Page 21 of A Bear's Secret

No,she told herself. You finish it. If you can do this, you can do anything.

Just as she was reaching for another cookie, Austin came into the living room, carrying a backpack on his back.

“Ready?” he asked.

Sloane nodded and stood, picking up her water bottle.

“You got sunscreen in there?” she asked. Sun protection had quickly become second nature to her. She didn’t burn easily, but she was particularly susceptible to weird tans.

“Yup,” Austin said. “And water, granola bars, trail mix, some apples, leftover bacon, biscuits, and sandwiches.”

“Damn,” Sloane said. “You’re prepared.”

“Barb believes in doing something right if you do it at all,” he said. “That includes picnic lunches.”

He grabbed a cookie off the plate and shoved it into his mouth.

“Shall we?” he asked, his mouth full.

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