The BEARly Reluctant Grizzly (Bear Clan 4)

This was it, what I’d been waiting for my entire life.

This was what I was always meant to do.

Ainsley

“This is bullshit,” I said softly and sat back. The kindling I was using to try to start a fire stayed lit, but only for a few seconds before dying down because of the draft coming through the fireplace.

Where was the lighter fluid when you needed it?

The box of matches sat beside me, half empty because that’s how many I’d used trying to start the damn fire. With the electricity flickering off and on, and the storm really increasing as time went on, I was starting to feel like maybe moving to the country hadn’t been the best idea. I hadn’t even been here two nights and I couldn’t even start a damn fire to save my life.

At least it wasn’t winter, and I wouldn’t freeze my ass off, but still, how pathetic was I that I couldn’t even do this one thing?

The wind howled outside, and the sound of the rain slamming against the windows in the cabin grew fiercer as time moved on. I looked toward the main window, expecting to see shards of glass bursting forward for how powerfully those pellets slammed against it.

I could hear the creak of the trees as they swayed from the force of the wind, and in that moment, I had never felt so alone. I sat in this big empty cabin, boxes surrounding me, my house needing so much work it was ridiculous, and I had my two flashlights sitting on the floor beside me because no doubt the electricity would cut off any minute.

And in that moment, as a grown-ass adult, I wished I was back home. Because at least when I was in the city I didn’t feel this dark hole inside of me growing, consuming me. At least back in the city I was surrounded by strangers, never having an intimate moment, never feeling like in the blink of an eye I’d get swept away.

Because at least if I was away from this perfect little town with its raging storms and broken-down cabins, I wouldn’t be obsessing about a bear shifter I didn’t even know.

I heard a loud thump on the porch and jumped, an involuntary cry leaving me. We had storms in the city, but they weren’t anything like this. They weren’t wild and careless, dangerous and violent. I had concrete and steel surrounding me, skyscrapers and the hectic rush of people covering every inch of the city.

And then the electricity finally cut off. No more flickering, no more promise that I would be plunged in darkness.

Twin beams of light came from the flashlights, illuminating the ceiling. I moved toward the couch and leaned back against it, staring at the lights, telling myself everything would be fine.

I hoped at least.

7

Ainsley

I hadn’t given up on the fire, but that didn’t mean I had been successful either. And I’d gone through most of the kindling and the paper I had in the house.

So now here I sat on the couch, feeling deflated and frustrated. I exhaled, angry with myself for not being more prepared, more knowledgeable before moving out here.

The storm was getting worse by the minute, judging by the sound outside that was reminiscent of a banshee. Debris kept smacking against the side of the house, and I was surprised the house was holding up as well as it was.

I stood up and went to search for more batteries when there was a large crash through the window. I cried out and instinctively covered my head, turning away so my back was toward the noise.

Rain and wind moved through the broken window, and I turned around to see the damage. A large branch had gone right through the glass, the curtains blowing wildly, rain and debris spraying all over the ground.

The sounds of heavy footballs on the porch came through, and I would’ve passed it off to just the storm, but then I heard pounding on my front door. My heart raced and I backed up, grabbing the island and curling my hands around the edge.

Fear took root inside of me, growing like another entity.

“Ainsley.” I heard Asher’s voice roar out over the loud noise of the storm and made no hesitation in rushing toward the front door, unlocking it, and throwing it open.

The wind pushed the door out of my hands and it slammed against the wall. Asher strode in instantly, closing and locking it, and then facing me and looking me up and down. But it wasn’t sexual. I could see and feel that truth instantly.

He had his hands on my shoulders, his fingers curled against my body. Concern was thick on his face. “Are you okay?”

I licked my lips and nodded, not sure what to say, not even sure why he was here, but thankful nonetheless. As soon as I’d heard his voice, I instantly felt relaxed, calm, and knew everything was okay. Even right now, with his hands on my shoulders, I felt his warmth fill me.

After a few seconds of him continuing to look me over, a crease between his brows as the worry took over his expression, he stepped back and exhaled. Asher lifted his hand and ran it over his short hair, then turned and looked at the window.

“I need to fix this,” he said almost to himself and then went right into action.