Bearview Bride (BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance) (3 page)

“So your family owns a ski lodge,” she said, “and this entire mountain?”

“Yeah,” he said, trying not to let his sorrow seep into his words. “It’s pretty great.”

“Pretty great?” She stared at him. “Your family owns a mountain, and that’s all you have to say about it?”

Cade shrugged. He needed to get her onto another topic. Any other topic.

“If my family owned a mountain, I’d tell everyone. I’d print out flyers and staple them to signposts. And I don’t even like mountains that much.”

“What?” He looked at her in horror. “How could you not like mountains? Are you from the desert or something?”

Tess shrugged. “I’m from here. I guess I’ve had enough of mountains.”

Cade eyed her, wary. Who could ever have enough of mountains? “And what would you rather see?”

“The Serengeti. The Kalahari. Rhinos and leopards and elephants.”

“Oh, so are grizzlies not good enough for you anymore?” he joked.

“I still want to take a picture of one, if you can find one for me.” She smiled. “But I want to see the places my dad saw. He was so good at snapping big game pictures that he practically lived in Africa for a few years.” Tess looked at the ground. “I wish he were still here. He could give me some tips.”

“Tips on taking photos? I don’t think you need them.”

“That’s very nice of you to—”

“Now, tips on keeping your balance?” Cade interrupted. “Those you desperately need.”

“How dare you!” But then she laughed, a sound that warmed him to the core.

“Sorry,” he said. “I couldn’t help it.” He brushed back a low-hanging pine branch. “Here’s the lodge.”

She stopped dead in her tracks, mouth agape.

Cade paused beside her, pleased. Sometimes he forgot how truly grand the lodge was. It was always nice to be reminded through another’s eyes.

He had brought them around to the front. Bearview lay on a flat section of the mountainside. The main building was an octagon, a cupola perched on top of the slanting roof. Two wings branched out on either side, wraparound porches on both levels. The lodge was constructed of cedar, the wood warm and inviting. Overlooking it all, on the highest point atop the cupola, a trout weathervane turned with the breeze.

Cade drank the sight in. Somehow, Bearview Lodge made the mountain even more beautiful, adding warmth and humanity to the timeless peak. He couldn’t imagine the landscape without it.

He swallowed, his throat dry. Soon, he might have to.

“Do you want to go in?” Cade asked.

“Just a minute.” Tess raised her camera, taking a quick shot. “I might not be able to edit out the crack from the lens, but I still want a photo. This place is gorgeous.”

He led her up the winding drive, delighted that she found Bearview worthy of a photograph. Tess stared at the lodge, awed.

“This is really incredible,” she said. “I can see what you mean. If I lived here, I might not want to leave the mountains either.”

Cade held one of the heavy double doors open for her, scanning the lobby. He hoped none of his family members would be around, not after he had just stalked out of a meeting. Fortunately, it was still empty.

“This way,” he said. “You can get cleaned up in my room.”

He escorted her up the stairs, then into the north wing of the building. His room was at the end of a long hall. Sometimes, when demand was at its peak, he and his brothers all had to relinquish their rooms and squeeze into one of the old cabins on the property. But Cade never minded. He would live in one of those cramped cabins forever if he got to keep Bearview and Mount Bliss.

Cade opened the door to his room. He had expected Tess to dash to the shower, but instead she stood in the entryway, studying his living space. Cade found himself slightly unnerved. It was almost as if he was now taking a test he hadn’t prepared for.

He looked over his room, hoping nothing would give her offense. At least he had cleaned recently, so the space was immaculate. His bed dominated the room, a bear roaming through the mountains on the quilt his grandmother had made him. The sheets were neat and perfectly smooth. Cade had learned that trick over a few seasons of housekeeping when he was a teenager.

On the far wall stood a bookshelf filled with volumes on the edible plants of Wyoming, wildlife of the mountains, fishing guides, and woodworking manuals. Beside it sat a small desk with absolutely nothing on its surface.

Tess seemed to approve. She walked in, setting her camera on his desk.

“The bathroom’s in here.” He opened the door and flicked on a light. “If you want to chuck your clothes on this towel here, I can go dry them for you.”

“Thanks, Cade.” She slipped into the bathroom. “I really appreciate it.”

