Black Bear Down: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Return To Bear Bluff Book 3)

by Harmony Raines

  “Dylan... he left town when I was still at school,” Jordan mused. “A bit of a dark cloud hung over him, I am surprised he came back.”

  “Maybe it’s in his blood, you know, the mountain, and the fresh air.” She monitored Jordan’s driving, making sure he had the hang of the modified car. He would be able to go off on his own if he wanted to, first into Bear Bluff, and then farther once she was confident he could handle getting himself in and out of the car. She looked back to the road, enjoying the scenery, but for some reason the thought of him gaining his confidence didn’t hold the thrill she usually experienced. One of the reasons she loved this job, was the way the men and women she worked with grew with confidence and learned to be independent.

  However, when Jordan gained his independence, she wasn’t sure she would be ready to move on. Either from Jordan or Bear Bluff.

  “This is it,” Skyla said, pointing to a low house that hugged the side of the mountain. Jordan turned off the road, and she got her first glimpse of the house. Skyla had seen the house change, through the photos Dylan had sent her, from being a ruin into a cozy cottage, which had an access ramp, and everything else Jordan would need as he learned to be independent.

  “I remember this house,” Jordan said, leaning forward to look through the windscreen. “I used to pass this way when we played on the mountain. There were rumors it was haunted. But I never believed them. I always thought it was sad that it stood here all alone.”

  “Then it’s perfect. You have put it back together.”

  “I haven’t lifted a finger,” he said, his voice distant. “But I wish I had.”

  “You can add to it, when you’re ready,” she said, as he stopped the car next to an old red truck. Not exactly the kind of car she’d expected Dylan, the boss of a big construction company, to drive. A nervous feeling started in the pit of her stomach; she hoped for Jordan’s sake the house was as beautiful on the inside as Dylan had led her to believe. She should have come and checked the house out herself first.

  “Are you going to get my chair?” Jordan asked, breaking through her fears.

  “Sure,” she said, getting out of the car. As she did, a tall, broad-shouldered man came walking across the front lawn. There really must be something in the water here in Bear Bluff that made all the men impossibly big.

  “Hello, Skyla, right?” he asked.

  “Yes, are you Dylan?” She took the hand he offered and relaxed at his warm smile.

  “I am. Want a hand with that?” he asked, following her around to the rear of the car.

  “No, I can manage.” She opened the door and took out the wheelchair. “I’m sorry we’re running so late.”

  “No problem at all. I was just going around and checking everything. I think you will be very pleased.”

  “Me too. I’ll help Jordan out and then you can give us the tour.” She positioned the wheelchair outside the driver’s side door, as Jordan opened it.

  “I don’t need help.” With impossibly strong arms, he lifted himself out of the car, and swung himself around to settle down in the wheelchair. “Dylan. Good to see you again.”

  “Jordan. Thanks for putting your trust in me.”

  “Wasn’t me, it was Skyla,” Jordan said. “She arranged everything, I believe.”

  “I did. And I also feel as if I’m missing something here,” she said, looking between the two men. Her nerves had returned. Something wasn’t right, and she hoped she hadn’t screwed up, putting her trust in Dylan.

  “Last time Jordan saw me, I was being taken away for manslaughter.”

  “Oh, really!” Could this get any worse?

  “And now here I am,” Dylan said proudly, then he looked down at Jordan. “Don’t let this set you back, Jordan. I’m proof you can move on.”

  “You still have your legs.”

  “So do you,” Dylan threw back at him. “And a brain, two hands, and strong arms. You were in the Army, so I’ve been told. My guess is you’re a terrific organizer. So, if ever you want a job, I have one for you. I’m expanding, my yard isn’t. If I don’t find time to organize it soon, I’m in trouble.”

  “I’m not in the market for a job,” Jordan said quietly.

  “You might not be right now. But give yourself a couple of days of doing nothing, and you’ll be begging me for work.”

  Skyla watched the exchange and found she liked Dylan, no matter what his past life held.

