“If you don’t come back within a reasonable time, we’ll know where to send the search party.”
He glared up at me. “You think the city boy can’t be trusted alone?”
“It’s not personal. This is general advice we give to everyone. It’s best not to go alone at all. From a safety perspective, I mean.”
He said nothing to that, returning to his screen.
“You could take the trail that’s just along the outskirts of town,” I said. “That should be safe enough.”
“Is there anything dangerous around here?” he asked.
“Our number one cause of tourist death is drowning.”
Laurel’s eyebrows flew up. “Come again?”
“People slip while crossing a creek and fall into rapid water. Nasty when it happens.”
He heaved a long, loud sigh. “Anything else I should be aware of?”
“Aside from slippery rocks, ice-cold creeks, crazy weather, and occasional landslides, we’ve got mountain lions, wolves, and bears.”
He turned in his chair and eyed me suspiciously. “Actual bears.”
I chuckled. “Yeah.”
“Who won’t understand what I’m saying and won’t change into a naked guy?”
“Yup. That kind.”
It seemed I got his attention now. “What am I supposed to do when I meet one?”
I refilled his coffee cup. “You know the saying, if it’s black, fight back?”
“If it’s brown, lie down, and if it’s white, you’re fucked,” he deadpanned. “I assume there are no polar bears in Beauville.”
“Ha. No. But the main message holds water. More or less. You can intimidate a black bear, but don’t go close. Lift your arms and yell, jump up and down. It should leave you alone unless you happen to stand too close to someone’s cub.”
“Staying away from the cubs, noted. And if it’s a grizzly?”
“They keep their distance. You rarely meet one around here. You’d have to go higher up and away from the paths the shifters frequent.”
“But if I do meet one, I lie down?”
“Walk away slowly, talking in a calm voice, facing the bear. If it moves toward you, use bear spray. And yeah, if it’s too close, you can lie down, cover your head, and hope for the best. There’s a high chance it’ll leave you alone unless you do something stupid.”
“What do you mean by something stupid?”
“Trying to take a selfie with it.”
Laurel snorted. “No selfies with grizzly bears. Good to know.”
He surveyed the eggs and the second plate with cheese and veggies I’d brought him.
“Enjoy your breakfast,” I said. “Orange juice?”
“No, thanks.” To my surprise, he smiled. “This is good.”
Laurel didn’t seem like an easy person to please. At least he liked the food. I really should leave him alone now.
