Page 60 of Beary In Love

Her laughter warmed him better than any wine could. "Are you referring to the accidental flower patches all over?"

"Those too." He reached across the small table and grabbed her hand. "Everything's better with you here."

The way her soft hand fit in his made his bear want to roar with joy. This was undeniably right - her here, them together, building something lasting. No more wasted years apart.

Before long, Logan gathered their empty plates and led Serena to the porch swing. The old wood creaked as they settled in, her small frame fitting perfectly against his side. His bear rumbled with contentment as she tucked her feet under herself and rested her head on his shoulder.

Above them, stars dotted the clear spring sky like scattered diamonds. The sanctuary was peaceful around them except for the occasional hoot of an owl or rustle of nighttime creatures.

"Look, a shooting star!" Serena pointed upward, excitement lighting her face.

"Make a wish." Logan tightened his arm around her shoulders, drinking in her warmth.

"I already got what I wished for," she murmured, snuggling closer.

"Cold?" he asked.

"Mm-mm. You're like my personal space heater." She poked his ribs playfully.

"One of my many talents." He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. "Though I can think of better ways to keep warm."

"Is that so?" She tilted her face up to his, moonlight catching her glasses. "Care to demonstrate?"

Logan growled softly and captured her lips with his. The swing swayed gently as they kissed under the starlit sky, everything else falling away except the feel of her in his arms.

Logan's phone suddenly chimed loudly in his pocket, interrupting their peaceful moment. When he took his phone out, he noticed the motion sensor alert flashing across the screen, followed by another, then three more in rapid succession.

His nostrils flared as an acrid scent hit him - smoke, and not from a campfire. His bear growled beneath his skin, urging him to charge toward the threat. But he's learned over the past few weeks, with Serena's help, to assess before acting.

"Something's wrong." He pulled back from Serena and scanned the darkness. The smoke grew stronger, carried on the spring breeze. "You smell that?"

"Is that..." Serena straightened beside him, adjusting her glasses. "Smoke?"

"Yeah." His phone buzzed again. Six sensors triggered now, all on the eastern perimeter. The bear within him growled fiercer, protective instincts surging. His animals were over there- the new fox kits, the injured eagle, the elderly deer that trusted him. Beside him, Serena's breath quickened.

"The wind's picking up," she said, gripping his arm. "Logan, if there's a fire-"

"I know." He pulled her closer, nostrils flaring as he tried to pinpoint the source. Dark clouds billowed higher against the star-filled sky, obscuring the moon.

26

SERENA

Serena's heart hammered as she and Logan sprinted across the sanctuary grounds. The acrid stench of smoke burned her nostrils, growing stronger with each step. Her feet pounded against the dirt path and kicked up dust as they raced toward the eastern perimeter.

"I can't believe this is happening," she gasped, fumbling for her phone. Her fingers trembled as she dialed 911.

Logan squeezed her hand. "Stay close to me."

The emergency operator picked up. "911, what's your emergency?"

"There's a fire at the Steele Wildlife Sanctuary," Serena reported, trying to keep her voice steady. "Eastern side. We need fire trucks immediately." She rattled off the address while scanning the growing inferno ahead.

Orange flames licked up the wooden fence posts and spread rapidly across the dry brush. Dark smoke billowed into the night sky, blocking out the stars. The wind whipped embers through the air like angry fireflies.

"They're on their way," Serena told Logan after hanging up. Her glasses had fogged up from the heat. She yanked them off and shoved them in her pocket.

"Look." Logan pointed to where multiple small fires had been strategically set along the fence line. The flames formed an advancing wall, threatening to trap the animals in their enclosures.

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