Page 67 of Bear's Heart

“I don’t want to waste the money.But if you’d like to make a donation, Marietta has several pet rescues that would welcome the support.”

Darren Clark barked a laugh.“Still a bleeding heart?”

“I still care about the less fortunate.One of my best qualities, I’ve been told.”

“You look a lot like your mother.How is she?”

“Good.”

“Still with your father?”

“Of course.”

“No of course about it.She was one of the saddest ladies I ever met.Your dad didn’t do right by her.She deserved better.”

Her stomach knotted, and she flexed a hand at her side.“And you told her that, right?”

“She knew how I felt, and she knew I would have taken care of her.”

Josie felt like a fish out of water, her mouth opening and closing but no sound came out.She was shocked, shocked silent.

Darren looked her up and down, sizing her up.“She was soft, and it got her hurt.You can’t go through life soft, girl.To get ahead in this world, you have to put yourself first.”He tipped the brim of his hat in her direction and started off down the sidewalk.

Josie watched him a moment, insides churning, emotions in turmoil.She took several steps after him.“What are you doing here in Marietta, Mr.Clark?”

He turned to look at her.“What?”

“Are you on vacation, or is this home now?”

“I’ve bought a place here.”

“I live here, too, now, as does my brother Rye—”

“What about your dad and that crippled brother of yours?”

“My dad, my brother, and mymomare outside Bozeman.I hope they’ll never run into you.”

“I’m not the villain here, girl, no need to be mad at me.Your dad was the one who let the family down.Your dad was the one who couldn’t take care of all of you.”

“Who are you to judge him?”

“I’m simply a realist, girl.”

“And a bully.”

He shrugged impatiently.“It’s about survival.Being responsible.But not everyone wants what you want, and they shouldn’t have to pay for changes that don’t help them.”

“Like what?”

“Schools for crippled kids, camps and sports for special kids.Ramps and lifts for older buildings.Why is it my problem that your brother couldn’t get in to some of Eureka’s buildings?Why should I have to pay more taxes because he has problems?”

“Because we’re supposed to take care of each other.We’re supposed to love our neighbor—”

“Oh, I love my neighbor, as long as they don’t bother me, I don’t bother them.”

Josie had had enough.She threw her shoulders back and held her head high.“Have a good evening, Mr.Clark, and hopefully I won’t see you again anytime soon.”

He opened his mouth to say something before thinking better of it.Muttering beneath his breath, he cut across the street, passing between cars, forcing one driver to slam on the brakes.The driver then laid on his horn, hard.

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