Page 10 of The Grizzly Situation

“You’ve got a beautiful mind,” Deb said, stroking fingers through my hair. “But it has a hard time focusing and staying on task. That might be why you have issues holding on to things.”

“Dude, listen to her. She knows her stuff.”

I was about to say something when a sharp rap on the door startled us. It was loud and heavy and practically caused the door to vibrate. As flimsy as it was, it shocked me it didn’t fly off the hinges. “Did you bring anyone else with you?”

“No. You expecting someone?”

“Uh uh.”

The knock came again. Louder and more insistent this time. I got up and stepped around Jamie. When I pulled the door open, imagine my shock to find Mr. Lockhart standing there.

“Mr. Lockhart?”

“Uly.”

My name was only two syllables, but the way he said it was more like an accusation.

“What are you doing here?” I demanded. “How did you know where I lived?”

His cheeks pinked. “I spoke with your uncle. He was quite forthcoming, especially after I stood up and he realized how tall I am.”

Uncle Dom was kind of short and chubby, and a wimp. Still, it made me feel… good that Mr. Lockhart had done as he said and followed me. I stepped back and swept my arm toward the living room.

“I’m sorry, did you want to come in? We’re about to have some cake.”

His frown became an immediate smile. “What kind?”

“Chocolate.”

“Yes, please,” he said, sounding like a five year old. “Do you have milk?”

I nodded and he crossed the threshold, allowing me to close the door. Jamie and Deb’s looks were priceless as they stared up at him.

“Holy shit,” Jamie finally said. “Who the hell are you?”

Mr. Lockhart held out a hand. “Brent Lockhart. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Uly, you been holding out on us?” Deb asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“What? No! Mr. Lockhart runs Ursine Incorporated, and earlier today he offered me a job.”

“Which I never got an answer for,” Mr. Lockhart said, as he eyed the cake. “Can we cut that soon?”

I chuckled. “Sure. How big of a piece do you want?”

“Oh, what’s there is fine,” he replied, a lilting tease in his voice. “I love chocolate.”

I cut the cake into four pieces as Jamie retrieved the plates. He and Deb insisted on a small slice, and I took one approximately the same size. That left about three quarters of the chocolate ganache cake filled with raspberry puree. Igrabbed a fork, along with a glass of milk and handed them to Mr. Lockhart, whose eyes widened.

“Uly, I was kidding.”

“I know, but I can’t eat all that, and it’s unlikely Deb and—oh, shit. I mean shoot! Mr. Lockhart, this is my brother Jamie, and my sister-in-law Debra. We call her Deb.”

“My manners are atrocious,” Mr. Lockhart said, extending his hand again. This time he got a firm shake from both of them. “If there are sweets involved, I’m laser focused on them, and everything else goes out the window.”

Once the introductions were out of the way, Mr. Lockhart dug in with a fervor. He had most of his gone before any of my family had a few bites of theirs done. When he looked up, he had a ring of chocolate around his lips that he used his tongue to clean. I’d often heard the act was erotic, but really, it was more comical than anything.

“So what’s this about offering Uly a job?” Jamie asked. Actually, more of a suspicious demand. I wanted to sink into the ground.