Page 1 of His to Defend

CHAPTER ONE

It had been almost a year since Nina Renton had been to Grizzly Ridge for the first time. She’d been assigned to write a travel feature piece on a brand-new eco-lodge in the remote Montana mountains and, needing a little break from her own life, she’d dragged her best friend Harper along with her. A choice Nina might not make again. Especially because it meant that Harper would end up staying at the ridge after falling in love with the rugged man who ran it.

That wasn’t true, and Nina knew it. As much as she missed her best friend back in LA, she couldn’t be happier for her. Nina never would have guessed that Harper would trade in her slick lifestyle as a PR rep in the big city for a rugged life in the mountains, but that’s exactly what she’d done. And judging by the smile in her voice when she’d called to tell Nina she was getting married, Harper couldn’t be happier.

Nina navigated the SUV she’d rented through the mountain roads. Last time she’d arrived at the ridge, it had been by helicopter. But that had been before.

When she was still on the payroll of Lifestyle magazine.

It was pretty hard to afford a helicopter ride without that expense account to back her up anymore. It was going to be pretty hard to afford much of anything soon.

Nina swallowed hard and forced herself to focus on something else, like how great it was going to be to see her best friend.

Eventually a large wooden sign announcing Grizzly Ridge appeared in the thick trees and Nina’s stomach fluttered with excitement. Spending a few weeks with Harper would be exactly what she needed to figure out what she was going to do next. Besides, the fresh air would be good for her and maybe she’d get lucky and find a mountain man of her own to keep her warm at night.

The thought made her laugh. Even if there was a little part of her that didn’t immediately reject the idea of having a man in her bed, there was an even bigger part of her that did. With her own life falling apart, the last thing she needed was to throw a man into the mix.

Then again…maybe a little satisfaction wouldn’t hurt…

Fortunately, or unfortunately, Nina didn’t have time to dwell on the idea because just as the idea was starting to take root, she rounded the corner, drove through a hand-carved wooden gate and into Grizzly Ridge. And just as it had the first time, it took her breath away.

Nina pulled up in front of the main large log building that she knew was referred to as the Den and put the car in park. She remembered the Den well. But there were so many other buildings than the last time.

She stood next to the car and took a deep breath, letting the fresh pine air fill her lungs before she spun in a slow circle, taking it all in.

“It’s pretty different, isn’t it?”

Nina turned on her heel and shrieked. “Harper!”

Her friend ran toward her and they embraced in a hard hug that brought tears to Nina’s eyes. “Oh my God, I missed you so much.”

Harper laughed and pulled back. “I missed you, too. I’m so glad you’re here. I couldn’t imagine doing this without you.”

“Something tells me you wouldn’t have any trouble doing this without me.” Nina tipped her head and gave her friend a look. Harper had always been a strong woman, but when she met Axel, she’d blossomed, as if Axel’s support and love had infused her with even more determination and passion.

“Okay,” Harper admitted. “But I certainly wouldn’t want to do it without you.”

“Now that I believe.” Nina laughed and for the first time examined the changes in her friend. “You look amazing.” Harper had always been curvy, but her curves seemed more lush somehow, her hair shinier and longer, her skin glowed, and she looked fresh and…happy.

“What can I say?” Harper smiled broadly. “Motherhood agrees with me. I can’t wait for you to meet Lily. She’s the sweetest thing.”

Nina still couldn’t believe her friend was a mother. And she really couldn’t believe that Lily was already a few months old, and she hadn’t met her yet. “Where is she? I can’t wait to cuddle her.”

“She’s with Ella in the kitchen.”

“Ella?”

“She’s Kade’s mate. She’s from Argentina and so—”

“Mate?” Nina stared at her friend but Harper only laughed again.

“That’s just the word everyone around here uses. It’s a little more permanent than girlfriend, but not quite wife.” She waved her hand, dismissing it. “The Jackson brothers don’t really believe in marriage. It took a lot of talking to convince Axel it was important to me.”

She didn’t give Nina a chance to respond before she took her hand and pulled her toward the Den. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to everyone. There’s been so many changes since you’ve been here.”

Not the least of which seemed to be that all the Jackson brothers had paired off and found mates. Nina couldn’t help but be a little disappointed about that. Not that she had designs on any of Axel’s brothers, but they were pretty sexy. And as much as she was pretty sure she didn’t want to get involved with anyone, the thought of a little fling might not be a terrible idea.

After all, she was due for a little fun.