Saving Her Bear: A Second Chances Romance Read Online Free PDF Page B

truck to head for home.
    John called to her as they pulled out. “Don’t be a stranger, alright?”
    She’d smiled wider than she would have liked at this.
    Catherine sat in the passenger seat of Bennett’s truck, soaked to the bone from the deluge that instantly put out their fire and soaked their breakfast. She’d scrambled to tuck in the tent poles, but the storm kicked up quick.
    “What are you smiling about, girl? You look like a drowned rat.”
    Bennett was in a bit of a sour mood. Not only had Jean decided on a wild night with Jason and Paul, she’d also opted to catch a ride with them that afternoon, heading down to Bangor to hit the casino before heading further south.
    Catherine couldn’t help, but smile. She’d woken up feeling warm and safe, her body wrapped in blankets and sleeping bags and the smell of cedar and fir. She’d also opened her eyes to find her cheek pressed into the chest of John Fenn. She’d pulled from him the instant she realized - she’d been asleep in his arms.
    They’d driven much of the way in silence, coming into Porter Split Road as the storm broke, giving way to a constant rain.
    “Glad somebody got some action, last night.”
    Catherine startled at the comment. “Oh god, it’s not like that. He’s not like that.”
    Bennett scoffed. “Bull shit. All men are like that.”
    “Not John,” she said, and she knew it to be true. She and John had spent hundreds of hours together when they were young; holding hands, talking about their dreams and their crazy ideas – despite the raging thunder of hormones they were both suffering from, never once had John tried to have sex with her. In fact, he only finally kissed her the day they drove to Canada together.
    She never found out if it would lead to more. That trip to Canada was the last straw. Her stepdad wouldn’t have her running off to other countries with a Fenn.
    “You’re lucky he didn’t kill you,” had been her mother’s comment.
    Bennett thrummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Well, that might be a good thing. I’ve heard some crazy shit from the few girls he’s dated.”
    “What?”
    Yet, Bennett didn’t have time to answer her question as they rounded the last corner into the Calhoun family driveway.
    Bennett took a deep breath, blowing out through pursed lips. “Alright, cuz. I’m gonna let you do the talking in here.”
    “What? Why?”
    Bennett shook his head. “You know my Dad.”
    Catherine frowned. Though she’d never had any trouble with Uncle Bodie, she knew Bennett’s experience to be far different. Bodie was known for his temper, something even her mother mentioned from time to time. He apparently wasn’t the nicest big brother, either.
    “You think he’s going to be mad?”
    Bennett shrugged. “Let’s find out, yeah? In the end, it is Grampy’s house, right?”
    Catherine turned to look at the old house she’d once known so well. Despite over ten years since last she laid eyes on the old homestead, it was just as she remembered it – save for the landscaping Armageddon. The old shed was now overgrown with raspberry briars and high grasses, only slightly less so where the doors opened at the front side. She could already guess what was within its confines – an ATV, a kayak, a snowblower, and some Lobster traps. She’d bet her life on it.
    Clearly, her grandmother’s absence was felt dearly in the gardening department.
    Bennett shut down the truck, glanced her way, then gave her knee a squeeze. “Come on, cuz. It won’t be so bad.”
    They walked into the kitchen to the familiar smells of woodstove fires and seaspray, long settled into every board and window frame. Catherine followed Bennett through the kitchen into the living room, where they were greeted by the two older gentlemen, legs up, feet clad in leather L.L. Bean slippers, fully ensconced in the football game.
    “Pops. Gramps. Look who I brought in from the cold.”
    Uncle Bodie glanced over his shoulder, laying