Page 52 of Bear's Heart

Josie blinked, shocked by Savannah’s callousness.She’d suspected Bear’s spinal cord injury might have impacted his ability to have sex, but it horrified her that Savannah felt comfortable tossing Bear’s private information around as if playing a game of poppycock.“I wish I knew what Bear saw in you.Because all I see is a selfish, hard, cynical woman who doesn’t like anyone else, probably because she doesn’t like herself.”

“I’m allowed to have opinions.Bear and I were together five years, two of those we were engaged.You’ve only just met him this summer.”

“That may be the case, but you’re not in relationship with him anymore, which means you should respect his privacy.With your long history together, I’d think you’d want to protect him, not expose him to scorn.”

“I wasn’t mocking him.Just stating facts.”

“About his sexuality.”Josie’s voice hardened.She was going to lose her cool any moment.“That’s not something that should be discussed, and I hate that you just spilled something so private and personal.Makes me think it’s not the first time you spoke so carelessly—”

“You’re serious?You’re really upset.”

“Yes.”

“But if you’re just friends?’

“Friends protect friends, Savannah.”Josie’s upper lip curled in disgust.“I’m glad we had the chance to meet because it made me realize this little house will never, ever be big enough for the three of us.”And with that Josie swiftly walked away.

*

Friday morning, Bearhad a surprise meeting with two executives from RobExStar.He’d reached out to them weeks ago and hadn’t heard anything back, but suddenly two of the upper management were here in Marietta, working in a meeting with him on their way to a private, posh Yellowstone resort for the very wealthy and elite.

But the men were interested in Bear’s business model and wanted to see his facility—which he was more than happy to show them.Rye had met Bear at the Farrell Building a half hour before the RobExStar’s management team arrived and offered to take Mick so that Bear could focus on the executives.

Rye’s suggestion was a good one, and Bear was grateful that Mick ran to Rye’s truck and jumped in, giving Bear a few minutes to gather his thoughts.The two executives arrived right at nine, and Bear walked them through the empty, clean Farrell Building, explaining how his facility would work, and equipment needed to get the business off the ground.By the end of the hour, the executives were on board, promising to provide a number of needed exoskeletons to get the Marietta facility functioning, with a promise that if Marietta performed, they’d back the next city.

Bear was elated.It was huge getting RobExStar’s support.Not having to purchase the first dozen exoskeletons meant he could keep the cost down for members, and he’d certainly gain some media coverage, too.He personally wasn’t looking to franchise his idea, but Bear did hope others would get involved and do something similar in their communities.Until spinal cord injuries were a thing of the past, there had to be better treatments and options to extend and improve the quality of life for those with SCI.

It was a short drive from the Farrell Building to his house, and when Bear pulled up in his driveway there was no sign of a moving truck, or boxes, or anything indicating that the house was ready for him.

Bear rolled up the ramp on the side of the house and was just about to open the front door when Josie flung it open.“How did the meeting go?”she asked standing in front of him blocking his view.

“Great.Couldn’t have gone better.”

Josie gave him an impulsive hug.“That’s fantastic.I’m so happy for you.”She straightened, her cheeks slightly pink.“Want to see inside?”

“I do.”

“Well, come in, or as they say on those TV shows, welcome home, Anderson Family.Welcome home.”Smiling, she stepped back so that he could enter.

Bear’s jaw dropped as he rolled into the house.

The house wasn’t just furnished with the new furniture Josie had suggested, but it looked polished and masculine.Luxurious and beautiful.

His new furniture—the oversized leather sectional in a soft butterscotch leather—was flanked by end tables and a deep leather recliner studded with western nail heads.Stylish lamps were on the end tables, and they turned on and off with just a touch of his hand, or by a switch on the wall.

Josie had painted the walls a dark, rich chocolate, and the wide planks of the hardwood floor had been refinished.Because of his wheelchair there were no rugs, but she’d added woven textured pillows to the oversized couch, and plush chocolate drapes framed the tall windows.

“When did you do all this?”he asked.

“The last week or so,” she said.“With a little help from Rye’s crew.Ricco came over one evening to do the floors, and Rye and Ansley helped me paint.”

“This doesn’t look like the same house.It’s… nice.”

“Paint is a miracle worker.And next spring, I’d suggest new windows but that’s for another time.”

Bear did a slow circle, taking it all in.“I would never have thought to paint a small room a dark color, but it works.”

“You have tall windows, and they let in so much light it washed out the room.I thought you’d enjoy a more masculine space, and you’ll see that at night it glows.You’ll never want to go out.”

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