Page 12 of Beary In Love

She started to pack her supplies back into her kit, watching the now-energetic raccoon trying to sneak peeks inside. "This wasn't a natural illness. Someone targeted these animals specifically with magic. Any idea who might want to harm them?"

Logan's jaw tightened as he shooed away the curious raccoon again. "Remember Silas Regan?"

"The bear shifter you turned in? Julie told me about that when it happened." Serena's fingers stilled on her kit. "He's out now?"

"Got released last month. Since then, my fence keeps getting destroyed, and now this." He gestured to the recovering animals. "Can't prove it's him, but..."

"But who else would have motive?" Serena finished his sentence. The morning sun caught Logan's eyes, turning them almost golden, and she quickly looked away. "I should come back tomorrow, make sure the counter-spell is holding."

"You don't have to-"

"I want to," Serena insisted. "I mean, professionally speaking, I should monitor their recovery."

Logan's smile did funny things to her insides, like her organs were playing musical chairs. Some things hadn't changed - he still had that effect on her, like gravity pulling her in. But she couldn't afford to fall into his orbit again. She had a life to rebuild, and he had his hands full with Silas.

They walked to her car in silence, broken only by the sounds of the sanctuary coming alive around them - birds callingand the distinct sound of that raccoon probably getting into something it shouldn't.

"Thanks again for coming out," Logan said as they reached her car. "It means a lot."

"Just doing my job." Serena fumbled with her keys, trying to ignore how the morning light caught his dark hair, how his flannel shirt stretched across his shoulders. "Same time tomorrow?"

"I'll be here." He stepped back, hands in his pockets. "Try not to miss me too much until then."

Serena laughed despite herself. "I think I'll manage somehow." She slid into her car before she could say anything else, before the pull between them could grow any stronger.

Serena steered her Honda through the tree-lined roads leading away from the sanctuary. She smiled as she remembered how quickly the animals had perked up after her potion.

"First time I've felt useful in months," she said to herself, adjusting her glasses. The familiar sight of her veterinary kit in the passenger seat felt right, like reuniting with an old friend.

Her phone buzzed. Julie's name flashed on the screen.

"So?" Julie's voice crackled through the car's speakers. "How'd it go with the animal whisperer?"

"The animals are responding well to my treatment." Serena caught herself smiling again. "And Logan was... professional."

"Uh-huh. Professional enough to make you blush?"

"I did not blush!" Her cheeks warmed at the memory of his shoulder brushing hers. "Besides, there are more important things to worry about."

"Like what?"

Serena's grip tightened on the wheel. "Like Silas Regan being out of prison and apparently targeting Logan's sanctuary."

"Wait, what? That psycho bear who hates non-shifters?"

"The same." Serena's stomach churned. "He's been destroying property, and now this magical attack on the animals..." She remembered the sickly green aura surrounding the creatures. "Julie, these weren't just pranks. The magic used was dark, meant to drain life force."

"Okay, now I'm worried about you going back there."

"I have to. The animals need monitoring, and Logan..." Serena bit her lip. "He's dealing with this alone."

"And you're not at all interested in playing hero for your ex?"

"This isn't about Logan." Serena pulled into her driveway, killing the engine. "It's about protecting innocent creatures. And maybe putting my skills to good use again."

"Sure, keep telling yourself that." Julie's laugh echoed through the speakers. "Just be careful, okay? Both with the crazy bear shifter and with your heart."

"My heart is nowhere near involved," Serena protested, but even she could hear the uncertainty in her voice. "I'm just doing my job."

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