A Beary Sweet Holiday Read online

  Bears of Blackrock, book 3

  By

  Lia Davis

  A Beary Sweet Holiday

  Bears of Blackrock, book 3

  Published by After Glows

  © 2015 Lia Davis

  ISBN: 978-1-944060-00-8

  Cover Art by Charity Hendry

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person or use proper retail channels to lend a copy. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.

  www.AuthorLiaDavis.com

  A Beary Sweet Holiday

  The kitchen isn’t the only thing heating up this winter…

  Tiffany Black, culinary artist and owner of Beary Sweets Café, is determined to make this year’s Winter Solstice celebration one to remember. Especially since it will also be the mating ceremony for her brother, Anthony, and soon-to-be sister-in-law, Connie. She wants everything to be perfect. Unfortunately, you can’t always get what you want. When she falls off a ladder in her café and breaks her ankle, she fears her plans are doomed. Until the sexy bear Healer, Holt, comes to the rescue—stirring up more than just recipes.

  Mating has never been at the top of Holt’s to-do list, and he’s known Tiffany all her life. So when the mating urge slams into him after mending her ankle, he’s taken aback—unsure and intrigued at the same time. The girl he watched grow up is now a curvy, sensual woman, and his bear wants to claim her. He wants to claim her.

  The stubborn female refuses to follow Healer’s orders and allow her ankle to heal, and she’s hell-bent on catering the winter celebrations. In order to do what needs to be done, she insists that he help her. Since it gives him an excuse to stay by her side, he’s all right with that. As they work side by side to make the Solstice unforgettable, their passions ignite, and things turn utterly delicious

  Chapter One

  A freaking snow storm.

  Tiffany grumbled to herself as she packed up ingredients, kitchen tools she didn’t have at home, and a few small appliances. If she were going to be stuck inside the Blackrock den for the gods knew how long, she needed her mobile kitchen. At least the things she didn’t keep on hand at home.

  The forecast called for a storm to move in overnight and dump a shit-ton of snow on the area. Since she was planning and catering the Winter Solstice/Anthony and Connie’s mating ceremony and didn’t want to be stuck at her café in Blue Ridge, Georgia, she had to pack up and work from her home.

  Safe and warm.

  The celebration was a little more than thirty-six hours away. The beautiful, four-layer masterpiece of a cake was almost complete. She’d worked on it for the last two days, getting the frosting as smooth as she could and ready to decorate with the small bear-molded fondant and other special touches she would add the morning of the party.

  Folding the flaps on the box to temporarily seal it, she scanned the small café with a sigh. She’d opened Beary Sweets about two years ago thanks to the support of her family. They’d encouraged her to pursue her love of food and baking and turn it into a career. She didn’t regret a thing. She loved her restaurant.

  “I think this is the last of it,” Kaylee, her employee and one of her best friends, said as she set a box on the counter next to Tiffany’s.

  Tiffany nodded. “All but the cake.” Just then, her brother Ryan entered, the chime on the door dinging as it opened.

  Tiffany smiled. Ryan was the middle brother and her favorite—if she had to pick one. All of her brothers were different versions of their father with black hair and blue eyes, each one slightly just as protective in their own way.

  Anthony was the one who’d insisted on the high-tech security system in Beary Sweets. As the born Marshal, he took his enforcement duties with him everywhere; never relaxing until he was sure the bear clan was safe. Even then, he slept with one eye open.

  Trey was the youngest brother and the playful one. He made it his purpose in life to stop by the café at least three times a day to check on her. Sometimes, it was to spend a few hours either sitting in a corner booth or fixing something. However, since his mate, Nichole, had become pregnant, he didn’t leave the den for more than a few minutes at a time. So Ryan had been drafted to fill in on Trey’s shift of watching out for her.

  Tiffany smiled at Ryan as she noted the way he watched Kaylee. “Kay, why don’t you sleep over at my place? I could use the help with the party, and with the storm coming, I don’t want you to try and drive up in the snow.

  From the corner of her eye, Tiffany saw Kaylee stiffen slightly before she replied. “I didn’t pack a bag.”

  “No need. We’re the same size, and I have plenty of clothes to share.” Tiffany turned to the female. “Please. You, Nichole, Connie, and I will have so much fun. Besides, my mom has been wanting to see you again.”

  Kaylee glanced to Ryan, then quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks turning pink. She was the only human Tiffany knew of outside of the mates that knew about shifters. Tiffany was so glad that her father had allowed her to tell Kaylee about them. It made being her friend easier and yet harder at the same time. While Tiffany didn’t age, Kaylee did. That saddened Tiffany because if she didn’t find her friend a mate, she’d have to watch Kaylee grow old, and could possibly lose her.

  “Please,” Tiffany asked again, batting her lashes.

  Kaylee laughed. “Okay, I’ll come.”

  “Yay!” Tiffany pulled her into a tight hug.

  “Not so tight, sister bear.”

  Releasing Kaylee, she drew back and scanned her human friend for injuries while her heart beat wildly. “I’m so sorry.”

  A small, shy laugh escaped Kaylee. “No harm done.” She glanced to Ryan and quickly lowered her gaze.

