Junkyard Bear: Bluff Bears, #4

Junkyard Bear

A Paranormal

Shapeshifter Romance

By Amelia Jade

Junkyard Bear

Copyright © 2015 by Amelia Jade

First Electronic Publication: November 2015

Amelia Jade

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the authors permission.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR:

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.

All sexual activities depicted occur between consenting characters 18 years or older who are not blood related.

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Junkyard Bear

Chapter One

Andy

It was going to rain.

The signs were all around him. What would normally have been a vibrant, sunny morning was quickly turning to a uniform shade of grey. The clouds were thickening overhead with ominous black clouds rolling toward them from the east. As the clouds hit the mountains and were forced upwards, the warm air from the plains would mix with colder skies and unleash a torrent of rainfall.

Stuck in the middle would be many small communities, such as the one Andy Hawes called home.

Gonna be a busy day, he muttered to himself, standing on the front porch to the single-level house he called his.

For now, he wanted nothing more than to stay inside. Both he and his bear loved it there, the bungalow was cozy overall, but he had built it with high ceilings and an open concept, better suited to hold his gigantic frame. It had all the trappings of a true den, perfect for his shifter, and him.

Even as the wind picked up around him, throwing leaves and other debris into miniature cyclones as they whipped across the open yard between his den and the road, Andy knew he didn't have much of a choice. His job called, and the bad weather all but ensured he would have an extra call or two.

It was never the locals that gave him trouble, he thought, snorting in derision as he downed the last of his coffee, turning back inside for a moment. As he cleaned the mug in the sink, he wondered what type of call he would get today. Perhaps it would be some idiot who'd driven too fast in the rain, missed a curve and ended up in the ditch.

Or maybe they would be following too closely and rear-end someone because they didn't realize how quickly people had to stop sometimes. The roads around 'the Bluffs'—as the locals called it—was rife with wildlife and hairpin turns. The main road that wound through the mountains was treacherous. The locals generally knew when to hunker down, as they would today.

But the few tourists and others that were driving through, they were the ones that he disliked. Before getting down to work, he quickly ensured the windows were all closed and locked. He had known they were, but a second check didn't hurt. His den was neat and organized, just the way he liked it. With nobody else around, Andy knew if something wasn't the way it should be.

It never was.

Alright sweetheart, he said, approaching the building next to his house. What kind of trouble are you going to cause today? he asked, lifting the old but well maintained garage door with one massive arm.

As it rolled up into the ceiling, he looked inside. Sitting on a slightly elevated platform was an older model farm truck. As the only local mechanic, Andy found himself repairing work vehicles as often as anything else. This truck, owned by an elderly farmer just north of the city, had been giving him fits trying to repair. He knew his trade, but there was something going on under the hood, something he was missing. It just wouldn't start.

Lifting the battered green metal for what felt like the millionth time, he flicked on the spotlight that was still hanging where he had left it the day before, bathing the old, grey interior in a pale yellow light.

No sooner had he started than he was interrupted. A loud, deep rumbling caused him to look up, wondering if the nearby Mt. Selena was having a landslide. It would have to be rather large for that to be the case.

What the hell? he said quizzically as he saw the source.

His shop was on the main road that wound round the mountains and passed along the outskirts of the Bluffs. It was a good location, because many of the problems happened on this road. It also meant he experienced a lot of through traffic going past. Big rigs were far from unknown to him, several passed by every day.

But the big red Mack he saw pulling onto the side of the road in front of his property was unusual in that it appeared to be the start of a big convoy. He easily counted another half-dozen rigs lined up before the road twisted into the trees, obscuring even his enhanced eyesight.

A pickup truck with a camper mounted to the bed and what looked like an enclosed car trailer pulled up behind the first rig.

He didn't even notice the man in the cowboy hat climb down from the rig. Andy—and his bear—were both fully focused on the woman who climbed out of the pickup. She was tall for a woman, easily over six feet in height, with the frame to match. Her long, jet-black hair was pulled back into a strict ponytail.

