Read Online Oriana and the Three Werebears by Tia Fanning - Free Book Online Page A

studies showed that laughter benefited the body in many ways, healing included, but Jon appeared at the door.
    “Breakfast is served,” he said as he crossed the room, then placed the breakfast tray on her lap. “Chocolate chip pancakes as ordered.”
    “Wow, thank you,” she beamed, studying the pancakes and the glass of apple juice. Unrolling the napkin, she retrieved her fork. “They smell wonderful.”
    Jordan watched her dissect a piece of the fried batter and bring it to her slightly parted lips. She closed her mouth upon the fork, then slowly slid the utensil from the compressed seam.
    Oriana moaned in culinary appreciation. “This is amazing. The best pancakes I’ve ever had. You should be a chef.”
    “A chef is required to know how to prepare more than one dish,” Jordan explained. “That is the only dish he knows how to prepare.”
    “Oh.” She picked up her glass and took a long drink, obviously trying to hide her smile.
    Jordan didn’t bother hiding his.
    Jon sat down on the opposite side of her. “Please ignore my highly intelligent, but socially inept brother. He doesn’t understand that jealousy is unbecoming.” Jon sighed dramatically and shook his head in feigned sadness. “Jordan is the praised cook in our family, but he’s never received a complimentary moan from a gorgeous woman for one of his meals.”
    Oriana kept sipping.
    Jon leaned in close to her and whispered, “Between you and me, I doubt he’s ever made a woman moan at all.”
    She choked into her glass.
    A low growl escaped Jordan’s throat.
    “See, there’s that social ineptness again,” Jon continued, gently patting Oriana’s back as she quietly coughed into her napkin. “Jordan doesn’t understand that growling in front a guest is rude. Our dear mother, God rest her soul, tried to teach him manners, but—”
    “She never found the time to impart a proper lesson because she was far too busy trying to teach Jon how to keep his mouth shut.” Jordan rewarded his brother a tight smile. “As you can see, Jon never did learn. However, I maintain hope that he will one day overcome this flaw, and I do what I can to help him. I believe one is obligated to support their siblings and should encourage them to better themselves. Matter of fact, I think I will encourage Jon here very soon.”
    “You guys are too cute,” she said, placing her glass down. “But I’m sorry to hear about your mother. May I ask how she passed?”
    “Our parents died a couple of years ago in a car accident,” Jordan explained. “It happened back home in Colorado. There was an unexpected winter storm, and the roads were slick…”
    “I’m sorry,” she repeated. “It must be very hard. I lost my dad to cancer a year and a half ago, and I still haven’t fully recovered from it. Do you still have family in Colorado?”
    Jon smiled sadly. “Yes. Our grandparents, a couple of aunts and uncles, and a few cousins. It’s not a large family, but they’re all there.”
    “So I guess your, um…work brought you to Alaska?”
    Jon shifted his gaze to Jordan in query, who in turn shrugged. “Jack’s already told her some of what we do.”
    “He didn’t really tell me, per se,” Oriana offered. “He just hinted, because I prompted. I was having a problem getting your phones to work, so I began searching your desks for a manual.” She cringed slightly. “Or a password to your computer terminals,” she added. “But not because I wanted to pry into your work or anything, I just thought I could access the internet and send an e-mail out for help.
    “Well, anyway,” she continued in a rush, “Two of the desks were locked. Jonathan, you left your desk open. While I was going through your drawers, I noticed many of the folders had those, um, red clearance stamps indicating classified government material—but I swear I didn’t look in any of the files…at length. It was just a cursory glance, searching for a phone manual or your computer