Page 43 of A Bear's Journey

Chapter Twelve

Craig

When Craigand Ninety Nine got back to the house, Olivia was sitting at the counter on a stool watching Jasper cook and sipping on a cup of coffee. He fed the dog, then came into the kitchen.

“Smells good,” he said.

“I offered to help, but I got rejected,” Olivia said.

“Happens to me all the time,” Craig said.

“Don’t complain that I make breakfast for you,” Jasper teased. “Sit down and drink your coffee.”

Craig grinned and squeezed Jasper’s ass just a little on the way out.

“Orders are orders,” he said, and took a seat next to Olivia at the counter.

“I guess you need a ride back in a little while,” he said, casually.

A look of total horror crossed Olivia’s face, and Craig stared in shock.

She looked at him.

“Can I borrow your phone?” she asked. “My mom probably thinks I’m dead.”

Craig handed her his, and she walked across the room to make the call.

“Mom,” Craig heard. “No, listen, I’m fine. No. Yes. It was pretty bad.”

A long pause.

“Craig and Jasper.”

Another long pause.

“Can we talk about this later?”

A very, very long pause, long enough for Craig to face Jasper and drink some more coffee.

“Lydia’s a hell of a character,” he said.

“Okay, mom,” Olivia said. “I will. Yes. Yes. I love you too.”

She took the phone away from her face, looking relieved.

“She hadn’t reported me missing yet, but only because she called the restaurant and grilled everyone there until they told her that I left with two people matching your description,” she said, handing Craig’s phone back. “She wasn’t thrilled, but I’ve actually heard worse.”

The restaurant, Craig thought. We should probably go over there today and try to smooth things over.

Olivia went quiet, staring into her coffee mug. Ninety came over and put her head on the girl’s leg, but Olivia kept on staring into her drink, absentmindedly petting the dog.

“She likes you,” said Craig. “She doesn’t like everyone.”

“Really? She’s such a sweetheart,” Olivia said, still seeming distracted.

Even cooking pancakes, Jasper noticed.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

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