Raising The Stakes (Heartwarming Romance) (10 page)

He was heading around back when he heard noises. A squeal turned his brisk walk into a sprint and in seconds he’d reached the cage, jerking open each door and bursting into the enclosure.

To his shock, Vivie sat inside holding a wriggling centipede over her mouth. Button watched then scooped insects from one of the rotten logs Vivie must have dragged inside.

“Liam!” Vivie scrambled to her feet, a hand splayed across her chest. Even in the overcast morning, she seemed to grab the light. Her hair tawny, her skin gold. “What are you doing here?”

“I should ask the same,” he ground out, his ire rising that, once again, she’d gone back on her word. Or had she even given it to him at the festival? She’d heard him. He remembered her acknowledging that much. He should have pressed her further. Gotten her vow.

Button raced behind Vivie and poked her face around Vivie’s back to watch him. Did he intimidate the cub? Good. Or at least, it should feel right since she needed to be afraid of people who might shoot her. Still, he didn’t like frightening the young animal.

“Let’s continue this inside.” Without a backward glance, he strode out of the enclosure and headed for Vivie’s house, pausing to toss the ball Scooter dropped at his feet.

Vivie closed the kitchen door when she joined him, her expression defiant.

“I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow.” She gestured for him to take a seat, but he stood by her pantry instead, his hands clenched behind his back. By all rights, he should confiscate the cub now. Vivie had proven more than once that she wouldn’t follow the rules.

“I’m sure you didn’t. What were you doing inside the enclosure again?”

She pulled out a pitcher of iced tea and poured them each a glass. When she passed him one, he noticed her steady hands. Shouldn’t she be nervous? Scared of the consequences? He hated thinking of it, yet she looked calm.

After a long drink, she lowered her cup. “I was feeding Button.”

“But not through the slot.”

“She can’t learn to eat the right things that way. I need to teach her.”

His drink sloshed when he gestured. “Animals act on instinct.”

“The larger the mammal, the more dependent they are on a parent. Bear cubs stay with their mothers for two years sometimes. I read that on Dr. Philip Vogel’s website.”

Philip Vogel? How had she heard of the animal behaviorist? Liam had picked up a book by the doctor a few months ago but hadn’t gotten around to reading it yet. “You’re not her mother.”

“I’m the nearest Button’s got.” Her eyes darkened, the lighter flecks disappearing.

“Not anymore,” he forced himself to say. “I’m taking the cub. Today.”

Her face paled. “Not happening.”

He stared at her, admiring her tenacity, despite his frustration. “You’re a danger to her well-being.”

“And shooting her will be taking such better care of Button.”

His mouth fell open before he caught himself. He hadn’t planned on harming the bear. Had hoped Wendy and Steve might agree to take it for a couple of days while he figured things out...but Vivie was right. The chances of finding a refuge on such short notice, or at all, were very slim. Ultimately, he would probably have to put Button down; the thought rolled through him, heavy and dark.

“Better than letting her walk right up to a hunter and get shot.”

“Sounds like the same end, either way,” she fired back, her hands curling as she leaned on the table. Color returned to her face, the blood brightening her cheeks.

She had him there. But still...these were his department’s methods. Not to be questioned...or should they be?

As if sensing his indecision, she pulled him to her living room and tapped on her keyboard, bringing up Dr. Vogel’s home page. The cover photo, him dangling an insect over his mouth as a cub watched, mirrored Vivie’s earlier action.

“I spoke to Dr. Vogel and he’s had more success reintroducing bears to the wild than any other rehabilitator in the country.”

“Or luck.”

“Not luck. He’s a scientist who’s researched animal behavior, particularly that of bears, for decades. He promised to come here, accompanied by every media outlet he can get hold of, if you try to take Button.”

Her words shoved him like he’d been slapped. “Are you threatening me?”

“Aren’t you threatening Button?”

“No. I’m doing what’s right.”

