Big Bear Father: BBW Werebear Surprise Baby Romance (Sweetwater Father Bears) Read online

  Well, it was breakfast for him. For others, it was probably closer to dinner.

  Of all the joints in town – of which there were few -, Maisy’s Diner had become his favorite. Not only because of the great burgers, but also because Maisy was one of the few people that could actually stand him and try to hold a conversation with him. That woman had no problem setting him straight, so they’d developed a friendly relationship based on mutual respect.

  The drive into town didn’t take long as he bumped along the already familiar backroads with his windows rolled down, country music blaring out of the speakers. It had taken a while until he could get in a vehicle again, after what happened with Dray.

  Lean and sinewy, he had been faster than any bear shifter Oliver had ever seen, whether behind the wheel of a car or on foot. And he liked to chase that speed, the thrill seeker that he was. Oliver wasn’t like that. He liked to keep his legs, or paws, firmly on the ground. It was probably a big reason why he’d always been drawn to Dray.

  Beneath the thrill-seeking, wild ways, Dray had been the most decent guy Oliver had ever met. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it, smiling all the way. The world needed more men like Dray.

  It should have been me who died, not him.

  Parking his truck on the edge of town, he walked the rest of the way to Maisy’s, followed by a couple of suspicious stares from some of the passersby. The bad mood that he’d managed to evade up until his morning coffee was now hanging about him like a cloud of lightning, making his shoulders hunch and his eyes narrow.

  I’ve already made a reputation for myself, it seems. Not unexpected.

  It didn’t come a surprise to him, but it still soured his mood even further.

  His skin felt tight as he strolled into the diner and took a seat at the counter. It was a small and cozy place, with an old-school diner vibe complete with leather booths and matching barstools. Maisy was busy with orders, only giving him a quick nod before rushing off to take care of a table.

  That left Oliver at the bar with no friendly faces in sight, hungry and impatient. It wasn’t a good combination. Suddenly, everything started to annoy him.

  It wasn’t the first time.

  It felt like all eyes were on him, from the couple at the booth to the men sitting next to him on one side. Pieces of conversation drifted through the air, hard to miss thanks to his impeccable hearing.

  “Can I get some service over here,” Oliver called out to one of the waitresses.

  Jenny was rushing past him, with Oliver determined to get his food and leave before his bad mood got even worse. She didn’t acknowledge him, carrying a tray of milkshakes to a nearby family and disappearing back into the kitchen without as much as a look his way.

  Oliver ground his teeth, feeling his bear thrash inside him. The middle-aged men having coffee and shooting the breeze next to him spared him a glance before carrying on with whatever they had been talking about.

  “… has a real problem with authority, you know?” one of the men said, resting an elbow on the counter and earning nods from his buddies.

  “Tell me about it,” his friend agreed.

  Pulse jumping, Oliver was having trouble staying in his seat. It was clear the men had to be talking about him, the way they had looked at him before made it obvious. Did they think he couldn’t hear them? He couldn’t just let something like that slide.

  Blood was rushing to his head, bringing adrenaline with it. His muscles seemed to strain under his skin, screaming to get out.

  “Hey, you have a problem?” he called out, angling his body towards the guys.

  There was a snarl on his lips and his eyes flashed that deep brown of his grizzly, tense and ready to rumble.

  “What?” the tallest man asked, blinking at Oliver. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t act like you weren’t talking about me,” Oliver growled, fingers digging into the edge of the counter.

  “We were talking about Joe’s son,” one of the men piped up, gesturing towards the tall man with a frown.

  “Yeah, man. This has nothing to do with you,” Joe said, brow furrowing as he studied Oliver.

  “Sure, you expect me to believe that crap?” Oliver demanded, feeling heat and the makings of humiliation crawl up his body.

  Once he got worked up, it was near impossible to talk him down. He wasn’t at that point of no return yet, but it wasn’t a long ride now. He could already feel that restless part of him gearing up and egging him on, convincing himself that fighting was the only way out of this.

