Chapter Fifteen – Hannah

The two bears wrestled in the morning sun, while she ate a leisurely breakfast of cereal with powdered milk. They’d talked through the night and slept late, treating the rest of their time in the mountain like a vacation. Hannah had called both Brad and Sandra to reassure them they would be home around midday.

“OK, kids, time to leave.” Hannah watched as the smaller bear pounced on top of the larger bear. The large bear, Knox, tried to shake him off, but Dustin held on with his legs gripping his body, his teeth chewing on the ruff of fur around his neck. The fight lasted a few more minutes before Knox got the upper paw and sent Dustin crashing to the ground.

Immediately shifting, Knox went to Dustin and spoke to him briefly, no doubt giving him combat tips before Dustin shifted back to his human form and jumped to his feet. “That was great. Thanks, Knox.”

“Anytime, kid,” Knox replied. “As long as your homework and all that shit’s done. Good grades come first.”

Dustin nodded sagely and agreed. “Deal.”

Hannah folded her arms and leaned against the porch, watching the two men who shared so much grief. Pride surged in her chest. They were going to be OK.

“I’ve cleaned the cabin, packs are ready. And I am ready for a nice, long hot bath.” Hannah stretched. “And my bed.”

“Sounds good.” Knox winked at her. His mood this morning was lighter, a change had come over him. A change that brought with it optimism and talk of the future. “I think a cabin on the lower slopes would suit us best. As a new home.”

“You do, do you?” Hannah asked.

“Yes. Come on, don’t tell me you don’t want to spend your evenings hiking over the mountains. I can tell how much you’ve enjoyed your time up here.”

“You might be right.” She looked at the amazing view around them. “Puts everything into perspective, doesn’t it?”

“It does.” He took her hand and they walked side by side. Dustin ran ahead, shifting into his bear, and then back to his human form as if he were practicing for a math exam. “He’s changed.”

“I’ve changed,” Knox admitted.

“And I’ve stayed the same.”

“What’s wrong with that, when you’re already perfect.”

Hannah laughed hard at Knox’s words. “You think that’s gonna get you into my bed?”

“I was hoping.” Knox gave her a cheesy grin that melted her heart and warmed other parts of her body.

“We’ll see.” Hannah teased. Knox wasn’t the only one thinking that a little privacy and a whole lot of time was just what they needed to celebrate their success with Dustin. “We make a good team.”

“We do.” Knox’s voice grew softer. “Mates for life.”

“Mates for life.” Hannah could not imagine her life without Knox, no man had ever come close to him, and no man ever would. He was unique, and he was hers.

An hour later they reached Jamie’s truck, and Hannah called Brad and Sandra to say they were off the mountain and would be back in town shortly. Sandra sounded nervous, despite the reassurances from Hannah that everything was good now. As she ended the call, Hannah hoped mother and son could put this all behind them and move on. As difficult as it was, they had to find a way to live without Lex, and thrive without him. Maybe one day Sandra might meet another man: she deserved a second chance at love, didn’t she?

The journey down from the mountain gave Hannah a chance to appreciate the scenery. All that had been hidden from her on the night-time journey was now revealed in its wintry splendor. The bare trees allowed glances into the heart of the forest, where ancient trees put down deep roots, and reached for the sky with their branches. Beyond the trees were glimpses of the green valley below, with the silvery creek threading its way toward the town that was its namesake.

They were all going home. Dustin may have lived here all his life, but Bear Creek was also Hannah and Knox’s home. “I like the idea of a cabin in the hills.” Hannah leaned back in her seat, stretching her aching legs.

“We can start looking when we get back.” Knox glanced sideways at her. “We can live apart for as long as you want. But I’m ready to move in with you as soon as possible.”

“How about tonight?” Hannah laughed at his surprise. “Come on, I saw you arrive in town, I think I have room for you to stow your pack at my place. And if I get bored with you, I’ll kick you back to Jamie’s.”

“I accept your offer.” He cocked his head to one side. “Things sure do move at a different pace in Bear Creek.”

“They do. My parents will be suitably shocked, and most likely insist on flying back to check that I’m not being duped by a man.” She giggled. “They’ll like you. My dad will like you a lot.”

“He’ll finally have a man to build a shed with.” Knox grinned.

“We can go visit them. Maybe honeymoon with them.”

“Are you asking me to marry you?” Knox asked hopefully.

“Maybe I am.”

“You know I can hear what you’re saying?” Dustin asked from beside Hannah.

“Yes, this is part of your survival training,” Knox joked. “How to get your mate to ask you to marry her.”

“Don’t take lessons from Knox on that, a man should do the asking,” Hannah replied hotly.

