Page 101 of First Chance

I take my time getting ready, stalling, really. Do I walk rightinto his house? Do I pretend it isn’t a big deal?

So many lines were blurred last night, and I don’t want anything to bring down the cloud I’m on. I swear my lips tingled all night long, I fell asleep with my fingertips pressed against them.

Unfortunately, when I open the door, it’s utter chaos outside. I don’t know how I didn’t hear it, but there are people everywhere. All the parolees, at least four cops and their cars, Jackson’s here, and I see Lochlan standing across the gravel lot, pointing and talking to Hayes.

Something happened.

“Jackson, what’s going on?” I ask him because he’s the person nearest to me.

“Someone pulled one of the fence partitions down last night, tried to use the wind damage from the storm to cover their tracks, but you can see the metal’s been clipped. Trail cams caught one of the bears getting loose.”

“Oh no.”

“Lochlan’s leading the charge. They’re coordinating a search party, and I’m going to head down the mountain, close the road so traffic can’t come up this way until they catch him.”

“I need to check on Lochlan,” I mumble, and Jackson looks amused. He doesn’t ask, and I ignore his curiosity.

Tension is thick as I approach Lochlan and Hayes. He senses me, though, turning as soon as I’m in arm’s reach.

“Which one was it?” I ask right before he pulls me in like last night, kissing the top of my head.

My cheeks heat with the surprising display of affection, my eyes flicking to Hayes, who doesn’t look shocked in the slightest.

Did Lochlan tell him we kissed last night?

I don’t know which answer is good or bad.

“Dodie, the old fucker limped out of here on three legs like he was reclaiming the wild.” Lochlan sighs, still keeping his arm wrapped around me.

“Do you need my help?”

“Nah, nothing we can’t handle.”

“I might have Jackson take me back to get my car once he’s done here.”

“Okay, let me know when you’re almost back in case there’s a grumpy bear roaming around,” he says gruffly, but not nearly as angry as he’d normally be in this type of circumstance.

“Sure.” I pull away to leave, but he tugs me back in, locking me in with a passionate kiss in front of Hayes, God, and everybody, until I’m breathless and slightly hazy.

I fumble my way back over to Jackson’s cruiser, and I’m not sure how I didn’t trip.

“Well, that’s not what I expected to see this morning.”

“It’s… Complicated.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jo

I’m concerned with the state of the sanctuary as I enter, and if there is still a loose bear because I never got a response from Lochlan when I told him I was heading back.

It’s relatively empty, though, no signs of anyone or any extra cars. So it must be safe.

I’m barely to the porch when I hear grunting come from behind me. It’s late, just after sunset, and I freeze, preparing to avoid a curious black bear when I notice the hulking form coming my way.

Lochlan’s arm is draped over Hayes’ shoulder as he helps trudge him across the gravel. He looks inebriated, and Hayes looks exhausted, carrying his weight.

“What is going on?”

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