Beary And Bright (Fire Bear Shifters 6) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to jump out of a plane.”
    “Right?” Riley said, slapping her knee in agreement. “Hunter keeps telling me that you just get used to it, but I think he’s out of his mind. I would pee my pants if someone told me to jump from the door of an airplane.”
    Clara laughed. “Well, I hope joining the clan as a shifter doesn’t involve any sort of initiation jump.”
    “I’m sure it won’t,” Riley said with a smile. “Hey, why don’t you come meet everyone tonight? We’re having a big barbecue and it will be a great chance to get to know the clan. Plus, there will be a lot of beer and wine. And pie. Lots of pie, if you aren’t sick of it by now.”
    “I think it’s going to take a long, long time for me to get sick of these pies. Your recipes are so good. But do you really think it’s okay if I come? Maybe I should get permission from your alpha first.”
    “Ian won’t care,” Riley said. “I’m not kidding when I say that he’s pretty much the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. The only thing he really worries about is exposing the clan as shifters to the humans in Red Valley. But, since you’re a shifter yourself, that’s obviously not a concern.”
    “Okay,” Clara said, nodding her head. “If you’re sure it’s okay, I’d love to come out. I have to admit, living in a motel room by myself has started to get to me. It’s a pretty lonely existence.”
    “Definitely come out, then. You won’t be lonely with the Burning Claws Clan around, I promise. They’re a great group. I can give you a ride, since I know you don’t have a car right now.”
    Clara grinned. “Alright, I’ll come,” she said as she handed the last pie to Riley to put in the oven.
    And I hope Carter is still working there when I get there ,” she silently added to herself.

Chapter Five
     
    Carter was still working when Clara arrived, but he didn’t seem to notice her presence. She was disappointed, although she wasn’t sure why. He had barely noticed her in the pie shop earlier, so what made her think he would suddenly be excited to see her when he was in the middle of hammering away at a wall? Clara did her best to push him out of her mind. Sure, he was drop dead gorgeous, but other than that, she barely knew him. There was no sense in pining over someone just because he was good-looking. For all she knew, he had a wife or girlfriend waiting for him at home. She felt foolish for even thinking that someone as handsome as Carter would be available.
    Clara focused her attention on meeting the Burning Claws Crew. As Riley had promised, everyone treated her like a long-lost friend. Riley had already called ahead and given Ian a quick overview of Clara’s story, and he welcomed Clara warmly, telling her that she had nothing to worry about here: none of his clan had ever heard of the Blizzards or the clan wars, and he wasn’t interested in harming a female shifter who had taken no part in the bloodshed, anyway.
    Ian’s lifemate, Charlotte, offered Clara a glass of wine in a red Solo cup, and then took over the task of introducing her to everyone.
    “You’ve already met Riley. This is her lifemate, Hunter. Luke is standing next to Hunter with his lifemate, River, and behind them are Trevor and Bailey. Zach is at the grill, but you’ve already met him. His lifemate, Mindy, is across the grass over there, kicking a soccer ball with their little girl, Sophia.”
    Clara felt her head spinning as she tried to remember all of the names. “I hope there’s not going to be a pop quiz on who’s who at the end of the evening,” she said.
    Christine laughed. “Don’t worry, there’s no quiz. But you’ll catch on quickly, anyway. It’s a lot all at once, but everyone is such a character and has such a unique personality that you’ll have them sorted out in no time.”
    Clara took a seat at one of several picnic tables near the grill, and was soon joined by the other women of the clan, who were all interested in meeting a female