Page 24 of Snowed In With the Grizzly

He nods slowly. “My dad used to be a detective for the human police force.” He leans back against the fireplace, folding his arms. “Until one day, he was shot in the head during a gas station robbery. The doctors saved his life, but after that, he started having blackouts and violent mood swings. My brother and I used to stay in our bear forms to avoid the worst of it. But the problem was, I wound up being more animal than human.”

“I’m so sorry, Jaxton—” I start to say, but he holds his hand up.

“Two weeks before I left for the military, I saw you in the forest.”

My heart jolts. “You did?”

You were still a kid—”

“I must’ve been sixteen,” I cut in.

A soft look comes over him. “You were so beautiful. I was mesmerized. I wanted to speak to you, but I was worried I’d scare the hell out of you, me being all beastly. And then you were gone.

“That was when I decided I needed to reclaim my human side. So, I found out about this trial program in the military for shifters. I got myself enrolled. I was there for four years. I only just got out a couple of months ago, actually. I hoped you’d be living in this little cabin, of course. But I learned that Jolene had died and you weren’t there anymore.”

My head is spinning, trying to absorb everything he’s saying.

Helikedme, way back when? He went into the militarybecauseof me?

“When you arrived at my place yesterday, I couldn’t believe it,” he continues. “Here in the dead of winter. Like a vision. A snow princess.”

My heart is beating fast, and I remember the first word he said to me yesterday.

Finally.

Has he been waiting for me all this time?

No, not possible.

“I wish I’d seen you then,” I say.

He shakes his head. “I wasn’t good enough for you in those days, Rowan. I was too wild. I could barely speak in full sentences.”

An intense look passes across his face. “Remember that day in the forest—? You were picking berries, putting them in a basket. But something scared you, and you dropped the basket and ran like hell—”

I give a little gasp.

A rustle of leaves, twigs breaking underfoot. The hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

“Yes, I do—”

“Some creepy guy was following you. But I chased him off. Made sure he never thought about coming after you again.”

“Oh, my god. I remember I was real scared. But when I got home, I felt silly, like I’d overreacted. So, I went back and got the basket. And everything felt calm. I felt safe. After that, it was just a perfect time. Just me and my grandma together.” I step closer to him. “And you protecting me.”

He nods. “After that, I watched you every day—” He breaks off, a frown creasing his forehead. “Not like some kind of creeper.”

I lay my hand on his. “I understand. You were keeping me safe.”

“I was. I wanted you to enjoy that happy time without worrying about anything.”

I close my eyes. “Thank you. It was the best gift you could’ve given me.”

When I open them again, he looks troubled, like he wants to say a lot more.

“What is it?”

He goes still, then he laughs. “It’s crazy how you do that.”

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