Bearly a Chance: A Second Chances Romance by Alana Hart, Sophia Barron Read Free Book Online Page A

things.
    ***
    Aria struggled to stay still. She was certain from the way Gran snuggled Faith that the tot was under control, at least for now. And she had one hell of a bone to pick with their rescuer. A bone three years and a ton’s worth of heartache in the making.
    Movement caught her attention for a moment. Delilah knelt carefully in front of Aria, blocking her view of Tori’s injured leg. Tori pulled Faith up against her chest until the girl’s pudgy cheek rested against her shoulder. Aria was surprised that Faith snuggled up into the new position without protest. But her serious gaze seemed to follow every motion Delilah made. Tori’s soft sigh hinted at pain eased, and a moment later Del stood and brushed her pants off.
    “Punctures are deep, but clean. No vital nicks or tears. That poultice will keep the wounds disinfected while your shifter healing does its thing.”
    It felt like a mountain had been lifted from Aria’s shoulders with Del’s words.
    Gran would be okay.
    This time, but what about next time? Goosebumps trailed down her arms at the dark turn her thought had taken. But considering what she’d just witnessed maybe a little darkness was necessary.
    “Can you walk, Gran? Or should I go get my car?” Gran barely glanced Aria’s way before returning her focus to Faith. Tears still trickled down her baby’s cheeks, and she still whispered the words ” sorry, sident, sorry” over and over. Gran hugged her close, stroked her blond curls and whispered back to her. Aria wanted nothing more than to scoop Faith up and cuddle her, but from the way she was clinging to Gran and apologizing over and over, she doubted Faith would be willing accept her cuddles. Aria couldn’t hear what Gran whispered back, but she was certain from the lightening expression on Faith’s face that it was pure love and encouragement lifting her daughter’s spirits. When the tears stopped, Gran finally answered Aria’s question.
    “I could walk, but it’d hurt pretty dang bad. Don’t thing that’s a good idea right now.” Gran tapped Faith’s back gently, emphasizing just why she thought it wouldn’t be good. “But I don’t want to wait on a car either.”
    Before anyone could say anything more Ben swooped in and lifted the pair up once again. Aria’s heart fluttered at the pained, helpless glance he shot her way before he spoke. “Where to?” His growly tone sent an entirely different sort of goosebumps shivering down Aria’s spine. Damn if he hasn’t gotten even sexier in the past three years.
    But she wasn’t sure she could forgive him for leaving her. And she really wasn’t sure she could forgive him for keeping his shifter ways a secret. She was however, more than prepared to accept any help he offered at this point.
    “My cabin, of course.” Gran gestured imperiously towards home. “Del, I think you need to join us for this trip.” Del’s slow nod convinced Aria the witch would rather not be present for the trip, but felt obliged to follow Gran’s orders. Aria just wished she could figure out why everyone deferred to Gran.
    “As you wish, Lady Vixen,” Ben said gently. He paused to plant a soft kiss atop Faith’s blond curls before heading towards the cabin faster than most unburdened people walked. Aria and Delilah struggled to keep up with the pace he set. Aria was almost positive she heard the witch chanting in a foreign language the whole walk home. Whatever she was saying, it must have had some effect on people, because the few people they passed on their ten-minute walk acted like there was nothing to see, as if the strange group were invisible.
    Aria couldn’t believe her eyes, she was seeing real magic in action. She glanced at Delilah, eyes wide, struggling to contain her fear. She could handle a bear shifter for a daughter, surely she could handle this. The witch nodded once, seeming to answer both the question and the fear that consumed Aria.
    Aria admired Ben’s gorgeous physique