Perfect Mate by Jennifer Ashley Read Free Book Online

elevations.
    “Bears don’t ski.” Cormac laughed, a warm sound that filled the truck. “But I’d love
     to see it. Wouldn’t
that
video go around the Internet?”
    “Don’t be stupid.” Nell growled because she wanted to laugh. The vivid picture of
     Shane, in his bear form, his Collar around his neck, skiing downhill with poles and
     everything—maybe a little woolly hat on his head—flashed through her thoughts. Knowing
     Shane, he’d wave a big bear paw at her as he went by.
Look at me, Ma!
He’d always been such a show-off.
    Nell folded her arms over her chest and pretended to be grumpy. “You haven’t told
     me exactly where we’re going.”
    The pickup bumped over ruts, the piles of snow on the side of the plowed road growing
     larger as they climbed. “Cabin that belongs to Eric’s mate. Iona said if we needed
     to get away and be alone, I could grab the key from her and come up here anytime.
     I like her.”
    “Yes, Iona is very generous.”
    Cormac looked sideways at her. “You know, someday, you’re going to break down and
     enjoy yourself.”
    “I enjoy myself all the time. I’m the queen of enjoying myself. Driving up the mountain
     in a deep freeze while I’m wearing a small dress isn’t my definition of enjoyment.”
    “You’re a bear, Nell. You love the cold. Don’t tell me you don’t miss northern winters.”
     He let his hands relax on the wheel, head back on the headrest. “Snow like a layer
     of cloud, unbroken, untracked. Stillness so vast you can hear snow sliding from a
     tree branch two miles away. Curling up in a den in blissful solitude, warm and safe,
     while the world falls silent around you. I love hibernation—great time to catch up
     on reading.”
    Nell did remember the emptiness of the land in northern Canada, the cold that destroyed
     and yet was beautiful at the same time. She’d lead Shane and Brody through the winter
     wonderland, where they’d ice fish and then cook it in the little brick house they’d
     built themselves. In spite of Nell having no mate to help her out, there still had
     been some good times. Her sons were bundles of love, and as little cubs, they’d been
     adorable.
    They still were adorable, and didn’t they get embarrassed when she said so?
    Cormac left the main road behind and drove along a half-plowed road, his tires spinning
     a bit about every ten yards. He finally pulled into a clearing, parked in front of
     a cabin with large windows and a deep porch, and turned off the truck. All was darkness
     and silence. Peaceful.
    Nell followed Cormac into the cabin, where he adjusted the heat settings and built
     a fire in the fireplace.
    The cabin had a large living area and one bedroom downstairs, and a second floor with
     two doors—bedrooms with a bathroom between them. She knew that Eric and Iona often
     drove up here for privacy, which was hard to come by in Shifter houses, and he invited
     others up here when they needed quiet time, but Nell had never come. This was Eric’s
     territory, and Nell wouldn’t invade it.
    Apparently, Cormac had no such worries. He coaxed the fire to start, then rummaged
     in the refrigerator and freezer, finding beer, water, and plenty of frozen dinners.
    “Iona keeps the place well stocked,” he said admiringly.
    “Iona and Eric come up here a lot, as do Cassidy and Diego, and Iona’s human family.
     In fact, I’m surprised to find the place empty.”
    “Eric said he’d keep everyone away.”
    Nell planted her hands on her hips. She opened her mouth to yell at him, then she
     exhaled, letting her body unclench. Why bother? Cormac and Eric had obviously planned
     this little excursion, probably had laughed about how Nell would react.
    “Eric is going to be picking his teeth out of the carpet for a long time,” Nell said.
    “Eric’s a good guy, for a Feline.”
    “Felines are sneaky,” Nell growled. “Too sneaky for their own good.”
    “That’s why I prefer bears.” Cormac came around