Bearly a Chance: A Second Chance Romance: Guardians of Espen

Prologue

❤

Benjamin Torben struggled to hide his excitement as he scooted closer to Aria. She’d suggested a date at Wild North Cuisine to celebrate his twenty first birthday. He’d agreed, but he had better plans for a present than anything she could get him. There was only one thing he wanted for his birthday. Her.

They’d dated throughout their senior year of high school and for the few years of college. Now they were on the verge of graduating, on the verge of a new life. Ben intended for them to step into that new life together. He couldn’t look away from Arias’ stunning blue eyes or her dimples when she smiled.

She murmured something about the restroom and then stood gracefully. Ben’s gaze locked on the sway of her hips, tracked her movement until the restroom door closed behind her. He couldn’t wait until she was his. Ben reached into his pocket, making sure that his gift for her was still there. His fingers stroked the soft velvet and he grinned when he imagined her reaction. One single word from her would make this the best damn day of his life.

He took another bite of his steak, trying to calm his nerves until she returned. He chewed, slow and steady, then with a trembling hand he raised his wine glass and sipped. The sweet drink didn’t ease his nerves. Instead, his stomach continued to twist until he almost cried out in pain.

Benjamin doubled over with a gasp and wrapped his arms around his stomach. It felt like something was trying to tear its way out of him. Fuck, not now. He struggled to breathe evenly.

In.

Out.

In.

Waited for the pain to fade. No luck. Not tonight, of all nights, he begged silently. Can’t be sick now. I’m twenty-fucking-one years old, out on a date with my dream girl. The woman I want to marry, and now this, his grumpy thoughts coursed circles in his mind.

Anger wasn’t enough to chase the pain away. Not this time. His hand still clutched the velvet box that had been secreted inside the hidden pocket of his vest. He’d pulled the box out, intending to surprise Aria when she came back from the bathroom. Now he held it like a life-line to the future he’d planned.

She’ll be fucking surprised I can’t hold my damn alcohol, he thought as he felt his stomach rebel again. He clamped his empty hand over his mouth, pocketed the ring box and tossed a fifty on the table then scuttled outside, hoping he’d make it off the sidewalk before the contents of his meal reappeared. If he’d felt a little more human on the way through the door, he’d have taken a moment to complain about the shitty meal giving him food poisoning.

Ben dragged himself along the front of the restaurant, and around the corner to the alley before all hell broke loose. The last thing he remembered before a raging inferno of pain consumed him—before his bones and body started to shift and pop—was a pair of cold violet eyes twinkling merrily at his distress. He thought they might have been set in the face of a polar bear, but rejected that theory in favor of food borne hallucinations. Ben let out an inhuman roar and jumped into the darkness that crowded the edges of his mind.

Forgetting would be so much easier than the alternative.

❤

Aria Fox skipped out of the bathroom, eyes scanning the restaurant for the man she loved. She wanted nothing more than to run her hands through his dark curls and whisper secrets in his ear. She’d had high hopes tonight, and the results of the test hidden in her purse only drove those hopes higher. A plus is always a good thing, she thought.

Aria was certain Ben would be over the moon when she told him they were expecting. But her hopes dimmed, then crashed and burned when she reached the table they’d shared only to find him gone.

Not even a chance to share dessert on his birthday, part of her mourned. The rest of her took her gran’s oft repeated advice to buck up and deal, girl. Spine straight, shoulders back she suppressed the tears and sobs she felt building like a storm inside. A cold glance at the table confirmed he’d paid their tab with tip to spare. Shuddering with emotion, Aria snagged her wrap off the back of her chair, flung it around her shoulders and stalked out into the night. She paced up and down the sidewalk for what felt like an eternity, hoping Ben would show, hoping it was all a mistake. She kept going back to his car, checking to see if it was unlocked. There was never a change. As the night wore on, dew settled on the car. Aria shivered in the chill air.

She tried calling nine-one-one to report Ben missing. But they wouldn’t take her seriously. He hadn’t been gone long enough to be considered ‘missing’ according to the dispatcher. A part of Aria was worried sick for him. But the rest of her was just plain pissed that he’d left her stranded here.

When the rays of the rising sun gilded the streets of Aurora, she finally admitted Ben had left on purpose, without a word. Had abandoned her, and her baby. If something nefarious had befallen him, the cops would have found him by now. Especially in a city of less than four thousand inhabitants.

