Page 101 of Hero Mine

“I wasn’t—” He caught her knowing look and gave up. “Fine. Maybe a little.”

Joy’s laughter filled the small space, bright and genuine. “So, what now? Do we tell Callum his mystery thieves might be teenagers building a homemade training course?”

Bear considered it. “I don’t want to accuse them without proof. Could be we’re wrong.”

“What do you suggest?”

“A little reconnaissance mission.” Bear leaned against the counter. “We follow them after school tomorrow, see where they go.”

“Like spies?” Joy’s eyes lit up with mischief. “Count me in.”

“You sure? It might get boring.”

“Are you kidding? After spending a month too scared to leave my house, boring sounds perfect.” Her expression turned serious despite her light tone. “What will happen to them? I mean, they did steal a lot of stuff.”

“Let’s confirm it’s them first.” Bear stroked his thumb across her knuckles. “Then we’ll figure out the right thing to do.”

Joy turned in his arms, rising on her toes to brush her lips against his. “Now, about those other rewards you mentioned…”

Bear grinned, all thoughts of teenage thieves temporarily forgotten as he followed Joy out of the food truck, locking it securely behind them. Whatever happened tomorrow, tonight was for celebrating—both Joy’s success and the fact that they were finally moving forward, together.

Chapter29

Bear drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, gaze fixed on the high school’s front entrance. The final bell had rung fifteen minutes ago, and students continued to stream from the building in noisy clusters. No sign of the Johnson brothers yet.

“You know, most people would consider this stalking,” Joy said, slouched down in the passenger seat. “Sitting outside a high school, watching for specific teenagers.”

“It’s not stalking,” Bear countered. “It’s reconnaissance.”

“Pretty sure that’s what all stalkers tell themselves.”

He shot her a sideways glance. “You’re the one who volunteered for this mission, Bug.”

“And miss a chance to play detective? Never.” Joy straightened suddenly, pointing toward the doors. “There they are.”

Bear followed her gaze. Aaron and Kyle Johnson emerged from the building with a smaller boy. The three descended the steps together, laughing at something Kyle had said.

The boys headed toward a battered pickup truck at the far end of the parking lot. They tossed their backpacks into the bed and climbed in, Aaron behind the wheel.

“And now, we follow them,” Joy said, an edge of excitement in her voice.

Bear couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “Ready?”

“Born ready, Bollinger.”

They maintained a careful distance as Aaron drove through town, taking side streets rather than the main road. The truck eventually pulled into the parking lot of the Frontier Diner, a local favorite for its cheap burgers and bottomless fries.

Bear parked across the street, cutting the engine. “Now, we wait.”

Joy reached into her bag and pulled out a small container. “Good thing I came prepared.” She popped the lid, revealing two perfect pastries. “Leftovers from yesterday.”

“God, I love you,” Bear said without thinking, accepting the offered treat.

Joy froze, pastry halfway to her mouth. Her eyes widened slightly.

Bear’s heart slammed against his ribs. The words had slipped out naturally, without planning. He hadn’t meant to say them like that—casually, over pastries, during a stakeout—but he couldn’t deny their truth.

“I do,” he said, quieter now. “I love you, Joy.”