Page 26 of A Bear to Remember (Bear Creek Forever #6)

“Mommy, why are you and Jay holding hands?” Tessa asked in a curious voice.

Jay froze on the spot. He’d been so caught up in the warmth of Alison’s hand that he hadn’t noticed Tessa looking back at them. Before he could say anything, Alison gently released her grip on his and crouched down beside her daughter.

“Tessa,” she began calmly, “Jay and I…we like each other.”

Tessa blinked, glancing between the two of them. “Like how I hold hands with my friends? And Bumpkin?”

Alison smiled. “A little like that, yes.”

A small frown creased Tessa’s brow. “But you never held hands with Daddy.”

Jay’s chest tightened at the innocent observation. He exchanged a glance with Alison, who brushed a hand over Tessa’s hair.

“I did once upon a time when we first met,” Alison began. “But then...”

“You weren’t friends anymore?” Tessa asked.

“Something like that,” Alison said.

Tessa considered this, her arms snuggling Bumpkin closer. “Okay,” she said at last, accepting it with the matter-of-fact wisdom kids often showed.

She’s so perceptive, Jay’s bear rumbled.

Yeah, Jay answered, with an unexpected flood of relief that Tessa didn’t seem upset.

Before Tessa could ask anything else, the front door of the ranch house swung open, revealing Mary with a questioning look on her face. “I saw you go off toward the cabin. Is everything all right?”

Jay let out a long breath. “Not exactly.”

The worry in Mary’s expression deepened as she studied her son. “Let’s go inside.”

They went into the hallway, and Tessa immediately started recounting the day to Mary. The words tumbled out of her mouth, something about fish, Bumpkin, and an almost-bath for the teddy bear. Mary listened patiently, but her gaze flicked back to Jay and Alison more than once, clearly sensing the tension between them.

When Tessa paused for breath, Mary put on her brightest smile. “Sweetheart, I have an idea. I baked some cookies this morning. Why don’t we see if they’re cool enough to decorate?”

“Cookies?” Tessa’s eyes lit up. “Can I decorate them with sprinkles?”

Mary laughed. “Of course. They’re in the kitchen, cooling. I’ll show you where I keep the sprinkles, and we’ll set you up at the table.”

“Can Bumpkin help, too?” Tessa bounded ahead with the teddy bear in her arms.

“Of course, Bumpkin can help,” Mary said, following behind the little girl. “Bears have excellent taste in cookie decorations.”

“Are you okay?” Jay asked, stroking Alison’s cheek with the back of his hand as they lingered in the hallway, waiting for Mary to return.

“Yeah.” She gave him a tight smile.

“I mean about everything ,” Jay said.

“You mean Tessa asking questions about us holding hands?” Alison asked.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “I know you didn’t want her to know about us yet.”

“I never said that,” Alison replied. “I just didn’t want her to find you in my bed.” She placed her hand on his chest. “But I don’t think it’s fair to hide…this…from her.”

“I agree,” Jay said, and then he looked up as Mary came to join them.

“Let’s go through to the living room.” Mary glanced toward the kitchen where Tessa was talking to Bumpkin about frosting and sprinkles.

Mary went to a chair near the fireplace and sat down. “All right. What’s going on?”

Jay exchanged a glance with Alison, who gave him a supportive nod. He cleared his throat, trying to order his thoughts. Which was not easy when they seemed to be scattered to the four winds.

We can do this, his bear reassured him, a low rumble echoing in Jay’s mind.

He started slowly, voice low. “I remembered something…big. A memory came back…someone falling and the sound of rushing water. I felt like I was responsible for this person’s death.”

Mary’s face paled, and she let out a soft, trembling breath. “Oh, Jay.”

“Dad’s coming.” Jay’s attention was jerked away from his mom and his mate as he sensed Waylan hurrying toward the house.

“Maybe we should wait and let him hear this, too,” Mary whispered.

“Do you want me to get you something?” Alison asked with concern. “A glass of water? Maybe a cup of coffee?”

“No, thanks, Alison, that’s kind of you, but I am fine,” Mary assured her.

At that moment, Waylan climbed up the porch steps, his footsteps rushed and heavy as if he had sensed that Mary needed him. As he hurried to the living room, Waylan took in the scene with a worried frown. “Mary? Everything all right?” His eyes narrowed as they rested on Jay.

“I’m fine.” She motioned him over and he went to her, perching on the arm of her chair, his arm around her shoulders. “Jay remembered.”

Waylan’s gaze snapped back to Jay. “Remembered what?”

Jay’s throat was dry. “An argument. A river. A friend falling…”

Waylan exhaled, rubbing his chin. “So it’s finally come out.”

Alison touched Jay’s arm as if to comfort him. “Jay believes the friend, Lomas, died. But I saw someone in town who fits his description—a scar under his eye, dark hair. We think he might actually be alive.”

Mary’s eyes widened. “Alive? Lomas is alive?”

Waylan muttered a low curse under his breath. “That would change everything.”

The air felt thick, and Jay shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to continue. Just then, the front door opened again, and Klein stepped inside, hat in one hand. His gaze swept across the room, sensing the charged atmosphere.

“Is everything all right?” Klein asked warily. “I saw you rush off, Dad, and I was worried…” He stopped short, catching sight of Waylan’s tense posture and Mary’s worried expression. “Okay, what did I miss?”

Waylan gestured for him to join them. “Jay remembered the…confrontation…by the river. The night… it happened.”

Klein tensed his jaw. “That so?”

Jay nodded, swallowing hard. They all know the truth. At least what they think is the truth.

