Page 60 of Bear's Heart

“How long did it take him to convince her he was the one?”

“Almost three years.”

“He was persistent.”

“Had to be.Mom had a stubborn streak, but once she fell for him, she fell hard and after all those years of courtship, they married quickly, after just a few weeks.”

“They were happy together?”

“Very.From the time they married, they spent very little time apart.”

She knew his parents were both gone, but she didn’t know when or how they’d died and wasn’t comfortable asking.“When is the last time you saw your sister?”

“Christmas, eighteen months ago.”Bear frowned.“I can’t believe it’s already been that long.”

“Go see her.”

“In Australia?”

“Why not?Buy a first class or business seat, stretch out, watch a couple movies, get some sleep and arrive rested.”

“You make it sound easy.It’s a long trip.”

“Yes, but this is your sister, and you miss her.”Josie glanced at the gold framed painting of the schoolhouse on the wall.“If you want it, I’ll ring you up, but I think Ansley is trying to keep the grouping through the weekend.She’ll have new pieces next week to replace the sold ones.”

“That’s fine.Just bring my painting home when Ansley gives the okay.”

*

Saturday, Josie didn’thave to be at the gallery until noon and was enjoying a slow morning at the house.Bear made them a late breakfast of scrambled eggs, country-fried potatoes, sausage, and toast.Josie wasn’t a big fan of sausage, so she let Bear have hers, but she’d enjoyed sitting in the booth sketching some ideas for the front of his house while keeping an eye on him while he cooked.It was obvious he knew how to make eggs, and his country-style potatoes were perfectly crispy with just the right amount of seasoning.

They ate at the kitchen table and after he’d finished clearing his plate, he asked her what she was working on.

“Just some sketches of your house, and what it could look like.”She looked at him.“You do know you have to do something to the exterior.Your house has no curb appeal.It’s rather embarrassing, and not fit for a Montana legend.”

“You can let go of the legend stuff now, Josie Calhoun.I’m not much of a legend.”

“Sure you are.Not only did you survive a grizzly attack, but you survived being thrownandstomped on by one of the rankest bulls in the history of the sport.I’m not into rodeos and bull riding but even I know that’s pretty impressive.”

“You really enjoy giving me grief.”

“I certainly enjoy playing with you—” She blushed furiously the moment the words left her mouth.“Because it’s fun teasing you.”She frowned.“Nothing is coming out right.”

Bear grinned, his expression devilish but thoughtfully didn’t add to her embarrassment.“What would you do to the exterior if you could?”

“First, I’d replace the windows.These vinyl windows are an eyesore.And then I’d give you a great looking front porch.”She turned the sketchbook around so he could see, and she showed him the drawing.“I’d add some proper columns for craftsman style.Some shingles here.Some siding there.With the windows, I’d add narrow planter boxes beneath for color and texture.What do you think?”

He studied it a moment before giving her a rueful look.“I think that’s a lot of money.”

“We could skip the planter boxes.”

“Somehow, I don’t think the window boxes are the expensive part,” Bear said dryly.“And don’t say I’ll ask Rye for a bid—”

“You’d want to use him.”

“Yes, but your brother isn’t cheap.”

“True, but he’s good, and you can trust him.But if you want some other bids, I can do that.”

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