Page 4 of Befriending the Bear (Forestville Silver Foxes #6)

My pride told me I could make it to a table without the cane, but the reality of the deep ache in my leg won the battle.

As I made my way to the closest table, I glanced around the bakery.

A young person with purple-streaked hair worked the espresso machine, moving with the easy efficiency of someone who’d found their rhythm.

A couple of older women sat at a corner table, deep in gossip. Normal small-town morning stuff.

How long would it take before I considered myself part of this charming town? Before they did?

“You settling in okay?” Brianna asked when she put the coffee in front of me, followed by a plate with a massive slice of apple pie that made my mouth water, decorated with a healthy dollop of cream on the side. “I know moving to a new place can be tough, especially when you’re…”

She gestured vaguely at my general existence.

“When I’m a broken-down old firefighter?” I supplied, trying for humor.

Her expression softened. “When you’re starting over. Trust me, I know all about that. Half this town does if you dig deep enough.”

I thought about Calloway again, about the way he’d clutched that poetry book like a lifeline. What was his story? What had brought him to the point where words themselves became the enemy?

“Actually,” I said, pulling out my wallet and handing her my credit card, “what can you tell me about the library book club?”

Brianna’s eyebrows shot up. “I hadn’t pegged you as a book club kind of person.”

I got that a lot. People were always shocked when I pulled a book out of my backpack. Or my Kindle. “I’m a big reader.”

Brianna nudged her head at the purple-haired barista. “Ask Jamie. They’re a book club member.”

I hadn’t missed the subtle way she’d stressed the pronoun, and I loved her for it.

Jamie handed the coffee to a customer, then came over. “Ask me what?”

“He wants to know about the book club.” Brianna gave me my receipt, then stepped back. “Not my particular cup of tea. I can’t sit still long enough to even open a book.”

I could see that. Brianna had a restless energy about her, the bouncy kind that would run and run and run until she fell asleep.

“You thinking of joining?” Jamie asked, eyeing me with curiosity.

“Yes. I’m Fraser, by the way.”

Jamie grinned. “I know. Trust me, when an eligible bachelor moves into town, we all know within hours.”

I snorted. “Eligible bachelor? Have I landed in Bridgerton without realizing?”

That made Jamie giggle, a lovely, carefree sound. “It’s the term used, sorry. Mostly by women of a certain age.”

Ah. That made sense. Perhaps it was because I’d hidden my sexuality for a long time, but people rarely pegged me as gay. I might as well set that particular record straight. “They’d be barking up the wrong tree. I don’t play for their team.”

Jamie slowly shook their head. “What is up with this town? It’s like a freaking gay magnet.”

My ears perked up. “Really?”

I’d heard Forestville was gay-friendly, but Jamie seemed to suggest a whole different level.

“We have so many gay couples in town…and quite a few single gay or bi guys as well.”

Well, that certainly offered hope. “So now the gay men are gonna talk about a new eligible bachelor?”

Another laugh. “I think they’re more likely to label you as a bear, but yes. They’ll be talking about you for sure.”

A bear? I’d never thought of myself as one, but I had gained some weight after my injury, especially around my middle.

Damn hard to keep in shape when I could barely walk.

So maybe I had unknowingly become a bear.

Oh well, not the worst news ever. “And would I find these particular men at the book club?”

“Not really.” Jamie tapped their chin. “Pascal is no longer single, now that he’s with Stanton.

Pascal is one of the librarians. Sweetest guy you’ve ever met, and I couldn’t be happier he’s found love with Stanton.

Oh, Calloway Gilstrap usually attends. He’s…

” They seemed to search for words. “He’s shy.

But he’s so smart. I’m always in awe of his insights.

We’re doing poetry this month, which is his passion, so I’m looking forward to his thoughts. ”

I had to fight to keep my expression neutral. “He sounds fascinating.”

“He is.” Jamie’s expression hardened. “He’s also vulnerable, so be kind to him.”

I loved that they were protective of Calloway. Did the man know he had a friend in Jamie? I sure hoped so. “I may not look like it, but I’m gentle, I promise.”

Their expressions softened again. “Good. We meet at seven in the back room of the library. Eleanor, who leads the book club, would be thrilled if you showed up. She’s always trying to recruit fresh blood.”

Come hell or high water, I would be at the library at seven…even if my truck wasn’t fixed yet and I had to hobble over. “Thank you, Jamie. It was lovely meeting you.”

“You too.”

I devoured the apple pie, sipping from my espresso between bites. Friday night. Library book club. It wasn’t jumping out of a plane into a wildfire, but maybe that was the point. Maybe it was time to find new passions.

But my mind kept circling back to that collision in the parking lot, to the way Calloway had struggled so hard to issue that invitation. He’d pushed past his own walls to tell me about the book club. The least I could do was show up.

Because obviously, I was doing this for him. Not because I was interested in seeing Calloway again. Obviously.

If I told myself that often enough, I might even believe it.