Doctor Bear: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Bear Bluff Book 2) (3 page)

Daphne’s ears pricked up, sensing juicy gossip. “No dear, did you expect them to?”

“No. I just left my old job a little fast. I didn’t want it to reflect badly on me here.”

“Well, if they did, I don’t know about it. I can ask around if you want. But there isn’t much gossip that passes me by.”

“Oh.” Beth’s face dropped.

“Don’t worry, Beth. I am very discreet. I’ll make some unofficial enquiries.” She winked at Beth. “Now, you stop fretting and let go of that man who broke your heart. There’s some good ones out there.”

“Like Dr. Hansom,” Beth murmured.

“Like Dr. Hansom.” Daphne patted Beth on the shoulder. “Now, a young thing like you should be out enjoying herself. Why not join me later for a drink at the local bar?”

“I couldn’t,” Beth said.

“Why not? It’s nothing fancy and there are no rowdy men. It’s all a bit sedate, really, in Bear Bluff, but all the same, it’s one way to meet the townsfolk. Do you good.”

Beth took a sip of her coffee, and thought about it for a moment. Daphne was so kind to be offering her the chance to get out of her apartment; it would do her good to look at something other than the bland four walls. And the middle-aged lady in front of her looked as though she enjoyed taking lost souls under her wing; and right now, Beth was beginning to feel very much like a lost soul.

“OK. Shall I meet you there?”

“No. I’ll swing by about seven. That way you can’t think of some excuse and stand me up. I will not take no for an answer. OK?”

“OK.” She took another sip of coffee and then said, “And thank you, Daphne.”

“My pleasure. I enjoy good company.”

Beth went back to work, feeling a little happier. She didn’t see Dr. Hansom for the rest of the day. Which she was both relieved about, and also somewhat disappointed. When she was getting ready to go out, after enduring yet another microwave meal, because she lacked the enthusiasm to cook for only herself, she took those feelings out and examined them. She had become quite good at trying to work out how she acted the way she did. Eventually she came to the decision that she was simply on the rebound.

It was natural to want someone to make you feel wanted and attractive, and that was what Dr. Hansom did. Only he made every other woman feel the same way. She had simply misread his kindness, and she must have misunderstood Freyja about him being in love. The one thing that had become clear, as she did her rounds this afternoon, was how popular Ben was. The one question that had rung in her ears, from every
single
woman, was when Dr. Ben would be coming their way. It seemed he had a magic touch.

Yet in all the comments about him, she was yet to find one single woman who had actually dated him. Her curiosity about the man grew, and she began to fantasise about him. Had he really asked her out? Or had she just misinterpreted his question about dinner? If she went with what Daphne said, he had asked her because he felt safe with her. All she had done was fling it back in his face.

Now she felt bad, and it became obvious that he, in fact, had been avoiding her for the rest of the day because she had been so rude. By the time Daphne knocked on the door, looking every inch a vamp now she was out of her work uniform, she knew that tomorrow she would have to find him and apologise to him. All she had to do was get through tonight.

She needn’t have worried. Daphne was a bundle of fun, in all the right ways. “You look stunning, Beth. You’ll turn heads tonight.”

“I hope not,” she said, as they walked along the street towards the centre of Bear Bluff. “I’m really not interested in a rebound relationship.”
Except with Ben Hansom
, she thought and then immediately shut that little voice of betrayal up. She wanted to have a quiet life here in Bear Bluff, and having a relationship with one of the doctors would lead to trouble, and more heartbreak. Plus, she wanted to settle down and not have to move on. After Francis had let her down so terribly, she had struggled to show her face at the hospital; she knew that everyone there had heard the story.

There goes poor old, frumpy Beth Andrews. Thought she was good enough for Dr. Francis Norton, the heart specialist! Silly girl, she should have known she was reading too much into things. There was no way such a man would settle down with a woman so below him in looks and social standing.

Yes, Francis was a heart specialist. It appeared he delighted in breaking them. She should comfort herself with the knowledge that she wasn’t the first he had led on in such a cruel way. But it didn’t dampen her shame and embarrassment. All she had to cling to was the knowledge that she had never slept with him. At least in that way, she had retained a shred of dignity.

