Page 73 of Flare
“That sounds like a great idea,” Emily said.
“How about Dancing Cow Burgers?” He started the truck.
“They’re still in business?” The venerable burger stand on the outskirts of Bearpaw Ridge had been her favorite childhood destination.“Mom and I used to go there all the time for huckleberry shakes.”
“They’re still going strong. I prefer the Belgian Cookie Blast shake, though.”
“Heathen,” Emily said, giving his arm a playful slap.
∞∞∞
Dancing Cow Burgers was packed for a Monday afternoon, the outdoor patio filled with locals enjoying the spring sunshine. Ward led Emily to the counter, where a teenager with a bright smile greeted them.
“Hey, Ward! The usual?”
“You know it, Jenny. And whatever the lady wants.”
Emily scanned the extensive menu board.“I’ll try the barbecue bison burger with sweet potato fries, please.”
“Good choice,” Ward approved.“They buy their bison meat from our ranch.”
Instead of a milkshake, she and Ward both opted for peach-flavored iced tea.
“I’m sick to death of lavender stuff,” Ward remarked as they went outside and made a beeline for a small table on the edge of the patio.
“It’s going to be a while before I can deal with lilac anything,” Emily admitted.
When their food arrived, Emily bit into her burger and closed her eyes in appreciation. The meat was juicy and flavorful, seasoned perfectly and topped with crispy fried onions and a tangy barbecue sauce.
“This is amazing,” she said after swallowing.
Ward smiled, clearly pleased, and dug into his double cheeseburger, made with Grizzly Creek Ranch grass-fed beef.
As they ate, Ward explained what they’d be doing at the ranch.“We’ll practice with your new Glock until you’re comfortable loading, unloading, and firing it. Then I’ll show you some basic self-defense moves.”
Emily set down her half-eaten burger, appetite suddenly gone.“Do you really think Andrew will come after me?”
Ward’s expression turned serious.“I hope not. But better prepared than sorry. And I’ll protect you with my life.”
After lunch, they drove to Grizzly Creek Ranch, taking a dirt road that wound through pine-covered hills. The ranch sprawled across a verdant valley, with the main house and barn visible in the distance and cattle grazing in fenced pastures.
Ward took her to a clearing far from the buildings, setting up targets against a hillside backstop.
For the next two hours, he patiently walked Emily through the basics Tony had covered so quickly that morning.
Then he tutored her in how to aim properly.
“Focus on your breathing,” he advised, standing close behind her.“Inhale, exhale halfway, then squeeze—don’t pull—the trigger.”
By late afternoon, Emily could hit the target consistently, though her shots still scattered widely across the paper. Her arms ached, and her ears rang despite the earplugs and protective muffs.
“You’re doing great,” Ward encouraged.“Let’s take a break and work on some self-defense basics.”
He taught her how to break free from common holds—wrists, arms, even a chokehold from behind. Emily found herself pressed against Ward’s body repeatedly as they practiced, each touch sending warmth through her despite the serious nature of their training.
“Remember,” Ward said as he showed her how to use leverage against a larger opponent,“your goal isn’t to win a fight with someone like Andrew. It’s creating enough space to run and get help.”
Emily nodded, suddenly overwhelmed by the reality of her situation. Against a normal man, these techniques might give her a fighting chance. But against a bear shifter with Andrew’s strength and rage?No way.
