Free Bearing the Frostbite (Ice Bear Shifters Book 6) by Sloane Meyers

tundra of Glacier Point, James leaned back in his seat and watched Alaska disappearing far below him. He crossed his fingers that this trip was going to end the way he hoped it would. And he smiled in anticipation of the good times that lay ahead. He realized as he drifted off to sleep that for the first time since he had lost his clan members, he felt truly happy.
     
    * * *
     
    Glacier National Park in the fall could only truly be described as magical. Just like in Alaska, the crowds here in Montana had thinned and nearly disappeared as the summer disappeared. A quiet feeling of peaceful solitude marked the atmosphere of the park, and James and Alexis were free to take in the fiery beauty of the autumn leaves at their leisure. The landscape boasted a rich mixture of reds, golds, and greens, as the turning leaves of the deciduous trees joined the vibrant greens of the evergreens. The weather was bright and sunny during the first few days that the pair spent at the park. Although many might have found the temperatures crisp and cold, James and Alexis weren’t bothered by the falling temperatures at all. The air was still warmer here than it was in Alaska. The brilliant sun resulted in several magnificent sunsets against a backdrop of fall foliage and snowy mountain peaks.
    Their days were filled with a flurry of activity. From fishing, to rafting, to backpacking along the extensive trails, James and Alexis found plenty of ways to fill their days. In the evenings, they returned to their cabin, which was located just outside the entrance of the park and was decorated with an adorable black bear theme. James found the bear theme annoying, but Alexis seemed to enjoy it so he bit his tongue. The cabin they were staying in was one of a group of several cabins that surrounded a large, central lodge. Inside the central lodge, there was a restaurant that served an extensive menu of hearty comfort food. The restaurant also boasted a full bar and several beer and wine options, and James and Alexis took advantage of the fact that the prices here were much cheaper than in Alaska.
    The lodge also had a pool and hot tub attached. Although the pool had been closed and covered with a tarp for the winter, the hot tub was still going strong. James and Alexis spent time enjoying its warmth every evening. When they got tired of roasting in the hot tub, they would dry off and change into warm sweats, then go back to the restaurant one last time to enjoy a mug of hot chocolate—sometimes with Bailey’s, sometimes without. James felt like he was living a fairytale. After all of the hard, lonely times he had endured, he had to pinch himself to believe that he had really found such a sweet, simple happiness with such a beautiful woman.
    On the last full day of their vacation, the temperatures took a significant drop, and the sun disappeared behind a thick layer of clouds. But neither James nor Alexis were the type to let a little bit of cold and a few clouds get in their way. They both bundled up and set out for a final day of hiking.
    James nervously double-checked his backpack and gear before they took off. Despite the amazing week he and Alexis had been having, he still hadn’t worked up the courage to bring up meeting the clan and moving in with him. Today was the day, though. It was now or never.
    The hike they had planned went through a thick forested area before leading out to an open glacial meadow. The meadow boasted a magnificent view of the mountains, and the trail followed a glacial stream to a large rocky area. James and Alexis took their time hiking, noticing every small detail of the forest and meadow. After eating lunch near the rocks, James and Alexis turned around and started the return hike. When they were halfway back, James looked all around him to make sure there were no other hikers around. Then he gave Alexis a huge grin.
    “Watch this,” he said, and then quickly stripped naked. While Alexis looked on, shaking her head