Bear Again (Second Chance Shifters 3)

C
opyright
© 2015 by Meredith Clarke

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

S
omewhere behind her
the fire alarm was beeping. Sophia turned around as a waft of smoke drifted from the double kitchen doors.

“Shit.” She waved her hands rapidly, trying to clear the air.

She pulled open the oven door and eyed the batch of cupcakes. They looked fine, but she peered closer and saw the culprit. A splatter of dough had fallen to the oven floor and started the smoky mess.

The muffin tin rattled as she tossed it across the counter. An entire morning was wasted. She couldn’t serve cupcakes coated in oven smoke.

Sophia spun on her heels when the phone rang. She pushed more of the smoke clouds with her hands as she made her way to the phone.

“The Sweet Tooth,” she answered.

It was another birthday order. Sophia jotted down the party details and told the customer when they could pick up their order of three-dozen cupcakes. She faced the kitchen, finally clearing from the smoke.

“Everything okay in here?”

She turned as Miles Manchester knocked on the door.

“Hey, Miles. Yes. Sorry, it was just oven smoke. No fire, I promise.” She tried to smile at the lieutenant.

He strolled inside. His large frame lumbered through her bakery, reminding her he wasn’t like other firefighters. He was a bear. Something she used to know a lot about.

“You sure you don’t need anything?” he asked.

“I’m fine. I swear. I should have called. I always forget my alarm is wired into the fire station.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t anything serious. Before I go, do you have any of those honey muffins?”

“Sure. Hang on.” She slid the glass cabinet door and stuffed a few muffins in a bag. With half the town’s residence as bear shifters, she had to keep these favorites on hand.

“Here you go.” She handed it to Miles. “On the house. For your trouble.”

He grinned. “Thanks. Call if you need anything.”

“I will.”

She watched him climb into his truck and drive back to the station.

She stayed busy enough running the only bakery in Bear Lake, but on days like this, her small shop was quiet. It didn’t help that today was the third straight day of rain. She couldn’t shake the gloom or the date on the calendar.

It didn’t matter how many orders she took. It didn’t matter how many cupcakes she made. It didn’t matter how many customers walked through the door. It wouldn’t change what today was.

She shook her head and picked up another stainless steel bowl. If that batch of cupcakes was ruined, she’d just have to make another one.

She began stirring in flour and sugar, adding eggs and milk when it was ready. The harder she stirred, the more she buried the feelings welling up from her chest. Today was never going to be a good day. How could it?

It had been two years since she had lost Noah.

H
e parked
in front of The Sweet Tooth and looked through the windows. The cupcake shop looked empty, but it was hard to tell through the heavy drops of rain.

It was time. The clan had given her space and time to grieve. Today marked the end of the mourning season. Sophia had to come back to the clan.

Liam stepped one foot out of his truck, making a large splash with his boot. The rain slid along his cheek, soaking his hair and shirt. He pushed open the door as the bell chimed to announce his arrival.

“I’ll be right out,” he heard her call from the back of the shop. She was probably in the kitchen.

He shoved his hands in his jeans, waiting for her to appear. She wouldn’t expect him. She wouldn’t expect any of them. He had purposely stayed away until now. He cleared his throat.

“I just put a fresh batch…” She looked stunned, as if her words were stuck in her throat. “Liam?”

“Hey, Soph.”

“What are you doing here?” She wiped her hands on her apron.

“How are you?” He took a step toward the glass shelves where she stored baked goods.

Her hair was longer than the last time he saw her. He liked how she had it pulled back on the sides, while it hung down in long auburn waves around her shoulders.

“Don’t.” She backed up. “Don’t show up here and start asking about me.”

“It’s been two years,” he stated.

He noticed the quiver in her lip and the mist in her brilliant blue eyes. “I know exactly how long it’s been.”

“Then you also know why I’m here.” The rain rattled the windows behind him, but he didn’t flinch.

She pulled the strings on the apron and threaded it over her head before hanging it up on a nearby hook.

“Soph, did you hear me?”

She whipped around. “I have no idea why you’ve suddenly decided to show up, but you can get out. Get out of my shop, Liam.”

He shook his head. “Look, I’m going to sit right over there. And I would like a cup of coffee.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you kidding me?”

“No. I’d like it black, please. And hot.” He turned from her and settled behind one of the bistro tables in the corner.

