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  “Now, as I explained, this is a very unusual school, and the kids are not ordinary kids. They’re very special; gifted, in fact. But they have boundless energy and can be very rowdy at times. I should warn you about that.” She laughed.

  But Dolores didn’t smile. Instead, her face froze and her whole body stiffened.

  “You mean violent?” she said, her voice tightening again.

  “Heavens, no! They’re lovely children. They just need a firm hand sometimes.”

  Dolores’ hands twisted, as if she was trying to wring the anxiety out of her body. “And how about the parents?”

  “As I was saying on the phone, they’re lovely people. Very involved in their kids’ wellbeing.” Although Tamika’s tone was warm, Dolores was getting paler and paler. “I’m sure there’ll be nothing you can’t handle. I mean, you’ve worked at – let me see –” Tamika reached for her copy of Dolores’ resume. “Deep Cut School. For almost two years. That school has quite a reputation for itself. And you’re still there –?”

  “No. I left six months ago.” Dolores’ voice trembled slightly. Tamika looked up from her CV and saw that her eyes were full of pain, which she was fighting to control.

  “What is it, my dear?” Tamika jumped out of her seat and rushed toward her. But Dolores got up at the same moment, so fast that she smashed her knee into the table and let out a yelp of pain. And then her head tipped back and Tamika saw what she’d been hiding behind her heavy curtain of hair – an ugly scar, that covered the left side of her head, stopping just short of her right eye, with angry pink welts.

  “I’m so sorry. This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come here. I’m so sorry!” Dolores gasped out between sobs as she knocked her chair over and sprinted for the door.

  “Dolores, please!” Tamika called desperately, taking off after her.

  2

  Dolores ran blindly across the school yard, her throat convulsing with sobs. This had been a huge mistake. She wasn’t ready. She wouldn’t ever be ready again. Her counsellor was wrong, wrong, wrong. Just the thought of teaching another class made her stomach curl up like a dead leaf, and bile rise up in her throat. She still had flashbacks. Still woke up screaming from nightmares where she was choking on clouds of thick black smoke. It was like she was back there, gasping, panicking, her heart beating so fast that it seemed like it was about to burst. She stopped dead with her hands on her knees. She really couldn’t breathe. Her lungs were working overtime, but the darkness was closing in on her. No. She staggered. If she was going to pass out, she’d better lie down. Her knees connected hard with the earth, and she stretched out her hands to break her fall. And then something – a huge something – swept in from nowhere and caught her up. The whole world spun, and suddenly, she was lying on her back, gazing up at the silhouette of a man’s face, his features obscured by the sunlight.

  “Shhhh, it’s okay,” said a deep, slow voice. “Just breathe out.” She was being tipped into a sitting position, a big arm supporting her shoulders and another supporting her knees. Then a big hand began to rub her back. “That’s it. Breathe out. One, two, three, four, five…Now, in. One, two, three.” As the voice kept counting, she tried to follow his instructions, and little by little, the shallow panting of her lungs became normal, fast breaths. “Good girl. You’re okay. You’re gunna be fine. You just had a panic attack. I’ve had a few of those myself.”

  At last, Dolores lifted her head up toward the owner of the voice. And she drew another sharp breath in. She was looking up at the man who’d showed her into the interview room. He had a tanned, weather-beaten face, dark brown hair and a pair of twinkling blue eyes, which were currently creased at the corners in concern. He broke into a smile, revealing, nice, even teeth. “You’re fine now,” he continued. But his eyes darted over her features, and she cringed as she felt him taking in her scar. She reached up instinctively and tugged a swatch of hair over it to conceal it.

  “Thank you,” she croaked. “I’m sorry. I – I don’t know what happened.” She scrabbled at the earth beneath her, trying to get to her feet.

  “Just stay here a moment longer. You’ll still be a little light in the head.” Every sense of decency was telling her to disentangle herself from this stranger’s embrace. But something else was keeping her there. Somehow the touch of his arm around her shoulder, and that deep rumbling sound as he breathed in and out was very comforting. And she hadn’t felt comfort like that for a long, long time. Then Tamika appeared in her field of vision, crouching down, her pretty brown eyes wide with concern.

