Lissa Matthews - Southern Shifters: Ink To Bear (Kindle Worlds Novella)

Text copyright 2015 by the Author.

This work was made possible by a special license through the Kindle Worlds publishing program and has not necessarily been reviewed by Eliza Gayle. All characters, scenes, events, plots and related elements appearing in the original Southern Shifters remain the exclusive copyrighted and/or trademarked property of Eliza Gayle, or their affiliates or licensors.

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Chapter One

Bex tapped the toe of her boot in a rhythm only she understood. It barely echoed through the small bank office, but it kept her from getting up and pacing the floor. She wanted to sign the papers and get out of town. It hurt to come back. Her mom was gone. Her father had never been in her life. She had no one. And now, she wouldnt have her mothers bed and breakfast anymore either.

Now, Rebecca. Mr. Garnet started, Are you certain you want to go through with the sale? Youre not legally bound to take the first offer that comes your way.

I know, but theyre willing to pay what Im asking. I have no more ties to Bryson City. I just want this over with.

I wish we could compel you to stay. He smiled sadly. You and your mother will be missed.

Bex returned the smile. Thank you, Mr. Garnet. My mother was always very fond of you and your wife. You were both good to her.

She grew up here. None of us blame her for what happened with your father disappearing like he did. She didnt do anything wrong. If anyone did, it was him.

It didnt keep others from treating her poorly, Bex pointed out softly.

No, it didnt. Youre right. Small towns sometimes have more small minds than modern times should allow. But it didnt keep business away from her either. She ran a wonderful bed and breakfast and people who visited the area loved coming back. She was one of the reasons for that.

Bex knew that was true. Shed worked at the inn from the time she could walk on her own two feet until she left for college. Her mom had been so proud and had Bex known how sick her mom was, shed have never gone to Knoxville. Of course, thats why her mom had kept the cancer a secret.

She forced the sadness away. How long will it take for everything to go through processing? When should I receive payment?

About seven to ten business days. We have no holidays that will hold anything up on the banking end. Your portion of the sale will be deposited into your account then.

Bex sighed with relief. Thank you, Mr. Garnet. I appreciate your help with the sale.

My pleasure. Do you have plans for what youll do? Thats a sizeable amount of money. I can put you in touch with some investment people who

Im putting the money into a bed and breakfast in Dandridge, Tennessee.

Youre selling one to buy another one?

I am. Too many memories here. Too much sadness for me in that house. I couldnt keep it even if I wanted to. My mom would understand.

I do too when put that way. You just take care of yourself, Rebecca. And you come back to see me if youre ever in the area.

I will, Mr. Garnet. Thank you again. There was nothing more to say, nothing more to do, but Bex was hesitant, almost reluctant to leave the small office. If she did, then her old life would be officially over, her childhood officially gone, and her mother officially dead. Bex didnt want any of that to be real. She wanted to go back to the innocence when she knew nothing but the love of her mother.

She was all alone in the world. Shed never known her grandparents. Either set. The few friends her mother had said their condolences months ago at the funeral. There was no one for her to turn to, no one for her to cling to anymore.

She stood from her chair, numb on the inside and so cold she was afraid she might shatter if she took so much as one breath. She

Oh. Wait. I do have one more thing for you.

Her thoughts stalled and she clung to the words of Mr. Garnet as she would a lifeline. If she could postpone the breaking for even a few more minutes, she would gladly do so.

She watched mutely as the banker pulled open a desk drawer and withdrew a small, plain manila envelope and passed it to her. What is it? she asked softly.

The key to the door of the house. The new owners are having new locks installed later today and they thought you might like the original key to the old one.

Bex cried. One tear after another after another. She hadnt cried since she learned about her mothers cancer, not even on the day shed died. But now, an insignificant brass key had opened the flood gates and she couldnt seem to close them again.

She felt the tender, but insistent hand of Mr. Garnet urging her to sit in the chair shed recently vacated and she did. She lowered her head to her chest and the tears shed been holding for months, for so very long, poured from her eyes.

She wasnt loud about it. She didnt draw attention with any hysterics. She simply emptied her body of all the emotion left over from the last year.

Mr. Garnet never said a word. He just stood with his hand on her shoulder, offering what comfort he could and she was never more grateful for any kindness than she was for that small gesture.

He produced a box of tissues from somewhere and Bex was finally able to get herself together enough to take a few and wipe her cheeks and blow her nose. Im so sorry, she whispered hoarsely after a couple more moments passed.

You have nothing to be sorry for, dear. Nothing. You can stay here as long as you need. And if she let herself, shed hole up in the office, in a corner, and stay there until she rotted.

Thank you, but I should go.

This time when she stood, her hand clutching the envelope, she offered a weak smile for Mr. Garnet and left without another word.

In the cool mountain air, she took a deep breath. She was no pain this time. There was only stillness. Calm. A void she wasnt sure would ever be filled again and she couldn't really muster the energy to care.

A look to the left and a look to the right, she stepped off the curb and crossed the street to where shed parked her rental car. She had the key in the door when movement from the corner of her eye caused her to glance up.

Staring at her was the biggest, broadest man shed ever seen. Close cut black hair, matching beard, tattoos, muscular arms, and mirrored sunglasses, he sized her up the same as she did him.

He wore a tight fitting black t-shirt and she wondered if any shirt at all would fit him without looking as thought it was painted on. Jeans hugged his hips and thighs and motorcycle boots rounded him out as he leaned against a bike as sexy and big as he was.

He didn't wear the colors of any motorcycle club and for some odd reason, she was happy about that. It meant he wasnt loyal to anyone, a standalone.

She wanted to look away from him, but the mirrors shielding his direct gaze held her. What color were his eyes? Would they be black to match his hair? Brown? Bright blue? Gold? She told herself it was the curiosity that kept her rooted and stationary.

She didnt blink. She didnt move. She simply stared back, drinking him in as traffic flowed behind her.

It wasnt until the envelope holding the key dropped from her limp hand and settled next to her foot, that she managed to break the visual connection. She shook her head and stooped to pick up what shed dropped, only to find large boots entering her vision.

Bex stood slowly. At her full height of five foot five, the tip of her nose settled just above his heart.

Whats wrong, pretty girl? His gruff voice matched his appearance and Bex was mesmerized at the endearment as well as his ability to discern that there was anything wrong at all.

N-nothing.

He shook his head. Youve been crying. Why? He lifted a hand, but dropped it quickly without touching her. Who hurt you? he asked softly, but with a marginal edge to his tone. How she could tell anything about him was beyond her. She didnt know him and he didnt know her. And yet