Free Bearing It by Zenina Masters Page B

the Crossroads.
    He stepped out of his cabin and looked over the glacier. With a quick shift, he took to the skies for one final trip around his sanctuary. If he could find a woman who suited his temperament, he would give everything he had accumulated to make himself acceptable to her. Lone eagles may be great on tattoos, but in reality, it sucked.
    When he had surveyed his territory with heavy beats of his wings, he returned to his cabin. He had a call to make and bags to pack.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Trevor sat across from her and went over the options. She chose the Open Heart Bed and Breakfast. Management may be new, but it was where Buzz and Ezzy had first joined together and that was good enough for Fred.
    “Excellent. Now, I just need the family samples.” He smiled happily.
    Fred pulled out a vial with hair samples from her, her mother and her father. She had gotten the vial from her mother last Christmas, just in case.
    Trevor chuckled. “Wonderful. Are you ready to leave?”
    She blinked. “What? Now?”
    “Yup. The window will be here in two hours. Are you ready?”
    Fred wrinkled her nose. “I will be. Have some coffee and a muffin. I will be right back after I make a few calls.”
    She called her mother and her new cousin, Ezzy. Ezzy was delighted. “You won’t regret it.”
    “I hope not. It is all happening so fast.” Fred grumbled.
    “Sometimes that is best, like a band aid. Keep me posted, and I will keep Buzz from coming to get you back.”
    Fred blinked. “He wouldn’t dare.”
    “He would. You are his favourite cousin.”
    Fred snorted. “I am his only cousin.”
    “So, my statement stands.” Ezzy laughed. “Did you want me to call Kris?”
    “Nope. I have it covered. My friend Trevor is a transporter. I leave in two hours.”
    “What did your mother say?”
    “Oh, thank the first fur!” Fred laughed.
    Ezzy giggled. “My mom was surprisingly delighted when I brought a bear home.”
    “Of course she was. Buzz is a great catch. I mean, aside from his nickname.”
    “Well, he’s a honey hunter. I should know, but it wasn’t something I shared with my mother.” Laughter rippled through the phone.
    Fred snickered. “Well, his first girlfriend gave him the name and it stuck.”
    “I know. I have met her. She was surprisingly polite and genuinely happy to meet me. It was weird.”
    “You know the bear shifter community, once you are in, you are in.”
    “Remember that when you bring your man home. Take as long as it takes and pick a good one.”
    Fred smiled into the phone. “That’s the plan; say hi to Buzz for me.”
    “I will. Good luck, Fred.”
    They hung up in tandem, and Fred looked around. Her bag was packed, but she would need to pick up some fancier gear in the Crossroads. Nothing she had was particularly alluring.
    With her carry-on bag packed, she returned to her kitchen where Trevor was waiting. He had a phone in one hand and a small charm in the other.
    “Are you ready, Fred?”
    “I am.”
    “Wonderful. I just got clearance for an immediate transport.”
    “Well, the two chattiest people I know are spreading the word. Steffi will call my mom if she needs backup here, and the staff is on high alert for any shenanigans. It is as good as I can make it without being here.” She lifted her bag. “Where do you want to do this?”
    “Your private garden. It is in the correct location for the portal.”
    “Good. Let’s get going before I lose my mind or my lunch.”
    He gave her the charm linked to her accounts that would let her buy what she needed, and once they were in her Elizabethan garden, a light formed next to him. “Enjoy your trip, and may you find what you seek.”
    Trevor widened his hands with a quick move, and the light expanded.
    Fred took a deep breath and walked into the light.
     
    * * * *
     
    A woman with dark hair and a friendly face greeted her. “Welcome to the Crossroads, Fred. We just got your information, so excuse my informality. I