“And so am I. Why don’t you help me instead of blocking me?”

He scrutinized her askance. Did she think he’d go against his department’s regulations? He’d lose his job. Then again, he had just been offered one in Yellowstone. And their rehabilitation regulations resembled what he saw on Dr. Vogel’s web page. His current employer didn’t have all the answers. Maybe—just maybe—Vivie had a point.

“If I help you with this plan, and that’s a big if, it means we’ll be working together to achieve the bear’s eventual release. Do you support that?”

She swallowed, uncertainty flickering in her eyes for the first time since he’d arrived. “I can’t promise that until I’m satisfied her jaw is no longer an issue. But I know it’s important to show her the kinds of food she’ll need to find if she’s forced back into the wild. And shoving them through a slot won’t cut it.”

“Neither will sitting in her enclosure and having a picnic.” He raked a hand through his hair. “Vivie. If you plan to follow Dr. Vogel’s methods, you can’t do them halfway. Otherwise you’re just playing house with a pet.”

“No I’m not,” she snapped. Her desk chair spun around and she glared up at him.

“Think about it. You’re sharing meals, playing, napping together...not the actions of someone raising an animal to be wild.”

“But I don’t want her to be—”

He raised an eyebrow and waited for her to see how unreasonable she was being.

A long sigh took the air right out of her. “Fine. Then what do you suggest?”

“I’m not agreeing with Dr. Vogel’s methods yet. I’ll need to talk to him. Read more. But if we do this, I need your full commitment. We’ll take Button into the wild and show her how to find her food and other survival needs. Expose her to what life as a bear is like, not life as a house pet.”

She studied him for a long time. “I’m not sure I can do that.”

He swallowed hard, wishing she’d accept this olive branch. Did she know how much he risked by even contemplating her crazy scheme? “And why is that?”

“I don’t like leaving home.”

“If you’re worried about more poachers, they’re rare and never this close to towns. It’s highly unlikely we would encounter any.”

She shook her head, her eyes wide. “I don’t like leaving home.”

He stared at her. Confused. “You go to the diner.”

“That is home,” she said quietly. “And the Woodsman’s Day is something Maggie took me to long ago to deliver the pies...but that’s it except for the supermarket and the vet’s.”

Suddenly he realized they weren’t talking about Button. This was personal. Something kept her from leaving her carefully constructed habitat. What? He turned over possibilities, but held himself back from asking.

Like Button’s enclosure, if her world was this narrow, she needed more. By getting Button out into the wild, he might help Vivie, too. He wondered why that mattered to him as much as it did.

Feeling warm, he reached up and pulled the chain on her ceiling fan. “I could take Button on my own, but she’d do better with you near.”

Vivie bit her lower lip, her jaw tight. “How far would we go?”

“In search of food? Hard to say. Could be miles.” He wasn’t going to sugarcoat it. Maybe, if he made this difficult enough, she’d change her mind and back down. But somehow he didn’t want her to. Despite his training, he recognized the sense in Dr. Vogel’s approach.

The clock chimed and they studied each other, tension stretching between them.

At last she nodded.

“For Button, I’m in.”

CHAPTER NINE

T
HE
ROSE
AND
LAVENDER
sky held the promise of a beautiful June day. Vivie zipped up her sweatshirt against the morning breeze and shivered with nervous anticipation. After four days, Liam finally had time off to take Button out with her. She eyed the clouds drifting across the lightening horizon and wondered. Everything seemed too perfect for something to go wrong, but her mind ran over every possible danger.

Number one—what if Button ran away? Dr. Vogel had assured her, during last night’s chat, that the cub might venture, but she would always follow the person she saw as a mother figure. Number two—what if they encountered something bigger than Button, a male bear that might attack? Dr. Vogel had tried to ease that concern, too. Black bears weren’t typically aggressive.

Typically. Vivie chewed on the inside of her cheek, her fingers pressing tight against the sides of her legs.