  “Sir, is everything alright?” Jenny’s voice suddenly came from behind the counter.

  Swiveling around in his chair, he could see the woman eyeing him nervously. Her voice was high and shaky and her big eyes were filling with fear. He hated that look on women. It always acted as sort of a mirror, the reflection smacking him with how out of control he looked at those moments.

  He hadn’t meant to scare her, or cause Maisy any trouble by starting something in her diner. Taking a deep breath, he managed to dial his temper down a notch. It wasn’t an easy way down.

  “It would be if someone would just take my goddamn order,” he grumbled, running a hand through his hair.

  The bell above the diner’s door rung out and Maisy flitted past him with a worried look, but he couldn’t really take in any of it. Not when all he could think of was how angry he felt. Jenny was still staring at him like a deer in the headlights, and more and more patrons were turning their attention his way.

  They all glared or looked disapprovingly at him in one way or another.

  Yeah, I know. The fuckup that no one wanted, the self-destructive thoughts rolled around in his head, uninhibited.

  “What?” he called out, looking around and spreading his arms. “Can’t you people mind your own business?”

  “I’ll be by to take your order in a minute,” Jenny squeaked.

  She slid a menu his way before scurrying off, and now in addition to being annoyed as hell, he also felt bad for scaring her.

  What a great day this is turning out to be.

  Just as abruptly as he had spiraled out of control, he was yanked out of contemplating his shitty mood when the sweetest scent he had ever smelled suddenly hit his nose. Snapping his mouth shut, he swirled around to see a gorgeous woman take the seat next to him.

  All flawless mocha skin and luscious curves, whoever she was, she certainly got Oliver’s attention. And his bear’s attention, as well. Sitting up straighter, all thoughts of violence left his head as he studied the beauty next to him, feeling like he must have dreamt her up.

  His eyes tracked across her body quickly, but what really pulled him in was her face. Full lips, almond eyes, with the look of a person who knows her place in life. She looked like she had her life in order.

  He almost didn’t even notice that she had a baby with her at first, before the bundle of blankets tucked into a car-seat started to move next to her. But there was no ring on her finger, only a faded line where a wedding ring should be, or a man at her side. Oliver mulled that over.

  The woman looked preoccupied, craning her neck like she was looking for someone. When Maisy passed by again, she started to say something, but Maisy was gone as quickly as she had appeared. The diner was hopping that evening.

  I might as well take a shot. I’ve had one conversation blow up in my face today, what’s another one on top of that.

  “Hey. You’re new in town?”

  As icebreakers went, Oliver admitted he could have done better, but he was too eager to talk to the mystery woman to come up with a smooth conversation starter. She quirked a brow at him, looking like she was weighing if she should even grace him with a response or not. His shiner probably didn’t help with a positive decision, but for whatever reason, she took him up on the offer of casual conversation.

  Score one for the local brawler.

  “Yeah, I am,” she replied, studying him while a
lso still trying to wave down a waitress.

  “What brings you here?”

  “I’m looking for someone, actually.”

  He could see a hint of a dimple when she spoke. It was the cutest damn thing.

  “I might be able to help. Who are you trying to find?”

  “His name is Oliver Atwater. I was told he might be in town.”

  It was like a bucket of ice water in the face. So much for ‘casual’.

  Who the hell is she and why is she looking for me?

  Three

  Deirdre

  What am I even doing talking to him? Deirdre thought, giving the man next to her a once-over.

  He hadn’t seemed to be in the best of moods when she walked in, but now he was suddenly the picture of helpfulness, which was enough to put her on guard. And if he thought he could talk her up, he was sorely mistaken.

  She wasn’t here looking for love and considering what happened the last time she opened her heart, she wasn’t eager to let anyone past the shell she’d built around her. All she needed was to find this Oliver character and sort things out and get back to her life in Atlanta. That was all this trip was about.