She steeled her nerves and her spine to face the future as a single mother, then stalked to their apartment, cursing her traitorous heart for ever believing in love. A sharp rattle in the alley as she passed set her pulse racing. Ben? A quick glance revealed two sets of eyes focused on her. The creatures’ eyes flared gold in the reflection of the rising sun, then winked out. Damn coons. For a moment she’d hoped it was Ben. But no, she’d have to figure out this parenting thing on her own, dammit.

CHAPTER ONE

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Somebody subtracted two, Aria thought as she drove past the sign. ‘Espen, Minnesota. Gateway to the North. Population 523.’ She’d never intended to return to this tiny north woods town she’d once called home. The rest of the populace liked their little haven too much to leave. Liked it so much she was surprised they’d even realized Ben vanished and she ran. If it weren’t for Faith, she wouldn’t be pulling into Gran’s drive, wouldn’t be running home for help. Aria was afraid of the memories that would haunt her here, but the fear of failing her girl overrode everything else.

Her daughter’s future rested on the answers hidden here, here where it all began, where nothing and no one would let Aria forget. Aria trudged toward Gran’s front porch, shoulders bowed under the weight she carried. Baby Faith rested on one hip, arms wrapped tight around Aria’s neck for stability. Their only suitcase dangled from her other hand. Because of the overstuffed bulk and oversize nature of the bag, Aria had to literally drag it up Gran’s rough-hewn log stairs one tread at a time. Faith giggled wildly with each resounding thump, echoing Aria’s tired count as they surmounted each step.

One. Thunk. Giggle-filled echo.

Two. Thunk. Shrieks of baby laughter and chubby pounding fists leaving bruises in their wake.

Thankfully, on the third thunk the front door opened. Gran stood tall and willow-tough in the doorway. She seemed spry as ever, and Aria was grateful for her beaming welcome.

Let me help you, honey. Gran reached for Faith. Aria sighed when her two year old’s eyes grew round and worried. She watched closely, praying that this time the babe would stay calm, or at least calm enough. A flash of quick-silver tracked across the toddler’s worried gaze when her eyes met Aria’s.

Shh, sweetheart. Momma’s got you. This is Grandma Tori. Remember? Grandma Tori Fox. You talked to her on the phone. Faith’s nod eased the butterflies fluttering in Aria’s stomach. Gran’s going to help us find our room. Would you like that?

Faith’s slow nod and the fading silver in her eyes hinted that this time the baby would be able to contain herself.

I’m sorry I scared you Faith. Gran leaned down so she was at eye level with her great grand-daughter. Aria always felt a bit miffed that Gran was a good six inches taller than her own five feet. She wished desperately she could be more like her strong, courageous Gran instead of taking after her own mother as much as she did.

At least I’ve got strong down. Strong, for Faith.

Aria was fascinated by the unspoken conversation underpinning the words that flowed between Gran and Faith. Gran had always had a way with babies, and Aria was desperately counting on that instinct to help keep her wayward cub in hand. From the looks of things, Faith’s secret could stay secret for a bit longer. At least long enough to unpack and get settled into their new home. It was hard to believe they’d had to retreat to this hamlet secreted amongst the pines. Aria had been desperate to escape this refuge just three short years ago, desperate to leave behind the overly sympathetic glances, and the whispered comments that followed her everywhere. But three years had been enough time for life to throw a hell of a curve ball at her, and Aria didn’t have anyone else to turn to for help.

Gran talked Faith out of her mom’s arms with the solemn promise of milk and cookies and a play room of her own. Aria felt a wide grin stretch her weary face as gran worked her magic. It was like a weight lifted off Aria’s shoulders. She savored the sweet picture of Gran holding Faith’s chubby hand and guiding her toddling steps toward the homey kitchen table. Aria trusted Gran to keep her unflappable calm when the inevitable storm that had sent them running home finally broke. Based on previous experience and the quick-silver that hovered in her baby’s eyes it wouldn’t be long at all.

Aria dragged the heavy suitcase up the log stairs to the guest bedroom. The room was cozy, as it had always had been. The outer walls were solid logs, but the interior walls were all girl, and painted in delicate floral lace patterns. That was new. She could tell Gran had put some time into making the place nice for them. Sheer pink curtains floated on the breeze, and the bed was made with the fluffiest, most feminine quilt Gran owned. The one mom had made for Aria as a baby gift; the one that ended up being way too big and way too pink for tiny newborn Faith.