Sophia disappeared into the kitchen. He wasn’t sure if she was going to return with coffee or a gun, but he waited. Ten minutes later, she emerged with a hot mug. She slammed the cup on the table, spilling coffee around the sides of the mug.

“There. Drink it and get out,” she fumed.

Liam knew she would be angry. He knew she would reject his visit, and probably resent his very presence.

He looked up at her. “Thank you.”

There was a lot to tell her. More had happened in the past two years since he had seen her than could be discussed over one cup of coffee, but this was the beginning. This was their beginning.

S
he tossed
the bowl and mixer paddles in the sink. The more she stormed around the kitchen, the more she remembered why she was suddenly feeling so murderous. Liam was here. He was in her shop, drinking coffee like it was any regular day of the week.

She picked up the scrubber and started scouring the caked-on batter. He could drink his damn coffee and get out.

She peeked around the side of the door and across the front counter. He was still there. His large hands gripped the mug as he stared out into the rain.

He looked ridiculous sitting at the bistro table. His long legs were stretched out so his knees didn’t turn the table over. Sophia swallowed hard.

He was infuriating. His Hollywood good looks only made her more annoyed. It was how he used them to his advantage. He always thought he could charm his way through life.

The kitchen was practically immaculate, but she looked around for more things to clean. She wasn’t leaving until he was gone. The oven was probably cool by now. She pulled out the racks and soaked them in the sink, then sprayed the inside with cleaner.

It felt good to wipe the bits of charred batter away. She stood back to admire her work. It looked almost as good as the day she bought it.

Noah had carried it in from the delivery truck and plugged it in with a triumphant grin.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this, babe. I’m so proud.” He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her to his barrel of a chest.

“I can’t either.” She smiled into his dark chestnut eyes. “I’ve always loved this spot. It’s going to be perfect, isn’t it?”

His lips brushed over hers. “It already is.”

She melted into the kiss as his tongue twined along hers.

Sophia brushed a tear from her cheek. “Damn you, Noah.” She turned from the oven. That was the problem—two years later and every inch of her life was still covered in memories of him.

It reminded her that Liam should be gone by now. She risked another peek.

His eyes met hers from across the bakery. They glimmered with something so familiar it made her stomach turn in knots.

She had to find a way to get him out of here. She marched toward his table with her hands on her hips.

“You’ve had your cup of coffee. It’s time for you to go.”

He sighed heavily and she noticed how his chest rose with the movement. “I can’t do that, Soph.”

“Then I’ll call the Bear Lake PD.” She reached for her phone.

Liam’s eyebrows rose. “They’re all clan.”

“So? It doesn’t mean you aren’t trespassing. They have to answer my call.”

“There is clan business we need to discuss. They aren’t going to interfere.” His voice was firm. His words were steady. Much steadier than her heartbeat. She knew he could hear it thrumming in her chest.

She wondered if it was worth calling Miles—he had offered to help.

Angrily, she shoved her phone back in her pocket. “What is it? Just get it over with and get out.”

“I think you should sit.” He nodded at the open seat across from him.

The last thing she wanted to do was sit at a table with Liam. She didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

She pulled the chair as far away from the table as she could without bumping the one next to her and sat. With her arms crossed she felt a slight barrier between them.

“Soph…”

She straightened her shoulders. “What is it? Why are you here today of all days?”

“It’s time.”

“Time for what?” She shook her head.

“Today marks two years.”

“I don’t need you to remind me. I’m never going to forget this date.”

“Two years is our clan’s custom mourning period. The mourning ends today.” His eyes landed on her. They softened as they focused on her. She wondered how many women had fallen for that sexy forlorn look. She didn’t buy it.

“You can’t dictate how long I grieve.” Her eyes flared. “My life in the clan is over. It has been ever since Noah.”

“You don’t get it.”

“Get what?” she asked.

Liam took a deep breath and shifted in his tiny chair. If the air hadn’t been so tense between them, Sophia might have laughed. It was as if he was trying to perch himself on dollhouse furniture.

“You need to return.”

She exhaled. “Return? I’ve never left Bear Lake. I’ve been here the entire time.”

“Sophia, just stop and listen.” She jumped when he reached forward and pulled her hands off her crossed arms. “I’m here because of you.” He pressed each word into the air.

“Me?” She could feel the warmth in his palms as they clasped over her knuckles.

“Yes.” His eyes locked on hers. “I’m here to ask you to be my mate.”