Page 39 of Mated to the Mountain Bear

“Come here,” Ben says, already moving toward the pale grey husky and extending a hand, which Jerry affectionately nuzzles.

I follow, pausing in front of both of them. “Is he friendly? Can I pet him?”

Ben turns back to me, and his expression softens. “I don’t think you have a choice, he’s going to be stuck to your side.”

I lean forward and extend my hand, palm up.

Jerry bounds over, all fluffy fur and enthusiasm. Up close, he’s beautiful. And huge. He spins and presses his side against me, hitting my thighs, and nearly knocking me over with his greeting.

Ben’s hand shoots out, steadying me with a palm against my lower back. “Easy,” he commands, and Jerry reluctantly eases back but continues his tail wagging, tongue lolling happily.

“Hi there.” I laugh, bending to scratch behind his ears.

Jerry leans into my touch, nearly knocking me over again with his enthusiasm.

“Sorry I screamed at you.”

Jerry seems to have forgiven me instantly. He plonks his ass down right on my feet and parks himself there, head tilted back in expectation of more head scratches, which I’m happy to oblige.

“Does he visit often?” I ask, looking up at Ben from my stooped position.

“Most days. But then he’ll go walkabout for a week.” Ben’s standing close, hands in his pockets now as he shrugs, watching with an unreadable expression as I pet Jerry.

I study the massive husky’s grey and white markings, and those icy blue eyes. He really is a handsome boy.

“Ben and Jerry?” I can’t help but smirk. “Really?”

Something flashes across Ben’s face. Embarrassment?

“He looks like a Jerry,” he mutters defensively, but I catch the affection in his gruff tone.

I don’t question how a hundred-pound husky looks like a Jerry. Instead, I nod, like that makes perfect sense and doesn’t hint that under that grumpy exterior, Ben may, in fact, have a sense of humour.

Deep down. Deep,deep, down.

“He likes following me to the lake while I fish. Conveniently, he appears when I’m grilling because he knows I’m good for scraps. Hell, he probably smelled our breakfast and came running.”

I rub Jerry and smile. I can understand the appeal of following Ben around all day.

“I should...” Ben clears his throat, taking a step back. “I’ll be outside. Are you good here?”

Taking a deep breath, I push away the anxiety I feel at the idea of Ben leaving me. I’m being ridiculous. I survived without him before, and he’s not going far.

“Yeah.” I stand, brushing dog hair off my trousers. “Jerry and I need to get to know each other properly.”

“I won’t be long.” I’m not sure whether he’s reassuring Jerry or me until he adds, “You watch out for her, bud,” pointing a finger at his excitable Husky, who whacks his tail hard off the floor in response.

Filled with a warm fuzzy feeling, I move to the porch as Ben slams the door on another outbuilding. I look out at the sun,groaning at the embarrassing awkwardness between Ben and me.

I’ve sucked his thumb. Stroked his biceps. And he’s practically seen me naked. Maybe now, we’re even.

It certainly can’t get any worse.

“You really frightened me,” I tell the dog, sinking down to sit on the top step.

Jerry immediately flops on my feet, heavy and warm, and apparently, deciding I make a great seat. He rearranges himself to put his head in my lap, his blue eyes gazing up at me innocently.

He doesn’t look remotely sorry, but I can’t be mad at him, so instead, he gets more head scratches and adoration.