Hunter (Fairy Tale Bad Boys #1) (8 page)
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Authors: Erin Bedford
Isabel
Sitting in front of her computer, Isabel groaned at the short list of perspective jobs available around Rollings. Three months after the incident with Vincent and she was still jobless. At first she hadn’t thought about getting a new job, too caught up in being with Jason and recovering from the whole ordeal with Vincent but now she couldn’t put it off any longer.
“Any luck?”
Isabel looked up from the computer to Jason’s hopeful face peeking into his office that she had taken over as her own. The last few months had been rough for both of them. Before the local authorities could keep it quiet the news of Vincent’s death had spread across the nation. No one in the area wanted to get involved with someone under the council’s watchful eye.
“Not unless you want to move three hours away.” She frowned at the screen.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, he worked on rubbing the tension from them. She dropped her hands from the computer and leaned back into his touch. The last few months had been more than enough work for her.
She and Jason had been called before the council on more than one occasion, being forced to recount the whole story to them about a dozen times. They couldn’t seem to figure out how a tiny thing like her could take down a full grown werewolf and were convinced she was lying to cover for Jason.
Vincent’s father came up from Minneapolis to collect his body and close up the casino, forgiving any debts owed to him. Even with that small blessing when they first met the stoic Alpha, Isabel had been afraid he would turn on them for killing his son. Fortunately, the were had been more than sympathetic about Vincent’s treatment of her and went so far as to apologize for his son’s action. He had even called a counselor for Jason to help him through his first moon.
That night had been hard on everyone. Jason and his assigned counselor had set out at dawn and had hiked up into the forest. She had wanted to go with them, but his counselor had said it would be easier for him to focus on the change rather than keeping her safe. So while they were off in the woods, she had sat at home not getting a wink of sleep. She had been too terrified of what the morning would bring.
She didn’t have anything to worry about, though. The next morning Jason came home a bit dirty and roughed up but still him. He had been infected by Vincent and would have to have supervision for the next few months until they were sure he could keep his wolf under control.
People said she was crazy, to go from one werewolf to another, but she didn’t mind. Jason had always been there for her, and she wasn’t going to abandon him just because he was more of an animal than usual.
“You know, you could wait on getting a job for a while.” His voice was cautious as if waiting for her to blow up at the suggestion.
“I’ve already waited long enough as it is. I can’t keep mooching off of you.” She glanced up at him. “I have to feel useful.”
“You are useful. My books have never looked so good or my bed.” He smirked at her, heat filling his eyes and making her ache.
“Not just that.” She turned back to the computer, not able to help the small smile on her face.
“I mean, we could both take a break. Go somewhere.” His hands dropped from her shoulders and his presence moved away from her.
“Like where? What about your shop?” She twisted in her seat to look at him, only to find him on his knees before her with the box she knew had the ring she had thrown at him a year ago.
“I’m afraid I couldn’t get the marching band on such short notice this time, and I know we really haven’t talked about it, but I still feel the same way about you as the first time I proposed. So I guess what I’m trying to say is,” he paused taking a deep breath. “Will you marry me?”
“Oh, Jason.” She placed her hand on her heart, tears welling in her eyes.
“And we can wait on children if that is what you want,” he quickly added before she could say anything one way or the other.
“Well, it’s a little late for that.” Then Isabel laughed at the confusion on his face. Deciding to put him out of his misery, she grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. “I’m pregnant, you brainless man.”
Jason stared at her for a moment, the words still not making sense to him. Taking matters into her own hands, she took the ring out of the box and slipped it onto her finger. It was a little snug, the weight she had gained from all the exquisite food she had living with Vincent hadn’t fallen off yet, and she suspected it was a lost cause now.
“You know,” she continued as if he wasn’t sitting in the middle of the floor like an idiot. “There is a new resort that just opened off the coast of Florida. In the Bermuda triangle of all places. They say the fae run it and it is impossible to get any kind of reception out there, but it’s supposed to be really good for your health and with the baby coming, I thought we could use all the boosts we could get.”
“The baby?” The words fell from his lips as if he didn’t understand their meaning.
“Yes, the baby.” She shook her head at him, smacking him on the shoulder, a silly smile on her face.
“I’m going to be a father?” His words were quiet and unsure.
“Dear Lord.” Isabel stood from her chair, to stand before him. “Do I need to pee on a stick for you to get it through that thick head of yours? We are going to have a baby.”
All of a sudden she was off her feet and swinging in the air. Jason laughed and yelled out, “We’re having a baby!”
“Yes,” Isabel answered, her stomach rolling from all the spinning. “And unless you want the contents of my stomach coming out of me as well, you will put me down this minute.”
Jason dropped her to her feet, still laughing, his face beaming with pride. “A resort you said?” He started as if he hadn’t missed the whole conversation. “What’s it called?”
Getting her bearings, she pulled out the brochure she had tucked away from before and held it out to him. “The Never Isles.”
The End
* * *
If you liked Hunter, check out the next book in the Fairy Tale Bad Boy Series, Pirate.
Sometimes the grown-ups have all the fun.
Wendy
She came to the Never Isles to get away from the stress of everyday life. To find adventure and maybe even a little bit of romance. What she didn't expect was to get swept up by the charming sea captain with a gleam in his eye. A gleam that told her he wanted to do wicked things to her and lord help her she might just let him.
James
He wasn't looking for adventure; he'd had his share in the navy. After a dishonorable discharge for a crime he didn't commit, he was friendless, jobless, and on the run. His only solitude was the Never Isles where nobody knew his name. Until she literally fell into his arms. Can he find solace in her carefree heart before his past crimes catch up with him?
Erin Bedford is a new fantasy romance author, a computer programmer by day, and a hobby hoarder.
Creating fantastical worlds have always been a secret passion of hers and she couldn't imagine writing any story without some kind of lovey-dovey or smexy goodness in it.
Read More from Erin Bedford