Complete Bear Creek and Bear Bluff Box Sets: Including brand new exclusive book Best Man Bear

by Harmony Raines

  "Sure," Kayleigh answered.

  "Great. Well, I'm going for a shower."

  "I'll see you later." Kayleigh finished her breakfast and then washed up all the dishes. Even the ones Tia had dumped in the sink. After wiping down the surfaces, she fetched her purse and then headed for the diner.

  It was another beautiful morning. The hint of a chill in the air signified summer was nearly over. She looked up at the distant mountains and pictured them covered in snow. If she were going to stay here, she would definitely have to save up some money for some warmer clothes. Snow boots too. The thought of it excited her. Perhaps they would be cut off. Maybe she should ask Tia if they needed to stock up on anything, just in case.

  "Hi there." His voice made her jump; his body made her ache with desire. An unexpected feeling at this time in the morning. Memories of those arousing dreams came back to her.

  "Hello, Daryl. Sam."

  "Morning, Kayleigh.”

  Daryl fell into step with her but struggled to make any further conversation. The silence began to feel a little awkward. Her brain emptied itself of any thought when she tried to grasp at a subject. Luckily, Sam, who seemed to be the total opposite of Daryl, stepped in.

  "How's the job hunting going?" he asked

  Daryl flashed him a look, which she only just caught. Unsure of what it meant, she answered, "I think I have something worked out. Will offered me a job. Not quite sure what, but I'll take anything."

  "That's good of him. I'm glad you're going to be hanging around for a while. Daryl said you like it here."

  She glanced at Daryl and smiled. So he had been talking about her, she liked that. At least he hadn't forgotten all about her once they'd parted. "I do. It's the first time I've ever felt settled in one place. I usually move on every couple of months."

  "Perhaps you'd like to come over and see the farm?"

  "I'd like that. Daryl said it's been in your family for years."

  "Centuries. From when Bear Creek was first settled."

  "I bet it's got some stories to tell. If houses could talk."

  "I certainly would agree with you there."

  They reached the diner, and Daryl opened the door for her. "Thank you," she said. "I'll be a moment if you're going to sit at one of my tables. Or Alice will take your order."

  "We'll wait," Daryl said quickly.

  Sam simply grinned and thumped him lightly on the shoulder. As she disappeared out into the back to hang up her coat, she thought how the two brothers reminded her of herself and Antonia. One open and brave, the other a closed book, almost afraid to reach out into the world. Afraid of other people.

  But she found she wasn't afraid of Daryl. If she said the wrong thing, he would understand because he could relate to her. He was quiet and introverted. Kayleigh wanted them to find a way through their fears. Together.

  "So, what can I get you?" Kayleigh had hurriedly put on her uniform and now stood beside the Cartwright brothers.

  "I think I'll have a full breakfast," said Sam. "As usual."

  She wrote it down and nearly wrote coffee, which was Daryl's usual order, when he said, "Make that two."

  "You're going to actually eat?" That was Sam's surprised voice, mimicking the one in her head.

  Daryl glared at him. "Yes. Don't say it as if it's that shocking."

  She hid a smile when Sam replied, "Well, it is."

  "I'll get your order, and the coffee," she said.

  Walking to the kitchen, she heard the two men behind her launch into a whispered argument. She couldn't catch what it was about, but she guessed it was about Sam making fun of Daryl.

  "Morning, Johnny," she said to her boss.

  "Morning, honey, how are you doing today?"

  "Great, thanks. I might have another job."

  "That's great. Fantastic news. I'll give you a glowing reference. Remember, if you need extra work next summer, you'll always be welcome back."

  She was struck by how sweet Johnny was to her. "Thanks, Johnny. That might work. I could save some money up all summer to tide me over."

  "That's how a lot of us work when we depend on the seasons. Of course, we do get some people passing through in the winter. But these slopes aren't much good for skiing, so they continue up the valley."

