Page 16 of Wrong Turn, Right Bear (Beartastic Summer of Love)

THEO

“Whatcha doing?”

Ash was deep in thought as he sat at the table. He had note paper and pencils in front of him and the laptop and crumpled up papers had been tossed at the garbage bin.

“Trying to update our brochure.”

More people were booking tours online but there was that segment of older clients who walked into the office near the lake and booked a hike or an afternoon on the water.

They preferred a brochure they could hold while they contemplated whether to book with us.

And if they did, they liked to keep it as a souvenir.

But with the percentage of people who read the brochures, it felt as though my mate shouldn’t be spending so much time on it .

I peered at the waste basket. “Seems like it’s going well.”

Ash grunted and I pulled up a chair to feed Lake his lunch.

“When I’m done with this, families will flock here just to do my tours.”

“That good, huh? Wow. Sounds like a masterpiece. Remember it’s not a novel.” Ash was getting carried away.

He cleared his throat. “What do you think of this?”

“Ash’s Outdoor Escapes.” That’s the header.

“Off to a great start, love.” I gave him a thumb’s up.

“Guided hikes and private boat trips and if you’re lucky, a bear sighting you’ll never forget.”

That brought me back to the night I first saw my mate shift.

“You’re not planning on arranging a special shifting experience for your clients, are you? Their hearts might not cope.”

“Nah, I’m just conjuring up an image for them.” He grinned. “Though maybe we should do a second one for shifters.”

I convinced him one was enough for now.

“Now for some special sauce. ‘Please don’t feed the bear because he might be your guide.’”

Only shifters would understand that joke.

“Good, huh? ”

“They’ll love it.” Humans would titter over that. “But maybe use a reference they’ll understand such as, “Your guide might be a bear at times!” Everyone would get the joke and shifters could giggle about it being so literal.

My mate put the pencil on his lips. “Mmmm I like it.” He tapped at the computer.

Lake took the spoon from my hand and banged it on the tray. He was telling me I was too slow to feed him so I grabbed another one and gave him some peas. Most went on the floor but he managed to eat a few so that was a success.

“Listen to this, babe.”

“I’m all ears and so is Lake.”

“Meet your Guides.” He paused. “This is me as I’m the head guy and owner.”

Our son tossed the second spoon on the floor and I cut up the sausage into smaller pieces so Lake could feed himself. He was done with cutlery for the day.

“Ash Barrow is an experienced outdoors man who’s lived in the area most of his life, loves the forest and its animal population and has arms strong enough to row you across the lake without breaking a sweat.”

“Hmmm sounds more like a dating profile.” I giggled ‘cause I’d date that guy.

My mate jumped up and wiggled his butt. “It worked on you, didn’t it? ”

Very funny.

“There’s more.” Ash didn’t bother sitting down but picked up the computer

“Great. Let’s hear it.”

“Guests of all ages are welcome. We provide highchairs at lakeside lunches. Enjoy our picnics for kids prepared by Chef Theo.”

I raised a brow ‘cause I wasn’t known for my cooking prowess. “Chef? I’ve gone up in the world.”

My mate tucked the pencil behind his ear. “Or I could tell the truth and say you’re the guy who cuts up the sandwiches in cute little shapes.”

Fine. The original did sound better.

Ash scrolled back through the document on the screen. “I could add this to the first bit.” His fingers flew over the keyboard. “At Ash’s Outdoor Escapes, you’re not just a guest, you’re part of the pack.” He grinned.

Gods he was shoving shifter references in everywhere he could.

Lake grumbled and I wiped his face and picked him up before wandering over to Ash. Our son squealed and leaned over and grabbed a piece of paper.

“Lake wants to be included in the brochure.” My mate kissed our little boy.

That was a huge stretch but I agreed he could add something personal about our family. People lapped that stuff up.

Ash frowned in concentration but Lake’s red face, his grunting and a not so nice aroma signaled it was time for a clean diaper. While I was in the nursery, my mate giggled. I hoped what he was writing would wow our potential audience and not have everyone rolling their eyes.

“What do you think Papa is doing?” I kissed Lake’s belly. He kicked his legs and giggled. “Maybe when you’re older, you can write his brochures.” When Lake was grown, the world might be very different and people might arrive in the mountains in flying cars.

Ash called, telling me to hurry as he wanted to read what he’d come up with.

“The header is: A Wild Start To Family Life.” He glanced at me and I nodded.

“We believe adventures are better when shared. Our family started in a boat in the middle of the lake with a stubborn motor, a bag of snacks and a determined little boy who couldn’t wait to meet us.”

Okay I had to admit that was kinda good.

“Since then we’ve added toddler giggles, midnight diaper runs, and plenty of bear hugs to our lives.”

Maybe my mate should consider a new career.

“Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner or friend, or with a bouncing baby of your own, you’re welcome here.”

I kissed him and told him it was a masterpiece.

I might add another paragraph. Something like, “Whether you hike, paddle, or picnic, Ash’s Outdoor Escapes is for you. Come for the views. Stay for the family.”

He hit save and print before closing the laptop. “Come here my darling boy.”

I picked up the sheaf of papers and doodled beside the paragraph about Lake’s birth. I drew a stick figure in a boat rowing with another one the same size and a tiny one.

We went outside on the porch and Ash pointed out the boats on the lake far below the house. The water shimmered in the sun as it had the day of Lake’s birth. How lucky was I that, just as Ash had written, I’d come for the views and I stayed for our family.

I blinked away tears thinking how close I’d been to not being with my mate and never having our son.

Who or what did I thank? My hiking boots that set me on the path to finding out about shifters?

Errol, the young wolf shifter who couldn’t control his beast?

Vincent at my old office who poopooed my trip?

Perhaps they all played a part but it was Ash himself and his bear who fate put in front of me and changed my life. I beckoned him and Lake closer and we hugged.

A big bear hug.

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