Free Loving the Lion: BBW Shifter Mail Order Bride Paranormal Romance (Mail-Order Mates Book 1) by Lola Kidd Page A

another giant iced coffee drink. The girls waited in line at the only coffee shop in town.
    “Do you know that woman?” Erica asked. “I think she’s following us.”
    Erin turned around, and sure enough, the blonde was staring at her from a table. Noticing Erin and Erica staring, the woman stood up and came over.
    Erin tried to keep calm. She had no idea what the woman wanted.
    “Hello, I’m Olivia Grey.” The woman smiled broadly and stuck out her hand.
    Erica shook her hand. “I’m Erica and this is my sister Erin. Are you following us?”
    The woman took off her oversized sunglasses. She was even more beautiful now that Erin could see her whole face. She had the clearest blue eyes and her skin was poreless. She was wearing a stylish cape and small kitten heels. Erin couldn’t imagine ever looking that put together. Most days she didn’t bother changing out of sweatpants since she worked at home.
    “I work for Lovely and Kind Brides and I think you would be perfect for one of my clients.”
    “Thanks, but I already have a boyfriend.” Erica smiled apologetically.
    “Oh, sorry, dear, I wasn’t talking to you.” Olivia fixed her blue eyes on Erica. She pulled a business card from her purse. “I know this is a bit unusual but I hope you’ll consider my offer. If you’re single, that is. My number and email address are on the card. Look us up, and if you’re interested, please give me a call.”
    “Thank you.” Erin couldn’t think of anything else to say and stared at the thick business card dumbfounded.
    Olivia put her sunglasses back on. “Nice meeting you both. Hope to hear from you soon.”
    And with a swish of her black cape, she was gone. Erica waggled her eyebrows and laughed. “Can you believe that woman? What a nutjob.”
    “I thought she was pretty.” Erin fingered the card.
    Erica gaped at her sister. “You can’t seriously be thinking of calling her. Erin, she works for LK Brides. That’s a mail-order bride company. And you know what kind of people they cater to.”
    “I do.” Erin slipped the card into her purse carefully. It couldn’t hurt to see what the woman wanted. Her day had just gotten a lot more interesting.
    ~ ~*
    Owen Brooks brought two cold beers from his fridge to his friends Kellan and Clint. They were having a drink to celebrate Clint’s grand re-opening the weekend before. It was the first time the three men had had time to meet up.
    “To Clint.” Owen raised his bottle. “You worked hard, man. You deserve that great new shop.”
    Clint tapped Owen’s bottle with his own. “Thanks, buddy. I never thought those renovations were going to end.”
    “Neither did I.” Kellan joked. His hotel was just down the block from Clint’s store in town. “It sounded like they were demolishing in my office.”
    “It was even louder in the store. I don’t know how I got a customer for the last six months.”
    “I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that stuff.” Owen shook his head. “I’ll stick to the fresh air and open spaces.”
    “And cow shit.” Clint shook his head. “I don’t know how you do all this yourself.”
    “I like it. Nothing complicated about herding cattle.”
    “Your brothers should be helping you.” Kellan scowled. “Have you talked with the pride about getting one of the young guys out here, at least?”
    Owen shook his head and sighed. “It’s no use going down there and asking for help. My pride brothers are lazy as hell. I don’t want to ask my mom or sisters for help, either. Just doesn’t seem right to me.”
    “And that’s why you should be alpha,” Kellan said.
    Owen groaned. “Not this again. Tonight is about celebrating, Clint.”
    “Not much to celebrate if I don’t have any customers,” Clint pointed out. “With the pack and the pride hurting, I don’t get as much tourist business.”
    “How many tourists come to a hardware shop?” Kellan leaned back on the porch bench.
    “Other businesses would be coming in