The Bear's Baby

By Vanessa Devereaux

This book was first published by Evernight Publishing in 2015

Jenna Paxton lives by her late father's standards of what an attorney should and shouldn't do. She's also a woman with a ticking biological clock. She’s thinking of turning to IVF, but hangs onto the hope that any second Mr. Right will stroll through her door.

Brady Walsh is super rich, independent, and isn't ready to settle down. When he does choose a mate, she'll be a fellow bear shifter, not a human.

Brady is Jenna’s new client, and she knows he’s not the marrying kind. When they begin a sex only relationship, she knows she’s found the ideal baby daddy.

There’s something about Jenna that makes Brady forget all about not getting involved with a human, well that is until he finds out said human used him for stud purposes, and decides he never wants to see her again.

Can fate, or in Brady's case, his fellow shifters, make him see reason and accept that Jenna is his true mate?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Palmquist
• Release date: Jun 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463171738

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

The Bear’s Baby

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

Jenna glanced at her watch. She’d arranged to meet her new client, Brady Walsh, at 1:00 p.m., but her previous appointment had run longer than she’d planned.

Her father had always instilled upon her and her brother that it was better to be early than late when meeting a client, especially on a first appointment. It was a rule she still tried to follow. She pressed the accelerator just a little harder while hoping there weren’t any cops around. Starlight Café wasn’t far away, so she’d only be ten minutes late at the most. Surely her father wouldn’t have found fault with ten minutes.

She’d never met Brady in person before, although he had hired her for another case last month. In their previous telephone conversations, his voice always sounded so deep and sexy. Self-assured, too. She was sure he was a man who knew what he wanted, and somehow always seemed to get it.

The sign for the café was up ahead. Jenna indicted right and turned into the parking lot that it shared with both a book and craft store. Ever since a woman named Hannah had purchased it and revamped the menu, Jenna had heard good things about Starlight. She found a space at the side of the café, parked, and shut off the ignition.

She glanced in the rearview mirror. Her father had also taught her appearance and first impressions were essential in law. She fluffed her hair and smacked her lips together to make sure the lipstick she’d quickly applied before leaving the office still looked presentable. She grabbed her bag and exited the car. Snowflakes circled in the air. They’d had a warmer than normal fall, but she knew winter was just around the corner.

As she opened the café’s door, a bell tinged. Jenna stepped inside and smelled odors that reminded her just how hungry she was.

Hi. Table for one? asked a woman in her early thirties.

No, actually I’m here to meet with Brady Walsh.

You must be Jenna, she said, extending her hand. I’m Hannah McWilliams. Brady’s waiting for you.

Jenna took off her gloves and followed Hannah to the table. Five men dined in the café, but Jenna tried to figure out which one was Brady. She sensed he had dark wavy hair and broad shoulders. Only a man with those qualities would own the deep voice she’d heard on the phone. She spotted a man fitting that description, sitting by the fire tackling a Sudoku puzzle. The speed at which he filled in the numbers amazed her. His hand moved across the book like it was on fire.

Brady, said Hannah.

He looked up. Behind glasses, he had the deepest blue eyes she’d ever seen. Strong features, high cheekbones, and a cleft chin. Her knees went weak, her heart beat picked up, and her pussy did a happy dance.

Her father’s words rang in her head. Always keep it professional. Remember it’s business and your livelihood depends upon it.

Jenna’s here, said Hannah.

He pushed his glasses up on his head and stood while extending his hand. Ms. Paxton, or is it okay for me to call you Jenna?

She slipped her hand into his. Wow, her hands weren’t small by any description, but she felt lost in his palm. What would his hands feel like touching her body?

This is a client, Jenna. There will be no patronizing with people you’re paid to work for.

For some reason she couldn’t get her father’s words out of her mind today.

I can dream, can’t I?

What? asked Brady.

Holy cow, she must have said that out loud. Yes, please call me Jenna.

She still had hold of his hand or, did he have hold of hers? The latter was probably the truth.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, he said, pulling out a chair for her.

Jenna sat and then took off her coat. Hannah placed a menu down in front of her.

Can I get you something to drink while you’re looking that over? asked Hannah.

Sure, you have hot chocolate?

We sure do. Would you like whipped cream on the top?

Whipped cream. Yeah, why not. She’d almost given up on her diet anyway. Ski season was around the corner so she could burn off the calories then.

Perfect, said Jenna.

Hannah left and Brady was about to close his puzzle book.

It looks like you solve those easily, said Jenna.

I’ve always liked a challenge with numbers, so these are perfect for me.

Hannah arrived with the mug of hot chocolate and placed it down in front of Jenna.

