Finding Her Bear (Bear Creek Clan 2) (4 page)

Kayleigh stood transfixed by the deer. Daryl stood transfixed by her.

Wow. She had never seen wild animals so close up. They crept further forward, and now she could see the baby fawns at foot. They were so free, and wild, their ears flickering, so alert, ready to run at any moment. She clutched his hand tighter, and looked at him; his face was turned to watch her, not the deer.

“Thank you,” she mouthed silently.

His smile broadened, and he let her stand there for a few moments more. Then he tugged gently on her hand, and started to back away. She didn’t take her eyes off them. Instead letting him guide her backwards into the trees.

When she could no longer see them, she turned her attention to him. “They were beautiful. Thank you.”

“Next time we can bring binoculars, and you can take a really close look.”

“They stood there, completely unaware of us.” That could describe the way she had been with Daryl. Completely unaware of something that had been watching her. So quietly that she had not known he was there, but now she did, she wanted to spend as much time with him as possible. To let him show her the mountain, to show her freedom.

“If we’d been much closer, they would have run. And I try not to disturb wildlife if I can help it.”

“I can understand that.” She could understand him. More now than she had ever understood anyone other than Antonia. That’s what he had been doing, coming to the diner and not disturbing her. Maybe that was the signal she sent out to people. Don’t disturb me, don’t threaten my place in the world, even though I have no idea what that is.

“OK.” He said, looking up at the sky. “Now it really is time to get you home. The sun is disappearing behind the mountain. The forest will become colder and a whole lot darker soon.”

“I’m not afraid of the dark.”

He looked at her, and laughed. “It’s not the dark you should be afraid of.”

“You mean the bears?”

He stiffened. “Have you seen any bears?”

“No. But I hear there aren’t any bear attacks around Bear Creek. They must be well fed and well behaved.”

“Some, but not all. I want you to promise me you won’t ever come out onto the mountain on your own at night. The town is safe, but not the forest and the mountain.”

“Are you trying to scare me? To come over all alpha male and protective?”

“Protective yes. Alpha male. That is not me. I want you to be safe.” His face was deadly serious. His hand still held hers. He stopped, and turned her towards him. “Promise me.”

He was so sincere; it scared her, sending a shiver up her spine. “I promise.”

Relaxing his hand, he pulled her on at a faster pace, as if something had spooked him. What did he know about bears? This man who had lived here his whole life, who knew where to find a herd of deer in a hidden valley. Full of mystery, and surprises. She wanted to get under his skin, to find out what made him tick. She wanted to be the person who made him wake up to himself. Because he was making her wake up to her true self.

He made her feel brave, and safe. Adventurous, and free.

They walked in silence for a while as they made their way back down the mountain. Her breathing a little laboured as she tried to keep up with his fast pace. She didn’t know if he usually went this fast or if he was afraid of what was on the mountain.

At last, she had to ask him to stop so she could catch her breath.

“I’m sorry. I never thought...”

“It’s OK. Only your legs are a lot longer than mine are. And you are in a lot better shape than me.” A lot better, she thought, her eyes drawn to his chest again. He had replaced his shirt. Such a pity to hide that wonderful body.

He sat down on one of the stones that littered the lower slopes and she sat awkwardly on another one. He made everything look so easy, while she felt as if she didn’t quite belong in the same way. She guessed if she stayed here long enough that would change. She could just imagine herself with grey hair, toddling up the mountain, sitting by the pool. In her mind, he was with her. In that dream, they grew old together.

You’ve only just met him she reprimanded herself. “Where did you grow up?” she asked, trying to straighten out her thoughts.

“Here. My parents had a farm.”

“What happened to it?”

“It’s still in the family. When they retired, my brother took it over. He was the oldest.”

“That doesn’t sound very fair.”

“Oh, I don’t mind. Farming was never my thing. I’m a roofer. I like to be up high, on my own. Gives me plenty of time to think.”

“And what do you think about on a roof?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I watch the weather change. The clouds covering the sun, only to part and let it shine through. Then there are the birds, a like to listen to them.” He laughed. “I live an exciting life.”

