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“We could eat in the car. Please. The change of scenery would do us both good.”
Dottie searched her face. “Are you all right, India?”
“It’s not easy being here with Farris.” This seemed like a moment when the truth might be the best course.
Dottie winced. “I understand. And yes, of course. I’d love to have lunch with you. I have a favorite spot, actually. Down by the river. A glorious view of the Tetons.”
India realized Dottie was talking about the same place where Farris and India had ended up on their horseback ride. How could she forget? “Let’s do it,” India said, smiling. “It will be fun.”
While Dottie changed clothes, India spoke with the housekeeper and arranged for a picnic basket. It wasn’t difficult. The noon meal was usually some kind of finger food, and since Farris rarely came back to the house midday, the impromptu jaunt would easily accommodate lunch.
In less than thirty minutes, they were on their way in the Range Rover. Dottie remembered to point out the turn where they had to leave the road and head toward the river. In no time at all, they spotted the water. India parked beside the picnic table where she and Farris had sat.
Trying to set out all the containers of food in the confines of the car was tricky. But the meal more than made up for any inconvenience. The two women ate mostly in companionable silence. The view spoke volumes.
The temperature was still mild for January. Eventually, the force of the sun beaming through the windshield heated up the interior of the vehicle to the point that Dottie was fanning herself.
“Open your door a crack. I will, too,” India said. “We’ll get some cross ventilation for a few minutes. And if you get cold, tell me.”
Soon, the crisp breeze made their nest far more comfortable. India finished her roast beef sandwich on sourdough and rummaged in a basket for a chocolate chip cookie. The thermos of lemonade was delicious.
Dottie ate more slowly. She sighed, leaning back in her seat. “This is lovely. What a good idea you had.”
India glanced at her passenger, intending to reply, but she froze. Terror tightened her throat. “Close your door, Dottie. Now!”
Farris’s mother frowned. “Why? I’m not cold at all.”
“Hurry, Dottie.”
Evidently, the urgency in India’s voice penetrated. Dottie turned to grab the door handle and gasped. Because she saw what India had seen. An adult grizzly, some distance away, but ambling in their direction.
Because Dottie still hadn’t finished the job, India reached across her and yanked the door shut. Then she closed her own and locked the car.
She wasn’t foolish enough to believe they were safe. Everyone in this part of the world had seen pictures of what a bear could do to a car. Those four-inch claws could rip through metal if the animal was motivated.
Dottie seemed in shock. “But it’s winter.”
Dottie was right. It was winter. Which probably meant this was a black bear. Still a threat, but not as terrifying. Now that India could breathe, and now that the bear was closer, she cataloged the differences. No hump at its shoulders, and the shape of the face was wrong. Thank God.
“He must be a male black bear,” she said. “They sometimes range around on nice days in the winter. I’m guessing he smelled our food.”
“What should we do?” Dottie’s tremulous question indicated her unease.
They were parked close to the edge of Farris’s property. The bordering land was national forest. Aspenglow was in the middle of nowhere, which was part of its charm. “It’s been a mild winter so far. He’s probably hungry.” Bears had an incredible sense of smell. “I think our only choice is to stay put.”
“Honk the horn,” Dottie said. “I saw Farris do that one time.”
“Good idea.” India gave several short toots. The bear paused, lifted his head, but kept coming. “If he’s been in tourist areas scavenging, he may be habituated to humans. And not scared of us at all. I could try to drive away, but would that make him mad?” When India glanced at her passenger, Dottie’s hands were clenched in her lap. Her face was pale. India fretted. Did stress worsen Dottie’s heart condition?
The bear was on them now. He clambered up the hood of the car. India had been hoping he would abandon his exploration when he saw the two women. Apparently, he was not intimidated. Which probably meant he was accustomed to humans. If this had happened in a national park, the bear would be relocated.
Unfortunately, India and Dottie were on their own.
Now the bear was on the roof of the car. He had to weigh four to five hundred pounds at least. Dottie yelped when the top of the car bulged slightly.
“Easy,” India said.
“Can’t we just toss our leftover food out the window?”
