Page 65 of Hero Mine

Theo grinned as he scratched behind the ears of a fluffy white rabbit, his other hand holding a small kid—the baby goat kind—that some human kids were taking turns petting. “Nah, this is character building, brother. Welcome to the Jackalope Fair.”

Bear shot him a flat look. “This is a damn circus.”

The Jackalope Fair was in full swing, booths lined up around the town square, carnival games flashing with lights, and the distant sound of a pie-eating contest in progress. This was another of Oak Creek’s weirdest and most beloved traditions—a festival dedicated to a mythical horned rabbit.

But most importantly, it raised money for Linear Tactical’s therapy animal program, which was why Bear was here, suffering through this nonsense. Everyone in town had helped out last year when Bear had organized a kids’ camp for siblings of terminally ill children, so Bear was happy to do his part now.

Except for this damn goat.

A group of kids ran up to pet the furry monster, and Bear stepped back, giving them space. He rubbed a hand over his face, half listening as Theo and Eva explained how the therapy animals helped veterans and trauma survivors.

“You survived war zones, Bear.” Eva laughed as she helped a little girl hold a guinea pig. “You telling me you can’t handle a few therapy animals?”

Bear sighed as the miniature goat took another determined chomp at his boot. “This thing is out for blood. Besides, you’re a vet. You’re required to love all animals.”

Eva laughed and turned to answer some questions kids were asking about goat pooping habits.

Bear’s attention drifted across the fairgrounds, scanning the faces in the crowd. His eyes caught on Daniel, that hiker who’d been hanging around town for the past few weeks. The guy was hovering near the funnel cake stand, his gaze following Joy as she moved between booths. Something about Daniel set his teeth on edge, though that probably had more to do with the appreciative way the man watched Joy than anything concrete.

Before he could dwell on it, his attention was pulled back to the petting area as another wave of kids rushed in. The goat tugged hard on the leash, nearly pulling Bear forward.

He gritted his teeth. “If this thing takes another bite out of me, I’m putting it on the damn grill.”

Eva gasped in mock horror. “Bear!”

Theo just laughed, handing another kid a rabbit. “That better be a joke, man. You know these goats are therapy-certified.”

Bear sighed, glaring down at the evil little creature. “Yeah. And therapy or not, it’s a menace.”

Eva grinned. “Welcome to the world of emotional support livestock.”

Bear rolled his shoulders, settling back into the chaos of the fair. His gaze drifted again, this time catching on a group of teenage boys standing just outside the crowd.

Aaron and Kyle Johnson were easy to recognize, both tall, lanky, and a little too cocky for their own good. There were two others with them—kids Bear didn’t know as well, but they had the same restless energy.

They weren’t causing trouble. Just hanging back, watching Bear and the animals.

Bear didn’t think much of it. Teen boys got bored at stuff like this. Maybe they were waiting on someone, or maybe they were just checking things out.

Theo must have noticed them too, because he nudged Bear with his elbow. “Guess you’ve got fans.”

Bear snorted. “Just what I’ve always wanted.” Aaron had contacted him a couple of weeks ago about applying for a job at his auto shop but hadn’t done anything yet. Maybe he was still trying to get his nerve up.

“Well, well, look at you. I didn’t know you were so good with animals.”

That wasn’t the female voice Bear was hoping to hear.

Letting out a slow breath, he turned to find Cassie smiling up at him, her blond ponytail swinging as she sauntered closer. She was dressed in tight jeans, boots, and a fitted flannel that looked more staged than practical.

Cassie let her eyes drift over him, not bothering to hide her appreciation. “Didn’t peg you as a farm boy, Bear. Given your name, I had you as more of the wild and dangerous type.”

“I’m not.” He adjusted his grip on the goat’s leash, already bracing himself. “Not a farm boy or wild and dangerous.”

She smirked, tilting her head. “Could’ve fooled me. Big, strong guy like you, wrangling animals… Kind of hot, actually.”

Bear bit back a sigh. He would love to be flirting this way, just not with this woman. Joy might say some of the same things, but from her it would come out teasing, impish. From Cassie, it just felt…off-putting.

Cassie stepped in closer, a little too close, brushing a hand down his arm. “So, tell me—what’s a guy like you doing single in a town like this?”

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