Dustin rolled his eyes. “Who needs a relationship?”

“You’ll learn,” Knox said.

“Not if the school kicks me out.” Dustin put his chin on his hand and leaned against the window.

“They won’t. I’ll get to the bottom of this,” Hannah promised as they reached Dustin’s house, and got out. “But you have to prove yourself. You have to talk to your mom; I want you to write down everything that’s happened at school. This Ross Vardy kid has given you a hard time since you won that track and field event, and I need to present the evidence to Principal Collier.”

“Principal Collier thinks I’m the rotten apple,” Dustin admitted.

“We need to prove him wrong.” Hannah hugged Dustin. “Go say hi to your mom, and say sorry. You scared her, you know.”

“I know.” Dustin hung his head.

“Hey, man up. Go face your mistakes and apologize.” Knox pulled Dustin into a bear hug. “I’ll come see you tomorrow, we can start that survival training.”

“See you tomorrow.” Dustin waved as he walked up to his house. The front door opened and Sandra stood there.

Hannah waved, and Sandra waved back. “Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.” Hannah watched mother and son embrace. Sandra kissed him on the head, and Dustin didn’t push her away. A good start. “Let’s go home.”

“I’ll take you home, and then go back to Jamie’s, grab my stuff, and come back to your place.” Knox started the engine and backed out of the driveway. “I’ll shower and change. Do you want me to grab anything on the way back?”

“Some food. I still haven’t shopped properly. My kitchen is running on fumes.” Life in Bear Creek had been hectic since she moved, and a change of pace would be welcome.

“Sure.” Knox pulled up outside her house; she leaned across and kissed him. “See you soon.”

“See you soon,” Knox repeated, watching as she climbed out of the truck and walked toward her house. After unlocking the front door, she turned to wave, and he waved back before driving away.

Tumbling into the house, Hannah dropped her pack on the floor, and slid down to a sitting position to take off her boots. Wiggling her toes, she got up and went to the kitchen to make fresh coffee, then she headed for the shower. Washing away the dirt and dust from her hair and skin left her feeling fresh and alert. Her muscles ached, but in a good way.

Going back downstairs, she poured a coffee, and took a large slice of the leftover cake before crashing down on the sofa. Hannah could happily have stayed there for the rest of the day. But half an hour later, a freshly showered Knox arrived. He looked mouthwateringly good. Even better than the chocolate cake.

“Howdy.” Hannah stood in the doorway as he walked in, his backpack over his shoulder.

“I had to tell Jamie and Dani everything that happened.” Knox followed Hannah to the kitchen. “Jamie is going to give Will a call about a job for me.”

“Coffee?” she asked, pouring herself a refill and offering a cup to Knox.

“Yes, please.” He drank his coffee, while Hannah unpacked the few groceries he’d bought. “Do you think Dustin will be OK?”

“Yes, yes, I do. I’ll call Principal Collier tomorrow and schedule a meeting with him.” Hannah put the loaf of bread away.

“I would not like to be that man. You look as if you’re going to chew his head off.”

“Well, maybe if the guy had stopped trying to get in my pants and taken more notice of his students, Dustin would not have ended up in the position he is in now. Ross Vardy has been picking on him throughout this last year, and all the principal has done is blame Dustin.”

“Hey, back up a little. He’s been trying to get in your pants?” Knox’s eyes flashed with anger. “Maybe I should be coming along to this meeting too.”

“What, you think I can’t handle myself?” Hannah asked Knox.

“Oh, I think you can handle yourself just fine. But a bear has to protect what’s his.” Knox drained his coffee cup, and put it down on the counter. The look in his eyes turned her stomach to liquid fire. “And you are mine.”

“Is that right?” Hannah nursed her coffee cup, while Knox prowled across the kitchen toward her. “I have been brought up to be my own woman. No one owns me.”

“Are you sure?” His hands reached for her, but she danced out the way.

“Perfectly sure.”

Knox sighed. “I have never wanted anyone the way I want you right now.”

“I know.” She smiled sweetly. “And maybe I feel the same way. But no man owns me.”

“Let me make love to you and then you can decide.” Knox followed her toward the kitchen door, and she placed her coffee cup down on the counter, before turning to run from him.

“If you can catch me, you can claim me.” Hannah shrieked with laughter as he thundered after her. She was fast, but Knox was faster and he caught hold of her halfway up the stairs. He lifted her effortlessly with one arm around her waist, her feet walking on air as he lifted her off the ground.

Throwing her on the bed, he climbed up beside her, his eyes filled with passion, a passion so deep it scared her. “You are mine, Hannah. And I am yours.”

“Prove it.”