Grizzly Flying High (Air Bear Shifters 1) (15 page)

“No worries,” Amanda said. “I’m sorry you’re leaving just when I’m getting to know you.”

“Don’t worry,” Chance said. “I’ll be back.”

Sawyer helped Chance gather his flight records, and then walked Chance out of the hangar. Chance promised to come over for dinner before he left for good, and then he was gone, looking happier than Amanda had ever seen him as he practically skipped down the street.

“I can’t believe you let him go so easily,” Amanda said. “I know it’s going to be really hard on you to have him gone, both because of the tour business and because of him being one of your best friends.”

Sawyer shrugged. “He’s always been something of a free spirit, and he’s been feeling restless for a quite some time now. I could tell. I know he thinks he’s leaving because of the rift in the clan, but the real reason is that he needs to fly free for a while. I’m not worried. He’ll be back. Maybe he’ll even settle down enough to find a woman, too. He’s always been too much of a wild child for any woman to take him seriously.”

Amanda laughed. “You’re one to talk about settling down. Weren’t you single yourself, just a few days ago.”

“Shut your mouth, woman,” Sawyer said playfully, then reached down to scoop her up and carry her back into the hangar. “Come on, let’s lock everything up and then head into town. I want to take you to a nice dinner out and show off my beautiful lifemate.”

“Aren’t you worried you’ll cause more of a stir?” Amanda asked.

“Nope,” Sawyer said. “Let them get riled up, if they want. “I wouldn’t trade a life with you for anything, my little rule breaker.”

Summer turned into fall, and then fall into winter. As bitter coldness settled over Frost Peak, the clan seemed to slowly forget their differences. As Sawyer had hoped, the challenges of surviving an Alaskan winter brought everyone together. Neighbor helped out neighbor, and, before long, the rifts between clan members had faded into distant memory. And, as expected, everyone soon forgot that Amanda was full human. The clan loved her, and her kind, adventurous spirit. Although some of the single young women were sad that Sawyer was off the market, the clan as a whole was pleased to see their alpha finally finding happiness in love.

Sawyer occasionally heard from Chance, who seemed to be settling into life in California pretty well. Chance had been doing practice flights with the smokejumpers during the off-season, and raved about his new friends and how much fun he was having with them. Sawyer did his best not to worry about Chance never coming home. More than having one of his best friends back, he wanted Chance to be happy. And Chance seemed happy now, so Sawyer was happy for him.

Back in Frost Peak, Sawyer had easily convinced Amanda to take over marketing and business operations for Frost Peak Tour Company. She had been hesitant at first, saying she didn’t know enough about tour packages to market them. But Sawyer had convinced her to try it, and soon she had jumped into the job with enthusiasm. She loved the new challenge, and the flexible schedule. Sawyer often found her at home in their living room, with sample brochure ideas spread out over their coffee table.

Today was one of those days. He came in from a meeting with the clan elders to see her sitting on the floor by the coffee table, looking at her latest marketing options. Her belly, which was growing rounder by the day, occasionally bumped against the edge of the table. Sawyer watched her quietly for a moment before she realized he was there. She was often so absorbed in her work that she didn’t hear him come in their front door.

“What?” she asked, when she finally looked up and caught him staring at her.

“Nothing,” he said, smiling. “You’re really starting to show.”

“I know,” she said with a groan. “I can’t believe how big my belly is already, and I’ve still got four months to go.”

“You’re carrying a grizzly cub, my dear. Of course the little man is going to take up some room in there.”

“Little man?” Amanda said with a laugh. “Have you already decided the baby is a boy?”

“Well, actually, I’m really hoping for a girl. But I’m telling myself it’s a boy so I won’t get my hopes up only to have them dashed.”

Amanda shook her head and laughed again. “Whatever the baby is, I just want him or her to be healthy.”

“I agree,” Sawyer said. “And I’m hoping for a happy, healthy girl who looks just like you.”

Amanda rolled her eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I know. And you’re beautiful.”

Sawyer pulled Amanda to her feet. “Come on, come sit and have some tea with me. Take a break from work for a little bit.”

Amanda didn’t argue as Sawyer led her to the kitchen and put on a teakettle. She stared out at the snowy scene beyond their front window with a wistful look in her eyes. Her pensive look caught Sawyer’s attention.

“What’s on your mind, babe?” he asked.

“Not much. Just thinking about that time I was camping alone and a grizzly came up to me. Do you think he was a shifter?”

“No,” Sawyer said. “A shifter would have never purposely shown himself to you like that. But I’ll tell you one thing—that bear knew you were destined to be the lifemate to a shifter. That’s why he let you go. Bears respect other bears, even the ones that are only half bear.”

“It’s incredible how they know so much,” Amanda said. “Sometimes I’m jealous that I’m just human and don’t have any special abilities.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Sawyer said. “You have a beautiful spirit. Just because you can’t smell or hear as well as me doesn’t mean you don’t have special abilities. And trust me, there are times I definitely wish my sense of smell wasn’t so keen.”

Amanda laughed. “I guess that’s true.”

“Seriously. You are an amazing person, with a lot of courage. Our little cub is lucky to have you for a mother. And I’m lucky to have you for a lifemate. I’m grateful that the old grizzly in the forest knew there was something different about you, but I’m not surprised that he did.”

Amanda smiled. “I guess that means both of us are lucky, because I feel lucky to have found you. I had no idea when I took a chance on leaving my old life behind that things would turn out this way. What a crazy ride.”

Sawyer smiled, his eyes crinkling lovingly in Amanda’s direction as he poured boiling water over the tea leaves to steep.

“The adventure is only beginning, my Love.”

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There are bears walking among us. Sloane Meyers is devoted to telling their stories.

Sloane thinks we could all use a little escape in our lives. And what better way to shake up the ordinary than to transport yourself to the mysterious world of those who have an animal within them, roaring to be let out. Sloane brings you hot shifter males, and spunky, spirited heroines—with NO cliffhangers! Each book can be read as a standalone.

When she’s not busy crafting bear tales, Sloane enjoys a good glass of wine, preferably shared with good friends. She loves reading, baking, and pretending that she’s actually a music buff. On weekends, she spends a lot of time in the great outdoors, hiking with her own sexy alpha and adorable little cub.

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