Andy's keen senses instantly picked up on the fact that she was a shifter. As she came closer, he could smell the bear on her. When she finally looked over at him after observing his shop and den, he saw the recognition in her as well. They gave each other a slight nod to acknowledge it.

He let his eyes linger on her, reluctant to tear them away. She was intoxicating in a stranger, unknown manner. The luster of her grey eyes was unusual, their silent regard pulling him in, trapping him within them without even flickering. It wasn't until the other man snapped his fingers at him to get his attention that Andy remembered there was someone else there.

Snapping his gaze to the man who had so rudely interrupted the unplanned staring contest, which meant he lost, Andy had to tone down the urge to rend the man limb from limb. His bear saw a rival, and he felt his skin tingle as it pushed to the surface. One quick flick of his wrist and the man would no longer be a nuisance.

Hey mister, I'm asking you a question! The man's tone of voice annoyed Andy as well. It was arrogant, like that of someone used to getting his way, but only through fear and threat of punishment. He didn't like that.

Politely, he rumbled, speaking at last.

What? the stranger asked, one hand fumbling with his hat as he tried to regain the initiative that the titan in front of him had just taken away.

Manners, he said once more, losing patience. His bear was flashing him images of its massive paws reaching out to club the insect in the face, ending the suffering for everyone. He tried not to smile. It would not have been a pleasant one.

Oh. Why yes, that would be appropriate, wouldn't it? Where are my manners, he said, sticking out his hand toward Andy. Charlie Digger, this here is Robyn. He tilted his head toward the woman.

Andy ignored the outstretched hand, shifting his stance slightly so he was once again facing the woman directly. She hadn't said a word yet, but her silvery-grey eyes danced with delight.

She was enjoying the way he was treating Charlie, he realized with a start. They obviously worked together, which meant she had put up with his insufferable attitude far longer than he could.

Andy, he said by way of introduction, extending his hand toward her.

It's a pleasure to meet you, she replied, taking his massive paw in her own, squeezing it in a strong, firm grip. She wasn't trying to overpower him, simply letting him know she was no damsel in need of rescue from the prick standing next to her. At that, Andy did finally smile, seeing an answering look play across her face.

What do you want? he growled at Charlie, who was shuffling incessantly between feet.

He hated people who could not be patient, who could not stand still and enjoy the area around them.

We're looking for someplace called Scenic Park? It's supposed to be on this side of town, but we haven't seen it yet. Where is it?

Before Andy could reply, to tell the human that he should learn to say please, among other things, Robyn spoke up.

I think we may be lost, Andy. Could you please point us in the right direction? she interjected smoothly, speaking overtop of Charlie without caring.

You got bad directions. It's on the far side of town. Follow this road another mile and a half. On your right should be a big sign pointing to the left with the name 'Scenic Park' on it. In the event it's not there, it's side road number seven.

Ah, finally. That's perfect, almost there. C'mon Robyn, let's go!

Andy arched an eyebrow at Charlie's back as he strode away, all of his cock-sure arrogance still firmly in place. It would take a lot to break that man, he had to give him that. Beside him, Robyn sighed loud enough for him to hear.

Sorry about that. He's not that bad, but sometimes, he can be a real dick, she grumped, turning back to look at Andy.

Really? I hadn't noticed, Andy said with false innocence.

Robyn giggled, a beautiful sound that seemed to float to his ears. He wanted to hear her speak more, to learn who she was and what made her tick. There was something about her that his bear found fascinating, besides the fact that she was a bear shifter. He had to think fast, however, because he noticed she was looking over at her truck, as if she no longer felt welcome.

So, what exactly are you guys here for? he inquired, waving a hand to indicate all the trucks now beginning to stream by. It was an unusual sight for somewhere as small as Bear Bluffs.

"Charlie there