“Don’t knock it. I love peace and quiet.” She sighed. “By the time I finish at the diner I can’t wait to escape up here. I love the solitude of it.”

“And today I spoiled that for you.”

“No. Not at all. I’m not used to company. But yours. Yours I like. You don’t natter on about stupid things.”

“You, Kayleigh, are a woman after my own heart.” He laughed, but she wondered if he really meant it as a joke. Because his dimples didn’t appear.

“I always thought I was odd. My sister went in a different direction. Where I avoid people as much as possible, she took a job where she mixes with them all the time. Can you imagine working in an office? Surrounded by other people.”

“Do you miss her?”

His question hit her unexpectedly. Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes.” She took a deep breath to stop herself from crying. “Yes, I do. But I think we both realised we needed some space. Some distance to find out who we are. When you have spent your childhood practically glued to your sibling. Because they are your only constant. Eventually, you wonder if you can survive alone.”

“And you have. Survived alone.”

She smiled now. “Yes, I suppose I have.”

“Now perhaps it’s time for you to open yourself up to other people too,” he said quietly. She wondered whom that statement was meant for.

“Maybe it is. I’ll give it some thought. Once I’m home and in a hot bath.”

He got up, and they walked back down into town. He kept his pace a lot slower, and they walked easily together. More comfortable in each other’s company.

At her door they stopped. “Do you want to come in? I’m not sure if Tia will be back. But I can make you some coffee.”

“No. Thank you. I have some business to attend to. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?”

“You’re working right? I’ll be in for breakfast. With Sam.”

“Of course.” She had hoped he meant something more.

“Bye.” He took a reluctant step away.

She held out her hand, unable to resist one final touch of his skin against hers. He took it, somewhat bemused. “It’s nice to finally get to know you Daryl Cartwright.”

“The pleasure has been all mine, Kayleigh.” Then he did something that sent a shock to her core. He bent his head and kissed the back of her hand, before releasing it. He walked away, turning briefly to give her a wave, before disappearing around the corner.

Even after he had gone from her sight, she still stood there watching.

“Ahh, Daryl, I knew you’d join us sooner or later.”

Daryl had left Kayleigh, collected his truck and driven over to see Will. He wasn’t sure what his intentions were, but he couldn’t let this rest. He had to make sure Will had nothing in mind that would get Kayleigh hurt. Either physically or emotionally.

“I’ve not come to join your gang, Will.”

“Then why are you here? I looks serious. Are you in trouble?” Will asked, concerned.

“No. But I do need you to do something for me.”

Will looked at Daryl closely, and then got up from the bar, where he had been sitting alone, drinking. “Let’s go to my office.”

Grateful for the privacy, Daryl followed Will into the back of the bar. Through a door, that had scuff marks on it as though someone had tried to kick it in. Or scratch it with their bear claws. “Had some trouble?”

Will looked down at the marks. “You know what it's like. Things get out of hand. Too much beer and too many bears. Not a good mix. But it was all in relatively good humour.”

Daryl raised his eyebrow. “Sure. You guys are such a bundle of laughs.”

“You’d be surprised, Daryl. One day I’ll find just the right thing to tempt you in. I could do with a bear who knows how to handle himself, and not get involved with internal politics.”

“Not going to happen.”

“Don’t be too sure, because I know you’ve come here to ask me a favour. And if I do whatever it is for you, well I’m going to have to ask for something in return.”

“It’s not that big a favour.”

“I’ll be the one to decide that.” He went to the big wooden desk that took up most of his office, and leaned back against it.

“I could almost picture you in that big swanky office that had your name on it.”

“Let’s not get into that, Daryl. Not a good thing to mention unless you want me in a bad mood.”

“Sorry. Thoughtless of me.”

“Yes, it was. Now. Ask. I’m a busy man.”

“I want you to tell Kayleigh you were wrong and there isn’t a job here for her.”