  “Dolores, honey, what on earth happened?” she asked. “Are you ill?”

  Dolores shook her head. “No. I’m fine. It was just a panic attack, like – er – he –” She nodded in the direction of the man whose name she still didn’t know. “Like he said.”

  Tamika’s forehead creased with a frown. “But – what brought it on? Did something I said upset you? Heavens, that was the last thing I wanted to do!”

  Dolores raised her hand to her forehead. “No. I’ve been having panic attacks recently, that’s all. It’s nothing, just stress.” She hoped this would assuage Tamika’s concern, but her frown only deepened.

  “What’s changed recently?” Tamika said softly. She and the big, attractive man were looking at Dolores with such sympathy that she could hardly stand it. She put her hands over her face.

  “Everything,” she mumbled. And it all rushed back to her again – the violent threats from the parent, the fire, the loss of her home and her cat, and the painful weeks in the hospital. It was like a dark, evil tide, always ready to overwhelm her with another wave.

  “Did someone hurt you?” the man asked. She shook her head. But when she peered through her fingers, he was still looking at her intently, his eyes glowing with something wild and fierce. Pull yourself together, girl. Stop making a fool of yourself in front of these people. With an effort, she dropped her hands from her face.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here. I’ve wasted your time.” She dragged herself out of the man’s embrace and got to her feet.

  “You haven’t wasted anything, my dear,” Tamika said. “Would you like to take a little time, and then we can continue discussing the job?”

  “No. Thank you, but no,” she said firmly. “I’ve learned that I’m not cut out for this. I’m sorry I had to freak you all out in the process, but I’ll be on my way now.”

  “There’s nothing I can do to persuade you?”

  “Thank you, but no. Thanks for your time, and for helping me out there, but –”

  “Maybe you should give her the grand tour, Tamika,” the man butted in.

  Instantly, a light came into Tamika’s eyes. “I was looking forward to showing you around the school,” she said.

  “There’s no point. I won’t be working here,” Dolores said quickly.

  “I understand, dear. But I’d value the opportunity to pick your brains a little. I’m not from a teaching background myself, so I’d be very grateful for the opinions of someone with your classroom experience.”

  Dolores allowed herself a small smile. “Okay. I guess I owe you that.”

  Tamika clapped her hands together. “Fabulous. But I’ve just remembered that I have an errand to run. Olsen, I don’t suppose you’d have a moment to show Dolores around instead?”

  The man’s eyes widened fleetingly, then he lifted his hands. “Sure thing. I’d be happy to.”

  “Great. Olsen is a senior member of the building team, so he knows the complex very well. Okay, I’ll leave you in his capable hands. I’ve got to run.” And with that, Tamika scampered off.

  Olsen turned to Dolores. There was something almost shy in the way he pushed his shirtsleeves up his massive forearms and cleared his throat. He has a kind face, she thought. Very rugged, with a hard jaw and firm lips, but kind.

  “Shall we begin?” he said. “We can go slow if you’re still feeling bad.”

  “Oh, I’m okay. I think I
’m over it,” she replied.

  He grinned. “That’s good to hear,” he said, jamming his hands into the pockets of his faded blue levis, and they began to walk together in the golden light of late afternoon, his huge physique casting long shadows, and hers much shorter ones.

  The school was huge, and constructed from wooden cabins that were rustic on the outside, but very well designed. Olsen explained every little detail of their construction – how they were energy efficient, and laid out in a way that promoted a relaxed learning environment. The books and learning aids were a school teacher’s dream. And the play and exercise areas were something else. Dolores had always hated the way that school yards were so basic. But this was practically a theme park. Olsen showed her all of the equipment, explaining why they’d chosen certain pieces. He had a kind of gruff, hesitant way of talking, in his deep, rumbling voice, but she could tell that he had a passion for his work, and that he enjoyed telling her about it.

