Protected by the Bear

By Vanessa Devereaux

This book was first published by Evernight Publishing in 2015
Chloe Davis doesn’t know a lot about planes but she knows there’s something wrong with the one that’s flying her from Texas to Montana. When it crashes and she’s trapped beneath an overhead bin, she doesn’t count on ever being found. Her rescuer, Ash McWilliams, isn’t only a doctor but a bear shifter too. When she goes into premature labor she knows she can’t risk going to a hospital because someone might find her. However, it seems it really is her lucky night because Ash has the perfect place for her and the baby to hide.
Ash feels the need to protect Chloe and her baby, but when she runs away, he knows the only way she’ll feel safe is to reveal the truth about himself and the rest of the Kalispell Shifters.
Can Chloe live with the group and keep their secret or will her impulsive decision be the end of them all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Palmquist
• Release date: Jun 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463710388

Vanessa Devereaux

Vanessa Devereaux is the bestselling author of erotic romances and erotica including Cater to Me, The Rake, Who's the Boss, and The Pleasure Room. She's also pens three ongoing series, Perfect Pairing, Big Sky County and Kalispell Shifters.

Book preview

Protected by the Bear

Kalispell Shifters

Vanessa Devereaux

Published by Coldstream Publishing at Smashwords

Copyright 2020 Vanessa Devereaux

Smashwords Edition, License Notes.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Thank You

Social Networks

Back to Top

Chapter 1

Chloe would be the first person to admit she had zero knowledge about planes, but she knew enough to sense something wasn’t right with this one. Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones kicking in yet again. There had to be something about impending motherhood that gave a woman a sixth sense about danger.

She patted her belly as the plane hit an air pocket and dropped lower yet again. The pilot hadn’t warned them this time and her stomach was still up where the plane had been flying just moments ago. She gave a dry heave and quickly took a sip of the ginger ale the stewardess had brought her an hour ago when they’d first hit some turbulence.

Chloe had chosen to sit in the back row of the plane. Not just because she’d heard it was the safest spot if it crashed, but back here not so many people would see her, maybe not even recognize her if any questions were asked sometime later. However, it meant she could see the other passengers to gauge how they were reacting to the suddenly rough ride. Were they just a little scared like she was?

The only other person she could see was man sitting in an aisle seat. He’d grabbed the armrest and his knuckles were pure white. Obviously, she wasn’t the only one that sensed something wasn’t normal about the flight. Chloe glanced outside the window. There was a lot of cloud cover, but through the wispy lined gaps, she could just about see ground somewhere down there. They had to be flying over Montana by now. The plane dropped lower again, but this time, the pilot’s voice sounded throughout the cabin.

Good evening, folks. We’ve hit some more bad weather. There’s an early season snowstorm hitting Western Montana, hence our very bumpy ride, which I fear will get even worse the closer we get to our destination. For your own safety and comfort, please remain in your seats and fasten your seatbelts for the remainder of our flight. Our estimated arrival time at Kalispell Airport is about thirty minutes depending on weather and other air traffic that might be delayed due to low visibility.

Chloe dug around in the sides of the seat trying to find the seatbelt straps, but hated that she had to put it around her belly. She’d been feeling sort of funny all day and had put it down to nerves. However, for the last hour or so, the baby had kicked and moved, bringing on a pain in her back and right side. She wondered if the baby sensed what was going on and even felt the plane moving up and down.

The plane literally shook as it passed through the clouds. Chloe glanced out, seeing the wings wobble and wisps of clouds shoot by the window like they were suddenly going too fast. The plane turned slightly and ventured lower. A stewardess approached her.

Almost forgot about you at the back here. You doing okay? she asked Chloe.

Chloe didn’t want to tell her she felt sick and her belly felt like it had a stitch. She might recommend they have a wheelchair or a doctor standing by at the gate, and the least attention she drew to herself, the better.

I’m fine.

You’re going to have to put the tray table up, but do you want to keep the soda?

Sure, if I could. My stomach’s still a bit unsettled.

That’s perfectly okay, she said, securing the tray with the clip on the seat in front. You’ll probably feel better once we’ve landed.

Chloe guessed she would. She took another sip of the soda as the plane ventured lower. Now she could see the ground covered in thick snow, and soon, white flecks were flying by the window.

The plane began to rock. The soda slopped onto her jeans. She put the cup down on the seat next to her. She held onto the armrests; positive she was going to vomit. The wing rattled so much that it looked like it was going to fall off. That something-isn’t-right instinct kicked in once again. She’d never been in a plane during a snowstorm, but she knew a plane shouldn’t shake this much.

The pilot’s voice filled the cabin again.

