Mac (Winter - Shifter Seasons Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Winter - Shifter Seasons

  Foreword

  Chapter One – Mac

  Chapter Two – Saffron

  Chapter Three – Mac

  Chapter Four – Saffron

  Chapter Five – Mac

  Chapter Six – Saffron

  Chapter Seven – Mac

  Chapter Eight – Saffron

  Chapter Nine – Mac

  Chapter Ten – Saffron

  Chapter Eleven – Mac

  Chapter Twelve – Saffron

  Chapter Thirteen – Mac

  Chapter Fourteen – Saffron

  Chapter Fifteen – Mac

  Chapter Sixteen – Saffron

  Chapter Seventeen – Mac

  Chapter Eighteen – Saffron

  Chapter Nineteen – Mac

  Chapter Twenty – Saffron

  Chapter Twenty-One – Saffron

  Chapter Twenty-Two – Mac

  Chapter Twenty-Three – Saffron

  Chapter Twenty-Four - Mac

  Chapter Twenty-Five – Saffron

  Epilogue

  Also By Harmony Raines

  Get In Touch

  Mac

  Winter-Shifter Seasons

  Book Three

  ***

  All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.

  This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.

  © 2020 Harmony Raines

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  Winter-Shifter Seasons

  Hex

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book One

  Beck

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book Two

  Mac

  Winter-Shifter Seasons Book Three

  Mac

  Winter-Shifter Seasons

  Book Three

  A silverback seasoned shifters romance

  Bear shifter, Mac Winter, has spent his life supporting his family after his father died. He’s watched his brothers find their mates and couldn’t be happier for them.

  That doesn’t stop Mac longing for a mate of his own. A woman to share his life with. To raise a family with and to grow old with.

  When Saffron walks into his life, he knows instantly she’s the one. But his mate has secrets. She needs his help and he will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

  Mac Winter is everything Saffron wants and more. So much more. But giving in to the intense feelings she has for him isn’t possible. Not now. Not when she’s promised to care for her sister and her nephews.

  Her sister who is fading away right before her eyes. Her sister who is dying of a broken heart.

  However, when Mac reveals he is a shifter, she can’t deny herself, and fate, any longer.

  And maybe Mac Winter holds the key to unlocking her sister’s broken heart and helping them all start a new life in Bear Creek.

  Mac – Winter – Shifter Seasons contains a heart warming happy ever after. Why not visit Bear Creek and find new family and friends to spend some time with?

  Chapter One – Mac

  “I’ll give you a ride,” Mac offered Kassia as she got out of her car and slammed the door.

  “That would be amazing, since this thing is not going to start,” Kassia replied, her foot poised as if she were about to kick the tires of the old car she’d bought as a runaround. “But only if you are sure you have the time. I know how busy you are.”

  “I’m certain. I’ll just go grab my keys.” Mac jogged back to his office and grabbed the truck keys off the desk, ignoring the pile of paperwork that needed his attention. Things sure had piled up the last couple of weeks. After the disruption brought on by the snowstorm and with his two brothers both meeting their mates, things had begun to slip.

  Hex and Beck were working hard to help Mac catch up on the backlog of work, but they were also in the middle of arranging a whirlwind double wedding. Not that Mac begrudged them taking time out to organize suits and visit the venue, The Catherine Hotel. He was more than happy to give them the time they needed and to support them in any way he could.

  Mac would just have to catch up on everything after the wedding. Or after Hex and Beck had come back from their honeymoons. But then they would have the houses to build... He raked his hand through his hair as a sense of despair threaded through his veins.

  Work isn’t everything, his bear told him. Seeing Hex and Beck meet their mates is worth all the extra hours in the office after a hard day at work.

  True. So very true. Mac grasped the keys tightly in his hand as he jogged back across the yard to a waiting Kassia. However, it wasn’t just the paperwork that left him feeling down. It was the prospect of living his life alone. After seeing his brothers so happy, he wanted that for himself.

  It’s not too late for us, his bear reminded him.

  It just feels as if time is running out. Mac put a smile on his face as he unlocked the truck for Kassia. He wanted to reassure her everything was okay. Lately, he’d felt as if everyone was watching him. It was as if they were walking on eggshells, trying not to upset him with too much talk of mates and weddings. And babies.

  His bear sighed with longing. I can’t wait for the babies to arrive. If we can’t have children of our own, we’ll just have to spoil our nieces and nephews.

  “Here we go.” Mac opened the truck door for Kassia, the smile still fixed in place as he too imagined rolling around on the ground play-fighting with his brothers’ kids.

  “I’m so sorry,” she apologized as she climbed into the truck. “I know how busy you are.”

  “That’s okay.” Mac started the engine and put the truck in gear. “I planned to go to town later for some supplies from the hardware store. I’ll just rearrange my day.”

  “You take it all in your stride, don’t you?” Kassia asked as they drove away from the sawmill.

