“All ready to go?” Clint looked over at Bear, dismissing her again. She was starting to really dislike him.
Bear nodded. “We’re ready.”
It seemed like this was goodbye and she really wasn’t ready for that.
* * *
The drive to Russell was done mostly in silence, other than when Ellie called her lawyer. It was the way Bear usually liked things. And he knew Clint was the same.
But he found himself missing Ellie’s cheerful chatter. He longed to look back at her, to check on her, but he didn’t want to make this harder on either of them. Somehow, he had to find the strength to leave her. And fuck that sucked.
“She should see a doctor,” Clint said suddenly.
Bear nodded. “Yep. She’s still getting headaches.”
“What?” Ellie asked. “I don’t need a doctor. And I’d appreciate it if the two of you didn’t talk about me as though I wasn’t here.”
They exchanged a glance. Then Bear turned to give her a stern look. “You need to make an appointment to see a doctor, Ellie.”
She gave him a stubborn look back, crossing her arms over her chest. Brat.
“We’re not leaving you alone until you promise,” Clint told her.
“Why do you care? You don’t know me.”
“You’re still getting headaches, Ellie,” Bear told her in a gentler voice. “You were in a car crash. You need to be checked over. If you won’t agree, we’ll head towards the hospital and stay there with you until you get checked out.”
She stuck out her chin. “Fine. I’ll go.”
Bear turned back around and they all went silent once more.
Fuck, this was hard.
* * *
Okay, she could not take the silence anymore.
She sat forward. “Umm, thanks for taking me to my aunt’s house, I’m sorry to be such a bother.”
Neither of them said anything. Okay, then, she guessed they liked to travel in silence. They drove along. She lasted about five minutes, but then she couldn’t keep silent any longer. She was nervous and when she was nervous, she talked.
“So how far away is my aunt’s house? Do you know the area? Do you think it will be hard for me to get a job?”
Clint grunted then looked over at Bear briefly.
“Not too much further to go,” Bear told her. “Not sure about the job prospects, but I’m sure you’ll find something.”
Yeah, she wasn’t so sure. Her stomach clenched tight. She was probably giving herself an ulcer with all these worries.
“I don’t know what I could do. I mean, I guess I could work as a waitress. That couldn’t be so hard, right? It’s really beautiful out here. I’ve never seen this much snow.”
“She always talk this much?” Clint asked Bear.
“Yep,” Bear replied.
Clint grunted.
“I don’t talk that much,” she grumbled. “No more than a normal person. I think you two don’t talk enough, what do you think of that?”
“I think that it’s crazy,” Clint told her.
Bear shot him a look.
“What?” Clint grumbled. “I didn’t say she was crazy, just that talking more is a stupid idea. What’s the point of talking if you have nothing to say?”
She sighed. “I just hate the silence, I guess. When it’s silent I feel a little lonely.” Realizing what she’d just revealed, she straightened. “Which is silly, right? All I need is some music. Let’s turn the music on.”
Clint cleared his throat. “The diner will be a good place to start to ask about jobs.”
“Think there’s a board at the community hall that also posts jobs,” Bear added.
“I don’t usually go into Russell, it’s smaller than Wishingbone,” Clint added. “But so far as I know it’s safe.”
“Don’t hear of much crime,” Bear agreed.
She hadn’t exactly been asking about the crime rates, but she didn’t complain. Because they were doing their best to answer her questions and put her at ease. And really, what more could a girl ask for?
“That’s good to know.”
“We wouldn’t take you there if it was a bad area,” Clint added.
She didn’t know how to reply to that. How do you tell someone that you have nowhere else to go? Bad enough Bear knew how sad her life was, she didn’t need Clint knowing as well.
About five minutes later, they drove past a sign welcoming them to Russell, population 764. Well, 765 now.
The nerves fluttering in her stomach grew worse. They drove through the small town. It didn’t look very lively. But she guessed given the weather, it wouldn’t be. At least there were still a few hours of daylight left.
Her worries over creating a life for herself here grew. They drove to the other end of town, where the houses were grander and on larger plots. Clint pulled up outside a large, two-storied house. It was an impressive building with a wrap-around porch, set well back from the road. The neighbors were barely within viewing distance.
“Are you sure this is the place?” she asked with surprise.
“That’s what the mailbox says,” Clint replied.
“Didn’t you say the lawyer would be here?” Bear grumbled.
Almost as soon as he’d asked, a BMW pulled up in front of them and a blonde-haired woman climbed out. She was dressed warmly in a thick wool coat, gloves and a scarf. She was gorgeous and Ellie felt a bit frumpy in her worn clothes and scuffed shoes.
“Looks like that’s her,” Clint said as he climbed out and walked over to greet her.
Bear climbed out then opened her door. Leaning over her, he undid her seat belt and lifted her out of the truck.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. Nerves made her stomach flutter.
“You okay?” he asked in a low voice.
“Sure,” she said, not moving her gaze from her worn shoes. It was the first moment they’d had alone since Clint arrived at the cabin and she had to fight hard not to beg him to stay with her. To not leave her.