And most scary of all—what if there were poachers camped out there? Shooting at anything that moved? Liam had assured her they were rare, but worry still filled her.

Liam’s tires crunched along her gravel driveway and she stepped off her porch. Now or never. Dewy grass clung to her ankles as she headed to meet him. Hopefully the strengthening sun would dry the woods before they got too far.

Goose bumps rose on her arms. How much distance would they travel? The terrifying notion had kept her up most of the night. But she had to do this for Button. Another part of her couldn’t resist the idea of spending a day with Liam. Deep down, she knew he’d keep them safe.

The officer’s handsome face appeared as he emerged from his SUV, his dark hair set off by a light blue T-shirt. He also wore shorts that stopped above his knees and his hiking boots looked much more practical than her sandals. He smiled when he caught sight of her and a glow, like a struck match, flared inside. Was he happy to see her or eager for this adventure?

She fought the urge to jog over, not wanting to appear as excited to see him as she felt. Instead, she meandered, breathing in the fresh wildflower-and pine-scented air. The trees resounded with waking birds, their tweets and calls breaking the hush. Scooter bounded out of some brush and a quail squawked skyward. Her dog’s square head swiveled from side to side and his tail drooped. Poor buddy. Since he couldn’t hear, he’d lost the element of surprise. She eyed her galloping pet as he neared, wondering if he’d ever had it. For a gaming dog, he lacked—er—game.

“Hey, Scoots!” Liam hunkered down and held up a large rawhide “bone.” Quail forgotten, Scooter’s ears pricked forward and he nearly knocked Liam over when he grabbed for the treat.

“Sit!” Vivie gestured with her hands until her pet looked over, then signaled for him to get down. She didn’t want Scooter losing all of his manners around company. Although the more time she spent with Liam, the less he seemed like a stranger and the more he felt like a—a...well, there was no need to label Liam. But the word
enemy
no longer seemed to apply.

Especially for her rambunctious dog. With satisfaction, she watched her Lab drop his butt to the ground. His sweeping tail cleared an arc of pine needles and pebbles. Overhead, a towering red maple rustled crimson against the bruised sky.

“Good boy,” crooned Liam, even though Scooter couldn’t hear him. He stroked her dog’s head and lifted his eyes to hers, their sparkling delight setting off that strange fluttering sensation in her stomach. He was so good with her animals. Showered them with attention when others dodged their exuberant affection.

It’d been a long time since she’d noticed a man this way. In fact, after the assault, it’d been a hard road to feel at all comfortable around men again. But something about Liam, as angry as he made her at times, cut though her guard. Strangely, he made her feel safe.

She eyed the woods. Would that keep her from having a panic attack once she lost sight of her home—of civilization? It’d be humiliating to make a fool of herself. Plus, she might scare Button.

Liam reached into his SUV, donned a backpack and sauntered over to join her.

“Ready for this?”

No
, she thought. But she nodded, anyway.

One side of his mouth lifted. “Good. This should be fun. I finished Dr. Vogel’s book last night and, since it’s berry season, we’ll forage for them with Button today.”

Sounded harmless enough. “Okay. Should I put Scooter inside?”

Liam nodded. “Probably a good idea. He might chase after a porcupine or do something else that could take our focus off Button.”

She headed to her front door and pulled it open. Once she caught Scooter’s attention, she gestured for him to go inside. “Button won’t go after anything like that, will she?”

Scooter brushed by her, bone in mouth, as Jinx leaped over his back and raced across the yard to some distant bushes. The life of a pet owner. Never dull...

Liam pulled out his water bottle and uncapped it. “No. Bears are more opportunistic. If we see a dead animal she might get interested, though.”

Luckily he was too busy drinking to notice her shudder. She didn’t want him thinking she was squeamish, not up to the job. Though, for her, this “introduce Button to the wilderness” venture was just an excuse to spend time with the cub. She didn’t really believe they’d release the bear.

