Page 28 of Protecting Vidalia
“What do you mean late bloomers?”
“The boars usually begin appearing around the middle of March, and then the sows without cubs, and finally the winter mothers around the middle to late end of April. Which is right in the time frame we are in.”
“So, our mama is a late bloomer,” Vi said. “I wonder why they come out so late?”
Jake smiled at her. “Read your book and find out. It will tell you why.”
His cell rang and Jake picked it up. When he finished the call, he grinned over at her. “That was the ranger and he said the mama bear’s name is Sushi because they first spotted her eating trout from a mountain stream. She does like to stay lower in elevation for some reason, but she’s not been spotted this low before.”
“Sushi?” Vi wrinkled her nose. “That’s not a good name for a bear. It should be cuddles or something like that. They were able to enlarge the trace tag I take it?”
Jake nodded. “Yes. And they’ve given you the honor of naming the baby since yours is the first picture they’ve received of them together.”
“Really? I get to name the baby?” Vidalia asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
He laughed. “They also want you to sign a waiver allowing them to use the photos in whatever writeups they do with it.”
Vidalia jumped up. “Of course, I’ll sign it, that’s amazing! I love that I get to name the baby. When do they need the name?”
Jake came out from behind the desk. “He said he’d come by your cabin sometime this week, but he’ll call first.”
“Did you give him my phone number?” She shot him a frown. “I don’t have cell service at Dax’s cabin.”
“He’ll call me and I’ll let you know,” Jake promised. “Now let’s get busy with that lasagna. We’ll have to do the short hike I had planned another time, since looks like rain outside.” He took her elbow and steered her out of the office and into the kitchen area. The first thing he did was to close the blinds in the windows and on the patio door, then put on some music to drown out the increasing noise outside. With a fire going in the fireplace, it was snug and cozy.
In spite of her protests that she didn’t cook, Jake found Vidalia to be adept in the kitchen. While the thunderstorm raged outside, they had fun together in spite of nervous glances towards the patio. Sometimes a lightning flash would peek in through the edges of the blinds and she’d tense up, but by the time dinner was over and they were enjoying chocolate cake, the rain had passed.
“That was delicious,” she said with a sigh. Sitting in front of the fireplace in one of the comfortable recliners, she rubbed her tummy in satisfaction. “You can cook for me anytime. And tell your mother I need her chocolate cake recipe.”
Jake reached over from his chair and covered her hand with his large palm. “You’re not so bad yourself, you helped with it,” he replied grinning over at her. “I’m about to fall asleep, I’m so full.”
“I know what you mean.” Vidalia yawned.
When Jake’s cell phone rang from the depths of his pocket, he frowned. It was the ranger again. When he hung up, he looked over at Vidalia. “That was the ranger. He received a report of a bear going through some trash at one of the rental cabins not far from where you are.”
Vidalia frowned. “But who would leave trash out? Even I wouldn’t leave trash out and I don’t know much about bears. In Missouri, we never had food in our tent or trash out because of raccoons and other curious creatures when Dad took us camping. It’s just something you don’t do.”
Jake’s mind flitted to Carrot Top and his friend with a frown. “I don’t know, but someone did. I just hope the bear doesn’t attack a person. He wanted to make sure you took extra precautions while you’re here.”
“That was nice of him but I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Vidalia replied as she stretched and yawned. “Time for me to head back, it’s getting later than I want to be out on the roads.”
Jake got up and went to the door to peer out into the night. There weren’t as many stars as normal, which meant there was still some cloud cover hanging around. The band of thunderstorms predicted could suddenly produce another one, which made him uneasy because the wind was already picking up. “Why don’t you just stay here tonight,” he said finally, watching her as she gathered her backpack and phone.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine.” She hesitated at the door, and then smiled at him. “Thanks for the company today, and the good food. I’ll see you tomorrow if you’re still game to hike Killer Alley.”
His arms folded across his broad chest. “I wouldn’t miss it, but if it’s raining, we won’t go hiking.”
“If it’s raining, I’ll be going into town,” she replied. “It will be my chance to get some things I forgot to bring.”
“Let me know if you do, okay?”
She gave him the stink eye. “You know, I have functioned well on my own long before I met you. What makes you think I can’t now?”
He knew she could, but Jake was reluctant to even let her out of his sight. “You’re an accident just waiting to happen,” he finally teased her. Realizing he really felt that way made him more uneasy. There was no doubt in his mind that Vidalia was a powder keg just waiting for a match. He wanted to be there when she blew. PTSD was a very real thing. Even if she hadn’t been there in person with Dani Owens, she was having flashbacks in her mind. Maybe even picturing herself right in the scene, helpless and unable to do anything about what was happening, creating the nightmares that were robbing her of restful sleep. She needed help. If she wouldn’t allow him to help her willingly before her vacation was over, he might have to take more drastic action.
He watched the taillights of Dax’s truck as it carried her away, his sense of unease growing. The wind was building again. Making a decision, he went into the house and grabbed his backpack. After stuffing it with a change of clothes and some beer, he headed out to his jeep.
The wind had really picked up now and he knew another thunderstorm was on its way. Thinking of Vidalia in her cabin alone made his gut clench. He was officially inviting himself over for the night at her place—again.
