by Liv Brywood
No. It would be better to cut ties now. He’d have to find a way to stop thinking about her all the time. Even now, as she stood across from him, he could smell her earthy scent. He’d never forget how her silky skin felt under his hands and he’d carry their night of lovemaking with him forever. But he couldn’t give up his future dreams for her.
“Go home,” he said. “It will never work between us. I was wrong when I said I cared. I don’t.”
Her jaw dropped. Before she could respond, he turned on his heel and rushed out of the room. He flung open the front door and almost plowed into his father. After mumbling an excuse, he ran into the forest and didn’t stop running until he reached a clearing.
In a cracking, twisting, snap of bones and sinew, he shifted to his bear form. He roared and bounded through the woods, running farther and farther away from his home. He couldn’t go back as long as she was there. The thin thread of resolve would break and he’d give in to her pleading. She’d given him no real indication that he could trust her, and he couldn’t afford to fall for her lies again.
***
Daisy stood so quickly that the chair toppled over. After quickly uprighting it, she hurried past Betty.
“Be careful,” Betty called.
“I will,” Daisy said with determination. She wasn’t about to give up on him without a fight.
As she burst out the front door, she nearly knocked over Mr. Grant.
“Sorry, sir,” she yelled over her shoulder.
She whipped her gaze from left to right, then spotted a flash of movement in the woods. As she ran across the road and into the forest, her heart pounded. She wasn’t in the best shape, but she didn’t care if her heart exploded out of her chest as long as she could make him listen.
A roar sounded from somewhere off to her right. She changed direction and hurried past clusters of huckleberry bushes. Her skirt caught on the edge of a branch. After tugging it free, she slowed her pace. She still had a general idea of where she’d last heard the bear roar.
As she plodded through the forest, a rumble of thunder rolled across the sky. Dark clouds gathered overhead to cast shadows across the earth. She cursed. Great, just what she needed right now.
“Greg!” she called. “Where are you? I need to talk to you.”
She paused, listening intently for any sign of movement. Off to the right, bushes rustled. She peered into the dense thicket.
“Greg?”
A branch snapped, closer than the last one.
“Come out here so we can talk,” she said.
Two luminous eyes appeared from within the brush. She advanced with her hands on her hips.
“You’re acting completely immature right now. We should be able to talk about this like adults,” she said.
The bushes parted to reveal the face of a large grizzly bear. Its tattered fur clumped around its face, giving it a feral look that sent a little shiver down her spine. She’d never talked to him while he’d been in his bear form before, so maybe he couldn’t understand her.
“Can you please shift back so we can talk?” she asked.
When he didn’t respond, she huffed. The bear took another step toward her. Its eyes raked up and down her body. If she didn’t know better, she’d think the beast was checking her out. How ridiculous. He was far too angry to be thinking of sex right now. Right? Or maybe not. Maybe that’s all he thought about when he was a bear. There was so much she still didn’t know about shifters.
As the bear continued to advance with stealthy steps, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Something wasn’t right.
“Why are you doing that?” she asked. “Stop trying to scare me.”
Behind the bear, another snapping sound echoed through the woods. As a second bear appeared slightly behind the first, her stomach plummeted. Two bears. It didn’t make any sense. She’d just left his parents at the house. Could the second bear be his brother or sister?
She retreated two more steps as the second animal moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with the first. A horrifying realization struck her. What if this wasn’t Greg? What if these were real bears? Or other shifters who did eat humans?
Adrenaline flooded her limbs. Without stopping to question her instinct, she turned and ran. The bears crashed through the forest behind her. She screamed and pumped her arms and legs faster. But even at top speed they were gaining on her.
She glanced over her shoulder to find the bears less than ten feet behind her. As she faced forward, another bear appeared in her path. She skidded to a stop and dropped to her knees. She curled into a ball and cupped her hands over the back of her neck. They were going to tear her apart.
The third bear raced toward her, then leapt over her body. The rush of wind over her back chilled her soul. She waited for the bear to land on top of her. She waited for claws to shred her flesh and for monstrous teeth to sink into her back.
When nothing happened, she twisted her head to glance behind her. The third bear roared and pounced on top of one of the other animals. It snapped at the beast’s neck, slashing through its thick fur and drawing blood.
She crawled forward as the bears fought behind her. Although the third bear was outnumbered, it battled the others with ferocious intent. The first bear crashed off into the woods, leaving its companion to fend for himself. The third bear lifted a huge paw and swiped it across the other animal’s nose. The bear roared and scrambled to escape. It dashed through the thicket and rushed deeper into the forest.
The victorious bear turned and padded toward her. She rolled onto her back and crab-walked back.
“Get away!” she shrieked.
The bear stopped and cocked its head to one side. It regarded her with a quizzical expression. Her heart thumped in her chest as fat rain drops fell from the sky. The heavens opened, dumping a deluge of rain down on them.
