by Maia Starr
“What?” she asked. “How?”
“I pulled some strings,” he answered. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Do you work in insurance?” she asked.
“No,” he said, with a smile. “But everything is sorted now. Now, what else do you need?”
Jenna Mae felt like she was in heaven. She couldn’t believe the things he was doing for her. For the first time in two years, she felt like there was a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she was meant to meet him.
Chapter Five
The next few days passed quickly. Every time Jenna Mae hit a snag, Jean-Paul seemed to be able to pull some string and get things fixed for her. James had clearly tried to mess up her progress, but Jean-Paul simply took the phone and walked outside. He helped her open new accounts and take her name off the old one. She changed her phone number to the number assigned to Jean-Paul’s phone and closed down all her social media accounts. When she closed the last one, she finally felt like she was safe.
“Do you think I should call the police?” she asked him, on the fourth day, when all the emergencies had been dealt with.
“Do you want to?” he asked her. One thing she noticed about him was the fact that whenever she spoke, he listened. She didn’t have to call his name a number of times to get his attention, and he didn’t tune out after a sentence or two. She felt like she always had his full attention, and it made her feel like a princess. Every time she spoke to James, it was a battle to get him to pay attention to her, and if she was ever talking about something that didn’t immediately concern him, he simply walked away, or worse.
“I…” she looked down at Cameron. “I want what is best for my son. I just want his father out of my life.”
“Look,” Jean-Paul sat down across from her. “I will help you do whatever you want. But I promise you that you are safe here.”
She met his eyes.
“Why are you so kind to me?” she asked. “You don’t know me. And I’ve interrupted your vacation.”
“You deserve nothing but kindness after what you have been through,” he said. “And it’s no disruption to me, I promise you.”
“I will find a way to pay you back,” she said as she finished feeding Cameron. He gurgled, and she smiled, bringing him up to burp him. “Perhaps I can take you to lunch?”
“When?” he asked, having no intention of letting her pay for anything.
“Well, what is your plan for this afternoon?” she asked. “You said that town was…”
“It’s too far to walk,” he answered. “And I don’t normally bring my car out here, but we could call a cab.”
“Is that how you got here?” she asked. “You took a cab?”
“I, uh…sure,” he replied, not willing to admit to her the truth. That distance in bear form was not difficult at all, but it was impossible in human form. “I have no plans this afternoon, and you have not seen the town yet.”
“Is it...” she paused. “No one will notice me there?”
“It’s a small town,” he said. “And people may notice that you are a new face, but they are very kind and accepting.”
“...And it will not ruin your reputation?” she asked, and he grinned.
“What reputation?” he asked.
“Well, last week you were alone, and now there’s a woman and baby with you.”
He smiled.
“I think I’ll survive.”
“Sorry, I’m not old fashioned or anything,” she said. “It’s just that...James was always worried about his reputation.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about any of those things with me,” he assured her.
“Good,” she said with a smile. “Because...I feel like, going forward, I don’t want to worry about the way anyone thinks.”
“I wish that the world was that way,” he said. “But unfortunately, we live in a world where our every word is scrutinized and our every action is judged.”
“But why does it have to be that way?” she asked. “I mean, why can’t people just be happy for each other and just...not be so terrible to each other? James was always so rude to shop assistants or waitresses and… I guess I never knew how to speak up.”
“It takes a lot of courage to speak up in situations where you think you’re in danger,” he said quietly. “And then sometimes, you wait until it’s too late.”
She paused, sensing something in his tone.
“Did you go through something like that?” she asked.
He traced a pattern on the table, trying to choose his words carefully.
“I was,” he said. “My brother passed away, and he might not have if I’d spoken up sooner. But I was worried about what his...incompacitation would mean for me.”
“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.
“I…” Jean-Paul bit his lip for a moment. “My brother was sick for a long time, in his mind. I could see the signs before anyone else, but I was afraid speaking up would put me in a position that I couldn’t handle.”
“And now?” she prompted, gently.
“And now, here I am,” he said. “And despite the fact that I didn’t know what I was doing when I got here...I have figured it out, at times.”
“Did your brother own the company beforehand or something?” she asked.
“Something like that,” he said. “And I inherited it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that he passed away,” she said. “That must have been difficult for you.”
“It was a few years ago,” he said. “I’m sorry that I’ve brought the mood down. Shall I call a cab for lunch?”
“Yes,” she said as Cameron gurgled. “Although he’s already had his lunch, so it’ll just be us dining, I think.”
Jenna Mae was slightly nervous about going out in public after hiding in the cabin for so long. She wanted to look at least half decent, not just for herself, but because she realized Jean-Paul hadn’t seen her in anything but sweat pants and a sweatshirt. She changed into the one dress she had, with leggings, and pulled a mascara wand from her bag, swiping it quickly over her eyes.
“Oh my,” he said, when she emerged from behind the curtain of the bed. “You look gorgeous.”
She blushed.
“It’s nothing,” she said. “This is old.”
