The forest moved around her. Trees rustled in the breeze only they could feel way up in their top branches. Small animals rummaged amongst the leaves, busy in their search for food on the ground. While above her head, birds sang their hearts out, sharing her love of Bear Creek.
Some way off something bigger moved, and she stopped. Bears were common around here, hence the name of the town. However, bear attacks were so rare that there was no great fear of them. Still, she had to be careful. If she didn't bother a bear, a bear wouldn't bother her. Although, deep down she longed to see one in the flesh. The ultimate thrill, to be close to a beast that could kill you, and yet meant you no harm.
Whatever the animal was, it had moved off. Slightly disappointed, she looked for the path, and began to weave through the trees. The trail was more of an animal track than a footpath. It went around too close to some of the low trees, and she had to skirt around them. Not much further and she would catch her first glimpse of the waterfall. Silvery mountain water spilling from high rocks into a deep clear pool. She loved these little teasers of what was a spectacular sight.
She heard the sound first; then she moved around a clump of low bushes, and there it was. Her pace quickened. She moved away from the waterfall, before finally doubling back on herself. Eventually, the trail opened up onto a rocky ledge. There below her was the cool, clear pool. Only it wasn't empty.
"Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. There's no one here usually at this time of day."
He stood looking at her, equally shocked, waist deep in water. She took in his hard, toned chest and then a disturbing thought shot through her mind. Was the bottom half of him as naked as the top?
She was reminded of a book she had once read about the ancient Greeks, and Adonis. She was sure that was his name. It had conjured up the image of a perfect man. And that was what was before her now. A perfect man. Until this moment, she had never thought she would use that phrase to describe any man. Let alone Daryl Cartwright.
"I know. That's why I came here."
She wasn't sure how to take that. Was he cross with her? She had every right to be here. It wasn't as if he owned the mountain. At the same time, she didn't want a confrontation with him. "I don't want to disturb your swim. I'll keep going." She took a step away.
"No. Please stay."
"I don't think it's ... appropriate."
He laughed, a sound she found enchanting. A low deep voice filled with warmth. "I'll get dressed. Would that be appropriate?"
She hesitated, but probably not for the reasons he thought. It was simply that he had taken her by surprise. "If you want."
He frowned. "If you want I can get dressed and leave. I've finished cooling off."
"No. I don't want to chase you away."
"You haven't. Wait there, I'll be two minutes." He turned and dived into the water, his strong arms powering through the deep pool to the furthest side. There he pulled himself out.
Oh, he was naked. She should turn away, but her eyes were fixed on his butt, which was as toned as the rest of his body. If he turned around to face her, she would close her eyes. She really would. But he didn't. Why did she feel so disappointed?
He disappeared into the trees, and she had to remind herself to breathe. Her face was flushed. Her heart rate was nearly as high as it had been when she was climbing up the trail. He had largely ignored her for the whole time she had lived in Bear Creek. So why did Daryl have such an effect on her? Why did she feel so excited by him?
Chapter Five - Daryl
His hands shook so much he couldn't do up the buttons of his shirt. What were the chances they'd end up here together? Fated mates: he had to start putting his faith in his destiny. Perhaps it was true, and there was no escaping it. Although Will had given it a good try. He brushed the thought of Will away. He didn't want to end up in a jealous rage again.
Finally getting his shirt buttoned up, he looked down and cursed. He had missed a button and done it up wrong. Taking a deep breath, he undid them and concentrated on getting it right. He didn't want to go to meet her and have her think he was a complete idiot.
Maybe she already did. His actions at the diner had been odd; even he could see that. What if she'd already gone? He dragged his boots on, and took off around the edge of the pond. He had to duck under the low branches. Twigs dragged at his shirt while he tried to tuck it into his jeans. This path was so much easier when he was a bear.
Spilling out into the clearing, he stopped dead, looking around. She had gone. Why had he taken so long? Then he saw her, sitting on a lower part of the rocky ledge, shoes off, dangling her feet in the water. Giving himself one last check-over, he walked up to her, trying to act casual.
He was determined not to frighten her off. He would have to watch what he said to her. Make sure he didn't blurt out how he really felt, and what she truly meant to him. If a person who's only ever said a handful of words to you suddenly tells you they are supposed to spend the rest of their life with you? That might freak normal people out.
"Hi," he said, raising his hand in a feeble wave.
She turned to him and smiled, and his tongue grew in his mouth so that he couldn't speak. Another deep breath, and he let it out slowly, trying to gauge if it was safe for him to speak. Knowing his luck, he'd drool or something instead.
"Hello. Aren't you cold? The water is freezing," she said.
He couldn't say, “No, I'm a hot blooded bear,” not even in a joking way. He wasn't that smooth. "I don't feel the cold too much. Guess it comes from living in the shadow of the mountains."
"They are beautiful. I love it here. Have you lived in Bear Creek all your life?"
"Yes. My ancestors were one of the founding families of Bear Creek. None of us have ever felt the need to leave."
