Page 22 of Befriending the Bear
The afternoon flew by. Calloway and I found our rhythm again, working in tandem like we’d been doing this for years instead of hours. He’d hand me books, I’d make change. I’d chat with customers, he’d restock our tables. When my leg started protesting again, he subtly took over the more physical tasks without making me ask.
Around three, the sheriff stopped by, dressed in full uniform, with his family. I’d seen him in passing a few times, but we’d never been formally introduced.
“Fraser, right?” He extended a hand. “Sheriff Auden Frant. I’ve been meaning to welcome you properly to town.”
His handshake was firm and his smile genuine. This was a man comfortable in his own skin, content with his place in the world.
“Fraser Strickland. Good to meet you.”
“This is my husband Keaton and our kids.” He gestured to the four teenagers browsing the tables with the focused intensity of kids who’d been given book money.
“Nice to meet you,” Keaton said warmly. “The kids are all big readers, and they’ve been saving up for today. We might need a wagon to get their haul home.”
The older of the two boys rolled his eyes at his father. “You meanyou’vebeen saving up, Dad. You can never walk past a bookstore without buying something.”
Keaton grinned. “It’s a law, don’t you know? One shall not pass a bookstore without supporting the local economy. Right?” He bumped Auden’s shoulder.
Auden didn’t even miss a beat. “Absolutely. And I’d hate to have to arrest anyone today.”
That got a chuckle out of all of us.
The youngest of the two girls looked up from a stack of fantasy novels. “Dad, they have a whole series I want. Can I get them all?”
“Sure,” Auden agreed easily. “If you carry them yourself for the rest of the day.”
Her face clouded over for a moment, but then she smiled. “I’ll drop them off at your office, and we can pick them up later.”
“Dani…” Auden sighed.
“You had no problem putting the wood carving there that you bought,” his daughter pointed out.
The sheriff didn’t even try to hide his smile. “Good point.”
The kids dove back into their browsing while Auden turned his attention to us. “I’m glad to see you getting involved, Fraser. And, Calloway…” His expression softened with genuine affection. “It’s really good to see you out and about.”
Calloway flushed but managed a small smile. I loved how Auden showed him warmth without pity.
“Calloway got me involved in book club,” I said. “Which is how I ended up volunteering here.”
Auden’s gaze sharpened slightly, taking in the easy way we stood together, the careful space between us that somehow emphasized our awareness of each other. But he didn’t comment, only smiled. “Well, I’d better wrangle the kids before they buy out your entire stock. Good to finally meet youproperly, Fraser. Calloway.” He nodded to us both, then headed off to negotiate with his teenagers.
“He seems nice,” I said when they’d paid for their haul and left again. Keaton had been right that they’d need a wagon.
“He is,” Calloway said softly. “His d-dad was too. One of the f-few people who never made me feel…” He gestured vaguely at his throat.
“Different?”
“B-b-broken,” he corrected, then seemed surprised he’d said it aloud.
Before I could respond—to argue, to reassure, to do something about the pain in that single word—Brianna appeared at our booth like a force of nature. “Brought you some snacks,” she said, handing Calloway a brown paper bag.
When he opened it, his eyes lit up. “K-k-rentenbollen.” I had no idea what he was talking about, but judging by his expression, it was something good. “Th-thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You two are adorable,” she said, patting Calloway’s shoulder. “Working together like an old married couple. It’s good to see.”
The words hit like cold water. Goddammit. Calloway stiffened, that careful withdrawal beginning, and moved without thinking.
“We make a good team asfriends,” I said easily, keeping my tone light. “Calloway does all the actual work. I lift heavy things and look decorative.”