The bear stepped back. A cracking sound reverberated in the clearing as the bear’s spine snapped and twisted. Her eyes went wide as the bear shifted. When it finished, Greg stood before her.
Rain streamed down his face. His expression was unreadable in the growing darkness.
“Are you hurt?” he asked as he rushed to her side.
“No. You…they were going to… you saved me.”
“Let’s get out of here. I don’t know how many others are lurking around,” he said.
“Are they…”
“Shifters? Yes. They’re part of a very dangerous motorcycle gang. I’ve never seen them this close to the house before,” he said.
She burst into tears. They would have killed her if he hadn’t intervened.
“Come on, hon,” he said. “Let’s get out of here.”
When they’d returned to the house, Betty rushed out of the kitchen.
“What on earth happened to you two?” she asked. “You look like drowned rats.”
“She ran out into the woods and that motorcycle gang found her,” Greg said. He flashed Daisy an exasperated look. “She’s lucky to be alive. What were you thinking?”
“I had to find you,” she said.
“You shouldn’t be out there alone,” he snapped.
“I didn’t think there’d be other bears out there,” she said.
“Other bears out where?” Greg’s dad asked as he emerged from the hall.
“In the forest,” Betty said.
“Goddamn it.” Joseph grabbed a shotgun from inside the closet. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Be careful,” Betty said as she planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
Daisy stood with her hands folded in front of her belly. She kept her gaze on the floor. This wasn’t going the way she’d imagined at all. She’d expected to come back and that Greg would be happy to see her. Instead, he loathed her and now she’d put their whole family in danger.
She sniffed back a sob.
“You’re covered in mud,” Greg said. “Go get cleaned up and we’ll talk.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Do you have a change of clothes in the bus?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll get it and leave them outside the bathroom door.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He grumbled a response as he stomped off.
“Honey, you take a nice, hot bath and come out when you’re ready,” Betty said.
Daisy let her usher her into the bathroom. After she’d closed the door, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Sticks and pine needles stuck out of her hair in every direction. Mud caked her cheek and back. She fingered a small tear at the neckline of her shirt. She might be able to fix it with a needle and thread. But would she be able to fix her relationship with Greg?
Chapter 14
Greg paced the length of his room. The shower had shut off more than ten minutes ago but Daisy had yet to emerge. He’d almost lost her. How could she have been so stupid to run off into the forest like that?
When he’d heard her scream, he’d run as fast as he could. Had he arrived a few seconds later, it would have been horrific. He had no doubt those bear shifters were ready to eat her alive. The stench of violence hung around them like a shroud.
He returned to the door to his bedroom and peered out. The pile of clothes he’d left for her on the floor were gone. Good. At least she was clean and presumably dressed now. But she was still hiding in the bathroom. Irritated, he stalked over to the door and knocked.
“Are you done yet?” he asked.
“Just a minute,” she said.
He scowled and returned to his room. A minute later, the bathroom door opened and she appeared in his doorway.
“Come in and close the door behind you,” he said.
She did, then stood with her hands clasped in front of her. She wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“Why are you here?” he snapped.
Her bottom lip quivered. Sadness seeped into his heart. He hadn’t meant to scare her. Even though she’d stabbed him in the heart when she’d left without saying goodbye.
“I came back because…” She sniffed and wiped her nose. “Because I love you.”
He swallowed and ran a hand through his hair as his anger dissipated.
“I don’t know that I can believe you,” he said.
“I can’t explain why I left other than to tell you that saving Andy’s life was more important than anything in the world. I couldn’t even consider anything else until he was safe,” she said.
“You could have told me you were coming back,” he said.
“I didn’t know that I was.”
“Why did you?” he asked.
“Because I love you. I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re kind and sweet and loving. I know I don’t deserve you after leaving the way I did, but I was hoping you’d give me a chance,” she said. “I don’t know how I’ll make it up to you, but I swear I’ll find a way.”
“You hurt me,” he said softly.
“I know.” She took a step closer to him, then stopped. “And I can’t tell you how sorry I am about that. Everything happened so fast with us. I wasn’t sure it was real.”
“I know what you mean. I never thought I could—” He stopped. Could he actually risk his heart for her? Was she being sincere? What proof did he have that she wouldn’t run off the minute things got difficult?
She moved closer, stopping within his reach. He met her gaze and read both sorrow and love in her eyes. The stubborn part of him wanted to hurt her back, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t a liar. He’d never deny his feelings for her again.
As he closed the distance between them, a soft cry burst from her lips. He pulled her into a tight embrace and buried his face in her hair. The fresh scent of her skin invaded his senses. He’d be a fool to let her go. Wasn’t all life a risk? Wouldn’t it be worth taking a chance with the woman he loved?
“Daisy,” he whispered. “How do I know this is really what you want?”
