Big Bear Mountain - The Complete Series by Bianca James Read Free Book Online

High Mountain
Rescue man. It’s what I do. Come on.”
    He scooped her up in his arms and made his
way to a trail through the forest that would have been invisible to anyone
else. This was Jarrad’s home turf. His country and he knew every inch of it. At
least his bear did.
    “You don’t have to carry me, you know.”
    “You haven’t got shoes. This is no place to
be walking without shoes, especially at night. It’s not like you’re heavy or
anything. I could do this all day long. Now hold on because it’s a bit rough
where we’re going.”
    He started to move faster, his bear
enhanced vision giving him a keen advantage in the dark forest. As he did so,
Elle squeezed her arms tightly around his shoulders, enjoying the way the thick
layer of muscle across his back rippled and flexed as he maneuvered her between
trees and fallen logs.
    The inky blackness of the forest floor made
Elle feel like she was on some kind of scary and bizarre theme park ride. She
couldn’t see a thing. The tall trees filtered out nearly all of the moonlight.
    “How can you even see?” she asked with a
blend of curiosity and raw fear.
    “I’ve got good night vision. Army
training,” he replied, proud at his quick thinking. “There’s nothing to be
afraid of. Remember, if we can’t see them, they can’t see us.”
    “I’m worried less about them than I
am about bears and mountain lions or whatever else attacks humans in these
parts. I’ve watched ‘I Shouldn’t Be Alive’, you know,” she said gravely.
    “Yeah they don’t call this Big Bear
Mountain for nothing,” he teased.
    Elle clutched him even more tightly, her
breathing becoming shallow and more rapid. Jarrad’s bear smelled the fear
brewing in her.
    “Don’t worry, there are no bears, mountain
lions or cougars where we’re going.” With that assurance, Elle’s terrified grip
relaxed ever so slightly and her breathing began to slow.
    “Now bobcats, they’re another thing
altogether. You don’t want to run into a vicious night hunter like the bobcat. Oh
man, even the big grizzlies run from them …”

Chapter 20
     
    “Where are we?” Elle asked as Jarrad
stopped near a small stream. She could hear the clean meltwater trickling
between the rocks.
    “A rescue cabin. They’re all over the
mountain so climbers and hikers can find shelter if they get lost or caught in
bad weather. We keep them stocked with blankets, canned food, fresh water and
firewood all year round,” he said with pride.
    “Did you say firewood and blankets?” Her
voice wavered as she shivered from the cold. The temperature had dropped to
near zero during their hike to the cabin.
    “Sorry. Let’s get you warm.” He carried her
to the door of the cabin and used his boot to release the latch before nudging
it open with his shoulder.
    “Is this what it’s like to be carried over
the threshold?” Elle’s attempt at humor was met with a puzzled expression.
“Never mind. Just light the fire, will you? I’m freezing.”
    “How come you’re not cold,” she added as an
afterthought. “You’ve only wearing a tee. At least I’ve got a sweatshirt and
hoodie.”
    “Army training. We’re trained to ignore
pain. And cold, apparently.”
    “Like Rambo?” she asked with a cheeky grin.
    “Who?”
    Elle rolled her eyes. Maybe it was a
mountain man thing. Or a city girl thing. Either way, he wasn’t getting it. “Forget
it,” she said as they entered the cabin and he made his way to the lamp and
matches set out on a table near the door.
     
    T he welcome crackle of the wood as the flames
took hold and the delightful smell of wood smoke reminded her of camping trips
with her dad, when she was a little girl. Her mom never went, of course. Too
many bugs for one thing and she was a ‘mint on the hotel pillow’ kind of
traveler, for another. Her dad, though, always thought camping was a character
building and bonding opportunity. Elle didn’t think so. The burning kindling brought
back