  "Do you get a lot of snow?" she asked, passing the time, while keeping an eye on her tables. Sam and Daryl still seemed to be bickering back and forth. She smiled and wondered what they must have been like growing up. A handful, she would like to bet. Had Sam looked out for his younger brother like Antonia had watched out for her? Maybe Daryl hadn't always been shy; if not, she wanted to know what happened to him. Come to think of it, she wanted to know everything about him.

  "We get a fair share. The main road in gets blocked sometimes, but there's enough machinery in town that it is cleared quickly. The mountains, though, they become completely cut off. There's people living up there that don't come into town for a couple months at a time. Here we go."

  He put the two breakfasts on the counter. She took them over and then remembered their coffees. She should have done it first. "Here we go." She put the steaming plates down. "I'll just grab your coffees."

  "Thanks, Kayleigh," Daryl said, flashing his dimples at her. She was beginning to read his genuine smiles. So had her heart, which always thumped a little quicker when he flashed one at her.

  Sam smiled and then winked at her, and she found herself smiling back. They were both good men.

  Going back to the kitchen, she found the coffee pot empty, and had to put some more on. It took a few minutes, and by the time she reappeared, Will and two of his men were in the diner. Talking to Daryl. She hesitated, not wanting to listen in on a private discussion but desperately wanting to know if it involved her. And the job. Had Daryl put Will up to it? Offering her a job to make her stay?

  She had to find out.

  Chapter Eleven - Daryl

  "And have you come up with any solutions, Daryl?"

  Daryl looked up at Will and couldn't help scowling. "Not yet."

  "Ahh, Kayleigh. Four breakfasts please. We'll be seated over there."

  "OK, sure, Will. I just have to serve Daryl and Sam."

  "No hurry." Will walked away, and Daryl found his appetite had disappeared. Still he picked up his knife and fork and began to cut up a sausage.

  "It's already dead, Daryl."

  Daryl looked up at Sam, and then down at his plate where he had viciously cut up his sausage. "Sorry."

  "Here we go, sorry for the delay." Kayleigh poured their coffees, glancing at Daryl with some interest. She must have heard them talking.

  Sam spoke first. "No, problem Kayleigh. Why don't you come over to the farm this afternoon? Daryl could pick you up after work."

  Daryl looked sharply at Sam. He was trying too hard to be a matchmaker; surely, Kayleigh would see that. Instead, she said, "I wouldn't want to impose."

  "Don't be silly. If you're going to stay around here, you should get to know some of us a bit better. Isn't that right, Daryl?"

  Daryl nearly choked in the mangled bit of sausage he had stuffed into his mouth. "Hmm," he murmured.

  "What time do you get off work, Kayleigh?"

  "Not until four today."

  "Perfect. Daryl's usually packed up for the day by then. I swear he wouldn't know what a hard day’s work really was."

  OK. He was going to kill his brother. Yet he had to appear calm and agreeable. He swilled his mouthful of food down with coffee that was too hot, only just managing to stop himself from spluttering and coughing before replying, "I'll be outside at four."

  "OK. I'll see you then." She smiled, but he could tell she wasn't sure if he really wanted this or not. He cleared his throat and said, a little more warmly. "I would love to show you where I grew up."

  "Great," she said nodding. "Now I have to get some work done. Or I'll need that new job sooner than I thought."

  She walked away and Daryl kicked Sam under the table. "What?"
asked Sam innocently.

  "You know what. Stop interfering."

  "If I don't, she'll think you're not interested. You blow so hot and cold. Yesterday you came back full of how excited you were to finally speak to her. Now today you can't string a sentence together in front of her."

  Daryl buried his face in his hands. "I know. I might as well give up now."

  "Oh, no. I am not going to have to live with you moping around for the rest of your life. I'm telling you, I am going to get you two together if it's the last thing I do."

  "That's it," said Daryl, sitting bolt upright. "You're a genius."

  "I am?"

  "Yes. Yes, you are. You're going to hire her!"

  This time Sam almost choked on his breakfast. "I'm going to what?"

  "Hire her, give her a job. Surely, there's some work around the farm. Or a housekeeper. You're always complaining about housework."

