Page 29 of Bear Facts

Something murmured to her that everything was all right now. Freya only had to surrender, to stop running, cease battling.

She didn’t have confidence in the voice, as much as she yearned to. But it was tempting to snuggle into Shane’s arms and let him chase all the bad things away.

“You’ll have to talk to Graham,” Nell said, edging reality through Shane’s sheltering embrace. “He’ll know you’re here by now. But don’t worry, honey. You won’t face him alone. You might feel like Goldilocks, but these bears are taking care of you. Graham won’t oppose me.”

“Or me,” Shane rumbled.

“He’ll argue,” Brody predicted, heaving himself out of the chair.

Shane shrugged, moving Freya in a wonderful way. “Let him.”

“Are you feeling up to it?” Nell asked Freya. “You’ve had a fright this morning, and I don’t just mean running into my son.” She shot a grin at Shane. “You can rest and eat if you want. Drink something stronger than coffee if you need fortification. Shane, she’ll have to take your room. You can sleep on the couch.”

Shane’s laughter vibrated beneath Freya. “I don’t mind. My bed’s big, Freya. You’ll like it.”

The hint was there that it was large enough for both of them. Brody coughed, stifling it with his hand over his mouth.

“Later, Shane,” Nell said in exasperation. “Let the poor woman rest before you get all mate frenzied on her.”

“I’m not getting all mate frenzied,” Shane retorted. “I’m just trying to help.”

“It’s all right,” Freya heard herself saying, amusement returning. “Doesn’t bother me.”

Shane tugged her closer. “No? Good.”

“Because she’s obviously already resisted you,” Brody said. “You didn’t come in here wrapped around each other, which means you struck out, Shane.”

Shane lifted a pillow from the sofa and chucked it at his brother. Brody deftly caught it and threw it back at Shane who grabbed it out of the air just as easily.

The teasing and laughter lent Freya strength. She forced herself to sit up, leaving Shane’s arms, which proved to be harder than she thought. “I might as well get it over with,” she said with a sigh.

If she faced Graham before she could think about it too much, she might be able to keep her head up and not collapse into a trembling heap.

“Are you sure?” Nell asked quietly.

“Yes.” Freya clenched her into fists. “Before I talk myself out of it.”

Nell started to rise, but Cormac forestalled her. “I’ll go.”

The other three bears nodded as though he’d made a wise decision. Without a good-bye, Cormac headed through the kitchen and out the back door.

When it closed behind him, Freya shuddered and barely stopped herself calling him back. The die was cast.

“Still think you should eat something,” Nell said.

Freya laughed nervously. “Bears. They think food will solve everything.”

“It does solve everything.” Shane remained close beside her, his strong leg against the length of hers. “You felt better when I fed you at the cabin.”

“I hadn’t eaten in a while.” Freya touched Shane’s large hand, intending to push him away, but she found herself stilling, seeing no reason to move.

“Tell you what,” Brody said. “You and Graham have your talk, then we’ll bring out the grills and fix a mess of burgers. It’s time for lunch, right?”

“With berries?” Freya asked, attempting an innocent expression.

Shane winked at her. “She’s catching on.”

Before this wonderful lunch happened, Freya had to confront Graham, which made the cub she’d been howl in despair. She’d felt that despair when her mother had left them alone, she and Rolf clinging to each other in fear. Then dismay when the great gray wolf had taken them in, his gruff ways frightening to the little twin cubs.

---