Big Bear Blunder: BBW Werebear Shapeshifter Suspense Romance (Sweetwater Brides) Read Free

Looking at him, how could she say anything but yes?
    Sara had always been proud of her independence. She didn’t need other people to feel complete, especially not a man. But stuck in a strange town, wouldn’t it have been foolish to turn down his helpful offer due to pride?
    Who was she kidding, the decision had been made as soon as the question left Everett’s full, sensual lips.
    “That would be great,” she finally said with a smile, feeling butterflies in the pit of her stomach.
    “Let me just get changed real quick and then we can go,” Everett said, gesturing to his oil-stained jeans.
    “Umm, not to be rude, but don’t you have work to do?” Sara asked, looking around the shop and specifically gazing at her trusty truck.
    “Perks of being the owner,” Everett said with a sly smile and shouted, “Noah!”
    A man in his early forties appeared like an apparition from under a nearby car.
    “Can you run a diagnostic of the lady’s truck here and order all the parts we’ll need?” Everett asked.
    “Sure thing, boss,” Noah nodded.
    He runs a tight ship , Sara mused.
    Everett disappeared into some back room for a while, returning with a fresh pair of dark blue jeans and a pale blue button-up. The color brought out the green flecks in his hazel eyes, Sara noticed.
    Everett led the way to a Ford truck parked out front.
    “The F-150?” Sara asked, walking around the pickup appreciatively.
    “Yup,” Everett said. “I’d let you drive, but you wouldn’t know where to go,” he added cheekily.
    Sara smiled, liking the vote of confidence. She had grown tired of the “women are bad drivers” joke long ago.
    “So, what’s a girl like you prefer? Comfort, good price, location?” Everett asked, making his way to the driver side door. The fact that he didn’t hold the passenger door open for her this time did not escape Sara’s attention.
    Quick study, she thought, amused.
    “Price probably wins out. And anything is more comfortable than sleeping in my truck. My standards aren’t very high,” Sara said, a bit self-deprecatingly.
    “Good to know,” Everett laughed.
    “You know what I mean,” Sara snorted with a mock sigh and a wry smile.
    “There’s a motel near the way into town, it’s not fancy but it’s cheap and clean,” Everett said, starting the car.
    Everett took the long way to the motel, pointing out stores and diners Sara might want to visit later. When they arrived, Sara hesitated for a moment before getting out of the car and Everett leapt at the chance.
    “Hey, how about we have dinner later, I might have an update on your truck,” he offered, shifting in his seat to face Sara.
    The possibility of seeing him again so soon was almost ridiculously inviting.
    “All business, then?” Sara asked, tilting her head to the side. Everett’s eyes followed the movement, sliding along the curve of her exposed neck. It felt as real as a touch, exciting something deep within Sara.
    “Doesn’t have to be,” Everett responded, his voice a bit hoarse.
    “Why don’t we skip dinner and just grab drinks somewhere. Less pressure,” Sara proposed, opening the car door.
    “I’ll pick you up at eight?” Everett called after her as she made her way to the reception area. Sara gave him a nod and a wave.
----
    S ara’s motel room was like any other – bland and uninviting. But it was neat, well-kept and the bed seemed comfortable enough. Sara took a shower to wash the day’s heat off before calling her boss, dreading the conversation ahead of time. While her boss was great, she hated letting him down.
    She explained her mechanical troubles and how she was stuck in Sweetwater for an unknown number of days. Sara had the good fortune of being one of the trucking company’s most cherished drivers. Never sick, always on time, no complaints. Her boss said they’d compensate her stay and to keep them updated.
    That went better than expected.
    Sara had grabbed a backpack full on essentials from her