Chapter One – Hannah

“Déjà vu.” Leona set the last of the boxes down in the living room of her old home. “I’ve had some good times here. Some great times. It’s where I met Neil.” Leona had moved to Bear Creek a couple of months ago with her two boys; now she had moved in with her new man, Neil, who had become more of a father to her sons than their biological dad ever would be.

“Thank you so much. I was struggling to decide where to live.” The house already held happy memories for Hannah. She had spent many enjoyable hours there getting to know Leona and her sons, Jack and Harry. Hannah was a social worker, and the broken family had become one of her cases after Leona had left her abusive ex just before Christmas. She’d loved watching the family find happiness, and Leona had become a good friend. Happy-ever-afters didn’t always happen, but when they did, they reminded her she had the best job, one she truly loved and believed in.

A twinge of sadness struck Hannah. Her job was the reason she hadn’t taken up her parents’ offer of moving with them to live in Italy, in a farmhouse close to the Mediterranean Sea. Hannah’s mom suffered from arthritis, and the cold winter months made the condition worse. Her parents hoped the move to a warmer climate would ease her mom’s discomfort. She completely understood their decision to leave, but after a great deal of soul-searching, Hannah knew she couldn’t abandon the people she dealt with every day. She prided herself on helping those who needed it.

“You are welcome. I hope you find the same kind of happiness we have.” Leona looked around the room, a nostalgic expression on her face. She was so different than the woman Hannah had first met. No longer worried about her family’s future, she glowed with a natural radiance. If that was what happiness looked like, Hannah thought she would like a dose too, please.

“Perhaps some of your luck will rub off on me.” Hannah placed a tray of coffee down on the side table.

“I’m sure it will.” Leona helped herself to a mug of coffee. “You must miss your parents.”

“I do. Although I am happy for them. Mom’s already feeling the benefits of the warm weather.” Hannah heard the familiar sound of Leona’s sons, Jack and Harry, racing into the house. “There’s juice for you two in the kitchen,” she called.

Jack answered, “Thanks, Hannah.”

“You are welcome, Jack. There are cookies too.” Hannah smiled to herself. “I love the sound of their laughter.”

“Me too.” Leona nursed her mug of coffee in her hands, and leaned back against the wall. A smile crept across her face as she watched Neil and his brother Jacob carry a small sofa up the driveway and in through the front door. They truly were in love.

“In there?” Neil asked, poking his head around the door.

“Yes, please.” Hannah moved to the side of the room, out of the way of the well-muscled men. Pity they were both spoken for. They were bear shifters, and had found their bonded mates, making them completely off limits. “Thank you so much, I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“No problem. Oh, coffee—yes, please.” Neil took a mug of hot coffee and went to stand next to Leona, his arm instinctively going around her shoulders. They were so in love, and so happy. Hannah hoped one day a good man, like Neil, would look at her the same way.

“Thanks, Hannah,” Jacob said. “If you need anything else, let us know.”

“We can’t thank you enough for helping Leona and the boys.” Neil kissed Leona’s cheek.

“It’s my job, and anyway, I’ve enjoyed every minute.” Hannah smiled; it was almost true. The only two low points were when Leona’s ex-husband, Clive, visited Jack and Harry under Hannah’s supervision. Compared to Neil, Clive had no real relationship, or love, for his sons. Unfortunately, he was due a third visit tomorrow, but Hannah was not going to let that dampen her mood. It would be good for the boys to see their father.

“Will you come to dinner next week?” Leona asked. “We should be organized by then, too. If I can get Neil to put the boys’ toys away instead of playing with them.”

Neil chuckled. “Guilty as charged.” He drained his cup. “Which reminds me, we should get going, I promised I’d take the boys for a walk over the mountain this afternoon.”

“Is there anything else you need help with?” Jacob asked, placing his empty mug down on the tray.

“No, I think I can handle it from here. I’ll put the rest of the stuff away and then get takeout.” Some alone-time sounded like bliss to Hannah. She’d spent the last few weeks in a whirlwind of organizing both herself and her parents. Not that they needed much help, but Hannah wanted to spend as much time as possible with them before they left. It would be two months before she visited them in their new house, in a new country.

“Right, let’s round up the boys and get home.” Leona hugged Hannah. “If you need anything, pick up the phone and ask.”