“Here we go,” Daphne said, holding the door of the bar open for Beth to enter.

“Oh, I thought you said it was quiet.” She looked around, feeling slightly dismayed at the amount of people who filled the bar.

“This is quiet. The bar over towards the edge of town is much busier. Probably because it attracts people from outside of Bear Bluff. Whereas this one is mainly used by residents. Come on, Beth,” Daphne said, seeing her dismay. “It’s a great way to meet new people. I guarantee you’ll have made new friends by the time you go home tonight.”

“It will do you good to get out, Ben.”

“I’m really not in the mood,” Ben said to Eirik.

That was an understatement. He just wanted to have a shower and an early night, not that he would sleep. However, he hoped it would clear his head so that he could think through how he was going to deal with the small problem of his mate.

“We really need to go over some of the wedding arrangements. Look, an hour, that’s all. I’m meeting Drew at the bar around seven thirty.”

“OK. I’ll be there. But an hour, no more.” He made to hang up the phone, but then Eirik’s concerned voice asked the same question he had heard all day.

“Is everything alright with you, Ben? You don’t sound your usual self.”

Ben kept the long sigh that wanted to escape him firmly in check. He was starting to sound like a lovesick puppy instead of a grown bear. “Yes. Everything is OK. Just a hard day at work.”

“Oh, yeah. I heard about Freyja. A boy. I spoke to Stuart after he had been to the hospital to see his new grandson. He’s very proud. I bet if you come to the bar tonight, you’ll get enough drinks bought for you, you’ll be falling down drunk.”

“I have to work tomorrow, so not too much liquor for me. I’ll stick to soda.”

“Whatever. I’ll buy you water if it means you’ll turn up. Drew is already getting anxious.”

“I’ll be there.” Ben ended the call. He had no choice but to go: he was, after all, Eirik’s best man. His friend had found his mate right on his doorstep, and after a bumpy start, they were now getting ready to be married and settle down.

Ben remembered when he had heard the news; he had been thrilled for them both. He had also started dreaming more about finding his own mate. Well, dreams do come true, but that did not mean everything was instantly perfect. He closed his eyes, rubbing his hand over his face.

Come on. Pull yourself together. You can win her heart
, he thought. But the look on her face when she had stormed off earlier made him doubt that.

For now, he headed for the shower. He would wash away all the stress of the day, go and see Drew and Eirik, and then come home. By then he really would be tired and more likely to sleep. That’s what he told himself as he allowed the hot water to run over him. He washed his body, feeling his skin begin to tingle. By the time he got out and towel-dried himself, he was feeling a bit more like his old self.

Grabbing his keys, he went out, walking to the bar in case he did have a drink or two. He would grab a bite to eat there too, while he talked to Eirik and Drew. His stomach rumbled in appreciation of that idea. The bar did decent food, and it certainly beat anything he might conjure up at home. Eating alone was not one of his favourite things. Immediately his brain chased around the idea of having his mate living by his side. He would enjoy cooking for Beth. They would, perhaps, prepare meals together, then sit down and share the meal while they talked over their day. Then they would sip wine and contemplate the rest of their lives together. Before bed.

Beth
. His mind was so consumed with her that when he walked onto the bar he completely missed his new sense telling him she was close. So close. For there she was, sitting in a booth with Daphne. A regular at the bar, Trent Savage, who owned the haulage yard, was leaning over the table shooting the breeze. Daphne laughed and Beth smiled sweetly, oh so very sweetly.

Clenching his fists, he walked to the bar where Drew was seated, waiting for Eirik.

“Hi, Ben. Eirik is running a little late. I’m so glad you could make it.”

Ben kissed her cheek. “Hi, Drew. It’s no problem. I know you must be nervous about the big day.”

“Nerves aren’t the worst of it. I’m plain terrified that my dad might fall off the wagon, so to speak.”

Drew’s dad had been consumed with sorrow at losing his mate. For the last couple of months he had managed to pull himself together and kick his habit. The thought of what the man must be going through resonated with Ben. If he felt this rough about not being with his mate when he had only just met her, how would he feel if he had lived with her for half his life and then she passed away?

“Listen, you tell him to come see me if he is struggling. I imagine watching his daughter walk down the aisle without her mother being there is going to be pretty damn hard.”

