They spent the rest of their break in bed, mating over and over again, until Kenzie felt like her body couldn’t take any more pleasure. She’d never felt so alive and so connected with another being before. And, although she hadn’t had a lot of experience with men, she could already see that there was a lot more to mating than human relationships. Nash was so attentive to her every need, and seemed to understand her as well as she understood herself. But he was still Nash, full of dumb jokes and impressions and lines from movies.
“I was just thinking, Kenzie,” he said one morning, as they were lounging in bed, their bodies glowing from their recent sex.
“What?” she said, frowning at the seriousness of his tone.
“I guess I should stop cracking jokes at your expense, since we’re, you know, together.” She grabbed a pillow and hit him with it.
“I thought you were going to tell me something serious!”
“It’s an important consideration!” She whacked him again, and he jumped on top of her, trying to grab her flailing arms, and they wound up playfighting, until she surrendered at last, flushed and breathless, pinned beneath his weight.
“Also, shall we get formally mated?” She suppressed a sound of surprise.
“You don’t have to crush me half to death to get me to agree, Nash.”
“Oops, sorry.” He climbed off her, took her right hand and pressed it to his lips. “Kenzie Winters. Will you do me the honor of formally becoming my mate? I just got an email from Shiftr, asking if we’d like them to organize a ceremony. I don’t know how they know we’re together, since you right-swiped me pretty early on in our communications, but seems like they do.”
“Let me see.” He picked up his phone and showed her the message. It was from the app’s owner, Tamika, who congratulated them on their happy union, and said she’d be “absolutely delighted” to host their ceremony.
“Lauren would have told her,” Kenzie said.
“Who?”
“She’s an old childhood friend that I ran into here by chance. She told me about the app.”
“Just goes to show, you can’t avoid your fated mate,” he said. Kenzie turned so they were face to face.
“Do you really feel like we were fated to be together?”
“Yup, I’d say fate was already working hard when it got you a job at Jackson’s. Then it helped us to fall in love online. And when we were still going too slow, it threw Lauren into your path.”
“It really was incredible how these things happened, wasn’t it?”
“Yes it was. And now I get to spend my life with you. I love you, Kenzie. With all my heart.”
“I love you too, Nash. And I can’t wait for everyone to know that I’m yours.”
“So you will – have a mating ceremony?” he asked.
“Of course. I can’t wait!” As he dipped his head to kiss her, his cornflower-blue eyes were brighter than ever.
THE END
A Thank You from Ariana Hawkes
Hi, thank you so much for reading Nash and Kenzie’s story! I really hope you enjoyed it and if so please consider leaving a review; even if it’s only a line or two, it’ll make all the difference, and it will be greatly appreciated.
There are nine more books waiting for you in the world of Hope Valley!
I’ve also included a free bonus story for you here – Bear Christmas Magic. Make sure to check it out, readers are telling me it’s a great winter tale!
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Thanks again for reading – and for all your support!
Yours,
Ariana
Ariana loves hearing from readers! You can reach her here:
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ALSO BY ARIANA HAWKES
Shiftr: Hope Valley Dating App Romances
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 1 (Dina)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 2 (Kristin)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 3 (Melissa)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 4 (Andrea)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 5 (Lori)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 6 (Adaira)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 7 (Timo)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 8 (Jessica)
Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love – Book 9 (Ryzard)
Broken Hill Bears
Bear In The Rough (Broken Hill Bears Book 1)
Bare Knuckle Bear (Broken Hill Bears Book 2)
Bear Cuffs (Broken Hill Bears Book 3)
Christmas Bear Shifter Romances
Bear All I Want For Christmas Boxed Set
Bear Magic Christmas
Bear My Perfect Gift
Polar Bears’ Christmas
Lost To The Bear
Ravished by the Ice Palace Pack
Bonus story: Bear Christmas Magic
1
“Harlow! Let’s take five,” her best friend, Carly, called across Windy Hollow bakery.
“Sure thing!” Harlow was already pulling her apron over her head and running for the coat hooks where her pigeon-feather lined, thermal winter coat was hanging. She fastened the zipper and all the buttons from knee to chin, tucking her long, auburn hair under the collar. Then, with a little bounce of glee, she stepped out of the shop door, holding it open for Carly. Carly trudged along after her. She was never happy. Her black eyes burned with a dull anger for the life she lived in their small, miserable town. She was one of those people who could find gloom even in the bluest of skies. Harlow felt like she almost had a talent for seeing everything from a negative point of view. And she loved her for it. Harlow, on the other hand, had a bright and light personality, radiating from her prominent green eyes that sparkled with optimism. Her short, mischievous-looking bangs, and heart-shaped face with dimples in her cheeks and chin only added to her cheerful aura. When they’d first met, she thought it was her obligation as a friend to help Carly become a happier person. But after many failed attempts, she understood that Carly’s miserable outlook on life was her own choice, and that in her very own way, she was happy with it. So nowadays she just mocked her for it every now and then.
“Come on, pixie dust we’re running out of time,” Carly called to her as she stopped to put a handful of crumbs on a bird table.