  As Olsen continued showing her around, she noticed how much focus there was on physical activity.

  “Is this a special kind of teaching method, like a Montessori school or something?”

  Olsen rubbed at the back of his head. “I don’t know about any of that, ma’am. But Tamika’s always saying how important it is to meet the needs of these kids.”

  “This is really impressive,” she commented as they paused at a giant obstacle course, made from huge wooden logs and thick cords of rope. “But it looks like it’s made for teens. Did you say the kids are only five years old?”

  “Yup. They’re bigger than average kids though,” he replied, scratching at the rough stubble covering his jaws.

  “Why is that?”

  “Because they’re shift –” He broke off, eyes widening. “Tamika hasn’t told you, has she?”

  “Told me what?”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have opened my mouth. But since you were here for an interview, I assumed –”

  “She told me the kids were gifted.”

  Amusement tugged at his ruggedly handsome features.

  “I guess you could say that.”

  She came around and stood right in front of him, her curiosity piqued. “Gifted how?”

  His thick, dark brows pulled together. “I can’t tell you that. It’s one of the laws around here. But you’ve got no reason to be afraid of them.”

  Her mouth formed a small O. “How did you know I’m afraid?”

  “I can sense it. I can smell it in your scent.” He took a half step forward, and he was suddenly very close. “I can see you like the school, but when you think of the kids, your pupils dilate and your pulse beats fast.”

  She swallowed. How the hell can he see that? “What are they like?” she said, hesitantly.

  He shrugged, scraped the heel of his boot in the dirt. “They’re a bit like me, I guess. Big for their age, a little clumsy, sometimes not very good with words. They won’t hurt you. They’ve got good hearts. You’re not afraid of me, are you?”

  She ran her eyes over his weathered face, his huge bulk. “No, I’m not,” she replied, surprising herself. He was the biggest guy she’d seen in her life, and her past experiences gave her every reason to fear him. But for some reason, she didn’t.

  He grinned. “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Olsen continued showing her around, towering over her, the timbre of his voice seeming to vibrate through her body as he pointed out the different features of the school to her.

  “That was very interesting,” she said as they came to the end of the tour. “You’ve created a real nice school.”

  “I sure hope so,” he said with a self-conscious smile. “But it won’t be a school without any teachers, and Tamika’s had a hard time recruiting for them.”

  “She has?” Dolores said, thinking that any teacher would jump at the chance of working here. Any teacher who wasn’t reduced to a trembling mess of panic attacks, that was.

  “Yeah, she only wants the best,” Olsen replied. He looked like he was about to say something else, but Tamika emerged from a nearby doorway, with a bright, kind smile.

  “What do you think?” she demanded, clasping her hands together.

  “I love it. It’s like the school I’ve created in my dreams, but ten times better. There’s not a single thing I think you could improve on.” Dolores said.

  Tamika looked delighted. “Really?”

  “Totally. You’re going to have some very happy kids here.”

  “That’s my aim. Happy kids and happy teachers.”

  “I should probably get back to work,” Olsen said. “It was nice to meet you, Dolores.”

  “You too,” she said, and as he turned and walked away, his legs long and agile in his faded jeans, she felt a funny little tug, as if he’d pulled something away from the present moment and taken it with him.

  Dolores kept her back to Tamika for as long as possible, while her mind whirled. But at last, she swallowed hard and turned to face her.

  “I know I’ve probably screwed up my chances, but I was wondering if we could start the interview again?” she said in a rush.

  Tamika beamed. “The job’s yours, my dear –”

  “But –”

  “Try it for a week, or a month. And if you’re not happy, you can leave immediately, with no hard feelings on either side.”

  Dolores gaped. “Are you serious?”

  “I’ve never been more serious in my life. Now, let’s go back inside and I’ll get you to sign an NDA, before I tell you exactly why these are the best kids in the world.”

  3

  “Shape shifters,” Dolores murmured as she drove back to the motel in the outskirts of Hope Valley where she was staying for the night. “I can handle that.” And then she threw her head back and laughed out loud. Everything about this job application had been so unusual that finding out she’d be teaching kids who were half human and half animal didn’t come as such a big shock.

