Page 50 of Bear's Heart

He sighed again, increasingly unsettled.“This isn’t my favorite subject.”

“I think my point is that she’s not part of a distant past.Savannah has only been out of your life for a year or two.”Josie paused before pressing on.“And it sounds as if she wants back into your life.”

“That’s not going to happen,” he growled.

“It’s already happened,” Josie answered before adding, “I’m happy to meet her.Just let me know when and where.”

Silence stretched across the line, and Bear felt ridiculous.He felt awkward and immature and emotional.He hated involving Josie in his problems.She shouldn’t have to deal with Savannah.He should be able to deal with Savannah.If he were a real man—

“Josie,” he said roughly, “you don’t have to show me the house today.I can wait until tomorrow.I imagine you’re doing a lot of last-minute things.”

“I am, but it’s okay.”

“No.It’s not.We have a plan, and we’re going to stick to the plan.I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hanging up, Bear pulled off to the side of the road, texted Savannah that she wouldn’t be meeting with Josie, and she wouldn’t be staying at the Marietta house, and there would be no more discussion on it, or delaying her departure from Clyde Park either.

Bear sat in his truck for what seemed like hours, just looking at the mountains he loved, and the place that had been his second home.His dad’s job meant that they moved every couple of years, but this place, this land was always here and, despite all the changes Bear had known, especially in the last few years, it felt immensely reassuring to see that not everything had changed.The undulating land, rolling up into the Crazies, the sweeping sky overhead, the fat white clouds slowly sailing past.

He couldn’t sell this place—this was his legacy—but he couldn’t be here now.Bear’s gaze swept the miles of pasture, the fields that did well when planted, fields that hadn’t been consistently planted since his grandfather died.

He could live here one day, be here one day, but not yet.He wasn’t ready.He needed to get his business started, needed to work on developing his business model, making it successful so it’d be possible for others to follow.

If he’d had kids, this would be something he’d pass to them, but perhaps one of Susie’s children might want to be here, perhaps one of the boys or girls might want to make Montana home.If that was the case, he’d make sure the land was worth having, that he’d taken care of it the same way he would for his own.

Bear would reach out to his neighbor who’d leased the land for the past four years and see if he wanted to extend the agreement.And if he didn’t want to, Bear would speak to others.He wasn’t worried.If there was anything he’d learned from his accident, it was that life was far more fluid than he’d understood.Life wasn’t just one thing, one moment, one dream.His world may have changed, but the world was still there, still ripe with energy and opportunity.He just had to take it.

*

Josie was standingon the sidewalk of the Marietta house overseeing the delivery of Bear’s new furniture when a black Mercedes SUV pulled up in front of the house, squeezing in front of the furniture truck.

Josie tried to remember if she was expecting anyone else today.She was to meet a woman from the blind company, but that wasn’t supposed to be this afternoon.The curtains were already up—Josie had made those herself—but she’d ordered blinds that could be controlled by a remote at the last moment, realizing Bear would want them for easy control of light and privacy in his bedroom, bathroom, and living room.

But as a tall, slender blonde stepped from the Mercedes, flipping thick sun-streaked hair over her shoulder, Josie dismissed the idea that this was a woman who worked with a discount manufacturer.

This was Savannah.Had to be Bear’s Savannah.

Josie crossed the sidewalk and walked to the curb to meet her.“Savannah?”

The stunning blond looked her up and down.“Josie?”

“Yes.”

Savannah’s brown gaze narrowed.“You’re smaller than I expected.”

Josie shrugged.“Don’t worry, I have plenty of attitude.”She was tempted to cross her arms over her chest but didn’t want to look defensive.“Bear’s not here, in case you’re looking for him.”

“No, I’m not.I came to see you.”

Josie could feel Savannah’s continued scrutiny.It was strange to have another woman study her so intently.“I’d invite you in but it’s pretty chaotic.That’s why I’m staying out here.I don’t want to get in everyone’s way.”

Savannah finally looked away, her gaze now on the square plain house.“This is Bear’s house?”she asked in disbelief.

“Yes.”

“Wow.He’s certainly come down in the world.”

Chin up, Josie held her tongue.She was not going to get into it with Savannah of all people.

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