Page 180 of Heartless

“I’ll have to finish them first, but she can use my drawings for her article if she wants,” Thelma offered.

“Can I have a copy for my Insta?”Kelsey asked.

I wanted one too.Something happy and beautiful to commemorate some of the most intense hours of my life.

“Group picture!”Brigit yelled.

While we rounded up in the middle of the room, Blue-Eyed Garrett said, “Wait.”

He strode out of the room through the door leading to the store.Two minutes later, he came back holding several teddy bears.

Again, the whole group burst out laughing.After each of us had a plush toy in hand, we flocked around Erica while Cathy handed her camera to Jake’s employee, who took several shots.Then, Jake and he did the same with everyone’s cellphones.

“The hotel bus is here,” Ron announced.

The mountain man was back behind the camera.“Now, ladies, show me the badasses who scared the bear away.”

We all raised our arms high and growled the same way we had before collapsing into fits of giggles.

Louise raked her fingers through her hair.“I don’t know about you, but I need a shower and a change of clothes.Why don’t we all meet here later for drinks?”She smiled at Blue-Eyed Garrett.“You can come, too.”

We agreed to meet at five, and after I’d exchanged hugs with the group, Jake took me back to his house.

****

Jake

The rain had started again.After cranking up the temperature in the truck, I glanced at Sienna.She was gazing out the window with her hands clasped around the teddy bear in her lap.

“How are you feeling, baby?”

“I’m okay.”

Fuck.She wasn’t.My knuckles strained around the wheel.“Are you warm enough?”

She nodded.

Twenty minutes later, we were in the house.After handing me the bear, she bent down to remove her muddy shoes.

“Leave them here.I’ll take care of them.”

“Thank you,” she said with a ghost of a smile.

When I cupped her cheek, she held my wrist.“I’m okay.I just need a shower.I don’t...I know we were supposed to go to Crested Butte, but I—”

“Do you want me to run you a bath?”At the shake of her head, I pecked her nose.“I’ll take care of lunch.”

“All right.Thank you.”

While she walked slowly to her bedroom, I headed toward the kitchen, keeping my eyes on her closed door.Once the food was ready, I texted Erica.The group was back at the hotel.I peeked at the bedroom door.Was she crying in the shower?

Her door opened.She’d changed into a light sweater and pajama style matching pants.What was happening behind those beautiful eyes?

“Sit down, baby.Lunch is ready.”

After she’d folded herself in the nook of the couch with her legs curled under her, I brought our plates out and placed them on the coffee table.She didn’t move.Didn’t even blink.That fucking bear.

When I sat close, she shifted to face me.“There was a bear.”Her chin quivered.“It was my biggest fear and my worst nightmare.”