Put on your big girl panties, Ellie. Just because you have feelings for him doesn’t mean he feels the same way. You both had a good time. Now you have to move on.
“Hey, look at me.” He reached out and ran his thumb down her cheek.
She glanced up at him.
“It’s going to be all right, Ellie.”
“I’m afraid,” she whispered.
He drew her close and she rested her head on his chest, letting the safety of his arms surround her. If only she could stay here forever. “I know you are. But you’ve gotten this far. If you can drive halfway across the country to an unknown place with only a few hundred dollars to your name then you can do this. I know you can.”
He held her for a bit longer then pulled back. She had to bite back the urge to grab hold of him and never let go.
“Bear,” she said as he turned away.
“Yeah?”
“What if I can’t?” What if she couldn’t do any of it? What if she was a big, fat failure just like her parents always said?
He looked down at her. Then he gave her a small smile. “Do you know that you’re one of the bravest women I know?”
She snorted. “Yeah, right. I’m terrified.”
“Just because you’re scared doesn’t mean you’re not brave. Your courage comes from doing things even though you’re frightened. Now you just need to see it through, to know that you can.”
“Yeah. Yeah, I guess I do. Will you…can I…will I ever see you?”
He looked over at the house with a pensive look. Didn’t he like the house? It looked impressive to her. Suddenly, she heard a loud cackle and frowned.
“What was that?” she asked.
“I believe it was your lawyer.” He placed a hand in the small of her back and even through the huge jacket he’d given her to wear, which was apparently one of Clint’s, she swore she could feel the heat of his hand.
When they walked around the truck, she saw that the lawyer had her han
d on Clint’s arm and was leaning into him, smiling up at him.
“Does he know her?” she asked.
“Doubt it,” Bear said.
“Oh.” She was confused. The woman acted like they were old friends. Ellie turned her gaze to Clint and saw the cold way he stared down at the lawyer. Okay, she’d thought him a bit abrupt and stern, but if he ever looked at her like that she’d probably run and hide.
“Hello,” Ellie said, feeling the odd urge to rescue Clint.
“Hmm?” the other woman reluctantly turned her attention to Elie and Bear. “Yes?”
“I’m Ellie Bantler. Are you Ms. George?” Ellie asked wondering if she wasn’t actually the lawyer. She was here to meet Ellie, wasn’t she?
“Oh yes, I am. Sorry. You didn’t tell me you knew the Jensens.”
There was a note of censure in the other woman’s voice. As though she thought Ellie had been trying to trick her or something.
“I don’t know them. I just met Clint a few hours ago.”
“Oh, right. That’s okay then.”
She was becoming more and more confused. Ellie turned to look at Bear who just looked impatient. “Umm, this is Bear Macall.”
The other woman looked Bear up and down and nodded once then dismissed him. What a cow. She turned to Clint. “So, are you doing anything later? If not, I have a very nice bottle of cab sav at home. You could join me for a drink.”
“Is she oblivious to us standing here? Or just rude?” Ellie asked Bear.
She saw his lips twitch as the other woman gasped.
“Bit of both I think,” Clint asked, before extracting himself from the other woman’s claws. “Maybe you should do your job and show your client her house before dark falls.”
“Oh, right, yes.” The other woman sent her a spiteful look. What the hell had she done? Well, she guessed that she had been a bit rude, but she was tired, cold and she needed to pee.
The other woman continued to try to draw Clint into conversation as she opened the front door then turned on the lights.
As Ellie stepped inside and started to explore the house, she managed to drown out the lawyer’s voice. She moved from room to room in a daze.
“Wow,” she said.
“This place is impressive,” Bear commented.
She turned, not realizing he’d been behind her. They were standing in the dining room, which had a full table with eight chairs. A chandelier hung from the ceiling and there was wainscoting on the walls.
“I’ll say,” she said. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful house.”
If anything, Bear grew even more closed off. She didn’t understand what was going on with him. There was none of his normal warmth in his gaze. Had these last few days been an act? Did he not care about her at all? All her insecurities rushed forward. She wished he’d answered her question earlier about whether she would see him again.
“Looks like there is gas heating as well as two fire places. You’ll need someone to check the chimney first before you try to light it. And then buy some firewood,” Bear told her with a frown. “You got any money for that?”
“Oh, Ms. Rose left a rather substantial trust,” the lawyer walked into the room, her hand still on Clint’s arm. “I’m sure you’ll be very pleased.”
“I’d rather have my aunt than any amount of money,” she snapped back.
“Huh. Of course. Yes.” The other woman looked like she didn’t understand a word of what Ellie had just said.
“I think we can take it from here, Ms. George” Ellie said.
“What?” the other woman said.
“Is there anything else I need to do?” Ellie tried to hold onto her patience. How had this woman ever become a lawyer?
“Well, you will need to come into my office for the details of the will and to sign some papers. Oh, and Ms. Rose had a car, it’s in the garage. The key is on the same key ring for the house.”
“A car. That’s great.” It was a huge relief to know she wouldn’t be stranded here. “Anything else?”
