Page 30 of Beary In Love

"It's really not that exciting," Serena said as she slid into the wrought iron chair. "I've just been helping Logan with the animals and some protective potions for his fence."

"So let me get this straight," Julie said, leaning forward. "You're basically the sanctuary's resident witch-vet now?"

"I wouldn't go that far." Serena adjusted her glasses on her face.

"You made protective potions that you said kept a massive bear shifter from destroying the place last night." Julie's eyes sparkled with amusement. "That's not nothing, Ser."

"The headache/shock potion barely slowed him down." Serena picked up her sandwich. "And the reinforcement spell only worked after I turned half the fence into a flower garden."

"Which I still need pictures of, by the way." Julie grinned. "But seriously, you prevented another attack. That's huge."

The breeze rustled the umbrella above them. Serena watched a paper napkin dance across the patio. "Maybe. I just wish Logan would get some real help with this Silas situation."

"Men." Julie rolled her eyes. "Especially bear shifter men. They think they have to handle everything alone."

"Tell me about it." Serena bit into her sandwich. "It's like talking to a brick wall sometimes," she said in between chewing.

"Just be careful, okay?" Julie's voice softened. "Silas sounds dangerous. I remember when he got arrested - it wasn't pretty."

"I will be." Serena's hand drifted to her potions bag beside her chair. She'd started carrying extra defensive brews, just in case. "Besides, I'm mostly there for the animals."

"Right." Julie dragged out the word. "The animals."

Julie stirred her water with her straw, creating a small whirlpool. "So, how is it? Being around Logan every day?"

"He's still stubborn as a mule. We argued for twenty minutes yesterday about the proper way to administer medicine to the raccoon."

"Some things never change."

"But he has matured," Serena said, surprising herself with how quickly she defended him. "He's actually really great to work with. You should see the sanctuary, Julie. He's got this red-tailed hawk with a broken wing that's healing beautifully. And there's this family of foxes that follow him around like he's their personal chef."

Her sandwich lay forgotten as she continued, "Yesterday, I watched him bottle feed this orphaned bear cub. He was so gentle with it, singing this ridiculous made-up song about honey and salmon. The cub kept trying to climb up his arm while drinking."

Julie's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Sounds like someone's impressed."

"It's just..." Serena waved her hands, trying to capture the right words. "He built this whole place from nothing. Every enclosure is perfectly designed for each species. He works from sunrise to sunset, and still finds time to play with each animal. Did you know he hand-feeds the elderly wolf that can't see well anymore?"

"I didn't."

"And when the owl needs its bandages changed, he wraps it in this special blanket he ordered that keeps it calm. He remembers every animal's quirks and preferences." Serena realized she was rambling and took a sip of water. "It's just nice to see someone so dedicated to animal welfare."

"Sounds like he's grown up quite a bit from the guy who used to think wrestling bears was an acceptable weekend activity."

Serena laughed, remembering those days. "Oh, he still does that sometimes. But now it's to help rehabilitate injured bears. He's channeled all that energy into something meaningful."

Julie's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned across the table. "So, speaking of Logan being all grown up and responsible now..."

"Don't." Serena recognized that tone. It was the same one Julie had used in high school before setting her up on blind dates.

"What? I'm just saying, you two seem to be getting along really well."

"We're working together. That's all." Serena busied herself with reorganizing her sandwich, pushing a wayward piece of lettuce back between the bread slices.

"Uh-huh. And that's why you just spent ten minutes gushing about how amazing he is with animals?"

Heat rose up Serena's neck. "I was not gushing. I was making professional observations about his sanctuary management skills."

"Professional observations about his gentle hands and singing voice?"

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