Page 16 of Out of the Cold

“Yes, he’s extremely hot,” she said, sighing. “But he wants me gone, so it really doesn’t matter.”

“Bummer. A rebound with a hot man and a hot tub would be spectacular.”

“Stop! You’re making it worse!”

“Sorry.”

Cara didn’t sound all that sorry, but it was so good to talk to someone she wasn’t hiding anything from. They’d been best friends since second grade, long before she’d gotten sick, and as silly as Cara could be sometimes, she was also a rock, even as a teenager.

Cara had cried with her when she got the diagnosis and stuck by her through all the scary treatments, even though it must have freaked her out. Her parents had driven Cara to the hospital for regular visits, and once she got her license, she’d driven herself there. None of Lucy’s other friendships had survived her long bout with leukemia and all the missed school, not to mention having to stare at her pale face and bald head.

“How are things with you?” she asked Cara. “I don’t suppose your boss decided to retire yet?”

“I wish. She’s still the worst. I’m finishing a project she’ll be taking credit for. But it’s so good to hear your voice. You hang in there, okay? I’ll call you soon.”

“Okay. Good luck with the dragon lady.”

She was smiling as she hung up, but God, she missed her friend. She hadn’t seen her since she and Mark flew home for Cara’s wedding a little over a year ago.

Among the guests at the wedding had been several of her former high school classmates, many of whom she hadn’t seen since she got sick. They’d all approached her with wide, solemn eyes and told her how glad they were that she was doing well.

Even the ones who’d seen her more recently seemed to only remember her shaking and pale, dealing with the aftereffects of chemo and other treatments. It was no wonder they all asked about her health.

They weren’t doing anything wrong— it was only natural they’d ask—but all she wanted was to celebrate Cara and her new husband, and dance until she could barely stand up. Instead, she had to relive being the sick girl.

But then, she never really forgot.

?

Chapter Four

That night, she againwent to bed early and fell right to sleep. She woke after midnight to Hilde staring at the bedroom wall, her growl so low and fierce it was practically inaudible. Then something banged against the cabin, and she nearly fell out of bed. She was afraid to look out the window, afraid to give herself away to whatever was out there.

She finally moved the curtain aside a few inches and peeked out. At first she saw nothing, then the darkness shifted, and she made out the bulky form of a bear moving along the side of the house.

A big bear. Outside.

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