Chasing Tara (Bryant Station Curves) (9 page)

CHAPTER 10

A soft hand touched Tara’s face.
It’s time for you to wake up.

Tara moaned. She opened her eyes, bracing herself for lots of pain, but she was surprised when she realized there
wasn’t any pain.
It happened. I’m dead.

Musical laughter startled her. Tara looked up. The woman kneeling next to her was beautiful. Her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders and surrounded her like a cape. Her facial features looked Native American, but something was different—something unworldly different.

The woman smiled.
It’s good you are awake. Your bear was worried.

Tara blinked.
My bear? I don’t have a bear.

The sow is definitely your bear,
said the woman.
She worried about you. I think she was afraid you wouldn’t come for her.

Why would a bear be worried about me?

I know of one bear who is worried about his mate.

Tara blushed.
Okay, so there’s one, but it doesn’t do any good if I’m dead. I am dead, aren’t I?

No, you are not dead. At least not yet, but you have a choice.

I’m not dead, but I’m not alive. Is that what you’re telling me?

Something
like that.

Where are Jason and my cubs?
Tara looked around. She saw bears, lots of bears, moving in the shadows.

They are in the land of the living.

If they are in the land of the living, then where the hell am I?

We have much to talk
about. Come. Walk with me.
The woman stood up and held out her hand to Tara.

Tara took the woman’s hand. She needed answers and this woman had them.

You are on a spiritual plane,
said the woman as they walked
. It is somewhere between the land of the living and the realm of the dead.

Tara looked around. She saw a few people walking among the bears.
Is this some kind of stop over between the two worlds?

Not in the way you think. I created this place for my bears and the humans who care for them.

A bear pressed its head and shoulder against Tara’s leg. Without thinking, Tara reached down and ran her hand through the animal’s fur.

I see your bear
couldn’t wait.
The woman smiled.

How can I have a bear? I thought you had to be born with one.

Over the centuries, my bears have dwindled to only a few dozen. They once inhabited the area you know as Alaska, but hunters found them.

You are talking about Kodiak Island.

Yes.

Did the hunters know what they were hunting?

Do you mean…did they know they were hunting humans with symbiotic relationships with the bears?
Mother Bear’s face didn’t show any emotion.

Tara nodded her head.

Yes, they knew.

Tara swallowed.
What does this have to do with me?

You are the mate to one of my bears, and you carry a cub in your womb.
The woman stopped and turned to face Tara.

I’m
pregnant?
Tara’s eyes widened. She put her hands over her stomach
. I didn’t know. Is the baby safe? I didn’t hurt it, did I?

The cub is safe. She is strong, just like you. You are special. You recognized Ben as yours and you are determined to protect Ben, as you are Haley.

Ben is Jason’s son.

But
, you feel he is yours.

Yes. In my heart, I know he belongs to me. How is that possible?

You were too young to become Jason’s mate. The human, Allison, was able to see and understand things that other humans cannot, but she was dying. I loaned your bear to her so that she could be Jason’s mate, so that she could conceive Ben. Your womb may not have carried the cub, but he is yours. Never doubt that.
The woman smiled at Tara.
You are strong. You are the strength that will guide and protect the future of my bears.

Tara shook her head.
I don’t think you have the right person. I didn’t stand and fight. I ran away.

I know I have the right person. You did what you had to do to protect what is yours. Now I need you to protect all my bears. You are a warrior. You are my warrior.

How do you know?
Tara frowned.

I know because
I’m the Great Mother Bear.

But—”

Ben is special. Protect him. I fear a darkness is coming.
The woman looked down at the bear leaning against Tara.
You must go back, but you will not go alone.
The Great Mother Bear put one hand on the bear’s head and her other hand on Tara’s head.

A strange
warmth flowed through Tara. Darkness claimed her again.

*              *              *

Wake up. Our cub is in danger.

The voice filtered through the darkness surrounding Tara.
The cubs are safe.

But
our cub is not safe. You have to wake up.

Tara tried opening her eyes. Only one would cooperate. The other eye was swollen shut.
She tried moving. A groan escaped from her. She closed her good eye.

Ignore the pain. It will go away. Our cub needs us.

Tara opened her eye again. The passenger seat came into view. Tara tried frowning causing pain to radiate from every muscle from her face. Tara sucked in a deep breath and let it out. She was cold and wet.

You have to get up. Our cub needs us.

Who are you?

I am your bear of course. I was with you when you spoke to the Great Mother Bear.

Tara searched her memories.
It wasn’t a dream? It was real?

Yes. Now get up. Our cub needs us.

Tara tried moving her legs, but they refused to work. She put her hands down on the floor to push herself up. Her hands sank in the cold, muddy water.

A loud cracking noise filled the cab of the SUV. Tara looked up again. The cab of the SUV was dark. The only light came from the rear.

Another loud cracking noise filled the cab.

Tara looked toward the front windshield. Her eyes adjusted to the dim light. The windshield was cracked and she was partially lying on it.

We have to get out of here. Our cub needs us.

Tara put a hand on her stomach
. Is the cub okay?

Cub is good. I will protect. You have to get us out of here.

