Eventide of the Bear (The Wild Hunt Legacy #3) by Cherise Sinclair

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    Kneeling up in his lap, Minette put her hands on his cheeks and turned his head. A glowing lizard twisted within the flames in the fireplace. There hadn’t been a fireplace in Genevieve’s house, had there? And Ben hadn’t lit a fire in the great room. “That’s a salamander, Minette. A young one.”
    As his cub bounced on his knees, he noticed Emma was watching Minette’s delight with a sweet expression the kitten’s own mother had never shown. In the tangle of worries in his chest, one strand unknotted. Unlike his father’s females, this one apparently had a soft spot for cubs.
    With a werecat’s silent gait, the brunette barmaid arrived with the drinks. “Zeb, here you go.” She handed him a beer and gave the other to the sheriff. “One for you, although I doubt you deserve it. I still can’t believe you told Jamie she could stay overnight with her friend.”
    “She’ll be fine. And the house will be empty so Calum and I can do evil things to you tonight.” With his free arm, Alec pulled her against him for a no-holds-barred kiss more typical of full moon lust.
    Spotting the matching silvery bracelets, Ryder realized the two were lifemated. He exchanged an amused glance with Ben.
    “Bad cat.” With a skillful twist and a powerful punch, the barmaid freed herself.
    “Assault and battery,” Alec mock-wheezed, holding his gut. “I just happen to have an empty jail cell for such a violent offender.”
    “Isn’t it a shame you gave me a key to the cells when you made me a deputy?”
    “Well, damn.”
    Grinning, she stepped out of his reach and smiled at Emma. “Ignore the barbarian. I’m Vicki. I’ve wanted to meet you—but first, what can I get you to drink?”
    “Emma.” Her return smile was tentative. “Didn’t you just say you’re a deputy?”
    “I am. But when off duty, I play barmaid if the Wild Hunt needs extra help.”
    “How wonderful to stay so busy,” Emma said. “As soon as my leg heals up, I’ll be job hunting. I hope I can find something.”
    “Don’t worry. We’ll figure something out,” Vicki said with calm assurance.
    Leaning on the couch, Ben said under his breath to Ryder, “Vicki used to be a Marine sergeant.”
    That explained the confidence and military bearing.
    Ryder studied Emma’s hopeful expression. Apparently, the female didn’t object to working for a living and didn’t plan to impose on Ben forever. Another knot of worry unwound.
    Vicki turned toward the men. “Calum wanted to talk with you all in the portal room.” She smiled at Ryder. “The room is one of our entries to the forest for when you want to run in animal form. He’ll give you an orientation.”
    “Good plan.” Ben gave Ryder a hand up.
    “I’m afraid the cub will have to stay here,” Alec said.
    Ryder shook his head, “I can’t leave her. Maybe—”
    “I’d be happy to watch her,” Emma said hesitantly.
    Entrust her with his cub? He’d rather chew off his left paw. But…did he have a reason to distrust this female who’d already befriended his daughter? “All right.” He set his daughter down by the couch.
    Without any hesitation, Minette crawled onto Emma’s lap and snuggled close with her head pillowed on the soft breasts. After wrapping her fingers around the female’s honey-colored braid, she tucked her thumb in her mouth and fell asleep within a breath.
    Ryder doubted the cub trusted her own mother that completely. “Thank you, Emma.”
    “Be at ease, father of Minette,” she said softly. “I will guard your cub with my life.”
    Seeing Ryder’s surprise, Emma regretted her impulsive statement, but she’d meant every word. His unreasonable aversion to her didn’t matter. No one would harm this little one while she was here.
    After a second, he nodded.
    Ben bent and ran his hand down her hair in an unspoken leave-taking. As he straightened, a sense of warmth lingered along with his masculine scent.
    “Let’s go.” Vicki led the cahirs and Ryder