“Just yell when you’re behind the shower curtain,” he said, “and I can get your clothes.”

Cade heard the tap being turned, and the rush of water.

“All right,” she called. “I’ve hidden my nakedness.”

He opened the door just enough to grab her clothes. “I’ll be back soon.” Cade closed the door behind him. It took all his willpower to restrain his bear. The beast wanted him to stride inside, throw back the shower curtain and claim her.

Shaking his head, Cade tried to dislodge the daydream. He doubted she would appreciate that. They were strangers, after all. Still, it was hard to resist the thought when his bear made it seem like such a good idea.

Cade could hardly believe his luck. Just a few feet away, there was a wet, gorgeous woman, separated from him by a door and a few millimeters of plastic. He had never met anyone who had riled up the grizzly inside him so much. All he wanted was to step inside the shower with her, soap up his hands, and run them up and down her luscious body…

“Stop it,” he whispered. Forcing himself to leave the room, he trotted down the hall and down two flights of stairs to the basement. Quickly, he tossed her clothes into one of the empty dryers. Then he sank to the floor, leaning against the machine and trying to think of nothing but its warm rumble. It didn’t matter that his bear liked her—he doubted she would like his bear. It wasn’t as if he could tell her about the beast. She would just think he was crazy. And he would have to let her think that, rather than prove her wrong and leave her terrified.

Cade closed his eyes. His father had been unimaginably fortunate to find his mother. How many women would willingly love and trust a man who could turn into a grizzly bear? Cade could be facing a long, lonely life.

The buzz of the dryer made him jump. How long had he been sitting here? Retrieving her clothes, he climbed back up the stairs. The warmth of the dryer enhanced their scent, and he breathed in her smell with every step. By the time he reached the landing, his bear was resolute—she was the one. His fated mate.

Cade stumbled outside his door. He didn’t even
believe
in fate.

Slowly, attempting to compose himself, he took in a cleansing breath. He’d have to ignore the silly beast. Maybe his grizzly was just trying to distract him from the potential loss of Bearview. That, or it was going mad. The woman in his shower was just another woman, not his fated mate.

Turning the knob, Cade stepped into his room. The shower was still running. Keeping an iron grip on his bear, he set her clothes on the bed. He also needed to change, as his outfit looked ridiculous. Reaching into his closet, he rummaged until he found a clean shirt and a nice worn pair of jeans.

Cade shucked his tight clothes. Inside the bathroom, the tap squealed as Tess shut the water off. Cade heard the rustle of the shower curtain. He tried not to think about what she looked like as she reached for the towel, damp and naked…

What was happening to him? He needed to figure out some way to get his bear in line. Cade was just sliding a belt through his jeans when the bathroom door opened.

She looked like a goddess, standing there in just a towel, damp hair cascading over her collarbones. Cade stared at her. Her fresh, clean scent threatened to overwhelm him.

He could feel himself growing excited again. Cade had never been happier to be wearing pants. But should he be? Why else would she be in his room in just a towel unless she wanted him to get undressed?

“Are my clothes out here?” she asked.

“Oh. Sorry.” He was being an idiot. Cade gestured to the bed. “Here they are. Nice and dry.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you made me come out here on purpose,” she teased.

Emboldened by his bear’s desires, Cade gazed into her eyes. “What if I did?”

She didn’t seem to have an answer to that. Her eyes flicked down to his abs. She looked back up, blushing furiously.

So she wanted him, too.

Inside, his bear was roaring for him to cross the room and rip off her towel. His pulse pounded in his ears. He had taken a single step forward when there was a knock on his door.

“Cade?” His mother pushed the door open. “Can I talk to you for a—” She stopped abruptly, spotting Tess. “Oh, hello dear.”

Tess mumbled something, then ducked into the bathroom.

“
Mom
.”
Cade ushered her back into the hall. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m sorry, honey. Your door was open. I just wanted to see if you were okay.”

“I’m fine. I promise. I’ll talk to you later.”

His mother regarded him. “You didn’t seem fine when you left our meeting, but we can talk later. Are you coming to dinner?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to see.” He ran a hand through his hair. Why had his mother chosen now, of all possible times, to seek him out? He found it hard to care about dinner at the moment.

“Well, we’ll save a plate for you. Does your friend want any dinner?”

