He let out a grunt that sounded strangely affirming and began walking down the path.
“Fuck me,” I muttered. “Bear riding is a thing?”
Monty’s barrel chest rumbled with a choppy growl. Was he laughing?
“I didn’t mean that kind of riding. I know thatisa thing. I’m friends with Calvin, remember?”
Another rumbling laugh. His enormous body swayed with his heavy steps, rocking me, but nothing too bad. I could sit quite comfortably.
Look at me. I’m sitting on a giant grizzly.My cheeks hurt from grinning so wide.
The warmth from him radiated through my hiking pants and thin gloves, and I had to resist the temptation to lean forward, lie down on top of him, and soak up the heat. Instead, I held on and enjoyed the scenery. Like this, I saw the forest from a different angle, rows of trees like endless pathways crisscrossing the ground. I ducked under a branch and locked gazes with a confused squirrel who held on to a tree trunk, staring at me from a few feet away.
I’m just as stunned as you are, buddy.
I could get used to this way of traveling, though. The view was excellent from up here, and my butt was cozy and warm.
Monty carried me to the first cabin on the edge of town. There, he shimmied, so I took the hint and slid off his back, my thighs suddenly chilly. I ruffled the fur behind his ear.
“Thanks, man. Best cab ride ever.”
Monty bumped his nose against the side of my face, and before I could react to what felt almost like a kiss on the cheek, he was off.
Damn, he was fast. How could that giant muscle machine run like a cheetah?
Still amazed by my adventure, I crossed the street, and my stomach growled. The sandwich and chocolate bar I’d wanted to eat at the viewpoint remained untouched in my backpack. I considered unwrapping them as I walked, but then I saw a sign on the sidewalk. Waffles and blueberry jam.
Deciding to brave the good folks of Beauville, I headed straight for the diner. When I walked in, even with the bell above the door screaming bloody murder, nobody blinked an eye.
A couple of shifters I remembered vaguely from the pub nodded at me in greeting, but other than that, everyone left me alone.
I ate my waffles and drank my coffee as if I were just anyone.
The experience was bizarre, absolutely fantastic, and a little suspicious.
13
LAUREL
In the afternoon, I found myself on Calvin’s sofa.
The baby was okay when he wasn’t screaming. He flapped his arms, chubby fingers reaching for the rainbow bear plushie I waved above his face. It was like playing with an uncoordinated cat. He never managed to catch it, but it didn’t matter to him. He squealed as if it was the best thing ever.
“He’s not demanding when it comes to the level of entertainment, is he?”
Calvin snickered. “Not at this age, no.”
“Cool.”
A dollop of bubbly drool formed on Ray’s bottom lip as he giggled.
“Eww, little dude. You’re slobbering like a drunk.”
The baby managed to grab the plushie and shoved the head straight into his mouth.
“And I’m done.”
I sat back, wiping my hands on my T-shirt. It seemed I didn’t get any baby drool on me. Phew.