  For some reason, she couldn’t help but glance at the baby beside her.

  Well, maybe not all that there is to this, she thought with a slight sigh.

  “Atwater, eh? Haven’t heard of him. You’re sure he’s here?” the stranger asked, cocking his head to the side.

  It was obvious he was checking her out, the glint in his candy green eyes told her that much. She tried to be annoyed by it, but if she were totally honest, she was a little flattered. Whatever his issues, the guy was definitely a tall drink of water. She’d always had a bit of a thing for bad boys and it had been a while since she felt like the center of any positive attention.

  It felt… well, nice.

  “Pretty sure,” she replied curtly, doing her best to sound irritated.

  It would have probably sounded a lot more authentic if she hadn’t been admiring his handsome face the whole time.

  “Sorry, I haven’t even introduced myself. I’m Dean,” he said, sticking out his hand.

  “Deirdre Williams,” she sighed, hesitating for a second before slipping her hand in his.

  Whoa.

  As soon as their skin touched, a jolt went through her, making her temporarily forget about everything she was here to do. Like fulfill her promise to Jamie, or taking care of her friend’s baby. Dean only grinned and licked those full lips of his before planting a quick kiss on the back of her hand. It added another layer of electricity to the situation, one Deirdre certainly did not mind.

  “Nice to meet you,” he murmured, the predatory look in his eyes making her skin prickle.

  Dean had long brown hair, falling down straight and grazing his chiseled jawline. Thick brows framed the clearest emerald eyes she’d ever seen, leading to a strong nose and sensual lips. The leather jacket he was wearing fit him like glove, accentuating his broad shoulders and that bad-boy vibe she got from him.

  Like I need to get mixed up with one of those, she scoffed to herself, even as she couldn’t look away.

  Tattoos peeked out from the collar of his t-shirt when he leaned forward, and she found herself a little too interested in what he might look like without it.

  “Yeah, nice to meet you, too,” she mumbled, pulling her hand out of his.

  Her body seemed to let out a disappointed little sigh at their skin no longer touching. She did her best to ignore that particular feeling.

  Feeling self-conscious all of the sudden, she turned away from Dean to check on Hope, asleep in her car seat. She was still snoring softly, a pacifier in her mouth and a mess of dark hair showing from under her little hat. Perfect little angel.

  Deirdre couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness every time she looked at the baby girl. Jamie should be here with her, not Deirdre.

  There was nothing she could do about that now. But she could keep the promise she made to Jamie.

  Don’t worry, we’ll find your daddy, she thought, adjusting Hope’s blanket. It wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t.

  Turning back to face Dean, it was clear he wasn’t giving up on talking to her. The man was persistent, she had to give him that. For once, she didn’t mind.

  “Look, I haven’t heard of this Atwater guy, and I’m in here a lot. Probably as much as the waitresses,” he said with a wry smile. “But if you want, I can ask if they’ve heard of the man while you have a seat at one of the booths. You okay with a burger and fries?”

  What is he, taking my order now? Presumptuous much?

  “Wait a minute. Are you trying to make this a date or something?”

  “I’m trying to get a beautiful woman to eat some food in my company. You can call it whatever you want. Besides, teetering on a bar stool is no place for a baby.”

  He wore the most impossible smirk when he said that.

  “You’re a piece of work, you know that?” she huffed.

  “I’ve been told as much,” he replied, his smile never faltering.

  After a long flight and an even longer drive, a burger did sound delicious. And resting her back against one of those leather booths didn’t sound bad, either. Plus, a local guy like Dean could probably get answers much quicker than an outsider like her.

  And damn if he wasn’t just cocky enough to make him charming instead of insufferable. It was a fine line he was walking, and she hadn’t entirely made up her mind about him just yet. All she knew for sure was that her heart beat a little faster every time he looked at her. That could both be a very good, and a very bad thing.

  “I guess that’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard,” she conceded.