“I will. Thanks, everyone. I owe you all dinner. Or a BBQ when the weather is warmer.” The small backyard needed work, but Hannah had accepted the challenge of turning it into an outdoor space she could entertain in. If there was one thing Hannah excelled at, it was making friends, and if there was one pastime she enjoyed most, it was entertaining those friends.

Hannah hugged Jack and Harry and waved to them as they got into the car. One day she would love to have kids of her own, if only she could meet Mr. Right. Somehow, he had evaded her. But a new town and a new start might be just the thing to kickstart her search for love.

With one last wave, she shut the front door, a smile on her face. Hannah could hear her mom’s voice in her head—“An eternal optimist…that’s my girl!”—the words always spoken with pride. A pang of homesickness swept over Hannah. She missed her parents. But it would pass, or at least ease to a dull ache.

“Right, house. It’s just you and me, and all my junk. Let’s get started.”

Two hours later, Hannah had stowed most of her belongings into closets and cupboards. Everything was organized, kind of, but until she’d lived in the house for a few weeks, she wouldn’t know if it worked, or would need rearranging. Bend like the wind was Hannah’s mantra in life. Flexibility left you able to cope with what life threw your way.

And right now, it was throwing a take-out meal and a bottle of wine her way.

Hannah grabbed her purse and left her new home. Pausing, she took a look at the small cottage: it was perfect for her, for now. Turning away, she walked along the road before cutting through an alleyway. If she remembered correctly, this would lead to the main street in town, where there was a grocery store and takeout—pizza, or was it Chinese? Her stomach would settle for either.

To her right, she had no idea what direction that was, the moon rose above the mountains. They looked down over the town, a benevolent watcher, silent and never-changing. Some way off, Hannah heard the screech of an owl, which was answered by the howl of a wolf. She shivered, the sounds eerily haunting as if two lovers called to each other across the wilderness. Shifters in love, bound by fate?

Such a stupid romantic.

Being so close to the mountains, she would have to get used to all these new sounds. Perhaps she would meet a friend who would help her explore the mountains. Jacob was a mountain ranger, would he mind her tagging along on some of his expeditions? She’d ask next time she saw him.

The path met the road, and she carefully looked both ways before crossing. The area didn’t seem familiar, but she was certain she was going the right way. And if she got lost, she could just retrace her steps. Or use the GPS on her phone. What would she do without her modern technology? Hannah mentally added map-reading to her list of new challenges she intended to conquer.

After walking for another five minutes, the traffic using the road got heavier, convincing Hannah she had followed the correct route. When she rounded the corner and saw the lit-up signs above the stores, she gave herself a pat on the back. Her sense of direction hadn’t let her down. Her stomach rumbled with enthusiasm, and she followed the main street until she reached the takeout restaurant. “Pizza it is.”

Hannah pushed the door open and went inside, the scents of warm dough and toppings making her mouth water. “Hi there,” Hannah greeted the woman taking orders. “A veggie special, please. With extra mushrooms.”

“Sure. It’ll be about ten minutes.” The middle-aged woman, whose nametag read Rachel, noted the order and took Hannah’s money.

“I’ll just go to the grocery store.” She left the pizzeria and walked along the main street, trying to familiarize herself with what the town had to offer. Hannah looked in the windows of all the stores; there was a good range of local produce, and Hannah was certain she would be very happy here in Bear Creek.

Pity none of them sold the man of her dreams. Hannah figured the need to find a new man was almost like being on the rebound. She was compensating for her parents moving away. Although she had always wanted a family of her own, children she could raise to be happy and loved. That would only happen if she found the right man. She’d seen firsthand what happened when the wrong man, or wrong woman, was involved.

Hannah wasn’t fussy; a man with a good heart was a must. If he also had a good steady job, she was not going to complain, but material things didn’t matter so much. Happiness was her top priority, along with compatibility. A lesson her parents had taught her, many times over, during their years together. Compassion, compromise, and honesty were also character traits she admired.

“Hi there, Beverly.” Hannah waved to the young woman behind the cash register as she entered the general store.

“Hi, Hannah, have you settled in?” Beverly left the cash register and walked over to Hannah, who headed for the dessert aisle. She planned to indulge herself this evening and might even add a rom-com to the mix too. A perfect evening for one.