“Well, it’s more than good enough for me,” he said, holding out his arm. “Shall we?”
She attempted to take his arm, but with Cameron on her hip, it was difficult. Jean-Paul reached out to take him and Jenna Mae handed the baby over. She trusted him completely at this point, and she had no qualms with him holding Cameron. He had already helped quite a bit over the last few days, and she found herself staring wishfully whenever he helped out. He was so kind and so caring, and she wished that it had always been like this.
Jenna Mae was very hesitant when it came to thoughts like that. She had promised herself that she was done with love and done with men. But everything Jean-Paul did was another twinge in her heart and another doubt in her mind about completely swearing off men.
When the cab came, Jean-Paul made sure that it had a car seat in it, which Jenna Mae thought was a miracle. Whenever she tried to get a cab in the city, it was impossible to find one with a car seat.
“Are you sure it’s ok?” she asked him. “Perhaps we can split the fee?”
“Please don’t worry,” he said. “I needed to go into town so it’s no issue. Supplies are running low in the cabin, in case you haven’t noticed. I think it would be fun to pick out a few things that you like.”
“Oh, what you have has been fine,” Jenna Mae said, as she pulled up Google on her phone. “I’m more interested in lunch, though. Do you know any places in town?”
“There’s only one restaurant in town,” he said, with a wink. “But it’s delicious.”
When they pulled up in front of the place, she thought it looked adorable and quaint. It was called the Bear’s Fur Cafe and there were little pawprints leading them inside. He held open t
he door for her, and she walked into what looked like a diner out of the forties.
“Place hasn’t changed much since I started coming here,” he said with a smile. “It’s why I seek it out. It’s comforting.”
“This looks adorable,” she said as a waitress started walking towards them. As soon as the waitress saw Jean-Paul, she gave a little curtsey.
“Sir,” she said. “Always a pleasure to see you again.”
Jenna Mae thought that was a bit of a strange reaction, but she wasn’t going to judge. She let the waitress lead them to a table and nodded no when she asked her if the baby needed a high chair. She kept him on her lap or lying beside her carefully as he slept. The table was in the corner, covered in red and white gingham, and there was a menu that looked like it had been typed on a typewriter.
Jenna Mae really wasn’t planning to say anything about the little curtsey until it happened a third time. The waitress curtsied when she brought the drinks and again when she brought the food. Unable to bite her tongue, Jenna Mae leaned into Jean-Paul.
“Are you some kind of royalty?” she asked, and he paused.
“What makes you think that?” he asked.
“The fact that she keeps curtseying,” Jenna Mae said. “Like you’re a prince.”
“My family has been around these parts for quite some time,” he said. “It’s just a little quirk. Don’t worry about it.”
“So you founded the town?” she asked.
“You could say that,” he replied, as he dug into his food.
“Wow, that’s awesome,” she said. “You must have so much history here. I can see why you love coming here.”
“I do like it,” he said. “But at the same time, I would not be opposed to...starting over.”
“Starting over?” she asked.
“Where no one knows your name,” he said, with a smile. “I’m sure you can relate.”
“Oh yes,” she replied. “I can.”
Despite a struggle over the bill, Jean-Paul won out on paying. Jenna Mae resolved to make him the best cake she could, and after lunch, they wandered over to the local grocery store.
It was an ordinary afternoon, and yet it was the most perfect afternoon that she had encountered in a long time. Jean-Paul was kind and even funny, and he was so handsome that her jaw dropped every time he turned to her. She felt like she had known him for years, and they seemed to agree on everything that they purchased. By the time they got back into a taxi to head to the cabin, he felt exhausted and yet delirious with happiness.
“I’m going to make this chocolate cake for dessert,” she said, holding up the box that they had bought. “Do you think it will go with the fish?”
“I think it will go perfectly,” he said, and she realized he was leaning in exceptionally close to her. Their lips were just inches apart and she didn’t pull back. Very gently, he leaned closer, so his lips brushed hers. “Anything you make will go perfectly.”
Jenna Mae didn’t know what to say, or what to do. For so long, touch had been something that caused pain. If she didn’t do everything perfectly when James leaned in to kiss her, he would hurt her.
She was afraid, and yet she somehow knew that she had no reason to be afraid. Jean-Paul was not James.
Still, she pulled back as soon as he touched her.
“I’m sorry,” he said, recognizing the fear in her eyes. “I should not have done that.”
“No, it’s fine, it’s fine,” she put her hands to her face. “It’s just…”
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, my dear,” he replied. “I should have known better.”
“It’s just a bit soon,” she said at last, and he nodded.
“Of course,” he replied, as the taxi pulled up in front of their cabin. “I hope that you will still join me inside?”
“What are…” her brain felt like it was on pause. “Of course I will.”
“Because if you need,” he said, softly, “I could leave you to the cabin. I would never want to do anything to hurt you or make you uncomfortable.”
“I don’t want you to go,” she said, quickly. “Please don’t go.”
Their eyes locked again, and neither of them moved. Their faces were close, but this time, he didn’t lean in.