  “Great. You two go get settled in and I’ll join you once I flag down Jenny,” he said, gesturing towards a young woman in a polka-dot dress and white apron, flitting by quickly.

  The self-assuredness in his voice made Deirdre stand up, grab Hope with her car-seat and walk to the booth without a second thought. Usually, she wasn’t one to take orders, but this man had some kind of effect on her that she could neither understand nor deny.

  Considering her crappy track record with men, she wasn’t sure if she should be excited or terrified.

  Both. Definitely both. I need to err on the side of caution here, she mused, maneuvering the car-seat into the booth before sitting down with a tired sigh.

  She watched as Dean got Jenny’s attention, speaking to her for a minute before the waitress pulled out her notepad and scribbled something down. Dean flashed the woman a quick smile before hopping off the barstool and making his way over. The waitress looked a little frazzled by him, which Deirdre could easily excuse with his magnetic presence.

  He was surprisingly graceful for a man of his size, and she had to remind herself not to ogle the man. Not that he would have minded, probably.

  Shrugging off his jacket, he plopped down opposite her, seemingly filling the whole side of the booth with his massive frame. At 5'8", Deirdre wasn’t exactly tiny, but he sure made her feel like she was.

  “So? What did she say?” Deirdre asked, her stomach in knots.

  A friend of a friend of a man she’d never known telling her that Oliver Atwater was in a town called Sweetwater in Wyoming was the only lead she had right now. If it turned out to be a dead end, she wouldn’t know what to do next.

  She was an interior designer, for God’s sake, not a detective. And she couldn’t keep dragging little Hope along on wild goose chases.

  “I’m sorry. She didn’t know anything.”

  Great. Just great. Where are the Hardy brothers when you need them?

  From what she’d managed to dig up on Oliver, he didn’t seem to stay in one place for too long. It was possible he had already skipped town, and she was back to square one. Tired and hungry, the possibility of always being a day late and a dollar short was just short of crushing.

  I can’t let Jamie down. I won’t.

  Fourr />
  Oliver

  Why is she so hell-bent on finding me?

  He didn’t like lying to Deirdre, especially seeing how upset not finding him made her, but he wasn’t going to offer himself up before he knew what she was after. He had made plenty of enemies in his day, which meant he was more cautious than most with his identity. Even if the asker was a bombshell of a woman who made his bear roar and his heart thud three times as fast as it should have in his chest.

  While Deirdre didn’t look like she was here to tear his throat open, he wasn’t about to take anything at face value at this point.

  And then there was the baby.

  There was no denying he had had his fair share of flings in the past, but he’d always been careful. The child couldn’t possibly be his. If it were, he would have felt it. He wasn’t the best werebear around, considering his track record, but he could bet on his instincts at least that much. If the child was his, he’d feel it in his bones.

  Besides, Deirdre was a total stranger to him.

  I’d remember a face like that, and those curves.

  Still, Deirdre was here for a reason, and he’d have to find out what it was. The sooner the better.

  And if that means spending more time with her… Oliver grinned to himself, gaze roaming across the delicious woman in front of him.

  Deirdre was looking downright defeated. Short of telling her she already found her man, he felt like he had to do something to lift her spirits. Her lush lips looked great no matter what, but he’d rather see her smile than pout.

  “Don’t sweat it, you’ll find him. So the waitress hadn’t heard of him, big deal,” he shrugged, hoping he was saying the right thing. “The town isn’t that big. He should turn up easily enough.”

  Hand-holding and comforting had never been his strong suit, being one to throw punches first and ask questions later. His bear let out a low growl, displeased at seeing Deirdre unhappy.

  What is it about her?

  This woman was drawing out a side of him he didn’t even know existed. His sour mood had vanished, replaced with something akin to excitement. Just the scent of her made him feel more alive than he had since… Well, since Dray was still around. It was like the air was buzzing around him and for once it wasn’t charged with animosity.