“It’ll take a couple of days, but I think I’m getting there.” Hannah chose a cake called Chocolate Velvet Heaven. Perfect.

“Oh, that is my favorite.” Beverly pointed at the box.

“Perhaps you could come over one night and share a slice of Chocolate Velvet Heaven with me?” Hannah asked. She crossed the store to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of chilled white wine.

“Oh, I’d like that.” Beverly dropped her voice. “I can give you all the gossip.”

“OK, how about next Tuesday? I’ll cook.”

“It’s not a date though, right?” Beverly asked, taking a step back from Hannah. “I’m straight.”

“No, it’s two single friends having dinner.” Hannah followed Beverly back to the cash register.

“Single!” Beverly sighed and pouted. “I wish I could rope a hot man. I mean, literally rope him and tie him to the bed.”

“I’m sure you will find Mr. Right.” Hannah paid for her groceries.

“I am looking for more of a Mr. Wrong,” Beverly purred, then switched her attention to the door leading into the store. As it swung open a hot a guy entered, dressed in worn jeans and a leather jacket. His face was unshaven, his hair cropped short, but that didn’t take away from his just-got-out-of-bed look.

“Sex-on-legs, now that is what I’m talking about.” Beverly fanned herself theatrically.

Sex-on-legs looked up; his eyes locked on Hannah’s, piercing, boring into her. She shivered and looked away, but not before she glimpsed his expression. Dangerous, brooding, everything she had learned to avoid in men. Hannah’s job had taught her that men like Sex-on-legs often had issues, a brooding anger that lurked beneath the surface.

“I call dibs.” Beverly pushed herself away from the counter and sauntered across to Sex-on-legs. “Hi there, can I help you?”

“Yes.” He pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. “I’m looking for this address. Can you give me directions, please?”

“If you give me your phone number in return?” Beverly thrust her breasts forward, making it clear she was available. And willing.

Hannah gave a small smile. Why anyone was attracted to a bad boy, she had no idea. If that was Beverly’s type, then she was welcome to Sex-on-legs.

There was a rustle of paper as the guy put the piece of paper back in his pocket. “Never mind, I’ll ask someone else.”

Hannah cast a glance over her shoulder as she pushed the door open and stepped back into the cold night air. His reply surprised her; guys like that usually handed out their phone number to anyone in the hope of getting laid. Maybe she had misjudged Sex-on-legs.

However, Beverly was not willing to give up that easily. “Hey, I’m sorry, I was just flirting.” She pointed at the clock on the wall. “I get off in ten minutes, I can walk you there if you want.”

“I’m good at following directions.” His blunt answer didn’t faze Beverly.

“I’m good at giving direction.” Beverly’s eyes traveled over his fit body.

Hannah held the door open, unwilling to let it go and lose out on hearing the end of the conversation. As she watched, Sex-on-legs looked at her, and an unbidden sensation threaded its way through her veins. He was attractive, an itch she sure would like to scratch. But Hannah had never been a one-night stand kind of a girl and she wasn’t about to start now. He looked as if he was just passing through: here today, gone tomorrow.

“Eight minutes. I’ll even show you a shortcut.” Beverly was working her assets, but he didn’t appear to be interested.

“Thanks, I’ll find my own way.” He headed for the door, and Hannah let it go, pretending to stare at the sky. The stars here were stunning, and damn, Sex-on-legs was too. She’d just stand here, and get a good look at his dark, brooding face, before going back to collect her pizza. What harm could there be in looking and not touching?

Her head told her to walk away now; her heart told her there was no harm in looking. Neither of them was prepared for what her mouth did. As the door opened and he stepped outside, the words “Maybe I can help you with directions” tumbled out of her mouth.

He looked at her, undressing her, and her insides turned to liquid fire. “And what will you want in return?”

“Nothing,” she insisted, flashing him a smile to put him at ease.

“Really?” His voice was smooth, seductive, but with a hard edge she could not fathom.

“Do you want me to help you, or not?” Hannah’s voice was firm, reprimanding, and it coaxed a smile from his lips that made her heart flutter.

“I do.”

The fluttering became an insistent pounding. Beverly was right, this guy was Sex-on-legs. Maybe she might become a one-night stand kind of a girl after all.