That quilt belonged in this room more than it had ever suited Aria’s apartment. A portable play pen stood in the corner. It was also pink, decorated with an adorable gray fox motif. A part of Aria sighed, grateful the foxes weren’t bears. If they had been, she’d have wondered anew at Gran’s intuition. Aria settled the case on the carved oak trunk at the foot of the bed, then dashed out the door and across the hall to check out Faith’s play room.

Gran had agreed to convert the study into a sturdy toddler play area, despite obvious misgivings and comments that ‘babies need their own bedroom, too’. Aria couldn’t take the chance of Faith changing unsupervised. At least all the toys in the play room were high quality. Mostly hardwood; blocks, a sturdy doll house with a matching family of wooden dolls, a desk and an easel. Faith wouldn’t want for anything as long as Gran had a say.

Not anything but a daddy, Aria scolded herself.

A daddy, and someone to help her control her other nature. Memories of Ben flashed across her mind, but she shooed them away. Men who cared didn’t vanish into thin air for years. With a final glance of approval at the playroom, Aria shut the door and headed down stairs towards the kitchen.

Aria couldn’t help but pause in the wide doorway that set the dining area apart from the living room. Faith chattered away in baby talk. She was perched at the table, secured in a refurbished antique wood high chair. Gran had taken Aria’s ‘no plastic’ warning damn seriously from the looks of things, Aria certainly wouldn’t have to worry about splintered plastic hurting her babe. But then, Gran had always had a soft spot for natural furnishings. She’d had to, to raise two daughters and a son in this hand built cabin. Aria stroked the carved hardwood trim around the door absently as she watched Gran work her magic with Faith.

Gran sat beside Faith, portioning out a chocolate chip cookie between them. Aria’s heart warmed at the trust she already saw in her baby’s eyes. Gran passed Faith a toddler-sized bite of cookie, and on the count of three they dunked their cookie pieces into the cup of milk that sat between them. Drops of white splashed across the table to join an older set, indicating that this ritual had happened at least once before. Faith chattered nonstop, even after she’d jammed the soggy cookie into her mouth. Sometimes a recognizable word or two found its way into the flow of sounds, but the rest was pure Faith-speak. At least until she spied her mom watching.

Mama. Me cookie. Me, Faith grinned wide and held out a fistful of soggy cookie crumbs.

Yes, Faith. You cookie, Aria answered as she took a seat on the other side of Faith. Aria spied a dish towel hanging off the oak cupboard door behind her and snatched it up to wipe up the spilled milk. She couldn’t bear to let Faith ruin the last piece of furniture Gramps had made for Gran before he died.

Mama, cookie. Faith insisted and then shoved that fistful of soggy cookie at Aria’s mouth. Aria wasn’t quite fast enough at opening wide and the tot’s fist connected with a solid smack to her lip.

Ouch, Faith. Aria clamped her hand over her rapidly swelling lip. Careful please. Mommy ouchies. Aria repeated. Gran’s wide blue eyes were startled.

Aria, you’re bleeding. Gran said. Aria nodded, applying pressure as best she could to her injured lip.

It’s not a big deal. Accidents happen. Aria muttered past her hand.

Let me get you an ice pack. Gran suited action to words and in half a minute had passed her an ice pack wrapped in soft flannel cloth. The cool ice eased the pain and swelling. But the damage was already done.

Faith’s eyes were wide. Wide, and filled with quick-silver.

No way Gran’s going to miss that.

Shhh, baby-girl. It’s okay. Momma’s alright baby, Aria soothed. She ignored the pain talking caused and reached out to gently stroke the babe’s blond curls, hoping to sooth the beast that raged inside her child.

Please get it under control, baby, Aria begged wordlessly as she continued stroking Faith’s hair and making shushing sounds. But it didn’t seem like it was going to be enough, the quick-silver wasn’t fading like it should.

Then Gran intervened. She gently removed Aria’s hand from the distraught babe with a silent, but firm, shake of her head. Then she turned the high chair to face her until Gran and Faith were eye to eye, practically nose to nose. Aria couldn’t believe that Gran wasn’t startled by the change in her great-granddaughter. But Gran was pure focus. Her bright blue gaze locked onto Faith’s silver one, and then she made the strangest sound Aria had ever heard an adult human make. It sounded like a cross between a yip and a bark, and Faith’s reaction was instantaneous. Her curls bobbed as she tilted her head first to one side, then the other. Her little mouth pursed, almost like she was blowing kisses to Gran.

What the hell is going on? What is Gran doing, and why? Aria fought for calm, and tried to memorize every move Gran made. Whatever she was doing,