I haven’t even looked at what I’d like to eat, said Jenna, opening the menu.

That’s fine, just take your time. However, I can recommend our special of the day, which is chili with our new herbed cheese bread.

Sounds tempting. Yes, sure, I’ll have that.

Make that two, said Brady.

I’ll put that order in straight away. Hannah walked away again.

Have you eaten in here before? Brady asked her.

Never. I did see a great review for it in the Kalispell Herald.

I haven’t eaten anything here that I didn’t love.

Jenna took a sip of her drink and put the mug back down.

Brady smiled and touched his nose.

I have whipped cream on my nose, right? asked Jenna.

He smiled again and nodded. Before she could open up her napkin and wipe it. He’d taken care of it by leaning over the table and swiping his finger over her nose. It tickled, causing her nose to twitch. They looked at one another, neither one saying anything until finally Brady broke the uncomfortable silence.

While we wait for our food why don’t we talk business? He took out a letter from his jacket pocket and slid it across the table to her. The City Council is insisting I stop work on my townhouse project so they can take soil samples and have them tested.

Jenna took the letter and read through it. Basically, it was ordering Brady’s company, Walsh Enterprises LLC, to halt work while they ascertained if the soil was contaminated. The letter stated that since work on the project had begun, residents in the area had reported foul and dark smelling water. Ten people had been treated with rashes and flu-like symptoms. She looked up at him. He had the glasses on again. She bet he was as smart as he was handsome.

Can they do that? he asked.

If enough people have complained about the water and gotten sick, then yes, they can. You probably know the state’s had some problems in places like Butte with leftover contaminants from the copper mining days. This could be the same problem happening in a different area.

So, there’s nothing you can do, no legal way around it?

I can look into this for you. I’ll be your legal representative and make sure they don’t procrastinate testing the soil and water. In fact, I think I’ll draft a letter outlining that you will comply, but if no contamination is found within a certain time frame, you’ll have the right to resume your construction.

Brady nodded. You have any idea how long these things take? I know red tape and councils often drag their feet when it’s not their money involved.

We’ll make it clear. I’ll outline parameters of what we will consider reasonable disruption for your business.

I like the sound of this already. I can tell I’ve made a good choice in picking you as my attorney for dealing with this matter.

Hannah arrived with the two bowls of chili. A waitress followed behind with a basket of the herbed cheese bread. As she sat it down between them, Jenna’s mouth watered. The bread was still warm and it made the smell of the herbs double pungent. The chili looked divine, too.

Enjoy your meals, said Hannah.

You mind if I keep this letter for my file? asked Jenna before folding it up.

Sure, and if you need more information or anything else, here’s my business card.

She ran her finger around the cute bear logo by the words Walsh Enterprises LLC. She wasn’t sure what the connection was between it and the bear, but the illustration caught her eye.

That’s my direct line and the other number is for Maggie, my assistant. If I’m not available she can usually help you out or get you any info you’ll need.

Jenna put both the letter and card into her bag. It was way past her usual lunchtime, so she tucked into the chili.

Brady broke off some of the bread.

Wow, this chili is the best I’ve ever tasted, said Jenna. My father used to make a huge batch every winter using the meat from the bear he’d hunted that fall.

Brady stopped eating and looked across the table at her. He gave her the stink eye. She’d said something wrong, but she wasn’t sure what. Maybe he was an animal rights advocate. Maybe he belonged to PETA. Maybe he’d used a bear as his business logo because he thought they were cute and cuddly.

Another rule of her father’s was to get to know a client before meeting with him or her. It was important not to offend him or say something controversial. Stay away from anything connected to religion and politics. Never say anything of a sexual nature.

Do you ski? asked Jenna. Change the subject and maybe he’d forget all about the comment about the chili made with bear meat.

I do when I have time.

Yeah, sounds like my life, too. I didn’t go at all last year, but I’m determined to this winter.

Finding time for personal things is sometimes tough when you have a career or a business that ties up most of your time, said Brady.

And not to mention dating. She broke off a piece of the bread and popped it into her mouth. It, like the chili, was heavenly. Now that she’d tried this café out for herself, she’d definitely be back for more food.

How did you stumble upon my law practice? I mean for Ash and Chloe’s case? asked Jenna.

I knew Ash McWilliams was in a bind because his girlfriend was arrested and hauled off to Texas. So, I went online, saw your name, and that you had lots of experience in family law.

I’m just glad I could help Chloe out. The adoption’s being finalized in the next few weeks.

"I have to thank you for traveling to Austin on a moment’s notice. You probably had other clients to deal with so that was very nice