The snow’s a lot worse than we thought, but we’re going to take our chances at a landing and, sorry folks, but it’s probably not going to be a smooth one. Cabin crew, prepare for landing.

Chloe felt the plane drop some more and then it shook and shuddered with its surroundings suddenly turning pure white. She dug her nails into the armrest, hoping that she and the baby would make it out of here alive.

There was a thud and Chloe pitched forward. They were down on the ground, but were bouncing around way too much for this to be normal. She heard the usual thrust of the brakes being applied, but they didn’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, they were picking up speed like the pilot had decided to take off again. The lights in the cabin flicked and then everything went dark. All Chloe could hear were people screaming as they plane slipped and spun. This was bad. She’d picked the wrong plane to take her to the place where she’d give birth.

There was a thud and a bang, and soon the plane felt like it was spinning nonstop. She looked out of the window. There were lights—shit, car lights—and trees, too. One of the wings hit three cars as it skidded down what was obviously a road and not a runway.

Another bang and a pop and the wing hit trees and more cars before it sheared off, spinning them around. It seemed to slide and then bang—the back part of the plane where she was sitting broke away, spinning her around and around. The next thing she knew, the overhead compartment was breaking away. It struck her and all she remembered was a searing pain in her shoulder before she blacked out.

*****

Wake up, sleepyhead.

Ash pried open his left eye to see his cousin Bear standing over him. It took him a few minutes to figure out where he was. The hospital. He was on night duty, which meant Bear wasn’t supposed to be here. Was it already morning and had he overslept?

What are you doing here? asked Ash.

There’s been a really bad accident near the airport. Plane crash and lots of vehicles involved, too. They’re asking for all medical personnel to go to the scene and help out. Charlotte’s already headed there and I thought I’d come and get you.

Sure, but who’s going to look after the hospital while I’m gone?

The nurses can handle things.

Ash sat up and rubbed his eyes before standing.

I’m going to head to the truck so come and join me as soon as you’re ready. You’re going to need a coat because it’s snowing like crazy, said Bear.

He’d been away from Montana for five years and had forgotten how quickly the weather could change. It had been a clear, sunny day when he’d entered the hospital that afternoon. The best thing was living in a valley surrounded by mountains meant that the weather could just as easily shift back from heavy snow to brilliant sunshine in a matter of hours.

He turned on the tap in the sink and leaned over, splashing his face with cold water. That had always helped wake him when he’d been a resident in the ER and had worked the night shift.

Ash grabbed his coat and headed out the door. Snow immediately pelted his nose, eyes, and lips. He glanced down at his feet. He had his running shoes on, but as yet hadn’t bought any new winter footwear. It had been on his list of things to do, but work and looking for a place to rent had kept him busy.

Bear sounded the horn of his truck and rolled down the window. I have a hat, scarf, gloves, and a pair of my boots for you in the truck.

Ash ran toward him, almost slipping on the sidewalk. He got in beside Bear and saw the boots sitting by the seat. He took off his shoes and slipped them on, thinking how lucky he was that he and his cousin were about the same height and had near enough the same sized feet.

Bear moved up the dial on the heater, filling the truck with warm air.

Wow, I can’t believe how quickly this snow’s fallen, said Ash as Bear pulled out onto the main road.

Yeah, came in all of a sudden and caught even hardened locals unaware. Hannah sent some hot chocolate for you.

Ash picked up the mug in front of him, wrapped his fingers around it, and sipped. Did they say how many people are injured?

No, but I’m guessing since a plane and cars are both involved, the numbers are going to be high, and I expect some fatalities, too.

Will the other hospitals be able to cope? I mean, I doubt we can bring anyone back to our place.

No, we can’t do that, but we can help out, and hopefully people will assume we’re just doctors who heard the call and work in regular doctor’s offices.

Ash took another sip and then put his hand over the heat vent. Hannah and Sam tucked up okay?

Yeah, Hannah went to pick him up early from Liam’s place when she heard the storm was moving in.

Bear turned onto the road leading to the airport and Ash quickly saw the carnage set out in front of them. It looked a tangled mess and wasn’t helped by the glare of flashing blue lights from all the emergency vehicles.

Bear slowed down as a police officer approached the truck. He lowered the window.

Road’s closed sir,

I know, but we’re both doctors and we heard you’re looking for medical personnel to help out, said Bear.

Okay, park over on the shoulder there. They’ve set up a tent for medical folk, so someone in there should be able to tell you what they need.

Ash spun the scarf around his neck twice to secure it and then pulled on the gloves. Bear raised the hood on his coat and they both got out. The wind whipped snow into Ash’s face. It was getting dark, too, which meant things would be probably get tougher.

Over here, said Bear, pointing to the tent.

Ash was glad to be inside, although people were running back and forth and it looked plain crazy.