Through sheer willpower—and sheer terror of humiliating himself in front of his mate—he made it inside.
Then, he put the luggage down in the living area with more care than was probably necessary. His bear was laughing at him. He could feel it—a rumbling amusement deep in his chest.
“Thank you,” Doreen said as she entered behind him, carrying a small tote bag she must have retrieved from the car. “That was... impressive.”
“Happy to help,” James replied, trying to sound casual and not like a man who had nearly face-planted on her cabin porch.
Jake bounded over. “Now, can we set up Bash’s stuff? I brought his favorite blanket and his special chew toys and…”
“Let’s get him settled,” James agreed, grateful for the distraction.
As he patiently helped Jake arrange Bash’s bed and toys, James couldn’t help but steal glances at Doreen, who was unpacking kitchen supplies with Sorcha. Each time he looked at her, it felt like discovering her all over again—the expressive movement of her hands, the thoughtful tilt of her head, the way she listened intently.
Beautiful. Kind. Strong. And already slipping under his skin.
This is not exactly the good first impression I was hoping to make,he said ruefully.
But it is an impression,his bear teased.She won’t forget us anytime soon.
That was true enough. And James had to admit, as he watched Doreen laugh at something Sorcha said, that hewouldn’t trade this awkward, fumbling beginning for anything. Because it wastheirbeginning. The first chapter oftheirstory.
“Deputy Pike?” Jake tugged on his sleeve again. “Do you think Bash will like it here?”
James smiled at the boy, seeing something of Doreen in the thoughtful set of his eyes. “I think Bash is going to love it here,” he said. “And so will you.”
And so will your aunt, he added silently, as his bear hummed in complete agreement.We’ll make sure of it.
Chapter Three – Doreen
Sorcha glanced at her watch. “We’d better leave you two to get settled.”
“Three,” Jake piped up, pointing at Bash, who was already circling a spot on the rug.
“Three,” Sorcha corrected with a smile. “Of course.”
Doreen saw them to the door, thanking them for their help. “We’d have been lost without you. Literally.”
“Just doing my job,” James said, shrugging off the compliment. But as he stepped onto the porch, he turned back, catching her gaze. Something sparked between them, and Doreen’s fingers tightened on the doorframe. A smile spread across his face that turned the spark into a flame.
None of this was lost on Sorcha, her eyes darting between them with a knowing grin. She lifted a brow at James, and though he tried to hide it by ducking his head beneath his hat, color flushed his cheeks.
Doreen’s breath caught. Did he always blush this easily… or was she the reason for that faint pink creeping up his neck?
Goodness, was there something in the water in Bear Creek?
But then she hadn’t touched the water, or anything else. Except for Deputy James Pike’s hand. And goodness, that had been enough to short-circuit her brain. Had he cast a spell on her?
“See you later!” Sorcha called out as she crossed the porch.
“Looking forward to it,” Doreen said as she lifted her hand in what she hoped was a casual wave.
“Me too.” James tipped his hat, the old-fashioned gesture making her pulse stutter before he turned to follow Sorcha down the porch steps.
As they walked away, Sorcha nudged James lightly with her elbow, and he turned to her and shook his head.
What did that mean? Was he telling Sorcha that he wasn’t interested? Had she imagined that earlier moment between them? Surely she must have. Men like him didn’t… look at women like her like that.
“Aunt D, this cabin is the best. And Bash likes it too. Can we explore? Or make hot chocolate? Or both?” Jake’s excited voice jerked her back to the room, and she was grateful for it. This was why she was here, to have fun with her nephew, not to drool over the first man who smiled at her.