  Curious, Tiffany cut her brother a narrowed-eyed gaze. He stared at Kaylee as if unsure; as if he were battling with his inner demons. Tiffany frowned. The latter may be the case. After all, he had tied himself to a demon to save her life.

  Tiffany didn’t know all the details. Ryan refused to talk about it, especially with her.

  However, the more she studied him, the more she realized he was attracted to Kaylee. Hiding her smile, she focused back on her friend. “Can you help Ryan load the cake?” She turned to her brother. “Be very careful with that cake. I don’t have time to make another one.”

  He reached over the counter and ruffled her hair. “Yes, little sis.”

  She playfully pushed his hand away. “I mean it. I’ll hurt you if something happens to that cake.”

  “Nothing will happen to it. I already have a space for it in the back seat of the truck.” Ryan nodded at Kaylee to lead the way to the walk-in refrigerator. When the two of them disappeared into the kitchen area, Tiffany shook her head and gathered the two boxes she’d packed.

  She could definitely see Kaylee with Ryan. The only problem would be how to get his demon mark removed so he would be free to choose a mate. With it, he was bound to the demon, and one day, that bastard would come for Ryan and take him away from his family.

  Fisting her hands after loading the boxes in the back of the truck, she made it her purpose to find out what it would take to release Ryan from the demon’s contract. First she had a party to plan. She would not let anything dampen her holiday spirit and cheer.

  After all, winter was her favorite season.

  Entering the
café, she glanced to the top shelf behind the counter. There you are. She’d thought she’d lost the cake topper or had accidentally thrown it out with last week’s trash. For the life of her she couldn’t remember where she’d put it.

  She retrieved the step ladder from the back room as Ryan and Kaylee carefully carried the large cake out to the truck. Anxiety bubbled up inside Tiffany, and she fought the urge to go help, to make sure the cake made it safe and sound into the backseat. No, Ryan would be careful.

  She really needed to get a handle on her need to control everything.

  After setting the ladder in place, she climbed it and reached for the cake topper. It was a little farther out of reach than she’d thought. She stretched but lost her balance and fell, the ladder tumbling to the ground with her.

  Pain shot up her leg from her ankle, then through her knee as it made contact with the floor. Tears stung her eyes as she cried out. Oh, please don’t be broken. But she feared it was. Or at least it hurt as if it were.

  “Tiffany!”

  Ryan’s shout held a tone of panic she’d heard in her brother’s tone many times as she’d gotten into trouble over her thirty years of life. He knelt beside her and frowned. “Your ankle is broken.”

  “Thank you, Doctor Black.” Tiffany rolled her eyes while ignoring the throbbing pain in her ankle and knee. “Just get me to Holt so he can heal me enough to work on the rest of the food.”

  Ryan shook his head but didn’t comment. Smart man. She really didn’t want to hear that she couldn’t work. From anyone. The Winter Solstice and Anthony’s mating ceremony would be perfect. She didn’t care how much pain she was in. It was going to go on as planned. Period.

  Chapter Two

  “It’s broken.”

  Tiffany glared at Holt, who sat on the coffee table in her living room with her leg in his lap. “So, fix it.”

  The Healer shook his head. “It would be best to let it heal on its own.”

  Was he crazy? “I have a party to cater.”

  He worked his strong, masculine jaw while his bear flashed behind dark green eyes. Normally, Holt didn’t show any aggression. He was, after all, a born Healer. And a powerful one, even without linking to the Alpha’s magick. As the clan’s princess, Tiffany knew all too well that he could heal her broken bones.

  There was something primal about the male tonight. He seemed more protective, more on edge than she’d ever seen him. He let out a low growl. “I could set the bone, but the muscles need time. It’s best to let your bear do that.”

  She opened her mouth to argue, but her mother entered from the front door and sent Tiffany a warning glare. “Tiffany, don’t be stubborn. You have Kaylee, Connie, Nichole, and me here to help. Plus, we’ll get the boys to pitch in.”

  Tiffany sagged in her seat and folded her arms. Nothing was going to work out as she’d envisioned. Once you got too many cooks in the kitchen, all hell broke loose. Too many ideas and changes. Focusing back on Holt, Tiffany smirked. If the Healer wouldn’t do his quick fix, then he was going to help her in the kitchen. That way, her sisters-in-law and mother could help with decorations and other minor details.

  “Okay, Mom. You, Connie, and Nichole can help with party specifics and setup. Holt will be helping Kaylee and me with the food.”

  Holt’s grip on her thigh tightened slightly before he met her stare, terror lighting up his gaze. “I can’t cook.”

  “Can you follow directions and a recipe?”

  He glanced to her mom, then back to her. “Yes…”

  “Then it’s settled. Since I have to heal on my own and be off my feet for most of the next couple of days, then you are helping me with the food.”

  She held Holt’s gaze for several long seconds. The green in his eyes faded from dark to the light and back to dark again. Images of him naked right before he shifted into his black bear flashed in her mind. Heat rose up from deep within. She’d always thought the Healer was hot, but in that moment, he was so much more.

  He was her mate.

