“Really,” Kirk confirmed. “You’ve picked it up faster than most people do.”
“Did you hear that, Mom?” Percy asked.
“I did,” Isla said.
Kirk nodded. “I think we’ve gathered enough to make something pretty special tonight.”“Let’s go!” Percy jumped to his feet, all puffed up with pride.
This wasn’t what she’d expected to find in Bear Creek. She’d come for work, for reviews, for content. Not for... this.
Not for the quiet contentment that filled her as they gathered their baskets and began the journey back. Not for the way her heart lightened when Percy slipped his small hand into Kirk’s without hesitation, trusting him to guide them safely home. Not for the dangerous, wonderful thought that flickered through her mind as she watched them walking ahead of her on the trail:
What if this could be their life?
The thought should have frightened her. They’d known Kirk for a day. They were only staying in Bear Creek for two weeks. Her life—their life—was back in the city, with her career, Percy’s school, and the carefully ordered world she’d built for them.
But when Kirk turned to make sure she was still with them, his smile warm and easy, Isla found herself wanting something she hadn’t allowed in years: the chance to choose uncertainty over safety.
Chapter Ten – Kirk
Home.Kirk’s bear sighed happily as his cabin came into view.
Home.Kirk smiled as he watched Percy show Isla one of the berries he’d picked before popping it in his mouth.With them here, it feels more like home than ever before.
They belong here,his bear insisted.Look how natural they seem, even after just one day.
It’s too soon for thinking like that,Kirk reminded his bear, though he couldn’t help the hope rising in him.
It’s never too soon when it’s right,his bear countered stubbornly.
As they reached the door, Percy held up his basket triumphantly. “Time for a feast!”
“I think you’ve already had one,” Kirk said, unable to keep from smiling at the boy’s berry-stained face. He stepped around Percy and opened the front door. “In you go.”
“Thank you,” Isla murmured as she passed him, close enough that he caught the clean scent of forest air in her hair.
Smell that?his bear sighed dreamily.That’s what happiness smells like.
You’re getting poetic in your old age,Kirk teased.
Old?!his bear huffed indignantly.We’re in our prime! Strong enough to protect our mate and her cub, wise enough to appreciate them.
Kirk couldn’t argue with that logic as he followed them into the kitchen. The room felt different with them in it—warmer somehow, less empty. Percy carefully set his basket on the kitchen table while Isla placed hers beside it and looked around.
She’s assessing your kitchen,his bear observed.Professional habit, probably.
Kirk moved toward the counter, sweeping it clear of his morning coffee mug and a few scattered papers. “Let’s see what treasures we’ve got,” he said, beginning to unload the baskets.
He spread their foraged bounty across the clean wooden surface: wild thyme still fragrant from the forest, sprigs of mint with their sharp, clean scent, handfuls of purple berries, golden chanterelles with their delicate gills, and the carefully harvested nettles.
“Wow,” Percy breathed, standing on tiptoe to see everything. “We found all that!”
“We sure did,” Kirk confirmed, feeling a surge of pride at the boy’s excitement. “Now we get to turn it into something delicious.”
“Can I help?” Percy asked with enthusiasm.
Kirk glanced at Isla, silently seeking her permission. When she nodded, he smiled at Percy. “Absolutely. Every chef needs a good assistant.”
Look at us, playing happy families,his bear said smugly.We’re naturals.
