrew. What are all your names?”

  “Nice to meet you, Andrew,” the brunette jumped in first, stepping away from the fireplace. “I had already mentioned my name is Barb, and this Abby here, and Rob. Ruth is standing next to Abby, and that’s Tina and John over at the fireplace.”

  “Good to meet you all,” Andrew answered politely and stood up. “It doesn't look like you'll be able to leave anytime soon. This storm is just getting started. Didn’t you hear the news befor
e you left Reno?”

  “Sorry, sir, that was my fault,” Ruth said shyly from Abby’s side. “I made them take this route instead of going back to Highway eighty as we had planned. We only realized the storm was coming when it was too late. It’s my fault…” she trailed off, looking away.

  “Well, never mind that now,” he said, trying to take the pressure off her. She looked like she was about to cry, and he could not handle crying women. As a matter of fact, he had not seen anyone cry for the last two years. That was a good thing. “Do you have extra clothes?”

  “Yes,” they answered almost in unison.

  “With you here?” he clarified.

  “No,” Ruth replied woefully. “We left them in the car. We have what we’re wearing, but they’re all wet. Once they dry off, we’ll probably have a week’s worth of stuff to wear, with all these layers.”

  “Okay. There are enough bedrooms upstairs that you can all stay in. There’s a laundry room upstairs too. I’ll find you some warm clothes to change into for tonight.”

  “Thank you so much,” Barb chimed in.

  She put a hand on his shoulder, and he recoiled from her touch. He was familiar with the deviously flirtatious look she gave him, and made a note to stay as far away from her as he could. He was not ready for anyone to get close, let alone this uninvited guest who was so eager to hit on him before she knew a thing about who and what he was.

  “I don't have guests here often,” he said, taking another step back to escape the presumptuous gesture. “The maid only comes once or twice a week, so all the beds will need to be made."

  “Thanks so much, sir,” Abby answered. “We really appreciate your generosity.”

  “No problem. You can all call me Andrew. And Miss…uh, Abby, was it?”

  “Yes, I'm Abby.” She gave a weak smile.

  “Okay. There's a spare guest room beside mine here on the main floor. You'd better take that room, so you don't have to navigate the stairs and make it worse for your ankle.”

  “Thank you. Sure, that would help.”

  “Lucky score, Abby,” Barb said quietly in Abby’s direction.

  Could that woman be more obvious?

  “I think I may have some old crutches in the shed outside,” he continued, doing his best to ignore the frisky woman’s comment. He would have to keep away from that brunette. “They’re from several years ago, and may not be the right size, but I’ll check when the weather eases up.”

  “That would be great.”

  “For now, you should all get out of your wet clothes. Use the washer and dryer upstairs, or leave them in front of the fireplace to dry.” He turned to walk out of the room. “I’ll find you all some clothes.”

  Andrew got to the walk-in closet in his bedroom to find some things for them to wear. He gathered up six neatly folded t-shirts, a package of athletic socks, and six plaid, flannel pajama sets, still wrapped in their original packages in the bottom drawer. It was the comfort gift his father would give him. He received one every year since his mother had left them while he was at medical school. Somehow, it had become a tradition, except Andrew never had much use for pajamas. He preferred sleeping in the nude, even here at the cottage on the coldest of nights.

  He walked out to his guests, arms now laden with the clothes, plus a large comforter for Abby. He hoped that other woman would tone it down for the rest of their unexpected stay.

  “Here are some things to wear tonight. Help yourselves.” He placed them on the sofa closest to the fireplace. “There’s also a comforter for you, Abby. These clothes may not fit you ladies, but it’ll keep you warm. I’ll put the kettle on and get you something to eat. You must all be hungry.”

  He looked at the group of them, exhausted and soaked to the bone. Only the blond man seemed to have any energy left. He would have to do, if Andrew was to get any help from his new guests. “Rob, was it? Grab a change of clothes and change quickly in the powder room down the hall, will you? You can help me get your friends some water to drink. After you all eat, I’ll show you to your rooms.”

  Chapter Five

  ABBY could not believe it. From one moment to the next, they had gone from very likely not to survive the night, to crisis averted. It was one of those mini-miracles that she had never been familiar with, but remembered praying for one before her mom had passed away. They were finally safe, indoors, and warming up in the spacious home of this handsome stranger. The second she had looked into his eyes out there in the punishing blizzard, she felt something. Was it relief? No, it was something else. Something more potent but harder to express. Something elemental. She knew what he was.

