Page 14 of Riding With the Grizzly

“Shit, I’m sorry, Nara. I had a bad feeling about leaving you with them earlier tonight. I’m sorry, princess. Where are you going? I can give you a ride.”

“I’m going to try to stay with my friend, Astrid, but it’s too late to call her. I was planning on waiting at the diner until she’s up.”

"Don't do that. Come home with me. You can stay there."

"That might not be the best idea, considering."

Jude frowns. It’s actually closer to a pout, which is pretty adorable.“It’s the only option. I can keep you safe.”

“It will piss my family off even more,” I point out. He shrugs.

“I can handle your family.”

His offer is so tempting. So, so tempting. I know that it might not be the smartest decision, but I’m sick of bending to my family's will. I want to start doing what I want.

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” I ask and he smiles.

“I’m sure, mate.”

He reaches for my bags and I raise a brow as I stare at his bike.

“What’s your plan here?” I ask him and he gives me a sheepish smile.

“Wait here. I’ll go home and grab my car. I’ll be back in a few,” he promises and I nod.

He helps me carry the bags into the diner and then buys me a piece of pie before he jogs back to his bike and takes off. I enjoy my pie, watching out the window until a car pulls up outside. I know that it’s Jude and I stand, heading out with my bags.

“Let me get those,” he says, taking my bags from me.

He puts my bags in the back and then opens the passenger door for me.

“Where do you live?” I ask him as we pull out of the parking lot.

“North of town. It’s only a few minutes drive.”

“Wait, you don’t live in the old Warren house do you?” I ask as he turns onto a backroad.

“Uh, yeah. I bought it from Alfred Warren Junior a few years ago. Why?”

“I love that house! I always have. I used to clean it when I was in high school and I would pretend that I lived there. There was something so warm and, I don’t know, magical, about it.”

“I’m glad that you like it. It’s your home now too,” he says as we pull into the drive. “We can change anything you don’t like about it.”

“You’re getting way ahead of yourself,” I warn him and he grins.

“Wishful thinking, I guess then.”

I try to hide my smile as he parks and we climb out. I take in the old house as Jude grabs my bags.

It’s exactly like I remember it. The house is two stories with a wrap-around porch. It’s settled in the woods and has always reminded me of a fairytale.

We head up to the front door and I smile as I walk inside. The place is familiar, like coming home, though there’s less furniture and decorations than when I was here last.

Dark hardwood floors are throughout the whole house and I run my hand over the stairway banister as I toe off my shoes.

“Do you want the tour now or in the morning?” he asks and I smile.

“It is morning,” I point out.

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