  Mac chuckled. “That’s what I want you to think.”

  Kassia side-eyed him. “How are you going to manage when Hex and Beck are on their honeymoons?” Her genuine concern was evident in her expression.

  “I’ll manage and they can make it up to me when they get back.” He smiled sadly. “And you never know, one day they might be able to return the favor. You know, when I meet my mate. Then they can run things while I take some time off.”

  He groaned inwardly at the thought of having time off. He longed to grab a backpack and go into the mountains for a night or two. It had been too long since he’d done anything for himself and it would help him clear his head.

  That pile of paperwork would just get bigger and you would just worry about the sawmill and letting everyone down, his bear told him bluntly. You seem to have forgotten how to let things go. Even for an hour or two. Let alone a day or two.

  “Well, if that mate of mine tells me I told you so over that car I just bought, our wedding might be off.” She grinned. “I’m joking. Nothing is going to stop us from getting married.”

  “No, it’s not,” Mac agreed. “Beck and Hex will move heaven and earth to ensure the wedding goes ahead.”

  “And what about you?” Kassia asked. “Are you okay? It can’t b
e easy trying to run the sawmill with so much else going on.”

  “I’m managing,” Mac replied.

  “Are you?” Kassia half turned to face him. “Why don’t you get a secretary?”

  “No.” He waved off the suggestion.

  “Just temporarily while we’re on our honeymoon. Honeymoons.” She pressed her lips together, her concern for him evident. “Beck and Hex are concerned.”

  “And you don’t want me to spoil your honeymoons. Which might happen if they are worried about me?” Mac’s jaw tightened.

  “No, it’s not like that,” Kassia insisted.

  “I know, I’m sorry.” He ran a hand through his hair before placing it back on the steering wheel.

  “You don’t have to be sorry,” Kassia told him gently. “But why don’t you let me ask around and see if we can’t find you a secretary? Someone who can help you out in the office.” She paused and then added, “Without getting in your way.”

  Mac’s shoulders shook as he laughed. “Do I have a reputation for being difficult?”

  “Closed.” Kassia folded her hands together as if she were closing a book. “You’re like a closed book.”

  “That’s because I’m embarrassed about how little is written in the pages of that book.” His confession shocked Kassia but she quickly smoothed over her expression as he continued, “All I’ve really done with my life is build a business. There’s nothing else. I’m a two-dimensional person.”

  “That’s not true,” Kassia insisted. “What you did for your family, that was incredible, it took courage to step up when your father died. It took tremendous drive and self-sacrifice to build the sawmill into the business it is today. You shouldn’t sell yourself short.”

  Mac fell silent for a moment. “What if I did it for the wrong reasons?”

  “The wrong reasons?” Kassia asked. “Like what?”

  “Because I was scared. I bought the sawmill and worked hard to make it viable so that I didn’t have to live alone.” He tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow. “Does that still make me a savior, or does that make me incredibly selfish?”

  “That’s for you to decide. Not me. Not anyone else.” Kassia leaned back in her seat and stared out of the window as they approached the town. Had he destroyed her illusion of who he was and what he stood for? That hadn’t been his intention, but lately, he was growing uncomfortable with being seen as their savior. He was no saint. He was just an ordinary man.

  Who is alone, his bear said. And that is making you grouchy.

  I’m not grouchy, Mac insisted.

  You are and you are beginning to put up a barrier between you and the other members of this family. Don’t shut them out, his bear warned.

  I never intended to. Mac went over his actions of the past few days. He had been loping off to his office more than normal.

  And your normal is a lot of hours working. Lately, you might as well move your bed into the office, his bear commented.

  I’ll do better, Mac answered. Mulling over his actions, he had a moment of clarity. His brothers were trying to include him in all aspects of the wedding so that he didn’t feel left out. In return, Mac had pushed them away and put up shields to protect himself from the sense of foreboding that hovered at his shoulder.

  He was scared. Scared of change. Scared of his family breaking up. Yet he was also so happy for his brothers and their mates, he could burst. It was a conundrum that he was unable to solve.

  Unless we find our mate. If we find our mate, we will be whole. His bear sighed heavily. They’d both come to the conclusion that lightning might strike twice. And it had by bringing Martha and Kassia into his brothers’ lives. But lightning did not strike three times.

  “Here we are,” Kassia said, pointing to the diner.

  Mac swerved to the side of the road and parked the truck. He’d been so lost in thought that he’d almost driven straight past the diner that belonged to Kassia’s aunt. Kassia had been helping to run the place since she’d arrived in Bear Creek to look after her Aunt Betsy who had badly sprained her ankle when she slipped over in the snow. “How long are you going to be?”

  “Oh, a couple of hours at least. I just need to talk to Carol and make sure everything is okay. We’re supposed to be running the diner together, but she seems to have everything under control. She’s trained me to use the cash register and take orders. Plus, I can handle cleaning the tables and mopping the floor. But…and don’t tell Betsy this…” She wagged her finger at Mac.

