Too Much To Bear: BBW Shifter Romance (Shifters of Spellholm Forest - The Bears) by Harmony Raines Page B

time."
    Jenny burst into tears, and clutched her mom to her. "Thank you, so much."
    Her mom patted her back. "See, there's nothing we can't sort out if we talk to each other."
    "There might be one other thing I should tell you then." Jenny stood up and took a deep breath, not wanting to keep it inside any longer. She had been wrong not to talk it over with her family, they had always been so supportive, and there was no reason to think they wouldn't be about this. "It's about my coming of age."
    "Ahh. I wondered when we would get around to this. It's alright; your dad and I guessed a long time ago you were not going to be like us."
    "You did? When?"
    "I don't know. When you were about six I think."
    "Six!"
    "About then, maybe even before."
    "And you didn't say?"
    "Why would we? What will be will be, and we could have been wrong, but you acted differently. You don't have the same way of going about things. I can't say why for sure, but we both knew."
    "And you don't mind?"
    "Why let something you can't change bother you?"
    Her mom smiled at her, and everything felt right. "You still love me, right?"
    Her mom burst out laughing, "Of course, that will never change." She kissed Jenny on the top of her head. "I loved you more than anything in the world the day you were born, and that will never change. Now let's get these potatoes dug up, and then we can make dinner. Do you think Beck would like to join us?"
    "I'll ask him when we've finished here." She forked the ground over, lifting the heavy soil before sorting through it.
    "Oh, here they come. Looks as if things went well. Why don't I take your dad in side for a cold drink, he looks like an excited puppy? That way you can have a private chat with Beck. Why don't you walk down to the lake?"
    "What about finishing here?"
    "Don't worry, there's enough for dinner, the rest will wait." She walked over and picked up the basket, shooing Jenny away. "Go on, talk to Beck, and we'll see you in an hour or two. Your dad can help me with dinner."
    "Thanks mom," Jenny said, brushing the dirt off her hands.
    Her dad came over, his smile broad as he winked at Jenny. "Good news..."
    "Let Beck tell her, Reg. Come on." She took him by the arm and they walked towards the farmhouse. Her dad took the basket from her mom, always the gentleman where she was concerned. To look at them you would think they were lovestruck teenagers. All her life, every day, she witnessed their undying love for each other. She only hoped it would be the same for her and her mate.
    Beck came towards her, instantly her body became attuned to his. A current of electricity between them, much like when he changed from man to bear. The link between them must be of a similar ethereal source. She smiled shyly, afraid he might think he had been pushed into a corner by her dad.
    "My mom told me my dad had a chat with you."
    "He did. He gave me a proposition."
    "Do you want to tell me about it?"
    "You don't know? I thought you might have put them up to it."
    "No, not at all. The first I knew of it was when my mom told me. I was upset, and told her you were leaving. I've also told her about my coming of age."
    His face showed concern. “Is that why you've been crying?"
    She put her hand to her face; sure there was no trace of her tears. "No. I haven't been. Well only about you leaving. That's when she told me my dad had some idea he was putting to you."
    "He's a good man."
    "He tries to be," she said proudly. “Tell me Beck."
    "Come on, let's walk."
    "OK, my mom suggested we go down to the lake."
    "Does that mean we can skinny dip?"
    "I've never done that!"
    "Then today will be a new first for you. I feel I have corrupted your safe world so much already, one more thing won't hurt."
    "But what if someone sees?"
    "So what if someone sees?"
    She laughed nervously, and took his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin against hers. "So what is going on between you and my dad?"
    "I told him I planned to leave, and he made me an offer I