  She hadn’t even applied for the position; Tamika had found her. She’d been lying on the bed in the women’s refuge where she’d been staying ever since she got out of the hospital, watching TV in a haze of depression, when she’d gotten a call, and Tamika’s booming English accent came through the phone. She seemed to know everything about Dolores’ teaching experience, and was full of compliments. She insisted on paying all her travel and hotel expenses and said she couldn’t wait to meet her. And then she mentioned something about an NDA. It was the first interview Dolores had had since that thing happened, and she was scared, but Tamika assured her that the school was brand new and the kids she’d be teaching were amazing, and eventually she convinced her to come and see it for herself.

  And now, just over a week later, she had a brand new job, teaching shape shifters. “Wow. Just wow,” she muttered. And that wasn’t all. It turned out that Hope Valley was a hotbed of shifter men – hence the need for a school for their offspring – and she also had an app for dating them installed on her phone, as part of Tamika’s onboarding efforts. As she pulled up at a stop light, she glanced at the app. She’d tried to tell Tamika that she wasn’t in the market for dating, but to no avail. Tamika was an irrepressible ball of energy. After she’d told Dolores all about shifters, she spent another twenty minutes explaining why shifter guys made the best mates ever. And while Dolores continued to protest, she’d grabbed her phone and installed the app. “Just in case you change your mind, dear.”

  Am I dreaming? Dolores thought as she pulled into her spot at the motel. The whole thing was so surreal. She went into her plain but comfortable room and shut the door behind her. Tamika had actually given her a big enough allowance to stay at the grandest hotel in town, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was way too much.

  She was happy here, anyway. It was the first time she’d been alone since she’d lost her home. When Dwayne Carter threw the firebomb through her front door, he took everything away from her. Her home. Her beloved cat. Her
chance of having a husband.

  But now, she’d have to go looking for a new home in Hope Valley. She couldn’t believe how close she’d come to messing everything up with her stupid panic attack. And she would’ve done, if it wasn’t for Olsen. She hadn’t even had a chance to thank him before he disappeared. When she thought about his huge bulk, his gruff but kind ways, she couldn’t help smiling. She thought he was the kindest man she’d ever met. Is he a shape shifter too? She’d been too shy to ask Tamika, but she sensed something animal about him. The way he’d seemed to understand how she was feeling, without her telling him. He hadn’t even looked disgusted when he caught sight of her scar.

  She went into the bathroom and freshened herself up before she went to grab dinner, avoiding looking in the mirror. Her romantic life was over before it had even begun. But a little kindness from a strong man made things more bearable.

  4

  5

  Olsen cracked open a beer and settled into an easy chair on his deck, putting his feet up on the rail with a sigh. The job at the school was complete. Tamika was happy with the clan’s work. More than happy. She looked about ready to burst with excitement, peppering the bears with compliments and gratitude. They’d actually finished work the previous day. It was pure chance that he’d stopped by to collect something he’d forgotten and run into that small, curvy human. Panic attacks. He knew the symptoms well enough to recognize them in someone else. He didn’t know what the hell made him share that information with Dolores though. It wasn’t because she looked so beautiful and vulnerable, and her evident pain had touched something deep inside him. Until now, there had only been one person in the whole damn world who knew he suffered from them. And that was Connor, the Alpha of his clan. The one who’d helped him move beyond his bear existence, and take on his human form. It hadn’t been easy. Olsen hadn’t even realized that he was a shifter until he was eighteen, and the discovery had shaken him to his core. Brought up by bears, he wasn’t equipped to live in the human world, and every new discovery brought a deep sense of dread, and a longing to return to his simple bear life. But that life was gone, forever. A forest fire had killed his entire family. Except for him. The shock had forced his first shift, and left him trapped in his human form, with no idea how to become a bear again. Then, Connor had found him, wandering alone, and grieving for the loss of everything he’d known.