The wind swirled and circled around the hollow, dragging dead leaves and twigs off the ground and whipping the damp air across their faces. But being outdoors was good. You could look up at the pale gray sky and out at the snowy mountain range far in the distance, and feel that the world was a little bigger than your space in it. At least, that’s what Harlow thought, as she and Carly crossed what passed for the central square of their small town and collected their other close friend, Rebecca, from the firewood store, before walking over to the broken-down wall where they always took their breaks together. The other two preferred to take their breaks outdoors for other reasons – escaping family tensions and dark, cramped homes. Everyone in Windy Hollow understood these things. Carly and Rebecca were smoking, but Harlow had quit years ago, and she sat with both hands jammed into her pockets and her face half-hidden by her scarf, in an attempt to keep out the biting cold.
“I hope the snow comes soon,” Harlow said.
“It’ll take the sting out of the air,” Rebecca replied.
“I hate the snow. It’s cold and messy and slippery. Winter sucks,” Carly said with a snort.
“Last time I checked, you weren’t a big fan of summer either. You thought it made life feel repulsively optimistic,” Harlow said.
“At least, the snow will cover over all the ugliness of Windy Hollow, so we can’t see it any more,” Rebecca added.
“What I like most about it is that it changes everything. There’s something kind of magical about it. When you wake up that first morning and you feel like you’re in another world,
where everything glows.”
“It’s about as magical as Windy Hollow gets,” Rebecca said, slapping her on the shoulder. Harlow pulled her face out of her scarf and grinned at her friends. They always mocked her for trying to see the best in everything. But she didn’t care. They might have to live their lives in this godforsaken trailer park-dumpster of a town, but she didn’t see why being miserable was going to make things any better.
“Maybe it’ll be cozy this year. I’ve been working on the cabin all fall, so there aren’t any cracks for the cold to get in, and I got the chimney fixed too. We can hang out at my place in the evenings, and huddle around the fire.”
“And tell campfire stories?” Carly said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. Then she leaned forward and planted a kiss on Harlow’s forehead. “I love you, Harlow, you crazy, irrationally positive, winter pixie.” Harlow took each of her friend’s hands in her own.
“And I love you, Carly, you bitter, twisted woman. And you, Rebecca, you patient, kind-hearted woman.” As different as they all were, a deep bond of friendship united them. Life in the town could be hard and dark, and people were often mean and hostile toward one another, but the three of them stuck together, through thick and thin.
“Okay, back to the bakery. The fun’s over.” Carly dropped her cigarette on the ground and ground it into the hard earth with her heel. But as they turned back toward the town, the throaty roar of a heavy engine cut through the quiet air. They whipped around, squinting at the dirt track that ran all the way to the highway. A large truck was approaching. It was going slow, like a huge, lumbering beast, and as it came into view, Harlow could make out the shiny chrome grill and bumper, but the windshield was dark and impenetrable.
“What is that?” she muttered. “And what’s it pulling?” Since it was coming straight at them, she couldn’t make out the writing on its long trailer, but there were lots of colors and wild designs. And now she could see that there was a huge, chrome silhouette of a lion on the grill.
“Someone’s gotten themselves very lost,” Carly said.
“And they’re gonna have a hell of a job reversing back up that road,” Rebecca commented.
They stood stock still as the truck advanced, excitement sparking in Harlow’s belly. No-one came into Windy Hollow. Ever. None of them had seen a stranger for years. At last, the giant wheels rolled to a stop beside them, and the passenger-side window slid down.
“Excuse me, Ladies,” came a deep, resonant voice. Harlow skipped over to the passenger door, batting Rebecca’s hands away, which were doing their best to restrain her.
“Harlow! Be careful!” Carly hissed. Ignoring her, Harlow eagerly lifted her face to the window. She couldn’t see anyone at first, but then a man’s head emerged. And she thought her heart was going to stop beating. He was absolutely gorgeous. Movie-star gorgeous. He had jet-black hair, swept back from his forehead in a quiff, with short sideburns and a day’s beard growth. His eyes, which were the color of the ocean – well, the photos she’d seen of the ocean, anyway – were fringed in thick, black lashes and carried a hint of amusement. His right arm draped out of the window, the sleeve of his red, checkered shirt rolled up, revealing a large, thickly-corded forearm. His straight, dark brows drew together and his eyes narrowed to smoldering slits.
“Are you okay, ma’am?” Harlow shook herself, realizing that she’d been staring at him like a kid in a candy store.
“I am now,” she said with a grin. “Do you need some help?” His lips parted, displaying two rows of perfect, gleaming teeth.
“Can you all direct me to Mistletoe Hollow? We seem to have gotten ourselves a little lost.” He waved a sheet of paper in his other hand. Carly stepped up beside Harlow.
“Who wants to know?” she demanded, arms crossed. Harlow rolled her eyes at her. Surely that level of aggression was unwarranted. But the man didn’t appear to notice.
“Moonrise Wonderland Christmas Circus wants to know,” he replied, his grin becoming even wider.
“You’re a circus?” Harlow exclaimed.
“That’s right, ma’am. The greatest circus that’s ever been –”
“There’s no Mistletoe Hollow here,” Carly cut in. “You’ve come to the wrong place.”