“Your wish is my command,” he said and opened the door. The taxi driver went to take the groceries out of the trunk, and Jenna Mae took a moment alone in the car with Cameron. She took a deep breath, turning to her baby.
“Oh, Cameron,” she said. “What have we gotten ourselves into?”
The baby gurgled, and she smiled despite herself. No matter what was going on, Cameron could always make her smile.
She unbuckled him from his car seat and opened the door, ready to lift him out. Just as she did, her phone rang.
She reached into her back pocket to get it, wondering who could be calling her. There weren’t many people besides the insurance company who had her number, and that was all wrapped up now.
“Hello?” she asked, confused.
“Hello, Jenna Mae,” said James’s voice. She froze. “How are you?”
“Uh…” she couldn’t even make full words. In a panic she hung up the phone, staring at it.
Her life was over. She was sunk.
Chapter Six
“Who was that?” Jean-Paul asked her confused as he stood by the door. He had been holding the door open for her, waiting for her to enter. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s...it’s…” she couldn’t form the words. She met his eyes, and he knew right away.
“Is it James?” he asked her, and she nodded. “What did he say?”
“Nothing,” Jenna Mae answered. “I mean, he asked how I am, and I hung up on him. How did he get this number? How does he know where I am?”
“Calm down,” Jean-Paul said, approaching her. “It’s ok.”
“It’s not ok,” Jenna Mae answered. “It’s not ok. He knows where I am. He knows this number. He knows…”
“He knows the number,” Jean-Paul said, calmly. “That’s it. He doesn’t know where you are, and he doesn’t know anything about what you are doing.”
“But…”
“Jenna Mae,” he placed a hand on her shoulders. “It’s ok. I promise you. I will take care of you.”
She was completely afraid until he touched her. As soon as he touched her, her heart rate calmed down.
“Let’s go inside,” he said, and she nodded. Carrying Cameron inside, she sat in the kitchen chair, taking a deep breath. “Is there any way that any of your friends or family could have given him the number?”
“No,” Jenna Mae shook her head. “I haven’t told anyone anything. I haven’t even called anyone. It’s not like there’s anyone to call anyways.”
“And you haven’t shared it anywhere?” he asked.
“No,” she said. “The only people who have it is the insurance company.”
“Alright,” he said. “I’ll get to the bottom of this. But as of right now, we should call in and change the number.”
“But don’t you need it for work?” she asked him, and he smiled.
“It’s ok,” he said. “I can do it if you need.”
“Thank you,” Jenna Mae said, with a sigh. “You’ve been absolutely amazing.”
“I’ve done nothing more than you deserve,” he said. “In fact, if I could do more for you, I would.”
With the cabin door closed, and the three of them locked inside, Jenna Mae felt safer than she had in years. However, even after her number was changed, her protective bubble was broken when Jean-Paul told her his plans for the evening.
“I have to go out this evening,” he said. “But I won’t be long, and I won’t be far.”
“What?” she said, as she lay Cameron down to sleep. “Why?”
“I…” he seemed torn on telling her the truth. “There’s just something I have to take care of. I’m sorry, I know that it’s bad timing, but it has to be tonight.”
She swallowed hard, trying to be brave.
“I mean...alright…” she answered. “I’ll be alright. But you’ll be back soon?”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he answered. “Stay inside and don’t answer the door for anyone. I have a key, so there should be no reason for anyone to knock.”
“You can’t…” she hated to ask him after he had done so much. “You can’t delay it?”
“No,” he said. He resisted the urge to kiss her forehead and wrap her in his arms. “But you’ll be safe. I promise.”
She wanted to trust him because so far, everything he had said had turned out to be true. Still, it was hard to watch him walk out the door a few hours later.
Jean-Paul would have stayed if he could, but all afternoon, he had felt his bear side tingling. Normally, he could control his transformations without any issues. However, every once in a while, something forced him to transform. He figured that it would be a quick transformation: a walk in the woods, and then he’d be able to come back to her, without any issues.
As soon as he got far enough away from her, the transformation began. Jean-Paul let out a roar, falling onto all fours. He felt his skin change to fur and his muscles take the rounded shape of a bear.
His mindset as a bear was different than that of a human. He saw things differently; his vision focused more on shapes and movement than when he was human. His sense of smell has heightened, and he felt his power increase with each second.
He figured he just needed to transform for a few minutes. But as soon as he was bear, he smelt what he couldn’t smell as a human.
There were werewolf shifters in the area. And he was certain that they hadn’t been there before.
Wolves had a very distinct smell that any shifter could easily identify. What worried Jean-Paul was the fact that the scent suddenly ended about a mile from his cabin, which meant that the wolves had transformed. What troubled him most of all was the fact that there was more than one scent.
There had been several wolf shifters here, and as recently as yesterday.
Normally, the shifters kept their distance from each other. If they met, it was on neutral territory. This was his territory, as Alpha Bear, and there shouldn’t be a single shifter on it without his explicit permission, bear or wolf or otherwise.