Page 27 of Stout Bear

“You looked pretty fast to me,” Laney said, immediately regretting how breathless she sounded.

Max grinned, clearly pleased by her reaction. “I’m starving after that run. Want to join me for pancakes? The fire department sets up a great breakfast spread.”

“Lead the way,” Laney said, grateful for the chance to focus on something besides his half-dressed state. “I could use something sweet this morning.”

They walked together toward the beer garden, which had been transformed to a bustling breakfast area. Long tables were set up where families and friends gathered in the daylight. The warm aroma of pancakes filled the air, and local vendors displayed bottles of maple syrup and jars of honey.

Max pulled out a chair for Laney at one of the less crowded tables before heading to the serving line to get them both plates of food. She watched him navigate through the crowd, exchanging greetings with townspeople who congratulated him on his race finish.

When he returned, he set a stack of pancakes in front of her along with small containers of different syrups and a pat of butter.

“The dark amber one is my favorite,” Max said, sitting across from her. “It’s tapped from maple trees right here on Fate Mountain.”

“It all looks delicious,” Laney said, drizzling syrup over her stack. She dug in, groaning at the flavor of the syrup and fluffy pancakes.

Between bites, Max paused, his expression turning more serious. “There was something odd during the race,” he said, lowering his voice. “When we crossed over Pine Creek, I caught a weird chemical smell. It’s further downstream than where we tested before.”

Laney set down her fork. “That aligns with my findings. I’ve been running more field tests, and they confirm the contamination persists. I’m still waiting on the county to intervene, but they’re moving frustratingly slow.”

They exchanged serious looks, both acknowledging the ongoing threat to Fate Mountain’s water even amid the festival celebrations. For a moment, the weight of the unresolved problem hung between them.

“They’ll have to address it soon,” Max said finally, reaching across to squeeze her hand.

Laney nodded and returned to her pancakes, savoring the rich flavors of the local syrup.

“Mmm, you were right about this syrup,” she said, changing the subject. “It’s amazing.”

“Anything with sugar is worth waking up for,” Max said with a grin, breaking the tension.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Laney laughed, pointing her fork at him. “Though I think you might have a slightly different motivation for early rising.”

“The run? It’s tradition. I’ve been running it every year since I was old enough to enter.”

Laney smiled at the glimpse into Max’s history. Each small detail made her feel more connected to him, more certain that their mate bond was real and lasting. They finished their breakfast as the square grew busier with festivalgoers arriving for the day’s events. Max wiped his mouth with a napkin and sighed contentedly.

“I should probably head back and shower,” he said, gesturing to his still sweaty self. “I definitely need to clean up before the next festival event.” He looked at her, a hopeful expression on his face. “Would you want to meet up later for the beer tasting and BBQ contests? They start around four.”

“I’d love to,” Laney replied, not even trying to hide the enthusiasm in her voice. “It sounds like fun.”

They stood from the table, disposing of their plates and cups in nearby recycling bins. Max slung his towel over a shoulder and glanced at her with an affectionate grin that made her heart skip.

“I’ll text you where to meet,” he said. “Until then.”

“Until then,” Laney echoed, watching as he turned and headed off toward the path that led behind the brewery to his house.

She stood there for a moment, still riding the high from his physical presence, her inner fox longing for more time with him. Yet the mention of tainted water lingered in the back of her mind.

Chapter

Twenty-Six

Smokefrom multiple grills drifted in the air, mingling with the tang of hops from various brewing stations. The festival staff had done an impressive job transitioning the beer garden from the morning’s pancake breakfast to the evening’s main event. String lights hung overhead, creating a warm glow as the sun began its slow descent behind Fate Mountain.

Though pleased to see the strong turnout, Max couldn’t help but feel keyed up. He hadn’t seen Laney since their morning fun run date, and the prospect of spending the evening with her had him checking his phone every few minutes.

“Waiting for someone?” Gwen teased, following his gaze.

Before Max could respond, he spotted Laney slipping through the crowd. Max’s heart thumped as she approached, her smile radiating warmth. “Hey,” she said, reaching him. “Smells amazing over here.”

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