Tara inched her way off the windshield. It crackled and popped as she moved. The roof was at an angle. Tara realized the SUV was upside down in the river.  The other thing she realized was Donald wasn’t in there.

Our mate is coming.

How do you know?

He loves us.
Confidence radiated from Tara’s bear.

We have to get out of the vehicle or he
won’t find us.

Tare forced her legs and arms to work together. The cold water made her limbs sluggish. She managed to grab the back of the passenger seat and used it to pull herself into the back seat. Pain surged through her body causing her to gasp for more air.

The SUV shifted.

The windshield broke with a loud pop.

Water poured into the vehicle.

The SUV shifted again. The roof hit the bottom of the river, sending more water rushing inside the vehicle.

Tara took a deep breath and sank under the water. The current made by the water rushing into the vehicle pushed against her, but Tara fought her way through it toward the back window. Several seconds her hands felt the doorframe. She wrapped her fingers around the edges and pulled herself out of the wreckage.

Tara’s head broke the surface. She gasped for air.

The bank was only ten feet from her.

Tara clawed the water. Several minutes later, her hands touched the rocky bank. She pulled her upper body out of the water, and collapsed.

“You stupid bitch!”

Tara looked up. Donald was limping toward her. She closed her eyes, too tired to keep them open.

“You’re going to pay for this.”

A boot connected with Tara’s shoulder. She tried to raise her arms to protect herself, but the arm her arms
wouldn’t function.

Donald kicked her again.

A loud roar filled the air, followed by Donald’s screams.

Tara was too tired to open her eyes.

Donald’s screams abruptly stop.

“Tara, open your eyes.”

Tara thought she heard Jason’s voice. She wasn’t sure if she dreamed it or not. Someone rolled her over, causing her to groan. Curses filled the air.

“Tara, look at me.”

Tara tried opening her eyes. She managed to open one just enough to see Jason staring down at her. “Jason,” she whispered as the darkness claimed her.

*              *              *

Wake up. Cub is hungry. I am hungry.

Tara mumbled and rolled over.

Feed us or I go and find food. Fresh fish from the river sounds good. We will have a good swim.

Are you trying to make me sick?
  Tara opened her eyes.

We are hungry.  Cube needs food. You need food. Enough sleep
.

Tara yawned and stretched. She sat up in bed and looked around the room. She was home in Jason’s bedroom
. Is the cub okay?

Cub is hungry.

Tara smiled as she put her hands on her stomach.  “So you’re hungry. I’m hungry too.” Tara pushed off the covers and swung her legs out of the bed.

“Don’t you dare get out of that
bed.”

Tara looked up to see Jason walking toward her. A woman with gray streaked chestnut hair followed him.  “I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Right.” Jason picked Tara up and carried her to the bathroom. He put her down and stepped outside the room. “I’ll be right here.”

Tara rolled her eyes and shook her head.  She closed the door.

A few minutes later, she opened the bathroom door. Jason was leaning against the doorframe, blocking her way out. He picked her up and carried her back to the bed. Tara raised an eyebrow at him as he tucked the blanket around her.

“You look a lot better,” said Jason. He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek.

“I feel a lot better, and we’re hungry.”

“Jason, why don’t you go
get Tara some of the soup you made.” The older woman put her hand on Jason’s shoulder.

Jason frowned but left the room without an argument.

“Who are you?” asked Tara. She watched the woman.

“I’m Doctor Sally Anderson and I’m Jason’s aunt. You gave him quite a scare.”

“It wasn’t intentional. I had to make sure the cubs were safe. Knowing what I know now about Donald, I would do it again.”

The woman sat down on the edge of the bed next to Tara. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She winked at Tara. “Now, let’s take a look at you. I want to make sure you are okay. I’m tired of keeping Jason out of here.”

“I’m fine. How are Ben and Haley?” Tara crossed her arms.

“Stubborn, I see.” Sally smiled. “The bruising is gone. Do you have any pain anywhere?”

“No.”

“Any cramps?”

“No cramps. My bear says the only thing wrong with the cub is she’s hungry. I’m hungry too.”

   
              “Then I don’t think I’m needed here anymore. No more driving vehicles into the river.” Sally got up and left.

Jason came into the room. “Aunty Sally said you’re okay. Are you sure you’re okay?” He sat down next to Tara and balanced a tray of food on his lap.

“I’m fine, and the cub is fine. I’m sorry. I did what I had to do to keep Haley and Ben safe.”

Jason sat the tray on the nightstand. “But he almost killed you.”

“Because I didn’t do what he told me to do, and I fought back because I was determined not to go with him.” Tara touched Jason’s arm. “I’ve always know Donald was a horrible person, but the side I saw at the river I never knew about. I hope I never see it again.”

“You won’t.”

“I remember growls and screams.”

“He won’t hurt you or the cubs again.” Jason looked away from her.

Tara launched herself into his arms. “Thank you,” she said in a soft voice as she snuggled against him.

“You’re not upset?” Jason wrapped his arms around Tara.

Tara looked up at her mate. “If I had had the strength, my bear and I would have ripped his arms off and beat him with them.”

“You’re a blood thirsty little thing, aren’t you?”