“After you put on proper foot gear, let’s get Button. Sandals won’t cut it on a hike.” He stowed his water and walked to the enclosure. Minutes later, boots on, she joined him at the pen. They had a devil of a time trying to get Button outside.

“See?” Vivie gasped. She leaned against the fence holding her aching sides. “She likes it in here. Doesn’t want to leave.”

Liam shook his head, his jaw firm. “She just doesn’t know what she’s missing. Go outside and call her.”

Vivie eyed Button. She crouched beneath the maple tree, her eyes large and her mouth open as her sides heaved. Poor, stressed-out cub.

“Maybe we should do this another day.”

“I have tomorrow off, too, but it won’t make a difference. It’s now or never.”

With a sigh, Vivie headed for the gates and called for Button. Luckily, the cub had dropped Turtle during their chase and Vivie grabbed it before leaving the pen. She waved it overhead.

“Button! Come on. Want to play with me and Turtle?”

Liam stayed motionless at the opposite end of the space and Button warily took a few steps toward the exit.

Vivie swam Turtle in the air. “Look at this. Turtle likes it out here. You will, too. Come on.”

Button gave a couple of short barks, then galloped across the grassy area and stopped at the fence’s opening.

“Come on, girl. We’re going to have a fun day berry picking.”

Button stepped outside and turned her head from side to side, each paw placed as carefully as if she walked on hot coals.

“See. It’s not so bad,” Vivie soothed. A part of her wanted to scream, “No. Go back where it’s safe,” but she’d promised Liam.

The metallic click of the shutting door startled the bear. She whipped around, spotted Liam and backed toward Vivie. Once the bear was in reach, Vivie rested a hand on the Button’s trembling head. “It’s okay. He’s a friend.”
One who almost shot you
, she added silently.
Who might still do so...

Best to remember that.

Liam reached into his backpack and pulled out a bag. “Want some?” When he extended a palm full of raspberries, Button’s nose flared, inhaling the strong, sweet smell.

Button peered at Vivie, back at the berries, then up at Vivie again.

“Let’s check out what Liam brought us.” Vivie closed the distance between them, plucked a piece of fruit from Liam’s hand, and dropped it into her mouth. The tart sweetness made her suck in her cheeks.

“Yum. Good,” she forced out. Liam’s twinkling gaze met hers and she couldn’t resist smiling. It was hard to remember every strike against him when he stood so tall and handsome, his face kind, gestures thoughtful.

Button nosed Liam’s palm and her pink tongue flashed. In seconds, she devoured the treat and sniffed frantically for more.

“Like those, huh?” Liam stroked her head, then moved away. “Follow Vivie and me and we’ll help you find more.”

With that, he turned on his heel and headed through a gap in the thick tree line that surrounded Vivie’s backyard. Button shuffled close to Vivie and waited. Vivie peered at the dense foliage, feeling a quiver of fear spread from the pit of her stomach all the way up her spine.

She’d wanted a house on an isolated property but, until now, had never wanted to explore the surroundings. Seeing Button look so excited, however, gave her courage. They’d have a good day together.

Her gaze lingered on Liam’s vanishing back.
Together
being the most important word of all.

* * *

L
IAM
FOLLOWED
V
IVIE
and Button as they ascended a dirt path in the forest. Everything smelled of fresh leaves, blossoming flowers and green wood. Bees hummed and wasps droned, filling the fragrant stillness with their murmur. But what captured his attention most was the beautiful woman wandering ahead. Her dark blond hair fell full and long across her shoulder blades. Her back nipped into a narrow waist, her hips flaring just enough to make his hands itch to span them.

He forced his eyes away. He had no business admiring what he couldn’t have. He’d been offered the Yellowstone position. Although he hadn’t given them his decision yet, accepting the new job was a foregone conclusion. Three years in one spot was enough. After meeting Vivie, however, his need to leave had stopped its persistent clamor. Was it because he felt responsible for the bear, or something more personal? Was he developing feelings for Vivie?

