Free The Bear's Reluctant Bride: A Paranormal Bear Shifter Romance by Amy Star

did you do with your family all day?” he asked in an obvious attempt to change the subject.
    “We went fishing,” she said proudly.
    “Really?” he asked, a little surprised at how she had spent her day at home.
    “Yes, we took our bear forms and went to the river. I caught quite a bit of trout so I have some cooking for dinner. I hope that's alright,” she said, checking the fish again so see if it was nearly done.
    “Yes, that sounds very good,” he said, sniffing the air to take in the delicious aroma.
    “It'll be done in about half an hour,” she said apologetically. She had hoped to have it done when he arrived home, but he came back sooner than she had anticipated.
    “I'm glad to hear it. It smells too good to wait much longer than that,” he said with a smile.
    “Thank you,” she said, blushing at his compliment.
    “No, thank you. In only a few short days you have made this place feel more like a home than it ever did before,” he said sincerely.
    “I'm glad to have been able to make you more comfortable here,” she said, feeling her blush spread.
    “You're a remarkable female,” he said, looking at her with appreciation.
    “Thank you very much,” she said, unable to keep from grinning at him and his sweet words.
    They spent a quiet evening together, lying in each other’s arms and talking about their lives and their dreams. They made sweet love before sleep finally took him. She lay awake for what felt like ages, watching her brave, strong warrior sleep beside her. She drifted off to sleep even more in love with him that she had been when the day began.
    ***
    When she awoke alone in the morning, she felt it like a physical blow. After the sweetness of waking up beside him the morning before, anything less felt empty. It was then that she heard someone outside the tent. She dressed quickly and rushed outside, sure that the stranger had returned but found a way to mask his scent from her. Instead, she found Luke leaning over the cooking fire.
    “What are you up to?” she blurted out.
    “I'm making you breakfast,” he said cheerfully.
    “Why?” she asked skeptically.
    “Well, you've been working very hard around here and cooking all the meals on top of that. It seemed like the least I could do,” he said with a relaxed smile on his face.
    “I can take over, if you like,” she offered, feeling strange standing there, watching him do her job.
    “Don't be silly. I can cook breakfast. I did have to feed myself before you came along,” he laughed as he stirred the eggs in the pan.
    “Thank you for this,” she said with a warm smile. It was wonderful to be appreciated.
    “It's my pleasure to do something for you,” he grinned, clearly happy to have pleased her.
    “I really appreciate that,” she said, feeling a bit awkward suddenly.
    “I thought maybe we could spend the day together,” he said, looking up at her as though he thought she might tell him she did not want to.
    “Really?” she cried with excitement and disbelief.
    “Yes, the new warriors’ training is coming along nicely. I think the others can handle it for the day. You won't mind spending the whole day with me, will you?” he asked, clearly wanting a definite answer from her.
    “I would love it.” She threw her arms around his neck as proof of just how excited she was.
    “Good, then it's settled,” he said, looking a little stunned by just how happy she was.
    “Yes, I suppose it is,” she laughed.
    “What do you want to do today?” he asked, realizing he'd made no more of a plan than just spending the day with her.
    “I don't know. I hadn't really thought about it,” she said. Her plans for the day had all been centered on work at the tent.
    “If you have no objections, I thought we might hike,” he suggested, as though he had planned it all along.
    “Hike?” she asked a little surprised at the human nature of his suggestion.
    “Yes,” he said with a smile.
    “In our human forms?” she asked for