"I can see why." She looked at the waterfall. "This is my favourite place. Right here watching the water. I love to listen to it splashing into the pool, before it tumbles down the mountain."
"It's one of my favourite places too. Although the next fall is more dramatic."
"There's another fall?" She looked at him, actually interested in something he had to say.
"Yes. It's a bit of a climb. But well worth it. The pool isn't as big as this. But the height of the fall is a lot higher."
"I've never gone too much further up. I never liked to on my own."
This is where he should offer to show her. Come on. You can do it. "It's quite safe. The trail is uneven and steep for a hundred metres, and then it levels off and zig zags." Say it. "I ... I could show you. If you want."
"I'd like that."
He sat down by her. "When you're free, give me a shout. I'll pack a picnic."
"A picnic? I haven't ever had a picnic. I like the sound of that."
"You've never had a picnic?" His voice did sound shocked.
"Well. Not a proper one. I've bought a packed lunch up here. But I don't know if it counts."
"Then I should introduce you to a Bear Creek picnic. In the summer, when we were kids, we used to haul so much food up onto the plateau just above the falls. It's where the spring is, the one that feeds the mountain stream. Where all this water comes from. We'd play hide and seek in the trees. It was the best time."
"I can imagine."
"So your parents never took you on a picnic? To the park or the beach?"
"Not that I remember. I was only six when my mom passed. Then my sister and I went from one foster home to another. No picnics then. In every sense of the word."
"I'm sorry. That must have been rough."
"It was. My only constant was my sister. We were very close."
"I'm sorry. Has she passed too?"
"Oh, no. She is busy climbing the corporate ladder. Made a different kind of family."
"And you? You didn't want to spend your life working in an office?"
"No way. Even the diner is too crowded for me. I think that's why I like it here so much. I'm just glad it doesn't look as if I'll have to leave after all."
"Oh. Johnny keeping you on?" He tried not to sound too relieved.
"No. Will offered me a job at his hangout. At least I think that's what they call the place."
"Yes," he said trying to keep his voice even. "That's what they call the place."
So that's what Will was up to. He knew exactly where he was going once he had made sure Kayleigh was safely home. Will would answer for this.
Chapter Six - Kayleigh
They stayed for a while longer, until her feet felt like lumps of ice. The cold mountain water had made them numb and tingly. Being next to Daryl had distracted her and she didn't notice until they were red and cold. She slid herself back from the water. Lifting her feet up, she put them on the ledge, so she could rub them dry with her socks. It wasn’t the most ideal thing, but it was better than nothing.
“Wow. I can hardly feel my toes.” She tried to wriggle them, but they didn’t want to respond. Slightly disturbing.
“Here, let me.” He undid his top buttons, and then pulled his shirt off over his head. He balled it up, and then used it to rub her feet dry.
Holding one foot in his left hand, he used his shirt to dry all the water from it. His touch warmed her skin instantly. By the time he’d finished, her foot wasn’t the only thing that was hot. She had a deep ache at the pit of her stomach, and the thing it craved was him.
His touch burned deep inside her. She wanted to pull her foot away; the feelings he stirred in her were too confusing. But she left it where it was, and endured the wonderful feelings he evoked. In fact, she could lie back right here, and let him touch her skin. And not just the skin of her feet. He was welcome to inflame every nerve ending in her body.
“Are you alright?” His words made her jolt out of her daydream.
“Yes. Thank you.” Her face flushed red; she was never good at hiding her emotions. “I guess I’m tired. I had the early shift at the diner.”
“I’ll walk you home if you want?”
“It’s OK. I’ve done this trek so many times I’ll be fine on my own.” Well, that sounded like a brush-off. So she tried again. “Unless you don’t mind. I don’t usually have company up here.”
“I don’t mind at all,” he smiled, and for the first time she noticed he had dimples. He really should smile more often; it was a beautiful sight. If you could describe a six-foot-plus male as beautiful. But there was something about him; he didn’t seem to be a muscle-bound lout after all.
“I’m not always good at saying what I mean. I spent so many years never really getting to know anyone. One minute we thought we were settled, and the next minute it was time to move on. I haven't changed much since then. I’ve kept moving, not allowing myself to get to know people. In case they’re disappointed in me.” She sat still, her mouth open, shocked at her own words. “Sorry. That was too much information. I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. I think it’s finally sunk in how much I want to stay here. And that’s a first for me.”
“I’m glad you like it here, Kayleigh.”
He knew her name.
"Of course he does, you fool. He might not have ever really spoken to you. But he’s seen your name badge enough times in the diner," she said to herself. This mountain air seemed to have turned her into an idiot.
“Right. Thank you for, er ... drying my feet.” That sounded weird. This day was going to go down as one of the more memorable that she had experienced in years. A job offer and a man drying her feet. Bear Creek and its inhabitants sure were different. Different in a good way, or at least so she hoped. What if he was some weirdo, after all? A weirdo with a foot fetish.
