Page 9 of Caught Bear Handed (Sawtooth Security #3)

“Kayla unknowingly got involved in some dangerous business. I’m sure you can understand why I can’t elaborate.

” There was no missing the low growl to Beau’s voice that vibrated in parts of me I shouldn’t have been thinking about at this moment.

“We’re making sure she’s safe until the suspected parties are caught. ”

Shea’s expression hardened. “If there’s anything we can do to help, just say the word. If anyone so much as lays a paw on you, they’ll have to answer to the entire Sawtooth pack.”

“Thank you, but I’m sure that won’t be?—”

“We’ll let you know.” Beau offered Shea his hand, and they did one of those guy handshakes that sealed an unspoken deal. Beau said he was new to the area, but he had an alliance with these wolves. In theory, it made me feel safer.

But I wished Beau didn’t feel the need to solidify a back-up pack plan. And I had to wonder what the rest of the Sawtooth Security crew would think of that alliance…unless this was standard operating procedure.

You don’t have to worry about it, my wolf reminded me.

Inside the cabin, the mountain-ringed snow globe that I’d been whisked away to while I paid someone to fight my battles for me, I could make myself believe I wasn’t in this much trouble. There was a reason I’d made a career as an actress. I was very good at side-stepping reality.

Now, if I wasn’t careful, I’d step right in it.

Shea led Millie out of her stall. She was a brown and white horse—I didn’t know the specifics of what breed that made her, but she was beautiful and that was more than enough. She had kind eyes rimmed with impossibly long lashes.

“Big day for you, Mill. This is Kayla. You need to take good care of her, okay?” Shea turned to me and handed me a pail full of apples. “Millie doesn’t work for free. You’ll want to give her a few of these so she knows she can trust you.”

“I’m fully prepared to pay,” I said with a laugh as I took the pail from him.

I wanted Millie to like me, but more than that, I wanted to be accepted by the Sawtooth pack.

Not only because I was famous or because I worked with Amelia.

I’d only known Shea for a matter of minutes, but I knew these were good wolves.

My family had split off from their pack when they went to Hollywood. I was used to people saddling up to me for the connections I could give them, and for that reason, I kept my social circle smaller than I preferred.

I held an apple up to Millie in offering and braced myself for when those big jaws came to collect. She was surprisingly gentle, but insistent, as she nudged me for the next one. I was more than happy to be her apple dealer.

I’d gotten so wrapped up in feeding her, I didn’t see Shea come back with Magnum. Until I did. Sweet moon, this creature was aptly named, because he was absolutely huge.

My mouth dropped, and Beau gave me a knowing wink as he went to greet the stallion. The two definitely had a bond, and I wondered how the two had worked together in the past.

The horses were already saddled, and Shea brought us mounting blocks.

I stepped up, gathered the reins in my left hand, and balanced myself before swinging my leg over and settling into the saddle.

It had been a minute since I’d done this, and I was proud of myself for remembering.

My thoughts were all over the place, and I had to focus, or Millie would definitely pick up on it.

Shea led his horse out of the barn.

“I’ll give the two of you some space. There’s a loop that goes off the ranch to the base of the mountain. There are some blind spots there. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to ride behind and keep a lookout for any trouble.”

Beau and I looked at each other, and I nodded. With that, we were off. Millie trotted with purpose, stride for stride with Magnum, who seemed content to let her keep pace with him.

“Seems like Sawtooth Security could have a new recruit,” I said once we were out of Shea’s earshot.

Beau grinned. “Shea’s a legendary fighter. Mostly underground stuff. He’s cleaned up his act, now that he’s got a mate and kids. But believe me, you want this wolf fighting with you and not against you.”

“What’s the rest of the pack like?” I’d heard stories on set after Amelia had come back from holidays, but I wanted to hear the bear’s take.

“They’re good guys. They really care about each other and this town.” Beau’s smile came easily. “I wish you could meet them.”

“Maybe I will at the cookout.”

He shook his head. “Not sure that’s a great idea.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to protest that Shea had just said the pack wouldn’t let anything happen to me. But I was foolish to think that my presence at the party would do anything but put them in unnecessary danger.

My heart ached as Millie led me through the narrow, craggy path.

There was only room for one horse at a time, and she followed Magnum dutifully.

The scenery was beautiful, with its snowcapped mountains and sparkles of blue from the river peeking through the brush, but it was nothing compared to the rider in front of me.

I envied him. He might be the new guy, the one who didn’t feel like he quite fit in, but he belonged here.

I’d never had that. Sure, I referred to the cast and crew of The Wolf’s Moon as my family, but the truth of the matter was the show would end.

It was a job, and we’d all go onto our next assignments. Eventually we’d lose touch.

Pack life was a forever deal. It was something money couldn’t buy.

As the ranch came back into view, I couldn’t shake the feeling of sadness, that I’d come to Sawtooth Forest only to get an enviable taste of something I wasn’t sure I could keep.

“How do you feel?” Beau asked, offering me a hand as I dismounted.

“Free,” I said. “Thanks for breaking the rules with me.”

His eyes lit up, full of mischief that made the muscles low in my belly clench. “You make a great partner in crime.”

Our gazes caught, and I wanted nothing more for him to lean in and kiss me. But he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Not here, at least.

And that made me feel something more dangerous than free. I was determined. It didn’t matter how much younger Beau was than me, or what he’d been assigned to do. No more make believe for this girl—it was time to start playing for keeps.