“There used to be a Mistle –” Harlow didn’t finish her sentence because Carly suddenly grabbed her from behind and clamped her hand over her mouth.
“We don’t need your sort around here!”
“Quit it, Carly!” Harlow wrestled herself out of Carly’s grasp and spoke fast.
“This place used to be Mistletoe Hollow, but it’s long been renamed Windy Hollow by the locals. Have you got some business here?”
“No, he hasn’t, Harlow. No-one’s got business here,” Carly insisted. As they squabbled, the man watched them, a smile playing on his well-shaped lips.
“As it happens, we’ve got a booking in Mistletoe Hollow.” He read from the sheet of paper. “A three-week residence, in a prime location on Mistletoe Hollow Camp Ground. It’s all confirmed and paid for.”
“Let me see that!” Carly looked like she was about to launch herself at the side of the rig and scramble up to the window. The guy held it out to her, just far enough away that she couldn’t reach it.
“That’s as far as I’m going. Now don’t be snatching it out of my hand.” Carly stood on tiptoe and scrutinized it.
“There’s no campground here, so you have to leave.” She folded her arms in a gesture of finality. Harlow clutched at her upper arm.
“Wait – that patch of wasteland a half-mile away. I think it used to be a camp ground. Nothing goes on there any more though,” Harlow looked at the handsome stranger.
“Is it big and flat?” She nodded. “Enough space to put up a large tent? A couple of trailers on each side? A parking lot nearby?” She nodded even more. “That’s the ticket.”
He tipped his head to each of them. “Thank you very much, ladies. I won’t trouble you any more today. But I hope to see you all at one of our Christmas shows. My name’s Sawyer, by the way. Sawyer Hunterville.”
“No problem, and good luck, Sawyer. I’m Harlow,” she said, but her words were almost drowned out by Carly’s snarl of derision.
“You’ll be waiting a long time, mister, because we don’t have Christmas in Windy Hollow,” she snapped. “Never have done.” He rubbed the back of his head.
“Is that so? Well I guess we’ll just have to fix that. Have a good day, ladies.”
The truck’s gears clunked and grinded as its invisible driver put it into reverse, and it began to back along the track the way it had come.
“Let’s go. We’re so late getting back,” Carly said, turning around and starting to walk back toward the town.
“Coming.” Rebecca started to follow her, but Harlow couldn’t resist looking back at the truck. The man waved, and then he gave her a long, leisurely wink. She drew in a sharp breath, as a tight, tingly feeling clutched at her insides. She stood still, watching until she could no longer make out his face, then she raced after the other two, her mind whirling, spinning and popping with thoughts of the circus and that crazy handsome man.
“There’ll be trouble. Just mark my words,” Carly said, as soon as Harlow was back in earshot, and then she speed-walked across the square and back to the bakery without waiting for her to catch up.
“What do you mean, there’ll be trouble?” Harlow hollered over the racket Carly was making, clanging the baking trays around on the shelves.
“I mean, they’ve got no business here. Whoever they were.”
“They’re the circus!” Harlow said. Carly Hmmphed.
“So he says.”
“But you saw the contract he showed you. Didn’t it look official?”
“So what? Official means nothing in these parts.” Harlow went over to her and looked her in the eyes.
“Well, you spend half of your life talking about how boring it is in Windy Hollow, so maybe this is your chance to experience someth
ing new.”
“It’s boring, but at the moment, it’s safe. Can’t you see that, Harlow? You know there’s something wrong in this town; something rotten. We both know it. And I bet it has something to do with the big secret everyone seems to be hiding, and that it explains why most of us don’t shift and why we don’t celebrate holidays. But as long as things stay right the way they are, nothing’s going to change, or get worse.”
“No, but nothing’s going to get better, either.” Carly gave her a long look, full of sadness. “You don’t understand, Harlow.”
“So try me? Explain what you really mean, instead of coming up with these dark, cryptic phrases.”
“I can’t.” Harlow shoved one of the trolleys in exasperation, sending it spinning across the floor.
“You’re just like my dad. Like everyone in this damn town.”
2
Sawyer Hunterville watched the three girls until they were out of sight, a grin of enjoyment plastered across his handsome face. That dark-haired one was a hellcat. He’d heard that people around these parts could be wary of outsiders, but she was a one-woman unwelcoming committee. The auburn-haired one was a hellcat, too, but a completely different one. His bear had woken up the second he clapped eyes on her. She was feisty, perky, and full of life. Those big, emerald-green eyes were almost otherworldly, and he liked the way they’d gotten very wide when she looked up at him in the truck, full of curiosity and mischief. She had a softer face than the other two, with sweet, cherry lips, a snub nose, and cheeks like ripe apples. And her short, straight bangs hinted at an alternative style. Was there a hot body bundled up beneath that heavy winter coat of hers? His bear certainly seemed to think so, scrabbling and fretting inside him. He decided right there that he’d come to the town again as soon as he was done setting up and find out for himself.
Shiftr: Swipe Left For Love (Nash) BBW Wolf Shifter Romance (Hope Valley BBW Dating App Romance Book 10) Page 13
