Bearing My Soul: A Paranormal Werebear Shifter Romance by Ellen Graves

 
    BEARING MY SOUL
     
    CHAPTER ONE
     
    A biting chill crept beneath the worn blankets, as the first hazy rays of dawn pierced between thin curtains. The warmth from the fire the night before dissipated almost the instant the flames died. I had slept in a t-shirt and sweat pants to keep from freezing. Now, the cold was finding its way under the blankets. I forced myself to clamber from bed and face a frigid morning in an unfamiliar, old house.
     
    My first order of business was to build a fire in the hearth. I tried using kindling sticks and matches. The flame only flickered wildly and died, just like it had the night before. So, I used a starter log again. As I lit the wrapper, the cool, damp air reminded me that I only had five starter logs left.
     
    I shoved the damper handle one way, and then, the other. Finally, thick smoke billowed out into the room. Once more, I shoved the handle the opposite way. The smoke subsided.
     
    Hurrying into the kitchen, I snatched a muffin from the counter. Then, I raced back into the main room. I huddled near the crackling logs as I ate breakfast. I peered out the large window and into the sprawling backyard. The thick woods loomed just beyond. Brown leaves tumbled in the misty breeze. It looked cold. I stood and stepped onto the back porch to get a feel for what the weather was like. As I did, I closed the door softly behind me.
     
    The smell of autumn was heavy in the air. It was brisk, but not icy. I scanned the overgrown backyard and winced. I had just started to realize how much work awaited me.
     
    The subdued movement of the neighbor milling around in his backyard caught my attention. I stepped to the porch railing and rested both hands on the cold wood. I watched him.
     
    He was young. He seemed energetic for such a chilly morning. I swallowed back an uncomfortable interest, as I took in his wavy mane of blond hair. His broad shoulders were evident beneath his thick jacket. I continued to watch him, as my skin turned cold in the gusts and my body started to shiver.
     
    He looked over to me. His smoky dark eyes locked suddenly on mine. A shock of embarrassment swelled in me, as he caught me watching. I looked sharply away from him for only a short moment before I looked back again.
     
    Deep, troubling tremors rolled through me as our eyes again met. Our gaze held tightly to each other for an uncomfortably long moment. I struggled to look away, but my eyes carefully studied him against my will. His face was strong and commanding. His cheeks were gruff with rugged stubble. His lips were soft and inviting. The sudden yearning in his eyes was unnerving and foreign to me; yet, it was oddly comforting.
     
    His long stare took me in, as much as I took him in with mine. I suddenly felt exposed, as I stood outside in the cold wearing only sweat pants and a t-shirt. My nipples were hard beneath the thin fabric.
     
    Embarrassed, I forced myself to turn and hurry back inside. The door slammed tight behind me. I was shaking, as I stood there with my bare feet on the chilly wood floor. A strange heat swelled through me. My mind involuntarily mulled over his image, but otherwise I was freezing.
     
    “I think I’ll start with the indoor work today,” I muttered. The words echoed through the small room. The solitude settled in at the sound of my voice. I instantly regretted speaking out loud.
     
    I pulled on an old pair of jeans, a thick bra, and a warmer shirt. Then, I scrambled to scour the kitchen and bathrooms. The cracked and uneven tiles grasped at the dirt and mildew. They forced me to scrub mercilessly, just to break it loose. Only a few weeks earlier, I had eagerly agreed to care for the historic country home during the winter season. I had not expected it to be so much more difficult to clean than what I was used to.
     
    My cell phone startled me. It chimed out and broke the unnerving quiet. I was grateful for the break.
     
    “Andrea here,” I coughed into my cell, as I