  Damn.

  His sage scent intensified as he leaned forward, apparently forgetting that they weren’t alone. Once his lips touched hers, she was lost. The whole world could crumble around them and she wouldn’t care. In that moment, all she wanted was him, deep inside of her.

  When she moved her leg, intending to wrap both of them around his hips, pain chased all sensual desires away. She hissed, holding back a scream. Holt was quick to soothe the pain by wrapping his large, strong hands gently around her ankle. Warm, electric pulses vibrated through her foot, ankle, and up her leg.

  Within moments, she felt better. A low growl from the doorway drew her attention. She turned her head and saw her brothers taking up the space. A moment later, Connie and Nichole pushed their way into the now cramped living room. Really? She’d broken her ankle. It wasn’t like she’d died. “Why don’t you call the rest of the clan? I’m sure we could squeeze them all in.”

  Her mom laughed but turned to her brothers. “Boys, you will handle all the lifting and get the tables and chairs and anything else Tiffany needs you to do. Right now, she needs to rest. Tomorrow we’ll get to work on the party.”

  Her mother shooed them out of the house. Before leaving, she turned to Tiffany. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Thanks, Mom.”

  Tiffany glanced to Kaylee, who sat quickly in a chair, watching them all. It looked like she felt out of place. Frowning, Tiffany asked no one in particular, “Want to make hot cocoa and s’mores?”

  Holt gently placed her now bandaged ankle atop a pillow on the coffee table. “I’ll start a fire in the fireplace.”

  “I’ll get the fixings for the s’mores. Nichole makes better cocoa than me,” Connie announced before the two females disappeared into the kitchen.

  Studying Kaylee, Tiffany smiled. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to drag you here to put up with my crazy family for the gods know how long.”

  Instantly, Kaylee relaxed and returned her smile. “Your family isn’t crazy.” Her smile faded and she averted her gaze to the fire Holt was starting. “At least you have a family.”

  Tiffany’s heart ached for her friend. “I thought you had an aunt you were close with.”

  Kaylee shrugged. “We’re not as close as I pretend to be.”

  Just then, Connie and Nichole entered the room with their loot. The smell of chocolate was heavenly. Even though Tiffany wanted to tell everyone to leave so she and Kaylee could talk more, she knew that the human needed to be around friends. And if she thought she didn’t have family, she was mistaken. Tiffany had included her in her family the moment they’d met. Kaylee just didn’t know that yet.

  Holt stood and faced Tiffany, his features masked. “I’ll come by in the morning.” Then he left.

  Tiffany stared at the closed door for several moments. What the hell was that? Did he not feel the mating pull?

  Nichole sat beside her after placing the marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate on the coffee table. She patted her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “He likes you.”

  Tiffany straightened. “Who?”

  Connie laughed. “Holt. He couldn’t get out of here fast enough.”

  “What? Did you not just see that he rejected me?”

  Kaylee shook her head. “Even I could see he wasn’t rejecting you. He was fleeing.”

  “Yep, not to mention the huge erection he had.” Nichole laughed harder.

  Connie snorted. “Yes. The poor bear is probably heading to his house to take a cold shower.”

  Confused, Tiffany glanced back at the door. She had apparently missed something. Sure she’d felt the heat and passion that had ignited between them during the kiss. But if he’d felt the mating urge, wouldn’t he have wanted to act on it? “Why would he leave, then?”

  “Because he’s a male. We all know most males have commitment issues.” Connie prepped the marshmallows for the fire wh
ile Nicole topped off the cocoa with whipped cream and grated hazelnuts.

  “But he’s my mate.”

  Nichole handed her a cup. “Then we’ll help you snag him.”

  Chapter Three

  She’s my mate.

  Holt stepped out of the shower, tugged the towel from the rack, and wrapped it around his hips. He’d known Tiffany all her life. Sure, he’d noticed that she had become a beautiful woman. But he’d never felt the urge to mate with her until he’d looked into her blue eyes an hour ago.

  For a brief moment, their bears had connected. Then the tiny threads of a bond had appeared. When he’d kissed her… Fuck. He’d had to get out of there. Clear his head.

  The space between them and the long shower had only made the urge grow stronger. A growl rumbled from him. He ran a hand through his wet hair. What was wrong with him? He was no alpha male. As the Healer, he relied on his compassion and empathy to heal others. It wasn’t like him to turn into a protective, growling male.

  He crossed the living room and stopped mid-step when he reached the door on his way to the kitchen. Trey’s and Anthony’s scents reached his awareness a moment before a hard knock sounded from outside.

  After two strides, he jerked the door open. Anthony held up two twelve-packs, one in each hand, and grinned. Trey was the one who spoke. “We thought you might want some company and a beer or four.”

  Holt grunted and moved away from the doorway, allowing them entry into his home. The Healer’s home had always been an open door for the den, so he was surprised the males had knocked. “Why do you two think I need company?”

  Anthony put the beer in the icebox and laughed. “Unless that kiss you laid on our sister was a new healing technique, I’m guessing you will be joining the family soon. Of course, that means we have to put you through the third-degree before Dad gets to you.”