But if Lomas is alive, then that truth was a lie , his bear said. And we have been living that lie and paying for that lie for a very long time.

Jay sucked in a breath and continued, “I remember Lomas. Or at least pieces of… it . He fell into the river. And I thought… I thought he died.”

Klein’s expression shuttered. “You told me as much, back then.”

“But we don’t think he did die,” Alison began. “Someone fitting his exact description approached me at The Grizzly Bar the other night. And if I’m right, it seems like Lomas is very much alive.”

Mary’s breath caught. “But why wouldn’t he come forward if he survived?”

“That’s the question I’d like an answer to,” Jay said, his stomach twisting in knots at the thought of his friend’s betrayal. That fall was the catalyst that made him leave his home and his family. “Klein, can you fill me in? You said I confided in you before I left.”

Klein ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. “You showed up at my place, frantic. You told me you’d argued with Lomas, and he fell into the river. You looked everywhere, but you couldn’t find him. The sheriff searched the area but no body turned up. But we’d had heavy rainfall, and the river was swollen, and it was presumed he’d been swept out to sea.”

Mary brought a hand to her mouth. “Oh, Jay. You were so hard on yourself.”

Waylan’s eyes were deep pools of sadness. “And you left because you blamed yourself. Said you couldn’t stay on the ranch. That the guilt was too much.”

Jay gave a curt nod, shoulders taut. “Yeah, I did.”

Alison’s hand found his again, warm and comforting. She didn’t say anything, but Jay felt her strength flow into him.

Tell them about Lomas and Alison, his bear prompted.

Jay cleared his throat. “I want to know why Lomas approached Alison when she was at The Grizzly Bar with her friends.”

Klein’s jaw tightened. “Yeah, it’s strange he was lurking around town like that. Anyone could have recognized him.”

Alison shook her head. “He was asking about my job. Maybe he knew I was Jay’s nurse.”

“Or maybe he knows you are Jay’s mate,” Klein said, voicing Jay’s concerns.

We need to act, Jay’s bear said.

We do, Jay agreed.

And there is not a moment to spare, his bear ground out.

“I need to find Lomas and talk to him. If he’s alive, I have to know why he let me believe…” He trailed off, swallowing hard.

Mary touched his shoulder. “Jay. You have only just left the hospital.”

“You’re mom’s right.” Waylan nodded solemnly. “Klein, you can ask around, and see if anyone knows where Lomas is staying. Discreetly. I don’t want rumors flying until we have the facts. Especially since his mother is ill. She mourned him back then like any mother would mourn a son.”

“His mother is ill?” Alison asked.

“Yeah, she’s been in and out of hospital these last few months,” Mary said.

“That might explain why he’s back in town,” Alison said thoughtfully. “If his mother’s ill, he could have returned to look after her.”

Jay shook his head. “But why let everyone believe he was dead? Why let me carry this guilt for years?”

Klein leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. “Maybe he was afraid. You never told us what the argument was about that night. But we guessed he was up to no good.”

“No good?” Jay echoed, a crease forming between his brows. “What do you mean?”

Klein shifted uncomfortably, exchanging a look with Waylan. “Lomas had started running with some unsavory people before...before the incident. Some guys from out of town. There were rumors about illegal traps.”

Did we know that? Jay asked his bear.

Perhaps that’s what we argued about , his bear replied.

But why didn’t I tell Klein if that’s what happened? Jay asked.

Because Lomas was our friend. And we believed he died. Perhaps we did not want to speak ill of the dead, his bear answered.

Perhaps, Jay said.

Alison squeezed his hand. “That might explain why he’d want to stay ‘dead.’ If he was involved in something illegal...”

“And why he’d be interested in you,” Jay added, his protective instincts flaring. “If he thinks you’re connected to me, he might be trying to figure out what you know.”

Alison’s expression grew troubled. “He’s worried about what you could reveal about his involvement in illegal activities.”

Or trying to figure out if he can use our mate as leverage? A growl built in Jay’s chest, one he barely managed to suppress. His bear was pacing restlessly beneath his skin, hackles raised at the thought of Lomas anywhere near Alison.

“I don’t like this,” Waylan said, his voice gruff with concern. “If Lomas is back and hiding his identity, there’s a reason. And I doubt it’s a good one.”

Mary leaned forward, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. “But we don’t know for certain what happened that night. Or why he’s back now.”

“Do you think he might be dangerous?” Alison asked, her voice dropping to ensure Tessa wouldn’t overhear from the kitchen.

“I don’t know,” Jay admitted. “But I don’t like that he approached you. We need to know why.”

Klein pushed away from the doorframe. “I’ll make some calls, and see what I can find out about where he’s staying.” He glanced toward the kitchen, where Tessa’s delighted giggles could be heard. “Maybe we should continue this conversation later.”

As if on cue, Tessa came bounding into the room, her small hands covered in frosting and colorful sprinkles. “Come look at the cookies!”

“We’re coming,” Mary got up from her chair, offering a warm smile that masked her concern. “Let’s see those masterpieces of yours.”

Jay watched as everyone followed Tessa into the kitchen, but he hung back, his mind racing. Alison noticed and paused beside him.

“You okay?” she asked quietly, her fingers brushing against his.

“No,” he admitted. “If Lomas is alive...and he approached you specifically...”

“I don’t want you to do anything reckless,” Alison said.

“I won’t,” Jay assured. “But there’s something I need to do. Someone I need to see.”

“Then I’m coming with you,” Alison told him, giving him a look that said she was not taking no for an answer.

“But first we need to see the cookies,” Jay said and headed for the kitchen.

Perhaps today he might finally fit all the pieces together. With or without his memories,