  “I’ve been doing nothing for the last two months,” Jordan said. “You get used to it.”

  “No, you’ve been lying in a hospital bed for two months. It’s different. Once you get out, you won’t have the routine to fill your days.” He grinned at Skyla. “But I can see why you would rather stay at home.”

  “Shall we go inside?” Skyla asked, grabbing the wheelchair and pushing it forward. “I can’t wait to see the house in real life.”

  “I think you’ll be incredibly pleased,” Dylan said, leading the way.

  He was right, she was pleased, and although he didn’t say a lot, she was certain Jordan was pleased too. The ground floor of the house had everything Jordan would need. The kitchen was designed for everything to be accessible while he was in the wheelchair, but was also serviceable for an able-bodied person too.

  The bathroom was similar, catering to both Jordan and any other guest he might have visiting or staying over. There was a lounge, with furniture placed so that even in his wheelchair, Jordan could access every part of it, but the downstairs bedroom was the best feature of the house.

  Dylan had taken out part of the wall, and in its place was a big window that looked out over the valley below. Even when you were lying in bed, you could see the fields and have a sense of being outside. Especially since it slid open, letting the outside in.

  “You have an eye for buildings and how to make the best of them,” Skyla said in appreciation.

  “I’m glad to hear it, since when you first got out of the car, I got the impression you thought I was going to be some fly-by-night builder who had done a shabby job,” Dylan joked.

  “You have me. I think it was the truck.”

  “Ahh, the truck belongs to my mate…” He halted.

  “It’s OK, she knows,” Jordan chimed in. “So Steph is your mate? I remember her, and the truck, from years back. I thought she left for a new, exciting life.”

  “She did. But circumstances brought her back here to Bear Bluff, and well, you know fate.” Dylan looked from Skyla to Jordan and back again. “You do know fate?”

  “No, I don’t. I’m not the same as you,” Skyla said, trying to divert the conversation away from mates and fate. “So is all the work finished?”

  “Yes. But if there is anything else you need, give me a call. You have my cell number, and I can be here the same day to deal with it. Or I can send one of my men over.” Dylan moved towards the door. “Have fun.”

  “We will. I’ll walk you out,” Skyla said.

  “I’ll see you around, Jordan. Maybe you can come down to the bar in town and drink some beer with us.” Dylan waited for an answer, but Jordan seemed lost in the view from the bedroom.”

  “Jordan, Dylan is leaving.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Jordan said, wheeling himself over to shake hands with Dylan.

  “You like the house?” Dylan asked. “It’s been one of my most rewarding builds. I mean, I’m sorry about your legs, but this has given me a sense of purpose. A sense of achievement, so I want to make sure it’s functional for you.”

  “It is. It will be,” Jordan said thoughtfully. “Thank you, Dylan.”

  “Pleasure. Now I really must go, I have a new baby to spoil.”

  “Congratulations,” Skyla said as she walked him to the door.

  “Thanks. Makes a family complete.” He gazed past her to where Jordan was still looking out of the window. “How is he?”

  She turned to look behind her, and then said, “I don’t know. I only met Jordan today. An hour ago, and so I haven’
t found the real Jordan yet.”

  “Haven’t you?” Dylan asked.

  Her brow wrinkled as she tried to figure out what he meant. “No. I haven’t.”

  “You and he are mates?” Dylan asked. “You said you knew about shifters, so you know what I’m talking about.”

  “I do, but as you also know, I’m a human, so I don’t know if we are mates and if we are, Jordan has hidden it well.”

  “The thing is, from what I’ve seen, you would know. If you looked deep inside, you would know.”

  “If I look deep inside, all I can see is me getting fired for inappropriate behavior.”

  Dylan grinned. “Wouldn’t it be worth it?”

  “Getting fired?” she asked. “No.”

  “Not even if it was for the love of your life?”

  Yes, she thought, but there was no way she was going to share that thought with Dylan. “Good bye, and thank you again. I’m sure Jordan will be very happy here.”

