1. Bambi

CHAPTER 1

BAMBI

"Miss Bambi, do you have a disease?"

A disease? That's a new one. A laugh bubbles up, but the earnest expression on the furry face of the sweet little Sasquatch boy makes me swallow it down.

Little? Did I say little? Ha! Hardly. Even though he must be all of about six or seven, we stand eye to eye.

"No, Cai, I don't have a disease."At least not one I'm aware of.

"Oh, then why are your arms so bald?"

Ignoring the muffled snickers behind me, I glance down at my decidedly un-furry appendages, then back at the wide-eyed child. "Why are yours so furry?" I counter, raising a brow.

His mouth puckers in contemplation. "Because... I'm a Squatch?"

Still trying hard to keep a straight face, I tap his adorable button nose. "And I'm a human. We come pre-waxed."

His forehead furrows as he considers this. "Was your growth stunted?"

A chorus of giggles erupts from behind me and I glance over my shoulder at the group of slightly older male Sasquatch kiddos who clearly put Cai up to peppering me with these questions.

I can't help but grin. These young sasquatches are a hoot.

"Nope, this is just how humans come." I swipe a hand down the length of me. "We're fun-sized."

With my hands on my hips, I turn, scrunching my face in a faux scowl to mock-scold the boys. "Very funny, guys."

In truth, I love the teasing. I love that they feel comfortable with me. They're really great kids. In the few days that I've been in the underground Sasquatch city of Grotto, I've made it a point to leave the dorm I share with a handful of other human women early so I can sit out here every morning and chat with them as they make their way to school. I've gotten to know many of the children by name.

Before I can field any more inquiries about my apparent deficiencies, I see Steph heading our way juggling three steaming cups of coffee.

"Okay," I tell the kids in my stern-but-kind teacher voice. "Now, you fuzz-butts get off to class, study hard, and learn something."

Just as I'd intended, the boys roar with laughter when I call them fuzz-butts.

Interacting with kids makes my heart lighter. They're so innocent, guileless and straightforward. Refreshing.

My little buddies take off amid cheerful waves and choruses of goodbyes as Steph hands one of the coffees to me then another to Deborah who saunters up a few seconds later.

"Oh, sweet nectar of the gods," I murmur, inhaling deeply. The rich aroma is enough to make me weak in the knees. "Just what I needed."

"Right? I still can't believe there's no coffee in Grotto." Steph takes a sip and sighs contentedly. "I mean, they have every other luxury imaginable, not to mention an abundance of hot, hairy guys with overdeveloped protective instincts."

"Priorities, I guess," Deborah chimes in, her eyes twinkling over the rim of her cup.

I'm about to add my two cents when Kiki strolls up, looking annoyingly put-together for someone living in a cave. "There you all are," she says, beaming. "I've been looking everywhere for you ladies. Where's Octavia?"

Deborah shrugs. "Probably still helping with breakfast cleanup. That girl never stops working."

It's true, Octavia's always volunteering to help with something. The woman makes me feel like a lazy freeloader.

Almost a week ago, the five of us traveled here in the same van and arrived in Grotto together. To my knowledge, none of us knew exactly what we were getting into. We certainly didn't know our destination would be an underground city inhabited by Sasquatches. Or that we were intended to be potential dating candidates for these Sasquatches due to their overabundant male population.

Kiki launches into a spiel about keeping her coffee pot in the dorm for everyone to share, but maybe she should ask Frank for a second one so she can have one in her and Gruffydd's cave. The thought of Kiki and her Sasquatch beau living in harmonious bliss makes something twinge in my chest. Envy? Longing? Indigestion? Who knows.

"But then you'd miss out on our daily coffee klatch," Steph points out.

Deborah nods in agreement. "These morning meetups have quickly become the highlight of my day."

"Speaking of the big guy, how's mated bliss with Gruffydd going?" I ask.

Kiki's face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. "It's only been a few days, but so far, it's beyond amazing. Let me tell you, once you go big and hairy, you'll never go back."

I choke on my coffee, earning a concerned pat on the back from Steph. "I'm fine," I wheeze, waving her off.

"What about the rest of you?" Kiki asks. "Any sparks flying with any of our furry hosts?"

I force a laugh, hoping it doesn't sound as hollow as it feels. "I'm just here for the five-star accommodations and the complimentary breakfast buffet."

"Liar, liar, pants on fire," Steph sing-songs. "What about Olwydd? That furry studmuffin can't take his eyes off you. At the square dance, he followed you around all night like a puppy dog."

I feel my cheeks heat, and it's not from the coffee. "Yeah, well, maybe he was just admiring my stellar do-si-do technique."

