Page 2 of Daddy Bear Picnic

“Oh, Pineberry has plenty of amenities,” he said, picking his axe up once more and resting it over a shoulder. His arm muscles flexed against the fabric of the shirt, nearly tearing it open if he flexed anymore. “But I’ll be happy to help you. And I remember Mabel, your gran, right?”

“Right.” Maybe she had been watching over me.

“You want me to check your leg for any cuts?” he asked. “The last thing you want is a splinter.”

Or maybe she’d sent me a Daddy to rescue me. “Please. I don’t want to see blood, and I—I—I—” Just the thought of it had my throat drying and a physical response in a gag reflex making itself known from the back of my throat.

“Hold up there,” he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Let’s just take a couple of breaths and get out of these weeds.”

I walked, now with a limb as a dreaded ache had taken over my leg. “I’m sure it’s fine. Are you also the town doctor as well?”

“Oh lord, I’m definitely not a doctor, but I’ve dealt with the odd scrape and cut,” he said. “Chopping wood, building things, and renovations. I’m handy.”

“I thought you were Elijah,” I said as a surprise giggle came out. “Oop.” I clapped a hand over my mouth.

“Funny, at least I know you didn’t hit your head.”

Out of the yard on a nice patch of grass, I sat and Elijah rolled my trouser leg up until he spotted where I’d hit my leg. It was clearly visible from the bruise already making an appearance. Possible the fastest time I’d bruised.

“Doesn’t look too bad,” he said. “But I’m going to recommend you don’t try go inside until after someone has looked in it. For your safety.”

“I’m sure it’s fine, the porch has always been a bit weird,” I said, pressing my thumb into the skin around the bruise and seeing the color deepen in real time. “It’s strange being back here alone,” I whispered mostly to myself.

“When was the last time you were here?” he asked.

“A long time ago.”

“Why don’t you tell me about it at the bed and breakfast?” he suggested. “You can have one night on me.”

“On you?” I nearly choked, my eyes opening wide. “I—”

“For free.”

Maybe I had hit my head. “Oh, right. Yeah, obviously. Thank you.”

“And I’ll get something set up to look around the place,” he said. “What was your plan with it? Do it up, flip it for a profit?”

I shrugged. The idea was still yet to come. “I just wanted to experience one more summer here, but maybe this place doesn’t want me.”

“If the house doesn’t, the town does,” he said, holding a hand out for me to take. “I think people have been talking about this place for so long, they’re going to hail you a hero for coming back to get it into shape. I’m sure people will be happy to help, if you ask.”

His huge hands were enough for me to even forget where I was. “Yeah, sounds like a good idea.”

“Are you good to drive? Or do you want me to? It’s only around the corner from here.”

My knee ached, but I could drive on it. “Yeah, what’s the address?”

After telling me the address, he also gave me his number, and told me to use it for whatever I needed, as long as the first thing I needed was for him to tell me the directions to the bed and breakfast again.

The Pineberry Brook Inn, was just as Elijah had said, around the corner. I stared at the sign for a moment, wondering if falling through the hole in the porch floor had somehow sent me into a parallel universe where Pineberry Falls had become Pineberry Brook. I’d stared at it so intently I hadn’t even seen Elijah approaching me now with his shirt unbuttoned to reveal the thigh sweat stained white vest top beneath it, and the thickened black hair puffing out his chest.

“It’s the only name of the town,” he said. “From like fifty years back. But I’m glad you made it in one piece. I’ve got coffee on and I can make you up something to eat if you like while my brother prepares your room.”

I looked at the box of teddies and met his eyes as he stared into the box as well. “Keepsakes,” I quickly said. “And thank you.”

He smiled and nodded. “Perfect, well do you wanna drive around and park at the back? And don’t worry, there’s enough space for the cargo.”

The cargo that was full of paints, canvas, old sheets, and what remains of my wardrobe. Most of which, I wasn’t able to wear outside in public. It was little space clothes, and a cute princess dress covered in sequins and glitter. “How long do you think it’ll be before I can get into the house?”

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