  “Oh, that reminds me.” He pulled out some papers. “Here we go, I am officially releasing the house over to you. If you’re satisfied.”

  “I am.” She signed the papers and said good bye again, standing and watching him as he got into the battered red truck.

  “Everything OK?” Jordan’s voice called from behind her.

  “Yes.” She went back to him, and found him looking something close to cheerful. “You look better already.”

  “I feel better.” He did one last circuit of the ground floor, before saying, “Which is why we’re going back to the hospital.”

  “Already?” she asked, her good mood evaporating instantly. He hated the house.

  “Yes. I want to go and get Ben to discharge me. I’m ready to move in.”

  “Now?” she asked. It was like being on a roller coaster: she was happy he loved the house, but this left her trying to figure out everything they would have to do before they could live here.

  “Yes. I’ll go back to the hospital, and you can go and collect your things from your hotel.”

  “I haven’t even checked in yet,” she said.

  “Perfect, don’t check in. Instead you can go into town and collect everything we need.”

  “Are you sure about this?” she asked.

  “Completely. I feel alive.”

  “We could wait until tomorrow.”

  “And let this part of me that’s woken up shrivel up and die again?” he asked.

  “No, I don’t want any part of you to shrivel up and die again,” she admitted, and although she thought she must be mad, and definitely not a sane professional, she couldn’t help love the sense of adventure she felt coursing through her. Maybe he wasn’t the only one coming alive.

  Remembering Dylan’s words, she looked inside herself. Dylan was right, there was something there, a feeling she couldn’t describe, other than it was new, unique. As they got back into the car, she was certain Jordan was her mate.

  All she had to do was make him admit it.

  Chapter Six – Jordan

  An hour ago he had told Skyla he wasn’t sure he wanted to leave the hospital; now he was certain he didn’t want to go back. However, he knew he had to. An official discharge was what he needed, and that was what he was going to ask Ben for.

  He had lain too long in a hospital and now he had been outside, he knew that if he ever wanted to find peace, it was here, in this house, where he could rest and convalesce at his own speed. He dared not hope his bear would come back to him. He dared not hope that he would ever walk again. But he did dare hope he could find happiness, and perhaps some kind of fulfillment if he took on the job Dylan had offered.

  He grinned as he hauled himself into the car. A job: he never imagined something so small would make him feel so much bigger, so much more than the broken body in this wheelchair. Was there a chance his life could one day be complete?

  He glanced in the mirror, and watched Skyla lifting the wheelchair inside the trunk. His mood suddenly deflated. She should have the chance to find a whole man, one who could stand at the altar beside her, not one who could never carry her over the threshold of their house on their wedding night, not unless she was sat in his lap.

  And children, what happened when they had children? He wouldn’t be able to teach them sports; he would be forever a bystander in everything they did. Wait, even thinking about children was impossible, not unless he regained the use of a very important part of his anatomy.

  “Ready to go?” she asked, getting in beside him.

  “Yes, once we get back to the hospital, why don’t you take the car and drive into town? I’ll go and talk to Ben.”

  “Sure,” Skyla said. “I’ve already begun a mental list of everything we need for tonight. Is there something particular you want for dinner? Anything you want, as long as they sell it in town. I’m not the best cook in the world, I have to warn you.”

  “Then I’ll cook.” Jordan nodded his head. “It’s one thing I was good at, that doesn’t need me to use my legs.”

  “I like this new Jordan,” Skyla said. “So maybe I’ll get some steaks. It will have to be something that doesn’t take too long to cook, because by the time we get back here it’s going to be pretty late. But if you cook, I can make the beds up, and then tomorrow morning, when we get up, there is a whole new future in front of you.”

  The drive back to the hospital was quicker; he was getting used to the car, and the controls were becoming more natural to use. When they pulled up into the parking lot, he waited impatiently while she fetched his wheelchair. He didn’t want to go back into the hospital, but knew that he had to, so he wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. He only hoped Ben was free to discharge him.