Drew brushed away a tear. “I know it’s hard for me. I should have my mom here with me, helping to choose my wedding dress and everything. I feel her loss more and more each day.”

“Hey,” he said, putting his arm around her and giving her a big hug. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Drew shook her head. “No. I’m just being silly. Eirik’s mom has picked up the slack. To be honest, I don’t know what I would do without her.”

Ben sat back down. As he did so, his eyes rested on Beth, who was staring at him. Their eyes locked, but the look she gave him had no friendliness in it at all. His heart sank. Had Trent Savage managed to sweet-talk her into his bed? That man was sex on legs, and he felt his temper rising.

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late,” Eirik said. He sat down on the other side of Drew, they kissed briefly, and then he spoke to Ben. “Glad you could make it, Ben. I expected you to cry off.”

Ben looked at Eirik. “No. I said I’d meet you. I know how important this is to you both. I’ll order you a drink, Eirik. Drew, do you want another one?” He had decided to pass on the food; his stomach was too tied up in knots.

“No. I’m fine with this, thanks, Ben,” she said, holding her glass up.

Ben ordered two beers, his mind not fully on the task because his eyes could not stop themselves from slipping back to look at Beth. A stab of jealousy pierced his heart when Trent placed his hand on her arm. What right did he have to touch her?

Ben paid for the beers and passed one to Eirik, who was looking at him closely. “Oh, damn. I know that expression.” He turned around and looked at Beth and then back to Ben. “So it finally happened.” And then he burst out laughing.

Why did it hurt so much? She really shouldn’t care that Ben had come in and kissed another woman so warmly on the cheek. Maybe the thing that hurt the most was that this woman was obviously with another man, who had just arrived. He had walked in about ten minutes after Ben and embraced the woman, and she had smiled so adoringly up at him. What was her game? And so much for Ben not being involved with anyone.

“Can I get you another drink?”

Beth looked to where Ben was ordering at the bar; maybe she should get up and buy this round. Try to eavesdrop on their conversation and find out what was going on. However, before she could, the new man turned around and looked at her, and looked back at Ben. Then he burst out laughing.

Her face went bright red, not least because Trent seemed to have seen it too. He was now looking at her kind of funny. Beth drained her glass, knowing it was a mistake to have come here, yet Daphne was having so much fun, there was no way she could convince her to leave.

Not really knowing what to do, she got up and said, “I’ll be back in a moment. I’m just going to the ladies’ room.”

But before she left, Trent hooked his hand under her elbow and said quietly, “Have I missed something here?”

“Excuse me?”

“You and the Doc?”

“You mean me and Ben?” She blushed a deeper shade of red as he nodded. “You have it wrong, there is no me and Ben.”

“Are you sure? Because he sure looks at you like there is … you know.”

“No. I don’t know. He asked me to dinner and I refused. I came to Bear Bluff to get away from things, not to take up with a man who has to fight off his admirers.”

“Slow down. Some of us are naturally more attractive to the opposite sex.” He didn’t even say it in a conceited way, and she had to agree, that when she looked up at him with his dark, brooding eyes, that said
“Come to bed, I’ll fulfill your every desire,”
he certainly was more naturally attractive than any other man she had met. Except Ben Hansom.

When her brain managed to drag itself back to what his full lips were saying, she heard him finish with. “But the Doc. He doesn’t act on it. I mean, he could have almost any single woman in town. And a few of the married ones, if he really tried. But he doesn’t.”

“Well, it looks as if he might be interested in that woman he’s at the bar with.”

Trent looked over to where the three people sat having a quiet conversation. The woman had started to write things down in a note pad, and Beth’s curiosity burned even brighter, as did her jealousy. Which Trent soon set out to quash.

“That’s no threat to you. Ben’s with Eirik and Drew; they’re getting married in a couple of months and Ben is the best man.”

“Oh,” she said, half excited, half afraid. If that was true, she had misjudged him once again. In fact, the more she thought about it, the more she realised that Ben Hansom had done nothing wrong. It was only the prejudices she carried from her past that made her condemn him for his actions. Actions that might turn out to be completely innocent. Yet she couldn’t just let it go. Because if she did, she would find herself falling for Ben—mind, body, heart, and soul.