Page 44 of Bear's Heart

And then he saw her stricken look and felt like a jerk.She’d just lost her boyfriend.She was pregnant.She was… just being Savannah.

“Rather than let the house sit empty, I thought it was better to create some revenue, as that revenue can go a long way in helping me with a new business I’m starting.”

She nodded once and glanced away again, giving him her profile, which was stunning.She was a beautiful woman.But not his woman and hadn’t been for a number of years now.He opened the door wider and rolled back a foot.“Did you bring any dog food for Mick?”

“Of course.And his bowls, and his bed, and toys.”She drew an unsteady breath.“So, Noah’s dog is welcome, but I’m not?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

For a moment, she looked utterly lost, and whether it was real or manufactured it still got under his skin.She’d put him through hell, but she was going through it now, and he just couldn’t kick her when she was down.

“It is getting late.”he said gruffly.“So you can stay for the next day or so, but when I move out at the end of the week, you need to have a plan on where you’re going next.You obviously can’t stay here with the new family moving in, and the house I’m renting isn’t big enough for the three of us.”

Her head turned, thick golden hair swishing.“Three?Who else will you be living with?”

“Again, none of your business.”

“Do you have a girlfriend, Bear?”

“I do not have a girlfriend, but my roommate is a girl.”

“And the house has only two bedrooms?”

“The house has three bedrooms, but the smallest bedroom is going to be my office.”

“You couldn’t put a sleeper sofa in that room?Or one of those fold out chair beds?It’d give me a place to crash for a while.”

“No.”

Her shoulders slumped, her entire frame crumbling.“Bear, I’m desperate.I’m not doing good.My thoughts are crazy.I feel crazy.Please.”

“It’s not fair to Josie.It’s a big enough move—”

“Can I talk to her?Before you decide for her, can I at least talk to her?Let me explain the situation?It wouldn’t be forever.Just a little bit.Just until I get back on my feet.”

“What about your music, and all your summer concerts?Noah told me about your schedule.He was worried you both were so busy you wouldn’t see each other.”

“My busy was lots of small county fairs, and small outdoor stadiums.Nothing significant.Nothing that will impress anyone in Nashville.”

“It’ll help pay some bills.”

She nodded.“True.”She hesitated.“But if I keep the baby, I can’t do what I’d planned.Too much travel, too many late nights, too much stress.”

“So, you’re thinking about keeping it?”

“I’m thinking about where I could live until I deliver it.But no, not keeping it.There is no way I could keep it.”

“The baby.”

“It.”Her eyes locked with his.“Don’t torture me, Bear.Don’t make this harder than it already is.”

He lifted a hand.“Not trying to torture you, but Noah’s family should at least know.His parents might want his child—”

“Stop.Please?I’ve driven for two days and two nights and I can hardly see straight.If you want to hammer me on ethics, let me at least get a good night’s sleep.”

“Fair enough We don’t need to figure all of this out now.Get your bag, come in.We’ll talk more later.Okay?”

She nodded, lashes wet.“Thank you.”

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