Page 56 of The Grizzly Situation
“Anything you want. If you’d like to go back to take some classes, we can make that happen. If you want to get a different job? That’s easy enough. Like you, Ursine is filled with potential.”
“But usually for bears only.”
He drew in a sharp breath. “Well, in for a penny. Most of our people? They don’t fit in among humans. Some were bullied relentlessly when they were kids, and for some it continued into adulthood. Others can’t control their transformations as well as they’d like, and if they get overexcited or stimulated, that could trigger a shift. They can’t live out in the world, so they stay here where it’s safe.” He glanced down at the boys. “We have others who have mastered their changes and they prefer the bigger cities, so they stay out there, but their home is here, with us. Many return for vacations and take that chance to run in the fields and forests.
I looked down at the boys who were dozing again. They were so sweet and innocent, and the thought that someone would hurt them filled me with anger. Yes, I’d only been here a day or so, but the people I’d met? They were kind, considerate, and generous. When I bought the bear for the boys, I didn’t have enough money on me. I told the lady behind the counter I’d run to an ATM, but she said I could owe her the remainder. Who does that?
No one from the human world that I’d ever met. Then there was Cullin, who was a bit of a tough nut, but he laughed when I expressed how beautiful everything was. He said it was nice tomeet someone who noticed the little things, then he whisked me off to a cafe where we had some of the best vanilla ice cream I’d ever tasted. We drove around for a while, him pointing out features like parks, children’s playgrounds, a theater dome shell where they did plays and readings, the boat slips at the lake where you could float out and sunbathe. When I asked about how they fished, he shook his head and told me Brent would explain it to me.
Now that I knew what the people in town were, I had to wonder if they did it the old fashioned way and got into the water to test their skills. No wonder they’d looked at me so strangely when I asked about tartar sauce. Not that I would stop asking, of course.
But the truth was, this place already felt more like home than my crappy apartment. I wasn’t stressed or worried. I was calm, able to think clearly. Combined with my meds, this place had already had an impact on me, and I loved it here.
“So what responsibilities does a manny have?”
He said I could stay!And it wasn’t out of pity, either. He genuinely wanted me here for the boys who, I had to admit, I was crazy for. They were like whirlwinds of sunshine, making me smile with their antics, even when sick.
“Momma stay?” Eddie asked again.
One look into those big, brown eyes of his and I wanted to be here with a renewed desperation.
“Yes, I’ll stay,” I told him.
He smiled so big. “I love you, Momma,” he whispered.
“I love you too,” I told him truthfully. “Both of you.”
“Why don’t you all sleep a little more?” Brent asked. “The boys are looking better, but still a bit pale, so another hour won’t hurt. Then we’ll get the pizzas and all sit in the great room andpig out. How does that sound?” He eyed the boys. “Or would you like more of the soup?”
“Soup, please. Momma makes the best soup,” Jack told him, sounding so proud.
“What about you, Uly? Up for some pizza?”
“Sounds great,” I informed him, though I could feel exhaustion pulling me under again.
“All right, close your eyes, guys.” He kissed their foreheads, then smiled at me. “They aren’t as warm as they had been.” He sounded so relieved. “See you in a while, okay?”
“Yes, Daddy,” the kids said at the same time. Then they lay back, tugging me down with them. “Momma sleep too.”
“Yes, Momma will sleep too,” I promised.
Brent closed the door as he left the room. Eddie was already nearly sleeping, which told me they weren’t fully recovered yet, so the soup was likely the best option for them. I lay there, stroking a hand over each of their heads and thinking about what I had seen happen. Was I shocked? Yes. Did it really matter in the grand scheme of things? Not a bit. I knew there was something special about a man who’d forcefully interjected himself into my life, doing what he had to in order for it to get better. He was a literal bear charging into my proverbial china shop. And I was the better for it.
“Momma?”
I smiled down at Jack, who was struggling to keep his eyes open. “Yes?”
“Don’t go away again, okay? We missed you every day.”
Tears pricked at my eyes, because I knew it wasn’t me he’d missed, but still felt like it had been. “Okay,” I promised.
He snuggled against me once more and fell asleep, a smile on his face. Meanwhile, I lay there and wondered what I should do next. I really did love this town, and knowing the people herehad a secret didn’t change that fact. If anything, it made me feel better, because I was part of it. It was like being in a secret club.
And I loved it.
BRENT
“So? How did the talk go?”
