Imprinted: A Lorimar Shifter Novella

By Melanie P. Smith

When two worlds collide... can they resist temptation? Willow Grayson is looking for a new start. Gavin Lorimar just wants to be left alone. When their worlds collide, they get more than either of them bargained for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MPSmith Publishing
• Release date: May 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463021101

Melanie P. Smith

Melanie P. Smith went to Dixie State College and the University of Phoenix where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. She also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Negotiation from the University of Utah. She worked for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office for over 26 years. Most of that time was in the Special Operations Division where she worked closely with the SWAT Team and The Child Abduction Response Team coordinating communications and logistics. She also worked closely with Search & Rescue, The Mounted Posse, K9 and the Motorcycle Squad. Melanie has been able to utilize both her knowledge of police operations and business practices to make her novels fun and exciting.

Book preview

Imprinted

A Lorimar Shifter Novella

by:

Melanie P. Smith

Book Description

When two worlds collide... can they resist temptation? Willow Grayson is looking for a new start. Gavin Lorimar just wants to be left alone. When their worlds collide, they get more than either of them bargained for.

Copyright © 2019 Melanie P. Smith

Edited by LaPriel Dye

First Edition

No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the Author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All trademarks are the property of their owners and are acknowledged by the proper use of capitalization throughout.

www.melaniepsmith.com

Dedication:

To Lori. My sister, my friend and my favorite story-teller

who always loved a good fantasy.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Author Links

Chapter One

Willow made the turn onto the long, dusty pathway that led to her family’s rustic cabin. The instant the ancient building came into view, her entire body relaxed. The tension she hadn’t been able to escape in her shoulders, neck, and arms vanished completely. A smile spread across her face as she slowly maneuvered the car across the grass-filled meadow and shut down the engine. Home at last!

The structure had been large for its time, and cozy. A remnant of wilder days — simpler days. Her great, great, great grandfather had constructed it with his own hands. He labored for months, cutting down the ancient pines and carving them into smooth, sleek logs. The horizontally-stacked wood interlocked with expert precision and was secured with huge dowels. Relief set in as Willow realized it was still as sturdy today as it had been a hundred years ago. The porch needed a little work. Years of rain, sun, and snow had rotted the thin wood and she could see, even from here, all three steps were cracked and unsafe. She’d have to replace the wooden planks that made up the front stairs, but the necessary repairs would be minor.

She climbed from behind the wheel and stepped into the uninhabited, open wilderness. It was chilly and a little breezy at this altitude. The mountain cabin rested on land that was over ten thousand feet in elevation. Willow slowly turned to take it all in. She’d always thought of the cabin as magical — a majestic, mystical oasis. She hadn’t remembered how beautiful it was... and serene. A soft wisp of wind fluttered over her naked skin and tingled as it skittered across her arm, ruffling the fine hairs. She absently brushed her hand over the bare skin, reached into the back seat, and pulled out a light jacket. The sun was shining directly above her, the heat beating down in direct contrast to the chill. She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the warm rays as they coated her cool face.

Willow inhaled deeply and a contented smile spread across her face as she smelled the sweet aroma of wild flowers intermingled with the tangy scent of pine. She could hear birds chirping in the distance and a squirrel rustled around in the leaves looking for treasures to eat, or gathering supplies to fortify a cozy nest in a nearby tree. Willow didn’t know but she smiled at the thought and the last of her pent-up stress fell away. She would never have to endure the chaos or the noise of the city again. No more traffic, stale garbage, or the stifling bone-chilling smog that covered the air every morning. This is where she belonged. If she never stepped foot in San Francisco again, she’d be a happy woman.

With a smile and a little regret, she moved back to the car. She’d have plenty of time to be carefree and enjoy the great outdoors. Right now, she needed to unpack the car and prepare the bedroom.

*****

Several hours later, Willow grabbed the styrofoam container that held her dinner and headed for the wooden swing attached to the front porch. As she settled in, the rusted chains whined and complained. She considered heading back inside to retrieve the tiny can of oil she spotted in the utility closet but rejected that idea almost immediately. She’d oil and clean the old chain tomorrow. Tonight, she wanted to relax — needed to.

She was exhausted from traveling — and cleaning. The drive from California to Utah would have been easy if she’d stopped halfway for a break. She hadn’t. She’d been anxious and excited to see the place again. It wasn’t until she arrived that she realized her mistake — the condition inside the cabin was unlivable. It hadn’t been used in over three years and the thought of settling in on the dust filled mattress was more than she could take, even for one night. Instead, she pulled it from the bed, stood it on its side, and pounded out the dust with a broom for nearly twenty minutes. Once she was satisfied, she settled the mattress back on the box springs, applied fresh sheets, and laid out the bedding she brought with her. She had intended to call it a night after that but, when she spotted the mess she’d made, she couldn’t. She immediately went to work cleaning the floor, dusting the large dresser, and ultimately gave