Kayleigh quickly put her socks and hiking boots back on, managing to put her full concentration into doing up her laces. It was the only way to stop herself looking at the huge amount of bare chest in front of her. If he was a weirdo, he had to be the best-looking one ever.
But those muscles also made him dangerous. He was so strong, if he wanted to overpower her, she wouldn’t stand a chance. He could pin her down and have his wicked way with her. She switched off her brain for a second.
That was her problem. With no real experience of getting to know people on a long-term basis, she had never learned how people behave. How to tell if they were honest. Most of her foster parents had been nice. However, the two sisters were never in one place long past the new, honeymoon period. She never built up trust with anyone other than her sister. People confused her.
“No problem,” he was saying. “You know, when you’re out hiking you have to look after your feet. No hoof, no horse, as they say ... not that I’m calling you a horse.”
She smiled. Her worries were swept away by the way he appeared to be blushing under his tanned skin. Perhaps he was as people-shy as she was. It would explain an awful lot about his behaviour towards her at the diner. She always tripped over her own words, worried in case she said the wrong thing. As a kid, she had depended on Antonia so much in that way. Antonia, being the eldest, had always spoken up for them both.
“Shall we go? I’m getting hungry. All that talk of picnics has made me think I should have packed some food. I only bought water.”
He stood up, his body moving in one fluid, sinewy movement. It made her visualise him naked. The way he had swam through the water, so effortless, his athleticism disguised by those big, strong muscles. Reaching down, he held out his hand for her.
This time she didn’t hesitate. She placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her up. For once in her life she felt as light as a feather, he was so strong. But it caused her to overbalance and stumble into him. Unintentionally, of course. He caught her, his big, strong capable hands grasping hold of her upper arms. His thumbs brushing the sides of her breasts as she tipped forward.
She gasped at the contact. It was more intimate than she had ever been with a man. As ridiculous as that sounded, she had never been on a date. Maybe it was because she had never been in one place long enough. Or maybe it was because she was scared. Scared of ending up like her mom. What was the point in dating a man if you never intended to have kids?
“Sorry,” he said, his voice hoarse, his warm breath on her neck. He gently righted her.
“You have nothing to apologise for. It’s me who’s clumsy. Always have been.” She turned away from him so he couldn’t see the heat that inflamed her cheeks once more.
“Come on. Which way did you come up?” he asked, his voice normal now, the awkwardness past.
“Across the lower slope, and then through the edge of the forest.”
He looked up at the sun, which would pass over the mountains soon, leaving this part of the valley in shade. “If we hurry, we’ll catch the deer grazing in the last rays of sun.” He took a step forward, and then looked for her response. “If you’d like to see them, that is. Or did you want to get home soon?”
She grinned at him. “No, that would be really kind of you. I’ve been up here exploring on my own. But I think you have to have lived somewhere for a long time to get to know all the special places.”
“There are lots of special places I'd like to share with you, Kayleigh.” He smiled; those dimples again. But instead of questioning his motives, for some ridiculous reason she believed him.
“I’d like that, Daryl.”
His smile widened, and they set off across the lower edge of the pond. Daryl leapt over the mountain stream as it dashed down the steep slope and into the trees. The water had washed the soil away around the bottom of the trees, exposing their roots. They still clung on tightly to their upright position. So old, so fixed in place. She only wished that when she was old, she would be able to say she had firmly put roots down in one place.
Holding his hand out, he helped her jump the river. She squealed in delight as the bubbling water splashed over the rocks below her. When she reached the other side, she didn’t want to let go of his hand. The feeling seemed mutual. For a few moments, they walked together, like two lovers holding hands. Then he released her and disappeared in
to the undergrowth.
Worried he had abandoned her, she stopped. Looking for where he had gone. When he reappeared with some blackberries, she smiled.
“Wow. How did you know where to find those?”
“You get used to all the best spots for wild food. Depending on the season. Soon there will be wild hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts.”
“You’re a proper country boy, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I could never imagine living anywhere else. This place is my home, and I don’t just mean Bear Creek. It’s the mountain, the forest, the air.”
She laughed and ate the blackberries. Which, although not as plump and juicy as the ones in shops, were full of flavour, and sweet. Just like Daryl Cartwright.
This day had most definitely opened her eyes to a wider world around her.
Chapter Seven - Daryl
An unexpected turn of events. To meet her here, to actually talk to her. Like a real person. Ever since he first met her and realised what she was to him, he had longed for this day. He hadn’t realised what a heavy weight had been dragging him down. To have the person you are destined to spend the rest of your life within easy reach, and be too afraid to take that first step. Did that make him a coward?
For a fierce bear he had always been a little on the timid side. When he was human, anyway. As a bear he was ferocious, would fight until the bitter end for the right cause. Yet stick a human brain back in him and he was a meek little sheep.
He smiled to himself. A little sheep. That would have to change if he was going to see off his competition, Will. He certainly didn’t want to fight Will. They were not exactly friends, but they still watched each other’s backs. Will had demons of his own, mostly centered around his own mate. He would hate Will to release some of his frustration by causing trouble for him and Kayleigh.
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