Will sat in silence. Daryl guessed that whatever else Will thought he was going to ask, this was not it. “Why would I do that? And more importantly, why do you want her to leave town?”

“No. I don’t. But I don’t want her working here.”

“Flattering. What’s it to you Daryl? She works hard, I left it long enough to make sure she wasn’t anyone’s mate. I was going to poach her a month ago, but I had to be sure so I didn’t cause friction in the town. Not every bear would trust us with their ma...”

Daryl shifted his gaze. Looking so guilty, Will knew straight away what was going on. There was no way round it; he would have to admit the truth to Will.

“She’s yours. Why the hell didn’t you make a move?”

“I was waiting for the right time.”

“Believe me, there is never a right time.”

“I spent the afternoon with her, we walked on the mountain. I think I have a chance.”

Will didn’t say anything; he went behind his desk and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. He didn’t bother with glasses. He simply put the bottle to his lips and then tilted his head back and took a long gulping drink. When he had finished he offered it to Daryl, who shook his head.

“No thanks Will. I’m driving, and my head is already mixed up.

“Listen, Daryl. You need to think this through.”

“There’s nothing to think through. She’s my mate, and I don’t want her working here. No offence.”

“None taken,” Will said sarcastically. “But what you don’t understand, or haven’t thought about. Is if I don’t give her a job, she’s going to leave anyway.”

“I’ll make her stay.”

“Daryl. Please, listen to me. You can’t make someone do anything they don’t want to. It never works out well.”

“That was you, Will. This is different.”

Will drank from the bottle again. “We all think we’re different, the exception.” He rested the bottle on his desk. “But in the end we’re all the same. Mixed up.”

“I won’t force her. I know that. But if I can show her the life I can offer her...”

“What life, Daryl? You practically live a hermit's life. You are only one step away from being like Hal, hiding out in his cabin in the mountains. Only you choose rooftops.”

Will’s words hit home. It was what Sam had been trying to tell him for months now, only he wasn’t so blunt about it. “I can change; I know I can make her happy.”

“There you go with your making again. Listen. You find another place for her to work, or lure her into your bed, and give her a home. Then I will tell her I made a mistake, that there is no job. If not, I’m not pulling the job out from under her.”

Daryl's clenched his fists, his jaw firmly set. He wasn’t about to give up on this. He couldn’t let Will have his own way. Just because he came from the kind of background where he got everything he wanted on a whim. It didn’t make him the boss around here. Then he relaxed. Will had shunned that life, and he was an honest man, if a lonely one.

“Please look after her.” Daryl only wanted the best for Kayleigh, and Will was about as honourable as they come.

Will came around the desk to stand in front of Daryl. “If she comes to work for me, I’ll look after like she was my sister. Anyone. And I mean anyone, even looks at her the wrong way; they’ll have me to deal with. OK?”

Daryl nodded. “Thanks Will.”

“So is this where we hug?” He held his arms out wide.

“You are a good man, Will. But I don’t like you that much.”

“Hey, just don’t let on that I’m doing you a favour at all. I’ll have all the down and desolate knocking on my door.”

“I thought you already did, Will.”

“You take care, Daryl.” And he went back to nursing his bottle. While Daryl left, only half satisfied with the outcome.

After her eventful day, she had slept really well. Although once or twice her dreams became filled with bears, and deer, and Daryl. All three things she could safely say she had never dreamed of before.

The bear and deer dream was a little disturbing. In it, she was the deer, and Daryl was the bear. He was hunting her and she couldn't escape. Dreams were messed up sometimes. This one had left her hot, and incredibly aroused.

So a cold shower had been the first thing she did when she got up. It had left her alert and ready for the day ahead. Now she was eating her breakfast, looking bright eyed. While Tia sat opposite her with dark circles under her eyes.

“Bad night?”

"Ugh. I'm on the wards. And night times are just so busy. I thought I might get some sleep, but no chance. I was on the go the whole time. I'm beginning to think I'm not cut out for nursing."

"Don't be silly. You're great at it. Can't you have a few more hours in bed?"