Her Lost Bear: Thorne Bears, #3

By Clara Cody

Sam never thought he'd return to Wilder Lake or his clan. The secrets that his family holds were too much for him to bear, and too much to keep from Callie, his high school sweetheart. But when he finds out that the family's most dangerous secret has returned, he knows he must destroy it once and for all.
After Samuel Thorne, it took Callie years to pick up the broken pieces of her shattered heart. She swore never to let anyone hurt her like that again. The moment Samuel walks back into town, her life is thrown into chaos. A deadly accident forces Samuel to make a choice that will change both of their lives forever.
But there is a greater danger lurking in the shadows of Wilder Lake. A hunter who only stalks shifters, and has his eye on the newest member of the Thorne Bear Clan.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heather Baker
• Release date: Feb 22, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386563471

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CHAPTER ONE

Callie sat at the dinner table, chin resting on her palm. The flame flickered on the tall, white candle in the center of the table. Tyler was twenty minutes late. She would be mad, really she should be mad, but she couldn't help but enjoy the peace and quiet. It had been a long day at the library. Three groups of schoolchildren had come in and had been loud and exhausting. Apparently, people didn't teach children how to behave in libraries any more. And there certainly wouldn't be much quiet once Tyler came in.

Quiet, pensive, deep. None of these words would be used to describe her boyfriend. But he was okay. He could be a lot nicer than people realized, and he was good to her. He wasn't all bravado and ego like everyone in town thought. And, most importantly, he was safe. He couldn't hurt her. She didn't love him enough. Her sister Stacy would say that was sad, but Callie didn't see it that way. It was...comfortable. There was an ease to their relationship that could only come in the absence of passion.

She felt a tugging on her pant leg. She looked down to see Percy, her orange and white short-haired cat. Why hello, Sir Percival. She moved her seat back giving him some space to jump up. He leaped to her lap and nuzzled her chest, leaving a trail of cat hair on her black blouse. There was a good reason why she didn't usually wear black, even though was supposed to be slimming. Or so said her mother, every chance she got. Then again Callie had never been particularly insecure about her shapely form, despite the numerous unfavorable comparisons the woman made between her and her sister Stacy with her long legs and flat stomach. Black was a no-go color thanks to Percival. Whenever she left the house, she was always covered in cat hair, but at least if she was wearing something light like blue or white, it wasn't as noticeable. Plus, she looked good in light colors. They suited her pale skin and her auburn hair. Percival let out a soft, rolling purr as Callie scratched behind his ears.

The door opened and in came Tyler, oblivious as always. Hey babe, he said, laying a kiss on the top of her red hair. Get down, he said, shooing the cat off Callie's lap. No mention of the cooling dinner that was laid out and waiting. He sat down across from her. He was handsome in that boyish way that had driven the girls in high school crazy. He'd been a player back then. He settled a lot after they got together, though that never stopped him checking out other women in front of Callie. She let him think it made her jealous.

Want a beer? she offered, standing up. She slipped Percival a piece of meatball, an apology for letting Tyler shoo him away.

You read my mind.

She went to the fridge and grabbed him a bottle. You'll have to pick up more, there's only one left. She never drank the stuff, and only kept it for him. It was only fair that he supplied it.

They'd been together for a few years now. It took the whole town by surprise. No one expected Tyler, lady's man, all-star quarterback, to end up with shy, reserved Callie Carter, but it worked. They balanced each other in a pleasing way. He was outgoing, assertive, and he liked all the attention and focus to be on him. She was the opposite and more than happy to let him take the limelight.

You're the best, babe.

She poured herself a bit of wine while she was at it. I was thinking about the move.

Oh?

He'd been after her in the past few months to move in together. Who would believe that? That it was the gorgeous, macho guy trying to get the girl to settle down. But there it was. She liked her space though and never really saw a reason for it. But then, he'd gotten a job in New York and suddenly, the idea of living together didn't seem so bad. He didn't start for another four months, but the move was practically all they talked about. She'd never lived anywhere else, and she was excited to see the city.

I think we should get one of those studio apartments. Wouldn't that be cool?

Do you know how much those things cost? he said through a mouthful of spaghetti. It's a fortune.

Oh, come on, you'll be— She was cut off by her cell phone. It's Stacy.

He scoffed. Impeccable timing, as always.

She answered without a second thought. What's up?

I need a favor! Music roared in the background along with the consistent rumble of bar chatter. Stacy was at work at the bar. She worked for Jason Thorne, the eldest of the Thorne boys. Josh Dobbie just puked all over my shirt. Can you bring me a new one?

