Page 48 of Beastly Mountain Man

Bear came up with snow covering his muzzle.

I laughed.

Caprice turned slowly toward me.

“You find this funny.”

“I do.”

“That’s useful information.”

She bent, scooped up snow, and packed a rough ball between her gloves.

“Caprice.”

She threw it.

The snowball hit me square in the chest.

Bear barked.

Caprice smiled with deep satisfaction.

“That’s why.”

I brushed snow from my coat.

“You understand you just started this.”

“You laughed first. I’m calling us even.”

“That doesn’t make us even.”

I bent for snow.

Caprice immediately backed away.

“You’re significantly larger than I am.”

“That wasn’t a concern when you threw yours.”

“It became relevant once you were armed.”

I made the snowball smaller.

She laughed.

“Was that mercy?”

“Fairness. I’m not letting you win.”

“Good. I don’t need you to.”

I threw.

It caught her shoulder.

Caprice gasped like I’d committed an actual offense.