  "Daryl. No. That is not a good idea."

  "Help me out here, Sam. Please."

  Sam looked at him. "You're crazy. This will end badly."

  "So you'll do it?"

  "One condition. You come and do my roof."

  "Sure. Tomorrow. I'll put off everything else."

  Sam shook his head disapprovingly. "I'm not promising. But I'll think about it."

  Daryl grinned, and began tucking into his breakfast, always keeping one eye on Kayleigh. She was the centre of his life now, and he would not let her get away. He had never thought a mate and bear cubs were for him.

  Now, he had begun to fantasise about those very things. He had even caught himself picturing his house full of children. He had a few acres he had never really known what to do with. Lately he had been making plans to turn it into an adventure land for his offspring. He was totally and utterly lost to the need for her to be his mate. As fate intended.

  Chapter Twelve - Kayleigh

  Something was going on with those two. She was intrigued to find out what it was. Circumstances like this normally left her running to avoid getting to know people. If she did, she might have to let them in. Somehow, she had to get over her insecurities. Either that or she would end up running back to Antonia, her safety blanket.

  "Not happening," she said.

  "What's not happening? The work around here?"

  Johnny was joking, but he had a point. Her orders were piling up. "Sorry. Not quite with it today, Johnny."

  "I guessed that. Man trouble?"

  "No," she said quickly. "Why would you think that?"

  "I see the way that Cartwright boy looks at you. You could do a lot worse."

  She wanted to protest, tell him it was none of his business. But if she wanted to stay in Bear Creek and be part of this community, she had to get to know people and let them get to know her. One step at a time. Perhaps that one step was going to be the Cartwright brothers. The trip to the farm this afternoon might be the start of her new future.

  In the pit of her stomach, she felt her nerves as a small ball of excitement. She was excited, a new and enjoyable experience. She smiled. She could get used to this.

  ***

  By the time four o'clock came, the excitement had turned to dread. What did she know about farms? She would make a complete fool of herself and probably end up face down in some wet, smelly cowpat. Always the pessimist, she still stood dutifully and waited for Daryl to pick her up.

  "Hi, I was worried you might run out on me." Daryl jumped out of the truck, and came around to open the door for her.

  "No. I said I'd come; it was nice of Sam to invite me." She was pleased he was back to being the lighthearted man he had been yesterday on the mountain.

  She slipped into his truck and did her seatbelt up while he went back around to the driver’s side. The truck was wide, so it wasn't as if they were sitting on top of each other. However, as soon as he got in, the space seemed to shrink. It was hot, too. The very nearness of him made her want to slide closer, to rest her thigh against his.

  "All set?"

  She guiltily fell out of her daydream. "Yes. Sure." She felt like a complete idiot once more.

  He started the engine, and they pulled out onto the main road. If you could call it that. None of the roads through Bear Creek carried much traffic, even in the height of the summer season. Bear Creek didn't exactly seem to advertise itself as a tourist destination. It never got busy, considering what a beautiful place it was.

  Before Kayleigh had stumbled upon it, she had never heard of the place. She was thankful for the day she got on the wrong bus and ended up at the foot of the majestic mountains. It had felt like coming home. Or what she imagined coming home would feel like. She sighed contentedly, leaning against the door of the truck, with the window half down. The fresh air streamed in, and she breathed it in.

  "I see you enjoy our air."

  "Yes. I've never been anywhere where the air is so sweet, so fresh."

  "I blame the mountains; they keep all the bad stuff out."

  "Does that include bad people too? I don't think I've ever heard of a crime being committed."

  "Sometimes there's drunken disorderlies. And sometimes we get poachers. Guns are not exactly tolerated in Bear Creek."

  "Isn't that unusual for a place like this? I would have thought there would be plenty of hunters in the forests, after deer and the bears."

  He swerved a little, and she looked up to see if he was OK. He looked upset but he answered casually, "Our bears are kind of protected. No one comes here to shoot bears, and if they do, they are quickly asked to leave."

  "Is that unusual?"

