Page 94 of Protecting the White Bear

Andy shook Roger’s hand. “Thanks for coming to our aid again.”

“Just another day in the service of our citizens. I’m heading in with Helen.”

“We’ll interview her in a little bit,” Andy said.

“Sounds good. When I have days off though, I’m taking them,” Roger said.

Andy laughed.

Then Roger took off in his car and headed down the road.

Andy hugged his brother and cousin. “Thanks, Craig and Rob, for helping us with this.”

"Our pleasure. We didn't want you and Monica out here alone, getting yourself into more trouble."

Andy smiled. “You just wanted in on the action.” But he knew his brother and cousin had been worried about them.

For the next couple of days, they were both “grounded” regarding Craig's inability to fly on missions, though the sky was clearing, and he should be able to soon. Rob's tour group business was paused during the worst winter weather until it straightened out. So what was the next best thing to do? Track Andy and Monica’s movements?

“Did you put a tracker on my vehicle?” Andy asked, amused.

“Yeah. Dad told us to do it,” Craig said. “Just to keep track of you. Mom and Dad want you all to join us at the tavern to have lunch with the family. They’re bringing in extra staff to do the lunch service.”

“That sounds great,” Monica said.

They got into their respective cars and followed Roger’s patrol car down the road.

“I take it this is a celebration for us, um, getting together?” Monica asked.

“Yeah. But our next issue is resolving where we live, if you’re thinking what I’m thinking.”

“I am. Okay, so I own a home in Anchorage, and you own one in White Bear. It’s about three hours to drive from White Bear to Anchorage. You work a week on and a week off. Initially, I thought you could stay with me when you’re off, and I'll stay with you during the weekends when I’m off. But we wouldn’t be able to see each other for the week you’re working.”

“It’s a commute, but what if we bought a home or built a place halfway in between? That way, we would at least be together nights when I’m off.”

“Well, I had a more radical idea than that. Once I saw Alicia and the cubs out back and how you have all that acreage between you as a family, and how lovely it is to be with a big family like yours, I began revising my thoughts. What about your nephews and niece sitting? If I took you away from them, I would be the ultimate villain.”

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Andy wasn’t sure what Monica was getting at, but he didn’t want to give her up for anything.

“Instead, I’ll look for a job in White Bear.” Monica continued to talk about what they would do about being together before he could get a word in edgewise.

Andy hadn’t considered the impact moving would have on his family. He loved spending time with them; the older the niece and nephews got, the more fun he had with them. But more than anything, he wanted to be with Monica and have her for his mate.

“I don’t want you to have to give up your job to?—”

“Have a mate I adore? A family to make? An extended family to enjoy?” She smiled. “No problem.”

“What about your parents?” He worried about the impact it would have on her parents when she left Anchorage, and he wasn’t sure she would be happy to give up her job after working so hard to get it.

“My parents love to travel, and that will give them an excuse to do so. But we need to meet up with them for dinner in Anchorage and let them know what’s going on.”

“Have you let them know what’s going on?” He hadn’t once heard her call them, and he wondered if she had. He hoped she had and didn’t hit them cold turkey like this.

“Nope. I’ve been busy. They’re busy, but before you say it, yes, we’re close, and if I had even hinted at seeing another polar bear, Dad would have had you investigated to the tenth degree. He’s a retired FBI agent. So this way, it’s a done deal. No one has any say in it but us.”

He smiled, glad she felt that way. “I can put in a good word for you at the police department.”

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