Brandon chuckled and saluted Troy with a sandwich. Troy heard Brandon gasp when he rooted in the bag and found the big bar of chocolate. “She gave me chocolate! Oh, I do believe she loves me!”
Troy rolled his eyes. But the sheer delight on Brandon's face made him smile.
In no time at all, they'd finished their breakfast and balled up their empty paper bags.
“Ready?” Troy glanced at Brandon.
The younger man nodded. “Yeah.”
Troy shifted first. His bear emerged and shook itself. Over his shoulder, he saw Brandon shift into a magnificent bear and drop onto his four massive paws.
The two grizzly bears growled low at each other and loped off towards the woods at the edge of town.
Troy ran between the trees and realized that his bear was actually enjoying himself. Olga was right. He hadn't been fair to himself and his bear. He had been leashing and restricting his bear, afraid to let the beast out. It wasn't healthy. He should be comfortable in his own skin, in both his skins.
His bear loved being in the wild, among the natural scents and sounds of the woods. Troy looked back and saw Brandon slowing down behind him.
Troy backed up a few paces and waited for Brandon. They would do this together.
Brandon hadn't been back to this part of the woods since his dad's murder. But they were going back to that spot, the very spot where Brandon's dad had been killed.
Troy walked quietly beside his friend. Brandon growled and tensed as they moved towards that towering, ancient oak tree. It was at the foot of that tree that Brandon's dad had collapsed and died. His blood had seeped into the ground around the roots of the tree and for a long, long time, his dying scent had lingered in the air around that old tree.
Brandon had never gone back to that spot.
Silently, Troy walked Brandon forward. He would be with him every step of the way.
Brandon reached the old oak tree and stood with his head bowed. His eyes glimmered as he stared at the spot where his father had died. Slowly, Brandon stepped forward and sniffed the air. There was no longer the stench of fear and death. The air was crisp and fresh with the clean scents of the forest. Everything had been washed away over time. There was death, but there was also life. New life, and new beginnings.
Brandon raised his head and roared.
Troy joined him.
Their proud, powerful roars echoed through the forest, going on for miles.
Brandon turned and stared at Troy. Then he reared up and slashed his claws across the bark of the old oak tree, marking the spot his father had breathed his last.
His father's life had ended here, but his memory lived on.
Coming to this place was a big step for the both of them. They had lost much, and they had been angry and bitter. But now they were ready to accept the past and move on. They couldn't change the past, but they could make the most of the present and build a better future for themselves, for their loved ones, for everyone who cared about them.
And both Troy and Brandon knew that they were lucky, very lucky indeed. They had a whole town who cared.
As they returned to the clearing, Brandon shifted back to human form and turned to look back at the forest.
“You okay?” Troy asked, clapping him on the back.
“Yeah. I think...I can do this on my own. The next time, I'll take a run to that oak tree alone. I can do it.”
“Of course you can,” Troy answered simply.
Brandon's face split in a cheeky grin. “I've taken my big step. Now it's your turn. When are you going to collect that ring? It's past eleven. Annie would have opened her shop by now.”
Troy took a deep breath. “I'm going right now,” he said.
“I'm coming with you,” Brandon crowed. “I wouldn't miss this for the world!”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Olga pushed into Papa Bear's Diner with Leo and Logan. The twins ran to an empty booth and excitedly beckoned Olga over.
“Olga!” Lilly and Daisy beamed at her from behind the counter. They were both wearing their “Baby Bear” and “Mama Bear” aprons but Olga had learned that Lilly and her parents weren't bears at all. “My dad just has a really weird sense of humor,” Lilly said. “We called him Papa Bear when he started putting on weight, and he liked the name so much he named the diner Papa Bear's Diner.”
A few regulars sitting around the counter turned and called out their greetings. Deputy Kane was sitting in a corner, chatting with Grumpy Joe and Nanny Riddle.
Olga smiled at them, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of Nanny. Nanny seldom left her cottage, and Olga had never seen her at Papa Bear's. Nanny grew her own food and made everything from scratch. Her jams enjoyed a somewhat dubious reputation though. Nanny's jams were made with the freshest ingredients but someone had reportedly found an eye of newt in one of the jars.
Nanny Riddle flashed her golden tooth at Olga in a wide grin. “There hasn't been a wedding in this town in years,” Nanny said.
Olga smiled uncertainly, not sure where this conversation was going. “I'm sure someone will get married sooner or later,” Olga managed to reply.
“Oh, it's definitely sooner,” Nanny said firmly. “So make sure you invite everyone, Olga.”
Olga blinked in confusion. What was Nanny talking about? Was there a party she didn't know about?
Nanny cackled and went back to flirting with Deputy Kane. “You'll ask me for the first dance, won't you,” Nanny said, blowing Kane a big kiss.
“Yes, Nanny,” Deputy Kane said meekly.
