Branches snapped and snow crunched as Opal led Belinda up to the knoll that had become such a big part of her daily life. She’d been coming every morning for weeks now, and on this particular day, everything had changed.

Her heart raced as she wondered what they’d find. Belinda had tried to set aside her fears—and she was grateful for that—but she also realized that bears were wild animals, with habits of their own that didn’t always mesh with humans.

But still, she hoped that they would be gone, even in these few short hours. That they’d gone on to a more suitable hunting ground, that they wouldn’t be captured or separated. She hoped harder and harder with every step she took toward the knoll, knowing she was doing the right thing.

As they entered the clearing, she took a deep breath and set her backpack down on the flat boulder where she and Bernard had spent so much time. She glanced at him—he already had his binoculars out and was looking for the bears.

“That way?” Belinda asked as she unzipped her backpack, set it on the boulder and got out her own, high-powered binoculars.

Opal felt a little silly, but as Belinda focused on the mountain across the lake, she took a brief glance into her backpack to make sure there wasn’t a gun.

Assured there wasn’t, she reached for her own camera. As she took off the lens cap, she noticed Belinda’s sidearm and took in a sharp breath. Surely a handgun couldn’t shoot across a lake, several miles away.

She shook her head. She was being ridiculous. Belinda had explained the process and assured her that everything would be all right, and she had to trust her. But the thought of breaking up a family or having any bears injured had her knees wobbly.

They watched in silence for a while, and Opal squeaked when the bears finally came into view. Her heart swelled as they frolicked out of the glen, rolling around in the dirt. They seemed to be soaking up the sun. It had been warmer the last few days, and the bear cubs seemed to be enjoying it as much as she was.

Suddenly, the mama bear appeared in her camera lens, coming up from the opposite side of the lake with a fish in her mouth. She headed back into the shadows, the cubs on her heels.

“Uh-oh,” Belinda said as she lowered her binoculars.

Opal held her breath and looked over to Bernard, but he didn’t seem to be concerned. He was snapping pictures in rapid succession.

“What? Uh-oh what?” Opal asked Belinda.

“Well, she’s feeding the cubs from the lake. It’s a good sign and a bad sign. If she’s doing that, it means they’re ready to travel.”

“But you’re not sure if they will?” Bernard asked, lowering his camera.

“No, not yet. We should know in a couple of days,” Belinda said as she slipped her binoculars back into their case. “Meantime, I’ll make sure Wyatt knows to make sure everyone steers clear of this area until we know what’s going to happen. All guests need to be kept far away. He can quarantine her until she decides what to do.”

“And then what happens?” Opal asked as she sat slowly on the boulder.

“Then we’ll know what we need to do,” Belinda said as she sat down beside Opal and covered her hand with her own. “Opal, I know it’s scary, not knowing how this will turn out. But I promise you, we’ll do everything we can to make sure they’re safe.”

“And together?” Opal said, her eyes brimming with tears.

“And together,” Belinda said as she patted Opal’s hand and stood. “Thank you for sharing this with me. You did the right thing, for them and for us.”

Belinda turned back and looked out across the lake, shading her eyes with her hand. “And you got to see something not very many people do, and to help before it was maybe too late.”

She slipped her binoculars in her backpack and zipped it, pulling it onto her shoulders.

“You guys ready to head back? I have some arrangements I need to make,” Belinda said.

Opal and Bernard exchanged glances, and she shook her head.

“No, thanks, we’re going to stay here for a little bit,” Bernard said as he looked from Opal to Belinda. “Thanks for coming out with us, and we really appreciate you taking care of them. They’re kind of special.”

Belinda held out her hand and shook Bernard’s as she nodded at Opal.

“Yeah, they are. Thanks, you guys. I’ll let you know as soon as we decide anything at all,” she said as she headed back down the trail toward her truck.

Opal felt like a wet noodle by the time Belinda left. She was worried about the bears, and the uncertainty of what might happen.

Bernard had come to sit beside her. She rested her head on his shoulder as the fear of what might become of the bear family washed over her.

“What do you think is going to happen?” she finally asked.

He kissed her forehead and reached for his camera, standing and looking back out over the lake.

“I don’t know, honestly. I’m hoping that the mama bear is feeding them so they can take off for higher ground. That would be the best.”

“Yes, it would,” Opal said slowly. “I just can’t stand the thought of them being separated. No mother should be separated from her children, or they from her.”

She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and it took a moment for her to notice that Bernard was shifting from foot to foot and tugging at his sleeve.

“What is it, Bernard?” she asked, standing and crossing over to where he was.

“I was just thinking that not all families are what they’re cracked up to be. Sometimes, it’s better not to have a family at all.”

This wasn’t the first time he’d gotten uncomfortable when she’d talked about family, and she was certain he was thinking of his own.

She’d grown to care for him very much, and looked forward to spending as much time with him as she could on this exciting bear adventure—but she also felt joy any time he was near, even when they were just watching the Olympics. When he was there, it was more fun, more bright, and she could even muster up enough interest in curling to sit through it—as long as he was there.

But the fact that he hadn’t shared much about himself niggled at her. His mother had called at least ten times when they’d been together, and each time, he’d declined the call. Up until now, she’d assumed that he’d called her back when he was alone, but suddenly she wasn’t so sure.

Her emotions were already raw, so she figured she had nothing to lose.

“Bernard, why don’t you talk about your family? I mean, the picture of your grandparents was lovely, and I appreciate you sharing that you spent summers in France with them. But what about your mother? Your father? I know you’re an only child, but that’s about all I know.”

She looped her arm through his, and was taken aback when he stepped away.

“There’s nothing to know, Opal. My grandparents passed away. I’m not part of any family.”

“Oh, that’s so sad,” she couldn’t help saying, and she felt a bigger pang of sadness when he flinched.

“Don’t feel sorry for me. Please, don’t. It’s always been this way, and I’m fine with it. Like I said, I’m not part of any family, and I aim to keep it that way.”

Opal stepped back and almost tripped over the boulder. She felt like she’d been punched in the stomach, and her breath wouldn’t come.

Did he really not want to be a part of any family? Not even with her?

Her head reeled, and she zipped up her backpack and headed back down the trail.