A doe stepped from between the trees, delicate and cautious, breath steaming in the cold air. She paused, ears flicking, then took two slow, fearless steps forward.
“Oh, my.” Doreen leaned forward just a little, her mittened hands tightening around the cup. The wonder on her face was so pure, so open, that James wanted to capture it forever.
They watched in silence before the doe eventually disappeared back into the trees, leaving the clearing untouched and somehow changed.
Jake exhaled loudly. “That wasamazing!Do you think she’ll come back? Do deer come back? Can we come tomorrow and see?”
“Maybe,” James said, watching Doreen’s expression instead of the trees. “We can try. But deer don’t follow a strict routine. And they are shy and secretive. Which is what makes moments like this so special.”
Our mate makes all moments special,his bear said.
Jake and Bash drifted away to explore, and James watched them with a nostalgic smile. He’d spent most of his youth outside, exploring the forests and mountains. They’d always been like a second home. It was where he’d learned to respect the world around him and to always think about safety first.
His father had taught him from an early age that it was fine to explore, but that there was no one there to save you miles away from home if you did something reckless that wound up with you getting hurt.
That’s why he always encouraged young explorers to carry a small kit. One that might one day save their life.
He reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, fingers brushing the small metal tin he’d brought.
Now was the right moment.
“Do you mind if I give this to Jake?” he half-turned to ask Doreen. “It’s a safety kit. I hand them out at the youth safety challenge I run.”
“Safety’s… kind of my thing,” he said, and winced internally at how stiff he sounded. He cleared his throat and tried again, softer. “I just want him to feel confident out here.”
“Me too. And learning to keep yourself safe is so important,” Doreen replied as she looked around. “Especially for people who haven’t been raised in these environments.” She nodded toward Jake. “Go ahead, he’ll love it and treasure it forever.”
Just as we will treasure our mate forever,his bear replied.
“Hey, partner,” James called softly.
Jake jogged over, cheeks flushed with cold and excitement. “Yeah?”
James crouched so their faces lined up, bringing them eye to eye. “I’ve got something for you.”
Jake’s breath hitched as James popped open the tin to reveal a tiny LED light, a folded emergency blanket, and a waterproof matchbook.
“A… deputy kit?” he whispered, voice full of awe.
“Basics you might need if you ever get turned around in the woods,” James said. “Light. Warmth. And these…” he tapped the matches “…only with an adult, or if you absolutely have to. Understand?”
Jake nodded once, earnest and solemn in a way that made him look older for a heartbeat. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
“There’s a whistle you can blow if ever you get lost.” James tucked the tin carefully into the boy’s coat pocket. “And it stays right here. Always.”
Jake pressed his hand over it, holding it there like something sacred. “Deputy Jake…” he said, voice wobbling with pride before he straightened his shoulders, “…ready.”
Bash barked approval, tail sweeping snow in wild arcs.
“Maybe one morning we can take time out of our dog training sessions for me to teach you the basics,” James said as he straightened up.
“Hear that, Aunt D, Deputy Pike is going to teach me all about safety,” Jake called out.
“Maybe I could be part of the lesson too,” Doreen replied. “These mountains are new to me, too.”
“Of course,” James replied, keeping his tone casual.
Yes,his bear rejoiced.Doreen needs to know all about the mountains since they are her new home.
