Bearly a Chance: A Second Chances Romance Read Free Page A

Aria’s heart melted as Faith settled right into Gran’s arms. They headed upstairs for nap time. Blond curls bobbed with each step up the stairs, until Faith’s cheek rested solidly against Grans shoulder. Aria trailed after the pair, finally daring to hope for the future.
    Maybe I’ll find the answers I need sooner than even I thought possible.
    Gran’s lullaby trickled down the stairs after the pair, soothing the stress Aria had shouldered alone for so long. She couldn’t help but follow that siren song all the way into their room, and watched quietly from the doorway as Gran settled Faith into the play pen and kissed her forehead. Her girl’s eyes were heavy with sleep, and Aria was certain she’d be out like a light before she and Gran made it back down the stairs.
    Gran’s tight smile and sharp gesture toward the kitchen suggested that Aria wasn’t going to like the answers Gran had. Aria sighed, resigned to accepting any answers, as she trudged back down to the dining room table. Gran’s feet barely made a whisper on the stairs as she followed close behind.
    I just hope Gran’s answers are enough to get us by. But still, she worried that nothing would be enough to keep her Faith safe.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
     
    “We need to have a serious heart to heart, Aria.” Gran’s voice was tight with tension. All Aria could do was nod and hope. Hope for help, for answers. If nothing else, hope for a shoulder to cry on. “Sit,” Gran said. She pointed Aria towards an antique rocking chair in the living room. The dark wood gleamed in the afternoon sunlight streaming through Gran’s open front door. Aria sat. She rocked absently as she tried to gather her nerves and her thoughts.
    “So, she’s a shifter.” Gran never had been one to waste time when important matters were on the line.
    “Depends what you mean by shifter,” Aria shrugged.
    “Magic creature, changes shape at will.”
    Aria nodded, trying to keep tears from welling up. Her hands trembled when she reached out to take the tall, cool glass of iced tea Gran passed to her. The weight of the cool glass grounded her in the moment. Aria took a small sip, relishing the simple pleasure of having someone understand. Her eyes followed Gran as she settled into the rocking chair beside hers. From the intricate design of the carvings, Gramps had made that one especially for her. The swirls and whorls etched into the wood matched the trim in the living room.
    “Well, spit it out, then. What kind is she? And who’s her daddy?” Gran’s gaze was sharp, almost fierce when it met Aria’s. That fierce protectiveness was enough to divert Aria’s tears for now.
    “Bear of some sort. Cute, fluffy white ball of fur.” Aria took another sip of tea to ease the tightness of her throat. Damn, this is harder than I thought. Maybe just having someone else know isn’t going to be enough to convince me I can keep Faith safe in this world. Then again, Gran had managed to avert a shift in progress. That was a first.
    “Hmm. White bear, huh? Like albino white?”
    Aria shrugged. She didn’t know enough about bears to say one way or the other.
    “Is her nose pink? Or dark?”
    “Dark. So are her ha-paws. And her claws.” Aria struggled with the terminology. She’d gotten so used to hiding the truth this past six months. It felt strange to be able to speak openly about her baby’s secret.
    “Not albino. Huh.” Gran took a long sip of tea, and rocked steadily for a few moments while she studied the mantle above the rock fireplace. “Don’t know any bear shifters around these parts.”
    “You’re one up on me, Gran.” Aria felt her smile waver. “I didn’t know there were shifters. Until Faith.”
    Gran’s nod and soft gaze seemed to acknowledge the pain Aria felt. The gentle clasp of Gran’s hand around Arias felt like a silent apology, an acknowledgment that she shouldn’t have faced that panic and fear alone.
    “We should have told