“No, that’s all.” The other woman’s smile dimmed as though she finally understood that she was being dismissed. But she soon rallied and turned to smile up at Clint. “Walk me out?”
She thought Clint would refuse but he gave a sharp nod, walking out with the bitch.
“Why is she acting like that when she doesn’t know him?” she asked Bear.
“Because she’s more interested in who he is than what he is.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, confused.
“She wants him because he’s rich. And because he owns the largest spread in the state.”
“Seriously? That’s really shallow.”
“I need a shower,” Clint said as he walked back in. He shuddered. “I feel dirty.”
Bear rolled his eyes. “You got rid of her quick.”
“As soon as she was out of Ellie’s earshot, I told her exactly what I thought of her.”
“Why did you wait until you were out of my earshot?” she asked.
“‘Cause a little girl shouldn’t have to hear those sorts of words,” Clint replied.
She blushed, even though he’d spoken very matter-of-factly. As though her being a Little was, well, normal.
“We’re really doing this?” he asked Bear.
Doing what? She looked over at Bear, who nodded.
Clint sighed. “I think you’re making a mistake.”
“You’re entitled to your opinion,” Bear said coolly.
“Umm, what are you guys talking about?” she asked them.
“Nothing,” Bear told her.
Okay, then. She couldn’t help but feel left out and a little hurt.
“I’m going to check the other rooms,” she said.
“Fine. I’ll be back in an hour,” Clint told them both before leaving abruptly.
Bear brought in her luggage off the porch while she explored the upstairs, which was just as beautiful as downstairs. She chose a bedroom for her own, which wasn’t the master as she couldn’t bring herself to sleep in her aunt’s bed.
She found some linens in the closet and made the bed up fresh. Bear placed her luggage in the door to the bedroom but didn’t come in. Was he worried she’d jump him or something?
“Nice room. Good choice.”
“Thanks,” she told him. It was hard to hold back her emotions. To not ask him why he was being so distant. To beg him not to leave. Even though she loved the house, she couldn’t help but wonder what she was going to do in all this space on her own.
She was in a town where she knew no one except that bitchy lawyer. And the only person she did know was acting cold and aloof. She started to sniffle.
“Hey. What’s wrong?”
Bear stepped into the room and reached out for her. She shook her head and took a step back. “Sorry. I’m being silly. Just ignore me.”
“Baby girl, I’m not going to ignore you when you’re obviously upset. What’s wrong?”
And there was her Bear. The warm, deep voice. Calling her baby. She started to sob. “Am I ever going to see you again?”
Shit. She hadn’t meant to say that. She felt like a clingy idiot. It had been temporary. She’d told him she wanted nothing more. But she didn’t resist as he pulled her close and rocked her.
“It’s going to be all right.”
“You keep saying that, but I don’t know that it’s true.”
He rubbed her back. “I’m going to leave you with my phone number. You’re going to call me if you need anything. Understand?”
“And if I do need something?”
“Then I will come.”
The words calmed her. They didn’t mean anything. They weren’t a declaration of love, or even a promise of anything more.
But for now, they were enough.
9
“You sure you want to do this?” Clint asked as he pulled away from the curb.
“Yep.” No. Every cell in his body wanted to go back to her. To hold
her close. To tell her she didn’t have to be scared because he would be there for her.
He rested his head back against the headrest.
“Sure, about that?” Clint asked.
“Yes, I’m sure. It’s for the best.”
“Uh-huh, you might want to practice saying that with conviction.”
He turned to glare at Clint. “It’s best for her, all right? She needs to do this on her own. To know she can.”
“She’s a Little.”
“I know that. She can still do this.”
“On her own?”
“Yes, look, her parents’ guilt-tripped and tricked her into quitting college and looking after them with a bunch of lies about their health. She needs time on her own. To be free.”
Clint grunted. “Didn’t think you were planning on locking her up.”
“Taking her to the ranch would be the same thing, wouldn’t it?”
“We take care of our women, they’re not our prisoners.”
“She’s never been in a real relationship, let alone one like I would want. I gave her a taste of what it would be like, but we both agreed that it would only last while we were in the cabin. Now, it’s over.”
“And that’s what you both want?”
“It’s what we both want.” God, no. It wasn’t what he wanted at all. He wanted her. He loved her.
“She looked really sad for a woman who wanted to say goodbye.”
Bear decided he was done talking after that. But Clint’s words haunted him the whole way home.
10
She walked carefully up the slippery footpath; she’d learned the hard way just yesterday to be very careful. Her tailbone was still aching from slipping over. Shivering, she slid the key in the lock and stepped inside.
This house was beautiful. It should have brought her joy to come home to it. To step inside. This was what she wanted. She’d just been to see that bitch lawyer and she was still in a little bit of shock over the will. Aunt Rose had been so generous. She’d left her this stunning house. And a car, although she couldn’t drive it since it was a manual. She’d ended up walking into town to the lawyer’s office, which had been a damn cold walk. Her aunt had also left a generous trust fund.
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