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I climb the snowy hill when a streak of brown makes me stop dead. It takes a full minute for my mind to understand what it’s seeing. The thick fur covering the huge bear doesn’t process in my brain. Once it clicks in, my throat almost closes up with fear and a scream I can’t stop from escaping my lips fills the air.
Oh, damn it! I startled it. The bear stands up tall on its hind legs and roars at me. A cloud of its warm breath pours from its mouth like smoke, but all I see are its large, razor sharp teeth. I freeze and whimper, trying to crouch down. Trying to hide. Trying to make this all go away. The bear steps toward me. Slowly, it takes lumbering steps and sniffs at the air.
I’m going to die.
“Hee-yah! Get out of here.” Hardy leaps out from behind me and puts himself directly between me and the bear. He waves an ax at it and stands tall, staring the giant creature down. “Go on, you heard me, get going!” he thunders.
I hold my breath, trying not to faint. The bear lumbers forward and I didn’t have to pee before I started this walk, but I’m not making any promises I won’t soak my pants now. For a moment, they stand their ground, Hardy stares the bear right in the eyes, both of them are perfectly still, neither willing to budge.
Oh God, please don’t let us die this way.
The bear stops short, snorts and snuffs loudly. I don’t know what that means. Is it about to attack us? My body is just one tense heartbeat, every part of my skin is pulsing as blood rushes to my muscles and my mind begs me to flee. Another big snort sends a frosty cloud up into the air over the bear. It drops back down onto all fours and turns away. It’s amazing how quickly it runs up the hill, disappearing into a cavern near the top.
Hardy turns toward me angrily and grabs my arms, I collapse against him, my weak knees no longer able to hold me up.
“Why didn’t you listen to me?” he snarls.
“I didn’t hear you,” I whisper. His grip is tight on my arms. Our bodies are pressed close. My heart is racing a million beats per second and the world around me is swirling. I’ve never been so afraid in my life. He saved me. He saved my life.
“You didn’t even try to listen. I was telling you that we’ve spotted a bear out here. You could’ve died.” He shakes his head.
I don’t mean to look at his lips this way. With his sturdy frame against mine, I realize I’ve never felt so safe. So protected. This wild man just risked his life to save mine, the feelings flooding through me are unexpected. And powerful.
“I’m sorry,” I murmur.
“You should be,” he growls and lets me go. I almost fall over, but somehow manage to stay on my feet.
Hardy starts to stomp off toward his cabin.
“Wait,” I call out.
“What?” He stops but doesn’t turn around.
“I was rude earlier, I… let me make it up to you. Give me a chance to start over. How about you and Owen come by in a couple hours, I’m a really great cook. I’ll make you both dinner. I promise you’ll love it,” I offer.
“We’re fine. We don’t need your food.” He looks at me over his shoulder, his green eyes pulling me in.
“No, please,” I persist, “it’s the least I can do. You saved my life. Please?”
Hardy sighs, the anger finally melting from his intense face and he nods. “Fine. Dinner in a couple hours sounds good. Now get out of the woods before you end up being dinner for that bear,” he warns me and then walks away.
I don’t waste any time doing exactly what he said. Quickly, I retreat from the path and head back up to my cabin. I start pulling out all the groceries and planning a dinner fit for a couple of kings. Or at least a couple of sexy lumberjacks.
5
Hardy
“So, I’m dressed in this little French maid costume, totally out of my element. Totally. Before that, I’d always done Halloween costumes like Cinderella or Amelia Earhart or stuff like that.” Mary giggles and finishes her glass of wine.
“Like a slutty Cinderella?” I hold her captive in my hungry stare, easily imagining the plunging neckline cupping her tits.
“No.” She frowns at me.
“Then what you’re telling us is that was the first Halloween you ever dressed like an adult, is that it?” I cock my head, still not taking my eyes off her.
“No, that’s not at all what I’m telling you.” Her lips turn down in the corners and she glowers at me from behind those ridiculous glasses.
Who wears glasses that bright? Someone who’s hiding who they really are from the world. Or maybe someone who’s afraid of who they really are deep inside.
