Page 48 of Fourth Point Of Contact

“He’s just misunderstood,” I said, continuing to talk in a soothing voice. “Aren’t you? They don’t understand what it’s like. You’re just trying to beef up before winter comes. If I had any food, I’d give it to you.”

“If you walk any closer, you’re gonna be his next meal,” Patrick said.

But I wasn’t listening. If I didn’t get this bear to calm down, we would both be his dinner. I crouched low, hoping to calm him. As if the bear understood, he got low to the ground, then rolled to his side and pawed at the air.

“Aw. Do you need a hug? Are you sad?”

“Piper!” Patrick snapped. “Do not hug the bear!”

“But he’s lonely. Look at the poor guy. He just wants some cuddles!”

“He’s a bear! A vicious man-eater! And he just tried to take me out. This is not one of your books!”

The bear popped up, and I could swear he took offense to Patrick’s comments.

“That is not nice. Don’t be mean to him. He’s out here all alone. He probably just needs some company.”

“He needs to be put down,” Patrick grumbled.

“Don’t you dare listen to him,” I told the bear. “You’re just a sweetie, aren’t you? Yes. Yes, you are. You just need some cuddles and love and?—”

The bear suddenly stood and let out a loud growl that had me freezing in place.

“Or not!” I screeched. I was out of ideas and options. I was about to become bear food. No one would find a scrap of my bones if this beast had his way with me. I stood tall and raised my hands over my head, letting out a fierce—actually, kitten-like—growl by comparison. The bear whimpered and took a step back. Certain I was winning, I took a step forward, pushing him back again and again until, finally, he turned and ran off through the woods.

I stood there breathing hard for a few minutes, surprised that it had actually worked. I didn’t know why or how. I was just grateful the bear was gone. Turning, I ran back to Patrick, falling to my knees beside him.

“Are you okay?”

“Peachy,” he grimaced, shifting to a sitting position. He was favoring the right side of his body, and I leaned over, lifting his shirt to see a large red mark spanning the entire side of his stomach.

“That looks painful.”

“Well, I was tossed around by a bear.”

I shot him an irritated look. “Can you stand?”

“Of course I can,” he grunted. He shuffled around, hardly moving his leg. It was clear he was injured, but didn’t want to say a thing.

“Where else are you hurt?”

“I’m not hurt,” he bit out, grinding his teeth together. “I’m fine.”

“Right. Of course. Silly me, but it looked like you were barely moving.”

“I’m just stiff.”

Men. God forbid he admit that he was injured and needed help. “Well, then hop up so we can get a move on.”

I stepped back and watched as he struggled to move further than the sitting position he was already in. Sweat beaded along his forehead and his muscles shook as he attempted to lift himself up.

“So…do you need any help now?”

I could practically feel the anger coming off him in waves. He wanted to yell at me, but that wouldn’t do any good when I was the only person here to help him.

“Yes,” he ground out.

Pretending I didn’t hear him, I cupped my hand around my ear. “I’m sorry. With all the birds chirping, I didn’t hear what you said.”

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