  "Not in these parts. There are too many people using the mountain, farmers, hikers, waitresses." He turned and smiled at her. "What if someone got shot by mistake? No. We don't encourage hunting at all."

  "That's good to know. This waitress would not like to be hung on someone's wall as a trophy."

  "I would agree. Here we are. We take this track up along the lower slopes for a couple of miles, and the farm's at the end."

  "Wow, a long way out of town."

  "Yes. I think Sam likes the peace and quiet almost as much as me."

  They bumped along the track. Daryl eased the truck down to a slow speed, allowing her to enjoy the views. Wide, sweeping meadows, with a tumbling stream coming down to meet a wider river. They crossed over it via a narrow stone bridge which looked too unstable to take the weight of their truck. As they drove further up, they also forded a stream, the water splashing up around the wheels.

  "This place is amazing," Kayleigh said. “Where do you live? Or do you live on the farm?”

  “No. I live in a house off this track we’ll be passing soon. There.” He pointed out of his window. Another track wound its way along the bottom of the mountain.

  “So close to the farm.”

  “Close enough. When Sam took over the farm, we built two cottages. One for my parents and one for me. I have a couple of acres, not that I farm. But it’s nice to have something to call my own. For my kids to run around and enjoy—when I have them, of course,” he added hastily.

  She sat in silence, looking out of the window. That might be a deal breaker. Kids obviously featured in his future, and they didn’t in hers. She had absolutely no intention of bringing a child into this world. Trusting another person to be her partner in life, forever, was not something she felt capable of. Without that trust, she would never contemplate kids.

  He looked at her sideways. She could feel his eyes on her, but didn’t turn to respond. She didn’t want to have that conversation with him; she didn’t want to spoil the day. Or was she overreacting? He hadn’t even asked her out on a date. Come to think about it, he hadn’t even been the one to invite her to the farm. It had been Sam.

  Trying to relax, and release her tension, she asked, “Do you parents still live here?”

  “Yes. My dad likes to keep his hand in one the farm, and my mom likes to garden. It suits us all. We’re on hand for each other. This land has been in our family since
before anyone can remember. We’re not planning on going anywhere.”

  “Does Sam have a girlfriend?”

  “No. Not met the right one yet. He will. I’m sure.”

  “So the farm can get passed down to the next generation.”

  “Yes. Eventually. But there’s no danger of that happening for a long time. We Cartwrights live for a long time. It’s in our blood,” he said cryptically.

  “Is that the farm?” she asked, leaning forward and pointing to where a low building appeared as the track curved around. It was situated on the lee side of a small hill that rose up at the bottom of the mountain, completely hidden until they rounded the gentle slope, nestled there with small copses of trees around it. “It’s so pretty.”

  Daryl laughed. “It is pretty. Such a contrast to the rugged mountains. A hidden gem.”

  “I like that. The thought that amongst all the rough edges, something so perfect can be found.” It made her think of herself. All rough inside, with edges that she had no idea how to file down and make smooth. Sometimes if she allowed herself to look inside herself, all she could see was broken glass with jagged edges. She knew that no one would ever want the real her, she was too spiky.

  He pulled around in front of the house. It was painted a cream colour, making it look mellow and light. Switching off the engine, he came around and helped her out. Not that she needed it, but she liked the way he behaved. A gentleman.

  As she slid down, her feet touched the ground, and his hands touched her chin, tilting it upwards. For a moment shock coursed through her, and then warmth spread through her from the point where his skin touched hers.

  “We all have rough edges, Kayleigh. Each and every one of us. Some of us hide them well. Some of us struggle to fit in and be normal. But it doesn’t make us any less capable of love. Or being loved.”

  “Hi. You made it.” Sam appeared, grinning. He looked from Kayleigh’s face to Daryl’s, trying to read what was going on between them.

  Kayleigh looked into Daryl’s eyes. She saw the depth of feeling there that, for once, he hadn’t hidden from her. Then his hand dropped to his side. He turned around and said, “As if I couldn’t make it up here blindfolded.”