Page 26 of Guard Bear
She understood. Her own hands had sought familiar work—checking hives, testing cameras. Anything to channel the anger. "It looks perfect."
"These apples are something else. Eliana wasn't exaggerating." He shifted the cider jug. "This is from their farm stand too."
Joy took the pie, its weight substantial. Still warm from the oven. "Come on. Steaks need to go on." Andre followed her to the small outdoor table, already set for two.
"What can I do?" He set the cider down.
"Salad's in the kitchen. Blue bowl in the fridge." Joy adjusted the grill vents. "Dressing's in the door."
He disappeared into her tiny house without hesitation. No lingering, no investigating. Just doing what she asked. Her mountain lion approved.
The steaks sizzled as they hit the grates. Char-smoke rose immediately. Behind her, Andre emerged with the salad bowl and balsamic dressing.
"Table?" he asked.
"Perfect. Glasses are in the dish drainer if you want to pour cider."
They moved around each other easily. He found her citronella candles, lighting them as shadows lengthened. Lemony smoke mixed with grilling meat and apple sweetness.
"I keep seeing their faces," Andre said quietly, filling glasses. "Eliana talking about those heritage trees. Theo describing cut ropes."
"Mateo's Emma's age." Joy flipped the steaks, noting perfect grill marks. "My cousin on my dad’s side. The thought of someone taking her..."
"They're escalating." His knuckles went white on the jug. "From property damage to kidnapping. What's next?"
The question hung heavily between them.
"That's why the Muellers looked ready to bolt." She glanced at him. "Forty years on Main Street, and they're thinking about running."
"We won't let it happen." Not bravado. Quiet determination. "The Initiative, the patrols—we're going to stop this."
Joy wanted to believe him. But she'd seen her neighbors' fear and had felt the same thing when her goats had scattered. "How do you stay hopeful? After everything you've seen?"
Andre watched the citronella flames dance. "Giving up means they win. And I've seen what happens when good people give up." Pain flickered across his features before he smoothed it away.
"How do you like your steak?" She lifted one, checking doneness.
"However you're making them." He managed a smile. "I trust you."
Trust. Such a simple word that meant everything. Joy plated both steaks, meat releasing savory steam. "Hope you're hungry."
They sat at the table together. Evening light had gentled to gold-green, air carrying hints of cooling earth and distant pine. Joy cut into her steak. Red juice pooled perfectly. Andre made an appreciative sound at his first bite.
"This is incredible. That marinade—lime and cumin?"
"Mom's recipe. She brought the steaks yesterday." Joy cut another piece, savoring the char and lime.
"Nothing beats family recipes." He added salad to his plate. "Though my sister Megan says I've ruined Tommy for normal cookies. He won't eat store-bought anymore—tells everyone they need more chocolate chips like Uncle Andre makes."
"You must miss him." Joy kept her tone gentle, remembering how his face lit up talking about his nephew.
"Every day." His voice softened. "Our Sunday video calls help, but it's not the same as being there. He keeps asking when I'm coming back to visit." Andre took a sip of cider, then smiled. "But Megan's actually bringing the family up here in a few months. She booked a cabin at the lodge for a long weekend."
"That's wonderful." Joy could see his excitement breaking through. "Tommy must be thrilled."
"He is. He's already got a list of what he wants to do when he gets here." Andre's dimples appeared. "Number one is baking cookies together. Number two is running wild through the forest in bear form. He's only five, so his bear is still small, but he's been stuck in Portland suburbs. Wants to know what real mountain territory feels like."
The sun painted everything amber. This felt natural—sharing a meal, talking about simple things while the morning's revelations were pushed aside.
