Page 80 of Bear's Heart

He parked in the driveway and unloaded his chair, and as he did so, he saw a curtain move in one of the windows.It looked like Josie, but then it could have been Jennifer.

A moment later, the front door opened and Jennifer was walking out, heading toward him.

“Good afternoon,” he greeted Mrs.Calhoun politely.

“Can I help you, Bear?”

“Yes.Could you ask Josie to come outside?I’d like to talk to her.It won’t take long.”

“She’s working with Jasper right now.They’re doing some of his exercises that are part of his physical therapy.”

“That’s okay.I’m happy to wait.I’ll be just out here, reading on my phone until she’s done.”

“Bear—I mean, Braden—”

“Bear’s fine.”

Jennifer stepped closer, her voice dropping.“I don’t know that there is anything that needs to be said between you and Josie.I think everything that was important has been said.”

“That’s probably true, but I’d still like to say goodbye, before she leaves.”

“Where is she going?”

“She’s planning on moving.She told Ansley she needs to go, and it’s probably soon, so I’ll just wait until she’s free so I can wish her well and tell her to travel safely.”

A side gate opened, and Josie walked out, her long dark hair in a low ponytail, and her sweatpants baggy and hanging off her lean hips.“Dad told me you were here,” she said, walking toward Bear and her mom.“He suggested I come out and see if everything was alright.”Her gaze darted from one to the other.“Is everything alright?”

“Yes,” Jennifer said.

Bear shook his head.“No.”

“Bear,” Jennifer interjected with a tense smile.

Bear ignored her, focusing only on Josie.“Can we go for a drive?I can have you back in twenty minutes or so.”

Josie hesitated and then nodded.

It took a few minutes for Bear to transfer back into the truck and stow away his chair but then they were off.They didn’t speak until they’d been traveling a mile or so.

“I understand you’re thinking about moving,” he said, breaking the silence, his gaze fixed on the road.

“Who told you?”

“Rye.”

“I imagine Ansley told him.”She sighed and tucked a long tendril of hair behind her ear.“But they’re right.I am going.I’m hoping to be gone early next week.”

Bear flexed his fingers, then forced himself to relax.“Any idea of where you’re going to go?”

“Seattle, and then Portland, and then depending on how I feel, I might drive down the coast all the way to San Diego.”

“Why?”

“I’ve never been to the West Coast.I’ve never seen much of anything.Both you and Rye have done a lot of traveling and it’s my turn to see some of the world.”

“Your family will miss you.”Bear glanced at Josie’s profile.There was no light in her eyes, no hope or warmth, either.“If they missed Hannah who is only in Missoula, I can’t imagine how they will handle you so far away.”

“Maybe it’ll be good for them.”She smiled grimly.“Maybe it will teach them to mind their own business.”

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