Ranger Bear (Rogue Bear Series 1) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers

2
    Whitney
    W hitney climbed the rocky steps cut into the side of the cliff that led back to the house. She wrapped the sweater around her shoulders, pulling the edges tight against her chest. The wind picked up the ends of her auburn hair.
    The waves crashed fiercely against the sand. Even with her back to the ocean, she felt the chill cut through her.
    It was good to take a break. She needed to get out of the house. The memoires were almost suffocating. But she didn’t know if watching the waves made things any better. All she could think about were the summers when she and Sam played on the beach.
    When she didn’t think she could take the icy winds anymore, she decided to pack more boxes. They weren’t going to pack themselves.
    The last month had been the worst of her life. Her restaurant had burned to the ground. Her brother had been killed and no one would give her any answers. She was left with a house that was falling apart, just like her.
    As she reached the top of the cliff and made her way through the path that opened to the house she saw a Jeep parked in the driveway.
    She crossed the yard, keeping one eye on the Jeep. She tried to open the gate, but the latch was stuck. The damn thing had been broken longer than she could remember.
    She rattled the handle until it finally let loose.
    She looked around for the driver of the Jeep. She wasn’t expecting anyone. No one drove out here. Sam’s memorial service was a month ago. The flower deliveries had stopped.
    She took one step and then another before she saw her visitor.
    “Hello?” she called?
    His back was turned to her. He was staring off the edge of the porch, looking over the cliff. From there you could see the waves crash and hurl on top of the rocks.
    When he turned around she almost tripped over the last step. It didn’t help there was a loose board.
    “Whoa.” He ran over to grab her before she landed face first on the porch.
    His hand circled her waist, catching her as if she were light as a feather. He stood her upright.
    “Hi.” She stared into his deep blue eyes. She thought she saw flecks of amber.
    He cleared his throat.
    She tried to wiggle free, but his hand was clamped to her waist. His grip was firm.
    “Thanks.” Her hands landed where his fingers were wrapped against her. They were wide strong fingers.
    “You’re welcome.” He finally released her, his chest expanding.
    “Can I help you with something?”
    His brow furrowed. He took a step back. “Holy hell,” he whispered.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Sorry. It’s just…” He held out his hand. “Brake. Uh, Kyle Brake.”
    She took his hand, noticing how rough it felt closing around her palm. “Nice to meet you. I think.”
    He nodded. “It is.”
    “Are you lost? Or are you selling something?” she asked.
    She tried to figure out why this man was standing on her doorstep. She didn’t know faces like that existed. His jawline was square and his cheekbones high. His hair was dark, almost black, which was a dangerous combination with those eyes.
    “Neither.” He smiled.
    Oh shit. He had a gorgeous smile too. The kind that would melt the panties off any woman. She twisted her bottom lip under her teeth.
    “Then what could have possibly brought you out here?”
    Whitney waited for his answer.
    “Sam sent me.”
    Her eyes widened, and she reached for the column. But she wasn’t looking. Her eyes were fixed on the tall stranger, and she missed her mark, landing back in his arms.

3
    Kyle
    H e caught her before she tumbled down the stairs. His hands snaked around her waist, pulling her against him.
    This wasn’t supposed to happen. This wasn’t why he was here.
    He set Whitney back on her feet.
    “S-Sam?” She looked into his eyes. She had beautiful brown eyes full of warmth and light. Something he had forgotten existed in this world.
    He nodded. “I’m here to see his family.”
    He tried to sound official. But right now his blood was pumping. He felt the energy in his