Page 39 of The Bear's Forever Mat
Amber hid her face against Cooper’s neck, staying still until the wind had died down and they were once again alone in the wilderness.
She lifted her head and tugged at his neck. “Well, that was interesting. Let me grab your clothes. It might be safer for both of us to finish the journey on two feet.”
Cooper had no objections. He shifted then quickly pulled on his clothes.
“Thank you for the quick thinking,” Cooper told her when they were once again headed out, following the GPS beacon. “I was not looking forward to getting tranquilized again.”
Amber snorted. “Is this something you do often?”
“Dear God, no.” The path was smooth and hard enough to walk on, so Cooper took Amber’s gloved hand in his as they paced forward, slow but steady. “Way back when, my brothers and I were playing hide-and-go-seek. Alex and I were a little old for it, but James still loved to play, so we were humouring him. Only, Alex got distracted and took off to investigate some scent trail, and James couldn’t find him. Then I got too smart for my own britches and decided to backtrack to keep an eye on James. Make sure he was safe, and all that.”
“Of course, you did. He was your little brother,” Amber said with a laugh. “I take it you were in bear form?”
“Naturally. I was far enough back I didn’t realize he was beginning to panic, and he called nine-one-one because he thought he was lost and so were we.”
Amber put her free hand over her mouth, laughter dancing in her eyes.
Cooper sighed dramatically. “The next thing I knew, there was this sharp zap on my butt, then it was like five shots of whiskey flashed through my brain. I woke up in the zoo.”
“Oh my God.Really?”
“With my parents staring at me through the glass, shaking their heads.”
She was still laughing as they crested the low hill. Below them a pretty little village spread nestled against an arm of the Arctic Ocean. Her fingers squeezed tight around his.
Amber took a deep breath, staring up into his eyes. “I have a good feeling about this.”
The scent in the air told Cooper there were still adventures to be had. More concerning, though, that electric tingle was back. The one that made it feel as if his skin was getting loose and didn’t fit him correctly anymore.
How are you feeling, buddy?he asked his inner bear.
The animal didn’t answer for a moment, and when he did, it was slowly, as if deep concentration was involved.Thinking. Also, this village is full of— Well, this could get uncomfortable. Just a heads-up.
Cooper had caught the potential trouble. He offered the beast the equivalent of a bro hug then turned his attention back on Amber.
Her gaze met his straight on. “No matter what happens, I’m with you.”
In spite of her positive words, worry filled her eyes, but she stood upright and marched with him down the path leading into town.
Ahead of them, a tall young man stepped out from between two buildings, and a small gasp escaped her.
Cooper tensed, ready to defend her, but Amber was rushing forward with outstretched arms.
“Mason.”
The dark-skinned man smiled as he reached for her, twisting slightly to tuck Amber against the side of his body, and held her there with one arm. “Itisyou. Oh, Amber, thank goodness.”
Cooper stepped forward, cautious in case his bear riled up at the sight of another man holding her.
Use your brain,the beast drawled.That’s obviously her brother, and considering he’s the whole reason we made this trek, I think I can be reasonable.
Shocking, Cooper teased.
And then he had no more time to taunt his bear because there was too much else going on.
The sound of a child’s squall rang out, and Cooper’s gaze dropped to the oddly shaped backpack attached to Mason’s chest. The reason why he’d hugged Amber to his side.
“Oh. Mason?” Amber stepped back and stared at her brother in shock.
