Page 13 of Off-Limits to the Grizzly

But I shouldn’t call her that.

“Can I help?” she says.

“Only by keeping me company,” I say, and I direct her to a seat at the kitchen table.

I can’t wait for the food to be ready so I can sit down opposite her, and we can talk.

At last, the Thai red curry is done to perfection.

She’s set the table. She’s even found an old candle and shoved it in a holder I didn’t know existed.

“We used to light candles a lot,” she says with a smile. “We thought we were being real discreet, keeping the lights down low.”

I stay silent, remembering those nights, where I’d check in periodically, making sure I could see two small female silhouettes lit from behind the curtains, and no more.

Blair starts eating ravenously. “Wow, this is so good. The best thing I’ve eaten since… since…” She frowns, staring into space. “Since you last cooked for me,” she says, and we both laugh. She’s adorable.

“I can cook for you every day from now on,” I tell her.

She looks startled. Was that too much? Am I giving away just how fixated I am on her?

“Or you can cook if you want,” I continue.

She grins. “I sure miss cooking. The kitchen in my last place wasn’t very well stocked. And I don’t know… I just didn’t feel comfortable cooking there.”

Something flashes in her eyes.

“You’re perfectly safe here, Blair,” I say. “This place is reinforced. I made sure of that. It could keep out a whole pack of bears.”

Reflexively, she gazes out of the darkened window and I see a shiver going through her.

“So isolated out here,” she murmurs, wrapping her arms around herself.

“Doesn’t it feel like home?”

“Yeah,” she says slowly. “It feels different now. When I was here with Kayla I always felt like she was going to lead me into danger—” She breaks off, her cheeks reddening. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything bad about her.”

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “I understand, believe me. It was in Kayla’s nature to seek out danger.” I work my jaw back and forth. Now is the moment to tell her the truth about Kayla’s true nature. But that will mean telling her about me, too, and I can’t stand to see her beautiful eyes cloud with horror and disgust.

“Saw a couple of places in town that are hiring,” I say instead.

Confusion sweeps her face. “Oh, I… I’m not sure if I’m staying here long.”

My bear howls inside me.

“You probably need some time to get used to things,” I manage to say calmly.

“I guess you’re right.” She gives me a thin smile. “There are just so many sad memories here.”

We could make some new memories, I want to tell her.Build something beautiful together.

Suddenly, there’s so much guilt in her eyes it knocks me sideways.

“What is it, sweetie?” I demand.

“Did Kayla leave because of me?”

“What—of course not,” I start to say.

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