  “My lips are sealed.” His eyes twinkled as he watched Kassia. He had some idea of what she was going to say but he didn’t intend to tell her his source. Beck had sworn Mac and Hex to secrecy when he told them Kassia had nearly dropped a couple of orders in a customer’s lap and smashed a trayful of crockery.

  “I’m not great at carrying the orders. Which is surprising since I worked in a kindergarten for years and never dropped a thing. Not one single child.” She grinned as she held up her hands. “I think the universe is trying to tell me that I need to find a job I like, a job I enjoy.”

  “Which is?” Mac asked as he half turned to watch Kassia.

  Her expression grew serious. “I love kids. I loved my job before Travis…”

  “Then set up your own business,” Mac suggested.

  “I don’t have the money. Or the experience. I’d have a pile of paperwork taller than yours.” Kassia pressed her lips into a thin smile. “I should go. I’m already running late.”

  “I’d lend you the money,” Mac blurted out. He’d spoken with his heart, not with his head but as Kassia stared at him with her mouth open, he knew it was a good idea. “I have been thinking of investing in another business. Why not in your business?”

  “For the reasons I already mentioned,” Kassia replied. “I don’t know the first thing about business.”

  “Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself,” Mac told her gently.

  Kassia plucked at her jeans, avoiding meeting his gaze. “Don’t tell Beck. But my self-confidence is still in the toilet.” She sighed and rubbed her hand across her eyes. “Just when I think I’m over Travis and what he did, it sneaks up behind me and grabs hold so tight I can’t shake it off. I was so stupid.”

  “No, you weren’t, and deep down you know that. Take a chance, Kassia. On yourself. Believe in yourself in the same way we all believe in you.” Mac reached across the truck and hugged her close. “I think you can do anything you set your mind to.”

  “You are the sweetest man, Mac Winter.” Kassia hugged him right back before she pulled away and wiped her cheeks. “Now you’ve made me cry.” With a watery smile, she said, “Thanks for the pep talk.”

  Mac wanted to reassure her to tell her she would be okay, but Kassia had to go some way of figuring that out on her own. Although, he’d do whatever he could to help her and he knew the rest of the family would, too. “You’re smart, you’ll learn. And I’m sure Martha would be interested in helping out. She’s quit her job in the city and doesn’t intend to find another one with the baby on the way.”

  Kassia’s eyes lit up as she considered Mac’s proposal. “You know, I’m going to do it!” Her expression clouded. “Although, maybe I also need to talk to Beck.”

  Mac nodded. “Take your time…” He took a deep breath. “I hope my offer won’t upset Beck.”

  “Why would it?” she asked with a hint of sarcasm then she grinned. “Honestly, I think he’s over the whole jealous of my big brother thing. We’re focused on the wedding and the house we’re going to build when we get back from our honeymoon.”

  “Times are certainly changing.” Mac gazed out of the window at the mountains in the distance.

  Everything changes except for the mountain, his bear replied. But change is good, change brings opportunity.

  Wise words, Mac replied.

  “Don’t wait for me,” Kassia told Mac. “I’ll find my own way home.”

  “Are you sure?” Mac asked.

  “Absolutely.
You go and run your errands and I’ll see you back at the house later.” She got out of the truck and gave him a brief wave before she disappeared into the diner.

  Mac sat still for a few moments, letting the traffic pass by, just like his life was passing him by. Perhaps he needed a change. Perhaps he should do what Beck had done and go on a road trip or something. Something that would distract him from his lonely life.

  For, despite being surrounded by people who loved him, he was lonely.

  A shifter in need of a mate, his bear said.

  And his bear was right.

  Chapter Two – Saffron

  She was desperate. But she couldn’t appear desperate. No one would give a job to a desperate woman.

  Saffron raked her hand through her hair as she scanned the stores lining the main street which intersected Bear Creek. She’d already asked at the grocery store and left her résumé even though the manager said they had no current vacancies and a few people already on a waiting list. She’d skipped the hair salon and the bridal shop, neither of which she had any experience, and now she was heading for the local diner.

  Which she also had no experience with, except for sitting down and eating. That she could do.

  As she approached the door of the diner, she stalled and shook her head. What was she thinking? What was she doing?

  She wasn’t a store clerk or a waitress, she was a PA. A damn good PA.

  So, it made sense for her to hit the offices first. But her résumé didn’t include any references related to her PA experience. She couldn’t risk a potential employer contacting her last boss.

  Shaking her strawberry blonde hair back from her shoulders, Saffron forced a smile on her face and headed for the door. There were two women at the counter who were talking, and four or five people seated at tables either drinking coffee or eating breakfast. Saffron’s stomach rumbled at the thought of food. She’d skipped breakfast this morning as nerves had gotten the best of her. The need to find a job sat in the pit of her stomach like a lead weight.