A large dark-haired man exited the steamy kitchen, a white apron tied around his thick waist.
The elderly woman jerked her thumb at Fiona. “She says they have fresh vegetables for sale.”
“We do,” Fiona said, forcing her lips to a smile. What was wrong with these people? “If you come straightaway, you’ll get first dibs. We’re about to open for business.”
The man gave a sharp jerk of his stubble-covered chin. “I’ll come over.”
They collected their coffee and donuts and ambled back to the shop. Fiona propped the door open while Kirk took out the blackboard sign.
The man from the café appeared first, a wary expression on his face until he saw the vegetables. His smile grew on seeing the apples. “Can you help me carry the produce back to the café?”
“Of course we can,” Fiona said. “What would you like?”
After their initial sale to the café, business picked up, and Fiona served harried mothers, elderly grandmothers and a child who wanted a shiny red apple. She slipped him the apple and promised herself she’d pay for it later.
By the time Leif arrived, they were down to their last leek, five apples and a dozen potatoes.
Leif stared at the empty boxes. “You sold out quicker than I expected.”
“Fiona’s doing,” Stig said. “She made our first sale to Gypsy’s and the locals poured in after that.”
Leif wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a swift hug. “Thank you. We were taking a risk bringing in the produce, but now we’ve recouped our money and the locals will at least consider using us to haul their freight.”
“I never realized you were having a tough time with the locals.”
“They find it hard to trust us because we’re different,” Stig said.
“Your existence isn’t a secret though.”
“No, one of our elders developed a drinking problem. He shifted and ran about the town making an ass of himself. He ended up in polar bear jail, outing us when Ma had to retrieve his butt from lockup. That was about five years ago, but the local humans still worry about their safety when we’re around,” Leif explained.
“I can understand their fear if you prowled the town and attacked them, but has anyone else ended up in jail?” Fiona asked.
Leif shook his head. “Ma keeps the pack under control.”
“I guess it will take time,” Fiona said. “Everyone seemed excited to get fresh produce. They’ll warm to you eventually.”
“I hope so,” Kirk said. “We like it here in Churchill. The weather suits us, and we’re handy to the ice.”
A tall dark-haired man wandered into the store. He scanned their faces, then the remaining fruit and vegetables. “I’ll take what you have left,” he said and pulled out a leather wallet. “How much?”
Fiona told him and gave him change for a twenty. “Thank you.”
He nodded and ambled out of the store without a backward glance.
“Who was that?” Leif asked.
Kirk shrugged. “No idea. I haven’t seen him before. Maybe he’s one of the new researchers with the Polar Bear study.”
Fiona rubbed her hands together. “Where are you taking me sightseeing? I want to see a real polar bear.”
Leif growled, and she laughed. These men were big, bad polar bear shifters, but she held no fear of them while Robert had hassled and scared her enough for her to leave town. Even more, the brothers were fun to spend time with and so handsome, it was difficult to choose a target Swenson to scrutinize. A pity that her adventure would end and she’d have to face reality and Robert soon.
