Page 63 of Snow River

Out on the floor, Bear’s head snapped to look her way.He still had a hand on Bennie Thomas’ shoulder, still dealing with their feud.She knew that Bear had secrets.That wasn’t news.But somehow the idea that this sneering police officer knew things about Bear that she didn’t…it galled her.For the first time since she’d met Bear, she couldn’t quite meet his gaze.

“Just get out,” she repeated in a low voice to the cop.

“I’m going.I made my point.” He drained his shot of whisky and pushed the glass across the bar top at her.She caught it before it reached the edge and shattered on the floor.“Keep out of this.For your own good.”

29

At midnight,after he’d cleaned up the bar on his own, Bear knocked on the door of the hardware store.Lila’s shift had ended at eight, and she’d left immediately.He’d found a note on his kitchen table.“I need to do some cleaning at home tonight.See you tomorrow.”

Which would have been fine, except that she’d mentioned cleaning.Wasn’t that a red flag?At least she’d left Goldilocks at his place.

He knocked again.“Lila.It’s Bear.Let me in.I don’t want you staying here alone.Remember?”

A swirl of wind sent snowflakes whipping against his face, numbing his cheeks.The temperature had dropped to near zero during the course of the evening.A deep chill was settling in, and it very likely wouldn’t get over freezing for months.Would Lila be okay in her poorly insulated house?Did she have enough propane for the winter?Would she be able to keep her woodpile stocked?

He told himself he was just concerned for her safety.But that was a lie.She’d gone quiet after Officer Cromwell left.And a sinking feeling in his stomach told him that was no coincidence.

Finally he heard footfalls across the floor and the sound of the deadbolt being removed.At least Lila was using the lock he’d put in.The door opened just a crack.For a moment, he was happy just to see her.She wore a knitted cap over her silver-white hair and a hoodie for extra warmth.Then he caught the look in her eyes—a little sleepy, a little confused.

“Lila.”He cleared his throat since her name had come out more gruffly than he’d intended.“You shouldn’t be here alone.”

“I have Buttercup with me.”

That hurt too.Buttercup was Molly and Sam’s dog, and Lila frequently took care of him when they were out of town.But no one would call the overly friendly yellow bearded collie a guard dog.Did she really prefer Buttercup to him as a protector?

“Come on.Let me in so we can talk.It’s two degrees out here.”

The door eased open and she let him in.

It was warmer inside the store, but still chilly.“Your fire went out.You left the damper open.”

“I fell asleep.”

“It’s winter.You can’t forget these things.”He knelt by her stove, blew on the coals to see if there was any spark left, then added enough kindling to get the fire going again.

She watched him with her arms folded across her chest.“I was perfectly warm in my bed,” she told him.“I have plenty of blankets, and Buttercup on top of them.”

He rose to his feet.The knot in his stomach was getting worse.“Whatever Officer Cromwell told you, it’s not the whole story.”

Her eyebrows drew together.“I don’t care what that man says.”

“You don’t?”

“Of course not.He’s kind of mean and bitter, isn’t he?”

Buttercup trotted in from the bedroom and sat on her feet.Probably missing her warmth.He could relate.

He eyed her cautiously.“I got the feeling…you’re not happy with me.I thought maybe he said something.”

She ran her tongue across her lips.“Look, Bear.I know there are things you don’t want to share.I understand that.I’m the same way, aren’t I?I don’t like telling people about my ‘blips.’It just makes me sad, that’s all, because where does that leave us?”

Now he got it.She wasn’t angry at him.She was doubting that they could have a real relationship.

He took a step toward her.“There are things I should have told you.Things I don’t tell anyone.”

“Please, Bear, you don’t have to?—”

“I do,” he interrupted.“You’re the—” He broke off, then forced himself to continue.“You’re the person I most want to tell,” he finished in a low voice.

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