  “I can manage on my own,” Jordan said to Skyla when she began pushing him towards the hospital. “My hands work properly, my arms are strong, I can push myself in there. Why don’t you go straight into town?”

  “I think it would be better if I came into the hospital with you,” Skyla said.

  “Don’t you trust me?” Jordan asked.

  Skyla smiled, her eyes lighting up. He could tell she was going to tease him. The same warm feeling he had experienced earlier crept through his body. It started in his solar plexus, spiraling around, he guessed it was what people would describe as butterflies in the stomach. He’d never experienced it before, not around a woman. Sure, it was a similar feeling to that which he got when he was about to drop into a dangerous area with his comrades. However, this was different, this was a good feeling, and the best thing about it was it didn’t stay in the solar plexus.

  “One thing I’m learning quickly about you Jordan, is that you are a strong man, with a strong will. That will has been asleep for a little while, but now it’s waking up, and I’m not quite sure if I do trust you.” Skyla touched his shoulder. “I get the feeling you’re going to be trouble. The kind of guy who doesn’t always do as he is told.”

  “Is that the kind of man you like, the kind that does as he is told?” Jordan asked.

  “It makes my job a whole easier, if my patients do as they’re told.”

  “But what if I wasn’t your patient?” He wasn’t sure he should be saying this, didn’t know if he wanted to say it. An argument raged in his brain, as to whether or not she was better off with him, or without him. But he needed her. She was bringing him to life, and if she left, it would be a terrible death; he would wither away, alone in his wheelchair. But she would go off and have a fuller future without him. “Do you like your men to do as they are told?”

  “My men? How do I like my men?” He saw a tinge of red across her cheeks, and knew he had embarrassed her. It was a wholly inappropriate question to ask the woman who was his caregiver, and whom he had only just met. “I’m going to think about that one, and I’ll tell you over dinner. Deal?”

  “Deal.” She stood and watched him as he pushed the wheels of his wheelchair, taking himself back into the hospital. This was his first moment of independence, of doi
ng something alone. Yes, he had driven the car, but Skyla had been at his side, ready to assist him if he needed it. Here he was, crossing a parking lot on his own, hoping his wheels didn’t get stuck in a drain, or that he wouldn’t tip it over. All of these things, such simple things for an able-bodied person, swam in his mind. He let them go, turning his attention back to something more pleasurable, such as the warm feeling in his stomach, which he was sure had spread lower, much lower. He was certain that when Skyla looked him with her eyes dancing, he could feel his toes tingling in excitement.

  He made his way into the hospital building, and headed to Reception. “Could you page Dr. Ben for me, please?”

  He didn’t recognize the receptionist; she looked down at him and asked, “And who are you?”

  “Jordan Williams.”

  Jordan had been in this hospital two weeks, but the only people he had seen were Ben and Beth and other nurses he had taken no notice of. He had lived in his own small bubble of self-pity, and as he sat there waiting for Ben, he knew that wasn’t who he was. His life before had been lived with the aim of helping as many people as he could; it was the reason he did the job that he did. Maybe Dylan was right: the best way to try and gain any normality was to get out the world, take up a job and finding a way to carry on helping people.

  Maybe if he found that new sense of self-worth, it would make him feel worthy of having a woman like Skyla in his life. Maybe it would take away his fear of letting her down, and not being able to do all the things that an able-bodied person could do.

  “You haven’t fired that pretty nurse of yours already, have you?” Ben asked as he walked across the reception area towards Jordan.

  “No, she’s gone to pick up some supplies.”

  “Supplies? What kind of supplies?” Ben asked suspiciously.

  “Nothing sinister,” Jordan said. “Supplies, house. Bedding and some food.”

  “That means you are planning on moving in?” Ben asked, looking pleased.

  “Yes, and sooner than you think. I want you to discharge me now. I want to move into the house tonight.” Jordan said firmly.