Her Wild Bear by Heather West Read Free Book Online

hear Matt and the other man talking excitedly outside.
     
    “Who the hell is she?” Bradly spat angrily as he got within earshot.
     
    “What are you doing here?” Matt growled. He clutched a knife tight in one hand. “I told you I needed some time to sort things out.”
     
    “And that girl is going to help you do that?” Bradly snapped. “Matt, the entire clan is concerned that you’re not back yet. They’re afraid you’re going to do something stupid.”
     
    “But that’s your job, isn’t it?” Matt huffed. “Tell everybody I’m fine. Nothing bad is going to happen. I’m just taking a break until I figure out how to deal with things, that’s all.”
     
    Bradly scowled. “You’d better not be planning on attacking The Path. You’ll get us all killed.” His eyes glanced to the cabin and back to Matt. “And who is that girl? I’m guessing she’s not one of us.”
     
    Matt grimaced and looked down. “No, she’s human. But she’s okay, really.”
     
    “Really?” Bradly scoffed. “And she’s okay with the fact that you’re part bear?”
     
    “Sort of,” Matt sighed. “I mean, maybe if she knew I was.”
     
    “Well thank God she doesn’t know,” Bradly grumbled. “We need to keep it that way, Matt. Damn it, do you have any idea how much danger you’re putting your clan into just having a human around? What happens when she finds out and tells her family, her friends, or the god-damned newspapers? Have you thought about that?”
     
    “She won’t find out,” Matt muttered. He glared back at Bradly.
     
    “Take her back where you found her and get your ass home, understand?” Bradly demanded. “And please don’t go doing something foolish with her before you do!”
     
    Matt squirmed and looked away.
     
    Bradly rolled his eyes and groaned. “You idiot,” he snapped. “You’re going to get us all killed. I want to see you back at the main camp by tomorrow night, do you understand? Otherwise I’ll be back with others and we’ll take the girl back into town ourselves. She doesn’t necessarily have to survive the trip, either.”
     
    With a ferocious grunt Bradly turned and stomped back along the trail, disappearing into the forests.
     
    As Bradly slipped from sight Tawny stepped back out onto the porch. Matt glanced over to see her wearing a loose-fitting shirt and pants. He studied her face longingly, and gave a deep sigh.
     
    “What was that about?” Tawny asked as she leaned against the railing. She threw a few more berries in her mouth.
     
    “He was upset because that bear you saw the other night is still roaming the area,” Matt said. “He seems to think it’s dangerous. Maybe we’d better wait a few days longer before we try to get you into town. It’s a long hike from here.”
     
    Tawny looked down to hide her smile. “Just as well,” she mumbled. “My ankle still hurts. I doubt I’m going to be able to walk that far anyway.” She looked over at the stack of chopped logs. “Do you chop those yourself?”
     
    Matt chuckled and nodded. “I tried to get the butler to do it, but he said it wasn’t in his job description.”
     
    “Can I watch you do it?”
     
    Matt gave her a puzzled gaze. “You want to watch me chop wood?”
     
    Tawny shrugged and nodded. “Yeah. Is that okay?”
     
    “Any other chores you want to see me do?”
     
    Tawny grinned slyly. “What do you mean by ‘chores’ exactly?”
     
    Matt was a bit self-conscious as he peeled his shirt off and chopped several thick logs into halves – all while Tawny watched eagerly, her face intense. After a few skillful whacks, the axe slicing through with one swing, Matt stopped and took an awkward bow.
     
    “Not bad,” Tawny grinned, raising one eyebrow. “Nice moves.”
     
    She hurried from the porch and gathered up the chopped wood for him. Matt studied her body as she plucked the pieces up and set them on the woodpile. Her movements were smooth and confident, and he was