“I want you. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I want to spend my days in the fields and my nights in your arms.” She pulled back slightly to look at him. Tears shimmered in her eyes.
“Please, don’t cry.” He wiped a tear from her cheek.
“I can’t lose you,” she said. “I have nothing left. I have no one.”
“Is that why you want me?” he asked. “Because you have no one else?”
“No. That’s not it at all. I love you. I can’t imagine ever being apart from you again.”
“What about all the traveling you want to do?” he asked.
“You said we can go together,” she said.
“I did.”
“I’m getting tired of running from one place to another,” she said. “I’ve never been anywhere that I wanted to stay permanently. But this place, your farm, it’s magical. There’s so much energy and life and love here. I’ve never been anywhere like it before.”
He cupped her cheeks in his hands and pressed his forehead to hers. Her love banished all of the doubt and pain and heartache from his soul.
“I love you,” he whispered. “I’ve loved you since the moment I met you.”
She choked out a sob and flung her arms around his neck. He squeezed her against his chest.
“Will you walk with me?” he asked.
“Right now? Outside?” she asked.
“Let’s see if the rain stopped.”
He grabbed her hand and led her through the house past his mom, who gave him a quizzical look. When they reached the front door, he held it open for her. They stepped out onto the wraparound porch together. Patches of sunlight broke though light gray clouds.
“The rain stopped,” he said. “Come with me.”
She walked by his side toward the lake. When they’d walked far enough to get out of view of the house, he took a deep breath. He’d never been impulsive before, but then again, ever since he’d met Daisy, he’d done one crazy thing after another. So what he was about to do wasn’t as outlandish as it seemed.
He stopped walking and turned to her. A ray of sunshine cast a stream of light across her face. Yes, she’d run from him, but she’d also realized that she really loved him. She’d come back. And for that, he could push aside his hurt to do the thing he’d wanted to do for weeks.
As he dropped down on one knee, she covered her mouth with one hand.
“What are you doing?” she asked in wonder.
“I love you, Daisy. I’ve waited my whole life to find someone like you. You’re carefree and fun and loving and loyal. You’re extremely loyal. I see that now. I understand why you left to finish your mission to take Andy to Canada, and I forgive you.”
She choked out a sob.
“And I want to be with you for the rest of our lives,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy. Being a farmer’s wife is hard work, but I know you can do it. I saw the way you tackled the harvest. It’s like you were born to work the land.”
“I love being outside,” she said. “I could never imagine being trapped in a home in suburbia. Working on the farm made me wish I could spend every day outside.”
“It snows in the winter,” he said. “A lot.”
“I know.” She smiled.
“Well, do you think you’re ready for all of this?” he asked.
“I am.”
“Then Daisy, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she said.
She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him. As his knees sunk into the mud, he kissed her with every ounce of love he had. He couldn’t believe she’d come back to him.
She loved him.
He buried his face in her hair and clung to her. All of the turmoil and pain of the last few days was gone.
“We just have to do one more thing,” Daisy said.
“What’s that?”
“Break it to your parents,” she said with a sly grin.
He laughed and stood to help her up. “That will be interesting.”
“Is your dad going to freak out?”<
br />
“Probably, but he’ll get over it.”
He laced his fingers through hers. As they strolled back to the house, the clouds cleared to reveal the setting sun. Fiery pinks, oranges, and reds blazed across the sky. He couldn’t wait to watch a million sunsets with her. She’d just made him the happiest man in the world.
Chapter 15
Woodstock — August 15-17, 1969
Daisy stood on top of the bus in the middle of the largest crowd of people she’d ever seen in her life. There had to be at least a few hundred thousand people dancing in the rain. It was the second day of the festival and she still hadn’t been able to find Meadow or River. The sheer number of people made it impossible.
“Sit down, hon,” Greg said. “We’re probably not going to find them.”
“I told them I’d meet up with them,” she said.
“That was before you realized how crazy the scene would be,” he said.
“Right.” She sat down next to him. “This place is outta sight.”
“Someone said Joe Cocker’s coming on next. I hope he plays ‘With A Little Help From My Friends.’”
“I can’t believe we get to see all these bands, man. When your dad said we could go, I almost freaked. I can’t believe who’s playing—The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Who, Jefferson Airplane. Man, when they sang ‘White Rabbit’ I almost came out of my body. That song’s far out.”
“I’m glad you’re having fun, hon,” he said.
“Are you having fun?” she asked.
“I’m covered in mud, it hasn’t stopped raining, and I could eat my left arm. It’s great.” He laughed.
“We can go grab some food in a bit. There are a few people serving brown rice and vegetables. I’ve seen cups of granola floating around too,” she said.
Although they were at least a hundred yards back from the stage, when the first strings of guitar blasted through the speakers, a rush of excitement flooded her muscles.