He listened to her steady chatter as she talked to Button, liking the easy rise and fall of her voice. It soothed the restlessness in him. When he was around her, something tight inside him relaxed for the first time since he’d left Kunar. While she drove him crazy over Button, he knew she wanted to do right by the animal. As a conservation officer, he had to admire that about her, even if she was sometimes misguided.

He stepped over a fallen tree and his boot landed in a muddy patch before snagging on a tree root, pitching him to one knee. Vivie’s boots, he noticed, remained dry, her feet firmly on the ground. With luck, the rest of today’s excursion would go as smoothly for her.

If all went as planned, the foraging missions would help Vivie accept Button’s release this fall. When he’d explained that to his boss, and let him know about Dr. Vogel’s media threat, his supervisor had given his grudging permission. They could break policy as long as Liam was present during the outings and he kept this to himself.

With everything in place, Liam was ready to experiment. After reading Dr. Vogel’s compelling arguments, he actually looked forward to trying his techniques.

He swatted a nagging horsefly. The buzzing insect reminded him that he’d forgotten the repellent. “Wait, Vivie!” He caught up to her and pulled out a canister. “Hold out your leg.”

She peered at him beneath raised brows. “Excuse me?”

He shook the bug spray. “For ticks.”

“Oh.” She extended a sweetly curved calf and he took his time spraying the back and front of each leg.

“You’ve done that part three times now,” she said, a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Right.” He coated himself then stowed the can. “Safe now.”

She wrapped her slender arms around her waist and shivered. “I hope so.” Suddenly her eyes got big and she turned in a circle. “Where’s Button?”

“She won’t have wandered far. I’ll find her.” Fear raced through him. Focusing on the bear was his priority and he’d dropped the ball.

“Button!” hollered Vivie as she sprinted farther up the trail.

Liam began to follow then stopped, reason returning. The cub was small but would leave a noticeable trail. He scouted the area, found a bent brush and a paw print on the side of the path and tracked, working slowly so as not to miss the route she’d taken.

“Button!” he heard Vivie shout again, fainter now. At that rate, Vivie would make it up to Poke-O-Moonshine’s peak before she turned back. Still, he didn’t want to call out to her in case she accidentally walked through the trail he followed, disturbing signs of the bear’s passage.

A bit of black fur dangled from a low branch and he headed in that direction. It surprised him that the bear would wander this far. Yet Button was a wild animal. Predictions rarely panned out. He pushed through more brambles, following faint paw impressions and bent branches. A scrabble of claws on stone told him he was closing in.

Just as he caught site of a round, black rump, it disappeared again into a meadow and he pulled up short.

The trees rimming the grassy spot held still under the blue sky, their limbs outstretched to receive the sun’s rays. Flowers unfolded like red, white and yellow stars on shrubs and bushes on the clearing’s edge. Small birds twittered and clung to the tall, waving grass, taking flight as Button tramped past. She headed, if Liam wasn’t mistaken, toward a raspberry patch.

“You found her,” gasped Vivie beside him, the hand she placed on his arm warm.

“She followed her nose.” He nodded at Button who stretched up on her back legs and nosed through the red clumps dangling from a bush.

“Wow.” Vivie waded through the grass and Liam followed, studying the ground ahead of her in case any snakes lurked. It was unlikely they’d find another timber rattler, but it paid to be careful.

“You found this on your own, Button!” Vivie plunked down on the grass by the bushes and began pulling off the plump berries. Her eyes closed when she put a couple in her mouth, her expression blissful.

Liam couldn’t stop staring at her delicate features, his eyes tracing the curve of her cheeks, the fine arch of her brows and the narrow point of her chin. When she wasn’t mad at him, she was gorgeous. And when she was, she got even cuter. But her beauty had nothing to do with why he looked forward to seeing her. There was no easy answer for that. Or at least, not one he’d let himself nail down.