"Or maybe he was imagining you naked in his bed," Deborah says with a wink.

"Please," I scoff, waving my hand in the air and trying to ignore the way my heart rate picks up at the thought.

The truth is, Olwydd's attention at the dance was both flattering and uncomfortable as hell.

I can't deny that I felt a strong attraction to the big guy, but the way he fawned over me, bragging about what a strong and virile male he is, how great a mate he would be to me...

That kind of thing is way too triggering. Too reminiscent of another situation. Another man who showered me with lavish gifts, generous attention and abundant promises, only to leave me humiliated, broken, and alone.

Liar. I should have known he was a liar.

I learned my lesson: when it appears too good to be true, IT IS too good to be true. Don't believe the lies.

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the painful memories. I'm here for a vacation—that's all. Lord knows I can use thirty days of peace and quiet, far away from the prying eyes and accusing tongues of the human world. The last thing I need is to get tangled up in another romantic disaster.

"Well, I'll take Olwydd's attention over Taredd's scowls any day," Steph grumbles, pulling me out of my thoughts. "That Sasquatch hates me. If he's not growling at me, he's mean-mugging me."

As I cast her a commiserating look, I notice a few more Sasquatch kids heading our way. Two of them break into a run when they spot me, and before I know it, I'm engulfed in a furry bear hug. Or I guess it would be a Sasquatch hug in this case.

"Whoa there, easy on the merchandise," I joke, but I can't help the warmth spreading through my chest. These kids are seriously the best.

"You're so good with them," Kiki says, smiling softly.

I shrug. "I love kids. I always have."

"You'd make a great teacher," Deborah adds.

The words hit me like a sucker punch to the solar plexus. I feel my face heat. "Yeah. I used to be one," I say quietly, more to myself than to the others. "A third-grade teacher, actually."

" Used to be?" Deborah cocks an inquisitive brow.

I sigh, suddenly feeling drained. "In another life."

There's a moment of awkward silence, broken only by the chatter of the Sasquatch children around us.

Steph, with her big mouth and complete lack of filter, blurts out, "Ah, before the scandal?"

And, cue the trigger.

I freeze, my coffee cup halfway to my lips. For a split second, my mind is transported back to the recent past. I'm surrounded by flashing cameras and rudely-hurled questions. My face is plastered across every tabloid and news channel as they brand me as a devious, unscrupulous home wrecker.

Steph's eyes widen as she realizes what she's said. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up. Sometimes my mouth moves faster than my brain, and I just?—"

I hold up a hand, cutting off her babbling stream of apologies. "It's okay." I force a tight smile. "Really. Water under the bridge."

But even as I say the words, the familiar weight settles on my shoulders. The scandal that robbed me of everything—my reputation, my self-esteem, the career I'd dreamed of since I was a little girl playing school with my stuffed animals. In one fell swoop, I went from Miss McCann, beloved third-grade teacher, to Boom Boom Bambi, the home wrecker who enticed an otherwise pious "man of God" into her sinful web.

Never mind that I had no idea he was married. Never mind that he was the one who pursued me relentlessly, showering me with attention and promises of undying love. In the court of public opinion, I was guilty before the trial even began.

Just then, a tall, broad-shouldered Sasquatch strolls by. I think his name is Colywnn, but honestly, they all look pretty similar to me at this point. All except Olwydd. But that's only because Olwydd is by far the handsomest of the bunch with his wide nose, high cheekbones, and sculpted muscles under that fine fur. Not to mention his buoyant personality.

"Hey!" Steph calls out, waving him over. "Quick question—do you guys need teachers or teaching assistants to work with the kids here? I'm asking for a friend." She jerks her thumb in my direction, subtle as a sledgehammer.

I open my mouth to protest, but Colywnn's already eyeing me raptly. "Are you interested in a job working with kids?"

"I, uh..." I stammer, caught off guard. "Well, I love kids. I was…used to be… a teacher. Third grade, but?—"

Colywnn's face breaks into a wide grin, revealing a set of surprisingly white teeth and long, fang-like canines. "We're always in need of good teachers," he says. "Actually, you'd be perfect."

I stare flabbergasted. "I would?"

"Absolutely. We've been considering adding a human studies class—human history and culture. Who better to teach it than a human?Would you care to join us today for a trial run?"

For a moment, I'm speechless. Is it really that simple? No resume, no references, no background check, no opening my closet door to reveal the horrible skeletons inside?

I glance to the other women, all watching me with encouraging smiles, then at Colywnn, patiently waiting for my answer and square my shoulders.

"I'd love to."