Then I remember something I learned in my extensive stalking of my gorgeous mate: Allen is the name of her father.He’s a drug addict like her mom was.So, it makes sense she’d need to set boundaries with him.I make a mental note to find out what the asshole is doing to her right now that requires a better boundary.
Then I finish reading the last two items on her list:
Stand up for yourself!!!You can do it!
Go on a date
The second-to-last one on the list is underlined multiple times and makes me smile.My little human is being brave.
But it’s the last one that gets me.I can’t imagine her asking someone out on a date–my bear won’t allow me to even entertain the thought.
Maybe I can be her fairy godbear and make all her dreams come true.
No.No, I can’t.It would push my control too far.Even with the Moon Cure.My lust for Maisy is still there, it’s just muted.And when the dose wears off, my bear will be all the more wild.
I make a decision and pull out my phone.I can’t call Maisy–she left her phone here, but she lives with her grandmother, Daisy, who has been calling me nonstop since lunch.
“Dr.Matthias!”Daisy answers on the first ring.“I'm so glad you called me.”
“Daisy, I need–” I try to take control of the conversation before she launches into planning the Bad Bear Winterfest.
“You need to see Maisy,” she interrupts in a rush.
“What?”Daisy is the mayor of our small town, and every conversation I’d had with her in the past few years has been about either her health or some Bad Bear municipal crisis.
“She's been in so much pain.I’ve told her to go to the clinic, but she won’t, and I think you need to do a house call–”
“I'm actually calling about Maisy.Is she with you?”
Daisy sucks in a breath.“Did she call you?Did you examine her?Do you–”
“That’s confidential,” I shut her down firmly.“Even if it wasn’t a HIPAA violation, I’d never share a patient’s medical information with anyone but them.”
“But I’m her grandmother!”
“Daisy,” I say in my doctor-dom voice.“Maisy is a grown woman.She can make her own choices about her medical care.”
Daisy sighs into the phone.“You're right.”She sounds calmer.“I've just been so worried.”
“Actually, I'm calling because I have Maisy's bag.She left it behind.”
“At the clinic?”Daisy sounds hopeful.“Never mind, you can’t tell me.She's here at the house.Got back a bit ago.You can drop it off.”
“Will do.”I say goodbye and hang up before Daisy starts rattling off Maisy’s symptoms one by one.I’ve noticed that Daisy likes to be in charge and in everyone’s business.It works for her as Mayor–she loves staying on top of all the town’s gossip and genuinely wants to make Bad Bear a better place.
But it’s not okay for her to run Maisy’s life as well.I get the feeling that Maisy’s lived in her namesake’s shadow for too long.
But I’m no better, am I?It’s bad enough that I read Maisy’s journal.If my bear had his way, I’d take over her whole life.
And make it better,my bear whispers.It’s a tempting thought.
But I can’t.I slammed that door shut the moment I realized Maisy was my mate.When she was still ateenager,and I was a full-grown bear with some very dark desires.
Which is why I’m not suitable for Maisy.
I pick up Maisy’s journal again and re-read the New Year's resolutions list.
Something about it makes my chest squeeze.She’s so innocent.So pure.