Olga scratched her head and looked around the diner. Papa Bear's was unusually crowded today. All the booths were filled, and many people were standing around, smiling and whispering excitedly. There was an air of eager anticipation in the diner, and Olga had a feeling that they were all waiting.
Just what was everybody waiting for?
Olga turned to Lilly, hoping her friend would tell her what was going on but Lilly only laughed and grabbed the coffee pot. “I'll get you your coffee,” Lilly said. “And chocolate milkshakes for the boys,” she added with a wink as Olga opened her mouth.
“Thanks, Lilly.” Olga shook herself and hurried to the booth where Leo and Logan were playing with the salt and pepper shakers.
As Lilly arrived at their table with two tall chocolate milkshakes and a cup of black coffee, the door opened and Troy and Brandon walked in. Smiles widened into grins and there were a few cheers and whistles.
Olga stared around in bewilderment. Was the diner in need of some urgent repairs? Was that why everyone was so happy to see their favorite Mister Handyman? She looked at Lilly, and saw a sly smile on Lilly's lips and a telltale mischievous glint in her eye.
“Hi Troy, Hi Bulldog,” Lilly said as Troy and Brandon came up to the booth.
“I'm a bear, not a bulldog,” Brandon retorted.
“You look like a bulldog to me,” Lilly tossed over her shoulder. “Always growling and snapping.”
Brandon stuck out his tongue at Lilly's back. He sat down between Leo and Logan and rubbed his hands gleefully. “I can't wait!”
“Wait? What are we waiting for?” Olga asked immediately.
Brandon simply chortled and howled when Troy kicked him under the table.
The door burst open and Megan clattered into the diner. “I'm not late, am I?” she panted.
Nanny grinned. “You're just in time, my dear.”
Troy sucked in a deep breath and stood up. A hush fell over the diner.
Olga's eyes and mouth rounded when Troy pulled out a ring from his pocket and dropped to one knee beside the booth.
Olga gasped and she could hear the collective intake of breath around the diner. She heard a pin drop.
“Olga,” Troy said clearly. “Will you marry me?”
Olga stared at the ring that Troy was holding out to her. She blinked at the beautiful, rosy pink gem on the ring. It was a Rose Quartz, al
so known as the Heart Stone.
She had seen the ring in Annie Sunder's jewelery shop. Annie made all the exquisite jewelery pieces herself, and she told Olga that she only used gems and crystals with positive, healing energy and vibrations. Annie had explained to her that the Rose Quartz was the stone of unconditional love. It represented not just romantic love but love of self and the powerful, healing love of family and friends.
Olga blinked away her tears and took the ring from Troy. He understood her so well. He knew what she wanted and needed, and he gave his love to her, unconditionally and eternally.
“Yes,” she answered, throwing her arms around him. “Yes, Troy! Yes, yes and yes!”
The whole diner erupted into thunderous cheers and applause. Megan and Lilly ran up and hugged them both, while Brandon whistled loudly and hi-fived the twins.
As everyone crowded round to congratulate them, Olga saw Nanny Riddle hop down from her stool and amble towards the door. Nanny winked at her and disappeared.
Olga blinked hard. She hadn't seen the door open but when she looked out the window, she saw Nanny sauntering down the street. Nanny didn't look back, but she raised her arm in a broad, sweeping gesture and did a happy little jig.
Olga smiled. “Yes, Nanny,” she whispered. “I'll invite the whole town and you'll have the first dance.”
Olga turned to Troy and said, “We're inviting everyone, the whole town.”
Troy grinned. “It's going to be a big wedding.”
Lilly squealed when she heard that. “Big love in a small town. This is so romantic!”
Olga remembered something suddenly and went to Megan's side. “Megan, is that writer's workshop still on? I...”
“Oh yes! Your first talk was such a success. Everyone wants to sign up for your workshop! I think more than fifty people have signed up already! I think I'm going to have the change the venue. The reading room in the library can't hold such a large crowd,” Megan said cheerfully.
“Looks like you're going to be very busy,” Troy whispered to Olga, nuzzling her neck.
“Busy and happy,” Olga replied as they shared a sweet, tender kiss.
With a happy sigh, Olga rested her head on Troy's shoulder and gazed down at their joined hands. The beautiful, brilliant pink gem gleamed and winked on her finger, promising a future that was just as bright and rosy.
This ring represented everything she loved about the little town of Bear Cove. It was crafted with love and care, and there was no other like it. And it belonged to her.
This was where she belonged. She was home at last.
* * * * *
End
About the Author
Natalie Kristen is a writer who enjoys mixing the sweet with the spicy, the light with the dark, the possibilities with the unimaginable. She enjoys exploring paranormal and dystopian worlds, deep desires and inspiring romances. She is hopelessly addicted to coffee, chocolate, reading and writing. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to follow her on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her blog for the latest news and updates.
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/NatalieKristenBooks
Blog:
nataliekristen.blogspot.com
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Bear My Heart: A Small Town Paranormal Romance Page 11