  Her breath hitched, thinking back to when he picked her up so effortlessly into his arms. In her exhaustion, she had let herself lean onto his warm chest. She had rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her inside. She had not been this close to a man—let alone a complete stranger—since she broke up with Cole two summers ago. That was not a difficult breakup, as they had dated for only six months.

  Cole was the only male student in her undergraduate nursing program, and for whatever reason, he had gravitated to her. After six months of dating, there was still no spark. At least, she didn’t feel one. It was the sensible thing to do, and when she barely missed him after the breakup, she knew she had done the right thing. Except she did not imagine two years could pass without going on even one date. She had poured herself into her studies and her clinicals, and the time had passed swiftly.

  “Is he hot or what?” Barb declared as Andrew left the room with Rob. It made everyone uncomfortable.

  “Shhh,” Ruth said softly, stepping out of her jeans. They were soaked all the way up to the knees.

  “I’m positive he heard that, Barb,” Trina agreed, picking up a set of clothes and removing the wrapper to check the size.

  “So what? The guy’s fucking hot,” Barb added. “And a doctor, too? In this massive house? Let me be the first to say, I think we hit the mother lode.”

  “Barb.” John seemed apprehensive, but continued anyway. “I might be treading on thin ice here, but I’ve got to side with the ladies. This guy just let six complete strangers into his house. Can you lay off so we don’t get kicked out? I don’t want to end up back in the damned blizzard. As a dude, even I think you were hitting on him hard. Give the guy a day or two to get his bearings or something, for Christ’s sake.”

  “And anyway, he looks like he’s hot for Abby,” Trina added snidely.

  “Why would he like her over me?” Barb was already agitated. She tugged off her jackets and layers of sweaters before ripping opening the wrapper of one of the plaid pajama sets. “God. Plaid and flannel jammies? Now I really feel like we’re out at the cottage.”

  The rest of them looked at one another, and shrugged off Barb’s impossible behavior.

  “I’ll help you get out of those wet clothes, Abby,” Ruth said, seeming desperate to change the subject.

  She pulled the two-piece pajama suit out of the wrapper, placing them and the comforter beside the fireplace.

  “It’ll help you warm up faster, as you can’t stand close to the fire.”

  “Thanks, Ruth.”

  Abby was grateful for the help. Her hair was soaked and icy. She pulled the pins out of the bun, and let her hair fall down her back. It was a wonder Rob wasn’t interested in Ruth. From everything Abby had seen, she was a kind person, not just on this trip, but since she had gotten to know Ruth when they traveled home together for the holidays, there were many more examples of her thoughtfulness. Yes, she was a little quiet, and maybe somewhat enigmatic. But to think Rob was more attracted to Barb defied any logic.

  “Turn around, John,” Trina covered his eyes as Ruth gently pulled off Abby’s wet jacket and layers of t-shirts and sweaters.

  “You know it’s only your body I want to see tonight, baby,” John answered softy.

  He made point to turn and face the fire. Trina snuggled up closer. The two had picked out matching pajamas
. They looked like a plaid-clad Siamese twin standing together.

  Abby made a concerted effort to stand on one leg so Ruth could help her get out of the wet jeans without hurting the injured ankle. Just as Ruth pulled the jeans off the other leg, Andrew re-entered the room. Standing there in only a bra and panties, barely able to balance on one leg, all Abby could do in the split second was wrap her arms over her breasts and stomach.

  “Oh sorry,” Andrew said, turning away quickly but cautiously with the tray of soup bowls and sandwiches. “I’ll just place the food over here. I’ll come back later with the drinks.” He set the tray on one of the end tables and quickly retreated down the hallway.

  “It’s okay,” Abby called out to him as he left.

  Ruth giggled and her laugh made Abby chuckle a little. Yes, it was embarrassing that he saw her almost naked, but she didn’t mean to make him uncomfortable in his own home. Still, it was strange for a former doctor to react that way to a semi-naked body.

  Ruth rushed over to the fireplace and took the comforter to drape over her. “Here. Sit and cover up with this. I can get the pajama pants on first while you’re seated, then you can just slip on the top after.”

  “What’s the big deal?” Barb said in a huff. “He saw you naked. I’m sure he’s seen lots of naked women before. Why would he run for the hills like that?”

  “It’s not a big deal, Barb.” Abby defended him, standing up to pull the pajama pants to her waist. “Maybe he just wanted to be polite.”

  “Don’t worry,” Barb retorted with a devious smile. “I can help him get over that issue real quick.”

  “Get over what issue?” Rob asked, walking in with a second tray with bottled waters and mugs of steaming hot tea.

  “Never mind Barb, Rob,” Trina answered. “I’m dying of thirst. Let me at one of those bottles.”