A Burn To Bear (Fire Bear Shifters Book 3) (9 page)

Later that week, River walked into The Sweet Crust to pick up an order of pies for her fantasy fiction book club. Luke and Trevor were sitting at their usual table, wolfing down slices of pie and mugs of steaming coffee. Almost every time River came to pick up pies, Trevor and Luke were at the restaurant. It’s a wonder they didn’t gain a hundred pounds each with all the pie they ate.

“Hey, babe,” River said as she walked into the shop. “Since you’re here anyways, can I get a hand with the pie boxes?”

“Of course,” Luke said. “In fact. I’ll come all the way to the library and help you carry them in there, too.”

“That’s really sweet, but you don’t have to do that,” River said.

“I want to,” Luke replied, kissing her on the cheek. “Riley, you’ve got River’s order ready?”

Riley nodded. “Yup. I knew she was coming, so they’re all stacked up on the end of the counter there. This one’s on the house, River,” Riley said, waving River away as she started to pull out her wallet.

“Really? Thank you, Riley, that’s so sweet of you. I’ll be sure to let the book club know about your generosity.”

Riley just gave River a wink in response, and River and Luke headed out for River’s Jeep with their stacks of pies.

When they got to the library, River headed for the conference room where the book club usually met. She stopped short in the doorway, however, and turned to give Luke a questioning look.

“What’s all this?” she asked. The conference table was covered in rose petals, and dozens of candles cast soft, dancing light across the room. Two wine glasses sat on the table next to a bottle of champagne.

Luke grinned and set down his stack of pies. Then he took the boxes of pies from River’s hands. “I pulled a few strings to get your book club pushed back an hour. Go, sit,” he ordered, pointing to the chair at the head of the long table. River did as she was told, and Luke started arranging the pie boxes very particularly. When he was done, he turned and looked at River again.

“River, the first time I saw you walk into Riley’s pie shop, I had a feeling about you. I knew you were different. I knew my life was about to change forever. I just didn’t realize quite how much. You’ve stood by me, even when I didn’t deserve it. You’ve opened my mind and heart to new experiences, and reintroduced me to the wonderful world of books. I could never thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. But I’d like to spend my lifetime trying. River, these pies are specially ordered for you. Come take a look.”

River stood up and walked over to Luke with a puzzled look on her face.

“Open the boxes,” Luke said.

River opened the first box, and in pretty pink icing across the top of the pie, was written the word “Will.” The second box had the word “you” written in the same pink icing.

“Luke? Is this going where I think it’s going?” River asked, her eyes widening as she looked across the table at him. He just grinned and shrugged, and River kept opening the boxes. Together, the words on the pies spelled out “Will you marry me, River?”

When River opened the last box, she put her hands over her mouth in disbelief, and then turned to look at Luke again. He had knelt down on one knee, and was holding up a sparkling diamond ring. It shimmered beautifully in the candlelit room.

“River, we shifters have something called lifemates and lifebonds. I can explain it all to you in more detail later, but in human terms, it’s sort of like getting married. And I’ve known for a long time that you’re my true lifemate. I want to marry you, and to spend the rest of my life with you. I hope you feel the same way. I can’t imagine living without you anymore. River, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” River shouted, almost before Luke finished the question. “A million times yes! This is the best surprise ever. What better proposal could I have hoped for than this—surrounded by books, pie, and the man I love? I literally could not ask for more.”

A huge smile spread across Luke’s face. He stood up and slipped the ring onto River’s finger, then gave her a warm kiss. “I love you so much, River.”

“I love you too, Luke,” River said, then held her hand up to admire the ring

A few moments later, River’s boss, Colleen, stuck her head into the room. “Sounds like your little plan worked, Luke,” she said. “I take it congratulations are in order for the happy couple?”

“I said yes!” River said, holding up her hand to show off the sparkling diamond on her ring finger.

“Good girl,” Colleen said. “I hate to say I told you so, but I did tell you to give him a chance, didn’t I?”

“You did,” River said, smiling over at Luke. “And I’m so glad I did. He was definitely a chance worth taking.”

Luke gave River’s hand a little squeeze, and River gave him a wink back.

“Alright, my new fiancé,” River said, “I think our first act as an engaged couple should be to taste test one of these pies.”

“See, I knew you were a smart girl,” Luke said.

He popped open the bottle of champagne, and he and River toasted the beginning of their new life over sparkling wine and strawberry pie.

FIRE BEAR SHIFTERS

Book One: A Blaze to Bear (Ian’s Story)

Book Two: A Spark to Bear (Hunter’s Story)

ICE BEAR SHIFTERS

Book One: Bearing the Frozen Night (Ryker’s Story)

Book Two: Bearing the Whiteout (Eric’s Story)

Book Three: Bearing the Midnight Sun (Tyler’s Story)

Book Four: Bearing the Black Ice (Alan’s Story)

Book Five: Bearing the Late Thaw (Neal’s Story)

Want to be the first to hear about new releases? Subscribe to my newsletter using the following link:

http://eepurl.com/bqH40T

I Bearpaw Promise I won’t spam you, ever! Just info on new and upcoming releases!

If you enjoyed this book, please take a moment to let me know by leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

There are bears walking among us. Sloane Meyers is devoted to telling their stories.

Sloane thinks we could all use a little escape in our lives. And what better way to shake up the ordinary than to transport yourself to the mysterious world of those who have an animal within them, roaring to be let out. Sloane promises hot shifter males, and spunky, spirited heroines—with NO cliffhangers! Each book can be read as a standalone.

When she’s not busy crafting bear tales, Sloane enjoys a good glass of wine, preferably shared with good friends. She loves reading, baking, and pretending that she’s actually a music buff. On weekends, she spends a lot of time in the great outdoors, hiking with her own sexy alpha and adorable little cub.

You can connect with Sloane at her website,
www.sloanemeyers.com
, or by Friending her on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/authorsloanemeyers
.