Page 84 of Hero Mine

“Possible. We get our share of drifters this time of year.” Callum took a sip of his water. “Or hikers looking for easy supplies.”

Hikers. “What about that Daniel guy?”

“Daniel?”

“He’s been hanging around town for a few weeks now.” Bear stabbed a fry with more force than necessary. “Saw him at the Jackalope Fair. He’s in here every once in a while, too. Maybe he’s the one taking the stuff.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen him, but I didn’t know his name. You sure he’s not on your shit list because he was talking to Joy?” Callum raised one eyebrow.

Bear scowled. “He’s not on my shit list. I’m just saying, he’s been around a while for someone who’s supposed to bepassing through.”

“I’ll keep an eye out.” Callum studied him for a moment. “You tell Joy about the break-in?”

“No, and I don’t plan to.” Bear took a bite of his sandwich, avoiding Callum’s gaze. “She’s doing better. I don’t want to give her something new to worry about.”

“She might notice eventually.”

“If she does, I’ll deal with it then.” Bear wiped his hands on a napkin. “She’s got enough on her plate.”

“How is she doing? I heard the food truck festival went well.”

Bear nodded, a hint of pride warming his chest. “It did. She knocked it out of the park.”

“Sloane was sad she couldn’t help, but she was super sick yesterday.”

“Honestly, that truck would’ve been the worst place for Sloane, then. But Amari was there to help, and I jumped in for a couple of hours. Still, Joy was the glue that held it all together. People were definitely impressed.”

“Time for her to show off that thing around here.”

“She will. After yesterday’s response, it won’t be long.”

“How is she doing otherwise?”

Bear finished another bite of his sandwich before responding. “She’s sleeping better. Eating more. Not flinching every time someone moves too fast around her.” He met Callum’s gaze, his voice softening. “Being able to move back in to the house has helped. Thanks for your part in that.”

“Glad to help.” Callum’s expression turned serious. “Sloane still wakes up gasping for breath some nights. Sometimes she talks about it. Most of the time, she doesn’t.”

Bear’s hands tightened into fists beneath the table.

“Some days are worse than others,” Callum continued. “But I know Sloane has to work through it on her own timeline. But she is working through it. Just like Joy will.”

Bear exhaled, staring at the wood grain of the table. “I want to make it easier for Joy.”

“I know. But you can’t fight this battle for her. And trying to protect her too much—like keeping news of these break-ins to yourself—may do more harm than good.”

The words hit harder than Bear expected. He’d spent his life protecting people, solving problems before they even knew they had them. That was what he did. It was who he was.

But helping Joy heal wasn’t a problem he could punch or fix with a wrench. This battle was something only Joy could fight.

“I’m trying to remember that,” Bear admitted. “Not always easy.”

“Never is.” Callum’s gaze drifted to Sloane as she emerged from the kitchen, belly now noticeably rounded beneath her uniform shirt. “But being there helps. Even when it doesn’t feel like enough.”

Bear nodded, watching as Joy navigated between tables, laughing at something a customer said. The sound floated across the restaurant, genuine and light.

Shewashealing. Day by day. Fighting her way back.

Bear turned his attention back to his food, mulling over their conversation.

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