Page 48 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

“Everything will be alright,” he promised.

“How can you be sure?”

He shook his head.“I can’t.I just have to believe it will be.Worrying won’t help.It will only be a distraction and lead to problems.”

She studied his expression, captivated by the depth of wisdom shining in his eyes.It was reminiscent of her father’s when she was questioning life and her role in it.When she rose to kiss him, he met her lips with a gentle touch.It was a fleeting kiss, but it provided a much-needed respite from her jangled nerves.

“Mitchell,” she whispered, her voice filled with vulnerability, “I’m falling in love with you.”

She could hear his sharp intake of breath, a clear indication that her words had caught him off guard.His throat worked up and down.Doubt and insecurity poured through her when he didn’t reply.

“Hey, are you two love bears ready to go?It’s going to take a couple hours to get there,” Peterson called from behind them.

“Yes.”

They answered together.Mitchell smiled and caressed her cheek again.She sighed with longing when he stepped away.The snicker of her bear rattled through her mind.The damn thing was enjoying how bad she had it.

“I’m not the only one being affected by this,” she muttered.

Mitchell turned back and raised an eyebrow at her.She shook her head and waved at herself.It was probably a good thing he couldn’t hear her internal thoughts.

“Private conversation with my bear,” she explained with a rueful grin.

He shook his head.“I’ll get you to explain that later.”

She huffed out a breath, checked the straps of her backpack, and slung it over one shoulder.There was no sense putting it on all the way since she would be taking it off in the car.She paused when her mother and father stepped into the hallway.

“Be careful,” her mother said before giving her a kiss.

“I always am.”

Her father cleared his throat.“I found this amongst some of the things I’ve gathered over the years.I thought it might be a nice gift—as a welcome.”

She took the small canvas roll from her father.It was obvious it was very old and meant a lot to him.She held it to her chest.

“Who should I give it to?”she asked.

Her father patted her hand.“You’ll know, love.You’ll know.”

She swallowed and nodded.“Love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too, sweetheart.Be careful.”

He leaned over and kissed her cheek.She gave him and her mom another smile before turning to the opened front door.Mitchell stood outside, watching their exchange.Van and Peterson were loading their gear into the back of the SUV while Ty and Ella chatted with them.

She adjusted her pack, gave her parents another brief smile, and walked out the door.She descended the stone steps with Mitchell and walked over to the SUV.Handing her backpack to Van, she stepped back.

“Keep us posted, Tracy.If you need anything, let me know,” Ty said.

“I will.You act like this is my first time going off into the woods,” she teased.

Ty wrapped his arm around Ella’s waist and wrinkled his nose at her.“If I remember correctly, you got knocked out and locked up the last time you went out,” he reminded her.

She snorted and shook her head.“Don’t blame me for that!I didn’t expect the government to be a pain in my as—behind,” she adjusted her last word when her mom delicately cleared her throat.“Sorry, mom.”

“I know, sweetie,” Lena called.

Ella giggled before her expression grew serious.“Mitchell, can you… will you give this to Jayden for me?”

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