What? You got puked on? Stacy was always going on about how boring working at a library would be, but at least she didn't get barfed on. Jason can't give you five minutes off to run home and change?

He's not here tonight, she said with a scoff. I'm on my own with Dana, and it's busier than we thought it'd be.

Jason isn't there? That didn't sound right. Jason Thorne lived and breathed for that bar. Sure, he had a kid now, but still. She had never known the bar not to have at least one of the Thorne boys in it. Sure, Dana was a Thorne, too, but she was only there occasionally.

No, he's not around. For once. I thought it'd be nice to have a night without the boss, but it's booming.

Where is he? God, I hope nothing happened to Elise or the baby.

No, they're fine. He just went to visit Samuel.

Callie's stomach dropped like a rock. Samuel. She didn't want to hear any more. Give me a few minutes. I'll stop by your house and pick up something.

Okay. Make sure it's cute. There's a hot out-of-towner I might want to try my luck at.

Callie laughed. Yeah, yeah.

What did she want? Tyler asked. Clearly, he hadn't been listening at all.

Someone barfed on her. She needs a change of clothes. Callie stood, grabbing her purse from the counter. I'll be back in twenty minutes.

You're leaving, now? I just got here. I thought we were having a nice dinner?

Of course, now that her sister needs her, he's suddenly concerned with the dinner she made. It's cold, anyway. Since you were twenty minutes late.

Fine, he said, twirling another forkful of spaghetti on his fork. Clearly, he wasn't going to wait for her to get back to eating. Not that it mattered much. Can you stop and pick up more beer on the way home?

Sure.

Her sister Stacy. The only hitch in their little relationship. Stacy and Tyler couldn't seem to stand each other for some reason. Stacy was convinced that Callie could and should do better. But why? Callie always asked. What's the point? We're comfortable. Better yet, he's not going to hurt me.

Plenty of women in his past would say differently.

She would just shrug. "That's them. He can't hurt me. That's why it's perfect."

Callie made a quick run to her sister's apartment and took her time finding a cute shirt. It wasn't that she wanted to leave her sister hanging, wearing a gross puke-stained shirt. She just didn't exactly buzz with excitement over going to the bar. She hated it there, hated being around the Thornes, even if they barely knew she existed. She knew all about them, though. Too much for her liking. And it was a painful reminder. Samuel. It had been years, but the memory hurt just as much today as it did then. It was just too much. Sean and Samuel looked so much alike, though they were very different. Sean was all broody and glarey, while Samuel had always been quiet, sweet, and pensive. The old saying still waters run deep always came to mind whenever she thought of Samuel. Bastard.

Eventually, she found the perfect shirt and just couldn't put it off any more. She headed to the bar.

Thank God! Stacy shouted the moment she walked in. I thought I was going to die if I had to marinate any more in this nasty thing.

Hey, Callie, Dana said, with a nod. She was one of two Thorne sisters. Callie was surprised she even knew her name.

Hi, she answered.

Come on. Stacy took Callie by the hand and dragged her into the back room. They went through a pair of swinging doors, where Stacy stripped off her shirt. See that guy by the pool table?

Callie peaked out the little plastic window. Yeah? That's the guy?

Stacy nodded. He already asked for my number. He's cute, right?

Yeah. Cute. Her mind was on other things, though. She'd barely stopped thinking about him since Stacy had brought him up. She'd promised herself she wouldn't, but curiosity got the better of her. So why's Jason going to see Samuel? She tried to sound casual like she didn't care.

Ugh, I knew I shouldn't have said anything. She took a damp paper towel and started wiping off the residual puke from her chest.

What? I'm just wondering. Jason never leaves this place, and if Sean isn't here covering...well, that's extra weird.

Yeah, tell me about it. She held up the shirt that Callie had brought her, looking it over. Oh, good choice. My rack looks great in this shirt. Even if I don't get laid, I'll get some serious tips.

Callie just nodded as her sister pulled a shirt on over her head. Mmm, hmm.

How's it look?

No one could resist you in that shirt. It was true, Stacy was gorgeous. All the guys always fawned all over her. All except one. Samuel. But that had been a long time ago. Before he left and broke her heart.

Stick around, Stacy said pushing the door open. I'll take my break, and I owe you a beer.

Make it a glass of wine, and you have a deal. She supposed she should be getting home, especially after leaving Tyler in the middle of dinner. But he would be done by now and perched in front of the TV watching hockey. He wouldn't notice if she took an extra twenty minutes to hang out with her sister.

Stacy joined her in the corner table a few minutes later, carrying a glass of red wine and a beer. I hope the house red is okay. If not, too bad.

I'm sure it's fine. She took a sip of the wine and nodded.