Page 3 of Beared at Christmas
“I’m glad.” With those two words, I heard the worry leave her voice. “The drive up was okay?”
“Yes.” I shook some of the snow off my knitted toque. “It snowed, but not heavily. The drive was really nice. Especially today.” That much was true.
“And what do you think of the place? Is it as nice as it shows on the website? Do you approve of the woodwork there?”
“It’s nice. Really. Looks exactly the same.” I remained thankful she hadn’t asked anything I’d had to lie about. I did not want to have to do that to Clara. Mostly because she would eventually find out. I was never able to keep anything from her.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay, and I know you’re not one to really talk on the phone, so I’ll let you go. Be sure you call at Christmas. Dad and Pops will want to hear from you.”
“I know. I will. And thank you again for this.” Talking to my sister seemed to have calmed me down more than anything.
“You’re welcome. Enjoy. Love you, Ricky.”
“Love you, too, Clare Bear. Make sure you take care of yourself and that baby.”
“Of course.” She hung up, and I was left with my stomach rumbling more than ever.
I pocketed my phone then glanced around again, hoping something was open. At the end of the block, I saw people up ahead walk into the store on the corner. It looked like some kind of diner, and I hoped I wouldn’t be too late to order food there.
When I reached the place, I looked at the sign with the hours then my watch. Open for another couple of hours. That was a relief. Inside, there was no sign saying to wait to be seated, so I took a stool at the counter. The menus were in a metal holder with serviettes and condiments. Without a lot of variety on the single-sided, laminated cardstock, I knew what I wanted the instant I saw it. Breaded pork with parsley sauce served with potatoes and vegetables.
“Hi, can I help you?” A woman stood on the other side of the counter holding a pen and pad of paper. She wore a red velvet dress with white garland around the cuffs and hem, along with a matching hat that had giant pointed ears attached.
“Um, yes.” I was about to order when I remembered the human back at the cabin. Brody probably hadn’t eaten in just as long and would likely appreciate it if I got him something, too. I had been rather grumpy with him. Perhaps it could be a peace offering. I told the waitress what I wanted then skimmed the menu again. I didn’t know if he was vegetarian, as my mate had been, didn’t know anything about him other than his name and what he looked like naked.
I gulped, wishing I hadn’t thought of him like that. Especially right after remembering Raine. Focusing on the menu, I tried to find a dish that might work for Brody, something that I would eat if he refused it. “And the Christmas pasta salad, please. Both to go.” The pasta had pine nuts, tomatoes, avocado, and red and green noodles. No meat. I figured it might be the safest bet.
While I waited, I scrolled through my emails on my phone, finding messages from two prospective clients. I had my automatic reply set up for over my holidays, but I couldn’t help checking. It was total muscle memory. I exited the app then opened the web browser to see what activities were going on in the area throughout the week. I remembered Clara saying the village had some holiday events, while the resort had others. I just wanted to run, let my bear come out and charge through the snow. I hoped I still had the opportunity with a human around.
“Here you go.” The waitress handed me two paper bags filled with food then rang me up. After I paid, I headed back to my truck in front of the hardware store. By the time I reached the cabin, even my bear was ravenous for something to eat.
I got out my key card before I exited the truck then kicked the snow off my boots at the entrance. When I glanced around tofind Brody, I spotted him curled up on the couch with a blanket wrapped around his body. He had managed to get the fire going. The logs crackled as the flames danced, casting shadows across the human’s face. I didn’t know whether to wake him to give him his food or let him sleep.
As I watched him, my heart fluttered in a way it hadn’t in a long time. Not since…Raine.
With a sigh, I glanced away, ignoring the possibility. I’d had a fated mate. And he was gone. That was it for me.
I would let Brody sleep and put the meal I’d brought for him in the fridge. If he wanted it, he could eat it later. I planned to enjoy my food and then take a shower. With the drive and everything else that had happened since, I was tired. Since the bed was empty, I claimed it for the first night and tried to ignore the quiet whispers of longing that grew louder every time I accidentally glanced at the sleeping human.
Chapter Four
Brody
I never expected to sleep all night. Especially cramped up on an unfamiliar couch and with someone else in the cabin with me. I must have been super tired from the bus ride, not having woken when Ulrik returned. Either he’d put the fire out, or it had gone out on its own sometime during the night. It didn’t seem cold inside the cabin when I moved the blanket off me. Not until my feet hit the chilly floor. The instant I stood and stretched, I regretted not claiming the bed first. Every muscle ached. Plus, I had to pee.
I headed for the bathroom, discovering my suitcase had been moved to sit against the wall beside the bathroom door. I wasn’t sure whether to be thankful or offended. I grabbed a change of clothes then rushed inside to relieve myself. I washed up before putting on new clothes then decided it was time to eat. I hadn’t had anything since the snacks I’d munched on during the bus ride.
Leaving the bathroom, I heard Ulrik’s soft snoring. Since he seemed so grumpy the night before about sharing the cabin for the week, I decided to let him sleep and tried not to bother him. Besides, I didn’t know him enough to wake him up.
The main lodge had a complimentary breakfast, so I headed up there after putting on my coat, boots, hat, and gloves. The walk would do my muscles some good after being compressed for so long.How had I not moved at all?I was normally not a still sleeper, often waking up tangled in my sheets.
By the time I reached the lodge, my body felt back to normal. I kicked the snow off my boots in the entryway then glanced around for the food. The dining hall was closed. For breakfast, a couple of tables had been set up in the nearby alcove with fooddisplayed in sections, from danishes and fruit cups to eggs and bacon in covered warming trays. As hungry as I was, I planned to sample everything available.
Once I’d filled a plate, I sat in one of the chairs in the lobby to eat. There was no one else around, except the front desk clerk, who seemed to be busy with his duties.
I planned to fill my day with activities, wanting to avoid the cabin and Ulrik as much as possible. His glare was enough to make me want to disappear, and I hadn’t done anything. I was just as affected by the resort’s mistake as he was. Besides, I’d come all the way here to experience winter again, so I yearned to take advantage of all the cold-weather activities.
I still had the complimentary pass for the sugar bush, so I decided to take advantage of that once I finished my food and placed the dishes in the cart. Beside the front desk was a table where guests could sign up for the shuttle bus in between the lodge and various nearby destinations. There was one leaving for the sugar bush in twenty minutes, so I wrote my name for that one. Then I waited, scrolling through my phone to see what other activities I could participate in to keep me busy.
