Page 18 of Caught Bear Handed
“You got bored.”I laughed.
“How did you start acting?”he asked.
“My family is all in the business.My mom was an actress when she was young, but then she got into producing.My dad was a director of photography, which is a fancy term for the lead cameraman, but it’s so much more than that.”I loved explaining the business to people who weren’t familiar with what happened behind the scenes.“They worked together a lot, and wound up being pretty influential in the industry.So I grew up on set.And I had a bunch of honorary aunties and uncles that worked in all the crafts, and I got a taste of what it really took to bring a story together.”
He grinned at me.“You love it.”
“I do.”I sighed.“I miss it.”
He nodded.“I can tell.You’re struggling in that cabin as much as I am.It’s the reason I decided to take this risk and get you out of there, because people like us aren’t meant to be confined to one life.Not a lot of people understand that.They’re content to bloom where they’re planted.”
“I always thought I was born to become an actress, and maybe I’m right.”My heart skipped a beat as Beau turned off the main road, onto a dirt path that led to the ranch.We were really doing this, going on our little adventure outside of the safe confines of the cabin.Seeing the farm come into view made it real.“Going on location, the unpredictability, being able to try on a new personality every few months, and then the rush of getting the job.”
He pulled into a spot between two pickup trucks.I was about to protest, saying I thought we’d be alone, but of course there would be people here working.The animals needed care, no matter how complicated my situation was.
“I get it.That’s why I came to work with Sawtooth Security after I left the military.No two jobs will ever be the same.”He put his hand on the door handle.“Ready to do this?”
“Can I ask you a question that might be none of my business?”I was stalling, trying to convince my heart to stop racing.
It wasn’t that we’d catch hell from Beau’s boss.I couldn’t shake the feeling we were being watched.Which was ridiculous.
The next character I played would not have this level of anxiety.
The corner of his mouth curled into a mischievous smile.“Depends on what it is.”
“How old are you?”
He tipped his head back and laughed.“You too, huh?I tried to cover the baby face with a beard.”
“It’s just that you’ve lived this full life, but you look like you’re barely out of college.”
“I’m twenty-eight,” he said.“Can I ask how old you are?”
“Thirty-nine.I can’t believe I’ll be forty next year.I thought by now I’d…” I shook my head.
“Be settled down?Have the two point five kids and a white picket fence?”He gave me a look that saidbullshitas I nodded.“We just talked about how we’re not those people.You’d be miserable in that life.Come on.Let’s try on something new.”
He got out of the truck, and it took me a moment to get my body to move.After a deep breath, inhaling the musky ranch scent to soothe my wolf, I joined him in the parking lot.
He’s not that much younger than you, my wolf said.And he’s more of a man than the last five you dated put together.
She had a point.But just because this bear understood me didn’t mean this was anything more than an assignment for him.
My wolf wasn’t so sure.He said you’re his celebrity crush.
We walked side by side through the dusty parking lot to the barn.His fingers slipped between mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.Shockwaves raced through my system on contact with his rough, strong hand.He tightened his grip, a silent confirmation that he felt it too.
My heart was still racing when we found a man in a cowboy hat inside the barn.Immediately, my wolf recognized one of her own.
“Holy shit, you’re Kayla Mitchell.”His smile was as wide as the brim of his hat as he approached and held out his hand.“I’ve never had to sign an NDA for a customer before, but now it makes sense.Still can’t believe we have a celebrity here.I mean, Ameila stops by sometimes, but she’s pack.It’s different.My mate and I never miss an episode ofThe Wolf’s Moon.I’m Shea Lowe.I run the Forever Home ranch with my mate, Delaney.She’s out taking care of the smaller animals right now, but I know she’d love to meet you.”
I wasn’t ready to let go of Beau’s hand to accept Shea’s handshake, but I’d never let a fan down.
You can hold on to this bear any time you need, my wolf reminded me.
My heart stuttered at the mention of Amelia.We were deep in this now, but I had to hope that Shea understood the NDA meant he couldn’t tell Amelia he saw me.
“Thanks so much for having us.I’m so glad you love the show.”It would never feel anything but surreal that people actually watched what we created, no matter how long I had been acting.“I’m looking forward to the ride.”