Cade gritted his teeth. “I’m sure she’s fine.”

“All right, all right. I’ll leave you two be. But there’s dinner for both of you if you want it.” Turning, his mother retreated down the hall.

Cade stepped back into his room, tamping down the urge to cover his face and slide to the floor with a groan.

Tess cracked open the bathroom door. “Is she gone?” she whispered.

“Yes.” Cade shut his door with a snap. “I’m really, really sorry about that.” He sighed. “Do you want to have dinner with my family? I have to offer. If I didn’t, my mom would probably flay me.”

“Your whole family will be there?” she asked.

“Yes, my parents and six brothers.”

She stared at him, openmouthed.

“Yeah, it’s a lot. To make it worse, they’re two sets of triplets, which they never let me forget.”

“You have six brothers?” she asked.

He nodded.

“No, how many do you really have?”

“Sometimes I wish it were fewer, but at least I’m the oldest. For several blissful years, they did what I said.”

She seemed fascinated. “What are their names?”

“Ethan, Jake, Logan, Dean, Adam, and Sawyer.”

“How do you even remember them all?”

He laughed. “Our father doesn’t, at least when he’s mad. He just yells all our names and expects the guilty party to come forward.”

To his immense disappointment, Tess reached for her clothes. “Is that effective?” As she retreated behind the bathroom door, Cade heard the towel drop.

“I guess. But we never could figure out why he bothered with all seven names when he usually just needed to yell Sawyer’s.”

That got a laugh out of her. She walked back into the room, dressed this time. Cade definitely preferred the wet, clinging clothes.

“I wish I could do dinner,” she said. “But I have to get home and edit these photos. If I don’t get them sent by midnight, they might go to print without me.”

“Can I take you home?” Cade asked, trying to ignore his bear’s distress at her imminent departure.

“You can walk me to my car, if you want,” she said, slinging her camera over her shoulder. “Actually, would you? I’m a bit afraid that it’s not going to start.”

“Of course.” Cade gathered her waders in his arms. “Lead the way.”

He followed her out of the lodge. As they turned onto the mountain road, he drew up alongside her. Cade found that he had to slow his pace to match hers, but he didn’t mind at all. Not when the early evening air was so crisp and clear and the last rays of sun hung over the mountain. He found it peaceful to walk with her.

“I can’t imagine having six brothers,” she said.

“How many siblings do you have?”

“None. It’s just me.”

“Wow.” Cade couldn’t even imagine. “Your house must have been pretty quiet.”

“Not really. My parents spent enough time screaming at each other, at least when my dad was home.” She fiddled with her camera strap. “Sorry. That’s probably more than you wanted to know.”

Tess pointed. “There’s my car,” she said abruptly. “Thanks for walking me back.”

“Don’t mention it.”

She hopped in, placing her camera lovingly in a padded bag on the passenger seat. “Let’s see if it’ll start,” she said, putting the key in the ignition. The engine coughed and sputtered. Cade frowned. He really didn’t want her to drive down the mountain in that.

“Are you sure you don’t want a ride?” he asked. “I could even hitch you up to our truck and tow you into town.”

Tess turned the key again, and the engine wheezed to life. “It’s fine,” she called. She stepped on the gas pedal, but two of the wheels were caught in a deep rut, and the other two didn’t seem able to get them out.

“You’re stuck,” Cade said. “Let me give you a push.”

He shoved the car—it was pathetically easy—and she was moving.

“Thanks for everything,” she shouted over the clunking engine. “I’d stop to say goodbye, but I’m afraid my car would never start again.” She waved as she drifted down the mountain road.

Cade waved back until she swung around a curve and was gone from sight.

Deep within, his bear snarled at him.

“What was that for?” he asked. Then he buried his face in his hands. “I’m an idiot,” he muttered. He had never asked for her number, last name, or anything. How would he ever find her again?

Chapter Four

T
HE MATTRESS SPRINGS
groaned as Tess sat on her bed. Ignoring her throbbing head, she popped the memory card into her laptop. Watched by a lone elephant in the poster above her bed, Tess got to work. She was painfully aware that rent was due next week. If she even had half, that might placate her landlord, but that would only buy her a week or so. Her landlord wasn’t exactly the forgiving type.